Analysts from ABI Research predict that in 2012 the number of downloads of mobile applications for smartphones worldwide will reach 36 billion, which is 6% higher than last year. However, according to their calculations, there will be a gradual decrease in the total number of downloads in the coming years.
This is generally consistent with the data of the latest Distimo report, which you have met today.
Researchers explain this trend by the “maturation” of the market. According to Aapo Markkanen, senior analyst at ABI Research, “the next wave of smartphone consumers in the most developed markets will download fewer applications than representatives of the first third of mobile users who have purchased smartphones.” The main factor driving the decline in the average number of downloads, some experts call the evolution of the mobile web (this includes the development of cloud services).