In Q4 2017 Google Android users collectively initiated 19 billion app downloads, which is 145% more than the Apple App Store, which generated over 7.7 billion downloads. Although Android has more downloads, Apple continues to generate more revenue. The App Store accounted for $11.5 billion, while the Play Store saw a paltry $5.9 billion in revenue.
Apple continues to be the number one ecosystem where developers can depend on users paying more money for apps and in-app purchases. I have been told by many companies such as Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble that iOS is their bread and butter and they put a huge priority on iOS. They introduce new features on iOS first and later bring them over to Android. Not to mention this is a huge boon for indie developers who are releasing high quality audiobook and ebook apps on the Apple platform, where users pay to unlock certain features or purchase content.
According to App Annie, the greatest source of revenue growth was the introduction of in-app subscriptions in video apps. Productivity apps, too, led the charge on Google Play, thanks in part to the introduction of app subscriptions for Google Drive storage.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
