Although Android devices continue to devour market share, the consumers purchasing those handsets are, apparently, not excited about the apps available for Android, according to MobileMix: The Mobile Device Index, a report on April’s device, manufacturer and OS statistics, prepared by Millennial Media. Fifty-three percent of smartphones now run Android, but Android device owners purchase only 39 percent of mobile apps; sales of apps for iOS account for 50 percent of the market.
Consumers continue to embrace smartphones with both arms. Sales of smartphones increased 6 percent, month-over-month. And, for the first time, all 20 best-selling mobile phones fall into that category. Of those 20 devices, 16 run the Android operating system and three run BlackBerry OS. The iPhone, which alone accounted for more than 20 percent of mobile phones sales in April, is the only device that runs the proprietary iOS. When all connected Apple devices — iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch — were included, Apple was the leading device manufacturer in April, accounting for more than 32 percent of device sales.
The number of people accessing the Internet using a Wi-Fi connection increased 7 percent month-over-month, due largely to the increase in the use of tablet devices. In fact 29 percent of mobile device connectivity was via Wi-Fi.
As always consumer mobile device usage reflected seasonal events and interests. Consumers used their mobile devices to make leisure plans. Use of travel applications increased 91 percent month-over-month, as consumers did research about and made purchases related to spring and summer vacations. And sports-related apps experienced a 56 percent growth as consumers engaged with the end of basketball season and the beginning of baseball.
More in Media
Media Briefing: Dotdash Meredith’s Jon Roberts on the AI agenda in 2025
This week’s Media Briefing features an interview with Dotdash Meredith’s chief innovation officer Jon Roberts on his plans for AI tech development in 2025.
OpenAI, The New York Times debate copyright infringement of AI tech companies in first trial arguments
The copyright infringement trial between The New York Times and OpenAI kicked off in a federal court hearing on Tuesday. Here’s what both parties argued.
Digiday+ Research: More than half of publishers reported revenue increases in 2024
Publishers said revenues were up last year and media companies had a successful 2024 — but that success didn’t extend to the media industry as a whole.