App developers brace themselves for a boom in the market

Redearch from market analysts, Gartner has predicted an explosion in the app market, thanks to new tablet devices.

The research foresees app downloads reaching a whopping 185 billion by the close of 2014 as each tech company weighs in with their own range of tablet devices.

The rise of Android smartphones – as well as other OSs – is also expected to have a positive effect on app downloads.

Gartner’s research has shown that 90% of apps downloaded in 2010 were accessed via Apple’s App Store; a percentage that looks likely to decrease thanks to increased competition from companies such as Nokia and Research in Motion.

“As of today, Apple is well ahead of the game,” said Stephanie Baghdassarian, one of Gartner’s team of analysts. “Many are wondering if the app frenzy is just a fashion. We do not think so.”

Baghdrassarian outlined how the different approaches of different app providers have promoted a comptetitive market environment and retained brand loyalty:

“Android apps don’t get vetted,” she said. “That’s the risk Android runs with its open approach.” Apple’s app store, on the other hand, has become synonymous with stringent quality control.

However, Baghdrassarian hinted that this high-quality approach might not be enough to retain Apple its market share, as more and more tech-users begin to check out other devices.

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