iPhone means big business for developers of all sizes
Since the launch of the Apple App Store in July 2008, more than 500 million applications have already been downloaded. By January 2008, the average daily rate of app downloads had passed the 5 million mark, up from 2.5 million the previous month. This has generated substantial profits for many developers who live in garages and code furiously. Recently, Lim Ding Wen, a 9-year-old boy from Singapore, created an iPhone app called Doodle Kids. To date, Wen’s app has garnered 4,000 downloads. Users create images by dragging a finger across the screen. Even celebrities are drawn to the fervor of the iPhone. Ben Stein recently released a game of his own, Ben Stein: It’s Trivial. The game has more than 1,200 trivia questions. The uStream app announced a download volume of 113,000 in just 24 hours. It is this variety and juxtaposition of smaller developers with more experienced players that makes this market trend so compelling.
To provide further context, the Apple App Store allows third-party developers to submit their own proprietary games and apps to this sizeable distribution channel. While not all apps/games are accepted, many are finding a place in the app store. To date, the app store hosts more than 15,000 apps and counting.
There are many things that explain the popularity of these casual apps and games. Let’s start with the device itself. iPhone offers a rich user experience that has so far surpassed that of any competitive mobile device. The platform allows an exquisite graphical presentation and a dynamic interaction with the user. The multi-touch user interface, as well as the motion-sensitive accelerometer, make the iPhone a serious gaming platform.
The popularity of these apps is aided by the functionality of the apps and games themselves. With the extensive capabilities that iPhone offers, users find apps that meet a variety of needs and games that are easy on the eyes and fun to play. More importantly, the cost point of many of these games and apps is more than affordable. Many apps require a payment ranging from $0.99 to $5.00, while many others are free. Given the increased economic climate, this is critical to market success. It’s safe to assume that many are looking for a respite from the rigors of a failing economy and simple, affordable pleasures will likely continue to grow in popularity. At the touch of a digital button, you can lose yourself in Sudoku for the day.