Smartphone users to increase app usage this year

Category: Mobile Work Force Tips

Smartphones may see a rise in popularity in 2012, as a recent study from the United Kingdom shows that users around the world will download more apps on average this year.

ABI Research reveals that smartphone users, on average, will download 37 apps in 2012, which is a 6 percent increase from the 35 apps downloaded per smartphone user on average last year. In addition, smartphone subscribers on a whole will download roughly 36 billion apps total this year.

However, Aapo Markkanen, a senior analyst at ABI Research, said the increase on a year-over-year basis isn't all that significant and that in coming years, downloaded apps may actually decrease slightly.

"When forecasting on app downloads one has to make a number of assumptions on, for instance, the device mix, developer activity, and the demographics of existing and future smartphone users," Markkanen said. "The next waves of smartphone subscribers in the more mature app markets of the United States, Western Europe, and parts of Asia will be downloading quite notably fewer apps than, say, the first one-third of the mobile consumers who bought smartphones."

Meanwhile, user experience is oftentimes lacking in many app categories as the web will likely never match the native app in this area. This can be useful news for small business owners that integrate smartphone and app usage into business operations but are consider turning to the world wide web instead. Native apps allow for a more personalized, custom experience that lends itself to greater accuracy in the field.

Mobile smartphone apps aren't used exclusively by consumers. In fact, small business owners that employ field service professionals also use smartphone technology and software through apps to improve business operations.