The Android Market has become one of the most crowded around, with new figures suggesting that there are now 400,000 apps to choose from.
Unlike Apple's strict approval policy, the Android Market is seen a little like the Wild West of the mobile, with many applications getting through which would never make the cut on iOS.
This doesn't detract from just how big the Android Market has become in what is a relatively short space of time: according to app analytic firm Distimo, there are now 400,000 apps available, up from 200,000 in April.
It is still lagging behind the Apple App Store, which hit the 400,000 mark in June but Google seems to be catching up at quite a rate.
400,000 apps you say? Well we have managed to whittle this down to the 10 best on the Market. Watch our video to find out if your favourite made the cut.
App star
When it comes to how the number breaks down. Distimo has pointed out that 68 per cent of all apps on the market are free and there are now over 100,000 publishers creating apps for the Market.
What's interesting is that despite Google's apparent laissez faire attitude to app checking, 400,000 does relate to those apps which are active and doesn't include ones that were eventually taken off the Market for infringing copyright or being conduits to bugs.
Currently, the most popular app in all categories are: Grand Theft Auto III (paid) and Facebook for Android (free). But it is World of Goo which makes the most cash – which makes sense because it is stupidly addictive and worth every penny.
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
wowminister
January 6th
3. Until Android owners accept that you need to pay for good software you will still get the load of fragmented half baked rubbish you get in Market.
True the AppStore has that too, but at the high end IOS apps are way more polished. Design costs money, and developers need money to exist. Pay for your apps and get better quality.
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ibanezlewis
January 5th
2. It's just a shame that they're not so stringent on the Android marketplace, they let hacks publish Monty Python and Alan Partridge soundboards with terrible quality samples. I want my comedy in HD damn it!
But yeah, I much prefer the Android marketplace over what iOS offers, and it's good that developers are starting to finally take Android seriously as a platform, with better and more polished apps then there has been in the past.
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blackbetty
January 4th
1. I see what you did there, you pretended that there is alot of **** in the Android market (which may be true), but it's equally true of the iOS store too.
There is little to choose between iOS Appstore and Android Marketplace, the only real difference of course, is the Android marketplace is OPEN, meaning you can take your apps with you when you buy a new Android mobile from a different hardware supplier. With iOS, you are stuck with Apple, like it or not, they have you by the balls.
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