iPad elicits huge surge in app development

Brainstorm Tech is reporting something incredible today. Even though the iPad hasn't officially launched, it's already produced an unprecedented spike in app development, compared to Android.

Flurry is a data and research firm that uses apps running their Flurry Analytics to track usage. They reported today that some 600 new applications were developed for the App Store in December of 2009, while more than 1,600 were built during January. Phillip Elmer-Dewitt of Fortune identified this spike as the largest in Flurry's history. Many believe that, as with the iPhone's initial launch, the first apps to be made available specifically for the iPad will realize huge sales. A land grab, if you will.

Many of the developers we're speaking with at Macworld Expo are excited about the iPad, but cautious. For example, when we spoke with Steve Shepard of Storyist, he said that he's excited to buy one and consider how it could fit with his product, but doesn't have solid plans to get right to work.

We'll see if the excitement is maintained after the device actually launches.

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Source: http://blog.flurry.com/bid/30548/Flurry-Smartphone-Industry-…

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Macworld Software App Store iPad

Brainstorm Tech is reporting something incredible today. Even though the iPad hasn't officially launched, it's already produced an...

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Mike

Dreamwriter, that is the stupidest thing ive read today.

http://ipadhype.net

February 12 2010 at 7:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

BryanF

Um, the iPad was introduced (and the new SDK released) on January 27th. It seems like a bit of a stretch to say that any huge surge in app development in January was mainly because of iPad apps that no one (except the few tapped by Apple to see the SDK early) could possibly have been working on for more than a couple of days.

Sounds more to me like a company trying to grab some buzz for their services by working "iPad" into a press release as much as they can.

February 12 2010 at 4:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tim

For me, apps that I would purchase for my iPad will be much different than what goes on my iPhone. Based on the current reviews that state the current crop of apps look like crap in 2X mode on the iPad, I just don't see me purchasing separate versions for the iPad, that could get crazy expensive.

I can see Books and productivity apps, but maybe not games or navigation.

February 12 2010 at 4:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Tim's comment

Kevin

Maybe not turn by turn navigation, but maps would be more useful on a larger screen.

I'm not a pilot, but I think the iPad would be a great platform for aviation maps.

I'd probably use most of my iPhone apps on the iPad, but there are productivity apps that are more suited to the big screen.

I think the iPad-centric apps will cost more than the iPhone/iPod Touch versions. The prices on the iWork apps ($9.99 each) should tell you that much.

February 12 2010 at 9:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dreamwriter

...or, maybe a bunch of people got iPhones or iPod Touches for Christmas and decided to start making apps for them.

February 12 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Dreamwriter's comment

maxmontreal

You're not funny

February 12 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Quinn Taylor

It's hard to support an argument that people who received one for Christmas learned how to program an iPhone app and got it on the App Store for the month of January, though. The number of new Android apps increased too, but iPhone blew that away.

Here's another idea: In spite of race-to-the-bottom underpricing of apps, iPhone and the App Store have enough momentum that developers may find it more worthwhile monetarily to produce iPhone apps. Think about it â€” even cheap/free apps that display ads bring in more money when more people use the app. Supply and demand.

Time will tell, but I'm guessing you'll see that number increasing leading up to and following the iPad launch. (Since the iPad was announced on January 27th, I strongly doubt is caused such a huge spike. Most people thought it would run OS X, anyway.)

February 12 2010 at 4:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply