Pinch Media reveals interesting App Store statistics

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Apple Insider has posted results of Pinch Media's App Store usage report, which goes into detail on things like free app usage and how price drops affect apps.

There are many interesting statistics revealed, but one that speaks out is 5% of apps downloaded aren't used past the first month of download. In addition to this, only 20% of users continue to use free applications past the first day of downloading. Greg Yardley, Chief Executive of Pinch Media, has also made a statement about free applications. He said that, "[snip] unless there's something inherent about the app that screams free, sell it"," because applications with advertising built in simply do not generate enough money for developers. On average, free applications would need to generate $8.75 CPM (cost per thousand, to advertisers), but currently they only make 50c to $2 CPM. Hardly the numbers they need, so it doesn't warrant the time taken to develop programs for the App Store.

These statistics don't speak very highly of the quality of content available on Apple's store, but that doesn't stop it from being successful and having other companies follow suit.

#1 m.keeley on 20 Feb 2009 - 21:58

I've downloaded quite a few apps that I have and used a couple of times. That said it's no different to downloading desktop programs, there are plenty that have been uninstalled almost straight away.

(2 replies) #2 Sam Symons Live on 20 Feb 2009 - 22:01

I'm curious as to how they got the statistics, myself; does this mean applications phone home to report usage? Not sure how else they'd get data on how often applications are used on the iPhone/iPod touch.

#2.1 Justin- on 21 Feb 2009 - 04:32

Sam Symons Live said,

Pinch Media is an advertiser. Hence, it'll only be applicable for those apps which have ads by PM.

#2.2 Vakerorokero on 21 Feb 2009 - 08:24

I don't think this is true. There is a wholer ange of aps available, and putting together Google Earth and iFart just because they are free doesn't make sense.

I think a more obvious conclusion would be "silly apps get used once". Saying that they should sell all of them will only make the app store less competitive and everyone will stop making apps.

What does developers think of this stuff?

(1 reply) #3 Pam14160 on 20 Feb 2009 - 22:29

As per the first two post; this thread has no meaning without knowing where the information came from. I could (with enough research) come up with the same (or close to) on MS, Dell, HP, etc., sites. Not saying it is true, howevr, how about some data as to where. . .

#3.1 CalumJR on 21 Feb 2009 - 08:32

@Pam14160 -

Thank you for your suggestion, however, we now have a 'Report a problem' feature on the Neowin news articles where you can inform us of any issue you have with any of our articles. Many of the news reporters and editors will not see these suggestions if you post them as a comment, however, if you use this feature they will definitely see it and if they agree with your suggestion, they will correct it. Also, comments such as the ones you posted tend to interrupt the flow of discussion. Please see this screenshot for a quick reminder or for more information, please visit http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=734026&st=0

#4 +NienorGT on 20 Feb 2009 - 22:30

Considering that most of free apps are "Lite" versions that are actually "Demo" (Apple refuse to allow using the word Demo), I don't see people using them ever and ever...

(9 replies) #5 +bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 00:08

App Store , Crap Store This is what you get when you restrict developers with a locked down SDK ...

Every application on my phone is run at least once a day , Why because its not a fluff application . Office Suites to CAD applications .

These applications must be filtered from the sludge and displayed separately an app store lumps it together with ifart

Last edited by bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 01:32

#5.1 roadwarrior on 21 Feb 2009 - 05:57

bob21 said,

You seriously want us to believe you run CAD programs on your phone? LOL, right.

And the App Store does not just lump everything together. If you had ever looked at it, you would know that.

#5.2 +bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 13:54

Yes smart cad , this is what "business people" do when a client decides he wants another window here or another doer there i just pop out my kaiser and make the changes myself .

I then save the .dwg onto a WiFi enabled NAS my van and everyone knows whats going on without the paperwork . Oh and its not a phone its a PDA Phone .

#5.3 GTKpower on 21 Feb 2009 - 14:07

A rather simple solution to your imaginary problem: don't download "fluff" applications. That goes for any platform, even the ones that are out now that are way, way behind the iPhone.

And it might also help if you actually have some experience with the iPhone, so you can at least appear to know what you're spouting off about.

#5.4 +bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 14:37

As i said i had the intense displeasure of being forced to use one of these rubbish devices at work for a week . Please point me to an office suite and a dwg compatible cad package for the (sh)iphone .

Thats right you cant because of apples crappy SDK ... Shall we add this to the long list of things which arnt needed but will be touted as essential when available like GPS, Copy and paste, 3G etc etc etc

Last edited by bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 14:43

#5.5 GTKpower on 21 Feb 2009 - 15:57

iTracer is your CAD solution. Now grab your iPhone that you claim to know so much about and have a look . . . oh wait . . .

Would you like me to find the Office solution for you, or would you prefer that someone else prove your ignorance?

#5.6 +bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 16:06

While your at it show me how to multitask, copy and paste text hell even run tomtom garmin or copilot , my htc wallaby(the worlds first PDA Phone) could handle that

Last edited by bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 16:17

#5.7 GTKpower on 21 Feb 2009 - 16:12

cadTouch 2.0

We can do this all day.

#5.8 +bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 16:17

CAD on a capacitive screen youve got to be kidding me have a readup on what CAD and CAM are my requirements are a bit higher than your mspaint app, With giant blocks hell i may aswell be using lego smart cad gives me full autocad compatibility and everything thats in the desktop package .

Last edited by bob21 on 21 Feb 2009 - 16:36

#5.9 simon360 on 22 Feb 2009 - 19:57

The iPhone isn't for you then. The iPhone is for people who don't want a stylus.

It's not the perfect phone, but it's not nearly as bad as you're making it out to be. It's not for you and many people like you, but for others (even some business people), it suits them better than anything else.

All about personal preference. Most people would choose a capacitive screen over a receptive any day, though. You just have different needs.

(1 reply) #6 +M2Ys4U on 21 Feb 2009 - 00:23

Most of the app store apps are awful.

#6.1 CalumJR on 21 Feb 2009 - 08:50

Could you provide examples please?

I know of many applications which are fun and useful.

The Facebook application is an obvious one to me.

(1 reply) #7 Digix on 21 Feb 2009 - 01:57

cydias where it's at

#7.1 advancedboy on 21 Feb 2009 - 03:24

#8 DanielZ on 21 Feb 2009 - 03:43

I like the free apps. There are a lot of good, free, non-lite apps that I use regularly. Please don't make them all paid apps.

#9 -Bryce- on 21 Feb 2009 - 05:40

it takes too long to sift through the piles of dung to find anything worth even DOWNLOADING. then u download and then delete right away. only ones ive kept and used so far: pandora.

#10 GTKpower on 21 Feb 2009 - 13:14

Anyone with just a couple of brain cells available to rub together will find that the App Store is stupidly easy to navigate, and even easier to find something good. Anyone who has actually used an iPhone recently for more than a minute will notice convenient categories that not only divide App types - i.e., business, finance, games, productivity, weather, etc. But also subdivisions based on popularity (and hence desirability and quality), between paid and free apps. It's ridiculously simple and obvious.

You can either start on the main page and check out the Top 25, or dive right in to your category of choice and do it from there. There's nothing difficult or tedious about it. A lot of it is based on reviews (you know, the part where people talk about what they liked/didn't like, LOL.) That might be an important clue right there.

If these concepts are still difficult to grasp, there are diagrams available upon request.

#11 ]SK[ on 23 Feb 2009 - 07:40

The amount of apps with advertising in them is annoying tbh. How many people actually click the adds anyway.

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