Nielsen has released a new study that says the average iPhone owner spends twice the amount of time playing mobile games compared to other mobile platforms. The study also notes that 93 percent of customers who download applications have shelled out cash in the last 30 days for games. This indicates that games may be the most lucrative category for developers and that iOS may have the most engaged gaming audience. The average iPhone owner spent 14.7 hours playing mobile games over a 30 day period, while the average Android owner spent only 9.3 hours. The overall average for smartphone gamers, which includes platforms like Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry, is 7.8 hours per month, according to Ars Technica.
64 percent of downloaders grabbed a game in the last 30 days. Weather apps followed with 60 percent and social networks were in third with 56 percent. However, other types of apps aren"t as proficient as games at getting consumers to spend money. Only 76 percent of downloaders would spend money on a news application, for instance. Customers are most willing to spend money on games (93 percent) and "entertainment" applications (87 percent). When it comes to popularity, smartphone gaming beats smartphone learning: while 64 percent of app downloaders picked up games, only 11 percent got themselves an "education" application. iPhone users must really love their games.