Apple App store and Google Play downloads increase by 8.2 percent in Q1 2016: Report

Mobile apps are growing and if the most recent report by intelligence firm Sensor Tower   (via VentureBeat ) is to be believed then gaming apps contribute a major chunk. In the first quarter of 2016, 17.2 billion apps were downloaded from the iOS and Android stores. This means an increase of 8.2 percent compared to 2015. The report adds that majority of these were gaming apps, which accounts to 1.95 billion from Apple app store and 4.7 billion from the Google Play. The global gaming industry is said to be worth $34.8 billion annually, and continues to grow. “This continued growth is a positive sign for developers and publishers who have turned gaming on smart devices into a lucrative business. Clash Royale is on pace to generate $1 billion this year, but it isn’t alone. You can expect Supercell’s Clash of Clans to likely do the same. The suite of Candy Crush releases from King should likely surpass that massive milestone as well,” points out the VentureBeat report. As expected, Android is ahead of iOS when it comes to the number of downloads, but iOS’ gaming category is swiftly growing compared to Android. The gaming section in Apple App store grew by 14 percent year-on-year increase while Play store grew less than one percent. The companies at the forefront include Electronic Arts (EA), King (makers of Candy Crush), and also Glu Mobile, among others. These three companies have been attracting mobile audiences. The top downloaded games include Piano Tiles, Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, Clash of Titans and more.