ABI Research estimates that Apple iPad users have downloaded a total of three billion applications since the tablet was launched in April 2010. This is almost a fifth of all downloads by Apple users - and has happened several months faster than the iPhone took to reach the same figure. There are currently thought to be over 120,000 apps available specifically for the iPad.
Android tablets are only believed to have reached around 440 million downloads in total.
Dan Shey, practice director for mobile services at ABI Research, said “In terms of hardware, the iPad device still offers much more compared to the current crop of tablets in the market. Android is currently being used on many low end tablets that do not offer experiences anywhere near the iPad and this dampens the download momentum for users.”
[ABI Research report]