App Futures

The App Market looks to keep expanding at a breakneck pace, at least according to this study, and should reach a $17.5 billion dollar market by 2012. That's a lot of Apps... considering 7 billion were downloaded in 2009, this study projects downloads of 50 billion by 2012. I wouldn't be surprised if that ends up being conservative, as I expect the iPad and its competitors to gain considerable market share. Also of note is the "App-ization" of computer software.... Google has started an App Store for online PC Apps. Simplification and ease of installation/ease of use are becoming more of a selling point.

All of which implies an even greater need for maketing solutions, as the universe gets more crowded with titles. We're already seeing recommendation networks arise, in-app advertising, web sites devoted to Apps... but it's still early in the market's development. Marketers will have to stay nimble, as things change in the span of a few weeks. Change is the only constant.