For years now the usage of mobile apps has seen spectacular growth. 2014 was no different. According to Flurry’s State of Mobile report overall app usage in the world grew by 74%. Great growth drivers were apps for shopping, productivity, messaging en social. Those categories all saw triple-digit growth. The usage of news and magazine apps grew by 49%, according to Flurry.
In previous years massive growth was seen in gaming and entertainment apps; 2014 was the year apps got down to serious business. Every app store category has again seen session growth in 2014. While 2013 was the year messaging apps took off, 2014 was the year retail came to mobile in a big way, says Flurry.
Some of the early mainstays of mobile appear to be maturing. Growth in the use of game apps continues, but that growth has slowed from 61% in 2013 to 30% in 2014. The same is true for music, media, and entertainment: the growth rate for these apps has slowed to 33% from 79% last year. This double-digit growth is impressive in any context, but Flurry is witnessing a shift where the growth in mobile has moved from apps for entertainment to apps that help us accomplish our daily tasks.
Smartphone users opened more utilities and productivity apps in 2014, confirming that our phones and tablets have become indispensable devices that help us work and keep our lives organized, according to the State of Mobile report.
Flurry is a mobile analytics, monetization, and advertising company founded in 2005. It was acquired by Yahoo last year.
Featured photo: © Hollandse Hoogte
