2.2-million apps every day
By Ronald O Carlson
Yes, Apple’s AppStore is now home to 10,000 applications. However, that single naked statistic does little to flesh out how overwhelmingly successful and transformative the AppStore really is. And, will we soon be seeing $99 iPhones at Wal-Mart?
CNBC (via AppleInsider) adds color to the evolving story of the AppStore that, in addition to offering 10,000 applications (half of which are flashlights if you believe the cynics), sees 2.2-million downloads per day.
Way back on Oct. 21, Apple told the world that iPhone and iPod touch users had downloaded over 200-million apps. Yesterday, the company let it slip that over 300-million apps have been downloaded, meaning that another 100-million had been snapped in just 45 days—hence the 2.2-million per day rate.
Wal-Mart to sell $99 iPhone?
BetaNews is reporting on the possibility that Wal•Mart will begin selling a 4GB iPhone after Christmas.
“We have made no official announcement on offering the iPhone at Wal-Mart,” said spokesperson Kelly Cheeseman when asked for comment published reports that the retail chain will start selling a $99-version of the zeitgeist defining Apple handset on Dec. 28.
That’s a rather encouraging denial, isn’t it?
BetaNews asked because the story got new legs yesterday when Boy Genius reported a rumor stating that the $99 Apple handset to be offered would be a 3G + 4GB model. Specifically, it’s thought that this lower cost model would allow Apple to better compete with Google’s G1 Android, which sells for $148.88.
That said, CNBC quotes master iPhone speculator and inveterate Apple cheerleader Gene Munster (Piper Jaffray) as saying he expects the AppStore will generate $1 billion in sales next year with Apple taking their customary 30 percent.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Munster. “It’s a differentiator. We think in ‘09, it’s going to be a $1 billion marketplace and Apple will probably take about 30 percent of that. There’s virtually no operating expense for them. They just approve the apps.”
Obviously, a bit more than that goes on behind the scenes. Still, imagine the effect the availability of a $99 3G iPhone (see Wal-Mart above) might have on those numbers? Hmmm, AAPL at 90-odd dollars is really starting to look cheap regardless of the economy…
What’s your take?
Related:
Entry was posted
on Saturday, December 6th, 2008 at 11:26 am
under 
Print This Post
Read more entries by Ronald O Carlson.
Stumble It!
