Android smartphones to make up over half of 2013 app downloads

Data from ABI Research has shown that 58 per cent of the 56 billion anticipated app downloads this year will be on the Android OS. Its main competitor, Apple’s iOS, will make up just 33 per cent, while Microsoft’s Windows Phone will account for four per cent and Blackberry will be trailing with three per cent.

ABI Research believes that this news will lead to many app developers having an Android-first policy, gearing their software towards the handsets.

When it comes to tablet apps, Apple leads the way. Of the 14 billion apps downloaded, three-quarters (75 per cent) will be running on iOS, while Android will have a share of 17 per cent, excluding Kindle Fire.

Amazon’s tablets will account for four per cent of the market, while two per cent will be with Windows devices.

"Arguably the most pressing issue for Google is how much of this handset momentum will ultimately trickle down to tablets, where Apple is holding the fort remarkably well," said senior analyst at ABI Research Aapo Markkanen.