Report

iPhone 4S Causes 83% Surge in November App Store Downloads

Oliver Haslam ∙ December 28, 2011

When Apple launches a new iPhone or iPad, it invariably has an affect on the rest of its business.

The number of downloaded apps is one metric that will always see an increase when Apple brings a shiny new iOS device to market, simply because of all the new customers want to get some apps! Whether they are paid or free apps, Apple benefits in the long run.

The release of the iPhone 4S was no different, with new numbers showing just what a jump it caused in those all-important download figures. The iPhone 4S helped the App Store see an 83% increase in app downloads for November when compared to the same month last year...

iPad Receives 84% Approval Rating with Huge App Install Base

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

We love surveys here at iDB. Sometimes we get results that surprise us, and other times – and this is a prime example – we are mildly amused, but far, far from surprised.

The survey we are speaking about was done by the Software Usability Research Laboratory and shows that 84% of iPad owners are satisfied with their choice of tablet – a stat that should take few by surprise.

After asking users how happy they are with their iPads, the survey also asked how they use their tablets, probing the use of apps and the location where people use those apps the most. The results are just as predictable here, too...

VoIP-Based Services Like iMessage Reportedly Eating Carriers’ Lunches

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 19, 2011

With third-party instant messaging apps, Apple's own iMessage, and VoIP services becoming more prevalent, it is to be expected that at some point mobile networks will see a reduction in revenue as people move away from using SMS and voice calling.

What we didn't really expect is the move to start happening so soon. But according to one report, carriers are already feeling the pinch.

Research carried out by infrastructure solutions provider Mavenir Systems on behalf of mobileSQUARED suggests that carriers are already finding that third-party solutions are beginning to impact their business, and it's only going to get worse for the bottom line...

iPhone Sees Near 50% Jump in Enterprise During 2011

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 17, 2011

While Apple is undoubtedly the darling of the consumer market, the enterprise has traditionally been one area that Apple has struggled to make a real impact.

It looks like Apple is going to succeed in the enterprise market, with the iPhone becoming more of a business tool than has been the case thus far. Improved Exchange support, strong security, and that all important 'cool factor' has led to more IT departments being happy to add iOS devices to their systems, and Apple is reaping the benefits...

Android Malware Up a Shy 472% Since Last Summer

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 25, 2016

For years, security firms have agreed that iOS is one of the most secure mobile platforms in existence. Apple's stringent app approval process and the limited API access it gives to third party developers has proven effective in keeping iOS safe from malware.

Google takes the exact opposite approach with its Android operating system. And while that's proven effective in drawing in iOS defectors who don't appreciate Apple's 'walled garden' of an operating system, it also leaves its users susceptible to malicious software...

Android and iOS Gaming Now Worth More Than Sony and Nintendo’s Portable Divisions Combined

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated March 12, 2018

Just read that title again. Perhaps a third time. Ready? Let us continue.

According to new research by Flurry, a mobile analytics firm, both Sony and Nintendo's battle to own the portable gaming market may well be over sooner rather than later, and the winner might not be either of the two gaming behemoths.

See, Flurry believes that the combined pair will generate $1.4 billion in gaming revenue for the year 2011. While that's not a number to be sneezed at, it is considerably lower than the last two years. It's also lower than the revenue Flurry expects the real competition to generate, with iOS and Android gaming combined expected to rake in $1.9 billion...

AT&T’s iPhone Dominance on the Decline, Sprint Cannibalizing Verizon

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 9, 2011

With more carriers offering the iPhone than ever before, it is glaringly obvious that AT&T's share of iPhone customers has to be on the decline, but by how much?

New research carried out by Localytics offers an insight into just which carriers US buyers sided with when deciding to buy an iPhone, with the iPhone 4S launch seeing Sprint join the fray. While AT&T's share of the iPhone market has fallen slightly, Sprint is starting to put a dent into Verizon's former customer base...

Component Shortages in Asia Causing Decreased iPhone 4S Shipments?

Alex Heath ∙ November 9, 2011

A new report from Taiwan-based publication DigiTimes poses a troubling claim that Apple is facing supply shortages overseas. This means that iPhone 4S shipments will be allegedly slowed for the fourth holiday quarter of 2011.

The iPhone 4S has been called the most successful product launch ever for many carriers, with lines continuing to form around the world for the new handset. Will Apple be able to meet demand?

Consumer Reports Recommends the iPhone 4S, We Do Not Recommend Consumer Reports

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

Remember how Consumer Reports refused to recommend the iPhone 4 because of its infamous reception problems? Now, the influential magazine has given the iPhone 4S a different diagnosis, coming to a rather different conclusion.

Consumer Reports is being considerably nicer to Apple's latest iPhone, saying that it does not suffer from any of the antenna-related reception issues that plagued its predecessor.

As a result of the improved antenna found in the iPhone 4S, Consumer Reports is now willing to let bygones be bygones, and is happy to list the handset as a "recommended device." But that's not all...

The iPhone Accounts for Over Half of the Entire Mobile Phone Industry’s Profits

Alex Heath ∙ November 4, 2011

Apple's iPhone accounts for 52% of the overall profits for the entire mobile phone industry, according to a new report by Cannacord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley. The iPhone consisted of more than half of the industry's profits in the last business quarter.

The iPhone 4S is expected to push Apple's share of the mobile industry's profits to 60% in the final quarter of 2011. According to the report, the iPhone 4S was the best-selling handset on Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint for the month of October.

Twice As Many New Smartphone Buyers Choose Android Over iOS

Sébastien Page ∙ September 26, 2011

A new survey by Nielsen shows that Android has been comforting its lead in smartphone market shares. According to the survey, within the last 3 months of the year, 56% of new smartphone buyers turned to Android, while only 28% chose an iOS device.

As the report notes, the preference of these new buyers are important because they often highlight a future trend in where the market is going...

iPad Set to Rule the Tablet Market Until 2014

Sébastien Page ∙ September 22, 2011

Research firm Gartner issued a special report today that basically concludes that Apple will have a free run at the tablet market this holiday season, just like they did last year, due to competitors lagging far behind.

According to Gartner, the iPad is projected to account for 73.4% of the worldwide tablet market in 2011, compared to only 17.3% for Android. Though they note the iPad's share is slightly down from last year, while Android's slightly up...