We are officially halfway through 2020, and the mobile app industry has already taken this year by storm.
A recent study reveals that 66% of Americans check their phone 160 times daily, and once they’re on their phones, 90% of that mobile time is spent on a selection of the millions of apps available through Apple and Android app stores. As people continue to work from home across the nation, those daily phone checks (and subsequent screen time) have only increased. Leading mobile market data provider App Annie’s latest report reflects this – noting a 20% year-over-year increase in daily time spent in apps on Android devices in Q1 2020. The report also notes that consumer spending in both iOS and Androids app both grew, setting a new record for in-app spending for a single quarter at $23.4 billion worldwide.
So, who is dominating the space and those numbers? Unsurprisingly, the top five worldwide apps include household names like TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. Tinder, YouTube, Netflix, iQIYI and Tencent Video lead the charge with app spend. Apps like Spotify, Snapchat and Pandora all rank high too.
New to the rankings this year? Video-based apps. Previously underutilized and overlooked, video-centric apps like Zoom and Houseparty have steadily climbed the ranks during 2020’s first six months as consumers seek tangible human connection from the safety of their homes during quarantine. The focus on video connection tools isn’t limited to new apps, though. Apps like Facebook and Instagram have spent significant time during 2020 implementing various upgraded video features.
And, that’s where we fit in to 2020’s app space. At its core, GiftCast is based on utilizing video as a way to foster meaningful human connection. We offer a unique solution to celebrating both big and small moments regardless of circumstances, to creating memories that last a lifetime and to improving the gifting experience all around. It all starts with a video on a mobile device that can make lives better.
The numbers continue to paint the picture we are familiar with – there’s a significant opportunity to connect with mobile users right now. There are few advertisers in the market, phones have longer battery life and people are increasingly spending more time in apps and online.
As the app space continues to accelerate this year, we, like many app creators, are focused on seizing this new direction, on evolving to offer users special and useful functions and features and on continuing to leverage features like video to serve mobile users with authentic connections and meaningful memories.
