Skyhook Wireless , a provider of Wi-Fi and hybrid XPS positioning technologies, has compiled a comparative study of location-based application trends. The study, which compiles info regarding LBS apps for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry, reveals some interesting things.
First of all, it’s apparent that LBS apps are catching on with the mainstream population. Skyhook received 15 billion location requests in 2008. This year it has already received 25 billion. Furthermore, in the last 6 months the average user has increased daily location requests from 5.4 to 6.1.
Also not surprising is the fact that the Apple iPhone has the largest number of LBS apps available: 2, 300. 75 percent of those are paid apps and the average overall cost is $3.60. In comparison, the Android Marketplace has 300 LBS apps, 20 percent are paid with the average overall price $0.84. Blackberry’s App World has only 57 LBS apps which is understandable given its April 2009 launch, but the pricing could pose a problem. 65 percent of Blackberry LBS apps are paid but the average price is an astounding $13.60.
Extrapolating from the above information, it’s no surprise that LBS app developers flock to the iPhone, releasing more apps in shorter periods of time than for either Android or Blackberry. I think over the long haul the Android Marketplace will see an increasing diversity of high-quality LBS apps, especially with numerous Android-based smartphone releases slated for this year. The iPhone will likely continue to dominate, while the Blackberry…well, I’m not sure. I for one wouldn’t pay $13.60 for an application. I think it’s time for Blackberry developers to take a serious look at their pricing strategies if they’re interested in mass adoption.
You can check out the entire research report here with plenty of complementary visuals (PDF).
