Google touts 10 billion Android app downloads

Search giant Google reached a new milestone in December 2011, announcing that more than 10 billion applications have been downloaded from the Android™ Market by smartphone and tablet computer users.

In a blog post, Eric Chu, director of the Android developer ecosystem, claims Android users are downloading 1 billion apps per month, nearly the rate at which Apple® users download software designed for iOS devices. According to Chu, the pace appears to be accelerating.

Android overtook Apple and others earlier this year to become the fastest-growing mobile operating system on the market, but Google has struggled to generate the same kind of revenue from its app store as Apple. Despite having a larger customer base, Google's numbers are impacted by the fact that Android users often opt for free or third-party apps.

Nevertheless, Google says it will celebrate the occasion by offering several 10-cent apps for the next 10 days. These apps include Minecraft, Asphalt 6 HD, Paper Camera and Color & Draw for Kids, among others.

Microsoft® also made news on the app front when it unveiled its new Windows® Store for the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. The Windows Store will be available in beta in February, and the full version is expected to launch in fall 2012.