50 000 Apps in Android Market Already, and it's Growing Fast

With 185 000 apps available for download, Apple's App Store is still along way ahead of Android Market from Google.  But the latter is far from beat, with over 50 000 apps in its catalogue as of last month according to AndroLib, and strong prospects for growth.

Android Market is growing as the number of users with Android-based handsets increases.  The more phones that manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei, Motorola and Sony Ericsson release using Google's OS, the more third-party apps to arrive to allow users to customise their phones according to their own needs.

With such a growing install base, it's no surprise that developers are tempted.

According to AndroLib, an unofficial catalogue of Android Apps, 40.7% of the current apps are paid for.  That's one area where Apple can't claim an advantage, as the vast majority of the apps for its phones are paid for.

In passing, we should point out that HTC has confirmed that version 2.1 of Android, codenamed Eclair, will come to its Hero in June and not in May as previously suggested.

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