Apps, Mobile & SMS

Mobile App $’s Soar. Will Music Grab It’s Share?

image from www.isuppli.com Combined revenues from the four major mobile app stores: Apple, Google, Nokia and RIM will rise 77.7%  in 2011 to $3.8 billion, with Apple grabbing 75% of the market, according to new IHS research. (Click on image to enlarge.) While sector numbers were not released, gaming apps generate the most revenue with music lagging far behind. Apps represent a major revenue opportunity for the music industry, but only a handful of companies like The Echo Nest are seriously exploring the boundaries of what music apps can deliver.


Total app revenue is projected to continue rising in the next few years to $5.6 billion in 2012, $6.9 billion in 2013 and $8.3 billion in 2014. 

Mobile music apps could turn into another missed opportunity for the music industry unless music and music tech companies jump in while the sector is still in its infancy. 

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3 Comments

  1. I don’t know. Music is essentially an audio activity. The Vevo app does the job for music videos. We already have a wonderful plethora of music apps for listening — Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody, SIRIUS XM, etc. not to mention iTunes itself. I think it is foolish to invest much time or money into yet another short lived gimmick like Guitar Hero and ring tones were.

  2. @Lynn I partially agree with you…but I can see the opportuntiy in the developement.
    The examples you named where all download/streaming apps. The opportunity to capitilize on the “app craze” can be far more interesting.
    Apps that engage creativity or filter music (more efficiently) might be worth while explorations for the music industry and tech companies.
    At the end of the day creators have to think outside the box.

  3. Well, maybe a Flipboard for music might be helpful. But it can’t be something too bells and whistles flashy. That is what I am not excited about. They shouldn’t offer anything equivalent to Murdoch’s “The Daily” which was more about showing off the iPad than offering compelling content. So, I will say I am open to things, but flashy “doesn’t it look cool on the iPad!” apps with little utility do not interest me in the least.

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