Android Market Reaches 100,000 Apps
What the milestone meant
A catalogue of 100,000 apps meant that most people could find an app for almost any task. The original writer also felt that the quality of apps had improved noticeably over time, based on their own experience with the store.
An open store with some junk
The store was not perfect. Alongside the good apps there was a fair amount of low-quality software. The writer’s view was that this is an acceptable trade-off, because the user decides whether an app is worth keeping, not the maker of the operating system.
Why growth was fast
- Many phones were shipping with Android, which widened the audience for developers.
- Development moved at a rapid pace.
- Google did not charge for the operating system itself.
Status today
The figure is long out of date. The store is now called Google Play, and its catalogue is far larger than 100,000 apps.
Frequently asked questions
What was Android Market?
It was the original name of Google's app store for Android devices, later renamed Google Play.
Who announced the 100,000 app milestone?
The news came through the official Android developer account on Twitter.
Is the number still relevant?
No. It is a historical snapshot of the platform's early growth.