Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has revealed the top apps downloaded for the iPhone and iPad in 2013. As expected, the Candy Crush Saga has topped the list this year. Mobile game developer King.com launched the hit game in November 2012. According to King, Candy Crush Saga has hit 500 million downloads since its release on iOS and Android.
King co-founder Sebastian Knutsson is confident that the game will continue to top the chart for a long period. Knutsson told USA Today that his company updates the game every two to three weeks. Most of the popular games, such as Farmville, Words with Friends and Angry Birds, come and go.
Communication apps still popular on iOS
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s list of the top ten downloads reveals that communications apps remain popular. Video sharing app Vine is ranked fourth among the most downloaded free apps. Another social messaging app, Snapchat, occupied sixth place. Photo-sharing app Instagram, which was acquired by Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), is No.7.
On the other hand, Pandora is still going rock solid as well. When Apple introduced iTunes Radio and Clear Channel started giving tough competition with its iHeart Radio, analysts said that the days of Pandora would be over. But Apple’s list shows that Pandora is the ninth most downloaded app this year.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) said that most of the apps that topped last year’s list don’t appear in the top ten this year. The popular games Temple Run, Draw Something and other apps such as Flashlight, Pinterest, Skype and Twitter were among the top apps in 2012. But they no longer appear near the top. YouTube, which was ranked number one last year, slipped to number two in 2013.
Apple devices lead the app downloads race
Though Android devices rule global smartphone sales, most apps in the U.S. are downloaded for iPhones and iPads. According to research firm Quantcast, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS accounted for 65% of total app uses in the United States, followed by Android with 32%. Windows Phone and BlackBerry account for the remaining 3%.
Top 10 Free iPhone Apps
1. Candy Crush Saga
2. YouTube
3. Temple Run 2
4. Vine
5. Google Maps
6. Snapchat
7. Instagram
8. Facebook
9. Pandora Radio
10. Despicable Me: Minion Rush
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Top 10 Paid iPhone Apps
1. Minecraft
2. Heads Up!
3. Temple Run: Oz
4. Angry Birds Star Wars
5. Plague Inc.
6. Afterlight
7. Free Music Download Pro – Mp3 Downloader
8. Bloons TD 5
9. Sleep Cycle alarm clock
10. Plants vs. Zombies
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares were little changed at $558 in pre-market trading Tuesday.
