RIM has released some interesting statistics of its App World user base, a number of whom are still accessing the portal from devices three years old or more. Based on the latest numbers of 75 million BlackBerry smartphones in use, nearly half that number are still using a OS 5.0 device, and less than one in five devices are running BlackBerry 7, the latest and greatest OS.
Paid apps are acquired, not surprisingly, by users with more modern devices as the experience is significantly better. Also, the App World expansion began in earnest after the debut of BlackBerry 6, so many apps, paid or otherwise, were tailored to the more modern, expansive and, dare we say it, attractive BB6 handsets. Many devices like the Bold 9700 and Curve 9300 were updated from OS 5.0 to BlackBerry 6, but there are still millions of users tapping away on their Curve 8300’s and Pearl 8100’s, both of which are stuck indefinitely on OS 5.0.
A handsome realization, however, is that despite the Playbook only making up 4% of free apps in the App World, the tablet makes up for 22% of paid app downloads despite being just over 1% of the total BlackBerry device market. RIM also says that over 90% of Playbook owners will be upgraded to OS 2.0 within the next month, a fantastic example of OTA update distribution.
Check out the updated BlackBerry Developer Portal for all the info.
Via: BerryReview
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