Paying Apple for iPhone apps has little appeal

Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Apple has developed more than 100,000 apps, making the brand’s App Store the largest applications outlet in the world.

The apps for iPhones and iPods are divided into 20 categories, including games, business, news, sport, health, reference and travel.

Brands and marketers have tapped into the trend, with free offerings, such as VisitBritain’s app for movie locations in the UK and those being offered by newspaper publishers.

As of this month, App Store users have downloaded well over 3 billion apps but, according to MarketingWeek.co.uk’s latest poll, 63.6% of respondents would not pay to download an app.

However, the remaining 36.4% of respondents have splashed out to download at least one app for their Apple device.

The Central Office of Information (COI), the UK’ biggest advertiser, has called for industry bodies to offer guidelines on advertising in mobile apps as the format becomes increasingly popular with leading brands worldwide.

The success of Apple’s App Store has prompted competitors to launch their own alternatives. The most noticeable of these competitors is the Nokia Ovi store.

However, this may change with the launch of Google Nexus One – a direct competitor to the iPhone.

Have you paid to download one of the thousands of iPhone apps on offer?