Developer's sales suggest Verizon iPhone selling to existing iOS users
One prominent App Store developer has found the launch of the Verizon iPhone earlier this month had no discernible effect on software sales, while other events like launches and the holidays caused "huge spikes," suggesting new customers already owned an iPhone or iPod touch.
Marco Arment of the popular Instapaper application (iTunes link) for iPhone and iPad, noted this week that rankings for his software are usually relatively steady, but sales can vary -- particularly when an iPhone-related event occurs. Based on this, he assumes that sales of Instapaper could indicate overall App Store trends.
"The results are fairly obvious: I see huge spikes whenever there's a new iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad released, whenever they become available in a major new country, or whenever there's a major reason for people to buy a lot of them (like the holidays)," Arment wrote.
Since the Verizon iPhone 4 launched on Feb. 10, Arment's application has seen no major change in sales. He noted that his ranks on the App Store have been nearly constant, as have overall sales.
Based on his assumption that sales of his application could indicate overall iPhone trends, Arment offers three potential theories on launch sales of the Verizon iPhone 4. First, he says it's possible that very few Verizon iPhones have been sold, a suggestion he calls unlikely. Second, he said it's possible that Verizon iPhone owners aren't buying many applications, which he also considers unlikely.
Finally, Arment suggested that most Verizon iPhones have been sold to existing iPhone or iPod touch users. In this scenario, customers getting the Verizon iPhone could already own most or all of the App Store software they would be interested in buying.
Sales of Instapaper have not seen a boost from the Verizon iPhone launch.
The developer said he believes most buyers of the Verizon iPhone 4 are casual users, with "different priorities" than Apple enthusiasts. He believes they are more patient for upgrades, which could result in demand for the handset being spread over a long period of time.
"I think that, while the Verizon iPhone's sales are going to be strong overall, it's going to be at a far more gradual rate than people like me had initially assumed," he wrote.
Though Apple and Verizon have not made an announcement on initial iPhone 4 sales, one rumor last week suggested the two companies were disappointed with initial uptake. However, a Verizon spokesperson contradicted that report, and said the company was pleased with initial sales.
Analysts on Wall Street said they expected sales of the new Verizon iPhone to sell about a million in the first week. The launch is expected to have been smaller than ones at rival carrier AT&T because the iPhone 4 first launched last June, and was essentially the same phone that debuted on Verizon's network this month.
Marco Arment of the popular Instapaper application (iTunes link) for iPhone and iPad, noted this week that rankings for his software are usually relatively steady, but sales can vary -- particularly when an iPhone-related event occurs. Based on this, he assumes that sales of Instapaper could indicate overall App Store trends.
"The results are fairly obvious: I see huge spikes whenever there's a new iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad released, whenever they become available in a major new country, or whenever there's a major reason for people to buy a lot of them (like the holidays)," Arment wrote.
Since the Verizon iPhone 4 launched on Feb. 10, Arment's application has seen no major change in sales. He noted that his ranks on the App Store have been nearly constant, as have overall sales.
Based on his assumption that sales of his application could indicate overall iPhone trends, Arment offers three potential theories on launch sales of the Verizon iPhone 4. First, he says it's possible that very few Verizon iPhones have been sold, a suggestion he calls unlikely. Second, he said it's possible that Verizon iPhone owners aren't buying many applications, which he also considers unlikely.
Finally, Arment suggested that most Verizon iPhones have been sold to existing iPhone or iPod touch users. In this scenario, customers getting the Verizon iPhone could already own most or all of the App Store software they would be interested in buying.
Sales of Instapaper have not seen a boost from the Verizon iPhone launch.
The developer said he believes most buyers of the Verizon iPhone 4 are casual users, with "different priorities" than Apple enthusiasts. He believes they are more patient for upgrades, which could result in demand for the handset being spread over a long period of time.
"I think that, while the Verizon iPhone's sales are going to be strong overall, it's going to be at a far more gradual rate than people like me had initially assumed," he wrote.
Though Apple and Verizon have not made an announcement on initial iPhone 4 sales, one rumor last week suggested the two companies were disappointed with initial uptake. However, a Verizon spokesperson contradicted that report, and said the company was pleased with initial sales.
Analysts on Wall Street said they expected sales of the new Verizon iPhone to sell about a million in the first week. The launch is expected to have been smaller than ones at rival carrier AT&T because the iPhone 4 first launched last June, and was essentially the same phone that debuted on Verizon's network this month.
Comments
I don't quite recall - but i think I didn't get many apps when the store first debuted - I tried a couple free ones. I have likely spent more $ in the 6 months since I got the iPhone 4 than I did in 3 years with the original iPhone.
From my experience, most of them already have an iPod touch. It would probably make more sense to see if there was a spike in GPS software sold.
That?s what I thought just from the article title. Also, the iPad version of Instapaper is universal so they wouldn?t have to rebuy it for an iPhone. I have to think that many waiting for the Verizon iPhone may have an iPad already.
However as time goes on and I start exploring the apps that are out there for just the iPhone, I am sure I will purchase more.
I think that is an important point. Instapaper is near one of the worst apps as a litmus test for new iPhone sales. An app like TomTom or something else that is only designed for the iPhone, not the iPod Touch or iPad would be a much better measure.
Seems that most folks who really wanted the iPhone were willing to suffer with AT&T. Those who weren't bought an Android phone.
I don't believe most Verizon users have iPod touches.
http://www.businessinsider.com/crazy...t-sell-2010-12
-iPad owners most likely already own a number of apps.
-New iPhone owners who chose the iPhone as being the best smart phone may not yet have savoured the capabilities of all those nice apps that are available.
Further, Verizon iPhone sales may pick up gradually as people who got themselves a different smart phone will not switch over immediately. They will when the battery starts wearing out or someone in the family will buy one for them on the next birthday or in the next holiday season. Those people aren't in a hurry, but they will buy an iPhone when they are ready.
From my experience, most of them already have an iPod touch. It would probably make more sense to see if there was a spike in GPS software sold.
I tend to agree. Most people I know who have purchased an iPhone already had an iPod, mostly a Touch (myself included). I waited - a very long time - until Verizon started selling iPhones. I've been a Mac user since 1985.
Along with a spike in GPS, what about social networking software or travel-related software like Starbucks, or Culver's? These were apps I added because even though I used my Touch via wi-fi (typically through my Verizon MI-FI 2200) the apps were not nearly as desirable. Now that I'm on 3G and have ready access anywhere via my iPhone, apps like these are much more appealing.
The obvious reason is that the Verizon iPhone isn't selling that well.
Seems that most folks who really wanted the iPhone were willing to suffer with AT&T. Those who weren't bought an Android phone.
I don't believe most Verizon users have iPod touches.
This story is FUD. Appleinsider is being a bit funky lately in it's choices of FUD stories.
Im in L.A. I work in entertainment marketing for a major film studio here. I see huge volumes of market research data that still shows three things... The iPhone, iPad, and touch are still still the most "want to" have items week after week. The AIR line rates HUGE in laptop research. Why do we do this research? Guess.
In my personal world... Heres what's up. I got three close friends who WANT a iPhone but need to wait for contracts to expire. 6 close friends upgraded or switched to i4 on launch day 4 others are waiting for upgrade dates to evolve, and 3 literally decided the day before Verizon launch to WAIT till June for iPhone 5. Oh and my 85 year old Aunt drove herself to a Verizon store on launch day replace her flip phone with the I4 because she could UPGRADE. A neighbor of mine stopped me yesterday cuz she wanted to show me her iPhone 4 on Verizon she just got. I have to say ALL of the people in my personal survey already own a MAC device. Bottom line. Verizon had three weeks to gather solid data about how many of it's customers want to upgrade. That's solid data and it's ongoing. The golden ticket is when LARGE chunks of ATT users contracts expire.. June or July will be tough months for ATT. Apple, Verizon, ATT spend big bucks on research in and out of house. The Verizon component is a new dynamic in the IOS revolution. I think
the Verizon launch was very well planned and timed according to a long term strategy that appeared to be last minute and demand driven when in fact I think it just wanted to get inti the ball game ahead of i5. You guys assume that Apple and Verizon are these lame nitwits shooting straws hoping for a great outcome. Get with the program. Posting this ludicrous story to showhow "judge Verizon iOS sales is so so lame.
Hundreds of million cell phones turn over every year because of many factors.
Further, Verizon iPhone sales may pick up gradually as people who got themselves a different smart phone will not switch over immediately.
Exactly. Given that the iPhone on Verizon came out with "last years model" less than six months from the new model, I'm frankly surprised that the iPhone 4 did as well on Verizon as it did.
Or perhaps it will take some time for al those new to iPhone via Verizon to explore and discover what is available in the App store.
I don't quite recall - but i think I didn't get many apps when the store first debuted - I tried a couple free ones. I have likely spent more $ in the 6 months since I got the iPhone 4 than I did in 3 years with the original iPhone.
I am the developer of the popular 5-0 Radio app, and my theory is that Verizon users are only buying the most popular apps and have not taken the time to explore the rest yet. Instapaper is not in the top 100 overall paid apps, and therefore may not be affected by the Verizon iPhone sales. My 5-0 Radio app is in the top 100, and its sales have risen by 30% last week compared to the week before the Verizon iPhone went on sale. This trend is also apparent in the free version of our app. The downloads for the free app have risen by 25% last week compared to the week before the Verizon iPhone went on sale. Go to http://smartestapple.com and contact me if you would like to quote me on this. I can even provide a screenshot of my app sales.
My thoughts exactly.