Technology research firm, Parks Associates says in 2010, 4.6 billion mobile apps will have been downloaded. By 2014, Parks projects that number to reach 11 billion. App store GetJar, the self proclaimed second biggest app store on the planet, said it's downloads recently crossed the one billion mark.

Games rule the apps roost. According to a study from Nielsen, 61 percent of people with a smartphone who use apps said they download and play games. This ranked higher than any other type of app category. Parks Associates' data showed similar results.

"We asked what type of apps did people download most often. When you look at the results, games were first then music, then media and social networking related apps and location based services was fourth," said Harry Wang, director of mobile research at Parks Associates.

In terms of total revenue , Wang said paid mobile apps will have generated $2 billion this year. He said Parks Associates expects that number to double by 2014. Meanwhile, advertising for free apps generated $215 million this year. By 2014, that number will quadruple to $860 million.

Yet, regardless of the model, it seems developers get paid pretty well. Apple has said its App Store has generated over $1 billion in revenue for developers. Wang foresees an even more lucrative future for app developers.

"I see a situation where say you're a small app developer, well you can get hired by a brand to develope an app for them. For instance, if Kraft wants an app, they hire a third party, Kraft gets the ad revenue and the third party gets outsourcing work. It's a good spot to be in," Wang said.

From the article, "Apps Come Into Their Own" by By Gabriel Perna

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