Fixed Mobile Convergence

appsbar.com, a provider of opportunities and interface for the development of apps, announced that during the holiday season of 2011, there was a huge surge in DIY apps with a large number of users joining the community. Users clamoured to build their own apps for free at their site with the company further reporting that downloads increased to more than 1.5 million.

Even as Android (News - Alert) and Apple app stores witnessed record activity, appsbar.com witnessed a massive influx of first time creators of DIY apps further expanding its 60,000 strong community base. The company welcomes creators of apps and offers them a platform to both create and publish apps to various app stores free of charge.

In a release, Scott Hirsch, founder of appsbar.com, said, “App stores saw unprecedented activity in 2011, and we predict the evolution will continue through 2012 as mobile device users grow from passive participants to active contributors in what can only be described as a digital phenomena that is driven by everyday people."

A report from Flurry, mobile apps research firm, revealed that close to a quarter of a billion apps were downloaded on December 24th and again on Christmas Day 2011. Apple's (News - Alert) App Store is expecting app downloads of approximately 10 billion for the 2011 holiday season. Google's Android Market on the other hand is expected to see cumulative downloads of more than 10 billion by the end of 2011.

Hirsch said, “There has never been so much activity and opportunity for everyone in the app world. With the on-going development of free tools, anyone can build an app that reflects their unique personality, interests, or business and share it all with the world.” 

Within a day of being published, apps created by users of appsbar saw an average 500 to 1000 downloads. The company found that free apps activity at the store mirrors an approach similar to that of social networks that enable increased level of engagement between users and their contacts.