An American Research company have released reports stating that more than 2.5 billion apps were downloaded in 2009 across the globe. That’s an absolutely astonishing figure with games topping the list in terms of popularity; but it was also noted that Mobile Shopping, Social Networking, Utilities and Productivity Tools were “continuing to grow and attract increasing amounts of money.” The 2.5 billion downloaded apps in 2009 equated to revenues in excess of $4.2 Billion (£2.6 Billion)

The report from Gartner moves on to give predictions for 2010 and 2013, with the number of apps being downloaded being 4.5 Billion and 21.6 Billion respectively, with revenues reaching $6.7 Billion (£4.1 Billion) and $29.5 Billion (£18 Billion). The latter of which is truly an obscene amount of money when you take into consideration what it is that is being sold.

The figures provided by Gartner only go to prove the scale on which handsets such as the iPhone 3GS are becoming an integral part of everyday life and the impact that “app stores” have made and will continue to make in years to come. Fancy getting in on the “app store” action? Then why not take a look our iPhones deals and get yourself access to the most successful app store currently on the market.