Apple Watch could start app gold rush

The burgeoning smartwatch market could be about to explode with the imminent release of the Apple Watch. App makers are hoping for the same kind of gold rush that arrived with the iPhone App Store in 2008
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75bn apps have been downloaded from Apple App Store*

Smart bands (wrist-worn devices that can download apps) market share, Q3 2014

Samsung 52%

5m Apple Watches will ship in April, with 20m by end 2015

Motorola 15%

Pebble 12%

Others 21%

Others 7%

Nike 14%

Jawbone 21%

Fitbit 58%

684% wearable band market growth, 2013 to 2014

Basic bands (wrist-worn devices that do not download apps) market share, Q3-Q4 2013

Only 720,000 Android Wear smartwatches shipped in 2014

Top of range solid gold Apple Watch Edition may cost $10,000-$20,000 when launched in April

Apple hoping to enter and dominate smart bands market
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Sources: Canalys, Macrumours, Apple, wire agencies *Jul 10, 2008 - Feb 1, 2015

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