Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Mobile chat is probably the most hip pastime that people use their smartphones for, based on the most popular apps on online platforms.
On Google's Play Store, chat applications rank high among free apps, and on Apple's App Store, Facebook's Messenger app is the top app, though this may have something to do with the social network's push to drive Messenger among smartphone users.
In terms of paid apps, gaming and entertainment take centre stage.
According to research data from Strategy Analytics, Android has grown to nearly nine in 10 devices, while competing platforms are scrambling for market share.
But Android's domination is not the last chapter of smartphone operating systems.
Rival games
Microsoft has offered Windows Phone free to manufacturers and HTC has already produced a Windows Phone version of its One (M8).
Samsung has hinted that it may look beyond Android in the future. The company has delayed the launch of its Tizen powered smartphone though it has been pushing app development for the platform.
World leaders like US President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the UK's David Cameron all use BlackBerry smartphones.
The former smartphone superstar has a reputation of security that may yet be to its advantage in the consumer market.
Here are the top free Android apps on Google's Play Store:
1. Facebook Messenger
2. WhatsApp Messenger
3. Facebook
4. BBM
5. Instagram
6. Candy Crush Saga
7. Standard Bank
8. Skype
9. Twitter
10. Bubble Witch 2 Saga
And the top Android paid applications
1. Minecraft - Pocket Edition, R65.23
2. Poweramp Full Version Unlocker, R10.90
3. Card Wars - Adventure Time, R10.60
4. Scribblenauts Remix, R10.73
5. Afterlight, R10.58
6. Nova Launcher Prime, R43
7. Gangstar Vegas, R10
8. Hitman GO, R59.99
9. Flightradar24 Pro, R36.61
10. Terraria, R21.08
Here are the top free iPhone apps on the App Store:
1. Facebook Messenger
2. Circle The Dot!
3. FaceQ
4. Swing Copters
5. Instagram
6. Star Wars: Commander
7. Facebook
8. YouTube
9. Snapchat
10. RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile
And the top paid iPhone apps
1. Heads Up!, R11.99
2. Minecraft - Pocket Edition, R89.99
3. Afterlight, R11.99
4. Sleep Cycle alarm clock, R11.99
5. Videoshop - Video Editor R24.00
6. NFL Fantasy Football Cheat She..., R59.99
7. Card Wars - Adventure Time, R49.99
8. Buddyman: Kick 2, R11.99
9. Facetune, R36.99
10. Footballguys Fantasy Football ..., R59.99
Here are the top free Windows Phone apps:
1.Facebook
2. BBM
3. WhatsApp
4. News24
5. Messenger
6. PicMix
7. Adobe Reader
8. WeChat
9. Free MP3 Music
10. Bloomberg
And the top paid Windows Phone apps
1. Flashlight +, R9.99
2. Video Player for VLC, R29.99
3. Photo Dot Lock, R9.99
4. Super Photo, R39.99
5. Talking Cat, R9.99
6. Bluetooth +, R9.99
7. PhotoGrid, R9.99
8. 8.1 HD Tile, R9.99
9. Universal Remote Codes, R9.99
10. MP3 Downloader +, R9.99
Do you have a favourite application? Let us know.
- Follow Duncan on Twitter
