Apple reported sales of USD 1.8 billion over its App Store in the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, driven largely by spending on games. The company said it also set another single-day record on New Year's Day, with over USD 540 million in transactions on the App Store.
Unlike previous years, the company did not highlight the growth in app sales. Nevertheless, compared to the figures reported a year ago by Apple, total app store sales were up around 27 percent year-on-year from the USD 1.42 billion in the same holiday week in 2019, and New Year's Day sales rose nearly 40 percent.
The Apple statement focused on how apps and the growing range of Apple services helped people stay informed and entertained in the past year. Some of the most downloaded iOS apps included Zoom and Disney+, and games became more popular than ever, Apple said. It also highlighted how many small developers grew on the platform and its upcoming cut in commissions for developers with revenues below USD 1 million per year.
Apple TV on over 1 billion devices
The company said the Apple TV app grew to an installed base of over 1 billion devices in the past year, following its expansion to more makes of smart TV andgames consoles. While no figures for the number of users were given, the company said Apple TV+ would be coming with more original programming this year.
Coming up in early 2021 are second seasons of Apple Originals Dickinson, Servant and For All Mankind, as well as the new series Losing Alice, the films Palmer and Cherry, and the documentary Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry. Later in the year, Apple TV+ will also premiere new programmes such as The Mosquito Coast, Lisey’s Story, Foundation, Schmigadoon!, Severance and Pachinko, as well as new seasons of The Morning Show and See.
