By Mehul Trivedi

A large graphic graced Apple’s Web site on Jan. 22, exclaiming, ”Thank you ten billion times.”

Approximately two and a half years after it opened, the Apple App Store recorded its 10 billionth download, reaffirming the fact that it remains the leader of all things mobile.

Controlling about 84 percent of the mobile app market, Apple has an incredibly powerful grip over the business. But newcomer Android and its app market has emerged as a powerful competitor.

According to Informations Solutions Group, a worldwide research firm, the Android App market has grown 861.5 percent since 2009, recording two and a half billion downloads as of last December.

According to some Cal High students, Android’s meteoric rise can be attributed to the quality of the phones.

“There are less restrictions with Android phones,” said junior Irfan Haider. “ New phones equipped with Android are much better than the iPhone.”

Sophomore Kyle Kao agrees, adding that he prefers Android apps because they can be customized easily, citing specifically Google’s apps, many of which are available only for Android phones.

“Android apps give people more freedom,” said Kyle.

Despite these recent gains, Apple remains the leader of the pack for one major reason: brand recognition.

Apple and all of its products play a large role in the lives of teens today, with many owning multiple Apple products.

“I think everyone’s so familiar with Apple,” said junior Tedmund Chua. “I like Apple more than Android, but just because I’m so used to it.”

Besides being popular with consumers, Apple is also popular with developers, particularly for its relative ease to develop for.

“That is why you see so many more apps in the App Store than the Android Market,” said Haider.

Despite the larger number of apps in Apple’s App Store when compared to the Android Market, both platforms carry large numbers of apps to suit the needs of everyone. One type of app in particular that has become exceedingly popular is games.

According to a survey conducted by Information Solutions Group, more than 52 percent of people said they have played a mobile phone game before.

“Games on the iPhone, Android and even Facebook are really popular today,” said sophomore Dani Chun. “They allow you to compete with your friends.”

Further proof of the popularity of mobile phone games is shown in a list composed by Apple of the 10 best selling apps of all time.

Nine of the ten were games, including timeless apps such as Doodlejump, Fruit Ninja, and Angry Birds.

Though the graphics of mobile phone games cannot compare with those of game systems such as the PS3 or XBOX 360, their playability and accessibility all factor in to make them just as fun.

Though games have made a large impact upon millions of gamers who enjoy playing game apps that allow the user to enjoy games anytime and anywhere. There are still those who have not joined the band wagon.

“My apps tend to be more utilitarian,” said biology teacher Andrew White, who prefers apps like The Weather Channel and Great Books. “I don’t really have the time for games.”

Regardless of app preference, mobile apps, both for the Android and Apple platforms, have seen tremendous increases in sales over the last few years and have developed a very strong market.

Though Apple still holds a commanding lead in terms of digital app sales, the coming Google Android has proven to be more than a worthy competitor.