Video conferencing app downloads go through the roof

Mobile app tracker App Annie reports that downloads of business apps, especially video conferencing ones, have exploded in recent weeks.

It’s already becoming redundant to explain why exceptional events are occurring these days, but to avoid all doubt it’s coz of coronavirus. In the week of 14-21 March there were 62 million business apps downloaded worldwide, according to an App Annie blog, which was 45% up on the previous week and a 90% increase on the equivalent week a year ago. That was the week in which many countries introduced compulsory lockdowns for the first time.

Of those, four video conferencing apps seems to have led the way: Google Hangouts Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom Cloud Meetings and Houseparty. As you can see from the chart below, all four experienced massive spikes in demand, compared to a year ago.

“As people face uncertain timelines for the length of social isolation, video conferencing apps have the potential to vastly influence our daily habits — breaking down geological barriers and fostering the ability to work and socialize relatively seamlessly,” concluded the blog

“It is an unprecedented time for the world and an incredibly dynamic time for mobile — we are seeing shifts in consumer behavior surface daily across virtually every sector. We will continue to report on the vast impact coronavirus is having on the mobile economy as it charts a new path forward for our mobile habits.”