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StartApp boasts 40 million downloads are using its Android monetisation system

Search strap-on proving popular

StartApp boasts 40 million downloads are using its Android monetisation system
With the question of just how to best monetise apps on Android ever high on the agenda, it's of little surprise those touting possible solutions are proving popular with developers.

StartApp – which installs a bookmark for its search engine onto the home screen of any device downloading an app using its SDK – launched six months ago, and the firm is claiming its tool has been installed on handsets 40 million times.

That means the StartApp search tool is finding its way onto more than 6.7 million devices a month.

The paying game

The company doesn't mention just how many developers – or, indeed, apps – that figure is spread across, though studios that employ the SDK receive a small payment from StartApp for every enabled app that's downloaded.

Launch estimates claimed developers could earn anywhere between $10-50 per 1,000 downloads, suggesting StartApp could have paid out up to $2 million to studios employing the SDK to date.

"During that time we have seen facts and figures that go far beyond even our very expansive imaginations," said the firm on its blog.

"No matter which way you look at it, this is an incredible number."

Getting on with Galaxy

To celebrate the milestone, StartApp has published a number of stats sourced from the app downloads its platform has been party to so far.

To date, more than 36 percent of those downloading apps equipped with StartApp come from North America – the same figure that originate in Asia, with European consumers making up 20.7 percent.

Samsung devices are proving the most popular, making up 47.1 percent of all downloads, ahead of HTC on 14.2 percent.

As such, it's no surprise Samsung's Galaxy S II is the most popular device on offer, ahead of the Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Y, original Galasy S and Galaxy Mini.



"While some people say that the fragmentation of the Android ecosphere is bad but we believe it gives more choice and judging by the many different makes and models that are being used, the average person in the street seems to like the ability to choose a phone to suit their own specific needs and not the other way around," concludes StartApp.

You can find more StartApp stats on the firm's blog.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.