Existing Apps That Added Support for Messages Saw 'Profound' Growth in iOS 10

[MacRumors]

After reporting a few weeks ago that the Messages App Store has grown to 1,650 applications, 75 percent of them sticker packs, Sensor Tower recently published another report detailing the download growth statistics for pre-existing apps that introduced Messages support in iOS 10. According to the research firm, the advantages of being an original presence in the Messages App Store during launch week had a "profound" effect on the surge of downloads for each app.

Sticker-making app JibJab sits firmly atop the pile of apps looked at by Sensor Tower. Originally introduced in 2014, Apple advertised the app's new Messages-ready compatibility in the Messages App Store during iOS 10's launch, and JibJab subsequently saw a download growth of more than 1,500 percent the week of September 12, 2016, which Sensor Tower compared to two weeks prior, August 29, as a statistical baseline.

The data accrued throughout the study uses the same parameters for each app. It should also be noted that Sensor Tower's measurements only took into account well-established apps that received more than 50,000 downloads for August and September, 2016.

As you can see, the animated-sticker-making app JibJab, which has been available on the App Store since 2014, witnessed tremendous download growth of more than 1,500 percent for the week of September 12, 2016, compared to our baseline, the week of August 29, 2016. As one of the very first apps to debut on the iMessage App Store, JibJab also benefitted from featuring by Apple within the in-app storefront.

Being a first mover on the iMessage Apps platform has clearly paid off for these apps.

A few other apps that have introduced Messages support saw notable growth, just not as intense as JibJab's performance. GIF Keyboard took second place, with a 129 percent increase in downloads during iOS 10's launch week. Tenor's app has also been around since 2014, but with the advent of Messages apps users no longer have to allow the company access to their keyboard and laboriously copy/paste each gif into a message.

The top five was rounded out by song-sharing app Genius (108 percent increase), GIF search service Giphy (77 percent increase), and App Store gaming mainstay Words With Friends (74 percent increase).

Words With Friends is the only game in Sensor Tower's top ten list, which is mostly made up of social interactive experiences. The data also shows the effect Messages-enabled apps have had for non-social add-ons as well, including apps that streamline previously cumbersome activities, like deciding on a restaurant with friends in OpenTable (65 percent increase), and picking a movie showtime in Fandango (31 percent increase).

New apps add support for Messages nearly every day, but sticker packs remain the most popular app type in Apple's new Messages App Store. Of the more than 1,650 applications on the App Store for Messages (when originally reported), sticker packs made up 1,251 apps, 944 of which are paid versus 307 that are free.

Article Link: Existing Apps That Added Support for Messages Saw 'Profound' Growth in iOS 10

 

[slimothy]

This isn't surprising, but definitely good news.

 

[l00pback]

Oh good, JibJab exploded. We can all look forward to more creepy heads super-imposed on animated dancing figures. Yay.

Does this really need a /s? I think it's obvious.

 

[Juicy Box]

Maybe I should upgrade to iOS 10 and see what is so special about these stickers.

Although, upgrading Apple operating systems shortly after release has been kind of scary the last few years.

 

[l00pback]

Maybe I should upgrade to iOS 10 and see what is so special about these stickers.

Although, upgrading Apple operating systems shortly after release has been kind of scary the last few years.

You should be good now.

Edit: ...but don't do it just for the stickers.

 

[AngerDanger]

Stickers never really made sense to me. Aside from ones like Phoneys, which provide obvious novelty, I don't know how people are using them when we already have emoji, Google image search, and GIF support.

"So how's your dad doing?"
*sticker of pipe from Mario added*
"I don't know what that means."
*sticker of Elsa from Frozen added*
"Please just answer me."
*sticker of smiley face that looks a little like claymation added*
"I swear, I can't do this anymore. I hope your father gets better. Bye."

 

[slimothy]

Phoneys is the real MVP.

 

[Born Again]

Lol - youre telling me an integrated Message Store somehow triggered more message app downloads?!!!

MIND BLOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[deany]

still waiting for the answer 10 days on:
are these things sent as MMS which cost me 00.40p plus 20% VAT a MMS
thanks

 

[slimothy]

still waiting for the answer 10 days on:
are these things sent as MMS which cost me 00.40p plus 20% VAT a MMS
thanks

They're iMessage stickers, so they're sent as iMessages...which is free.

 

[deany]

They're iMessage stickers, so they're sent as iMessages...which is free.

Hi
Thanks for the reply
I'm 100% certain I have sent iPhone to iPhone via Wi-fi photos and been charged
In fact I have turned MMS off and e-mail photos now - EE UK
thanks

 

[routine_analyst]

Is macrumors going to report on the Pokemon GO surge from Pokemon stickers every day once the iMessage sticker pad is released?

 

[keysofanxiety]

Stickers never really made sense to me. Aside from ones like Phoneys, which provide obvious novelty, I don't know how people are using them when we already have emoji, Google image search, and GIF support.

"So how's your dad doing?"
*sticker of pipe from Mario added*
"I don't know what that means."
*sticker of Elsa from Frozen added*
"Please just answer me."
*sticker of smiley face that looks a little like claymation added*
"I swear, I can't do this anymore. I hope your father gets better. Bye."

Guilty. Somebody sends a message saying they'd like to see me again? Slap stuff all over their messages until they're reminded why they stopped seeing me in the first place.

Here's a screenshot of one of my recent group 'conversations'. In my defence, only the Mario stickers were mine. Not in my defence: most of the stickers are Mario ones.

I don't have the self control. Neither does anybody I talk to. I hate myself for it.

 

[ipedro]

still waiting for the answer 10 days on:
are these things sent as MMS which cost me 00.40p plus 20% VAT a MMS
thanks

They count as data. They're not sent through the SMS/MMS system. Android phones for example, won't see the stickers, only those on iMessage.

 

[madsci954]

Oh good, JibJab exploded. We can all look forward to more creepy heads super-imposed on animated dancing figures. Yay.

Does this really need a /s? I think it's obvious.

I only used JibJab for their "year in review" videos, always good for a laugh or two. But as of last year, they stopped making them, so I don't use them anymore.

 

[lordofthereef]

This is what "smart" phones have become...

 

[TXCherokee]

Oh good, JibJab exploded. We can all look forward to more creepy heads super-imposed on animated dancing figures. Yay.

Does this really need a /s? I think it's obvious.

While I understand your sarcasm, and somewhat relate, the great news here is that JibJab, and apps like it, are drawing attention to the much more useful apps, like OpenTable, that will allow, and eventually perfect, the AI type of chats that the entire industry is moving toward (as witnessed by Google's presentation yesterday).

 

[kyleh22]

drives me nuts when people start sending around meaningless stickers. It has to be the least efficient form of communication. I guess i'm just getting old...

 

[ipedro]

They count as data. They're not sent through the SMS/MMS system. Android phones for example, won't see the stickers, only those on iMessage.

I take that back @deany. I tried with my brother who has an Android phone and even though I sent him a Mario sticker sitting on one of my messages, on his phone, he received the Mario sticker in full size as an individual message. Since he doesn't have iMessage, it must have gone through the MMS system.

On the other hand, if you're sending to someone through iMessage (blue bubbles), then they're being sent as data only so they don't count as an MMS.

 

[MacBH928]

Apple should makes imessage availible for none iOS users. More than half out there do not use Apple products.

 

[eddyPomme]

Create your own stickers !
Favorite Stickers is an iMessage application which can transform your favorite photos into stickers.
It’s a powerful way of sharing moments and expressing feelings with your own photo.
If you have the chance to have Live Photos, it ‘ll create gif stickers which will feel as authentic as your live photo.
https://appsto.re/fr/pcAdfb.i