Apple Inc. (AAPL) has been on a roller coaster ride of thrills and chills this year, as its stock price soared to more than $700 per share and then plummeted back to the $515 range. However, one area the company has not been languishing in this year is sales. The iPhone 5 launch was the Cupertino company's largest product roll out ever, and it was amazingly successful, breaking all previous records for sales. The iPad 4 and iPad Mini launch that followed shortly after were also highly successful.
The results of these product's sales can be seen in the latest report from ValueWalk, which indicates that Apple reported an 87% increase in downloads from its App Store on Christmas day. The all around increase was reported to be around 70%, but iPad Apps hold the highest increase by percentage points. According to the figures published on ValueWalk, iPad Apps recorded a whopping 140% increase in downloads and an 80% increase in revenue earned. This points out that the iPad and iPad Mini were most likely the most popular Christmas gifts in Apple's product lineup this year.
According to a report from Macgasm.net, this is the first holiday shopping season where tablets beat out smartphones for the number 1 slot on gift givers' lists. The total number of mobile devices that were activated on Christmas day was 17.4 million. Tablets made up 51% of that number, and beat smartphones out for the top spot.
According to reports, the most popular apps that were downloaded were not Apple Apps, but in fact came from Apple's top competitor, Google Inc. (GOOG). Google's streaming video service, YouTube, was the most selected app in the App Store, with Google Maps coming in second. Surprisingly enough, an OfficeMax original app, called Elf Yourself, came in third place, and Disney's Where's My Holiday took fourth. Skype was also a popular download, as many families use the video calling feature to stay connected to each other during the holiday season.
Not surprising to many people, Apple is not the only company to record record sales in the tablet arena this holiday season. Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire HD recorded the most significant growth in a single day. This affordably priced tablet is reported to be one of Apple's biggest threats in the near future, in regards to the mid and lower end of the tablet market.
Although the final numbers have yet to be released by each of these companies, all the current data seems to indicate that tablets were the most desirable items on holiday wish lists this year. The tablet market is not yet as saturated as the smartphone market, as many consumers already own a smartphone. This leaves yet another venue for companies like Apple Inc. (AAPL) to earn major profit.
Whether or not these numbers give the company a much needed boost in stock price remains to be seen. However, it can not be a bad thing to have set yet another record for sales this year.
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