How Many Apps Do You Actually Use on Your Smartphone and iPad?

Apps are awesome, right?  They’ve changed our lives and some expect computing to move to being completely app based at some point.  But how many do you actually use?

If the stats are correct, you use 10 or less on a regular basis, regardless of whether you’ve downloaded 15 or 150.  In fact, a Pew Research study revealed that 68% of users only use five or fewer apps at least once a week.

I realized after reading that statistic that it was true for me and I started asking others and they have the same experience.  What was interesting to me was how some apps I adopted early and used often, like “Bump” (to share contact information) and Angry Birds (to kill time in line at the post office), are apps I haven’t touched in months and I don’t miss them at all.  So even the apps that were originally sticky ended up not sticking.

Only two-thirds of people with apps on their phones use them.  My theory is that our bandwidth is limited, our choices of what to do with our limited free time are growing exponentially, and we’re choosing to use the few apps that either make our lives easier, save time or entertain us well.

Here are the types of apps that adults download and then do not delete on their cellphones:                            

Type of application                                 % who download

News, weather, sports, stocks                       74

Communications (social)                             67

Learning                                            64

Travel                                              53

Work-related tasks                                  48

Shopping                                            46

Video viewing                                       43

Health management                                   29

SOURCE: Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, July 25-Aug. 26, 2011 tracking survey.

How do these numbers compare to the types of apps you download and use frequently?  Do you use the same apps on your phone as your iPad?   (I could say ‘tablet’, but let’s be honest, that’s like calling Kleenex ’tissue’).  Which apps do you find the most useful?  …inquiring minds want to know.