Apps may be gaining ground (and a lot of attention) among iTunes users, but music is still its central service. According to the NPD Group, which surveyed nearly 4,000 iPod, iPhone and iPod Touch
users 13 and over, 82% have purchased music through iTunes (though virtually all of them have downloaded an app for free). More than half of those users (56%), use iTunes exclusively for their music
purchases, and a majority of the search time on the iTunes program is for music. That's good news for Apple, which earlier this week announced an update of its iTunes software would include a
music-oriented social networking component allowing users to follow artists and friends via iTunes.
"Sales growth in digital music has been slowing, and some of that decline might be related
to the distraction from apps; however iTunes shoppers are still completely engaged with music, whether it's about listening, discovering or buying," said Russ Crupnick, vice president and senior
entertainment analyst for the NPD Group, in a statement. "Apps certainly do compete for consumer dollars, but they can also be used to promote music and re-energize digital music and video download
sales."
Read the whole story at NPD Group »
