• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, August 29, 2013

Android mobile app revenue is projected to nearly double to $6.8 billion this year as the sheer number of Android smartphones swells globally, according to a new ABI Research forecast. While Android still has a ways to go to catch up to iOS’s app revenues, the Google platform is gaining ground as it strengthens its grip on the smartphone market.

The research firm projects Android handset shipments will outstrip those of iPhones by three-to-one. Android had a nearly 80% share of smartphone shipments worldwide in the second quarter, according to IDC. But the operating system is still dogged by malware attacks. A recent report from Public Intelligence found 79% of all mobile threats last year targeted Android.