Amazon’s smart device app Alexa offers calling and messaging in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Austria. Image: AMZN Mobile via AFP Relaxnews
Among the top free iOS apps around the world declared on Dec. 27, 2017, virtual assistant Amazon Alexa takes top spot in the United States, ahead of fellow connected device apps Fitbit and Google Home. Temporal messaging service Snapchat reigns in the United Kingdom and France, and payment and transfers app Alipay reigns supreme in China. More details on these and other apps by country can be found below.
U.S.
Amazon Alexa (Music)
The data-leveraging AI assistant and smart device controller from online retail giant Amazon sits in first place ahead of similar virtual butler Google Home (sixth place,) indicating that more Alexa or Alexa-compatible new units had been received in the U.S. over the Christmas period (the iPhone’s own voice-operated assistant, Siri, comes pre-installed in the iOS system and doesn’t appear in app charts). The Fitbit app, for a branded range of wearable fitness trackers, places fourth.
U.K.
Snapchat (Photo & Video)
Top of the free app chart and, by virtue of its usage, top of social network installations in the U.K. after the gift-giving, relative-visiting, and anecdotal app-recommending flurry of Christmas Day. In the U.K., Facebook’s Instagram, WhatsApp Messenger, Messenger and general Facebook app sit in fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth respectively.
Australia
Spotify Music (Music)
Music streaming service, free with adverts or as a premium subscription without. Support for the iPhone X was added in a November update.
China
Alipay (Lifestyle)
Money transfer service from China’s enormous Alibaba group, which extends to cover utility bill payment, communal nights out, taxi bookings, and so on.
Germany
WhatsApp Messenger (Social Networking)
Number one in Germany is Facebook-owned messaging suite WhatsApp, which offers integration with contacts lists as well as Facebook profiles. Germany’s #3 paid app is secure messaging service Threema.
France
Snapchat (Photo and Video)
In France, Snap lands first where Facebook gets consecutive third, fourth, fifth and sixth spots with Instagram, Messenger, the Facebook app and WhatsApp; Google’s YouTube sticks to second place.
Netherlands
NPO Radio 2 – Top 2000 (Music)
Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 2 provides access to its top 2000 hits, broadcasting from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve.
Canada
YouTube (Photo & Video)
Video streaming service YouTube takes pole position in Canada, followed by Snapchat and Google Home. Physical activity tracker Fitbit is fourth.
Japan
MusicBox (Music)
Music streaming app that offers access to individual tracks as well as charts and playlists. Spotify takes tenth in the Japanese free app chart.
Singapore
ofo Smart Bike Sharing (Travel)
Beijing-based bicycle-sharing plan without the need for docking stations. Instead, a mobile app and combination lock setup take care of security.
Malaysia
WhatsApp (Social Networking)
India
WhatsApp (Social Networking)
South Africa
WhatsApp (Social Networking)
Store rankings courtesy of App Annie. JB
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