Parler Fails App Store Return While App Economy Surges Past TV
The mobile app industry continues to break records as Americans now spend more time on apps than live TV, while Parler faces another App Store rejection over content moderation issues.
The mobile app economy experiences massive growth as consumers download a record 218 billion apps and spend $143 billion globally in 2020. Americans now spend an average of four hours per day on their mobile devices, officially surpassing the 3.7 hours they spend watching live TV. Investors recognize this shift by pouring $73 billion into mobile-first companies in 2020, marking a 27 percent increase from the previous year.
Parler attempts and fails to regain entry into the Apple App Store following its initial ban after the U.S. Capitol riot. Apple denies the social app's re-entry after a review uncovers ongoing issues with hateful, racist, and discriminatory content, including profile pictures featuring swastikas and offensive usernames. The tech giant maintains its stance that there is no place for such content in its ecosystem, despite Parler's First Amendment-driven approach to moderation.
Other major app developments include Walmart expanding its livestream shopping initiatives on TikTok and Instagram Lite rolling out to users worldwide. Additionally, new data reveals Clubhouse's total installs and global reach, while Disney introduces a new service that potentially replaces the traditional MagicBand. These stories highlight the ongoing evolution and diverse opportunities within the global app landscape.