What Verizon iPhone means to iOS App Developers

The launch of the iPhone on the Verizon network has huge implications for App developers.

Consider the following numbers

• iPhone sales estimates for Verizon range from 11-25 million units
• Studies indicate that 40% of Blackberry users would switch to an iPhone. This is made easier now that the iPhone is available on what is perceived to be a faster, more reliable network.
• Among the 700-plus smartphone users surveyed, 54 percent of Verizon's current Android and BlackBerry users say they're very or somewhat likely to switch to the Verizon iPhone as soon as it hits the stores.

Even if you take the most conservative numbers presented above, the number of iPhone users is getting ready to explode. Now consider that the average iPhone owner spends $80 on apps and you can see that the app market is going to get a lot bigger very soon.