Google has compiled its usual list of the top trending apps for the year, and Malaysia has come out with a particularly interesting set. There really is a pattern when it comes to Malaysians, which seems to revolve around shopping and travel.
Topping is Grab, which is impressive as Uber tends to make the headlines more often. What is more interesting is that Uber did not make the list at all. It’s difficult to say why Grab turned out more popular than Uber; but it could be due to the app integrating both taxi and ride-sharing services at the same time.
The second and third most popular apps were Mudah.my and imSold; both shopping based services. These services offer the opportunity for people to looking for used and pre-loved items; which is what probably contributes to their popularity.
Malaysian Airlines’ app was the fourth most popular, and we’re not entirely sure what this proves.
Digi sneaks onto the list at fifth place, with its own app. While it only has about 21,869 downloads; it comes far ahead of rivals Maxis and Celcom (neither of which reached five digits of downloads). Only U Mobile’s own app comes close with 15,228 downloads. We done’t have any exact numbers, it is interesting to note that Google Play lists Digi’s app in the 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 downloads bracket, and its closest rivals in the next two lowest brackets. In other words, the Digi app has at least twice as many users as Celcom’s; although the gap is possibly slightly smaller when compared to Maxis.
In contrast to these, the global top five trending apps for 2016 were:
- Google Duo
- MSQRD
- Camera360 – Photo Editor
- Keyboard
- 30 Day Fit Challenge Workout
As usual, Google doesn’t offer insights or reasons for the trending numbers. All it does is show what happens to be popular on the internet at the time. This itself may be a commentary of sorts; but it doesn’t quite say anything.
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