The number of mobile applications downloaded this year will exceed 18 billion, according to a new report from Ovum, up 144 per cent from the 7.4 billion downloaded in 2010. The study adds that this growth looks set to continue, reaching 45 billion downloads in 2016. Ovum devices analyst Nick Dillon commented: "Consumers' seemingly insatiable demand for mobile applications is set to continue this year, with downloads from app stores increasing around the world." During this period, Ovum claims that Android will become the dominant download platform in terms of app downloads in 2011 for the first time, taking a significant lead with 8.1 billion downloads compared to Apple's 6 billion. Release