Andy Rubin, Google's Vice President of engineering -- Android development head honcho and the man behind both Android and Danger -- was quoted in the press release announcing the T-Mobile G2 that the Android Market now has over 80,000 applications -- up 10,000 from the last we heard on July 15.
“One of the advantages of an open platform is the opportunity for developers to create rich mobile experiences and seamlessly get those experiences into the hands of consumers,” said Andy Rubin, vice president, engineering, Google. “From new services, such as Voice Actions, to mobile applications, developer-led Android innovation is flourishing. On Android Market alone, the number of applications available to consumers has grown from just 50 applications two years ago to more than 80,000 applications today.”
Of course there is still no way of telling just how many are themes, keyboard skins, icon packs unauthorized soundboards or "Sexy Lady No. 357" apps. Like all App Markets, you'll have spam. But the growth rate is telling, and it pretty much mirrors everything else we hear about Android and it's ever increasing market share.
