Google said that there had been more than 25 billion downloads from its Google Play store, a milestone that Apple said its App Store had reached in March 2012.

The milestone also indicates a sharp increase in momentum for Android apps. The search giant said that the 11 billionth app was downloaded in the fourth quarter of 2011, around three years after its launch – with the next 14 billion therefore downloaded in a nine month period.

The growth has been driven by strong sales of Android-powered devices: according to Google’s chairman Eric Schmidt, some 1.3 million units powered by the platform are activated every day, including 70,000 tablets.

According to Google, it now offers 675,000 apps and games from Play. To mark the 25 billion milestone it is running a five day promotion, with apps from companies such as Gameloft, Electronic Arts, Rovio, runtastic, Full Fat “and more” available for US$0.25.
It is also promoting a range of other content available from the store, including movies, books, music and magazines.