Mobile agency Grapple has unveiled its Insights Engine, which draws together insights from over 254 branded apps it has worked on.

The Insights Engine anonymously collects data from the apps in real time to identify mobile trends as they happen. Its used as an in-house tool to provide clients with data-driven recommendations at the first phase of idea generation and throughout iterative development.

Data already collected through the tool shows that when an app is released on both platforms, iOS achieves 3.7 times more downloads than Android on average. However, usage of Android apps has increased by 71 per cent between Q1, 2012, and Q1, 2013.

The average single session in an iPad app lasts 58 per cent longer than on iPhone, according to the Insights Engine, and return users account for 81 per cent of all opens of branded apps.

“There’s already so much data available, but very little is of real value to businesses,” said Grapple CEO Alistair Crane. “Grapple is making commercial sense of the emerging trends to guarantee success for clients. Were incredibly proud to announce the Insights Engine, a true example of Big Data within the mobile sector. The tool has fast become a catalyst that fuels creativity and ensures success for our clients.”