Mobile virtual currency market to hit $4.8bn by 2016
Virtual currency has fast become a multi-billion dollar industry. It's the juice that could propel Facebook to great IPO heights, and has already served as the foundation for other billion-dollar businesses, like social gaming giant Zynga.
In fact, a study released yesterday from Juniper Research predicts that the amount of money being spent on virtual currency in mobile apps is going to more than double in the next four years, going from $2.1bn last year to $4.8bn by 2016.
Apple's Mac App Store hits 100m downloads
Little more than a year ago, I asked the question, "Will the Mac app store change the desktop software landscape?"
The answer may not yet be obvious, but one thing is for sure: Apple's attempt to bring the app store model to the desktop isn't a flop.
Yesterday, the company announced that less than a year after launching, the Mac App Store has already surpassed the 100m download milestone.
According to Apple, this makes its newest app store "the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world."
Is Nokia’s OVI Store the place to be?
When it comes to mobile apps and app stores, two names stand out: Apple's App Store, and Google's Android Market.
In fact, for many developers, these two app stores are the only game in town.
But is ignoring other app stores, like Nokia's OVI Store, a mistake? According to research firm research2guidance, the answer may be 'yes'.
Consumable goods dominate mobile games: report
While the business of virtual goods has probably been popularized most by social games such as Farmville, the mobile market for virtual goods has developed into a lucrative space for mobile games as well.
There's a good reason for this: charging for a mobile game itself has become increasingly difficult for many game developers, and virtual goods offer one of the best ways to implement a freemium model.
According to mobile ad network Flurry, as of June 2011, well over half (65%) of the revenue for top-grossing games in Apple's U.S. App Store was generated by freemium games. Just six months earlier, 61% of revenue was generated by paid games.
While Android Market struggles, the App Store surges
The number of Android devices may be growing like a weed, but when it comes to the ecoystem, not all is well.
Google's Android app store, Android Market, isn't nearly as vibrant. Whether due to stingy users, a poor experience or a combination of factors, the risk is clear: if developers treat it like the iPhone's ugly cousin, Android may have tougher times ahead.
Already, there's reason Google should be very concerned. That's because the App Store is surging...
Note to publishers: you don't need an iPad-specific website
When it comes to tablets, traditional publishers have a dilemma: the numbers make it clear that the money is currently in native apps, but for publishers struggling to survive, giving up 30% of revenue to Apple, along with valuable subscriber data, is a tough pill to swallow.
So many publishers are trying to have their cake and eat it too. How? By building web apps that look and feel like native apps.
Number of U.S. tablet owners to double by early 2012: report
Despite the hype, tablets are still most accurately described as a 'niche' market. But that market is expected to grow really, really fast.
That's according to a study (PDF) conducted by the Online Publishers Association (OPA) and Frank N. Magid Associates, which sees 54m Americans owning or using tablets by early 2012, up from 28m today.
Why the Financial Times can circumvent Apple, and others can't
For traditional publishers, the Apple has been a blessing and a curse. On one hand, its iOS devices, including the iPad, have created hope and inspired thought about the future of publishing. On the other hand, it's clear that it is no savior.
It's not into charity either. Case in point: the 30% cut Apple demands from subscriptions sold in iOS apps. Begrudgingly, many publishers have agreed to this fee. But not all.
iEncroach: is Apple going too far?
Apple's WWDC events are always big news, and yesterday was no exception.
Steve Jobs himself took to the stage as the company unveiled its first official look at iOS 5, which is now available in beta to iOS Developer Program members.
App Store jumps past 500,000 iOS apps
This week, Apple achieved what may be one of its most impressive milestones to date. In the past three years, it has approved 500,000 iOS applications for entry into the App Store.
The App Store, of course, is the world's most popular 'app store.' Billions of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch apps have been downloaded through it, generating billions of dollars in sales.
For developers hoping to hit the jackpot developing apps for smart phones and other portable devices, the App Store is almost always priority numero uno.
