iPhone enabled Angry Bird’s success, says Rovio CEO.
Mar 1, 2011 News, iphone development
Rovio chief executive Peter Vesterbacka, during a GDC 2011 presentation, thanked iPhone for enabling Angry Bird’s success. Angry Birds is one of the sensations in mobile gaming and has been downloaded millions of times. It occupied the top slot in Apple’s App Store for years.
Speaking on how, before iPhone, decision was on the hands of an executive at the carrier’s office who will decide on which game to get space on the store, he said “Other people decided on our behalf what was a good game and what was a bad game.”
He further said “I would have had to go to carrier and said, ‘We have this game where you have to slingshot birds at these green pigs. ‘They’d say ‘It’s not a poker game, we’re not interested.’”
The Rovio Chief Executive believes that mobile has become the focal point for gaming market. He said “When you look at the gaming market … the center of gravity has clearly moved to mobile. That’s where all the action is, that’s where all the trends are being defined … what you see done with Angry Birds you will see done by a lot of people.”
Tags: Angry birds, game developers, GDC 2011, iPhone game developer
Juniper Research predicts mobile augmented reality apps to touch $1.5 billion by 2015, to be facilitated by big mobile app developers.
Feb 7, 2011 Android Development, BlackBerry Development, Mobile Development, News, iPad Development, iphone development
A latest study by Juniper Research has predicted that global revenues from mobile augmented reality (AR) applications and services are expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2015. The report title- ‘Mobile Augmented Reality: Opportunities, Forecasts & Strategic Analysis 2011-2015′- says that a growing number of top retailers, brands, and mobile vendors are showing great interest in investing on augmented reality applications.
According to the study, the installed base of Augmented Reality capable smartphones has grown from 8 million in 2009 to over 100 million in 2010. AR applications which in the beginning were of interest of smaller application development companies and researchers at technological institutes are now increasingly facilitated by large mobile app developers.
Other key developments highlighted in the report are- release of AR-software development kit for Android by Qualcomm, Samsung’s pronouncement to preload AR browsers onto their handsets in select markets and advertising campaigns on mobile featuring AR elements from leading brands such as Carlsberg and Coca Cola.
According to report author, “One of the key benefits from this heightened activity is the fact that it generates press interest and public awareness: even if consumers don’t necessarily understand how it works, they can see real life examples of AR in action. Likewise, it serves to generate wider interest amongst brands and developers who can see potential applications for AR technology; it educates the market” says Dr Windsor Holden, author of the report.
However, the report also cautioned that both mobile application developers and customers are still not convinced about the exact benefits of AR in customer relationship as efforts in the past have either failed or delivered very little of benefits.
Tags: mobile app developers, mobile app development, mobile developers
iPhone Alarm Failure Makes Apple Users ‘A Not So Happy New Year’
Jan 3, 2011 News, iphone development
Many iPhone users found themselves in 2011 without hearing the midnight rings and alarms. The bells simply did not ring for many this New Year weekend and ‘thanks’ to a glitch that caused many to oversleep.
The alarm function failed for the second time within two months and as result many people voiced their frustration on Twitter.
“Dear iPhone, why didn’t your alarm go off this morning? I set six of them. I’ve now missed church. Thanks for nothing,” said one user Sunday morning.
“Some sort of digital iPhone pandemic is going on. Alarm clock failure reports are pouring in from all sources around the globe,” said another Twitter user.
“Dreaded iPhone alarm problem,” wrote someone who identified himself as a pastor. “I guess [I] didn’t need to be on time for church?”
Apple Inc. spokeswoman Natalie Harrison said to Macworld Magazine, “We’re aware of an issue related to non-repeating alarms set for January 1 or 2. Customers can set recurring alarms for those dates and all alarms will work properly beginning January 3.”
It may seemed that this problem affected the recent versions of iPhone and iPods and renowned Tech site Engadget suggested that it may also have hit earlier versions.
Tags: iphone, iphone news
5 Travel APPs for Your Holidays
Dec 31, 2010 iphone development
Where are you travelling this season? Do you know all about the place? No matter where you travel, it is always beneficial to take help. Or else, you may not be able to make most of your holidays. How often it happens that you visit a place and miss out a great tourist spot or a good eatery? Here is our compilation of 5 travel apps for your iPhone that will not only make your stay pleasurable but will also let you make the most of your holidays. And, that too, without absolute ease…
1. TripIt – Travel Organizer- Put all your holidays plans into your iPhone and access it anywhere, anytime whether you are online or offline. To build an itinerary, all you have to do is to forward a travel confirmation mail. TripIt Pro, an upgrade of the app, supports various features like flight alerts, alternate flight options, and a Tracker for frequent flyer points etc.
2. Wikihood- Locals accept that Wikihood knows more about the place than them. Get loads of information, categorized under various heads, on the destination of your choice. Where is the nearest shopping centre? How to reach to a particular location? The app provides you with all the info in an easy-to-understand and detailed form.
3. Mom Maps- Looking for a fun place for your kids? Get access to more than 26,000 kid-friendly locations from 27 metros. This app taps the collective knowledge of parents from across the globe to locate kid-friendly fun places. You can read reviews from parents who have visited these places. The wide-ranging list includes parks, playgrounds, museums and indoor play areas- all perfect for kids! In addition, you can use GPS to locate kid spots closer to you and get a detailed map to get you there. Plus submit reviews, photos and share it with your with friends via email or Facebook.
4. Zagat To Go- A holiday to a tourist location is incomplete without tasting its local delicacies. Get access to latest and unbiased ratings and reviews on restaurants from more than 45 expert guides and enjoy sumptuous local cuisine at the best of ambience. Plus GPS, advanced search, sort, offline mode, reservations and more for your help.
5. AccuTerra- Love outdoor adventure? Then this app is perfect for you. It is a GPS based app, covering more than five million square miles, which provides you with maps and directions on terrains, trails, and ski areas. The high-definition maps provide triple zoom level and contain the latest trail and land data.
Download these iPhone apps, holiday in your choicest location and make your holidays memorable.
Tags: iphone, iPhone apps, iphone development
iPhone 4 History Edition Costs $60,000!
Dec 9, 2010 News, iphone development
Renowned British jeweler, Stuart Hughes, has newly designed the Iphone 4 History Edition. This customized version is unique from all other Iphones as its rear section is made of an actual T-Rex’s Tooth.
Meteoric stone particles also features in the making of this History Edition. The sides of the Iphone 4 is framed with diamonds and the Apple logo is made of platinum.
This is a limited edition version and this does not come cheap as its priced close to $60,000
Tags: iphone, iphone news
iPhone Surpasses Nokia To Become No.1 In Australia
Dec 7, 2010 News, iphone development
For the first time, Nokia has slipped to second place and Apple’s iPhone is now the number one smartphone vendor in Australia.
According to analyst IDC’s Q3 Mobile Device Tracker report iPhone now accounts for 36.5 per cent of the smartphone market in Australia, surpassing Nokia’s 30.5 per cent share. But Google’s Android platform is growing even faster than Appe’s iOS with a 21 per cent share, up from 7.1 per cent in Q2 and only 2.1 per cent in Q1.
Mark Novosel, analyst from IDC Australia telecommunications predicted in May that Apple would surpass Nokia off its perch as the number one smartphone maker this year. Today, he said Apple would enjoy a solid run into next year but could soon be overtaken by Android.
“It’s looking like next year it’s going to be close between Android and Apple but I would be inclined to say that Apple will keep its lead, although we have been under pretty much every quarter with our Android forecast so anything really is possible at this stage,” he said.
“Given the way that it is growing, this time next year Android could be number one. It really depends how next year will pan out,” he further added.
Tags: iphone news, Nokia
The ‘Machos’ Want Android, Women Prefer iPhone
Dec 2, 2010 Android Development, iphone development
The ‘Macho’ Droid ads are now paying off!! It’s true. Women prefer iPhone and the ‘Macho’s’ prefer Android. According to a Nielsen survey, a distinct gender gap can be seen when it comes to smart phone platforms. 9,200 people participated in the survey in US conducted in August through October, Android is the most-desired platform among men, with 33% of male respondents saying they want one. The iPhone was a close second, with 29%. Among women, 31% said that they want an iPhone versus a paltry 23% who said they’d prefer an iPhone.
There was almost no gender difference in BlackBerry, with about 12% of men and women saying they’d prefer one, but Windows Mobile was slightly more preferred by men, 7.4% to 5.8%.
Apple Bans Android Magazine App by Mediaprovider From App Store
Nov 29, 2010 Android Development, iphone development
Media Watch has reported that Android Magasinet, a magazine app from Danish company Media provider has been rejected from Apple’s App Store because of its extensive Android operating system content. This incident has stirred accusations like Apple being too ‘far-reaching’ and ‘hypocritical’.
There’s already an Android news app available in the App Store called Androidworld Reader, as well as various apps that have content about other operating systems. But Mediaprovider’s Brian Dixen told Media Watch that his app, Android Magasinet, was rejected primarily for its Android-focused content.
Dixen said that his other company apps got published in Apple’s app store with no problem and addded that Both iPhone Magasinet and Gear, apps that deal with iPhone info and news about consumer electronics respectively, are both available for download.
“It’s funny really because I don’t think we would sell many magazines on Android through Apple App Store, but the question is where this is going,” said Dixen, who thinks that Apple is too heavy-handed with its censorship.
Tags: Android, android news, Apple, apple news
Anti-Gay iPhone App Removed from App Store
Nov 29, 2010 News, iphone development
An iPhone app designed against the same-sex marriage has been apparently removed by Apple Inc from their App Store.
Apple has apparently removed an iPhone app especially designed to campaign against same-sex marriage.
The Manhattan Declaration app included a wordy document ‘defending traditional marriage’ and quizzing its users on gay marriage. But if you answer ‘NO’ to the question ‘Do you believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman,’ it would tell you that you had answered incorrectly.
“Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense,” the somewhat humorless app declares.
The app has now disappeared from Apple’s online store, following an outcry against it from several campaigners who believe “applications that support hate and division have no place in the iTunes Store.”
Tags: iphone, iphone applications, iPhone apps
First iPhone iOS 4.2.1 Jailbreak Released By Dev-Team
Nov 24, 2010 iphone development
The iPhone Dev-Team has come up with the first updated jailbreaking tool for Mac OS X and Windows just after one day after Apple’s release of the iOS 4.2 firmware update. Redsn0w version 0.9.6b4 can be used immediately for those who are not concerned about using the ultrasn0w unlock. iPhone 3G and older iPhone 3GS users will be happy to know that the jailbreak is untethered.
For newer iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users, this version currently requires a computer to boot into the jailbroken state. The iPhone Dev-Team is working with @comex on a fix that would untether the iPhone 4 jailbreak once and for all. Unlockers can expect a new version of ultrasn0w for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS as early as next week.
Tags: iphone news, Jailbreak
