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Archive of all the latest news and blog posts
AdMob today released its 2010 Mobile Metric Report. The report outlines the latest data on mobile devices and usage share in the US and focuses on examining emerging trends in the mobile sector over the last two years.The most notable trends come as little surprise, as iPhone and iOS devices continue to dominate globally. However, the Google Android platform is making big strides and experiencing significant monthly and yearly gains, especially in the US. In terms of market share, Apple was the number one device manufacturer worldwide with 30% of all advertising requests coming from these products. Nokia held the second place spot with a 23% share. Whilst Apple dominates in North America, Western Europe and Oceania, Nokia still maintains a strong hold in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
When it comes to operating systems, again Apple iOS was the leading smartphone platform throughout the world, with a total of 40% of advertising requests, with Google Android gaining quickly supporting 26% of all advertising requests worldwide. This trend continues to highlight the growth and potential future dominance of the Google Android operating system. In the report, AdMob carries out extensive comparisons between the Apple iOS and Google Android. It appears that Apple iOS devices are much more diversified, with less than half of all iOS devices located in North America. On the flip side, 67% of Google Android devices are in North America, with China showing a 13% market share. Looking at a broader global perspective, it appears that Google Android is catching up up to the number of iPhone devices in the US with Google Android still lagging behind. This should change over the course of time, especially as more smartphones are rolled out overseas and deals are negotiated with network carriers, but global reach still remians Android's biggest opportunity for market dominance.
Whilst the download habits of Google Android and iPhone users remain similar, iPhone and iTouch users regularly, download paid for apps far more than either Google Android or webOS apps. In fact, webOS apps are actually downloaded more than Google Android apps. Google Android potentially offers a more attractive market place for developers with continued growth in these sectors. However, sheer market size is is not the only factor to consider when determining how much a developer a mobile development company will invest in a platform. If this were the case, mobile application developers would be rushing to release apps for Symbian and Blackberry. The important factor for mobile developers, is to consider the number of apps that are purchased on each platform.
When considering this, Apple iOS users clearly outpace the other platforms. This helps to feed the cycle as mobile developers wish to create apps for popular platforms where users are more likely to make a purchase decision. This in turn leads to the creation and development of better quality apps and an increase in the number of iPhone owners willing to pay for applications.
The challenge Google Android will face, is not gaining an increase in market share, but competing as a platform whereby users are willing to invest in the apps. This in turn will encourage mobile application developers to create better quality games and apps. Apple has now paid over $1 billion to its developers over the last two years, this tells a story in itself. The report highlights the extent to which the mobile market grown in the past two years. What the numbers contained in the report today show, may not be indicative of future trends and patterns in the mobile market. The mobile application developer market is experiencing explosive growth on many levels and what we see today, may be very different in two years time.
Waracle create mobile apps and games for Apple iOS (this includes iPhone 4, iTouch and iPad) and Google Android. If you are interested in creating a mobile app to enhance the presence of your business or create new revenue streams, please contact us directly on (01382) 529528.
What do you think the mobile market will look like in two years time? Let us know your thoughts below...
The new Apple iPhone 4G has sold faster than the 2G, the 3G and the 3GS. Steve Jobs has stated that the only factor preventing additional sales was a shortage in supply. The new product release has been hailed as the most successful in the company’s history. The iPhone 3G and 3GS managed to just break the 1 million units mark and no more. Jobs proceeded to apologise to customers who were unable to get their hands on the latest Apple device.
The launch has not been without its problems. The new device has been subject to signal reception issues that have emerged after the release and sale of the first 1.7million units. I’m now glad I didn’t join the cues last week to get my hands on one. Having been left in a California bar by a careless employee, the iPhone 4G has courted much speculation in the media even before it hit the shelves. Apple will no doubt seek to remedy these teething issues when the product is shipped for release again.
Unlike previous iterations of the iPhone, the new 4G has been launched across every single major network carrier in the UK. The iPhone 4 handset is also available in selected supermarkets and electronic retailers. All of the major network carriers have suggested that stocks of the iPhone 4 are running low, with supermarket behemoth Tesco citing similar inventory related problems.
With over 75% of iPhone 4 buyers being existing Apple customers, its clear to see that customer retention and loyalty is a real strength of the Californians. I’m currently updating to the iOS4 having been ‘Macless’ for the best part of a week. Having seen other people running the iOS4 software, I’m excited to see how the new features stack up.
Have you purchased the iPhone 4 or downloaded the new iOS4 software revision? If so, tell us what you think…
One of the most exciting announcements at Wednesday’s Apple WWDC was the anticipated arrival of the iOS4, the new operating system built for iPhone. The brand spanking new operating system comes equipped with approximately 100 new features, both new and upgraded. All of these delightful extras will be deployed on the iPhone 4G when it’s released throughout the world in selected countries on June 28th.
However, don’t worry if you are still under contract for your existing iPhone. Current owners of the iPad, iPhone 3G/3GS and iTouch 2G/3G will be able to update their existing operating system to the new software. During the keynote speech, Steve Jobs focused upon highlighting specific features contained within the iOS4. These included the ability to multitask, iBooks, file management and the all-new Apple advertising network ‘iAd’. Unfortunately for Jobs, what with the dreaded Moscone Centre Wi-Fi fail, there just simply wasn’t enough time to go through every last detail and addition to the software. Some of the extra goodies will include the ability to gift apps to friends and support for wireless keyboards.
Two of the main feature upgrades are email and app organisation. iPhone iOS4 users will be able to neatly organize groups of similar applications into individual folders enabling swift and easy access. iOS4 enables iPhone users to handle a staggering 2160 applications on a single device. This feature will utilise the slick drag and drop functionality that owners of the iPhone have grown to know and love.
The new iPhone iOS4 will also see some significant alterations to the Email functionality. The iPhone 4G will enable users to manage multiple email accounts in one place, complete with threaded messaging and the ability to open attachments via third party applications.
Steve Jobs also announced some serious upgrades to the multimedia functionality of the iOS4 including ‘tap to focus’ video, the ability to create custom playlists using iTunes, 5 x digital camera zoom and a location based photo gallery feature called ‘faces and places’. This is not to mention the ability to customise background wallpaper, sending apps to your mates, a spell checker for mail/apps and support for Bluetooth enabled keyboards.
Let us know your thoughts and comments below…
Are you ready for an upgrade yet? If so, Apple has announced in San Francisco yesterday that the new iPhone 4G will be available throughout the U.S.A, the U.K, Germany, France and Japan on Thursday 24th June. The device will then be released worldwide in an additional 88 countries by September 2010. At least now you know when you will be able to get your hands on one.
Steve Jobs announced Apple’s latest creation, previously dubbed the iPhone HD, at the Apple WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference), the company’s annual bash for budding games and app developers.
The new iPhone 4G comes complete with cameras positioned in the front and back of the device, a 5 megapixel camera with flash, a gyroscope to replace the accelerometer and a host of other must have features.
Similarly to the release of the iPad and previous-generation iPhones, eager customers cam expect the lines to be full of would-be buyers. Camp out or wait a couple days — the choice is yours.
The iPhone 4 will be available on June 24th in both black and white, either with 16 GB of storage ($199) or 32 GB ($299) with a 2-year contract. O2, Vodafone and Orange may decide to grant early upgrade dates to some iPhone buyers, so if you’re a current 3G or 3GS owner, be sure and check your account website to see if you’re eligible.
Let us know what you think of the new iPhone 4G…
Steve Jobs will today announce the details of the release of Apple’s latest version of the iPhone. Dubbed the iPhone 4G (the previous was called the 3GS, the ‘s’ standing for speed), the latest device is set to be the hottest new gadget this summer. Hitting UK stores later in June, the iPhone 4G signals a statement of intent from Apple and their willingness to create an all out assault on the global smart phone market.
Apple launched the very first iPhone in 2007 to a blizzard of hype and media attention. Having grabbed the headlines, Apple has subsequently attained a lucrative slice of the smart phone market in the USA and Europe, where customers’ are increasingly prepared to spend in excess of £30 per month on a contract.
This represents an important milestone in the development and positioning of the evolution of the iPhone. This could represent what onlookers are describing as an ‘iPod moment’ for the mobile phone. This being the point at which Apple decides proactively to corner a much larger section of the global smart phone market, by producing a range of different iPhone devices. This is a tried and tested market strategy as utilised with the iPod, iPod Nano and iTouch.
The success of the app store, where billions of applications have been downloaded, combined with the need to attract advertisers to the new ‘iAd’ platform, is forcing Apple to execute this strategy in diversification to capture a more mainstream share of the market. Coupled with intensifying competition from Google Android in the USA and the shift in manufacturers such as HTC’s desire to use the platform, Apple are being forced to step up their game. With a number of new devices such as the HTC Wildfire purposefully targeting a mass-market audience later this year, Apple need a robust and clearly defined strategy.
As opposed to releasing a stripped back, cheaper alternative to the iPhone 3GS, Apple are positioning the iPhone 4G at the pinnacle of the smart phone market in order to refine the existing product portfolio. Given the inability of the current iPhone 3G to cope with the new Apple multi-tasking software, there is a possibility that production of both the iPhone 3G and all models of the iPhone 3GS will cease. There are currently two iPhone 3GS products, available with 16GB and 32GB of memory. This will potentially be replaced with an 8GB version of the 3GS, aimed at appealing to a wider audience.
The iPhone 4G will most likely be available as a 32GB and a 64GB version. This will create a distinct gap between the iPhone 4G and the new iPhone 3GS product. The new iPhone 4G will be slightly smaller and slimmer than its previous counterpart, combined with a 5 megapixel camera and flash. The iPhone 4G, similarly to the iPad, will use micro-sim cards and will have a back section made out of glass to vastly increase phone reception. In the UK, the new device will be available through O2, Orange and Vodafone.
South Norwalk, CT (May 12, 2010) - Virgin Atlantic Airways has today released an essential new app, which will be a must-have travel companion for all globetrotters worldwide. The app, developed in collaboration with Waracle and TAG Games called ‘Virgin Atlantic Flight Tracker,’ will help track in real-time, the location of each of the airline's aircraft around the globe and retrieve the latest arrival and departure information as well as Flying Club details.
The app allows users to track in real-time, the location of each Virgin Atlantic aircraft around the globe and retrieve arrival and departure information. Passengers can also view the approximate flight path of each aircraft in addition to being able to set an alert, which will appear on their iPhone when their chosen aircraft lands at its destination. Flight schedules listed in a live feed and Flying Club account information, including recent transactions, are also available along with two fun games, ‘Where’s Richard’ and ‘Balloon Trip,’ which can be played while enroute to a destination.
The app has also been featured by Apple as a top app in their Travel category for free apps which is a testament to its quality.
Paul Dickinson, Director of Sales and Marketing commented:
“This Virgin Atlantic iPhone app allows our passengers to have the information that they regularly look for on our website at their fingertips wherever they are. The real time flight status, timetables as well as the alerts for flights landing is something we know will be really beneficial for both our passengers and their relatives alike. I am sure that the Flight Tracker app, and the Jet Lag app which we released at the same time, will prove extremely popular with millions of travelers worldwide.”
For more details see:
Waracle are delighted to announce that as of today, all of our web applications and client sites will be moved onto the Rackspace cloud. This will be an ongoing process over the next few months whereby we start to move all existing applications onto the Cloud, which offers a greater degree of flexibility and scalability than traditional server solutions.
So what exactly is cloud computing? According to Wikipedia: “Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided by computers and other devices on-demand, like the electricity grid”. Waracle are now equipped to provide servers on-demand that are both scalable and affordable, as users only pay for bandwidth that is actually consumed.
Using the cloud, new instances can be customised and scaled up (and down!) within minutes. With built-in redundancy, clustering and the added power of cloud computing, your web sites and web applications can grow as your business grows.
Waracle provide cloud based hosting, maintenance and support for clients throughout Scotland and the UK. Based in Dundee, Waracle provide cloud based software application services for the web and mobile platforms. If you are interested in learning about how the cloud can benefit your business requirements, please contact us directly for a free and discreet consultation on (01382) 529528.
As eager iPhone developers delve into the iPhone OS 4.0 beta, there are some interesting potential features being uncovered. Recent finds suggest that iPhone developers and development studios have discovered that the iPhone 4G/HD device will almost definitely contain 720p HD video recording functionality.
The new iPhone OS 4.0 SDK (software development kit) contains two presets for capturing video footage (640 x 480 and 1280 x 720). This represents a change when compared with previous iteration’s of the iPhone OS SDK. This comes as no genuine surprise following from reports of Gizmodo’s iPhone coup, as the iPhone 4G hardware contains a bigger and more powerful camera. This is likely to provide iPhone users with a 5-megapixel camera.
With the increase and demand for web based HD video, largely driven by sites such as YouTube, the new iPhone 4G would provide a means for users to simply record footage in 720p HD and submit it directly to YouTube. There are a number of rumours currently circulating that the iPhone 4G will in fact be called the iPhone HD.
This would represent a serious blow to competing handheld video camera manufacturers including the Cisco Flip Cam abd Sony’s ‘Bloggie’. There are some other interesting features worth noting in the iPhone OS 4.0 beta including support for file sharing, a media player widget for controlling the iPod and an orientation lock via the multitasking interface.
All these features look interesting and it would be good to see them included in the iPhone 4G hardware when it is finally announced by Steve Jobs…
Mashable has today reported on an open and astoundingly frank letter from Apple head honcho Steve Jobs. The letter explains the reasons why Apple has chosen not to support Flash on its iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices.
The letter clearly outlines the defects that Apple has identified regarding the use of Flash in parallel with these devices. This letter will probably be dissected thoroughly in the coming days and weeks and Mashable has praised Steve Jobs for his earnest and public facing explanation of the drawbacks of using Flash on Apple devices.
At the top of the grumble list, Steve Jobs blames Flash for draining the battery of mobile devices. He also continues by criticising its flaws when used in ‘multi-touch’ applications, in addition to its performance, security and reliability weaknesses.
Steve Jobs claims that web systems need to be open. Despite the fact that the iPhone OS is a closed proprietary system, Jobs has criticised the openness of Flash technology when compared with its Java, HTML5 and CSS counterparts.
Perhaps most importantly, Steve Jobs has emphasised that Apple does not wish to create an additional layer of technology that potentially comes between the Apple platform and developers who create applications for iPhone, iPad and iTouch.
Jobs has effectively condemned Flash technology as being a relic of the past, citing the fact that the technology was developed when people used ‘PC and Mice’. The Apple supremo continued by saying that the mobile web is about low powered devices that run on lightweight software applications. In addition, the mobile web requires open software standards and ‘multi-touch’ interfaces, these all being areas where Flash falls short.
What do you think of the comments made by Steve Jobs? Is he correct in stating that Flash is resigned to history, or is it just an attempt to justify his desire to keep the App store afloat by not enabling Flash games and apps in the Safari web browser?
Leave your thoughts via the Facebook Connect login system…
Arm holdings are responsible for creating the processor chips that accompanies virtually every mobile device in the world, including the Apple iPhone and iPad. This week there have been rumors of an acquisition at ARM, with the potential buyer being none other than Apple. If successful with the acquisition, this could have big implications for the rest of the mobile industry, as Apple could potentially restrict the use of ARM technology to increase its competitive advantage in the market.
The London Evening Standard has responded to speculation that city traders are buzzing with news that an acquisition could be on the cards. Yesterday, shares in ARM increased by 8% as the news broke. From Apple’s perspective, cash reserves of $41 billion would make the deal entirely plausible.
So how do Apple potentially benefit from an acquisition of ARM? There are two key strategic advantages if the deal goes ahead. Firstly, it gives Apple an increased level of control over the direction of each mobile processor and enables them to manage things in-house. Secondly, and perhaps more worryingly for the likes of Google, it would give Apple the ability to control and restrict the distribution of the processors into markets that potentially threaten Apple’s seemingly unmovable position in the mobile space.
From a competitive standpoint, this could force other mobile companies to use inferior processors in their products, thus increasing Apple’s hold on the market place. This is of course purely speculative and we will keep you updated as things develop.
Let us know your thoughts using the Facebook Connect login system. How does this affect the mobile phone industry?
