From Samsung
| Join “Trusted Seller Program”, NOW!!! | ||||||||||||||||
| Most of developers agree that the best way to get fast testing result is through self testing before submitting application to store. We got that! And that’s why we just started “Trusted Seller Program”. | ||||||||||||||||
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Ever since the $1.9 billion purchase of 91.com in July by Baidu, many people who hadn’t paid much attention to app stores outside of iTunes and Google Play have all of a sudden taken notice. Since the health of the alternate app store ecosystem is an area near and dear to us, we felt it to be a good time to speak to and where we see things heading in the future. Why are these stores important to developers? What role do they play? How should publishers position themselves for the future with alternate stores?
First, many people ask why these alternate stores even exist. We often hear “why would anyone use anything other than iTunes or Google Play?” Depending on who you ask iTunes and Google Play account for 70-85% of the non-Chinese app download market. Furthermore, with no Google Play store in China, the largest consumer market in the world is dominated by alternate Android app stores. So we believe the right question for a developer to ask is “Do you want access to the other 15-30% of the market that the big 2 don’t own?”
Alternate stores exist for a number of different reasons. Some, like carrier and OEM stores, are legacy stores from the pre-iPhone days. Others like Amazon Appstore are innovating and taking advantage of key competencies that they have over incumbent stores. Yandex and Baidu’s stores are strategically positioned to help their parent companies compete against Google. Still others are social networks where users share and comment on apps. The reasons for being are quite varied but what they all share is a desire for great content to offer their users.
This week Google announced that they would no longer allow 3rd party in-app payment processors in the Play store for the majority of digital goods purchased through apps in the store. We believe that this change, along with new in-app commerce technology enabling multiple payment providers to be included in a single billing SDK like that being offered by Lotaris, have the potential to fundamentally shift the landscape for alternate app stores. The Google Play changes will force payment providers who either depend on mobile or want to get into mobile to find new outlets for their developers’ apps to be distributed and they’re likely to invest heavily for that business. Secondly, if Lotaris is successful or Yandex with their open source in-app billing initiative is successful, then it will open up new revenue streams for many app stores. Most stores make money by selling feature placement. In-app billing is a potentially more profitable revenue stream and would likely lead to new innovations, more customer acquisition efforts and more stores opening up. This is good for stores, good for publishers and will ultimately be good for consumers.
From Samsung:
| Dear Seller Thank you for using Samsung Apps Seller Office; we deeply appreciate your support for our service.The changes detailed below will be introduced as part of our ongoing commitment to service improvement. |
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From Google Play
Making Google Play a great community for users is an important part of helping build a successful platform for you as a developer to distribute your apps. From time to time, we update our content policies as part of an ongoing effort to provide a secure and consistent experience for users. We strive to maintain clear guidelines for you as developers, to help us grow this platform and engage with those users.
This email is to notify you that we’ve made some changes to our policies; here are some highlights:
Please review the Google Play Developer Program Policy to see all the changes and make sure your app complies with our updated policies.
Any apps or updates published after this notification are immediately subject to the latest version of the Program Policy. If you find any existing apps in your catalog that don’t comply, we ask you to fix and republish the application within 30 calendar days of receiving this email. After this period, existing applications discovered to be in violation may be subject to warning or removal from Google Play.
We recognize that some developers will need to change their app and advertising practices to comply with the revised policy, but we believe these changes will help ensure all users and developers can maintain confidence in the standard of apps available on Google Play. Our aim is to foster a high standard of app behavior, so you will be able to take advantage of Google Play as a successful platform to distribute your apps and continue to grow your business.
Regards,
Google Play Team
From Samsung:
| Dear Seller, This is the Samsung Apps Seller Office. Thank you for your continued support of the Samsung Apps Seller Office. |
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From Google Play (we don’t quite know what insert date means in time, but assume ASAP 🙂
Hello,
We’re writing to let you know that we will be introducing Buyer’s Currency in Hungary and Taiwan. All prices for these locales will be in the Hungarian Forint (HUF) and New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) currency, respectively.
Please visit the Google Play Developer Console to set prices for Hungary and Taiwan by August 12, 2013.
IMPORTANT: If you have not manually set pricing for Hungary and Taiwan in the Google Play Android Developer Console by [insert date], 2013, Google Play will automatically assign Buyer’s Currency prices for your products.
Google Play assigns a price based on the price of your app in your home currency, converted to each target currency using the exchange rate on that day. This is a one-time conversion associated with the transition to the new Buyer’s Currency model. If you have already set your per-currency prices manually, Google Play will not override them.
You can continue to set and adjust the prices of your apps at any time, in your home currency and in any Buyer’s Currency available.
For more information about how Buyer’s Currency works, please visit the Google Play Help Center:
http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1169947
Thank you for your continued support of Google Play.
Regards,
The Google Play Team
Every year Vision Mobile publishes Developer Economics. We find this report to be one of the most insightful reports on the app economy around, and best of all it’s free. In this article we give you a summary of the highlights, along with our analysis.
Platform choices
The report points to the dominance of Android and iOS, saying the two have created a network effect that nobody can compete against and have created a “Black Ocean” effect in the OS market, which even the biggest of companies can’t compete with: “Even Microsoft with an estimated over 5 billion dollars invested in Windows Phone has managed to secure a tiny 3% smartphones sales share in 2.5 years since the platform launched”. They further point to a relatively low developer mind share for the platform. However this somewhat conflicts with what developers will support going forward, with 40% of developers saying the Windows 8 platform will be an important platform to support, and the leading non iOS/Android platform in terms of mind share. Again, developer support is very closely linked to sales (i.e. addressable market for your apps), which is hardly a surprise. Choice of platform does depend on other things than revenue, which Vision Mobile details in terms of what the developer is interested in:
An interesting observation was made when analyzing Samsung’s bada failure. Vision Mobile goes to say:
“user adoption does not suffice in the new app economy. The positive feedback loop must include developers who benefit from an increased user base. If developers are left out of the loop, the necessary network effects will not kick-in and the platform will fail to grow”.
This is indeed good news for developers going forward, providing this message gets through to all the challengers to the iOS/Android duopoly. There are likely a lot of incentives to be made available over the next few years.
Revenue
Revenue wise, the data shows that iOS leads the pack in terms of average revenue per platform:
This is somewhat surprising given the number of apps available on the App Store, and is probably due to a bias in the sampling that Vision Mobile has made. In the past, being one of fewer on stores like the BlackBerry store has proven to be quite lucrative for developers.
Tools
Developers increasingly face tough choices in terms of which tools to use, with over 500 companies now providing tools and services. The good news is that tools have proven to be substantially beneficial to developers, highlighted by the fact that the more experienced a developer is, the more likely they are to use tools:
Segmenting the developer
Vision Mobile points out that developers have become a hugely important target for a large number of companies, as “developers are modern-day channels that help them reach new customers, discover new use cases and propel their growth”. Targeting developers is an expensive proposition, and Vision Mobile goes into detail on how to segment developers, not by platforms they work on but by the category they fall under:
They venture on to say that the targeting must be done by these segments, but also points out that developer’s primary incentive is to be creative and get a feeling of achievement when building an app, while building a successful business and having fun is more important than making money. We certainly believe this to be true at CodeNgo as well, which is why our focus is all about taking the pain away from distribution and managing the business, so the focus hopefully can be about enjoying being an app developer.
Where the app economy is going
Forecasts will always have to be taken with a grain of salt, but it is interesting to note that Vision Mobile believes the app economy, which encompasses everything about the building and distribution of apps, will be as much as 50% of the handset market in 2016. This means that the market is likely to be around $143bn in less than 3 years from now, more than doubling the 2013 estimate. Those are numbers we like!
If you are currently working as a project manager, you’ll know exactly how it feels when you seem to be fighting constantly against the clock. Those ‘realistic’ timelines don’t really seem to be working for you and you are always chasing that individual who doesn’t want to be contacted. In order to run a smooth and successful project, you need a great team and constant communications in the mix. You will also need the best tools available in order to hold everything together. If you are currently doubting the equipment/applications at your disposal and would like some new ones onboard, why not read this article and learn about some Android apps that are ready to help?
DocScanner– http://www.docscannerapp.com/
Our first Android app will be a godsend to those of us with a load of clutter on our desk that we keep forgetting to file. Sometimes we give in and just dump it all in the trash, and that’s usually a bad move. Well now you can use this app to help you deal with it in an efficient manner. Your DocScanner app will happily record the information on your plethora of business cards, receipts and suchlike and transforms them into an easy to manipulate database. It is intelligent enough to sort the different types of input and places them into the appropriate folders. The output docs can be uploaded into the cloud for further examination and sharing purposes. Your desk is nice and clean once more and your vital information is stored away in a very safe place!
PrinterShare – http://printershare.com/
How many times have you wished you could have a portable printer that fits in your pocket and can be called on whenever you need some hard copies? This isn’t normally an issue if you’re at your main office, but many project managers are called upon to visit client sites and are expected to produce the proverbial ‘rabbit out of a hat’ on many occasions. Well this app feels your pain brother and is here to provide a cool solution! Once this app is uploaded to your Android Smartphone, you can simply use the Wi-Fi to locate the nearest printer and send your document on its mission! You can also remotely connect to any printer using the onboard software. You can allow visitors to your own office to share your local printer and this also works via the internet for remote users/customers. It is a fantastic little app that will save many a blush for project managers and their stakeholders alike!
Catch – https://catch.com/
If you are one of those project managers that are always scribbling things down on paper as you work, then this is the app for you. It can be incredibly frustrating when you lose your scribbles, especially if the information was important. This app allows you to not only save these notes but also share the contents for further collaboration purposes. They will be safely stored in the cloud and can be accessed from any connectable device at a later stage. There are loads of cool features such as the ability to add a voice note to the file and you can use geotags to remember where the idea original sprang from. Check out the website for a full list of the features, but we’re sure you have already decided on this app for your next project!
Android To The Rescue!
Well, we think so and you’ll soon agree with us once you see for yourself!
License: Creative Commons image source License: Creative Commons image source License: Image author owned License: Image author owned License: Image author ownedToday’s feature writer, Thomas Ethan, is a part of the team at Procept Consulting, a company that specializes in providing business analysis courses. He has a keen interest in technology and enjoys sharing his ideas via blogging.
Alcoholism is a leading contributor to premature death and affects more than 10% of the population at one point or another. Throughout much of the world, drinking has become a social norm, which can lead to reinforced behaviors and gradual addictions to the substance. In the past, alcoholism had many negative side-effects but few solutions existed to empower users of alcohol to change course. Thankfully, a slew of technological innovations has made it possible for solutions to be developed that can be used on a daily basis. Mobile applications are one popular form of this trend, and allow individuals to access valuable information and encouragement at any time. The following article will outline three alcohol cessation applications that can help put users on the pathway to recovery.
Many alcohol cessation therapies revolve around the notion that certain mindsets must be broken. In many cases, users resort to alcohol without any real thought – the impulse and habit becomes so strong that it is instinctual to drink when they are happy, sad or otherwise emotional. In the case of the Quit Drinking app, one area – focus – is addressed. Users of the application will be able to use the application to relax themselves through a series of mediation-like exercises provided via voice instruction and music. The audio settings can be altered to fit your specific tastes, and can help take one’s mind off of those cravings and impulses related to alcohol abuse and addiction. Available on the Android Marketplace, smartphone owners can download the Quit Drinking app for $2.99.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hivebrain.andrewjohnson.drinking
Anyone who is serious about alcohol cessation knows that it will not be easy, and support is key to victory. Most alcoholics need multiple attempts to quit successfully, but those who stick with the motivation they have will ultimately succeed. The Stop Drinking Alcohol app is an interactive tool that allows users to keep track of how many drinks they have had each day (or none, depending), export data from the application to any desktop or other mobile device, keep a journal of their thoughts within the app and view hundreds of different quotes and motivational statements relating to alcohol cessation. No one should face the fight against alcohol alone: this app can be a powerful tool in the battle. Available on the Android Marketplace, the Stop Drinking Alcohol app is a free download.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oristats.stopdrinking
Sometimes, a straightforward approach to information is the best way for recovering alcoholics to learn more about the disease. With the How to Stop Drinking app for Android devices, users will be able to flip through several different chapters that outline key issues such as how to begin your new life without alcohol, ways to break old habits and triggers that cause you to drink, how to use meditation to fight cravings and nutritional guidelines to make the process easier. Your body may be a temple, but the recovery process from alcoholism is not a quick one. With the How to Stop Drinking app at your side, you will have the necessary knowledge to make the most of your recovery.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_se_exponential_design.HowToStopDrinking
License: Creative Commons image source License: Image author owned License: Image author owned License: Image author ownedPhil Taylor is an insurance agent who works with InstantLifeInsurance.net, a company offering extensive insurance solutions that offer maximum risk coverage. To know more about his company, log on to http://instant-life-insurance.net/index.html.
Alcoholism is a leading contributor to premature death and affects more than 10% of the population at one point or another. Throughout much of the world, drinking has become a social norm, which can lead to reinforced behaviors and gradual addictions to the substance. In the past, alcoholism had many negative side-effects but few solutions existed to empower users of alcohol to change course. Thankfully, a slew of technological innovations has made it possible for solutions to be developed that can be used on a daily basis. Mobile applications are one popular form of this trend, and allow individuals to access valuable information and encouragement at any time. The following article will outline three alcohol cessation applications that can help put users on the pathway to recovery.
Many alcohol cessation therapies revolve around the notion that certain mindsets must be broken. In many cases, users resort to alcohol without any real thought – the impulse and habit becomes so strong that it is instinctual to drink when they are happy, sad or otherwise emotional. In the case of the Quit Drinking app, one area – focus – is addressed. Users of the application will be able to use the application to relax themselves through a series of mediation-like exercises provided via voice instruction and music. The audio settings can be altered to fit your specific tastes, and can help take one’s mind off of those cravings and impulses related to alcohol abuse and addiction. Available on the Android Marketplace, smartphone owners can download the Quit Drinking app for $2.99.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hivebrain.andrewjohnson.drinking
Anyone who is serious about alcohol cessation knows that it will not be easy, and support is key to victory. Most alcoholics need multiple attempts to quit successfully, but those who stick with the motivation they have will ultimately succeed. The Stop Drinking Alcohol app is an interactive tool that allows users to keep track of how many drinks they have had each day (or none, depending), export data from the application to any desktop or other mobile device, keep a journal of their thoughts within the app and view hundreds of different quotes and motivational statements relating to alcohol cessation. No one should face the fight against alcohol alone: this app can be a powerful tool in the battle. Available on the Android Marketplace, the Stop Drinking Alcohol app is a free download.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oristats.stopdrinking
Sometimes, a straightforward approach to information is the best way for recovering alcoholics to learn more about the disease. With the How to Stop Drinking app for Android devices, users will be able to flip through several different chapters that outline key issues such as how to begin your new life without alcohol, ways to break old habits and triggers that cause you to drink, how to use meditation to fight cravings and nutritional guidelines to make the process easier. Your body may be a temple, but the recovery process from alcoholism is not a quick one. With the How to Stop Drinking app at your side, you will have the necessary knowledge to make the most of your recovery.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_se_exponential_design.HowToStopDrinking
License: Creative Commons image source License: Image author owned License: Image author owned License: Image author ownedPhil Taylor is an insurance agent who works with InstantLifeInsurance.net, a company offering extensive insurance solutions that offer maximum risk coverage. To know more about his company, log on to http://instant-life-insurance.net/index.html.
