iPhone Developers UK

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…