Mobile games, BlackBerry apps dominate Handango Yardstick

Handango announced the release of its 2008 Handango Yardstick, the smartphone content provider's annual global trend index. The firm reports it added 1,300 new content providers and close to 10,000 new applications last year; mobile games, which accounted for 11 percent of top category sales in 2007, grew to 19 percent of top category sales in 2008, thanks in large part to strategic partnerships with publishers including EA Mobile, Capcom Interactive, Glu Mobile, Digital Chocolate and iPlay. Spb Brain Evolution 1.2 was Handango's most downloaded game of 2008, followed in descending order by Aces Texas Hold'em--No Limit, Tetris, Guitar Hero 3 Mobile and Bejeweled.

For the first time, Handango identified the top 10 bestselling applications across all of the operating systems and devices sold through its multiple distribution channels:

1. Spb Mobile Shell 2.1.4 (today screen plug-in)--$29.95
2. MobiTV (streaming television)--$9.99/month
3. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones)--$19.95
4. Spb Backup 2.0.1 (file backup)--$24.95
5. Spb Pocket Plus 4.0.2 (today screen plug-in)--$29.95
6. Pocket Informant 8 (today screen plug-in)--$29.95
7. Spb Phone Suite 1.3 (phone features)--$19.95
8. VoiceControl (voice command)--$6.00
9. Colour Your Trackball (trackball customizer)--$4.95
10. eWallet (Professional Edition) (PIM manager)--$29.95

Handango adds that Research In Motion's BlackBerry portfolio experienced the most dramatic growth in smartphone application purchases in 2008. RIM products represented five of the top 10 devices adding content, including the top two devices (the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and the BlackBerry Curve, respectively). In 2007, BlackBerry accounted for 18 percent of apps sold, but that number increased to 31 percent of apps sold last year--Handango added 3,365 BlackBerry apps in 2008, with personalization the bestselling category.

For more on the 2008 Handango Yardstick:
- read this release

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