iPhone 3G

Report: Mobile gaming leaders widen sales gap

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:52:16 -0400

The world's four leading games publishers--EA Mobile, Gameloft, Glu and THQ Wireless--are claiming an ever-growing share of the mobile gaming market, vaulting from 11 percent global marketshare to 22 percent in 2007, according to media analyst Screen Digest, which adds the figure is still rising, especially in Western Europe. Screen Digest forecasts Gameloft will usurp current market leader EA Mobile during the remainder of 2008, arguing that in the first quarter Gameloft earned $40 million, only $1 million behind EA; the report adds that mobile gaming will reach a total market value of $4.1 billion by 2012, with North America emerging as the largest market by 2009.

Screen Digest also cites Apple's iPhone 3G as a potential tipping point for mobile gaming, noting that 10 million applications were downloaded from Apple's App Store within three days of the device's July 11 retail debut--at the same time, the report notes the iPhone 3G poses new technical challenges for developers, effectively restricting the sophistication of games created for the platform which in turn hampers audience retention.

For more on the Screen Digest report:
- read this release

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AdMob intros iPhone 3G advertising formats

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:02:20 -0400

Mobile advertising marketplace AdMob announced the launch of a global iPhone 3G ad marketplace complete with new interactive formats that promise to exploit the Apple device's capabilities and mobile context. According to AdMob, the new ads include Brand and Performance formats optimized for both the browser environment and native iPhone applications, integrating graphical display with one of eight iPhone-specific actions to enable one-click access to features like iTunes and the App Store. Launch advertising partners include Ford, Electronic Arts, Land Rover, Jaguar and Universal Pictures. AdMob will also give $1 million in advertising to independent iPhone developers to promote their applications, sites and services, a move the firm says will fuel the growth of a multitude of new mobile publishers.

For more on AdMob's iPhone 3G solution:
- read this release

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Ten million iPhone App Store downloads in first weekend

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:21:47 -0400

Despite myriad problems with Apple's iTunes activation server, the iPhone 3G's opening weekend looks like a success--the computing giant announced more than a million devices sold within the first three days of release, with iPhone and iPod users also downloading more than 10 million applications from the fledgling App Store, which debuted Thursday. According to Apple, there are now more than 800 native iPhone applications available via the App Store, with 200 of them offered free of charge.

For more on the App Store's debut weekend:
- read this release

Jobs: App Store launch features 500 iPhone applications

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:28:16 -0400

As previously reported, Apple will officially launch its iPhone App Store in advance of the iPhone 3G's U.S. retail introduction Friday, opening the store today to coincide with the device's on-sale debut in New Zealand. Forbes first reported the news, citing three sources briefed on the matter. Apple has reportedly instructed developers to keep any announcements on their iPhone applications under embargo until noon EDT today.

In an interview with The New York Times, Apple CEO Steve Jobs says the App Store will initially feature more than 500 applications including educational programs, mobile commerce and business productivity tools, with games representing about a third of the first-wave apps. According to Jobs, 25 percent of the first 500 applications at the store will be free, with roughly 90 percent of the premium applications priced at $9.99 or less. Jobs insists Apple will not rely on the App Store as a source of significant revenue, in much the same way iTunes music sales have contributed little to the firm's bottom line: "We are not trying to be business partners," he said. The goal is to "sell more iPhones."

For more on the App Store launch:
- read this New York Times article

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App Store to debut in advance of iPhone 3G?

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:47:21 -0400

While Apple's iPhone 3G doesn't officially hit retail until Friday, reports suggest the iPhone App Store could launch as early as today. According to TechCrunch, mobile application developers were instructed by Apple to submit their iPhone apps by 12:00 PM PDT Monday for consideration in the App Store launch, triggering speculation the digital storefront will open several days in advance on the iPhone 3G. "We will continue to accept applications after this time, however your application may not be available until after the launch of the App Store," the Apple e-mail notes. "Conduct final testing of your application with iPhone OS beta eight and submit your app today."

For more on the App Store rumors:
- read this TechCrunch article

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AT&T announces iPhone 3G data pricing

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:34:54 -0400

AT&T announced iPhone 3G pricing for new and existing subscribers in advance of the hotly-anticipated Apple device's July 11 retail launch. AT&T will sell the 8GB iPhone 3G model for $199 to eligible subscribers, with the 16GB device carrying a $299 price tag--consumers who are ineligible for upgrade discounts may purchase the 8GB for $399 and the 16GB for $499. All prices are contingent on two-year contracts, although at a later date AT&T will make available a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).

In addition, AT&T announced four individual AT&T Nation plans, which offer voice and unlimited data:

AT&T Nation Unlimited: Includes unlimited anytime minutes for $129.99 per month.
AT&T Nation 1350: Includes 1350 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends for $109.99 per month.
AT&T Nation 900: Includes 900 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends for $89.99 per month.
AT&T Nation 450: Includes 450 anytime ninutes and 5,000 nights and weekend minutes for $69.99 a month.

AT&T also will offer FamilyTalk plans with bundled voice and unlimited data starting at $129.99 a month for two iPhone 3G lines. As many as three additional iPhone lines may be added for $39.99 each. Unlimited text messaging can be added for an additional $20 ($30 for FamilyTalk plans of up to five lines), $15 (1,500 messages), or $5 (200 messages).

For more on AT&T's iPhone pricing:
- read this release

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