iOS developer scourge Lodsys offers an update on the state of its attempts to wield an in-app purchasing patent against app makers. The company says that it has “every confidence that all claims will ultimately be confirmed through this lengthy process.” Read more »
The Russian hacker says there’s no jailbreak involved. Instead, he’s done it by installing two certificates and changing the phone’s Wi-Fi settings. In the demonstration video, he’s using iOS 6 and an iPhone 4S and claims the project is in its early stages. Read more »
This report outlines the myriad issues at play in Facebook’s move, from examining how CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to rewire the world to understanding the company’s infrastructure dependency. But from every angle, it’s clear the effects will ripple throughout the startup and tech communities. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
There is a lot riding on Facebook Credits. But for established media companies, the mandatory use of the in-app Payments system could be less than appealing. Will the company be able to become a major distributor of paid premium content? It depends if it wants ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The consumer draw of free apps over paid apps has been well-documented, and so has the rise of in-app payments as a route to making money fr… Read more at paidContent »
Big funding round for the digital content subscription and billing specialist Zuora: the company has raised $36 million in a Series D round… Read more at paidContent »
If you’re looking for the key to making money on the App Store for Apple’s iOS devices, a new report from Distimo suggests that in-app purchases are what you should be watching. In-app purchases now account for 72 percent of App Store revenue. Read more »
Most of the money people spend within mobile games is on “consumable” items that have no lasting value once used. The most popular form of that is “premium” currency, which allows users to buy their way into advancing faster in a game, according to Flurry. Read more »
Patent holder Lodsys is busy suing small developers making apps for Apple’s platform, but it now also faces an incoming complaint of its own. A Michigan analytics firm has filed a declaratory judgment action against Lodsys that could eventually lead to the invalidation of its patents. Read more »
Magazine apps appear to be enjoying quite the bump thanks to the introduction of in-app subscriptions to select titles. Wired, for example, is the fifth top grossing app on the iPad App Store right now. Comic book publishers need to get in on the action. Read more »
Apple Monday sent a letter to Lodsys and to developers, saying it has the rights to in-app purchases and that developers are fully able to use them, according to Macworld. Devs on Twitter had begun discussing the letter received by Apple just a few hours ago. Read more »
The best course of action for iOS developers faced with patent infringement suit threats issued by patent holding firm Lodsys earlier this month might be to play nice with licensing requests, according to one intellectual property researcher. It might be the only affordable course of action. Read more »
In-app purchases, though somewhat of a controversy at the moment, are definitely a hit with mobile gamers and developers alike. But if you think feeding a game money for a shot at reaching the next level is new, consider the glory days of the arcade. Read more »
How many people might you expect to click “Allow” when face with Apple’s forbidding dialog asking you to “Share Your Information?” with publishers? According to a couple of very reliable sources, a surprising 50 percent of iOS subscribers are agreeing to pass their info along. Read more »
Apple appears to be changing up the criteria for how apps are ranked in the App Store, and seems to be blocking content that tries to “game” or artificially alter rankings. The changes will make the App Store a better place, especially for shoppers. Read more »
Android developers can now offer digital purchases in their smartphone apps, adding another potential revenue stream. There’s an “Android is free” mentality when it comes to software, but there’s good news here: in-app revenues are greater in free apps than in paid apps, says one report. Read more »
A recent survey of 10,000 U.S. smartphone users shows a surprisingly limited amount of time spent on some mobile activities such as calendar use, weather and even taking photos. App developers would be wise to take note, since user engagement can boost revenues. Read more »
Apple introduced three new ads for the iPhone that focus on key competitive advantages the iOS platform provides. Or, two of them focus on competitive advantages, and the last talks about iBooks and the iBookstore, which may be a sign of trouble to come. Read more »
Parents and one lawmaker are raising questions about the way Apple handles in-app payments for children. Rep. Edward J. Markey on Tuesday urged the FTC to review the way Apple markets its apps because of questions about the ease with which children are buying in-app items. Read more »
In-app purchases represent a huge opportunity for developers to generate revenues and for consumers to enhance the user experience. But the market will only reach its potential if it can avoid the public relation problems that plagued the ringtone market a few years ago. Read more »
The news that Tapjoy, formerly Offerpal, raised $21 million in funding last week shows there is a big opportunity to be had by helping the freemium model expand on mobile. It’s a lesson that W3i, a desktop application marketing company, is looking to exploit. Read more »
App analytics firm Distimo reported that 49 percent of the revenue on iPhone apps came from in-app purchases in both free and paid apps. The news underscores the importance of in-app payments and the emergence of the freemium model as a revenue driver for app makers. Read more »
Offering freemium versions of mobile apps is a now a full-fledged trend, so shouldn’t all app developers employ the model? Not so fast. The strategy has worked, but it requires understanding of both the market and your product, along with careful thought, planning and a willingness ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
When Apple first allowed in-app purchases for third-party apps on the iPhone platform it was restricted to paid apps only, even if the app was only 99 cents. Today, Apple informed all registered iPhone developers that it was now allowing free apps to contain in-app purchases. While […] Read more »
