NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 800,000 APP ECONOMY JOBS ACROSS EUROPE

September 4th, 2013 | Mark Blafkin

The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), the world’s leading association for mobile app developers, will today release a new study showing that the app economy, including apps running on smartphones and tablets, has contributed nearly 800,000 jobs to the EU economy in just five years.

The app economy has exploded since the first app stores were launched in 2008. In addition to job creation, the study – sponsored by ACT, and conducted by Plum Consulting and Vision Mobile – found that across the EU the app economy represents more than €10bn in revenues and nearly one quarter of the global production of app-related products and services.

Speaking at a high-level policymaker and stakeholder event in Brussels to launch the study, Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda said:

In a time of unemployment, the app economy gives me a lot of hope. The growth of apps made in Europe is an example of what happens when you create a borderless open economic environment. Now we need to bring that philosophy, and the jobs it enables, to other parts of the digital ecosystem. We now need better networks and a single market to support the further success of apps.

ACT President Jonathan Zuck said:

Our study demonstrates the enormous benefit that the app economy represents as an important engine of growth. Europe had zero app economy jobs before the iPhone was launched and now, after just five years, to have almost 800,000 people across Europe working in the app economy is a remarkable achievement. But the opportunity for future growth is far greater: Europe has established itself as an innovation leader so far, but the global app economy market is expected to nearly triple in size by 2016. To ensure Europe is able to expand its leadership in this rapidly-growing market, government action can make a real difference.

With low barriers to entry, app stores provide developers with global market access, discoverability, low cost distribution and monetisation. The results are a vibrant ecosystem fuelled by a combination of start-ups and more established entities competing on a level playing field to deliver a wide range of valuable and easily-accessible apps for European consumers.

The study outlines a number of areas where governments in Europe can make a difference and support the further growth of the app economy, including:

  • facilitating access to government data for developers, eg mapping, meteorological and real-time public transport data as well as information on community-level services;
  • enhancing connectivity by making more spectrum available for wireless services;
  • advancing the European single market in intellectual property and communications;
  • embracing app-driven innovation across all sectors, such as health, education, enterprise and lifestyle, and
  • ensuring a flexible and supportive business environment for start-ups and entrepreneurs.

– END –

Notes to editors

The full report can be found at: www.actonline.org/appeconomy/Europe

About ACT

The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) is an international grassroots advocacy and education organization representing more than 5,000 small and mid-size app developers and information technology firms. It is the only organization focused on the needs of small business innovators from around the world. ACT advocates for an environment that inspires and rewards innovation while providing resources to help its members leverage their intellectual assets to raise capital, create jobs, and continue innovating. In addition to its small business membership, ACT and ACT 4 Apps has several sponsors including Apple, AT&T, BlackBerry, eBay, Facebook, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, PayPal, VeriSign, and Verizon. www.actonline.org

About VisionMobile

VisionMobile is the leading research company on the apps economy and mobile business models. Our research and workshops help clients compete and win in their rapidly changing industries.
VisionMobile is the leading authority on the apps economy. The firm’s semi-annual industry report series, “Developer Economics”, provides benchmarking of developer attitudes, trends and monetization by region. Developer Economics is now the largest, most global research on the apps economy, currently surveying over 6,000 mobile apps developers worldwide. VisionMobile’s research allows clients to benefit from an unprecedented depth of insights into developer economy trends and opportunities. www.visionmobile.com

About Plum Consulting

Plum is a global leader in the provision of policy, regulatory and strategy advice on radio spectrum, telecommunications and online services.  Plum works for regulators, governments and private clients.  http://www.plumconsulting.co.uk

Posted in Apps, Entrepreneurship, European Union | No Comments »

ACT launches Privacy Dashboard for public beta release

July 25th, 2013 | Jonathan Godfrey

ACT today launched the Privacy Dashboard for public beta release. This latest ACT4Apps mobile privacy initiative was built to the standards within the latest draft NTIA code of conduct and will demoed for the first time at today’s NTIA meeting.

The Privacy Dashboard provides app makers a simple way to publish app privacy information formatted specifically for mobile devices. It allows users to quickly learn about data usage when they want to, either in the store or within the app. Developers can also choose to include a seal from any organization that certifies the app.

 

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The Privacy Dashboard’s multilayered approach allows users to access data usage information in an easy-to-understand interface. It uses an icon display that is familiar to smartphone users, allowing for easy touch navigation – even for our fat-fingered friends!

After an interested user has opened the Dashboard, they can review data categories and tap on an icon to find more detailed information on a data category. Developers can provide details in their own words how and why data is used, and can provide this display in the store or in the app.

 

photo 3

 

ACT has produced this latest version of its ACT4Apps privacy products to help app makers better explain to users how their apps work. The long-term success of the mobile ecosystem depends on earning the trust of users. As app makers demonstrate that we are clear and open about our mobile data practices, it will help foster and grow that trust relationship.

The Privacy Dashboard can be viewed at http://j.mp/privacydashboard and the source files can be accessed here.

 

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ACT Small Business Members Press for STEM Provisions in Immigration Bill

July 15th, 2013 | Jonathan Godfrey

ACT Member Loren Goodman at Senate Small Business Committee

Representing over 5,000 small business software companies, ACT has been greatly supportive of measures that will help small business software companies overcome the hiring challenges they face due to the high-skilled worker shortage. This isn’t something we organized here in Washington. We have consistently heard from our members over the past three years about the difficulties they face finding the right talent. Members like app company founders:

Loren Goodman of inRule Technologies in Missouri who was asked by Senate Small Business Committee Chair Mary Landrieu to testify for panel Bridging the Skills Gap: How the STEM Education Pipeline Can Develop a High-Skilled American Workforce for Small Business. The Chair praised Loren for his “excellent” insight.  You can see why here.

And Matt Berry of Orca Health whose op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune highlighted Utah’s STEM Problem.

And Keith Brophy of Michigan app Abriiz who testified at the U.S. House Small Business Committee about Mobile Medical App Entrepreneurs: Changing the Face of Health Care.

Loren, Keith and fifty more small business members of ACT visited their Members of Congress in the House and Senate in May to convey that STEM education is vital to the future of our industry. They explained more primary and secondary school children must be educated in computer science and STEM subjects to be able to qualify for high-paying jobs in the tech industry where computer engineers are in great demand.

The New York Times highlighted the effectiveness of ACT member visits:

“The agreement represents a win for the high-tech industry, and comes on the heels of intense lobbying by the industry. The Association for Competitive Technology, a trade group, sent 50 executives and application developers to Washington on Monday and Tuesday to meet with lawmakers, including members of the Judiciary Committee.”

The Hill dedicated a full story to ACT’s efforts. And Roll Call published an op-ed from ACT executive director Morgan Reed on the issue.

We are happy that the voice of small business software companies and app developers has been heard in Washington.  Working with our members, we plan to redouble our advocacy efforts as the House considers this issue and will continue to press our case until small businesses have the resources they need to succeed.

Posted in STEM Education | No Comments »

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