Tech Informer

Call Of Duty: Advanced Warefare Induction Campaign

2014-08-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

The world has been thrown into chaos from a unified terrorist attack on nuclear reactors across five continents. It has been beaten down to its lowest point, and the military forces of even the greatest nations are unable to respond to the crises that are facing their countries.

Enter Atlus, a private military corporation run by Irons that’s strangely prepared to handle the task set before them. It has the “single largest standing military in the world,” according to a character in the trailer. The game will follow Private Mitchell (voiced by Troy Baker) over the course of 8 years, so it’s possible we’ll see Atlus responding, fighting, and rebuilding these nations, which puts it in a position with tremendous power — likely giving it control over infrastructure across the globe and putting it in a position to manipulate governments everywhere.

Players may move from battling against a terrorist organization to fighting against the Atlus organization over the course of the game. The trailer had much more to reveal than backstory, though. Activision also teased some aspects of gameplay. Source-http://wallstcheatsheet.com

Xbox One, Major Updates for the New Console

2013-06-20T02:18:00.000-04:00

Straight from the Xbox Wire- Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience. For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.

Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.

You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.
So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360

An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games

After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today

There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360. In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions. These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.

Nintendo Launches New Red and Blue DSi

2012-08-11T22:07:00.000-04:00

Nintendo's DSi has been overshadowed by the company's 3DS, but that doesn't mean the company will leave the DSi in the dark. Nintendo's DSi was a predecessor to the company's latest handheld, the 3DS. The DSi comes with the same dual-screen design and offers both front- and rear-facing cameras. Unlike the 3DS, however, it doesn't come with glasses-less 3D support.

Earlier this year, Nintendo dropped the price of the DSi to $99 from the earlier $149. The DSi XL, which delivers the same device with larger screens, was brought down to $129.

According to Nintendo, the new red and blue DSi handhelds can be found at retailers "as early as this week." Nintendo already sells several other colors, including black, pink, and a much lighter blue.

source- Cnet

Save $10 on Diablo 3 at Newegg!

2012-07-25T19:38:00.000-04:00

Two decades have passed since the demonic lords, Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal, set out across the world of Sanctuary on a vicious rampage, twisting humanity to their unholy will. Yet for those who battled the Prime Evils, the memory fades slowly. When Deckard Cain returns to the ruins of Tristram Cathedral seeking clues to defeat new stirrings of evil, a fiery harbinger of doom falls from the heavens, striking the very ground where Diablo once entered the world. This fire from the sky reawakens ancient evils and calls the heroes of Sanctuary to defend the mortal world against the rising powers of the Burning Hells once again.

Right now on Newegg they are offering Diablo 3 for only $49.99. This is $10 less than the normal retail price of $59, so if you planned on picking up this newly released game why not save yourself some cash! Click here to get Diablo 3 on sale on Newegg today!
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Check out this site if you interested in getting free games, gamer cards, and much more for compleating easy tasks such as liking facebook pages, watching videos, playing games, and more!!!

STEAM Summer Sale- Free Game Offer

2012-07-13T05:55:00.000-04:00

The annual Steam Summer Sale starts today and lasts through Monday, July 23rd, 2012. Gamers will find amazing deals on thousands of games. The Summer Sale will again feature more than straight discounts, offering Daily Deals, Flash Sales, and “Community Choice” Sale. The latter allows gamers to vote for a title on a given list to be put on special price for a limited time.

Today's Daily Deals Include:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Portal 2 Franchise
Total War: Shogun 2 Franchise
Might & Magic: Heroes VI Franchise
Terraria
Crusader Kings II
Legend of Grimrock
Ridge Racer Unbounded
Indie Bundle I

In addition, a new Vote starts every 8 hours and there will be new Flash sales throughout the day. Check back often! Complete information on all the savings, Flash Sales, Votes and more may be found on www.steampowered.com.

And if your interested and getting your favorite Steam Game 100% FREE check out this site and sign up to find out how its done!

Free Gift Cards with Swag Bucks

2012-06-25T00:55:00.001-04:00

What Is Swagbucks?
First, it is EASY and FREE to join Swagbucks. Consider it like a “frequent flyer” program for surfing the web. With components like email, Facebook, Twitter, and more, most of us tend to be on the internet at some point in the day. The easiest place to run is Google.com to find URL or links to places we need to go. Instead I use Swagbucks.com to earn Swag Bucks. Note: When you join, you get 30 instant Swag Bucks.

How Do You Earn?
The easiest way to earn Swag Bucks is to download the tool bar to your browser. This allows you to search online without having to go directly to Swagbucks.com. The tool bar also gives you exclusive messages and Swag Codes.You can also win by entering polls, submitting codes, surveys, etc.

What Can you “Win?”

When you accumulate enough Swag Bucks, there are endless things for which to trade in your bucks. Everything from sports memorabilia, to kids toys, jewelry, and my favorite $5 Amazon Gift Cards (450 Swag Bucks). This offsets my online shopping at my favorite site – Amazon!

So head on over and Sign Up today!

Halo 4 First Impressions and Gameplay Footage

2012-06-24T01:23:00.000-04:00

Halo 4 puts you back in the boots of the Master Chief from Halo 3. Along with his AI, Cortana, he’s been lost in space before they crash land near a mysterious Forerunner planet. The campaign takes place on an artificial planet called Requiem.

What Halo 4 promises is a move away from the straight-forward first-person-shooter and more focus on mystery, exploration and discovery, think more ‘Combat Evolved’ than ODST. Halo 4 is intended to be the first of a new series of Halo game, named the Reclaimer trilogy – so the story has been designed to be part of a three-game arc from the beginning – with Halo 5 planned to be more dark than this, and six being the conclusion.

All good so far. But for those expecting to be blown away by this latest Halo outing, there may be slight hints of disappointment. First off, Bungie are no longer developing the game. Now it’s 343 Industries - the team behind the latest HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved. That being said, the Master Chief has never looked better, and the new enemies are interesting-looking, making a refreshing change from the Flood and Covenant.

source- dailymail.co.uk

Microsoft Surface Tablet Unveiled

2012-06-19T19:06:00.000-04:00

After days of speculation and rumors, Microsoft's major announcement has just been unveiled at a press event in Los Angeles: a Surface tablet. We suspected the company might be working on its own tablet, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed the device on stage at Milk Studios in Los Angeles today. Discussing Microsoft's history with Windows, Xbox, and Kinect, Ballmer introduced a video of the company's hardware products over the years before unveiling Windows 8's companion, the Microsoft Surface.

Microsoft's Intel-based Surface tablet will run Windows 8 Pro, with a thickness of 13.5mm, a weight of 1.9lbs, and USB 3.0 support. This particular version will also include magnesium casing and a built-in kickstand, but will ship with either 64GB or 128GB storage. Additionally, the Intel version will include additional digital ink support through a pen that magnetizes to the body of the tablet, and a 10.6-inch ClearType "Full HD" display. Both of Microsoft's Surface tablets feature optional Touch and Type keyboard covers.

Microsoft says suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC. The Windows RT PC will be available at the time of the Windows 8 general availability (expected in October), with the Windows 8 Pro model to ship about three months later. Surface will be available through Microsoft's physical retail stores in the US and through select online outlets of the Microsoft Store.

Windows Store Launch to include Angry Birds

2012-03-01T22:11:00.002-05:00

Windows users can grab some Angry Birds and a host of other games when Microsoft's Windows Store opens for business later this month.

The new store is slated to launch in preview mode by the end of February at the same time the Windows 8 Consumer Preview debuts.Citing a "source familiar with Microsoft's plans," The Verge has spilled the beans on which games will be among the first titles to pop up in the store. Though Pinball and Solitaire will automatically come with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, several other games will be available for download from the store.

The titles revealed by The Verge include-

Angry Birds
Crash Course
Full House Poker
Hydro Thunder
Ilomilo
Ms Splosion Man
Reckless Racing
Rocket Riot
Tentacles
Toy Soldiers
Wordament

Netflix App Coming to Playstation 3's in the UK

2012-01-06T17:44:00.003-05:00

Netflix still isn't offering a firm date for its launch in the UK, but it looks like some of the final pieces are starting to fall into place. The company's PlayStation 3 app is now hitting consoles across the pond, displaying the message you see above when it's launched. Unfortunately, that's about all we have to go on at the moment, but PS3 users can now at least rest assured that they won't have any waiting to do when Netflix does finally flip the switch -- one more shot after the break.

source- Engadget

Price cut saves 3DS- 4 million sold in U.S. in 2011

2012-01-05T00:54:00.002-05:00

Nintendo announced today that it sold 4 million 3DS units in the U.S. last year, helping it to edge out total sales of the regular DS family of devices, which hit 3.4 million during the period. According to Nintendo, the handset, which launched in the U.S. in March, outpaced Wii sales during its first nine months on American store shelves.

Just months ago, there was no telling how the 3DS would survive an inordinately difficult U.S. market. In July, Nintendo announced that it sold only 710,000 3DS units worldwide during the three-month period ended June 30. What's worse, just 110,000 of those units were sold in the U.S.

Nintendo announced at the time that it was cutting its 3DS price from $249.99 to $169.99 in an attempt to motivate "anyone who was on the fence about buying a 3DS" to finally dole out cash for the portable. The move worked. In August--the same month Nintendo cut the 3DS' price--sales were up a whopping 260 percent in the U.S.

source-Cnett

Grand Theft Auto V Trailer debut

2011-11-02T16:11:00.001-04:00

Last week, Rockstar Games released a teaser site and logo for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto V, which led to widespread speculation as to where the next game in the open-world chaos simulator would take place.

This morning we finally have an answer, as the first-ever trailer for GTA V has been released. The game will take place in a fictional Los Angeles-inspired town. We're sure there will be much more about GTA V in the coming months, but what are your thoughts based on this trailer?

source- Cnett

Windows 8 will sync with your Windows Live ID

2011-09-28T21:23:00.002-04:00

Microsoft will offer the ability to sign into Windows 8 with a Windows Live ID, a move that places the next-generation operating system in heightened competition with both Google Android and Apple’s upcoming iCloud.

According to a Sept. 26 posting on the “Building Windows 8” blog, doing so will “ensure that each PC user has a truly personal experience that seamlessly bridges their online and offline tasks, is simpler to set up and use, and persists across their set of Windows 8 PCs.”

A newly purchased Windows 8 PC will give users the option of creating an account linked to a Windows Live ID. From that point forward, signing into any Windows 8 PC with that Windows Live ID will activate the user’s personalized settings on that machine. Those settings apparently include “lock screen picture, desktop background, user tile, browser favorites and history, spell check dictionaries, Explorer settings, mouse settings, and accessibility settings.”

That Windows Live ID will also sync Windows 8’s Metro-style apps, including their settings and most recent state. Users will have the ability to customize which settings sync between PCs. Websites that leverage the Windows Live ID, such as Hotmail, will not require a second sign-in after the initial log-in to Windows 8.

The ability to sync across multiple devices is a growing trend in the tech world, with different companies offering their own variation on the theme. Use your laptop to send an email via Gmail, for example, and your nearby Google Android tablet will update to reflect the new communication. Apple’s iCloud, due to ship this fall, will sync contacts, calendar, email, photos and music between users’ various devices.

source- eWeek

Minecraft 1.8 Beta, How to get it Free!

2011-09-25T18:15:00.009-04:00

By now the world and his mother have probably been digging their way through the early-release build of Minecraft’s latest version 1.8 dubbed: The “Adventure” Update.

Needless to say, the impact of today’s ”official” update to Beta might not be a huge News item to the majority of miners. However, for those of you who haven’t updated into a world of Endermen killing sprees and the ability to sprint away from said killing sprees. Now you can load up Minecraft and be greeted by an update process that will bring your executable to version 1.8.

Some new features added to the update include-

- 9 New Crafting recipes
- Creative Mode
- 3 New mob creatures
- Biome Mode
- New combat Mechanics
- New Achievements
- Character Sprinting
- NPC Villages

Now if you want to snag your free premium Minecraft account check out this site where you can get many other rewards like Free Xbox Live and Gamer Codes.

source- gamebreakers

Portal is Free on Steam

2011-09-18T23:24:00.002-04:00

This is a treat. Valve is offering the original hit first-person puzzle game Portal for free, starting Friday and lasting until Sept. 20. You can grab your copy of Portal for Mac (or PC, if that’s what you’re into) on Steam. If you haven’t played Portal, it’s a terrific puzzle gaming experience that’s probably unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. If you have played it, it’s worth playing again.

I was late to the Portal party, having only played it for the first time last year, and despite being exposed to years of hype (the game originally came out in October 2007), it still managed to exceed my expectations. It’s funny, and challenging yet also accessible, so give it a shot even if you’re not usually much of a first-person gamer.

Each level in the game is a series of rooms from which you have to escape, using only your wits and handheld teleportation gun, which fires Portals that allow you to quickly traverse great distances in an instant. If you’re into maddening puzzle games like Unblock Me on the iPhone and iPad, you’ll be amazed at how well a similar concept translates to a game with first-person shooter mechanics. The game holds up surprisingly well despite being four years old now, too.

Netflix Launches in Latin America

2011-09-05T21:13:00.002-04:00

The service launched today in Brazil today and is expected to be made available in 43 countries in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean over the next week, Netflix said in a blog posting. Netflix said it has spent the past couple of months studying how Latin Americans think about movies and TV shows, as well as testing its delivery method.

"We've been testing and figuring out the right Internet architecture to make sure the quality and speed of the Netflix streaming experience is the best it can be," Rochelle King, Netflix VP of User Experience and Design, wrote in a company blog.

Subscribers will be able to access Netflix in Spanish, Portuguese, or English. Netflix said the streaming offer in Latin America and the Caribbean will work the same way it does in the United States. Customers will pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to the company's streaming-video library.

Netflix subscribers will be able to access content on computers, WII and PS3 game consoles, and smart TVs. However, it doesn't appear the program will include access to the physical media. The move, which was announced in July, is Netflix's largest expansion to date, with an apparent goal of creating a worldwide streaming service. Netflix expanded outside the United States last September with the launch of a streaming service in Canada.

It's unknown how much demand there is for streaming content in Latin America or how much revenue Netflix could generate from the market.

Source- Cnett

What Popular Video Games Should be Named

2011-07-24T22:06:00.002-04:00

Job Posting in UK hint towards Iphone 5 Release

2011-07-13T21:45:00.003-04:00

"Our client, Apple, one of the largest consumer electronic hardware and software companies in the world are seeking full-time iPhone Sales Staff for an exciting project to work 5 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday) for the period 16th August - 29th October within key retail stores," the posting reads.

Gekko notes that those who get the gig need to attend a four-day "training event" during the second week of August, presumably to be briefed on any new product information.

Apple has released a new iPhone every year since unleashing the original model on June 29, 2007. The latest, the iPhone 4, is now more than a year old, and multiple reports of Apple delivering a next-generation version of the handset have pointed to a release in the August/September time frame. It's worth noting that the iPhone 4 was released in the U.S. and the U.K. on the same day last year.

Alongside new hardware, another key release to expect in the fall is iOS 5, the next version of the system software that powers the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Apple this week delivered the third beta of that software to developers so they can ready their apps ahead of a public release.

source- Cnett

uTorrent 3 Released for Download

2011-06-26T22:24:00.003-04:00

Four million users tested various alpha, beta, and release candidate versions of the anticipated v3 of the popular BitTorrent software, which is a darling of the download scene owing to its simple interface and lightweight footprint (for example, the installer is only 624KB). A slew of new features are embedded in the upgraded client, including streaming video; uTorrent remote; ratings and comments; and drag and drop sending. There's also mention of an exciting new encrypted Web-based UI, dubbed uTorrent Web, which enables access to µTorrent from anywhere on the Internet (you can also control the software using Android Remote for uTorrent).

BitTorrent also detailed a new app called uChat, which allows users of uTorrent 3.0 and BitTorrent Chrysalis clients to communicate with each other. Now all of those flame wars going on in torrent comment threads can happen in real time! The company hopes that the chat add-on will be a place for all users to help one another, share tips, and possibly pose as "an interesting marketing/social engagement opportunity for independent artists and creators to directly communicate with their fans."

source- cnet.com

Free Xbox Live Offer Guide

2011-06-12T15:41:00.011-04:00

Alright first things first, if you haven't signed up do so by clicking on the button above. Once you have signed up and confirmed your email you can get started on completing offers to earn yourself points. Below is a visual guide i created to help you all out. Click on the image to enlarge.

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Nintendo Wii U Controller Unveiled at E3

2011-06-08T15:12:00.001-04:00

With a glossy white front face and smooth contours, the Wii U controller tablet has an uncanny resemblance to something Apple would conjure up. It also looks like a giant bottom half of a DSi XL, with dual analog pads added. The tablet is roughly the size of many 7-inch tablets, but with a larger bezel, thicker chassis, and more controller-like feel. It's lightweight enough to hold for the sessions we used, but after a few minutes of motion use it felt less ergonomic than a Wii remote.

No technical specs are known yet about the resolution, battery life, or processing power of either the tablet or its base console, but here's what we do know: the tablet controller has dual analog pads, a crosspad, buttons, trigger buttons on the back, a stylus or finger-activated touchscreen, a microphone, front and rear-facing cameras, and a gyroscopic motion sensor.

The cameras and microphone will enable video chat according to Nintendo, while the gyro motion controls enable augmented reality-style movement of the 6-inch screen's viewpoint. Games demoed show how the tablet's second screen can be used for a unique player's perspective, or a device that can enhance, interact with, or magnify action seen on the TV. Aiming the tablet camera at the TV might enable a pitch-control interface in a baseball game, or a close-up sniper view in a shooter.

While the tablet can act as a stand-alone gaming device while the TV connected to the Wii U is in use by someone else, according to Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto the Wii U's tablet is a living room device meant to be used in the home, preferably not far from the TV it's paired to. Technically, the wirelessly-connected device could be used to play games on its own, but it sounds like the base Wii U console will need to be on in order to enable that game play.

The tablet's display was crisp and bright in our hands-on use, somewhere in the iPad 2 range of quality, and definitely better than a Nintendo DSi or 3DS. Resolution isn't known yet, but it looked as good as any 7-inch tablet we've seen.

Source Cnet

Nintendo Servers Breached By Hackers

2011-06-05T20:43:00.002-04:00

Nintendo was targeted in a recent online data attack, but no personal or company information was lost, the Japanese maker of the Wii game console said Sunday.

The server of an affiliate of Nintendo Co.'s U.S. unit was accessed unlawfully a few weeks ago, but there was no damage, company spokesman Ken Toyoda said. "There were no third-party victims," Toyoda said, while declining to elaborate. "But it is a fact there was some kind of possible hacking attack." The damage from what could be a recent spate of such data breaches targeting big-name brands was more serious at rival Sony Corp.

Sony has said massive personal information, including email addresses, names and birth dates, and involving more than 100 million users, is suspected of having been stolen after security was compromised in April for its network service for the PlayStation 3 game machine, for other online services and, in the past week, from Sony Pictures' website.

It is still unclear who is behind the attacks at Sony or Nintendo, based in Kyoto.
Hackers calling themselves Lulz Security -- a reference to the Internetspeak for "laugh out loud"-- have recently boasted of compromising more than 1 million users' personal information.

Tokyo-based Sony has said it is strengthening security measures. It has contacted the FBI and other authorities for an investigation into the cyber attacks.

Source- Fox News

Xbox Live Code Generator

2011-06-03T02:46:00.005-04:00

You read that right, because there’s nothing factual about an Xbox Live code generator. So if you’ve downloaded one in hopes of getting free codes, you’ve been scammed. Even if you’ve read an article in support of these mythical generators, you’ve been scammed. It’s just a piece of software that gives you a bunch of meaningless letters and numbers. You get excited as you watch the software download while viruses and spyware contaminate your hard drive. Don’t be fooled.

There are some legitimate ways to get free Xbox Live codes though. One way is by going to Rewards1. These sites allow you to fill out surveys, refer people, or complete free offers from major companies. They profit from this by doing what is termed incentive viral marketing. They simply provide an incentive (free Xbox Live codes), allow people to complete the offers and surveys, major companies sends a check, and with that money they purchase the prize you want. You’ll have to give them real info like street address and email so they can send you your prize. As soon as you’ve received your codes, just go on over to Redeem Prepaid Card over at Xbox Live, enter the code, and you’re done.

Other ways to get free codes are from buying games that offer 48 hour access to Xbox Live (wow, two whole days! Where’s my breathing apparatus?), keeping an eye out for when Microsoft does a free Xbox Live weekend promotional (not too often), or by asking the Xbox fairy to place free codes under your pillow while you sleep. Whatever you do, don’t download a code generator. You’re in a fantasy world if you think a piece of software, not associated with Microsoft, will somehow generate codes they’ll honor. You’re better off with the fairy.

But, if you’ve been aware of the recent price hike Xbox Live Gold membership had (10 more dollars now) and are strapped for cash, currently Call of Duty Black Ops has a branded 12 month Xbox Live card with Gold membership with an extra 2 months for 60 bucks. Make sure you use those two months wisely. I suggest cutting yourself from society altogether, grabbing all essential items (food, water, toilet paper, headset), and going into marathon mode by playing non-stop.

Popular Emulators yanked from Android Market

2011-05-31T00:30:00.003-04:00

Retro gamers who use Android devices to play classics from old-school systems like Atari, Nintendo 64, and Sega took a hit this week when emulator apps for those consoles and a handful of others were removed from the Android Market.
Yongzh's (also known as Yong Zhang) emulators have been among some of the most popular and highest rated in the market, but the emulator creator reports that his developer account has been terminated without warning.

The removal of yongzh's account comes just weeks after PlayStation emulator PSX4droid--the work of another developer--was also deleted from the market in the lead-up to the release of Sony's Xperia Play. Yongzh, who lives in China, took down his Genesis emulator last month after receiving a complaint from Sega, but apparently it wasn't enough to placate Google and/or those console makers who may have lodged complaints with Mountain View.

While emulators on their own are not necessarily illegal, using the game ROMs that give them actual value apparently is, at least that's what Nintendo's lawyers claim in a company FAQ.

Yongzh says he's now out one of his main sources of income; he's posted the emulators on alternate app market SlideMe, where he's made them available for free so existing customers don't have to re-pay for the apps. N64oid alone has already registered more than 23,000 downloads from the site since Sunday.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/

Android App Market shows lower turn over rates than Apple

2011-05-29T18:39:00.004-04:00

A new study of various mobile application stores during the month of April conducted by research company Distimo found that the top apps chart on Google's Android Market had considerably less turnover than the one on Apple's App Store for the iPhone, which leads to less downloads overall.

In terms of numbers, that works out to 94 unique applications in the App Store for the iPhone's top 10 free and paid categories during the month of April, with just 26 in the Android Market during the same time period. For the top 300 apps in the iPhone's App Store, the company found there were 843 unique free applications and 584 unique paid applications. That's compared to Android Market's 388 free apps, and 363 top paid apps that made up the top 300 paid and free lists for that platform.

"The fact that many applications have been downloaded relatively few times may be at least partially due to the fact that the top charts in the Google Android Market change very little over time," the report said. "This is caused by the fact that Google also takes long-term performance of applications into account in order to rank applications."

However, that difference could be short-lived, based on changes made to the way both Apple and Google have begun ranking applications as part of these top charts.
"Google recently made major changes to the Web storefront of the Google Android Market," the report said. "It now displays more local content and top new and trending charts. Perhaps these, and future changes, will provide a higher probability for success for a larger proportion of the applications in the Google Android Market."

Evidence from early April, which Distimo's report covers, points to Apple rolling out its own changes to App Store rankings based on app chart movements across the board. Those changes were said to add weight to rankings within individual categories to affect an app's overall ranking.

Some other interesting findings from Distimo's report include Google Maps being the most-downloaded app on the Android Market, at more than 50 million downloads. To put that in perspective, just 96 applications on the Android Market have hit download numbers higher than 5 million. Distimo also found that 20 percent of free applications, and 80 percent of all paid applications on the Android Market have been downloaded less than 100 times since the store opened.

Google's Android Market inventory is now up to 200,000 free and paid applications, according to Google's latest numbers. Apple's most recently announced numbers put it north of 350,000 apps. An estimate posted earlier his week pegged Apple's App Store at reaching 500,000 apps.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/
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