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Mobile games dominate applications space

| December 14, 2012

 

Mobile GamesMobile games account for majority of revenue in apps market

Mobile technology has become an important aspect of the lives of consumers throughout the world. The advent of mobile technology paved the way for applications, pieces of software that provide consumers with a wide variety of services. The mobile applications business has become very lucrative, especially for the developers of mobile games. A new report for Canalys, a market insight and analysis firm, shows that mobile games are a major player in the applications space, and that game developers account for the majority of revenue generated therein.

Report shows that games are far more popular than other applications

According to the report, mobile games are among the most popular applications for Android and iOS mobile platforms. These games occupy a variety of genres and some have become the most favored forms of entertainment for some consumers. According to Canalys, some 25 mobile games developers accounted for more than half of the revenue generated through the applications market in the U.S. during the first 20 days of November. These developers accounted for more than $60 million in downloads and in-app purchases over this period of time.

Games offer versatile experiences

Mobile games are dominating the applications space. This may be due to the simplicity of mobile games and the lengths developers go to in order to ensure constant engagement with consumers. Other applications, such as GPS navigation apps, are not as popular because they are not exceedingly entertaining and serve one function. Mobile games, however, provide consumers with a source of entertainment that can be easily attained and customized to suit their interests.

Developers face major challenges despite success

Though mobile games have come to play a domineering role in the applications market, developers are still faced with significant challenges. The success of mobile gaming has attracted a veritable tide of new development studios, which are over-saturating the market and making it difficult for consumers to find games they are interested in and those that offer a quality experience. Marketability is also a serious challenge, as developers of mobile games do not typically operate with a strong marketing budget that can reach millions of consumers.

Tablet commerce becoming a breakout phenomenon

| December 14, 2012

 

Tablet CommerceTablet commerce finding traction during the holidays

Mobile shopping is nothing new, dating back to 1997 with Wireless Application Protocol sites, those that facilitate access to information over a mobile wireless network. Throughout the years, mobile shopping has evolved to become something that is wildly popular among tech-savvy consumers. This is becoming especially true for tablet users, who are beginning to represent a sizeable share of the mobile consumer base. Deloitte, a UK-based consulting firm, as well as several other market research firms, expects that tablet commerce will  see a great deal of attention during this year’s holiday season.

Consumers becoming more interested in tablet commerce

Tablet commerce is a form of mobile commerce that refers specifically to the use of tablet devices, such as the iPad. Tablets are becoming more popular among consumers because of their wider range of capabilities, which trump most conventional smart phones. This is especially true in the publishing space, where magazines, newspapers, and other publications are seeing a great deal of growth through the offering of digital editions designed specifically for tablets.

Forecasts predict tablets to account for major financial activity during Christmas season

Deloitte predicts that more than $400 million in sales will be made in the United Kingdom directly through smart phones during the Christmas season. Tablet commerce is expected to perform much better, with Deloitte forecasting more than $550 million in sales coming directly from tablets. Adobe’s Digital Index 2012 Online Shopping Forecast predicts that tablets will account for nearly 8% of all sales made in the United Kingdom during the Christmas season this year, up from the 3% share they held in the same period of 2011.

UK retailers beginning to take mobile commerce more seriously

British retailers are showing more serious interest in mobile shopping for tablets as well. Retailers are beginning to develop services that are specifically designed for tablet devices, rather than smart phones. Applications for tablets are becoming much more common and could help influence more shopping activity among mobile consumers that are interested in using their mobile devices to find and pay for products than participate in traditional forms of commerce and shopping.