Apple doubled the size limit for iOS applications

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BY Unknown 02:24 0

Apple doubled the size limit for iOS applications

Apple officially doubled the size limit for iOS applications. Going forward, App Store package submissions can carry a maximum size of 4GB.

The new iOS app size limit marks a serous jump from the previously allowed 2GB. Apple’s cellular network app delivery size has remained unchanged at 100MB.

A 4GB app size limit is surely going to benefit high-profile video game titles for iOS. Larger space allowed will result in more media and better graphics.

The classic game BioShock for iOS is a great game example that can take advantage of the larger binaries. The current version of the game arrived on Apple’s mobile platform with scaled-down graphics in order to squeeze into the previous 2GB app size limit.

The latest Apple iPad shows off its music making traits

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BY Unknown 13:42 0

The latest Apple iPad shows off its music making traits

Apple released a brand new iPad commercial. The Cupertino giant’s latest ad focuses on the tablet’s music making credentials.

The Swedish recording artist Elliphant is starring in the minute-long clip alongside iPad Air 2.Unsurprisingly, the video focuses on the artist’s use of the tablet during the process of creating a new tune. Check it out below.

In case you love the song from the clip, its name is “All or Nothing” by Elliphant (Riton iPad Remix feat. The Gaslamp Killer). Of course, you can find it in iTunes.

Paper for iPad by FiftyThree is now free to use

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BY Unknown 03:56 0

Paper for iPad by FiftyThree is now free to use

The Paper app for iPad, made by the folks at FiftyThree, has today gone 100% free. Previously, you were able to install the app without paying, but you had to shell out $0.99 for each of the following tools: Draw, Sketch, Outline, Write, Color, and Mixer.

From today on these become free, which essentially means you can use the whole app for free. The decision to stop charging for the tools in the app probably means FiftyThree now expects to make enough money to stay afloat simply from sales of its Pencil stylus.

This looks like a pencil, as you’d expect, but it’s quite smart too. Not content with simply being just another capacitive stylus, it has built-in Bluetooth, which it uses to communicate things such as pressure details to its iPad app. Palm recognition is in too, so when you draw or sketch using Pencil and press your hand on the touchscreen, this won’t be registered as a touch. The Pencil stylus starts at $49.95.

Google Play & iOS App Store gap increases in number of downloads, fails to monetize

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BY Unknown 04:06 0

Google Play & iOS App Store gap increases in number of downloads, fails to monetize

App Annie, mobile app analyzer, has published its annual report containing some curious findings. The paper, named App Annie Index:2014 Retrospective, sheds light on the mobile app trends of the year.

Chief among them is that Google is building on its lead over Apple when it comes to downloads, snatching 60% of the total number. In other words, Google Play store has registered close to 50% more app installations than the iOS App Store.

Apple shouldn’t be all that worried, though, as it’s firmly in the lead where it matters. The App Store generates a whopping 70% more revenue than its Android counterpart. Additionally, Apple’s figures are up 55% in their own right. Google’s two-fold increase in revenue is still notable, however. Mind you, no actual numbers have been provided in the research.

The report outlines other interesting trends as well. For example, the app store superpowers Japan, South Korea and the United States have witnessed a 10% growth in downloads, and more importantly, a huge 70% increase in revenue. In the BRIC group of Brazil, China, India and Russia, those growth numbers are 40% and 130% respectively, driven by Brazil’s rise to global #2 on the Google Play store in number of downloads.

Another key area is what has become known as super casual gaming. Think Flappy Bird and other single-tap games that are there to fill short patches of free time. Such titles have snatched the monthly top spot in game downloads on 4 occasions this past year, for Android and iOS combined.

The 39-page report is available for download on App Annie’s website, and features multiple charts and tables, revealing top apps distribution in key markets.