The free, ad-supported iPhone version of Golf Solitaire Free has been approved and released. It apparently takes some time for new apps to be indexed so that they appear on new release pages and in searches in iTunes. Unfortunately, there were already several golf solitaire apps in the iPhone market, but In A Day Development did a fantastic job with the conversion to iPhone, and I think our version is the best on the market now. With the addition of a free version, which our competitors lack, I think we'll soon gain the competitive edge.
I can't go without commenting on Apple's app review process. I'm not going to go into details. Suffice to say, their approval criteria are...strange. The best thing I can say about it is that it was fast. And it certainly does make me appreciate the Android Market's approach.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Asplosive Growth for Android
According to EuroDroid, Gartner estimates that about 6.8 million handsets were purchased last year.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently claimed that currently about 60,000 Android handsets a day are being shipped. That would result in about 22 million Android handsets by the end of the year, assuming no growth.
But we know there's a new slew of Android phones coming out this year, including ones from Sony Ericsson, Dell, Acer, and others that haven't even entered the market yet. So 22 million is pretty conservative.
We're probably going to see at least a quintupling of the Android market by the end of the year.
Hold on to your butts.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently claimed that currently about 60,000 Android handsets a day are being shipped. That would result in about 22 million Android handsets by the end of the year, assuming no growth.
But we know there's a new slew of Android phones coming out this year, including ones from Sony Ericsson, Dell, Acer, and others that haven't even entered the market yet. So 22 million is pretty conservative.
We're probably going to see at least a quintupling of the Android market by the end of the year.
Hold on to your butts.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Android Market Rankings Shuffle
The rankings of apps in the Android Market changed quite a bit, I noticed yesterday. At first I thought it was a periodic bug. I've seen my apps mis-ranked due to glitches in the past. But this actually looks like it might be a permanent change, and it looks like it's probably due to a change in the ranking formula.
For at least the past week, Dominoes had been holding firm at #2 and Golf Solitaire at #4. Here are the new rankings as of yesterday:
Golf Solitaire is now #1, which is cool. But Dominoes slid all the way down to #6. So if this is a deliberate change to the system, what happened?
My guess is that they changed the relative weighting of both retention rate and customer ratings. Here are the stats for both apps (click image to view full-size):
Dominoes has over twice as many active installs, but a slightly lower retention rate and customer rating. And they're both the same price, so that shouldn't be a factor in their difference.
If this is an effort on Google's part to improve rankings by placing more emphasis on quality, then I suppose I'm pleased. I now have a #1 app again, and Dominoes is still selling well. If anyone else has noticed changes and has any further input or insight, please share in the comments.
For at least the past week, Dominoes had been holding firm at #2 and Golf Solitaire at #4. Here are the new rankings as of yesterday:
Golf Solitaire is now #1, which is cool. But Dominoes slid all the way down to #6. So if this is a deliberate change to the system, what happened?
My guess is that they changed the relative weighting of both retention rate and customer ratings. Here are the stats for both apps (click image to view full-size):
Dominoes has over twice as many active installs, but a slightly lower retention rate and customer rating. And they're both the same price, so that shouldn't be a factor in their difference.
If this is an effort on Google's part to improve rankings by placing more emphasis on quality, then I suppose I'm pleased. I now have a #1 app again, and Dominoes is still selling well. If anyone else has noticed changes and has any further input or insight, please share in the comments.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
EasyTether
I'm happy to announce that Polyclef Software has just published EasyTether, a new tethering app for Android developed by Mobile Stream.
As of this writing, the full version of EasyTether sells for $9.95 (while the only other tethering app on Android right now, PdaNet, sells for $23.95).
If you're an Android user in need of tethering, log on to the market and get your copy now!
As of this writing, the full version of EasyTether sells for $9.95 (while the only other tethering app on Android right now, PdaNet, sells for $23.95).
If you're an Android user in need of tethering, log on to the market and get your copy now!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Pro Golf Solitaire Coming Soon to iPhone
Kenny and the folks over at In A Day Development have finished the port of our popular game Golf Solitaire. It's been submitted to Apple for approval (which should take anywhere from 3 days to ???).
They had to adjust the name, since there was a collision with an existing app. Here are some screens:
Looks great. :) If you have an iPhone or know someone that does, give it a shot!
They had to adjust the name, since there was a collision with an existing app. Here are some screens:
Looks great. :) If you have an iPhone or know someone that does, give it a shot!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Website Redesign
Polyclef Software has a new website design.
Most importantly, the website detects whether you're accessing it from a mobile device or your desktop, and renders the appropriate version. Those accessing from an Android phone can click icons to access apps directly in the Android Market.
As mentioned on the new site, we're also looking for beta testers. If you're interested, contact us at polyclefsoftware@gmail.com.
Most importantly, the website detects whether you're accessing it from a mobile device or your desktop, and renders the appropriate version. Those accessing from an Android phone can click icons to access apps directly in the Android Market.
As mentioned on the new site, we're also looking for beta testers. If you're interested, contact us at polyclefsoftware@gmail.com.