Apple announced that it’s Mac App Store has seen 100 million downloads. The download platform has seen a an average of around 200 downloads every minute since the platform launched January 6.
“The Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC (personal computer) software store in the world,” remarked Apple SVP Philip Schiller.
As good as marketing might be in a smartphone app, it’s worth nothing if users never open it. Digital agency Densebrain hopes its new program Sonic Notify that will use audio code to deliver messages, ads, and more to smartphones.
The idea came up during a brainstorming meeting with Procter & Gamble. “[They] wanted to know how to differentiate themselves in aisle,” said Jonathan Glanz, Densebrain’s founder and technical director. “We said we wished we could just set people’s phones off when they’re standing in front of [a] product. And all of a sudden, we thought, ‘We have something that can do that.'”
Using bus-tracking technology, Densebrain created small beacons that emit inaudible, high-frequency sounds that trigger smartphone messages that contain code. Users will receive a message if they have downloaded the proper app.
The recent CMJ music event in New York had companies Cantora Labs, Spotify and Turntable.fm partner with Sonic Notify to deliver content about the bands and on-site promotions, triggered by the music. Of those that downloaded the app, 85 percent engaged with it.
Procter & Gamble likes that Sonic Notify is a good passive way to engage with customers and notes that it could benefit a range of companies, if they jump on. Rodney Williams, assistant brand manager at Procter & Gamble notes that if Sonic Notify gets enough traction, “it could change the way brands reach consumers.”
Source: AdWeek
Red Robot Labs has acquired the mobile developer Supermono and open a new London office to focus on expanding its R2 geo-gaming platform. Additionally, the developer of the popular location based Life Is Crime has hired Phil Harrison as an adviser.
“With this new venture, Red Robot is continuing to fulfill its vision of creating the most engaging and dynamic location-based games in mobile,” said Mike Ouye, CEO of Red Robot Labs.
“I’m really impressed with what the team at Red Robot has achieved in less than a year,” offered Harrison, who is formerly an executive with Sony Computer Entertainment. “Life is Crime has proven their ability to succeed in the mobile game space and the addition of the UK studio gives the company access to even more talent.”
Apple has named Tiny Wings as the iPhone game of the year for Europe, with Tiny Tower winning the award for the U.S. Contre Jour was the top iPad game in Europe, with Dead Space taking the top spot in the U.S.
Angry Birds was the top-selling iPhone app of the year, continuing the zeitgeist of the game. The top ten was filled out by Angry Birds Rio and Seasons, Cut The Rope, Fruit Ninja, Doodle Jump and Tiny Wings.
The Last of Us was maybe the biggest surprise revelation during the 2011 VGAs, being a new IP from Naughty Dog and being a highly mature title. After this teaser, all that can be said is we can’t wait to see more.
DmC has a radical new graphical style for the series, but there’s still plenty of stylish action. Check out some of their early gameplay to get a sample of what Dante is about.
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In anticipation of the release of the RAAM’s Shadow add-on for Gears of War 3, Epic Games is giving early access to a few lucky members of the community. Starting on Friday, December 9, fans that use the hashtag #RAAM on Twitter will be eligible to win a code. Fans on Facebook have a chance to win as well by posting their best shadowphoto on the Gears of War Facebook wall and letting everyone know why they’re excited for RAAM’s Shadow. Fans can also enter to win on the Epic Games Community Site.
According to reports, Microsoft is looking for a television executive to help develop original content for Xbox Live. Microsoft is being very choosey and might not create the position without the right man, and the hiring process is being led by Stratis LLC partner Tom Schneider.
Currently, former NBC Universal TV Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin and NBC’s soon to be departing head of west coast business operations Marc Graboff have been approached. The hire would compliment plans by companies like Pixar, Double Fine and National Geographic to product television like content for the Kinect.
Source: Bloomberg
Raptr tracks over 10 million users worldwide and has released their Most Played Awards, with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim taking the top slot. Skyrim was also most played RPG title, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the most played shooter, Batman: Arkham City was named most played open-world game, FIFA 12 most played sports game, The Sims Social most played social game, and L.A. Noire most played new IP.
“2011 is turning out to be a boon for gamers, and our awards highlight how gamers are investing the most amount of their precious time playing every day,” said Raptr CEO Dennis Fong.
Find out more about Raptr in this interview.
The 2011 Spike Video Game Awards honored The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as game of the year; the game also took best RPG and Bethesda Game Studios was named studio of the year. Batman: Arkham City won best Xbox 360 game, best action adventure game, best adapted video game, and the Joker was named character of the year.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception won best PS3 game and was honored for the best graphics. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was given best Wii game, best motion game and the series was honored with the Game Hall of Fame award.
Full list of winners:
Game of the Year
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Studio of the Year
Bethesda Game Studios
Character of the Year
The Joker – Batman: Arkham City
Video Game Hall of Fame Award
The Legend of Zelda
Gamer God Award
Blizzard Entertainment
Best Xbox 360 Game
Batman: Arkham City
Best PS3 Game
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Best Wii Game
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best PC Game
Portal 2
Best Handheld/Mobile Game
Super Mario 3D Land
Best Shooter
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Best Action Adventure Game
Batman: Arkham City
Best RPG
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Multi-player
Portal 2
Best Individual Sports Game
Fight Night Champion
Best Team Sports Game
NBA 2K12
Best Driving Game
Forza Motorsport 4
Best Fighting Game
Mortal Kombat
Best Motion Game
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Independent Game
Minecraft
Best Adapted Video Game
Batman: Arkham City
Best Song in a Game
“Build that Wall (Zia’s Theme)” by Darren Korb – Bastion
Best Original Score
Bastion
Best Graphics
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Best Performance by a Human Male
Stephen Merchant as Wheatley – Portal 2
Best Performance by a Human Female
Ellen McLain as GLaDOS – Portal 2
Best Downloadable Game
Bastion
Best DLC
Portal 2 Peer Review
Most Anticipated Game
Mass Effect 3
Gametrailers.com Trailer of the Year
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – E3 2011 Trailer
EA Sports NFL Blitz Digital Cover Athlete
Ray Rice
