Most importantly, the common question in many users now is, why Apple need to rush with the iPhone 5, less than 10 months after the iPhone 4S? Recently Apple has reported a record quarter in which they sold 37 million iPhones. More over there are no issues with either hardware or software for the average users. Is it the rumour that had circulated around this time last year. To avoid all these confusions, we have to wait till WWDC.

According to report, there is 60 percentage of increase in downloads, compared to previous week of Christmas.
“Flurry estimated that a record-breaking 6.8 million iOS and Android devices were activated on Christmas Day, along with an equally record-breaking 242 million application downloads. Studying the data from December 25 – December 31, additional records were set, now for the highest number of device activations and app downloads of any week in history. Over the holiday “power week,” Flurry estimates that over 20 million iOS and Android devices were activated, and 1.2 billion applications were downloaded. “

The United States contributes highest number of 509 million downloads, representing 42.3 percentage global application downloads. China takes second position with 99 million downloads, followed by U.K., Canada, France and many more. Below is the Holiday week downloads graph by Flurry, showing top 20 countries.

“About iTunes10.5.2
iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain Cds.”

The last iTune update that is iTunes10.5.1 brought entire music collection in to iCloud, whether or not music was purchased from iTunes. Files that matched with iTunes will be directly streamed from 256Kbps master copies and files that can not matched are uploaded for streaming. The new update mainly addresses on audio distortion problem while importing CDs. There is a dedicated iTune page to download this update, hope this will be rolling out to software update soon.

“OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.”

iPad 3 is widely believed to include a Retina display-like quality which will be manufactured by Sharp. As per Wall Street journal report, Apple has invested in Sharp factory for production of LCD panels for iPad 3. There are rumors like IGZO (Indium, Gallium, Zinc) technology will be used to provide thin design and better battery life.

The company’s iPad will be at lesser discount between $41 to $61, iPods with $21 to $41 off, and iPod Nanos will be discounted by $11. iPhone fans will disappointed to know that there will be no discount on the mobile and its predecessors. Apple is also offering discounts on wide range of accessories. If you an eye on Apple products, this is the best time to grab them.

Below is the detailed list of prices in Australia and United Kingdom

Australia
iPad 2 – A$534 (16GB), A$634 (32GB), A$734 (64GB)
iPad 2 3G – A$684 (16GB), A$784 (32GB), A$884 (64GB)
iPad 2 Smart Cover – A$34 (Polyurethane), A$ 68 (Leather)
iPod Touch – A$198 (8GB), A$298 (32GB), A$398 (64GB)
iPod Nano – A$138 (8GB), A$158 (16GB)
iTunes Gift Card – A$45 (A$50)
UK
iPad 2 – £368 (16GB), £438 (32GB), £508 (64GB)
iPad 2 3G – £468 (16GB), £538 (32GB), £608 (64GB)
iPad 2 Smart Cover – £24 (Polyurethane), £48 (Leather)
iPod Touch – £154 (8GB), £224 (32GB), £295 (64GB)
iPod Nano – £104 (8GB), £118 (16GB)
iTunes Gift Card – £45 (£50)

For more details on discount deals, Please visit Australian, US, Canadian and UK app stores

After analyzing the usage data of thousands of iphone, andrioid, ipad, windows 7 and BlackBerry appss, the study reveals that 26 percent of mobile users download the app, try it for one time and never uses them again.

The study also found that 26% of the customers are very loyal and are using new app more than 10 of times. This is the same percentage of number of fickle customers present. Loyal customers, over the following months are using the app for hundreds of times.

As there are billions of apps being downloaded in the App stores, it is clear that users are willing to try new apps. And therefore, iPhone application developers would do well to track the usage data as well with the download stats to improve customer loyalty. Increasing customer loyalty will bring-in more revenue to these iPhone app developers.

Total revenue from the app store market grew by a staggering 160.2 percent to cross over $2.2 billion. “In 2010, competitors managed to close the gap with Apple’s iPhone in terms of providing smart phone products with compelling user interfaces,” said Jack Kent, analyst, mobile media, for IHS.

“However, in terms of mobile application stores, Apple remains far ahead of the competition, with the other stores so far unable to replicate Apple’s success in generating revenue from users. Apple, in contrast, has been able to maintain advantage by leveraging its tightly controlled ecosystem—combining compelling hardware and content with the capability to offer consumers a trusted, integrated and simple billing service via iTunes” he added.

Other findings of the study are-

• Google’s Android made the most impressive growth, with its revenue increasing by 861.5 percent for the year.
• Nokia’s OVI Store posted growth of 719.4 percent in revenues.
• BlackBerry App World retained its No. 2 position with 360.3 percent growth.

Firemint’s huge hit Real Racing an ADA-winning race game is seeing its sequel out by December 16th on iTunes Store with 30 licensed cars, a 16 car grid, and online races .

The game features :

• 30 officially licensed cars
• 16 car grid against AI, and 16 player online racing – an iOS first
• Career mode with well over 10 hours gameplay and a range of event types
• Earn in-game currency to buy and sell cars, and buy upgrades
• 5 game modes: Career Mode, Quick Race, Time Trial, Local Multiplayer (8 players), Online Multiplayer (16 players)
• 15 locations with 40 miles of highly detailed race track
• Vehicle damage
• Online Save Game
• Game Center and Cloudcell integration, multiple profiles
• Wide range of control options
• HUD with minimap that can be turned on or off
• 5 camera angles including fully 3D cockpit view, and TV style replays
• Powered by Firemint’s exclusive Mint3D™ engine

The game will probably be priced at $9.99 which is comparatively higher than others but Real Racing fans  would be the first to grab the latest Real Racing 2 game .

Check out the video of the game in action below :

iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users outside the US rejoice, for Apple has raised its countenance and finally blessed us with Promo Codes that work in international App Stores.

Good news for developers who’d like to encourage international reviews and give-aways, and good news for international users tired of “Promo Codes only work in the US App Store.

Bad news? Developers still only get 50 codes per release, so while there’s now a bigger audience, there’s no bigger supply to match. Little help there Apple?

Let us know when you see it go live, and when you grab it and get your game on, let us know how you like it!

Official App Store description and screen shots after the break!

[$5.99 - iTunes link, Thanks Tom!]

From Epic Games’ award-winning studio, ChAIR Entertainment, comes Infinity Blade, a new title developed exclusively for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

Universal App – Play Infinity Blade on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPod Touch 3, or iPod Touch 4 for a single low price.

Optimized for iPhone 4 – Includes high-resolution graphics that fully utilize the Retina display on the iPhone 4.

For untold ages, the God King has ruled with an iron fist – his power is incalculable; his followers, legion. Now you must journey to the Dark Citadel to battle his Titans, one by one, until you face the tyrant himself. As it has been for all in your bloodline, this is your birthright – to free your people from an endless legacy of darkness. The immortal can be vanquished – but only if heart, mind, and steel are one.

The first mobile game powered by Epic’s cutting-edge Unreal Engine 3 technology, Infinity Blade takes handheld gaming to new heights with gorgeous visuals, adrenaline-fueled battles and advanced character progression in a fully 3D castle realm.

DYNAMIC SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN

Spectacular 3D characters and environments powered by the award-winning Unreal Engine 3 bring to life the story of a lone knight’s pursuit to save civilization.

RESPONSIVE AND INTUITIVE TOUCH CONTROLS

Attack, dodge, block, and cast devastating spells – all with the simple swipe of a finger.

SIMPLE NAVIGATION

Easy to use, tap-to-move controls enable players to effortlessly navigate and explore the castle realm while searching for collectable items such as treasure, swords, shields, armor and other magical objects.

DEEP CHARACTER CUSTOMIZATION

Dozens of Swords, Shields, Helmets, Armor, and Magic Rings to acquire and master – leveling up your character and increasing Attack, Health, Shield and Magic skills.

GAME CENTER

Achievements and Leaderboards

COMING SOON!

New Areas to conquer! Multiplayer! New Swords, Shields, Helmets, Magic Rings, and Enemies!