MMA SmartBrief for Apps

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February 6, 2013

Latest news on mobile apps

Industry Highlights

KeepSafe photo-vault app has 3 million monthly active users
KeepSafe's private photo-vault concept seems to be finding a niche, writes Kim-Mai Cutler -- it boasts 3 million monthly users and sees 5 million photos saved per day. A popular use for the application, according to reviews on Google Play, is for hiding risque photos on a shared phone, "like SnapChat for adults," Cutler notes. Others use the app to distinguish between work and play photos or to keep certain photo exchanges private -- such as "potential engagement rings" being shared amongst friends. TechCrunch (2/5)

Marketing & Monetization

New Amazon Coins will be currency for Kindle Fire apps
Amazon has created virtual coins that will be used to pay for applications, games and in-app features on Kindle Fire tablets, the company said Tuesday. This follows the approval of an "electronic marketplace" patent in late January. Amazon will hand over a slew of the virtual coins after they launch in May, and users will be able to buy more using their Amazon accounts. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/5) , PaidContent.org (2/5)

Wireless Ecosystem

BlackBerry 10's Android runtime will soon support Jelly Bean
BlackBerry 10′s Android runtime, currently running the 2-year-old Gingerbread platform, will soon be updated to support Jelly Bean applications, according to Engadget. The addition of Jelly Bean "means more apps, more revenue, and potentially, fewer people running away from BlackBerry 10 because of an undeveloped app ecosystem," Ricardo Bilton writes. The company is also sending out 12,000 limited-edition red Z10 models to developers as a thank you gift for creating apps. VentureBeat/Gadgets (2/5) , Engadget (2/5) , CNET (2/5)

Is a radio feature coming to Apple devices?
Buttons and references for a potential "radio" feature have been found within Apple's iOS 6.1 iPad software, writes Josh Lowensohn. The developer community is speculating that Apple may be prepping a Pandora-like Internet music streaming service with ties to iTunes. CNET (2/5)

Marketers Needs

Super Bowl ads prompt big mobile response, MMA data finds
More than 9 in 10 Super Bowl viewers used their mobile devices during commercials, with many doing so when prompted by TV ads. But only about a third completed a follow-up action after the ad, according to data from the MMA and Session M. However, more mobile usage was apparent while the game was in progress than during the commercials. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (2/5) , FastCoCreate (2/4)

Developer Corner

Twitter: Developers should be prepared for API retirement
Twitter is retiring Version 1 of its application programming interface in March, including the "@anywhere framework," Ken Yeung writes. On March 5, Twitter will perform blackout tests so developers can see the impact on their applications. "Twitter says that those site owners who use any of the older 'goodie' widgets, such as the profile, favorites, search and list, should move to its Embedded Timeline feature," Yeung notes. TheNextWeb.com (2/6)

HP launches 2 tools for software developers
Hewlett-Packard has released two software-development tools, HP Agile Manager and HP Performance Anywhere, that it says will make applications run faster and easier to implement. PCWorld (2/5)

Public Policy

GOP rep: Internet freedom should become official U.S. stance
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., has proposed legislation that would make it official U.S. policy to "promote a global Internet free from government control." The chairman of the House Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hopes the bill will counteract international movements to regulate the Internet. The Hill/Hillicon Valley blog (2/5)

MMA News

MMA Member Spotlight: Forbes Names 3Cinteractive "America's Most Promising Company"
3Cinteractive, a leading mobile platform company that helps its clients drive stronger engagement with consumers on their mobile devices, was chosen by Forbes as "America's Most Promising Company," topping the list of 100 companies from around the country. The third annual list recognizes the top U.S.-based, high-growth, privately held companies. Learn more about 3Cinteractive's recognitions.

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I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

--Maya Angelou,
American author and poet

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Associate Publisher - Technology & Telecom: Roger Leek 804-803-1414