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February 8, 2013

Serving developers of all types, all languages and all platforms

Top Story

Nanigans says it can boost performance of Facebook install ads
Fab.com, TinyCo and Wooga are among the brands that are using Nanigans' new mobile platform for mobile-app install ads on Facebook. CEO Ric Calvillo says that the platform is "the first Facebook mobile advertising solution that optimizes for true lifetime return on ad spend." The company said one mobile gaming company had a 91.9% return on investment over an entire app-install campaign on Facebook. AllFacebook.com (2/7)

Developer Economics

EA's mobile division will help Samsung offer more games
To help Samsung Electronics attract more independent developers to create games for its mobile devices, the mobile division of Electronic Arts, Chillingo, will give developers all revenue from any new game in the Samsung app store for six months, this blog post notes. The program kicks off on March 4. Electronista (2/6)

Toolbox

Toy-app combinations try to invent a new way to play
Nine out of 10 toy-industry efforts at combining real-world toys with applications were unsuccessful in 2012, says Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlayMag.com. "Kids looked at these plastic toys used to run digital games and said, 'Why bother when I can just use my thumbs?' " Silver says. Jakks Pacific recently unveiled an enhanced-reality app that, through a device's camera and display, made Disney characters appear to be interacting with toys. But industry observers are split on whether it will be successful, and they are concerned that tacking technology onto old ideas shows desperation. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/7)

Green Throttle promotes Atlas controller with plug-ins
Green Throttle Games is promoting the use of its Atlas controller for game-development platforms such as Marmalade, Corona SDK and Unity by launching plug-ins, writes Jeffrey Grubb. "[D]evelopers have the ability to break through the clutter with the spotlight of the Arena app and the improved app discovery. New, innovative games can be built from the ground up to fully enable multiple controllers and the 10-foot experience," said Stacey Hirata, head of developer relations. VentureBeat (2/7)

Regulation & Policy

Bill would prevent employers from social net password prying
The Social Networking Online Protection Act has been reintroduced in Congress. The bipartisan bill would restrict employers and schools from asking employees, applicants or students for their personal passwords to social networks such as Facebook. "The lack of clarity in [current] law puts individuals in a position where they either have to give up vital, private information, or risk losing their job, potential job, or enrollment in school and involvement in the school's sports programs," says one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y. The Hill/Hillicon Valley blog (2/7)

Industry Spotlight

Swarovski uses augmented reality in mobile-centered campaign
Swarovski is promoting its "Tropical Paradise" spring/summer line with a cross-platform campaign that includes augmented reality. Consumers can learn more about in-store displays marked "AR" by using a shopping application. "Offering an augmented reality experience at our boutique windows is an experience-based incentive for consumers to interact with Swarovski at the point of sale," says Yelena Leshchinsky, head of communication and social media. Luxury Daily (2/7)

SmartQuote

If you want to make enemies, try to change something."

--Woodrow Wilson,
28th U.S. president

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