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每日观察:关注2011 Q4智能手机及平板电脑市场(2.20)

发布时间:2012-02-20 10:52:56 Tags:,,

1)据gamasutra报道,苹果Mac操作系统的下个升级版本OS X Mountain Lion将含有Gatekeeper这个默认设置,阻止用户运行非Mac App Store下载游戏,或者非苹果注册开发者推出的游戏(游戏邦注:这与iPhone和iPad平台的政策一样,这两者也同样不允许用户安装非App Store应用程序)。

mac_app_store(from slashgear.com)

mac_app_store(from slashgear.com)

该功能主要宗旨是提高用户设备安全性,防止用户电及遭受木马程序攻击。此外,苹果将还Game Center(已拥有1亿多iOS注册用户)平台引进Mac,支持开发者向Mac发布跨平台多人游戏。

据苹果所称,目前已有2万多款iOS游戏支持Game Center功能,OS X Mountain Lion将于今年夏季在Mac App Store以付费产品的形式发售。

2)据insidesocialgames报道,Fast Company最近社交游戏公司Vostu评选为巴西10佳创新公司之一,该公司上榜主要原因是创造了游戏内置广播功能。

3)芬兰开发商Rovio因成功推出诸多授权玩具和游戏而收获第12届玩具产业协会的年度知识产权大奖,由美泰公司生产的《Angry Birds Knock On Wood》桌游玩具则斩获最佳年度游戏大奖。

Angry-Birds-Knock-On-Wood(from nahpco.com)

Angry-Birds-Knock-On-Wood(from nahpco.com)

4)据gamasutra报道,《MyFarm》开发商SocialApps于去年6月起诉Zynga开发《FarmVille》时使用了《MyFarm》源代码一案将于不久开庭(游戏邦注:SocialApps认为Zynga可能还使用这些代码开发《FrontierVille》、《CityVille》等其他热门游戏),该公司声称在《MyFarm》于2008年11月发布之后数月(《FarmVille》于2009年6月发布),Zynga曾向其表示有意收购《MyFarm》知识产权和源代码,两家公司当时已达成协议,双方同意共享《MyFarm》的相关信息。

但Zynga后来却推出了《FarmVille》,SocialApps认为Zynga在未经许可的情况下使用了《MyFarm》源代码,要求Zynga支付惩罚性赔偿、诉讼费,并与Zynga共同分成《FarmVille》的收益。

5)ABI Research最新报告显示,2011年第四季度诺基亚在全球手机市场份额仍占首位,其比例达27%,第三名是占比23%的三星,而苹果则是9%,中兴为6%,LG和华为是4%。

market share(from ABI research)

market share(from ABI research)

但从智能手机领域来看,诺基亚该时期智能手机出货量量仅1960万部,低于2010年同期的2860万部。

ABI Research预计2012年苹果和三星之间的竞争将更加激烈,但三星在2012年底成为市场冠军的胜算更大。

6)IHS最新报告显示,2011年所有平板电脑出货量达6520万部,尽管Kindle Fire和Nook Color第四季度表现良好,但这两者仍未撼动苹果iPad地位,它们蚕食的是其他Android平板电脑的市场蛋糕(这两者合并市场份额达11%)。

top 5 tablet(from iSuppli)

top 5 tablet(from iSuppli)

苹果iPad的主要竞争对手却是iPhone 4S,在2011年第四季度,由于许多苹果铁杆用户将零花钱贡献给新款iPhone,iPad出货量出现下降情况。

Kindle Fire该季度出货量与IHS在12月初预测的390万部相差无几,但该设备能否保持长久发展势头主要取决于亚马逊的运营能力。

7)英国移动市场调研公司MobileSquared最近预测,Facebook在2012年有可能在美国、英国、德国、法国、意大利和西班牙这六国的移动广告市场创收12亿美元(这六国的Facebook移动用户达1.835亿)。

Facebook Mobile users(from mobilesquared)

Facebook Mobile users(from mobilesquared)

comScore报告曾指出,英国Facebook移动用户每人每月平均在该网站投入24小时。假设这六国用户每月每人平均投入时间为12小时,

Facebook annual mobile advertising revenues(from mobilesquared)

Facebook annual mobile advertising revenues(from mobilesquared)

Facebook通过其移动网站或应用以每20秒展示一次广告,CPM为25美分,那么Facebook一年内就可在美国移动广告市场创收6.537亿美元,在英国可实现1.666亿美元移动广告收益,在法国、德国、意大利均为1亿美元左右,而在西班牙约7000万美元。Facebook或将成为仅次于谷歌的第二大移动广告巨头(谷歌预计其移动广告业务在2012年收益将超过20亿美元)。

8)据Andriasang报道,世嘉近日向日本Mobage平台发布《VR战士》手机社交游戏版本,这款名为《Virtua Fighter Cool Champ》的卡牌战斗游戏采用限《VR战士》中的角色,支持玩家创建自己的牌组并与电脑对手或在线好友对决。

mobage-virtua-fighter-cool-champ(from serkantoto)

mobage-virtua-fighter-cool-champ(from serkantoto)

该游戏由街机游戏开发者铃木裕领导的Ys Net工作室开发,采用了免费增值模式和IAP功能。

9)据AppData数据显示,Zynga新游戏《Hidden Chronicles》最近晋升至Facebook热门游戏MAU榜单第三名,排名仅次于《CityVille》和《Zynga Poker》。

Hidden Chronicles(from games)

Hidden Chronicles(from games)

《Hidden Chronicles》在过去一周中新增290万用户,目前共有3120万MAU,而《CastleVille》和《FarmVille》则分列榜单第4、第5名,分别有2950万MAU和2830万MAU。(本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译,拒绝任何不保留版权的转载,如需转载请联系:游戏邦

1)Next Mac update blocks uncertified, non-App Store games by default

by Eric Caoili

Apple’s next major operating system update for Macs will, by default, block users from running games and applications not downloaded from the Mac App Store or created by a developer registered with the company.

A new feature in the update called Gatekeeper automatically prevents users from running games that are from unregistered developers and that they’ve downloaded from the web — similar to how iPhone or iPad owners can’t install apps that don’t originate from the App Store.

Users can choose to remove that restriction, increase security by allowing only Mac App Store programs to run, or load an app anyway by right-clicking on it and hitting open, but when they first install Mountain Lion, Gatekeeper will refuse uncertified, non-Mac App Store titles by default.

This feature is meant to increase security and combat malware from taking root on users’ computers, as its reviewers inspect each Mac App Store submission before approving it for release, and the company can remove problem software from the shop.

Developers who don’t want to register with Apple but still release apps and games through other channels, such as their own websites, might not appreciate this restriction and the slightly heightened barrier of entry it creates for users to install their titles.

If they want to avoid those issues, though, they will need to sign up for Apple’s Developer ID program, which gives developers a unique ID for signing their apps. The ID is designed to verify whether their app is known malware or has been tampered with. If a developer is found to be distributing malware, Apple could revoke their certification and prevent users from loading any of that developer’s apps.

The OS X Mountain Lion update is meant to further unify the offerings of Apple’s iOS and PC operating systems, creating a consistent experience. Along with Gatekeeper and other new features, Apple will carry over its iOS social network Game Center to Macs. This move should greatly increase Game Center’s audience, which already has over 100 registered million users across iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads.

By bringing the mobile game social network to Macs, Apple will enable developers to release titles that support cross-platform multiplayer. Someone with a Mac copy of a game could play against another person with an iOS version of the title.

Game Center for Mac will also allow developers to tap into online and community features like leaderboards, achievements, friend requests, voice chat, and more. The network allows users to see what their friends are playing and discover new games, too.

Apple says more than 20,000 games on iOS’s App Store use Game Center — plenty of titles also use third-party social networks like Gee’s OpenFeint and Gameloft Live, which support cross-platform play across iOS and Android devices but not Macs.

OS X Mountain Lion is expected to release this summer through the Mac App Store as a paid product, not a free system update. (source:gamasutra

2)Vostu named a most innovative Brazilian company — Fast Company has named Vostu as one of its 10 most innovative companies in Brazil for incorporating in-game radio into its social

games. For more information, read our full article on the in-game radio feature here.(source:insidesocialgames

3)Rovio wins two Toy of the Year awards – Rovio has won the Property of the Year award at the 12th annual Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year awards. Rovio won the award for its successful brand expansion through licensed toys and games. The Angry Birds themed Angry Birds Knock on Wood Game by Mattel won the Game of the Year award.(source:insidemobileapps

4)Judge denies Zynga’s motion to dismiss case over alleged FarmVille code theft

by Eric Caoili

MyFarm developer SocialApps’ lawsuit against Zynga over alleged source code theft with FarmVille is headed to court, after a federal judge denied Zynga’s motion to dismiss the case.

SocialApps filed the suit last June, accusing Zynga of using MyFarm’s source code and other information to create Facebook hit FarmVille, without the consent of the California-based studio and without compensation. It said Zynga may have used the code to develop other popular titles like FrontierVille and CityVille.

According to SocialApps, Zynga approached the company about acquiring the intellectual property rights and source code for MyFarm several months after the game’s November 2008 release, and right before it put out FarmVille in June 2009. The two entered an agreement to share information about MyFarm at the time for “due diligence” purposes.

SocialApps claims FarmVille was created with code from MyFarm, and that Zynga never provided credit or compensation for the developer. It’s now seeking a permanent injunction, statutory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and a share of the profits Zynga made from FarmVille.

Zynga responded by filing a motion to dismiss SocialApps’ claims, which included violation of the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (CUTSA), breach of implied contract, breach of confidence, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

While U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers partially granted the motion to dismiss SocialApps’ CUTSA violation claim and struck out allegations regarding misappropriation of MyFarm’s images and features (SocialApps can amend that portion), it denied all of Zynga’s other motions to dismiss the lawsuit.

“The allegations here are sufficient to allege conduct beyond a mere breach of the terms of the agreement, which would support a claim for tort damages,” said Rogers in her decision issued last week [PDF link].

Law firm Girardi Keese’s Graham LippSmith, counsel for SocialApps, said the decision to partially dismiss the CUTSA violation claim did not affect his client’s lawsuit, and that the company will file an amended complaint, according to AM Law Litigation Daily. He also remarked that damages will be “astronomical,” considering FarmVille’s massive commercial success.

The decision comes a couple of months after Zynga settled its own lawsuit against Brazilian developer Vostu over the alleged copying of its games. As part of the settlement, Vostu agreed to make changes to its games and make a monetary payment to Zynga.(source:gamasutra

5)Nokia the largest OEM in Q4 2011, but Windows Phone won’t break Finnish firm’s fall, reckons ABI Research

by Keith Andrew

It might seem odd for analysts to be talking down a market leader, but no-one underestimates the amount of earth Nokia is having to move to switch from Symbian to Windows Phone.

As such, though ABI Research’s numbers – published on Fierce Wireless – proclaim Nokia the world’s largest mobile manufacturer in Q4 2011, analyst Michael Morgan isn’t convinced the Finnish firm will remain top dog for all too long.

Aiming for a win

According to ABI’s assessment, Nokia boasted 27 percent market share across the globe throughout the quarter, with Samsung in second on 23 percent.

Both firms are well ahead of the rest of the competition, with Apple – on 9 percent – edging out Android specialists ZTE on 6 percent and LG and Huawei on 4 percent.

Breaking the individual performances down, however, Nokia’s sliding smartphone shipments – down from 28.3 million in Q4 2010 to 19.6 million in Q4 2011 – are a worrying sign, if only because the company has bet the farm on Windows Phone.

“With no plan B, Nokia is in a race to outpace its decreasing Symbian smartphone sales by growing its Windows Phone shipments,” says Morgan.

“Nokia states it had shipped over 1 million WP7 devices to a limited set of markets, which raises the question, will a US launch of WP7 be enough to turn the tide for Nokia? ABI Research is not so sure.”(source:pocketgamer

6)Kindle Fire and Nook Color take 11% tablet market share in 2011, reckons IHS

by Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman

Suggestions that budget tablets such as the Kindle Fire and the Nook Color could dent iPad sales figures have proven to be false.

According to research from iHS, despite picking up significant share themselves, those two tablets have not affected Apple tablet sales.

In fact, it’s traditional Android devices which have been impacted, with Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s forked Android tablets collectively accounted for 11 percent of the market.

Samsung picked up 9 percent of the market with its Tab range, while Apple accounted for the (mountain) lion’s share of 62 percent.

Own worst enemy

Apple’s main competitor of its tablets turned out to be its own iPhone 4S smartphone, with IHS’ Rhoda Alexander highlighting the effect of the new devices launch.

“Shipments of the iPad line fell short of IHS estimates in the fourth quarter as many loyal Apple customers devoted their dollars to shiny new alternatives,” said Alexander.

“However, the primary alternative wasn’t the Kindle Fire – which debuted to solid sales in the fourth quarter – but Apple’s own iPhone 4S smartphone.

“The rollout of the iPhone 4S in October generated intense competition for Apple purchasers’ disposable income, doing more to limit iPad shipment growth than competition from the Kindle Fire and other media tablets.”

Fire sale

Amazon has seen a good start to life for its Kindle Fire, meeting IHS’s sales expectations, though the research firm sees the tablet as risky business.

“Kindle Fire shipments in the fourth quarter came right in line with the IHS early December forecast of 3.9 million units, representing a respectable start for the Fire,” Alexander noted.

“However, the long-term viability of the product will hinge on the success of Amazon’s business gamble, which depends on tablet sales driving substantial new online merchandise sales at Amazon.com in order to attain profitability.”

IHS reckons 2011 total tablet shipments were 65.2 million.(source:pocketgamer

7)Facebook could generate over $1.2 billion from mobile advertising in its first year from just the US and the Euro Big 5 markets. From mobile advertising alone, Facebook would have an Average Revenue Per Mobile User of around $6.5 per annum.

Across the 6 markets – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and US ,mobileSQUARED estimates there are a total of 185.3 million Facebook Mobile users. According to comScore the average Facebook Mobile user in the UK spends 24 hours per month on the site. We’ve taken a slightly more conservative approach to this, and assumed a market average of 12 hours per user per month.

Based on a further assumption that Facebook will serve an ad every 20 seconds via its mobile sites or apps – not based on when the page refreshes ‑ using a CPM model of $0.25, it means Facebook would generate $653.7 million in revenues from mobile advertising in the US alone over a 12 month period.

Obviously, the US is Facebook’s biggest market, but it can still look to generate mobile advertising revenues of $166.6 million in its first year in the UK, around $100 million in France, Germany, and Italy, and around $70 million in Spain.

If we extend our coverage further, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey will all be significant markets for Facebook Mobile.

With Facebook finally opening its gargantuan doors to mobile advertising, mobileSQUARED expects this to be the most significant development to the mobile advertising industry to date.

Google’s acquisition of Admob for $750 million was a huge deal in its day, and Google expects to generate over $2 billion from mobile advertising in 2012. Facebook could potentially expect to generate similar levels of revenues over a 12-month timeframe.(source:mobilesquared

8)Virtua Fighter social spin-off game launches in Japan

by Mike Rose

Newsbrief: Sega today released a mobile social spin-off version of the Virtua Fighter beat ‘em up series in Japan via social gaming network Mobage.

Virtua Fighter Cool Champ is a playing-card battle game that features characters from the Virtua Fighter franchise. Players can build up their decks of cards, then face off against computer opponents and friends online, reports Andriasang.

Arcade game creator Yu Suzuki is overseeing development of the game with his studio Ys Net, while Sega is supervising the project. The game launched today, and is free-to-play with in-app purchases.(source:gamasutra

9)Hidden Chronicles passes FarmVille and CastleVille, becomes #3 Facebook game

by Brandy Shaul

And Zynga has done it yet again. Proving that the hidden object genre can definitely work to attract a crowd on Facebook, Zynga’s Hidden Chronicles has skyrocketed up the AppData charts for top Facebook games, and now sits in spot #3, just behind Zynga Poker and, of course, CityVille.

Hidden Chronicles has gained 2.9 million players in just the last seven days, and now sits at 31.2 million monthly active players and 7 million daily active players. Meanwhile, CastleVille and FarmVille now sit at places #4 and #5, with 29.5 million and 28.3 million monthly players, respectively.

The Hidden Chronicles cross-promotions definitely seem to have been a major factor here, as the charts really started to climb around January 20, when those promotions started launching. Still, the promise of free items in other Zynga games can only go so far, as users look to be sticking around for the long haul, at least for now. Will Hidden Chronicles continue to climb at such a steady rate? Could CityVille have another challenger in the arena for top Facebook game? We’ll make sure to keep an eye on things and will let you know if Hidden Chronicles pulls off what seems to be the impossible: dethroning CityVille.(source:games


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