Unsurprisingly the most popular category for the use of in-app purchases was games, which saw more than twice the adoption of the second biggest category, tools and productivity. But in-app purchases are being used across many other categories like books and reference, health and fitness, education, and kids and family.

Looking at the 20 games and 10 other apps with the highest in-app purchase revenue, it was noted that quality is a defining issue – all have a 4-star rating or higher. Moreover, 90% of these top titles are free, with all revenue generated via in-app purchases. Those that are paid apps are from well-known developers.

Finally, Microsoft noted that 28 of the top 30 are “useful even without in-app purchase”, with the additional purchases used to enhance the experience…

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z, alongside the Xperia Z, now has access to a fully stock Android experience that should surely be enticing for those who love the hardware of the Tablet Z but favor vanilla Android. The build for the tablet is now available in GitHub, but the experience may not be as fluid as you’d want it to be right now. The build isn’t intended for daily use, and Sony is encouraging developers to join in.

Even if the Sony Xperia Tablet Z never gets a fully functional and stable build of vanilla Android 4.2.2, it’s the thought that counts. We only wish other handset makers would offer up such an option for developers.

Be sure to check out the video below and see AOSP on the Xperia Tablet Z in action!

[Via: AndroidCentral]

While iOS is still a leading mobile OS, Android is quickly catching up, attracting user segments Apple isn’t capable of getting. Then again, that particular group of users (emerging markets) may not be the best bet for the app you’re making. Or is it?

Few of the facts to know: Google have numerous manufacturers on their side; iOS dominates North America, while Android wins out in Europe.

Yeah, it’s not easy to decide; perhaps the following infographic, prepared by the good folks of WebDesignerDepot, can help you out. Check it out and let us know what you think about it. And which is your preferred platform to develop for…

Even the ATF is having trouble, with CNET’s report saying that an ATF agent spent three months last summer trying to find a local, state or federal law enforcement agency with the skills needed to decrypt an iPhone 4S before calling on Apple.

Brute force password attacks are possible on iPhones, and can be cracked fairly easily if the pin is only four or five digits. Passwords that are nine or ten digits long however can take years to crack. Apple has the ability to crack passwords with ease, a method that the Cupertino company is keeping close to their chests.

Unlocking mobile phones by law enforcement is increasing in popularity, and raises privacy concerns. If done without a warrant, the process raises Fourth Amendment concerns.

Google has a process for helping law enforcement crack Android devices, by resetting the password of the device and then handing it over to authorities. If this process is initiated, Google also notifies the user that their device has been compromised.

[Via: Gizmodo , CNET] [Image: ArsTechnica]

The entry-level Geeksphone Keon could be yours if Mozilla thinks your app is interesting enough. In order to get an early start, you’ll have head over to this form and hope for the best. The device inventory is limited and the program will close at the end of May or when supply of Geeksphones runs out.

Mozilla would love to launch first Firefox OS-based devices with quite a few apps in the Marketplace, so if you think you could help (and get some head-start), try it out. A free phone is there if you need some enticing…

Again, Firefox OS smartphones will initially start selling in Latin America and Eastern Europe, with more locations to be included soon.

The new simulator includes support for rotating displays and mock geolocation data for testing location-based apps. It also allows for the use of some keyboard shortcuts, and now supports newer versions of Firefox OS and the Gaia user interface.

Companies such as Sony, ZTE, LG and Huawei have already announced that they will manufacture devices running the Firefox OS. ZTE showed off a few of its Firefox OS handsets at Mobile World Congress last February, and a small startup called Geeksphone sold its Firefox OS reference phones the Keon and Peak to developers and were forced to limit sales due to the high demand.

The Firefox OS is slated to launch in emerging smartphone markets such as Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela. Mozilla’s thinking is that a strong app ecosystem must exist before entering the U.S. market, and that the FFOS powered phones will be embraced by first time smartphone buyers.

Mozilla expects a rollout of the Firefox OS in June of this year in certain markets.

[Via: Tech Crunch]

• Runs on Android 4.0.4 – Ice Cream Sandwich 
• Has a Dual-Core OMAP 4430 CPU, exact MHz not found
• 682 MB of RAM (678052kb reported in /proc/meminfo), kernel messages point to 1GB of RAM

If you’d like to dig through the source files, you can find them here on Jay Lee’s Google Drive.

Google has still not officially announced the specs of Goole Glass, and being that these specs were taken from the developer model, we probably will see some changes to the hardware when Glass finally makes its way into the consumer realm.

[Via: SelfScreens]

Companies and individuals looking to bring their games to the growing number of BlackBerry 10 smartphone owners are able to publish directly to BlackBerry World through the SDK. Although it’s still in beta, the SDK provides most of the features needed to port existing and develop new games for the platform. Some of the things are still not there but since the floodgates are now wide open, we expect those missing pieces of the puzzle to be added soon.

In fact, there are already a handful of Unity-based games available for download through BlackBerry World, including Wizard Ops, Qbism, Hairy Tales and Shadowgun… and we’re sure, more will be added soon.

[Via: CrackBerry]

And finally – kudos to HTC for releasing the kernel source so quickly.

According to the email as reported by ZDNet, HTC said, “Due to shipping issues with the new 32G unlocked and 64G Developers Editions of the new HTC One, there will be a slight delay in shipping your HTC One to you. We expect to have your phone delivered to you, via overnight shipping, before the end of April.”

The Developer Edition of the HTC One is essentially just a carrier unlocked version without a contract and with 64GB of internal storage. It goes for $649, which is priced quite competitively for a no-contract smartphone with that much storage.

The email continued with some more bad news about the HTC One Double Dip case. “Also, due to overwhelming demand, there will be a delay in shipping your free case. We expect to begin receiving the Double Dip cases in mid-May, and will ship them as soon as they’re available.”

On a positive note, the regular consumer edition of the HTC One is available starting today on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

[via ZDNet]

The first thing developers will notice is a completely updated interface that gives them greater flexibility and control, while reducing the code required for implementation. Moreover, the READ_PHONE_STATE permission for Android is now removed.

The suite of Video Advertising Solutions for smartphones and tablets is expanded giving developers access to even more high CPM brand campaigns. Also new is that Millennial Media is now IAB MRAID 2.0 certified so that developers can benefit from additional revenue potential as advertisers seek an MRAID 2.0 compliant solution for their rich media campaigns.

iOS app makers can now integrate with Facebook, Twitter and the App Store to enable improved user engagement. For instance, users will be able to complete such actions as “Like,” “Share,” “Tweet” and “Download App,” and then be immediately returned to the application. In addition, there’s the ability to make money from brand advertising campaigns that use Passbook to deliver boarding passes, loyalty cards, retail coupons, movie tickets and more directly to a consumer’s mobile device.

If you’re a developer making from in-app ads, you’ll want to get Millennial Media’s SDK 5.0, which can be downloaded from here; technical documentation and release notes can be viewed here.