Opinion and analysis of the day’s music news.
Android Hits 100K Mark
— Android has reached 100,000 apps in its app store, a threefold increase since March. Google says there are now 270,000 developers writing software for Android. Apple’s App Store has about 283,000 active apps by 58,000 active publishers, according to 148apps.biz.
As a Monday New York Times article pointed out, an increasing number of app developers are catering to the Android market and finding there are some differences between developing for the iPhone. One main aspect is the fractured nature of Android – the operating system is used by many different devices with their own screen sizes and internal capabilities. The Android store uses Google CheckOut, which one developer says is “not the best impulse-buy environment.”
Android app website AndroidLib estimates 1.95 billion Android apps have been downloaded in the Android Market. It has tracked nearly 17,000 new apps added to the Marketplace this month, the same number of apps as tracked in the Apple App Store by 184apps.biz. (New York Times, AndroLib)
Lady Gaga Beats Bieber To Billion YouTube Views
— According to TubeMogul stats shared with Billboard, Lady Gaga passed 1 billion YouTube views on Monday afternoon. She had passed 1 billion all-time online video views (not just YouTube) earlier this year. Justin Bieber is just weeks away from becoming the second artist to pass 1 billion YouTube views.
New Jammie Thomas Case To Start Nov. 2
— A third case for file-sharer Jammie Thomas-Rasset will begin on November 2. Her guilt in infringing copyright has already been established. The coming trial is about damages. Thomas-Rasset had attempted to have the court void or reduce the $1.92 million jury award in the second trial. (Copyrightsandcampaigns)
Consumer Confidence Drops
— Consumers around the globe do not expect an economic recovery in 2010, according to the latest Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index report, and global consumer confidence dropped in the third quarter after improving in the first two quarters of 2010. “There simply hasn’t been enough consistent and positive news to sustain the positive outlook and momentum that consumers showed at the start of this year,” said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at Nielsen-owned the Cambridge Group.
A record business turnaround would be difficult in even a strong economy, but it’s made even more difficult by recessions and declining consumer confidence. Other segments of the music industry such as touring and merchandise have also impacted by the recession. These numbers show that although the recession officially ended in 2009, consumer spending is still constrained as people are worried about unemployment, health care costs (especially in the U.S.) and rising utility bills (especially in Europe).
U.S. consumer confidence fell to 81 from 84 in the third quarter of 2009 (the average country’s consumer confidence is 90). One in four Americans said they have no discretionary income after paying for their essentials each month. Globally, 14% of consumers said they have no spare cash, up from 11% in the second quarter and 12% in the first quarter. (NielsenWire)
File-sharing Misstep
— The BBC has admitted one of its shows had inaccuracies on file-sharing. Mark Thomas’s “Culture Show” report said the Digital Economy Bill allowed music companies to cut off subscribers’ Internet access with a “bare minimum of evidence.” That claim resulted in a response from U.K. Music’s Fearful Sharkey. (The Guardian)
Now Available: Logitech Box That Connects To Google TV
— The Logitech Revue set-top box and keyboard controller is now available at Amazon.com. The unit connects with Google TV and costs $299.99. Google TV enables a television to connect to the Internet to search for television shows, use apps and view movies from Amazon On Demand. Pandora and Napster apps come pre-installed. Later this year Sony will release televisions with Google TV integrated into the unit. For other television owners who want to access Google TV, there is this Logitech set-top box. (Amazon.com)
