Handango Inc., the leading
provider of multi-platform smartphone content globally, today
announced its 2008 Handango Yardstick, a proprietary global trend
index offering unique insight into the smartphone content industry.
For the first time, Handango is releasing 'Handango's Top Ten' list
identifying the top ten downloaded applications across all operating
platforms and devices and sold through Handango's multiple
distribution channels.
In 2008, Handango added an impressive 1,300 new content providers to
its network with almost 10,000 new applications across all categories
with an overall average purchase price of almost $20 per application.
HANDANGO'S TOP TEN - 2008 Best Sellers List (Across Platforms)
1. Spb Mobile Shell 2.1.4 (today screen plug-in) - $29.95
2. MobiTV (streaming television) - $9.99/month
3. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones) - $19.95
4. Spb Backup 2.0.1 (file backup) - $24.95
5. Spb Pocket Plus 4.0.2 (today screen plug-in) - $29.95
6. Pocket Informant 8 (today screen plug-in) - $29.95
7. Spb Phone Suite 1.3 (phone features) - $19.95
8. VoiceControl (voice command) - $6.00
9. Colour Your Trackball (trackball customizer) - $4.95
10. eWallet (Professional Edition) (PIM manager) - $29.95
Games continue to grow in popularity.
Following the trend from the first half of 2008, the Games category
continued to experience double-digit growth. Games accounted for 11%
of top category sales in 2007 and grew to 19% of top category sales in
2008. Handango has been aggressively expanding its high profile games
offerings through strategic partnerships with top mobile game
publishers including EA Mobile, Capcom Interactive, Glu Mobile,
Digital Chocolate and iPlay among others.
2008 Games Best Sellers List (Across Platforms)
1. Spb Brain Evolution 1.2 (puzzle game)
2. Aces Texas Hold'em® - No Limit (card game)
3. TETRIS (puzzle game)
4. Guitar Hero 3 Mobile (music game)
5. Bejeweled (puzzle game)
6. Aces Solitaire Pack (card game)
7. The Sims 2 (strategy game)
8. Jewelrumble 2 (puzzle game)
9. Sudoku Puzzle Pack (puzzle game)
10. Solitaire Buddy Gold (card game)
PLATFORM OVERVIEW
Handango is the largest third party smartphone application retailer
with multiple distribution channels including: a consumer website,
Handango.com, a market leading on-device client, Handango® In HandT,
more than 50 channel partners including Microsoft, Verizon Wireless,
T-Mobile, Alltel, AT&T, and AOL among others and operates over 1,000
content partner storefronts. The Handango Yardstick compiles and
analyzes consumer activity from each of these channels creating a
unique industry index of smartphone content trends across leading
platforms and most major devices. A full version of the Handango
Yardstick is available at
www.handango.com/marketing/Yardstick/Yardstick_2008_YearEnd.pdf.
RIM (BlackBerry)®
BlackBerry was the big winner in 2008 - seeing dramatic growth in
smartphone application purchases and accounting for five of the top
ten devices adding content. BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and the
BlackBerry Curve took the top two positions respectively. In 2007,
Blackberry accounted for 18% of apps sold and increased to 31% of apps
sold in 2008. BlackBerry had the most new content titles in 2008
adding 3,365 applications to the Handango catalog. Personalization was
the #1 category, while six games made the top 25.
The top-five best-selling applications for BlackBerry in 2008 were:
1. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones)
2. VoiceControl (voice command)
3. Colour Your Trackball (trackball customizer)
4. BBSmart Email Viewer (email viewer)
5. eOffice 4.5 (attachment viewer)
Windows Mobile® Professional (Formerly Pocket PC)
WMP had the most new content providers of any platform at 382 and
remains the largest platform by units. Samsung's Omnia and the HTC
Touch Diamond were two new devices in the list of top ten smartphones
adding content.
The top-five best-selling applications for WMP in 2008 were:
1. Spb Mobile Shell 2.1.4 (today screen plug-in)
2. MobiTV (streaming television)
3. Spb Backup 2.0.1 (file backup)
4. Spb Pocket Plus 4.0.2 (today screen plug-in)
5. Pocket Informant 8 (today screen plug-in)
Windows Mobile® Standard (Formerly Smartphone)
Video made up 17% of top ten category sales, which was the highest of
any platform. Additionally, Games category sales grew from 10% to 21%
year over year.
The top-five best-selling applications for WMS in 2008 were:
1. MobiTV (streaming television)
2. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones)
3. SBSH Facade 1.4 (home screen plug-in)
4. eWallet (Professional Edition) (PIM manager)
5. PocketStreamer DELUXE (streaming media)
Palm® OS
PIM and Games accounted for over 54% of the top 10 category sales
during 2008. Games category sales grew from 12% to 18% and PIM made up
36% of sales which is higher than on all other platforms.
The top-five best-selling applications for Palm OS in 2008 were:
1. SplashID Desktop (information security)
2. VoiceControl (voice command)
3. PocketMirror Standard (Outlook synchronization)
4. SplashID (information security)
5. Agendus Desktop Edition (Outlook synchronization)
Symbian®
GPS was the #1 search term on for Symbian devices up from #3 in 2007
showing the growing demand for GPS products in the smartphone
marketplace. Nokia's N95 made the top ten list of devices downloading
content. Symbian developers added 2,198 smartphone apps to the
marketplace and 283 new content providers.
The top-five best-selling applications for Symbian in 2008 were:
1. ProfiMail (email viewer)
2. Handy Weather (weather monitor)
3. Advanced Call Manager (call manager)
4. Quickoffice Premier 5.0 (document manager)
5. X-plore (file manager)
Android
The newest platform offered by Handango, Android applications have the
lowest ASP of any platform with games making up 11 of its top 25
applications and Messaging and Games accounting for 60% of the top
category sales.
The top-five best-selling applications for Android in 2008 were:
1. IM+ All-in-One Messenger (IM consolidator)
2. TETRIS (puzzle game)
3. SMobile VirusGuard (virus protection)
4. Mobiola Video Studio (video manager)
5. MONOPOLY Here & Now (board game)
EUROPEAN REVAMP
In 2008, Handango revamped its European websites offering users a
version of Handango's retail website in four different languages, as
well as more content and payment through local currency. Additionally
the sites were redesigned to offer new promotions and a cleaner more
streamlined experience. Microsoft Voice Command and Spb Mobile Shell
were the top two most popular applications across Europe in 2008.
Handango's European sites include:
· France (www.handango.com/fr <http://www.handango.com/fr> )
· Germany (www.handango.de <http://www.handango.de/> )
· Spain (www.handango.com/es <http://www.handango.com/es> )
· UK (www.handango.co.uk <http://www.handango.co.uk/> )
Since its launch, Handango has grown from a single distribution channel
(the Web) to reaching millions of customers through Handango's In Hand
on device portal, via the mobile Web and through its affiliates and
channel partners. In 2008, Handango added 1,300 developer partners to
its roster of more than 23,000. Handango's catalog now exceeds 140,000
apps spanning numerous categories including Games, PIM,
Personalization, Video, Education & Reference, News & Media,
Messaging, Audio Travel and more.
About Handango
Handango is the leading provider of smartphone applications globally
for the BlackBerry®, Palm®, Windows Mobile®, Symbian OS®, and Linux
platforms. Leveraging its 140,000+ apps, network of 23,000+ content
partners, and vast distribution network, Handango delivers top-selling
mobile applications including games, business and entertainment apps
and productivity tools to millions of consumers. Applications can be
downloaded via www.handango.com <http://www.handango.com/favicon.ico>
, partner Web sites, SD cards and Handango's proprietary on-device
catalog, InHand, the industry's leading content delivery platform that
allows consumers to purchase mobile apps directly from their
smartphone and download them over the air. Handango's unparalleled
content expertise has attracted numerous mobile industry partners
including Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Alltel, AT&T, and
AOL. For more information, visit http://corp.handango.com
<http://corp.handango.com> .
Handango is a registered trademark of Handango, Inc. All other
trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Subject to change
without prior notice.