Android apps on BlackBerry, Nexus Prime madness and freemium games

BlackBerry QNX to allow Android apps

There's been a lot of talk about who's number one: iPhone or Android. The answer, from a pure numbers perspective, is Android. This talk of number ones and number twos (minds out of the gutter, now) leaves no time to talk about number three.

RIM and its BlackBerry was number one for a long time. So long, it seems, that the company got complacent. Now, it's time for BlackBerry to stop looking toward the top of the mountain and instead, carve out a nice plateau from which to wage its next strike. What I'm saying: secure the number three spot against comers like Windows Phone before focussing on the top spots.

To its credit, RIM has finally realized that the smartphone war is all about apps. Well, apps and hardware that doesn't feel like it came out three years ago, but one battle at a time. There was talk of BlackBerry adopting Android apps in order to flesh out its paltry App World library. Now, it's all but confirmed, Bloomberg reports.

RIM's next wave of QNX powered BlackBerry phones slated for release in 2012 will play nice with Android apps. PlayBook users have been waiting since launch for Android apps to finally make their way onto the BlackBerry tablet.

It's doubtful that the next wave of BlackBerry devices will connect with the Android Market and allow for direct installation of apps. Rather, expect that devs will have to submit their Android apps to the BlackBerry App World. If it's a quick and painless process for devs, expect a much healthier App World early next year. If not, well, let's try not to think about the implications...

Nexus Prime latest

Remember the iPhone 4 debacle? A Gizmodo editor got his hands on the unannounced next iPhone after an unfortunate Apple employee accidentally left a prototype at the bar. The police got involved. Said editor's gear was seized. An ugly scene. Is a similar thing afoot with the Nexus Prime?

Geek.com posted a letter, ostensibly coming from Samsung legal counsel, insisting (name redacted) of (company redacted) return firmware for the Nexus Prime, Samsung's proprietary property.

First, the letter specifically refers to the Nexus Prime, itself a big mystery and trade secret at present. That alone is a colossal red flag. No way this letter would have passed legal scrutiny before being sent out. Second, there are the spelling errors, awkward turns of phrase and general unprofessional tone of the letter. Phrases like this gem from the first paragraph: "by this letter, Samsung orders you to immediate cease, desist and refrain from any and all such activities."

If by some bizarre twist this letter turns out to be true, we'd have to wonder how (name redacted) ever passed the bar.

Freemium games by the numbers

To the 97 per cent of "freemium" game players that don't drop their real coin on in-game upgrades, we salute you. For the other three per cent, here's a breakdown on how you're spending your hard-earned cash.

Freemium games make their money by offering a game for nothing, gaining some popularity (hopefully) and then entreating gamers to pay up for upgrades, consumables and in-game items. Like the Smurfberries and Farmville currency we've talked about previously on this show.

So, only three per cent of freemium gamers bother with the upgrades, but of that three per cent, only two per cent make purchases worth $0.99 or less. Compare that with purchases of over $50 where five per cent of freemies are willing to pony up. In a word, huh???

It seems the sweet-spot for freemium game upgrades sits around the $20 mark, accounting for over 50 per cent of revenue despite the fact that it only makes up 13 per cent of transactions.

Real money for virtual consumables. The mind boggles. I guess that puts me in the 97 per cent of freemium gamers that focus on the "free" part, eschewing the "emium."

For our review of the day Kate Abraham's taking a look at the Aquapets for Android. Yes, it's a freemium game.

Review of the Day
Aquapets
Free app