We’ve often reported on the latest stats and predictions for the mobile apps market, and occasionally compared that to digital music revenues. Here’s a sobering thought to continue that: people may be spending more on virtual items and currency within iPhone and iPad games alone than on digital music. Here’s the working behind that claim: analytics firm Distimo claimed this week that 63% of iOS app revenues come from games, with 90% of that spending coming within “freemium” games on in-app purchases. Based on Apple’s public stats on payouts to developers, that suggests people are spending $608m a month within freemium games on iOS alone – an annual run rate of $7.3bn. According to music industry body the IFPI, global digital music revenues rose 8% in 2012 to $5.2bn. With a 40% spike unlikely for 2013, it looks like virtual coins, swords and Candy Crush power-ups on iOS alone will outgross digital music this year. And that’s without adding in Android.
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools: Kaiber
In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…