Nintendo makes US$53 million from 'Super Mario Run'

Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

For a game that asks users to pay US$10 to get most of its levels, Super Mario Run has done quite well for its first two months out on the market. It hasn't even launched on the Android platform yet. Out of the 78 million total downloads, more than five percent paid to unlock all the levels. Games consultant Serkan Toto told the Wall Street Journal that this was an "amazing" feat for a game with a high in-app purchase rate. Most of Nintendo's rivals couldn't hit that even with just $1 or $2 in-app purchase rate.

But Nintendo is disappointed with the result. The gaming company was hoping to hit a double-digit conversion rate with this game, considering it is such a recognizable brand. But with just a couple of titles out of the gate, Nintendo shouldn't write off the mobile gaming market jut yet. Super Mario Run will be coming to Android in March and there are big name franchises like Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem coming to the mobile space soon. Better fortune might be heading their way.

Source: Engadget

Google Pixel and Pixel XL get new Android beta builds

If you're part of Android's beta program and have a Google Pixel or Pixel XL, well an update should be making its way to you. The beta version of Android Nougat 7.1.2 brings some minor bug fixes to the phones. This build is expected to get released publicly in the coming months. Other eligible Google-branded phones to get the update include the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, and Nexus Player. No sign of the 2014 Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet, though.

Source: The Verge

Prince's music tipped to be returning to Spotify and other music streaming services

People have been reading between the lines, or at least between the subway posts in New York, saying that Prince's catalog will be making a comeback on popular music streaming services in time for the Grammys on February 12. Currently, Tidal has exclusive streaming rights to the Purple One's back catalog. Speculation started when Spotify started posting very coy billboards in high-foot traffic areas like the Union Square in New York. And by coy, they're just posts painted in purple with Spotify's logo on them. If there is any truth to the rumor, Prince's catalog is expected to hit Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Unlimited, Deezer, and Pandora.

Source: CNET + Billboard

Apple announces all-time record quarterly revenue of $78.4 billion

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple hosted its Q2 2017 Earning's Call this afternoon and announced a revenue of $78.4 billion as a result of  'iPhone, Services, Mac and Apple Watch setting All-Time Records.' These results compare to revenue of $75.9 billion and earnings per diluted share of $3.28 in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 64 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

Apple sold 78.3 million iPhones which is an all-time reacord and up 5 per cent year over year. Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that there was a preference for the larger iPhone 7 Plus model and it considerably outsold the iPhone 6S from a year ago. The iPhone remains Apple's strongest product. 

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