The first Chinese guide to the download and use of iPhone apps perfects the App Store industry chain
BEIJING, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Beijing 9thQ Digital Technology Co., Ltd, a leading developer of mobile applications in China, recently released an updated version of "TaoQu," its software assistant for Apple's App Store. This is the first comprehensive data-analysis software on the App Store's Chinese servers that is designed specifically to browse, evaluate, recommend, and rate apps. Since its release in March of 2010, it has been downloaded directly from the App Store by more than 100,000 users, becoming one of the top ten most downloaded applications on the China-area servers during its initial release. Currently, it is holding steady among the top 25 in the category of free data application software in the App Store's Chinese store. "TaoQu" effectively addresses the long-existing problem in the App Store of how to bring together users searching the vast number of iPhone apps for software of interest to them with developers who have specific target customers among the countless users in the App Store. This service is a step forward in the perfection of the App Store's Chinese application software industry chain.
The data shows that there are currently more than 250,000 apps available on the App Store for the iPhone, iTouch, iPad, and other mobile devices from Apple, and downloads of these apps number more than five billion. As the scale of the App Store and the number of software programs on it have grown at an astonishing rate, the App Store's own "Special Recommendations," "Rankings," and other search functions are no longer able to meet the basic needs of users searching for application software of interest to them in the sea of innumerable apps on the website. In the "Rankings," most of the apps with a high download volume are transplants from well-known PC software developers or have gained a following through traditional brand marketing and promotional methods. Because many small- to medium-sized developers and creators of innovative application models lack name recognition and do not utilize traditional promotional tactics, it is difficult for them to capture the attention of their target customers. To a certain extent, this influences the app experiences of users, and limits continued development and innovation in the industry.
Additionally, according to the analysis of an authoritative international organization, only 1.8% of the top 1,000 apps ranked by Apple as "What's Hot" are downloaded and installed, and only 30% of these remain in use on the day of purchase or download. What's more, after twenty days, this percentage drops to only 5%. What this means is that while the average user downloads or purchases over ten apps a month, these apps number very few among the many apps available on the site, and they are unable to meet the needs of all users. Users are unable to find or locate all application software, and these applications cannot sell themselves to users. Because of this design issue in the App Store system, it has not resulted in the so-called "Long-tailed effect," of the digital economy era. This flaw has become a stumbling block to the future development of a two billion USD industry with tens of millions of users and hundreds of thousands of developers. The numbers show that beginning in 2010, the rate at which new application software has appeared in the App Store has slowed, and a large number of small- to medium-sized developers, lacking the ability to effectively promote their products and faced with a corresponding lack of recognition and interest among users, have chosen to leave the market or join large companies. As a result, innovation in the industry has been severely curtailed.
"TaoQu" aims to establish an interactive platform through which users and developers of Chinese application software can share information, and it seeks to utilize its unique three-in-one data-collection, promotion information, and search capability to construct a long tail for the iPhone application software industry. By doing so, "TaoQu" will help the many small- to medium-sized developers who are highly innovative, yet lack the budget and resources to undertake large-scale marketing and promotional activities, to attract their target customers. It will also enable them to promote their own products and establish name recognition among users through the reliable, impartial evaluations of a third party, user ratings, and promotional discounts. Presently, as developers of application software on China's App Store are growing stronger and stronger, and as the number of iPhone users is growing at an astonishing rate, "TaoQu" serves as an App Store guide, software evaluator and recommender, and a platform software for users and developers, which will effectively promote the healthy development of Apple's Chinese-language application software industry.
"As the some of the earliest developers of application software for the App Store, we not only deeply understand the problems users sometimes face when using the App Store, but have also experienced and encountered the problems and obstacles facing developers, especially new developers in the industry. Additionally, as the mobile applications sector continues along its course of rapid development, newcomers and imitators of the App Store in Google's Android Market will also face these problems," 9thQ founder Shi Weixing stated. "9thQ's objective is to construct a 'long tail' for application software in the App Store, starting out from the intersection of users' and developers' interests and benefits. Worry about the increasingly large number of mobile applications is unnecessary: the volume of application software will continue to grow, and at a high rate. This will result both in the development of mobile technologies and in the enrichment of the experiences of mobile users, which are mutually beneficial outcomes. The establishment of this 'long tail' will play an important role in the continued healthy development and growth of the industry."
About 9thQ
Founded on September 9th, 2009, Beijing 9thQ Digital Technology Co., Ltd is a technology enterprise that focuses on the development and operation of mobile applications. The company was established by the creative team behind the famous mobile phone client HandCN. The 9thQ team embraces the company's core culture of, "One shared goal, one common ideal, one joint responsibility: fighting together, striving forever." Through its own technology and products, 9thQ seeks to provide the public at large with the greatest enjoyment of mobile applications possible. Although 9thQ is a young company, founded not long ago, its creative team has extensive experience in the operations, research, development, and design of products for the wireless internet sector. They were among the first teams to undertake the development of operations of mobile application software in China, and have a firm grasp of products and technological know-how related to the Symbian, Windows Mobile, and iPhone platforms.
Currently, the company is focusing on the iOS platform, and engaging in technological cooperation, product R&D, and promotional sales services. Through "TaoQu," the company also provides data services to mobile application developers and hobbyists.
For more information, please contact:
Huang Haojing
Tel: +86-139-1042-0342
Email: huanghaojing@9thq.com
