Mobile Apps Revenue to Triple in 2011

World-wide, revenue from mobile apps is expected to triple this year to $15.1 billion, including paid downloads and advertising revenue generated by free apps, according to research firm Gartner Inc.

Besides the potential of making money directly from such creations, more and better apps can help devices powered by Google's Android operating system continue to gain ground on Apple's iPhones and iPads. It's all about the ecosystem, says Nokia CEO Stephen Elops.

Google to Boost Staffing for Development of Mobile Apps - WSJ.com (subscription required)

U.S. Mobile Payment Will Grow Quickly, Some Think

Although mobile payments first became popular in Asia and Europe, analysts agree that the United States is going to catch up quickly. In its November 2010 report, the Aite Group forecasts that U.S. mobile bill payments will reach US$214 billion in gross dollar volume in 2015, up from US$16 billion in 2010.

Mobile Payment on the rise | MobilePaymentsToday.com

Starbucks Mobile Payment System: One Unfortunate Security Issue

The Starbucks mobile payment application has a security issue that could allow another person to "steal" the stored value on the linked Starbucks card.

Kelley Langford, vice president of sales and marketing at System Innovators, says the process takes about 90 seconds. One might argue the chances of such theft occurring are rather remote, and almost non-existent if a user keeps their iPhone in sight, in a pocket or a purse.

How to compromise the Starbucks Rewards Card app in 90 seconds

Online Video Seems to be Cannibalizing DVD, Not Growing the Market

Consumer spending on at-home movie and TV content, exclusive of multichannel TV services, seems to have peaked about 2004, according to IHS Screen Digest (figures are in billions, not millions)

DVD sales and rentals historically have driven the market, with all forms of on-demand delivery remaining a smallish part of the business.

So far, it appears that online delivery, pay per view and video on demand are just cannibalizing the DVD market.

U.S. consumers spent $385 million buying and renting movies using the Internet in 2010 --up 38% from the year before -- surpassing for the first time the amount paid for online television shows.

According to research from IHS Screen Digest, the market for Internet television episode rentals and purchases last year was $366 million. In 2009, spending on online movies and TV was $280 million and $295 million, respectively.

Total revenue from DVD, Blu-ray and digital sales and rentals of movies and television shows in the U.S. declined three percent to $18.8 billion in 2010, according to new data from industry trade organization Digital Entertainment Group.

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