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Fender brings its guitar tuner app to Android devices
Fender kicked off its digital push back in August with the release of the Tune app for iOS. Now the guitar maker is bringing that piece of mobile software to Android devices. Fender Tune is now available from Google Play, delivering a convenient option for tuning your guitar or bass without having to back an extra piece of tech. Sure, there are already a number of apps that do this, but the company takes tuning one step further.
Study claims 47% of app downloads come from search results, but I'm not so sure
How do you normally find new app to download? According to data from analytics firm TUNE, you're more likely to find new apps to download in the App Store search results than anywhere else, and the competition isn't even close. The percentage of people who claimed their most recently downloaded app was discovered in search results stands at 47%, while the next most popular response -- "My friends/family told me about it" -- accounts for just 15%. Other responses that were less common included reading about the app online, and finding it in one of Apple's featured sections. The numbers are pretty bold, and fall roughly in line with those of studies by other analytics companies, but what exactly does it mean? The suggestion here is that search optimization is a key factor in the success or failure of an app, as half of an apps sales are likely to come from user search results. However, the idea that half of app downloads come from users who didn't even know the app existed to begin with may be a bit far-fetched, so there's obviously factors not being taken into account here. Yes, the customer might have found the app's page using the search function, but how did they know to search for it to begin with? Things like weather apps and other essentials can be search for with generic terms, but the App Store is filled with specialized apps with extremely unique names, and countless numbers of those are getting plenty of attention as well. Perhaps these surveys need a bit more specificity, or maybe respondents are simply confused by the question itself. If you heard about an app from a website or a friend, but then use the search function on the App Store in order to actually locate it, which answer fits the best? [via TechCrunch]
The Perfect Ten: MMO Jukebox
Earlier this year, I got to expose my musically nerdy side to you all in a one-two shot of MMO theme song countdowns. The truth is that I'm just a huge sucker for video game music, and as such, I've collected a wide range of MMO scores to bolster my MP3 player. I know that we players tend to be pretty vocal about turning off MMO music at some point, usually due to extreme repetition. Unfortunately, that seems to leave a bad association with this music in our minds, and I don't feel that reputation is deserved. MMO scores can be just as good -- if not better -- than their counterparts in film or other video games. So I've decided that every so often I'm going to devote a full Perfect Ten to sharing my favorite MMO music. I'm always open to suggestions, of course, so if you know of a track that you feel really should be in the next list, send me an email or leave it in the comments!
Nokia wants you to create its next iconic ringtone, if you have what it takes
On the streets, in crowded restaurants, and even in movies, you've likely heard the same song ad nauseam for the last seventeen years: the rockin' default ringtone used on virtually every Nokia device since 1994. And while it's evolved over the years, Espoo's always taken upon itself to choose the next version of the iconic tune. For the next iteration, however, the company is leaving it up to you to be the creative genius, and is offering a reward of $10,000 for the best one. Five submissions will be chosen as runner-ups, each getting their entry offered in the Ovi store as well as a smaller cash prize for their efforts. So if you've always wanted to hear your own creation blasting out of millions of phones each and every day, now's your chance -- you have until October 2nd to get that spark of musical innovation. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
N-Tune adds a tuner to your guitar's volume knob
Although Gibson's self-tuning Robot Guitar is mighty snazzy, buying an entirely new instrument in order to ease your tuning woes isn't exactly practical. Truth be told, the N-Tune won't do the tuning for you, but it does make adjusting those flats and sharps a lot more interesting. Essentially, the chromatic tuner replaces the volume control on your electric axe and can be retrofitted in most every guitar / bass out there. Once installed, users simply pull the knob up to mute the volume and turn the tuner on simultaneously, and then you can check out the on-knob LEDs to gauge how accurately your strings are tuned. Best of all, this thing is slated to ship within the next month for just $100, but alas, it's recommended that you pay a professional to actually rig it up.
Widget Watch: iPodage song calculator
Remember that iPod storage calculator iLounge released? It seems Christian Chladek, maker of such other widgets as the Morse Code Translator, was inspired to provide an iPod calculator in widget form. iPodage allows you to pick your iPod model and adjust all the vital settings to do some quick and dirty math on just how many tunes you can cram into your pocket for the road. For bonus points, the widget can even shrink out of your way should you need to reclaim some Dashboard space.iPodage is donationware and available from Christian's site.
