Tag: app

App promises to shut up Satan

Posted on August 13, 2014 by - News

devilA phone App is marketing itself with the magical ability of causing the Satan, the Prince of Darkness, and infernal ruler of the world, to stop speaking.

The Shut Up, Devil! App, is based on the concept that whenever the Devil shows up, a good Christian user is unable to remember a pithy bible verse which can be guaranteed to send Satan back to where he lives.  Our last known contact address for Satan was the troubled Northborough Estate in Slough.

While Christians cannot carry a bible with them, they do always have a mobile phone, which makes it apparently appropriate to use to call an invisible friend to deal with an invisible enemy.

It is bible search with a category for just about any issue you face—anxiety, depression, fear, lustful thoughts about your neighbour’s dog etc.

Select a category and you’re presented with related cards. Each card features a relevant scripture and a personalised version designed for you to read aloud like a magic spell to make the devil run away. You can share a card with your friends on your social networks which will make sure that you keep them.

The press release we have says:

“Thousands already use the app and report transformed thinking and great victory in spiritual warfare. I know that you’ll experience the same, and in just a short time you’ll realize that you’re no longer under attack—you are on the attack!”

The app conception stemmed from Charisma House’s upcoming book, Silence Satan by Kyle Winkler, which releases in September. Winkler is founder of Kyle Winkler Ministries, a media and teaching ministry broadcasting on the Christian Television Network. It is available on the iPhone and Android so is truly interdenominational.

Satan was too busy running a Tea party meeting in Texas to respond to our calls.

 

Microsoft study sheds light on UK app economy

Posted on October 21, 2013 by - News

smartphones-genericMicrosoft has revealed the results of its new study into the state of the UK app landscape and it’s crediting “brave developers” with creating a dynamic little economy. App developers aren’t just IT professionals, there are plenty of hobbyists coding out of their homes and they are joining the fun.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Low return on investment is a big concern, as only 51 percent of apps were achieving a reasonable return. App development also requires plenty of new skills and 86 percent of developers believe the skill set is much different from five to ten years ago. Other challenges include the need to design cross-platform apps and potential problems with security and privacy.

Despite these challenges, Britain’s app economy is thriving and 95 percent of developers are optimistic about the future of their niche. Another 86 percent believe current apps have only scratched the surface, while 83 believe demand for custom apps will increase over the next few years.

“The ecosystem of UK developers is growing rapidly, with professionals, hobbyists and a new breed of those responsible for commissioning applications bringing their own unique blend of passion and potential,” says Anand Krishnan, General Manager, Developer and Platform Group, Microsoft Limited. “It’s a world of opportunity – and harsh new challenges. The days of developing for a single platform, a single form factor, even a single kind of device are over.”

Although there’s no shortage of optimism, it’s probably a good idea to be cautious. Some developers were talked to believe app development is slowly transforming into a bubble. As mobile apps mature, there will be less room for newcomers and new ideas. Furthermore, the cost of developing mobile apps is going down, as coders in traditional outsourcing markets gain the necessary skills and start to compete at a fraction of the cost of western devs.

Retail apps may cut price-comparison shopping

Posted on June 11, 2013 by - News

nexus4-ceIt sounds counter intuitive, but according to a survey commissioned by UPS, retail apps might actually cause consumers to do less price comparisons and more shopping. The vast majority of shopping apps do the exact opposite, they are designed to find the best deals and pinch pennies.

However, the survey revealed that 46 percent of US online consumers are less likely to “comparison shop” once they are immersed in well designed apps peddled by the retailers, reports Business Insider.  It sounds like good news for everyone who ever tried to justify the expense of developing a proper app for their business.

Interestingly, the survey also found that shopping satisfaction was better on a tablet than a proper PC. The experience on smartphones lags behind both tablets and regular PCs, which probably has something to do with screen size.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that retailers with good mobile apps should try to gouge consumers. Most people still like to browse and compare prices. There is no substitute for good deals and good service.