App Store trends suggest top Christmas gifts: VR, drones, cameras, Amazon Echo
Apps for iPhone-connected accessories are among the most popular downloads and search terms following Christmas, offering some insight into the types of toys that proved to be popular gifts this holiday.
As of Monday morning, apps for low-cost drones SkyThunder RC and CX-10 Wi-Fi were among the top trending searches on the iOS App Store in multiple regions across the U.S. Priced under $50 and featuring wireless connectivity with built-in cameras, these affordable toys make logical Christmas gifts.
Another popular result was the Quik GoPro video editing app, suggesting that the beleaguered sports camera maker at least moved some product for the 2016 holiday season.
Another big winner this year, based on App Store trends, was virtual reality. As of Monday morning, 12 of the top 30 free downloadable apps were virtual reality experiences compatible with Google Cardboard.
Perhaps reflecting the unpolished experience of Google Cardboard on an iPhone, there were no paid virtual reality games among the top 30. However, the keywords "VR apps" and "VR games" were among the top trending searches the day after Christmas.
Google Cardboard headsets can be purchased for under $20, making it an easy way to cheaply sample VR -- and also a great gift.
Another hit for the holidays appears to be the Furbo Dog Camera, a treat-tossing Wi-Fi camera with two-way audio. The new connected way to check on your pets appeared among the top trending App Store searches Monday morning.
Another top hit was Amazon Alexa, suggesting the Echo voice-controlled personal assistant was a hot present this Christmas. The Alexa app also ranked No. 5 on the free charts on Monday.
Fitbit, too, appears to have been a popular choice -- its official app topped the free downloadable charts, beating out Nintendo's blockbuster smash game Super Mario Run. Fitbit was also among the top trending searches on Dec. 26.
Finally, Apple itself likely saw a strong performance this season, if App Store trends are any indication. The freemium game Hill Climb Racing 2 and library e-book app Overdrive saw post-Christmas boosts. Games and reading apps are likely to be among the first downloads users seek on a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
For those with new iOS devices, AppleInsider has rounded up some of the best indie games, productivity apps, content sources, and even board game conversions available on the App Store.
As of Monday morning, apps for low-cost drones SkyThunder RC and CX-10 Wi-Fi were among the top trending searches on the iOS App Store in multiple regions across the U.S. Priced under $50 and featuring wireless connectivity with built-in cameras, these affordable toys make logical Christmas gifts.
Another popular result was the Quik GoPro video editing app, suggesting that the beleaguered sports camera maker at least moved some product for the 2016 holiday season.
Another big winner this year, based on App Store trends, was virtual reality. As of Monday morning, 12 of the top 30 free downloadable apps were virtual reality experiences compatible with Google Cardboard.
Perhaps reflecting the unpolished experience of Google Cardboard on an iPhone, there were no paid virtual reality games among the top 30. However, the keywords "VR apps" and "VR games" were among the top trending searches the day after Christmas.
Google Cardboard headsets can be purchased for under $20, making it an easy way to cheaply sample VR -- and also a great gift.
Another hit for the holidays appears to be the Furbo Dog Camera, a treat-tossing Wi-Fi camera with two-way audio. The new connected way to check on your pets appeared among the top trending App Store searches Monday morning.
Another top hit was Amazon Alexa, suggesting the Echo voice-controlled personal assistant was a hot present this Christmas. The Alexa app also ranked No. 5 on the free charts on Monday.
Fitbit, too, appears to have been a popular choice -- its official app topped the free downloadable charts, beating out Nintendo's blockbuster smash game Super Mario Run. Fitbit was also among the top trending searches on Dec. 26.
Finally, Apple itself likely saw a strong performance this season, if App Store trends are any indication. The freemium game Hill Climb Racing 2 and library e-book app Overdrive saw post-Christmas boosts. Games and reading apps are likely to be among the first downloads users seek on a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
For those with new iOS devices, AppleInsider has rounded up some of the best indie games, productivity apps, content sources, and even board game conversions available on the App Store.
Comments
the fact Alexa is even on the charts or being gifted shows Siri needs an overhaul.
1. My boss' husband bought an Echo Dot without really knowing what it was. She said buys stuff from Amazon all the time and since it was everywhere on their website and even on their shipping tape, she decided to give it as a gift, thinking it would be a "good idea."
2. I almost got one for my sister and her husband. For the same reason: it feels like a safe, cool gadget. It's not because I thought Siri needs to be "fixed". (P.S.: I gave her the Roku 4 instead)
3. My sister got the Echo Dot and Tap from her mother in law, but this is also a woman who wears an Apple Watch and loves her iPhone. (She also has an Echo). She didn't give the Echo as a statement of "how Siri needs an overhaul." It's a heavily marketed, low-risk gift idea (cheap+easily returnable).
Phill Schiller won't get any holidays off if he had to spin a Apple Hub.
Alexa is so easy to interact with. If Google can add the same flexible to its assistant then Google Home can become an even bigger hit.
These devices are IMHO far more intrusive into your life than Facebook etc could ever be.
If you want them and you know the impact that these things could have then go ahead and give them your life lock stock and barrel.
I won't and that's for sure.
I do all my browsing on Amazon from a Linux VM now. The VM gets restored to the original state after every use. This is just to keep the 'we thought you might like...' tracking down to a minimum. It is also done via a VPN tthat has an endpoint in another country.
I am probably paranoid but I did work for an internet Ad agency for a couple of years so I know what goes on with your data. Thankfully, I got out.
I've bought Apple products because of the past quality of their hardware and the basic functionality of iOS. When that falls (which I have worried about)I'll leave Apple. But I don't use Apple because of their services like iMaps. All in all very disappointed with the lack of Siri progress since it introduction. It's a little better, but not hardly enough. Alexa understands me better from the next room that Siri does holding my phone. and I can tell Alexa to turn my lights on and off, etc in multiple ways. while with Siri 90% of the time I expect to get a web search. Alexa has been good enough that I would consider buying an Alexa phone.
That's a lot of subjective opinion passed off as fact. I have a hard time reconciling that with the best iterations of Apple hardware ever -- iphone, ipad, macbook pro, retina imac, watch, airpods....I love my apple gear.
The fact that you cite MBP batteries as an issue despite it only being one report from CR while all the other reviews gave it big thumbs up seems suspect to me. Almost like you're cherry picking to present a negative narrative.
I'd LOVE to hear someone's use case for Alexa that makes it such a wonderful device. Because I just don't see it adding anything to my life that my existing devices can already do. Especially not enough for me to buy a bunch of them to scatter all over my house.