Apple, Google and other developers face fresh criticism over application rankings after it has been revealed that artificial boosts have been used to increase ratings on internet App stores.

Information has surfaced which suggests larger companies are in the practice of using automated PC’s, also known as ‘bot farms’ to increase the ranking of particular apps.

A developer, who remains anonymous, has posted concerns on the Touch Arcade gaming forum, blowing the whistle and bringing the issue to light.

It is claimed that a currently unnamed firm had offered the developer a top 25 ranking for his new application in return for £3,144.

A higher ranking results in more downloads and an increase in profit for the app developer.

In an attempt to clarify its position, Apple released the following statement on its developer forum:

“Once you build a great app, you want everyone to know about it. However, when you promote your app, you should avoid using services that advertise or guarantee top placement in App Store charts.

Even if you are not personally engaged in manipulating App Store chart rankings or user reviews, employing services that do so on your behalf may result in the loss of your Apple Developer Program membership.”

Google has recently come under fire for its own app store following mounting concerns regarding the security of Android applications.

Recent research has revealed that since 2007, the app industry has created 466,000 new jobs in the United States.

Only time will tell whether Apple and Google will be able to clean up their application acts.

Jamie Stokes is Marketing Assistant at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog

A smartphone app, designed to help people with disabilities travel around London more easily, has been created by a survivor of the 7/7 terrorism attacks.

After realising that his wheelchair made many venues inaccessible, Daniel Biddle, who lost both his legs, his left eye and his spleen during the bombings in July 2005, decided that there was a niche in the application market.

The Ldn Access app lists thousands of venues throughout the capital with step-free access, ramps and usable toilet facilities.

Using location-based technology, the app is able to determine where the user is at a given time and then shows icons for nearby accessible venues, listing their features and contact details. 

Simple and intuitive to use, the app also has a feature dedicated to the 2012 Olympics, giving users detailed information regarding venue access. 

Interestingly, the app can also work offline, meaning users on the Tube are able to access station accessibility information before they alight.

Whilst Ldn Access is currently only available on Apple devices, there are plans in the pipeline to extend its reach to BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone users.

Jamie Stokes is Marketing Assistant at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog

A recent report by Juniper Research has revealed that mobile healthcare and medical app downloads are to reach 44 million next year, rising to 142 million in 2016.

It is understood the rise of smartphones and associated application stores have contributed to the success of the mHealth apps.

mHealth applications already cover areas such as medical calculators, monitoring software and symptom checkers.

In time, it is hoped that the hardware peripherals attached to smartphones will allow the capabilities of these applications to be extended.

The increasing consumer focus of many mHealth applications is expected to lead to them becoming mainstream.

Benefits of mHealth applications include cost-savings which can be acheived through remote patient monitoring in developed markets through the avoidance of hospital stays and outpatient appointments.

While they are popular in America, it remains to be seen whether mHealth applications will see increased popularity across the world.

Jamie Stokes is Marketing Assistant at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog

Angry Birds, the downloadable puzzle video game application, has become the first game to reach 500 million downloads.

This milestone has been reached less than two years following the initial release of the game.

Created by Finnish computer game developer Rovio Mobile, Angry Birds has been praised by users for its successful combination of addictive gameplay, comical style, and low price.

It is understood that the popularity of the game is mainly due to its large following in China, where downloads have reached 50 million.

Capitalising on its success, Rovio Mobile has released official Angry Birds merchandise including toys and is now set to open its first retail outlet in Helsinki.

Book and film plans are also said to be in the pipeline, alongside the company’s aim to float on the stock market next year.

It looks like Angry Birds is here to stay.

Jamie Stokes is Marketing Assistant at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog