Magic iBall

Pressing, umm… "international" issues have kept the iPhone version of Magic Eyeball on the back burner for some time.

However, today, the hardworking staff of ElmerFudge.com (and Chris) are pleased to announce an Alpha version was installed for testing purposes on a device belonging to an elderly relative of Sahara's.

Unfortunately, it fell at the first hurdle. Last time I checked, the Loch Ness Monster was absolute fact and BigFoot, total fiction. Even as I type, Anne & Sandy are rappelling from a helicopter to an undisclosed address on a mission to retrieve the defective prototype.

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Soon as the interns get back.

Elmer

20,000 Maniacs

A month, it turns out, is a long time in software land.

Whilst I was, erm, busy, Chris was snoozing at his desk, Sahara was making balloon animals and the interns were in foreign parts doing something they call "work", another ten thousand souls downloaded Magic Eye Ball for android.

Gord bless 'em, every one.

Elmer

10,000 Maniacs

Magic Eye Ball for Android continues it's race up the ratings charts. Sometime since I last looked on Friday, it crossed the 10,000 download barrier and is well or it's way to 12,000.

Anne and Sandy will no doubt give me the complete break-down on Monday, but I had a quick look at the stats just now and some interesting things pop out: Whilst this US is understandably the biggest market for App, India is in second place, closely followed by Ireland and the UK. The Philippines then make a surprise entry and the top ten is rounded out by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greece and Germany.

I kind of get the Philippines thing as English is one of the country's official languages and the US had significant influence over their educations system after their occupation, but I don't quite understand the Indian connection.

It's a funny old world, isn't it?

Elmer

Cider House Rules

First day back for many of the ElmerFudge.com crew today.

Much celebration in the halls as the Interns filled senior staff in on the run-away, 6,000 download success of Magic Eye Ball for Android over the Christmas holidays. Apparently, take-up has been exponential. Anne and Sandy assure me this is a good thing, so I joined Chris and Elmer down the Dog and Duck for a swift round or three of celebratory beverage at lunch-time.

A few minutes ago, the loveable youngsters came racing in again to inform everyone that we had experienced our first 1,000 download "day" in the 24 hours since 8pm last night. Can you believe that? Certainly makes me think. Think that maybe I should get my name a little more prominently displayed on our next App.

Talking of which, today was our first day tackling the beast that is development of product for the mighty Apple iOS. iPhone Apps, to you. Much gnashing of teeth from the other side of the wall when Elmer discovered he had to shell out $99 plus tax on a developer license for something or other. Sandy pointing out that he could have saved that if he'd got 'round to buying the new hardware he and Anne had ordered went down exactly as you might imagine.

Our esteemed "Leader for Life" could be heard cursing someone called "Jeeves Tobs" and wondering aloud exactly when it was that he sold his soul to the Creature of Cupertino. The Fudgester later consoled himself with an industrial size mug of tea and the last of several yards of Jaffa Cakes gleaned from his annual tour of relatives and friends over Christmas.

Despite Elmers' grumbling, I'm reliably informed progress has been good today. Yes, all is well in ElmerFudge.com land. Elmer is sulking, Chris is asleep at his desk, I'm doing essential admin and the interns are beavering away with enormous grins on their baby faces.

Must be about time to head back to the pub.

Cheers, Sahara