Take those numbers with a few dozen grains of salt, however: the stats come from a survey conducted by analysts at Appsfire who surveyed “over 1,000 [iOS] devices registered and synchronized with the Appsfire service.”

Seeing as how Apple has sold over 160 million iOS devices, such a small sampling doesn’t provide data hearty enough to take to the bank. Also, Appsfire’s data comes only from iOS users who have registered for its apps-listing service, so an argument could be made that users whom Appsfire is tracking are more apps-hungry than your average fanboi.

That said, there is some interesting information in the Appsfire survey, as long as you keep in mind from whom the data was gleaned.

For one, native apps soundly thrash web-based content viewing when it comes to the amount of time spent by the users surveyed by Appsfire. Out of the 84 minutes per day that those users spend with their device, only 10 minutes (12 per cent) is spent on the web or using web-based apps.

The other 74 minutes are spent using native apps (40 minutes, or 47 per cent); telephony apps such as the Phone app, Skype, and the like (27 minutes, 32 per cent); and the Mail app (seven minutes, nine per cent).

Out of those 40 minutes of native-app usage, users are playing games 32 per cent of the time. Of the 88 downloaded apps, 63 were free, and 25 were purchased.

Appsfire’s numbers contrast with those in a recently published survey conducted by the “market intelligence” group Asymco, which put the average – mean, not median – number of apps per iOS device at “over 60.”

Asymco’s survey also points out that the rate of app downloads per device is rising faster than did songs-per-device back when the iTunes Music Store debuted.

“In the fall of 2008,” Asymco’s report says, “there were about 10 apps downloaded for every iPhone/iPod touch.” Now that number is 60 in Asympco’s estimate and 88 in Appsfire’s. No matter how you slice it, that’s a stunning growth rate. “Growth like this is hard to get one’s mind around,” Asympco says. “Not only are downloads increasing, but the rate of increase is increasing.”

Or, as Appsfire puts it: “‘Apps everywhere’…we told you so.” ®

Update: The lucky winner was Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK, who downloaded Paper Glider. PR after the break.

The StreetPilot App includes many of the same high-end features available on Garmin’s standalone automotive GPS devices like free traffic alerts that enable drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction; lane assist with junction view that directs drivers to the preferred lane and displays realistic images of upcoming complex junctions; and speed limit indicators that display speed limits for most major roads.

Garmin StreetPilot also supports multitasking under iOS 4 and integrates with users’ music libraries and address books.

Unlike some of the other mainstream GPS applications for the iPhone, Garmin StreetPilot downloads map content as needed, as opposed to storing the entire map database within the application. While the decision allows Garmin to offer smaller downloads that require less on-device storage and quicker download and syncing times, as well as automatic access to the latest map updates, the trade-off is that users must be in areas with data service coverage in order for the application to function properly.

Q: Hi, I recently updated both my iPhone 4 and iPad to 4.2. I think my favourite feature is airplay. This is seriously amazing and makes sharing content seamless. I just purchased Apple TV and was wondering are you ever going to make airplay video work for videos in safari and 3rd party apps? I hope to get a response.

A: Yep, hope to add these features to Airplay in 2011.

The AirPlay functionality appears to have a few other quirks as well, as noted by Daring Fireball‘s John Gruber. One such quirk involves the fact that the iPhone 4 is unable to stream via AirPlay video shot directly on the iPhone.

The most obvious shortcoming: You can’t use AirPlay to play videos shot on your iPhone. That’s an obvious feature, right? Shoot a video on your iPhone, then play it back for family and friends on your big TV via AirPlay. No syncing, no docking, no moving files around. Just hit play. But it doesn’t work in iOS 4.2.1 – even though you can use AirPlay to show still photos from the Photos app.

While some had theorized that the issue was related to bandwidth required to stream the high-definition footage shot on the iPhone 4, video footage shot on the device and then synced to iTunes and back to the device will stream via AirPlay. Gruber theorizes that Apple had to roll out incomplete AirPlay functionality in order to meet its goal of releasing iOS 4.2 by the end of November and that we will see increased functionality coming in the future, as Jobs’ purported email suggests.

A look at the top-grossing iPhone apps today finds 34 of the top 100 apps are free, but make their money through in-app purchases of mostly virtual currencies as well as other premium features. Remco van den Elzen, CEO of analytics firm Distimo, said he believes in-app purchases now represent about 30 percent of all iPhone App Store revenue. “We’re seeing more developers implement more in app-purchases especially with games,” he said. “Freemium Apps are also picking up significantly. A lot of developers realize it’s a successful model.”

Another analytics firm tracking such data revealed that in January only two freemium iPhone apps ranked in the top 50 grossing apps, a number which rose to 10 by the end of October and stands at over 20 today.

The striking success of freemium iPhone apps comes even as their prevalence in the App Store remains low, with only about 1.34% of iPhone apps using the model during the third quarter of this year.

Interestingly, the freemium business model has yet to catch on with iPad applications, as none of the top 200 grossing iPad apps utilize the strategy on a platform where higher purchase prices for applications are the norm.

As the report notes, iPhone developers are learning how to offer a solid app experience for their free versions while also pushing attractive upgrade options via In App Purchase, finding that the strategy can be more lucrative than offering ads in their applications and attract a more loyal base of customers.

So when local software development company 3Squared were approached by Chris and International Celebrity Networks to develop a new application on that very subject, they were keen to get involved.

The resulting application “Fishing with Chris Tarrant” has something for everyone. Whether you’re a keen angler or an absolute beginner, the app provides insider tips and tactics, weather forecasts and interactive waterways maps.  Additional features include video footage of Chris interviewing some of the world’s biggest fishing experts, and the latest news from the Angling Times.

The application is available to download now from the iPhone app store.

James Fox, a director at Sheffield-based 3Squared said, “It’s been great fun working with ICN and Chris on this project. He is clearly very passionate about fishing and was keen to pass on the bug to others. We’re pleased to have put together a really informative application for one of the UK’s most popular pastimes.”

—ENDS—

Notes to editors:

For more information about 3Squared, visit http://www.3squared.co.uk/ or contact James Fox on 0114 278 0775.

For information about the application “Fishing with Chris Tarrant”, visit http://fishingwithchristarrant.com/

Apple initially filed for the trademark in four separate classes in December 2009, and was granted initial allowance for the mark in May of this year, although the company was still required to provide evidence of its use in commerce for the registration to become finalized. In August, Apple moved to divide the trademark application into two separate applications of two classes each, and also filed the required “Statement of Use” evidence that it was using the trademark in commerce for one of those divided applications.

Late last week, the USPTO granted Apple’s request to divide the application and by Friday the government attorney in charge of Apple’s application had signed off on the Statement of Use and authorized the trademark for final registration in the following classes:

035: Retail store services featuring computer software provided via the Internet and other computer and electronic communication networks; retail store services featuring computer software for use on handheld mobile digital electronic devices and other consumer electronics

042: Maintenance and updating of computer software; providing information concerning computer software via the Internet and other computer and electronic communication networks; providing search engines for obtaining data via communications networks; providing temporary use of computer software and online facilities to enable users to access and download computer software; providing online non-downloadable computer software that generates customized recommendations of software applications based on user preferences

While Apple has used the tagline extensively in its own advertising, the slogan has also been mimicked and parodied by a significant number of outlets, perhaps most notably by Verizon in its “There’s a Map For That” ad campaign targeting AT&T’s 3G network coverage.

DeNA, the Japanese social game giant, said Tuesday that it would acquire Ngmoco, a Silicon Valley iPhone game developer, for $400 million – one of the largest deals ever involving an iPhone application developer and another sign that the iPhone is fast becoming the hottest game device on the market.

DeNA’s pursuit of Ngmoco comes as the Japanese firm seeks to rapidly expand its existing focus, which includes a dominant mobile social gaming platform in its home country, to an international and cross-platform scale.

Though the company is little known outside Japan, DeNA’s projected revenue for this year is already on par with estimates for Facebook. DeNA booked sales of about ¥48 billion yen, or $575 million. Ms. Namba said it was on track to double that figure this fiscal year to more than $1 billion.

DeNA has purchased or invested in several other U.S. gaming firms in recent months, but the deal for Ngmoco marks by far its largest foray into the market.

Ngmoco was one of the initial recipients of money from the high-profile $100 million iFund venture capital pool offered by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. The company had some early App Store success with the likes of Topple and Rolando, but has since become more focused on social gaming with such titles as its We Rule/We Farm/We City series.

- Designed for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
- Optimized for Retina displays and large screen real estate on iPad
- Support for Shared Libraries on iTunes and new Apple TV
- Bug fixes and compatibility with iTunes 10 and the new Apple TV

The new Apple TV has begun shipping already and should arrive in customer’s hands later this week.