NZ company races up the US iPad, iPhone app charts
Sir Stephen Tindall-backed company - the maker of an app described as "Instagram for video" - climbs the charts in the US and Europe.
Rodney Macfarlane got in touch yesterday with what looks like some pretty good news for his software development company, Mea Mobile - maker of iSupr8, described by The Next Web described as "like Instagram for iPhone video."
On Friday afternoon, a 48-hour free app promotion had seen it secure, in the photography section of US iTunes AppStore charts:
- 4 out of the top 15 iPad apps
- 4 out of the top 35 iPhone apps
Rodney said there were similar results in Australia, France and Germany.
Usually its stable of 50 (50!) apps sell for $US1 or $US2.
Beyond iSupr8, the top apps in its stable are Part (which iphoneography.com said it was a "must tap to believe app"), iLapse and Speed Machine.
The free app promotion is being held to celebrate Mea's anniversary (the company was founded in 2010).
Macfarlane wouldn't give an specific numbers, but said the company was "very profitable".
He owns 40%; NBR Rich Lister Sir Stephen Tindall has a 20% stake through his K One W One investment vehicle.
The company also has a technology transfer agreement with WaikatoLink, the commercialisation arm of the University of Waikato.
MacFarlane has a background as an intellectual property solicitor, and earlier in his career was an IP and commercialisation manager at Navman.
So how many apps have been downloaded so far?
Macfarlane said official numbers weren't in yet, but that there were up to 40 downloads per minute.
The company's previous efforts include a version of iSupr8 customised for a RipCurl promotion that was downloaded 400,000 times in three weeks, peaking at 30 downloads per minute.
Mea Mobile also does Android development.
Macfarlane says it has 15 staff, spread across Auckland, Hamilton and New Haven, Connecticut.
Local clients include Westpac and Jason's Travel.
But of course, on the iTunes AppStore, and Google Play, the world is their oyster.
"We are at number 1, 2, 4 & and 6 for iPad photography in France," Macfarlane buzzed on Friday.
"That's got to be some kind of record!"
Nice.
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NZ company races up the US iPad, iPhone app charts
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