Apps

Duterte Fighting Crime app popular among Android users

Published

on

It seems Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte isn’t just popular among respondents of election surveys; he’s favored among Android users as well. Or at least his image of a crime-busting vigilante is anyway.

A 2D side-scrolling action game called Duterte Fighting Crime has been trending on the Google Play store lately. In it, you take control of the admittedly foul-mouthed mayor as he takes to the streets to dispense vigilante justice using assorted firearms.

Developed by Tatay Games, the app has already hit 100,000 downloads on the Android app store, which is fairly impressive given its novelty and the simple nature of its design.

Controls are straightforward, with the game relying on just three on-screen buttons to move forward or back and shoot. Players earn a point for every enemy killed, unless a multiplier is in effect. The objective is to earn as many points as possible without getting whacked or stabbed by enemies ranging from a bank robber to a Jason Vorhees (of Friday the 13th fame) stand-in.

Duterte Fighting Crime trending Google Play

I’ve played the game, and found the fun doesn’t last past a few rounds. But hey, it doesn’t cost anything so I can’t complain too much. For what it’s worth, I did find the game’s avatar to be a faithful representation of the seven-term mayor of Davao. The app even incorporates audio clips from past interviews.

Interestingly enough, there’s a growing number of Duterte-branded games and apps on Google Play and the iOS App Store, but none for other presidential candidates. Is it just coincidence? Or are these apps cogs of a clever propaganda machine to spread the narrative that Duterte is hope made physical, the unorthodox yet effective challenger to the status quo?

Duterte Fighting Crime app (1)

Major opinion polls suggest Rodrigo Duterte is the front-runner to be the next Philippine president when election results come in on May 9. Duterte represents a paradigm shift for traditional politicians, with his tactless comments and take-no-prisoners approach to crime and desire to radically change the current political system.

He has won millions of supporters after transforming Davao into one of the country’s safest cities, but faces allegations of death squads and human rights violations.

The 71-year-old politician once again found himself in hot water four days ago after a video of him telling a rape joke went viral. Duterte later apologized for the incident, only to flip-flop on the matter later.

[irp posts=”2122″ name=”Search engine for leaked Comelec database goes live”]

Related Topics:

Apps

Going cashless? GCash now accepted in Europe

United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy

Published

on

June 9, 2023

By

Thinking of going cashless on you next trip to Europe? GCash can offer just that, as the mobile wallet app is now accepted in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.

The cross-border payment service is part of the e-wallet’s strengthened partnership with Alipay+, offering users a seamless and secure payment experience without the need for money changers and carrying to much actual cash on your pockets.

Among the popular merchants that will be accepting GCash from now on are:

  • Harrods
  • Liberty London
  • Harvey Nichols
  • Printemps
  • Müller
  • dm-drogerie markt
  • itTaxi
  • IVS Group

To pay using GCash at these establishments, travelers will simply have to look for the Alipay+ logo at the checkout.

Open the GCash app, select the QR or PayQR button, scan the merchant’s QR code, or tap “Pay Abroad with Alipay+” to have a generated QR.

Finally, check the amount, and tap Pay to see the receipt.

Continue Reading

Apps

Instagram is building an AI chatbot

Follows TikTok in doing so

Published

on

June 7, 2023

By

Do you need an AI chatbot to hold a conversation? Instagram seems to think so. As the world rapidly experiments with developments in AI technology, the platform is reportedly working on a chatbot for its users.

According to Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who usually digs up future plans for popular apps, Instagram is working on the AI chatbot feature for a future iteration of the app. Much like other chatbots out in the market today, Instagram’s unnamed bot will enable users to interact with it in casually flowing conversation.

The screenshots obtained by the engineer read that it “answers questions, gives advice.” Additionally, it helps users “find the best way to express [themselves] … [through] writing messages.” From a usability standpoint, the feature can help users craft replies to direct messages. They can also bring the bot into human-to-human conversations by mentioning the bot in the conversation.

To add to the quirkiness, Instagram will supposedly add 30 different personalities to the chatbot. Users can pick and choose which one they like the best. The sneak peek does not reveal any personalities included in the feature. (We’re hoping for a snarky one that judges and critiques posts.)

The feature has no timetable as to its release. However, since TikTok already released its own chatbot for testing, it should stand that Instagram’s feature will come out soon.

SEE ALSO: Instagram is creating a Twitter competitor

Continue Reading

Apps

Study: App Store generated $1.1 trillion in 2022

Developers benefitting more

Published

on

June 2, 2023

By

Apple announced that the App Store ecosystem generated US$ 1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales for the year 2022, as per a study from economists at Analysis Group.

More than 90 percent of these billings and sales were accrued solely to developers, without any commission paid to Apple.

According to economists from Analysis Group, developers generated:

  • US$ 910 million from the sale of physical goods and services
  • US$ 109 billion from in-app advertising
  • US$ 104 million from digital goods and services

The Analysis Group’s study also mentioned that among the key drivers behind the App Store ecosystem’s growth are a rebounding demand for sectors like travel and ride-hailing, as well as advertising spend in social media and retail apps.

Moreover, developer billings and sales increased by 29% between 2021 and 2022, and 27% percent between both 2020 and 2021 and 2020 and 2019.

In particular, small developers found great success in the App Store, growing their revenue by 71% between 2020 and 2022.

The Apple Store’s engine of commerce includes Apple providing developers around the world a global distribution platform which supports:

  • 195 local payment methods
  • 44 currencies
  • 175 storefronts

Strong growth across app categories

According to a new study from the Analysis Group’s economists titled “The Continued Growth and Resilience of Apple’s App Store Ecosystem,” sales from travel and ride-hailing made on iOS apps increased by 84% and 45%, respectively.

iOS app-based food delivery and pickup sales more than doubled too, while groceries more than tripled.

App Store turns 15

The encouraging numbers from the study coincide with the App Store’s 15th anniversary.

Overall, here are some interesting facts about the App Store’s 15-year existence:

  • iOS developers have earned more than US$ 320 billion on the App Store (from 2008 to 2022)
  • iOS users have downloaded app more than 370 billion times (from 2008 to 2022)
  • The App Store has nearly 1.8 million apps to choose from, more than 123 times as many available during 2008

The App Store also remains a safe and trusted marketplace, thanks to its rigorous App Review process and privacy and security protections.

In 2022 alone, the App Store blocked more than US$ 2 billion in fraudulent transactions and rejected 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet privacy, security, and quality standards. 

Recent innovations like App Tracking Transparency and Privacy Nutrition Labels also empower users on how to operate

Continue Reading

Trending