AppRaisin: Time to say goodbye

April 17, 2019 adduplex

On November 17th, 2015 we’ve launched AppRaisin – an app and a service to help Windows 10 enthusiasts discover new apps and games. On August 10th, 2016 we decided to stop active development for reasons I described in a lengthy blog post. On May 6th, 2019 AppRaisin’s story will come to an end…

Since we stopped development the usage went down slowly but steadily. Yet, the distribution between mobile and desktop users didn’t change much – AppRaisin is still de-facto mobile-first app even though Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform is not really an active thing anymore. We tried to maintain and moderate the service for as long as it provided value for the community and wasn’t a big strain for us. In recent months it just doesn’t feel like we are providing an adequately sized value for the effort.

Even though our efforts were limited in recent years, AppRaisin managed to maintain a 4.8-star rating in the Store which means that many people still find value in it that the official Microsoft Store and 3rd party websites can’t satisfy. So, while this decision was on our minds for more than a year now, we knew that it will upset some people and just couldn’t find the courage to pull the plug. It’s time though…

I would like to thank everyone who worked on AppRaisin over the years, everyone who used the app, submitted and upvoted app news, rated it in the store and provided valuable feedback, every developer who made great apps that enabled AppRaisin to have content, and every person and media outlet who helped us spread the word about our little project.

Thank you!

Alan Mendelevich.

In Memory of Atta Elayyan

March 19, 2019 adduplex

Most likely you’ve heard about the horrific attack in New Zealand that took lives of 50 people. Despite being a horrible event in and of itself it hit us much closer to home than we may have ever expected.

Our friend and partner Atta Elayyan who designed the whole user experience of AppRaisin, and created such classic Windows and Windows Phone apps like MetroTube and Tweetro was killed in the attack.

I remember meeting Atta and Mike at Build 2012. They embodied what I consider to be the quintessential indie developers – super talented humble geeks who developed beautiful experiences, yet remembered to pay attention to the business side as well. They stood there in their MetroTube t-shirts and hats that invited other people to start the conversation – a brilliant introvert move. As an awkward shy introvert myself, I passed them a few times until I finally found the courage to approach and talk to them.

Later on, we’ve interviewed Atta on our (now defunct) AppBizDev podcast and kept in touch on Twitter and subsequent Microsoft events.

When in 2015 we came up with the idea for AppRaisin and realized that we don’t have the necessary design expertise, I knew exactly who I would want to do it, provided they were available and we can afford it. Luckily, the stars aligned and some months later AppRaisin has seen the light of day. Once the initial design and development phase was over, we brought all of it in-house but I was sure we will work with Atta again…

Unfortunately, this will never happen. This opportunity was taken from us, but our loss doesn’t even begin to compare with what Atta’s family is going through.

Atta’s friends have set up this campaign to benefit his wife and daughter and I ask you to consider helping as much or as little as you can.

Thank you and please keep Atta in your thoughts. We will miss him immensely.

Top 10 Windows 10 Apps of 2016

January 5, 2017 adduplexLeave a comment

top10-win10-2016

Happy New Year! Now that 2016 is behind us, it is a perfect time to take a look at the best Windows 10 apps of the last year. There are numerous ways to compile Top-10 app charts: you can rank apps by downloads, by revenue or by subjective criteria of a specific person. What we decided to do is none of these: we thought we’ll get you a top-10 by the interest app news generated on AppRaisin.

So, without further ado, here are the apps that attracted the most attention from the AppRaisin community…

#10 Skype Preview (UWP)

Skype Preview was released for Windows 10 Mobile in the summer and that garnered enough votes to get it into the #10.

#9 Facebook Messenger

Facebook released a set of their iOS-like apps and their Messenger finds itself at #9 on our list.

#8 FIFA Mobile Soccer

Surprisingly FIFA Mobile Soccer is the only game on this list.

#7 Twitter

An update for the official Twitter app for Windows 10 was long overdue (especially on mobile) and it was welcomed with enough votes to land it at #7 on the list.

#6 Steam

Steam’s mobile companion app was probably mistaken for the “real thing” and received a lot of love from the community.

#5 Instagram

Instagram got to feature parity with iOS/Android last year, but it’s the surprise release on the desktop that got the most attention from people.

#4 ProShot

Legendary 3rd party Windows Phone camera app ProShot has finally landed on Windows 10 (including PCs) and was met with enthusiasm by the users.

#3 Facebook

Facebook’s title app got a major update along with it’s “sister” apps (Messenger and Instagram) and, even though some dislike it’s “foreign” design language, it is closest to feature parity Windows apps have ever been with their iOS/Android versions.

#2 VLC

Everyone’s favorite geeky media player VLC got a UWP update and enough love for the silver medal.

#1 Vinci

Remember when Prisma was all the rage on the internet? This was the highest (lowest?) point of “app envy” for Windows phone users in 2016. But a different app came to the rescue. This app is called Vinci and it was the most welcome app news of 2016 according to AppRaisin community. Congratulations!

App Picks Of The Week

September 14, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

AppRaisin recommends:

AccuWeather – Weather for Life

AccuWeather is a free weather app was designed for Windows 10 users. It has provides the latest weather news and information, including MinuteCast, the leading minute-by-minute forecast that is hyper-localized to your exact street address. Get the app here.

Ouga

Share the things you love. Ouga is a third-party Tumblr app that lets you effortlessly share anything: text, photos, quotes, links, and videos. Get the app here.

Gamers pick of the week:

Pirates of Everseas

This pirate adventure game enables you to rule the untamed waters, create a seafaring, develop your city, construct ships, explore the open sea, and battle enemies. Get the game here.

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Want more? Download AppRaisin app now and get all app and game news as it happen.

App Picks Of The Week

September 7, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

AppRaisin Recommends:

Matissa

Enhance your photos with a unique artistic touch on mobile and desktop. Matissa is a free and fast app with more than 20 different art styled filters. Don’t wait. Become an artist! Get the app here.

Solfege+

Solfege+ is a fun and entertaining applications designed to teach note recognition. Different levels of difficulty allow you to improve your music reading skills. Get the app here.

Gamers’ Pick of the Week:

Storm of Wars – Sacred Homeland

Storm of Wars brings real-time strategy combats to a kingdom building war game. It features fast-paced combat in cities and epic real-time wars on the world map that impact game play and strategy in fun, unexpected ways. Get the game here.

RealmCraft Survive & Craft

RealmCraft is a sandbox construction game with 3D world. Create and break apart various kinds of blocks, explore the environment in Minecraft style, gather resources, craft weapons, build shelter and take part in combat with dangerous opponents. Get the game here.

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Want more? Download AppRaisin app now and get all app and game news as it happen.

App Picks Of The Week

September 1, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

AppRaisin App Picks of the Week

ProShot

ProShot is an advanced camera app that enables you to adjust: shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, focus, flash and much more. Get the app here.

Plex

Plex is your video, music, and photo collection organizer that gives you an instant access to your personal media on all of your devices and enables you to easily share it with friends and family. Get the app here.

Gamers’ Pick of the Week

REDCON – Strike Commander

Target your guns and command your soldiers. Assemble the mightiest artillery force and bombard your foes into oblivion and lead the Empire State offensive against Traitor General and his foul rebellion. Get the game here.

Want more? Download AppRaisin app now and get all app and game news as it happen.

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Help us bring AppRaisin to local communities across the globe!

We are still running the crowdfunding campaign on AppStretch to create the foundation for multilingual AppRaisin and launch our first localization. If English is not your first language and you would like to see Windows app enthusiast communities sprung up across the world, please, pledge your support on AppStretch and spread the word on social media. Click here for more information.

Use your AdDuplex balance to advertise on AppRaisin Spotlight

August 30, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

It is very important to use combined marketing strategies to gain new users for your apps and games. So from now on you are able to use your AdDuplex balance to promote your app on AppRaisin too.

AppRaisin is a leading source of news, updates, deals and discoveries for Windows Store apps and games. And you can boost your app downloads by putting your app on AppRaisin Spotlight, on top of all the hottest Windows Store app news.

Simply go to AdDuplex client area and submit your app for AppRaisin Spotlight. Note that, if approved, the funds will be automatically deducted from your AdDuplex balance.

And for those who still doesn’t have any credits on AdDuplex account – here are few easy steps to get your news in the Spotlight :

Post a news about your App or Game on AppRaisin;
Press “Promote” from within the news article;
Choose a period your news will be promoted in Spotlight;
Pay via Windows Store In-App purchases;
Your news will be promoted in Spotlight for a selected period of time.

Promote your apps now! Submit it for AppRaisin Spotlight on AdDuplex or download AppRaisin app and share some hot news about your apps and games.

App Picks Of The Week

August 24, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

AppRaisin App Picks of the Week

Vinci

Probably the most fashionable photo app on Windows Store! Turn your photos into unique piece of art using neural networks and artificial intelligence of Vinci app. Get the app here.

Gif Me Camera! Pro

Another great way to spice up your photo and video album is Gif Me! app. It is the best way to create and share short video in animated GIF or MP4. And you can apply an image filter too. Get the app here.

Gamers’ Pick of the Week

Wrap Deer

Warp Deer is an addictive car avoiding game where you can warp to safety with the tap of a finger. Get the game here.

Nutjitsu

Are you bored? Enter the squirrel! Defy the kitsune samurai who have stolen your clan’s sacred acorns. Sneak through beautifully hand-painted landscapes, avoid capture by the guards, and snatch victory from your enemies. Get the game here.

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Help us bring AppRaisin to local communities across the globe!

App Picks Of The Week

August 17, 2016 adduplexLeave a comment

AppRaisin Recommends

Monument Browser

Monument Browser is a tool to navigate in multiple sites. The app has native support for background downloads that may help download large files while doing other things in your phone. Level up your productivity. Get the app here.

Saavn Music & Radio

Saavn is unlimited, free access to all your favorite music – anywhere, anytime. Saavn’s catalog includes millions of tracks across Bollywood, English, Hindi, and Indian regional music. Get the app here.

Gamers’ Pick of the Week

Sunset Bike Racer

Test your reflexes in this entertaining motocross racing game – Sunset Bike Racer. Get the game here.

Yatzy Free

A multi-platform dice game – Yatzy Ultimate now available to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile users as a Universal Windows Platform app. So you can play it from anywhere at any time. Get the game here.

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Help us bring AppRaisin to local communities across the globe!

We have launched a crowdfunding campaign on AppStretch to create the foundation for multilingual AppRaisin and launch our first localization. If English is not your first language and you would like to see Windows app enthusiast communities sprung up across the world, please, pledge your support on AppStretch and spread the word on social media. Click here for more information.

Help us bring AppRaisin to local communities across the globe!

August 11, 2016 adduplex1 Comment

Yesterday I’ve published a rather lengthy post on why we can’t commit to full-scale development of AppRaisin anymore. That doesn’t mean the app is going anywhere. It is as alive as ever and will continue to be around for as long as it delivers value to the community and is affordable to maintain for us.

Having said that, we have a bunch of things we wanted to do in our backlog and over 60 feature requests on AppStretch. We would love to implement all the ideas that make sense, but we don’t have a budget for it anymore. So, we need you, dear Windows enthusiast, to make things happen.

Our early vision was to build AppRaisin as a global (English) app and game news platform first and launch localized versions later on. We would like to make this vision a reality with your help.

Thank you very much!

Alan Mendelevich
Founder & CEO of AdDuplex