This week the free version of the doodling-meets-social networking game Draw Something was popular, topping the charts in the USA and Australia, while in Korea iPad users were trying out their hand at drumming with the Star Drummer app. Details of these and other top free iPad applications by country* for the week, by number of downloads, recorded on March 5 can be found below.
01. USA
Draw Something Free (games)
This app is the free version of the popular Draw Something, which combines art and social networking by allowing users to draw images of their choice and then challenge friends on Draw Something to guess what the object is.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/draw-something-free/id488628250?mt=8
02. UK
Jet Ball HD (games)
This game challenges users to destroy numerous static and moving blocks using a ‘power ball'; extra bonuses such as rocket launchers, fire balls and shields can be gained by hitting certain blocks. The game contains 15 free levels and four difficulty settings.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/jet-ball-hd/id463925786?mt=8
03. France
Jours de pluie: Une aventure de Stella et Sacha (games)
This app, the name of which translates as ‘Rainy days: Stella and Sacha's adventure' is an interactive story book charting a day in the life of two young children and their dog Fred.
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/jours-pluie-une-aventure-stella/id429044725?mt=8
04. Canada
Rat Builder HD (games)
Players of Rat Builder HD must compete with their friends to find who can build the largest possible tower from wooden crates.
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/rat-builder-hd/id501372998?mt=8
05. Japan
The Nikkei for iPad (news)
This application brings subscribers of Japanese newspaper Nikkei all the daily news from around Japan and the world direct to their iPad.
http://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/the-nikkei-for-ipad/id503424369?l=en&mt=8
06. Australia
Draw Something Free (games)
See ‘Draw Something Free'
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/draw-something-free/id488628250?mt=8
07. Germany
kicker (sports)
This sporting application provides the latest news, analyses and live reporting from Germany's Bundesliga, international football competitions, basketball, handball, ice hockey and other sporting events.
http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/kicker/id503807400?mt=8
08. China
博雅德州扑克 HD (games)
This app, which translates into English as ‘Texas Poker,' enables users to play single games or tournaments with strangers across the web. For novices the app also provides basic instructions on how to play poker.
http://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/bo-ya-de-zhou-pu-ke-hd/id500013575?mt=8
09. Italy
Sky Go (entertainment)
This free iPad application enables Sky subscribers to watch Sky content, including football, in real time on their iPad.
http://itunes.apple.com/it/app/sky-go/id454435005?mt=8
10. Korea **
스타드러머HD (entertainment)
Translated into English as ‘Star Drummer,' this application provides a rhythmic twist on the popular video game Guitar Hero by challenging players to tap the correct parts of a virtual drum kit in time to the song being played.
http://itunes.apple.com/kr/app/seutadeureomeohd/id503797615?mt=8
*The countries listed are those markets in which the most iOS devices have been sold worldwide. The list of top ten countries is based on Admob's April 2010 estimate of the worldwide iOS User Distribution.
** Due to regulations on application classification there is no 'games' category in the Korean iTunes store.