Apple iOS and Android: Why the Nintendo DS isn't a 'burning platform'

A news story isn't always as straightforward as it might seem. While the headline might sound good and the story might get a website a lot of traffic, the basis of some stories is far from sturdy.

In the clamour for an attention grabbing story, some people seemingly forget to check the source. Case in point; a report that claims smartphone game sales are hitting sales of the Nintendo DS. The report even goes so far as to say that the Nintendo DS is a 'burning platform'.

Disappointingly, the story is being reported as fact. All that was needed to make its credibility wobble was a small amount of research and understanding of the facts, or lack thereof.

There are a few problems with this market research being reported verbatim. Here are some key failings:

1. The report is based on estimates made by the company compiling it. These estimates are confusingly bundled up with actual (but incomplete) data and statistics.
2. The report openly admits it excludes certain sales data (such as PC sales and online digital games sales for conventional gaming platforms).
3. Flurry, the company compiling the report, works in partnership with mobile phone companies like AT&T, T-Mobile and Motorola.

Of course, there is no problem with Flurry releasing a speculative report; the problem is publications blindly reporting it as straight fact. This isn't the case.

Market research is, by its very nature, subjective. What you find out depends very much on which rock you look under and which figures you quote (or in this case 'estimate'). Here, the company putting out the report is clearly looking to put smartphones ahead of conventional consoles. Copy and paste reporting, in the clamour for quick coverage, doesn't take the time to report the actual story.

At best, this reliance on taking reports and press releases at face value is a missed opportunity to tell the actual story.