PocketGamer.biz Week That Was: Apple swings the banhammer, Sony loves the indies, and a new unconsole appears

When looking at the mobile gaming market - or any market, for that matter - the most basic question you can ask is where the money is coming from.

As mobile grows, you'd think the opportunities to bring in the cash would be expanding. Yet, for many, finding the users who are going to part with their pennies is getting more and more difficult.

It's why news that Apple continues to polish up its banhammer, threatening to reject apps that feature searching or sharing recommendations, dominated the headlines not just on PocketGamer.biz this week, but across the web.

If Apple wants developers to utilise nothing but its own narrow forms of app discovery - platforms seemingly reserved for the publishers and developers Apple deem's worthy - then what chance does the average indie have of getting spotted?

But, enough of of such worries. Here's the week's best mobile gaming stories from sister site PocketGamer.biz.

• Ouya felt some growing pains as it pushed back its US retail launch and secured an additional $15 million in funding.
• Speaking of unconsoles, BlueStacks lifted the veil on its free, subscription based Android system the GamePop.
• Independent analyst firm Canalys suggests that Apple needs a larger, phablet-sized iPhone if it hopes to stay competitive.
• On the topic of staying competitive, Nintendo might allow mobile developers to bring apps and games to the Wii U.
• Meanwhile, Sony unveiled a new Indie Games category on the PlayStation Store...
• …and then dropped the $99 publisher fee from PlayStation Mobile.

• Microsoft suggests that children making unauthorized in-app purchases account for £30.9 million of mobile revenue every month.
• Amazon looks east as it opens a Chinese version of its Appstore for Android.
• Blood Brothers proves its blood is thicker than water as it continues to pull in $225,000/week on iOS a full 12 months after its US release.
• In an effort to monetise the 200 million Fruit Ninja fans in China, Halfbrick is ready to roll out special themes and content next month.

• Apple extends App Store regulation 2.25 to crack down on sharing and recommendation-based search apps.
• User acquisition is a tricky business, but AppsFlyer reckons that Facebook is the best channel for driving app discovery at volume.
• Everyplay is integrated with Bad Piggies, and 2,000 replays were shared in the first eight hours of the integration.
• Rovio hopes to keep players in its flock with a new cloud based Accounts system that allows players to sync game data across devices.
• BlueStacks' Android virtualisation platform can now claim that it's brought Android apps and games to 10 million PCs and Macs.

• Flexion's CEO Jens Lauritzson contends that the best way to revolutionise the app ecosystem is to dispense with Apple's walled garden.
• Trevor Klein from Somethin’ Else says its time for you to stop worrying and learn to love the branded game.
• Paul Taylor of Mode 7 discusses the frustrations in bringing Frozen Synapse over to tablets and underscores the importance of getting the interface right.
• Zynga's Travis Boatman talks about how Running with Friends is doing its part to reinvigorate the endless runner.