Want to try complete apps for free before you buy?

[sparkles61785]

Have you ever purchased an app, only to be disappointed later? If you would like to prevent this in the future, visit an Apple store and play with the iPhones on display. These phones have a plethora of purchased apps to play with. Today I randomly visited an apple store and played with over a dozen apps that I was thinking about purchasing. I must say that I'm glad I tried them out before jumping the gun. I saved a lot of money, and avoided the horrible feeling that I wasted my money on an app that doesn't meet my standards. This is the recession-proof alternative. :D

[-aggie-]

Thanks for the info.

The depression-proof alternative is to live in the store. :)

[musio]

type the app name in the app store and see if they have a LITE or FREE version. Many do which has saved me bucks

[army91c]

LOL never though of that.... Good idea OP.

[normwood]

Just an FYI....something I noticed when I was in checking out the 3Gs.....many of the Apps on these demo phones are demo versions of the Apps and not necessarily the full versions.

Steve

[bruinsrme]

the nearest apple store is about an hour away.

I opt for the alternative, which most know what I mean.
Luckily I tried a variety of apps. Having purchased over 100 apps I can't imagine how much I would have had to spend if I didn't try before buying.

[niuniu]

I have quite a few junk apps on my phone.. really should be a Lite version for all apps imo..

[ct2k7]

I will not drive an hour to see an app then back.

[sinsin07]

the nearest apple store is about an hour away.

I opt for the alternative, which most know what I mean.
Luckily I tried a variety of apps. Having purchased over 100 apps I can't imagine how much I would have had to spend if I didn't try before buying.

Sounds like Jailbreak to me. Funny signature you have there.

[braddick]

The OP is the quintessential example of being penny wise and pound foolish.

[bruinsrme]

Sounds like Jailbreak to me. Funny signature you have there.

Thanks, I love MY jailbroken phones.

[Pika]

Thanks, I love MY jailbroken phones.

Because you love stealing things ?

[bruinsrme]

Because you love stealing things ?

yeah Pika I love stealing from developers, that is why I have purchased over 100 apps/games.

Look what else I stole.

[jessica.]

I will not drive an hour to see an app then back.

While not for everyone it really is a good idea. Though I agree all apps should have a lite version.

[sinsin07]

Thanks, I love MY jailbroken phones.

Sorry misunderstood your sig, thought you were a JB basher. No I get it :D

[bruinsrme]

Sorry misunderstood your sig, thought you were a JB basher. No I get it :D

The response from Pika is a common opinion regarding jailbreaking.

Well, jailbreaking has taught me a lot about the iphone. as I sit here I am ssh'ing into the iphone trying to figure out how to change icons and wallpapers associated with the theme. Having been awake for 34 hours, trying to learn how to do this crap is frustrating but still fun.

As much as I dislike the stereotype casted upon jailbreakers there is a part of the community that feels entitled to free everything.
Cydia is now offering mutliple apps through their store. The uproar of some regarding having to pay for some of the new apps is humorous IMO.
there is another thread discussing piracy that I as part where a developer proposed the question would you buy a car without test driving it?
Just take Sudoko, hope I spelled it correctly, for example? How in the world do you know which one is right for you. Just one example where a try before you buy would be nice.

[strike1555]

Because you love stealing things ?

Can't comprehend?

[sinsin07]

The response from Pika is a common opinion regarding jailbreaking.

Well, jailbreaking has taught me a lot about the iphone. as I sit here I am ssh'ing into the iphone trying to figure out how to change icons and wallpapers associated with the theme. Having been awake for 34 hours, trying to learn how to do this crap is frustrating but still fun.

As much as I dislike the stereotype casted upon jailbreakers there is a part of the community that feels entitled to free everything.
Cydia is now offering mutliple apps through their store. The uproar of some regarding having to pay for some of the new apps is humorous IMO.
there is another thread discussing piracy that I as part where a developer proposed the question would you buy a car without test driving it?
Just take Sudoko, hope I spelled it correctly, for example? How in the world do you know which one is right for you. Just one example where a try before you buy would be nice.

I agree with some of your statements. It is fun to learn about the workings of your phone, just like tweaking a windows mobile phone was/is. However Apple does not want you to learn about your phone on your own, there is no app for that:D

[Pika]

Can't comprehend?No.

I give the opportunity to the iphone users to download my free version of iSaveWeb Lite for trial and those jail-braking bastards still get my iSaveWeb paid version for free and this really piss me off. :mad:

I get no coin for my hard work :(

[Simgar988]

No.

I give the opportunity to the iphone users to download my free version of iSaveWeb Lite for trial and those jail-braking bastards still get my iSaveWeb paid version for free and this really piss me off. :mad:

I get no coin for my hard work :(

but you get advertisement value out of it... and if you thought that your apps would be be pirate-free when entering the app dev world...

well that's something known as ignorance.

[bruinsrme]

No.

I give the opportunity to the iphone users to download my free version of iSaveWeb Lite for trial and those jail-braking bastards still get my iSaveWeb paid version for free and this really piss me off. :mad:

I get no coin for my hard work :(

RIP Dev ha the tool for you...

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=4737

[MacToddB]

Another option is, when you find an app you think you might like, simply ask the developer for a promo code.

Whenever people have asked me about a certain sound they might be looking for, I usually either send the MP3 or WAV file (works for me because most of my apps are soundboard apps) or just offer them a free promo code so there's no risk. After all, developers get 50 codes with each version, and they might be happy to share with a legitimate prospect. Otherwise, a lot of promo codes go unused, or go to people who really wouldn't be a good fit for the app and never post a review or post an inappropriate one (i.e. "I don't like tower defense games, but this was okay").

Bottom line, it doesn't hurt to ask.

[Jeremy1026]

Another option i, when you find an app you think you might like, simply ask the developer for a promo code.

Whenever people have asked me about a certain sound they might be looking for, I usually either send the MP3 or WAV file (works for me because most of my apps are soundboard apps) or just offer them a free promo code so there's no risk. After all, developers get 50 codes with each version, and they might be happy to share with a legitimate prospect. Otherwise, a lot of promo codes go unused, or go to people who really wouldn't be a good fit for the app and never post a review or post an inappropriate one (i.e. "I don't like tower defense games, but this was okay").

Bottom line, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Why would a developer be inclined to hand out a promo code to a potential customer? Once they redeem the code, the developer doesn't get a sale from that person. Just as bad as having the app jailbroken (from the financial point of view.)

[mhuntoon]

the nearest apple store is about an hour away.

I opt for the alternative, which most know what I mean.
Luckily I tried a variety of apps. Having purchased over 100 apps I can't imagine how much I would have had to spend if I didn't try before buying.

I honestly don't know what you mean. Not being sarcastic, is there some underground board that shares iPhone apps? With all the TV shows, movies, etc that are torrented and shared via p2p, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I didn't know you could do the same with iPhone apps (figured there was something coded in that would alert Apple to a pirated app).

Again, not trying to be snarky, so if I'm misunderstanding you please don't be offended. I, for one, wish you could have a fully functional app available to play with for a week or so before plunking down the money - obviously, I'm not talking about .99 apps or the like, I'm talking about the few that I've held back on that cost $25 or more. If we could play with it, get hooked, and then purchase it once we know what we're getting (as many software developers do), I'd think that would be a great marketing move. I assume this isn't done because Apple won't allow it, though.

[ozzyman500]

I get no coin for my hard work :(

After typing a few comments for this, I have nothing to say but get over it. It's just how it works these days.

[Pika]

After typing a few comments for this, I have nothing to say but get over it. It's just how it works these days.

If that's the case I will have no choose but to make apps for free but with ads in them. :mad::mad::mad:

[ozzyman500]

That's fine. I don't care. I purchase all my apps because I want them to work if I'm jailbroken or not.

[MacToddB]

Why would a developer be inclined to hand out a promo code to a potential customer? Once they redeem the code, the developer doesn't get a sale from that person. Just as bad as having the app jailbroken (from the financial point of view.)

Not at all. The jailbreaker has no incentive (or ability) to post a good review, nor purchase any of the developer's other apps whereas a user who received a code ought to have some appreciation.

Admittedly, my apps are $0.99 so it's not a huge swing whether they buy it or not, but it shows goodwill and it's easier than developing and supporting a lite version.

Also, suppose you have an app with 'in-app-purchases'. This would be like razorblade companies giving the razors away (I believe free apps are not allowed to have in-app-purchases).

[bruinsrme]

RIP Dev ha the tool for you...

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=4737

After typing a few comments for this, I have nothing to say but get over it. It's just how it works these days.

If that's the case I will have no choose but to make apps for free but with ads in them. :mad::mad::mad:

I looked at you app an it seems to have a mixed rating.


But in my other post RIP Dev, formerly one of the jailbreaking kings, has given developers an option to prevent piracy.. Honestly, it looks like RIP is sticking it to developers but it is an option.

[sinsin07]

I honestly don't know what you mean. Not being sarcastic, is there some underground board that shares iPhone apps? With all the TV shows, movies, etc that are torrented and shared via p2p, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I didn't know you could do the same with iPhone apps (figured there was something coded in that would alert Apple to a pirated app).

Again, not trying to be snarky, so if I'm misunderstanding you please don't be offended. I, for one, wish you could have a fully functional app available to play with for a week or so before plunking down the money - obviously, I'm not talking about .99 apps or the like, I'm talking about the few that I've held back on that cost $25 or more. If we could play with it, get hooked, and then purchase it once we know what we're getting (as many software developers do), I'd think that would be a great marketing move. I assume this isn't done because Apple won't allow it, though.

I see that your in newbie status so I will go easy. Iphone apps can be and are pirated. That what the gist of this thread is about. Let your conscious be your guide. If all else fails, just use the app store.

[bruinsrme]

I honestly don't know what you mean. Not being sarcastic, is there some underground board that shares iPhone apps? With all the TV shows, movies, etc that are torrented and shared via p2p, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I didn't know you could do the same with iPhone apps (figured there was something coded in that would alert Apple to a pirated app).

Again, not trying to be snarky, so if I'm misunderstanding you please don't be offended. I, for one, wish you could have a fully functional app available to play with for a week or so before plunking down the money - obviously, I'm not talking about .99 apps or the like, I'm talking about the few that I've held back on that cost $25 or more. If we could play with it, get hooked, and then purchase it once we know what we're getting (as many software developers do), I'd think that would be a great marketing move. I assume this isn't done because Apple won't allow it, though.

here is a good description of jailbreaking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailbreak_(iPhone_OS))

Jailbreaking has a lot of good sides but it does open the doors for hackers to crack apps allowing some to steal apps.
Some try them and then buy and others never had the intention to puchase the app in the first place. Reports estimate that 10% of iphones are jailbroken but account for 100% of the pirated apps. Another point to that is 90% of the iphones are not jailbroken but, (assuming not a single jailbroken iphone user is purchaseing apps, however that is unlikely) account for 100% of the apps purchased through the apps store.

[sinsin07]

here is a good description of jailbreaking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailbreak_%28iPhone_OS%29)

Jailbreaking has a lot of good sides but it does open the doors for hackers to crack apps allowing some to steal apps.
Some try them and then buy and others never had the intention to puchase the app in the first place. Reports estimate that 10% of iphones are jailbroken but account for 100% of the pirated apps. Another point to that is 90% of the iphones are not jailbroken but, (assuming not a single jailbroken iphone user is purchaseing apps, however that is unlikely) account for 100% of the apps purchased through the apps store.

Reports are only as accurate as the person spinning them and what their agenda is.

[bruinsrme]

Reports are only as accurate as the person spinning them and what their agenda is.

personally I think the jailbreak community is larger than most of the reports but from what I have read they are basing it on the number of downoads of the jailbreak tools to the number of iphones reportedlu sold. Just curious what others think the % of jailbroken phones are.

We have3 iphones and a touch. all are jailbroken.
15 friends with iphones, 9 are jailbroken.

[mhuntoon]

Wow, I'm usually not so naive. I honestly thought jailbreaking simply meant allowing your iPhone to accept apps that, for whatever reason, Apple had rejected for the app store. I didn't realize it went beyond that into pirated apps.

I'm also not a prude and may look into this a bit more if this is my only way to "try before I buy" apps that cost more than I'm willing to roll the dice on.

[charliehustle]

personally I think the jailbreak community is larger than most of the reports but from what I have read they are basing it on the number of downoads of the jailbreak tools to the number of iphones reportedlu sold. Just curious what others think the % of jailbroken phones are.

We have3 iphones and a touch. all are jailbroken.
15 friends with iphones, 9 are jailbroken.

fact is, most apps aren't even worth .99 cents, so why pay for them?
steve jobs originally said "75% of our apps are going to be free" then apple makes only 25% of the apps free (i guess you can blame that on greedy developers) and 75% paid, people are gonna jailbreak..

I bought my iphone because I heard him say that, that's false advertising..

thats also why even though 25% of the apps are free, they account for 90% of the app store downloads..

fact is, people don't wanna pay for apps...

[bruinsrme]

fact is, most apps aren't even worth .99 cents, so why pay for them?
steve jobs originally said "75% of our apps are going to be free" then apple makes only 25% of the apps free (i guess you can blame that on greedy developers) and 75% paid, people are gonna jailbreak..

I bought my iphone because I heard him say that, that's false advertising..

thats also why even though 25% of the apps are free, they account for 90% of the app store downloads..

fact is, people don't wanna pay for apps...

There are a significant number of apps that I use and that I have tried that are worth what the developer has priced their work.
There is on app that the price fluctuates from free to $49.99.
I have said in the past I don't mind paying for a program that will enhance my iphone experience.

[ValentineNicole]

I have never once thought to do this - great advice!!!