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$30 Million in App Store Sales in One Month, Confirms Kill Switch
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I agree that developers will have less overhead and less operating capital expended on getting the game into peoples hands. But just because a developer(such as Sega) is making more per copy or a higher gross-profit that does not mean an application is overpriced. My point is that there are plenty other platforms that a consumer will have to pay a higher amount for a similar or worse gaming experience.
Take SMB. You could play that for quite a while(hours and hours) before you were able to master it. The graphics are great and it is a fun game, IMO. How many people paid $10 to go see "The Dark Knight"? And that was only 2 1/2 hours. Would a person not get at least that much recreation from SMB? I think so. It is one thing to say you don't want to pay $10 for an application. It is another to say that it isn't worth it. A big difference between willing to pay(frugality) and something's worth.
The point of this capability, as explained in one of the other new threads, is that it could disable a malicious app, think of it as an app that appears to be a game or something, but while you are playing that game, it steals all of your contact lists and emails, and then sends them to somebody who can do harm with them. Not something that would pop up when the app first gets into the store. And there probably would be an email or something sent to the accounts of all people that downloaded at some point, but this ability makes it easier for Apple to kill the app earlier, your iPhone "calls the blacklist" when it is synced, and then if any app you have is on that list it is immediately shut down. Wouldn't you want that app disabled earlier rather than later, what if you didn't get that notification for another 2 days and then in those 2 days all of your contacts were stolen and in the hands of somebody else.Not really sure how I feel about this yet. I understand what he is saying, but if Apple is already going through such a closed system, the way I see it, they would be irresponsible for letting any program they would have to disable remotely into the App Store to begin with. I also don't like the idea of one day waking in the morning to find one of my programs gone, especially if I had paid for it at one point.
What I would probably accept is that if a program arose like this, that a notification would come up, warning me about the offending program with a link to more information about why they are reccomending the program be pulled. Then, a simple link that would then remove the afformentioned program.
Who knows where it could lead, if Apple attempts to actually use this "power". But I don't like the idea at all.
Just my $.02
You joined to say that?
Wow. As popular as I knew it was, that's still amazing. They'll never have another month like that, but it's still amazing.
I'd be willing to bet good money on it.
Here's my reasoning:
There will never be another time when these things will all occur at the same time:
- Millions of iPhones/iPod Touches on the market with no third party apps (the few who jailbroke their phones were in the vast minority)
- The iPhone market opened up to almost all of the major cell phone markets of the world (yes, there are more countries getting it, but compared to the countries that already have it, they're smaller, consumption-wise)
- A mechanism to deliver 3rd party apps developed specifically for this platform debuted.
I was so excited that I was buying apps before my iPhone even arrived, and I was not alone. Now, just a few weeks later, I still go frequently, but it's not an every day thing like it was. And I spent money on several apps, for productivity as well as entertainment.
I would bet good money that this month will continue to hold the record, but that the App Store will continue to roll along very successfully.
I'm not a developer and I unequivocally agree!!!
It's daft and absurd for anyone who could afford a 200$ mobile phone plus monthly (70$ plus with ATT), to be complaining that .99 or even 9.99 is too much to pay.
There is no such thing as "free". If something is free, then something behind it has to "give" to make it possible. Both companies and independent developers have to make money to sustain their operations. Companies have to make money to keep itself going - to pay the staff who help maintain both the front and back end of the business, etc. Developers have to make money to sustain their own operation - rent, electricity, food, and other necessities. If they're making a profit, then good for them that they've found consumers who made the choice of purchasing their products.
Such solution exists for Windows-based smartphones and Windows-based PDAs, but not for iPhone or iPod Touch:
FlyPresenter CF http://www.lifeview.com.tw/html/products/ia/flypresenter_cf.htm#two
FlyJacket i3800
http://www.lifeview.com.tw/html/products/ia/flyjacket_i3800.htm#two
Office On-The-Go
http://www.spectec.com.tw/sdv.htm
SDV-842
http://www.spectec.com.tw/sdv842.htm
SDV-841
http://www.spectec.com.tw/sdv841.htm
Full computer on your hand:
OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com
Dont Care!
I'm sorry but am I the only person on this planet who is sick of hearing about this bloody "App Store", I dont have an Ipod Touch or Iphone and dont want one either.
Iphones are too expensive and the storage on the Iphone and Touch are pitiful.
I used to be a total apple fanboy, but no more, their lack of providing regularly updated hardware in terms of speed and design is starting to wear a bit thin on me to be honest.
If I want a phone I will buy a 'normal' phone, if I want an mp3 player I will buy an Ipod classic.
Rant Over....
I'm sorry but am I the only person on this planet who is sick of hearing about this bloody "App Store", I dont have an Ipod Touch or Iphone and dont want one either.
Iphones are too expensive and the storage on the Iphone and Touch are pitiful.
I used to be a total apple fanboy, but no more, their lack of providing regularly updated hardware in terms of speed and design is starting to wear a bit thin on me to be honest.
If I want a phone I will buy a 'normal' phone, if I want an mp3 player I will buy an Ipod classic.
Rant Over....
I'm sure you're not the only person who doesn't care, but the others have a simple solution: don't open the threads.
I wonder if all those Windows Mobile and RIM developers who get shafted by monopolies like Handango and PocketGear that take as much as 50% (read TiltSite article) and deal with rampant piracy issues because of high costs and poor control feel about this kind of awesome turnaround.
I should know, I used to develop for Windows Mobile devices and while my program picked up some decent sales on PocketGear, my cut checks were so small that it didn't seem like it was even worth the effort. Fast foward a couple of months later, and I was able to Google my program being bundled with a keygen and posted on an Asian warez site. That's when I closed up shop and waited for the iPhone to open up 3rd-party development with baited breath.
Even with over three dozen competitors, my simple Tipster program has picked up more sales in two weeks than my Windows Mobile programs that have now been on sale for over a year now. That's awesome. Let's keep it up and clean up the App Store and it'll be even a better experience for users and developers alike.
I've purchased in the vicinity of $120 in apps and games since the App Store's inception, so I'm glad to be a part of that $360 influx.
I should know, I used to develop for Windows Mobile devices and while my program picked up some decent sales on PocketGear, my cut checks were so small that it didn't seem like it was even worth the effort. Fast foward a couple of months later, and I was able to Google my program being bundled with a keygen and posted on an Asian warez site. That's when I closed up shop and waited for the iPhone to open up 3rd-party development with baited breath.
Even with over three dozen competitors, my simple Tipster program has picked up more sales in two weeks than my Windows Mobile programs that have now been on sale for over a year now. That's awesome. Let's keep it up and clean up the App Store and it'll be even a better experience for users and developers alike.
I've purchased in the vicinity of $120 in apps and games since the App Store's inception, so I'm glad to be a part of that $360 influx.
Those numbers really are impressive and it isn't that surprising seeing as I know I've downloaded over 30 apps, some free and some paid.
According to your signature, you have a 30 GB ipod. The ipod Touch goes up to 32 GB. But whatever, rant away.
well, unfortunately, the crap apps will outnumber the useful ones as long as there is a market for the crap. That's the price we pay for having a platform where (almost) anyone can submit (almost) anything they want. Yes, apple takes down truly abusive stuff like "I am rich," but by and large, they're not censors, and I think most of us prefer it that way. But there is a price to be paid.
That's just a projection system via BT.
Already I can view PPT presentations on my Touch as slides, much like the Pocket PC version.
All that's needed is software to put it out over BT. I would expect to see it fairly soon as the iPhone popularity is creating a market.
I think you better read it again.
No one is receiving a 9 million dollar check.
Rather the top 10 developers have 9 million coming to them.
I would imagine many others are thinking the same thing.
Apps are not overpriced if the buyers are willing to purchase them.Looking at the numbers, the apps are overpriced!!
It's called supply and demand. Economics 101.
Good point.
Well sure as these platforms have been around for a while.
It will come to the iPhone/Touch platform soon enough.
Besides, don't get too excited about PowerPoint, because there is very little changes that you can do using Pocket Office running on Pocket PC OS. Basically all you can do is show static pictures of slides.
Well it's almost amazing how much money people spend for mobile phone stuff. Jamba made over $15 million with the Crazy Frog ringtone in a couple of weeks only in 2005
That was years ago. Now you can show full blown PowerPoint presentations on Windows from a smartphone or PDA, with full video, full animations and transitions, which is what we need. That is why either Apple delivers or will be doing Windows again. Sadly. See my links above for full details.
You have to compare it to other games on other mobile platforms.
There were a million downloads for Guitar Hero 3 on Verizon phones --- which costs $12.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2320042,00.asp
I thought this quote was odd:
First, 30% of sales projected from the first month is over $100 million in annual profits for Apple. I remember when $100 million in profit for a quarter was big news for Apple, so it's hardly chump change. Second, no way the App Store costs anywhere close to $100 million a year to operate. Their credit card transaction costs are probably in the low single digits.
But I also wonder if anyone still believes the previously held conventional wisdom that Apple was forced into providing developers with an application development environment for the iPhone/touch.
First, 30% of sales projected from the first month is over $100 million in annual profits for Apple. I remember when $100 million in profit for a quarter was big news for Apple, so it's hardly chump change. Second, no way the App Store costs anywhere close to $100 million a year to operate. Their credit card transaction costs are probably in the low single digits.
But I also wonder if anyone still believes the previously held conventional wisdom that Apple was forced into providing developers with an application development environment for the iPhone/touch.
Their transaction costs may be low but don't the profits from the priced applications also pay for server/hosting costs of the free applications?
Okay, I guess I wasn't clear.
If you are running Windows XP with Office 2003 on a device like the OQO, then sure.
If you are running a PDA with Windows CE/Pocket PC/Windows Mobile, you are still not running the full version of the Windows OS, nor are you running the full version of the Office application. So you still have limitations that the full versions provide.
If those limitations are within your need set, then fine.
Personally, if I do a presentation where I need Office 2003/2007 (Or Mac Office 2004/2008) then I use a laptop. Plus, the added advantage of a laptop with the full versions is that I can edit and modify my presentation to my hearts content -- something that I cannot do with the mobile versions.
The only time that I would resort to using a portable device is if I had a static presentation that was fairly simple. By static, I mean I would not be editing it on the go. Like I mentioned before like slides. Maybe not the best way to illustrate my point.
For example, can you take a presentation with a slide that has 4 embedded or OLE charts from Excel and edit them using mobile Office?
IMHO, this is where a device like the OQO shines, because you can use the full version of the Office app and not some limited version like the mobile Office apps.
However, there are limitations with the OQO regarding the keyboard and screen. So for me, I will just carry my laptop and have all the functionality that I need.
No it isn't. It's $100MM in revenue. Revenue is not profit. Profit is Revenue-Overheads. Apple have a lot of overheads to cover out of that $100MM. First of all they have to pay for the servers and datacenters they live in to power the app store. Then they have to pay for all the bandwidth. And the programmers/support staff who keep the app store up and running. In the end they are likely to make close to nothing...