All PAID Apps should include a Trial Period/Demo ..

[MacToddB]

I'm not sure why people keep arguing that demos would hurt devs. This isn't the case in any other software market...shareware thrives (as a matter of fact MOST Mac software is shareware).

Yes, for utilities like yours, but for casual gaming, no.

The title of this thread was ALL PAID APPS...

Besides, what's stopping a developer from building a registration/expiration into their free version anyway? Doesn't your golf app basically do that? This could be done without Apple.

 

[ayasin]

Yes, for utilities like yours, but for casual gaming, no.

The title of this thread was ALL PAID APPS...

Besides, what's stopping a developer from building a registration/expiration into their free version anyway? Doesn't your golf app basically do that? This could be done without Apple.

The only reason this works with the golf app is that the mobile software isn't the primary/only use of the app (iNeedStuff for example couldn't do this). Apple will reject apps that expire after a time, etc. Also I agree that not all apps should/can have a demo, I'm arguing for developer choice.

 

[MacToddB]

The only reason this works with the golf app is that the mobile software isn't the primary/only use of the app (iNeedStuff for example couldn't do this). Apple will reject apps that expire after a time, etc. Also I agree that not all apps should/can have a demo, I'm arguing for developer choice.

Agreed. This would also dry up the holiday app market. Especially since developers aren't guaranteed their app will go live in time, and then if you had to offer a time-limited freebie, you might never sell a copy. I feel bad for the many Christmas apps that were released AFTER 12/25... There ought to be a fast track review process, perhaps merit-based (i.e. seasonal) or extra cost.

 

[firewood]

Besides, what's stopping a developer from building a registration/expiration into their free version anyway?

Apple rejects non-functional demos and apps that directly expire.

Apps can have a subscription web service external to the app, but that's only good for an app which requires a web service inherent to its purpose, not just there to kill the app.

.

 

[SFC Archer]

Apple rejects non-functional demos and apps that directly expire.

Apps can have a subscription web service external to the app, but that's only good for an app which requires a web service inherent to its purpose, not just there to kill the app.

.

Thus CHANGE...that is what is being recommended by this thread. Open your mind. If iTunes can rent movies and have them expire in 30 days or 24 hours after viewing...then the same damn thing should be allowed for Developers to get their Apps out there. The "Free" trial period would be up to the dev...24 hour, 3 days or 7 days. It is so so so simple. This allows for the holiday apps (24 hour trial) to the game/utility apps...full use for 7 days. If users like, they WILL buy, if not then no one looses. More will buy an app they can try out and like and meets the intended function...then Apple, the Dev and the user ALL benefit!!!

It is to simple, but it takes Apple to CHANGE not the fanboys on here saying its the way it is and thats that so don't bother making recommendations. You don't have to stay in a tunnel.

 

[firewood]

Thus CHANGE...that is what is being recommended by this thread.

Useless. Apple doesn't pay attention to this thread.

Apple does look at official enhancement requests from developers; and developers have been submitting multiple requests for this particular feature for over 6 months, to no avail.

One guess is that the only reason they did expiration's for movies is that the movie studios forced them to do it in exchange for any content at all. App developers just don't have that kind of clout.

.

 

[SFC Archer]

Useless. Apple doesn't pay attention to this thread.

Apple does look at official enhancement requests from developers; and developers have been submitting multiple requests for this particular feature for over 6 months, to no avail.

One guess is that the only reason they did expiration's for movies is that the studios forced them in exchange for any content. App developers just don't have that kind of clout.

.

Actually they do have that kind of clout...its very simple...all devs make there apps free for a period of time and apple gets ZIP. The devs have all the clout in the world...it just takes team work and doing it all the same time to make it happen and it will. You take money from apple all at once, trust me, they will notice and comply.

 

[firewood]

Actually they do have that kind of clout...its very simple...all devs make there apps free for a period of time and apple gets ZIP. The devs have all the clout in the world...it just takes team work and doing it all the same time to make it happen and it will. You take money from apple all at once, trust me, they will notice and comply.

You obviously don't play much poker. If you bluff too boldly against someone with a big enough pot, they'll just wait until you go bankrupt. Apple has multiple billions in the bank, whereas most developers prefer paying their bills over bankruptcy. If you want to try this with your software development company, be my guest... more power to you.

.

 

[Maxington]

This would be a great idea for some of the Apps priced higher than a few bucks. Apple should have a method to allow for a 3 - 7 day code that expires and requires a re-download...

 

[SFC Archer]

You obviously don't play much poker. If you bluff too boldly against someone with a big enough pot, they'll just wait until you go bankrupt. Apple has multiple billions in the bank, whereas most developers prefer paying their bills over bankruptcy. If you want to try this with your software development company, be my guest... more power to you.

.

Don't gamble and don't play poker. This would not be a bluff. The big companies, EA, Namco etc are already making money off of other platforms...a short break would not affect them. Most of the "mom & pop" developers are not relying on their current apps to "pay the bills" if they are then I am sorry for them as 75%+ of these apps would not support a teenager, let alone a family man. The end result would be GREATER income for developers and millions lost in a few weeks for Apple "IF" they were to all do it at once. So who will break first...the dev who had nothing to gain in the beginning and more to gain after a few weeks or a major corporation that is talking big smack and moving up the charts to all of a sudden have to buck up or shut up because "THE PEOPLE" decide in a free America not the socialists.

 

[firewood]

This would not be a bluff.

Off course it would be a bluff. Read up on the history of OPEC, and how well the parties in an international economic coalition behave towards each other.

.

 

[fairlady]

An analogy...

Here is an analogy to the question...

There are so many cookies in my favorite bakery. It would be great if I could take a free bite out of every one. I would be able to tell immediately if I wanted the cookie after just one bite. Why don't bakeries allow this?

As you can see, the question looks a bit strange when it is applied to something that people are accustomed to paying for. As with cookies, time and resources go into developing games, and developers need to recoup those costs. My husband and I developed our first game, Whack 'em All! at night every evening after our children were in bed for several months. We had to spend money on hardware, software, iPhones, and music and sound effects. Even though we have created a high-quality game that has gotten great reviews, we have not yet been able to recoup our costs or our time. We are charging the lowest possible price allowed in the app store (other than free), and have a video demo of our product so that people know what they are buying.

We've considered creating a lite version, but as others have said, it's hard to justify the resources that would go into that, when those resources could be used to enhance the existing game.

Thanks for posting this question; it can be hard to see both sides of this issue. The fact that you've asked it helps me understand our customers better.