Sort of unrelated, but for either side of that argument, this may be interesting... http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=998565
P.S. Sorry for going off topic here.
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Apple to Allow Free iPhone/Touch Apps Without Special Approval?
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Sort of unrelated, but for either side of that argument, this may be interesting... http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=998565
P.S. Sorry for going off topic here.
Exactly. I don't understand how any consumer could want the platform closed. Just because it's open doesn't mean you have to put every piece of software on your phone that ends up getting written. Open is better for all consumers and in the end for Apple. More apps would be written which raises the appeal of the platform, then repeat...
March 6th is just a few days away
Why wouldn't prices range from free to whatever the developer wishes to charge? That's essentially what goes on in iTunes already (as well as the rest of the software business). From Free podcasts, music and demo games to Movies you can purchase for $15 and Audible books that can cost lots-n-lots.
I could never understand why anyone would think otherwise? I can also see a very healthy freeware/donationware community developing from some developers as well as services that will be available on a subscription bases. I think over time you'll see pro apps and services costing hundreds of dollars for those professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) who need them.
Why wouldn't prices range from free to whatever the developer wishes to charge? That's essentially what goes on in iTunes already (as well as the rest of the software business). From Free podcasts, music and demo games to Movies you can purchase for $15 and Audible books that can cost lots-n-lots.
I could never understand why anyone would think otherwise? I can also see a very healthy freeware/donationware community developing from some developers as well as services that will be available on a subscription bases. I think over time you'll see pro apps and services costing hundreds of dollars for those professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) who need them.
No, they are required to charge a fair price... otherwise they will have investigators all over them!
I can see a tiered SDK.
A free version that has some restrictions on what access it has to the device, but no Apple oversight. And a "commercial" version of the SDK for larger, serious developers where you submit the app to Apple and they sign it, thus unlocking the possibly "dangerous" features and sell it on iTunes.
If this is the case, then the rub will be how restrictive the free SDK might be. This is along the lines of what SJ mentioned in his letter of how Nokia does it.
A free version that has some restrictions on what access it has to the device, but no Apple oversight. And a "commercial" version of the SDK for larger, serious developers where you submit the app to Apple and they sign it, thus unlocking the possibly "dangerous" features and sell it on iTunes.
If this is the case, then the rub will be how restrictive the free SDK might be. This is along the lines of what SJ mentioned in his letter of how Nokia does it.
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Still waiting. Hopefully many of the questions will be answered on Thursday.
Still waiting. Hopefully many of the questions will be answered on Thursday.
During the days after Sarbanes-Oxley other hardware manufaturers are apparently breaking the law by provinding new functionality trough updates without charging for it, and even Apple breaks it by providing free updates for legally unlocked iPhones in France (from which they don't get monthly fees).
Nothing wrong with maximing profits the way Apple is doing it. Especially when so large part of their user base is even willing to defend it.
If they don't book the purchase price as earned income all at once, it is still OK. You keep the money on the books as kind of "paid in advance" and move it to the other column in monthly installments.
You know, that's exactly what came to my mind when I read this story.
I don't. Apple is extremely PR-conscious, and they're surely aware of how worked up their customers get over the sparse trickles of news that dribble out of Cupertino. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find that there's some very shrewd marketing behind all these "leaks."
Yeah... 'cept I've been dealing with Apple since 1978... when SJ said "Never trust anyone over 30"...
SJ & the Apple executive team are all over 30!
I rated this negative just because it's the first vast-majority-positive story for apple in a while..which is sad..which is why i rated it negative..
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it does seem like just another shot in the dark, but it's a nice target. I love the idea of tiers. Vetted apps for those worried about security, free ones for those who want full creativity.
an interesting concept if nothing else
it does seem like just another shot in the dark, but it's a nice target. I love the idea of tiers. Vetted apps for those worried about security, free ones for those who want full creativity.
an interesting concept if nothing else
I suspect so...
Ya' know if Apple does this right...
... every developer will need to buy at least 1 iPhone & 1 Touch & 1 Tablet... ad nauseam...
...even at 20% developer discount, still a good profit for Apple!
Apple has at least four business models for distributing software/content:
1) Mac apps. They give away the dev tools and generally do not endorse or distribute third-party apps. These are given away or sold on the free market.
2) Podcasts. You can make podcasts with GarageBand. Apple lets you put them on iTunes. I get my one paid podcast via iTunes, but I pay the producer directly. I don't know if you can use the iTunes Store to SELL podcasts.
3) Dashboard widgets. Apple again gives away the dev tools and distributes them at the Apple site. I believe they let you get third-party widgets on an "as-is" basis, that is, they do not guarantee them.
4) iPod games. Certain developers get the tools from Apple who, in turn, sell the games and assume some responsibility that they don't barch your iPod.
Let's leave movies/TV shows/music out of it, since their distribution is somewhat secret and somewhat well-known.
I'd like to see the Mac apps model be adopted for iPhone apps, but I'd like to see an optional process made available for Apple to be able to certify some apps to ease the mind of the more cautious consumers.
1) Mac apps. They give away the dev tools and generally do not endorse or distribute third-party apps. These are given away or sold on the free market.
2) Podcasts. You can make podcasts with GarageBand. Apple lets you put them on iTunes. I get my one paid podcast via iTunes, but I pay the producer directly. I don't know if you can use the iTunes Store to SELL podcasts.
3) Dashboard widgets. Apple again gives away the dev tools and distributes them at the Apple site. I believe they let you get third-party widgets on an "as-is" basis, that is, they do not guarantee them.
4) iPod games. Certain developers get the tools from Apple who, in turn, sell the games and assume some responsibility that they don't barch your iPod.
Let's leave movies/TV shows/music out of it, since their distribution is somewhat secret and somewhat well-known.
I'd like to see the Mac apps model be adopted for iPhone apps, but I'd like to see an optional process made available for Apple to be able to certify some apps to ease the mind of the more cautious consumers.
Good post - something like that would be likely, it's sensible, the device is a phone first off (or a music player if you're talking iTouch) and I'm sure apple doesn't want people calling them up night and day telling them their phone crashed because they downloaded some quick app which is rubbish.
Other phones tend to either have a java SDK which is at least pretty good at keeping apps in a sandbox, the iPhone/iTouch are real computers and as the open source SDKs have shown, you can really get right into the guts of them.
All other smartphones are like real computers too. The iPhone is nothing special, its just that Apple have tried to, via marketing, lead you to believe that.
There is very little that the iPhone can do that other smartphones cannot. Likewise, for the iPhone ( assuming the iPhone SDK is open enough ).
Goodness? I joined MR about the same time as you & have enjoyed your posts over the years.
I do not understand your strident dislike of the iPhone!
To many, it is one of the most significant experiences of the decade (and the 21st century, so far).
Perfect, no! Miles ahead of everything else... surely.
I am reminded of the words of an indie software developer, circa 1984, when discussing the Mac... "Everything, in the future, will be built on the shoulders of this device" (I paraphrase).
The iPhone is not the hardware, the OS, the apps, the UI...
...it is the sum total of all of these... it is the the experience!
And that is a game-changer!
If this happens its a good outcome.
Even better if there is some code checking or a requirement for open code for Apple(?) to make sure there are no major performance issues or privacy concerns.
Even better if there is some code checking or a requirement for open code for Apple(?) to make sure there are no major performance issues or privacy concerns.
Nothing would, but since everyone who is shopping for apps would check iTunes, anyone hosting their own iPhone app on their own site would be just stupid and get less sales.