iPad app pricing

[TraceyS/FL]

Sorry for the rant, but with users that want the world for free, sometimes it's hard for the developers. I'm simply trying to defend the developers that put the time into their apps to make them really really nice, then want to be compensated for that effort. Is that too much to ask? If you don't want to compensate said developer, myself included, you can simply purchase another app.

It's not, and i'm more than willing to pay a fair price for iPad apps.

I've posted that before, i have some very specific wants - and am willing to pay top dollar to get it (in the $20-30 range).

I'm not excited about upgrading games - and we probably won't because that isn't what the iPad is being bought for. There are 3 Touches in the house - they can play games.

It has frustrated me too - and I hope that the quality of the iPad Apps prevent the race to the bottom. I'm happy that Pages, Numbers & Keynote are $10 ea, except, that puts a mental cap on the price of quality apps too. Apple can charge less and sell gobs, but others don't have that same luxury.

But i will be looking at every single iPad app with a fine tooth comb - and am excited to hear developers doing the same. That means i'm going to have some hard choices because there should be a lot good stuff to pick from!

 

[foxnews1]

@Hawaii, you need to get over yourself and look at the flow of conversation, i was talking to foxnews1 who said that "apps are bigger therefore it cost more". My post was to prove him wrong about that. You can convince yourself that all applications is automatically increased in value once they get ported to iPad, the market will prove them wrong.

seriously, I was joking when I said that. I was trying to steam up the conversation.

 

[MattWylde]

I think most people in this thread agree that a well written app deserves a high price point.

Have you bought an app that you didn't think was worth your money? I know I sure have. There is currently no way to "preview" an app before you buy it. The in-app purchase option has helped that, but to this day I still feel like a few devs have burned me on poor apps. There have been apps that I've paid for, only to have them remove their functionality a few months later. Without a way for the consumers to know exactly what they are buying, it is unreasonable to ask a high price. Consumers simply won't take the risk and they'll get-by with inferior apps that cost less. Unfortunately, that will have a negative impact on the success of the iPad launch. People will agree with the concept "it's just a big iPod" and won't see the value in purchasing one. We all love our current Apple device, which is why we're buying an iPad. But, imagine the iPad as your first Apple product. You've just spent $500 on the cheapest version and you have no existing content (apps, podcasts, movies). How much is it going to cost that person if all the developers charge more for their apps simply because they're an iPad version? If Apple wants to grow, and they do, they need to market the people who don't currently have an iPod touch or iPhone. The developers need to marry upon this concept and realize that the sales VOLUME will produce the bottom line figures they need. High price = less demand (volume)...it is simple economics.

 

[jeremyblevins]

i don't have an iPod Touch or iPhone, but i do have a Droid and any app purchased in the Android Market can be refunded if uninstalled within 24 hours i assumed that apple did the same thing but is this not the case?

 

[Abyssgh0st]

I see no reason for app's to cost more than an iPhone equivalent if there's nothing special about it. If it's an incredible app, then it can justify the price tag, but your average app is not worth that price. I really hope developers don't start making just larger sized versions of their iPhone applications and call it 'HD' and jack up the price.

 

[Compile 'em all]

I think most people in this thread agree that a well written app deserves a high price point.

Have you bought an app that you didn't think was worth your money? I know I sure have. There is currently no way to "preview" an app before you buy it. The in-app purchase option has helped that, but to this day I still feel like a few devs have burned me on poor apps. There have been apps that I've paid for, only to have them remove their functionality a few months later. Without a way for the consumers to know exactly what they are buying, it is unreasonable to ask a high price..

So I should make my app that I worked hard on for 99 cents just because you have no way to preview it?

Uhm, I don't think so. I think you are the one that is being unreasonable. It is not the devs problem that you can't preview the app. You can read the reviews on the app, check the ratings, read its description. Just like you would do with a movie. I agree with you 100% that it would be better if Apple would allow shareware in the App Store, but they don't. And asking developers to lower the price of their apps because of that is assbackwards.

 

[bluehaze013]

i don't have an iPod Touch or iPhone, but i do have a Droid and any app purchased in the Android Market can be refunded if uninstalled within 24 hours i assumed that apple did the same thing but is this not the case?

Nope, this is one of the reasons I prefer Android to iPhone these days. I was still compelled to buy an ipad though because there is nothing else like it right now. I suspect eventually we will have Android tablets similiar to the iPad though.

 

[Nebrie]

i don't have an iPod Touch or iPhone, but i do have a Droid and any app purchased in the Android Market can be refunded if uninstalled within 24 hours i assumed that apple did the same thing but is this not the case?

You can get a refund, you just have to write to support.

 

[SchneiderMan]

$10 for an iPad app is too much.

 

[marksman]

$10 for an iPad app is too much.

That is really generic and untrue.

What if I made an app that gave you the winning lottery numbers BEFORE the lottery drawing closed?

 

[SchneiderMan]

What?

 

[jeremyblevins]

That is really generic and untrue.

What if I made an app that gave you the winning lottery numbers BEFORE the lottery drawing closed?

Well then by the time everyone used the app it wouldn't be worth paying $10 when you would probably get back only 50 cents when everyone is using it.

 

[alexdudman]

Not sure if this has been cleared up yet but...
If you have brought for example IM+ for iPhone, will the iPad app be already paid for or will you have to purchase the iPad specific app separately to the iPhone/iPod one?

 

[Maximillian]

I agree with you 100% that it would be better if Apple would allow shareware in the App Store, but they don't. And asking developers to lower the price of their apps because of that is assbackwards.

Apple lets you do in-app purchasing, so that gives you shareware. Release it for free and put a $5 in-app purchase that does nothing. Then people can try it, and buy it if they want.

 

[tivoboy]

Aps

I have the feeling that I am going to be spending a LOT MORE on apps than I have in the past.

I was just thinking about some of the apps that I use today on the iphone. (of the 100+ or so apps) many of course have been free. But, I would actually pay for some slightly more compelling apps - which I thin the companies CAN DO EASILY with the extra real estate and so I'll be buying them.

As suggested here, I won't buy many in the first few days/weeks, but going on to it , I think there will be more in my kit.

 

[dejo]

..and put a $5 in-app purchase that does nothing.

Apple would reject it, if that's the case.

 

[srl7741]

I'm hoping in a sense the iPad Apps are a second chance or second generation type of Apps and we won't see 1,000 I Fart Apps.

I'm also hoping the iPad raises the bar rather than lowers it. If that means the Apps cost more I guess I'm ok with it after all I will only buy what I like or works best.

Having 50,000 Apps is nice but not is 40,000 are I Fart Apps. IDK? I may not explained that to well but I am hoping to see a new level of Apps appear. Ones much better than what is available on the iPhone.

 

[anthonymoody]

So I should make my app that I worked hard on for 99 cents just because you have no way to preview it?

Uhm, I don't think so. I think you are the one that is being unreasonable. It is not the devs problem that you can't preview the app. You can read the reviews on the app, check the ratings, read its description. Just like you would do with a movie. I agree with you 100% that it would be better if Apple would allow shareware in the App Store, but they don't. And asking developers to lower the price of their apps because of that is assbackwards.

Just to play devil's advocate...at a movie you *can* complain to the manager and usually they refund your ticket price (or at least give you passes for a future visit).

You can get a refund, you just have to write to support.

I didn't know this. Good to know.

Apple would reject it, if that's the case.

Unless the free app could be made to expire. In other words, truly a trial with a finite life span. Want to keep the app permanently? Pay $X. I'd go for that happily. I'd certainly try a heck of a lot more apps...

Related: a friend and I were speculating on the price for FinalDraft on the iPad. It's more or less been announced that an iPad version is coming. For those who don't know, it's the accepted industry-standard screenwriting software. We both agreed we'd pay $30. Maybe more. This is a highly specialized app, but if it's something you really need, and it really does the job, then i see no real reason that Apple's $10/iWork app should serve as an artificial cap.

 

[dejo]

Unless the free app could be made to expire. In other words, truly a trial with a finite life span. Want to keep the app permanently? Pay $X. I'd go for that happily. I'd certainly try a heck of a lot more apps...

Except the current terms of the iPhone SDK Agreement don't allow apps of this kind.

 

[Toraen]

$0.99 apps, and to somewhat $1.99, are enough to be impulsive about the purchase if a game/app looks good and/or has good reviews. I've ended up with a few apps I'm not fond of but who cares. Anything more than $1.99 I did a bit more research.

These $4.99-$9.99 apps we've seen so far, I highly doubt I'll buy them without a Lite version to try. I'm not saying it has to be $0.99 (or free), I'm just not likely to be impulsive about throwing $10 around for apps.

Also, "upgraded" apps need to convince me it's worth it. The preview pricing of Flight Control was $4.99. The iPhone is $0.99. Why is the iPad version worth 5x as much? (Final price may be different).

It is only my opinion, but just because the images are are a higher resolution doesn't make me want to pay so much more and I likely won't. I suspect after the launch apps sell well due to lack of choice, people won't pay $10+ for run of the mill iPad apps. $5 probably be a stretch.

Apps that are unique to the iPad are more likely to earn my money - Apps that are higher resolution iPhone apps won't unless they're same or similar pricing.