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[Merged] Trial Periods For Apps From The iPhone/iPod Apps Store

iPhone apps - reasonable trial period

  • Total voters
    157
  • Poll closed .
J

jsgreen

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 27, 2007
372
59
NH
ModNote: Merged thread for discussion of implementing trial versions or trial periods or any other "try before you buy" scheme for iPhone/iPod apps sold through the App Store. Please discuss all of that here, including yay, nay, how long is too long, how short is too short, etc. Thank you! :)

On other smartphones most applications are available with a short-term trial period (either a number of days or number of application launches) so you can see if it is worth spending $$ on.

Does anybody know if this is possible through the app store? I'm afraid to click the "buy it" button for fear of committing myself.
 
The developer of Trism said there would be a free demo available, but I don't see it. Perhaps the demos won't be uploaded to the store for a few days.
 
I wish there was, but no. You should wait until we get some reviews, then download apps people agree are worth the $.
 
Users should be able to 'test' an app before buying

with so many similar apps, i think it's kind of stupid that users can't preview how the app functions to determine which one they prefer. It's a waste to buy an app only to find out you don't really like it, then you have to buy another one!
you can preview songs/movies/etc, why not apps (and no, those screen shots don't count).

*end rant*
 
Developers would have to program a demo version of their application.

Many people forget: the iTunes store (non AppStore) is all done by Apple. The AppStore is done by developers (localization, demoes, etc.). Not all the developers are like Apple that feel like there's a need to come out with a demo.

But demos would be nice.
 
Several developers have requested a trial app distribution method from Apple. No reply that I've heard about yet.

Rumor is that the App Store won't take "crippled" or demo apps; but will take "lite" versions, or fully functional apps with an advertising or online subscription component in addition.
 
It's not easy to make a buying decision based on a screenshot or two. Other than "Remote" I have yet to see any app that I can't live without. Facebook App isn't bad but it needs a lot of work. Why can't I easily write on someone wall !
 
agreed.

There's no way someone can make an informed decision off of USER-GEN reviews and ONE screenshot.

And assuming most developers want to provide a trial of their software (which apple isn't allowing at the moment), not every developer should have to create a "non-premium" version. Imagine the store littered with two versions of every app. Not feasible.

Hopefully trials will be implemented in the future, that's fair.

Not fair to buy an app based on the above criteria, only to find out usability bites and it's buggy.
 
Keep in mind that it is only day 4 of the App store. It will evolve and improve and demos could very well become a standard for most paid Apps. Just give it some time.
 
Agree in a way

I have already bought 3-4 apps that I regret buying within 2 minutes of getting them

But, that is just the way it is. Win some, Lose some.

I am still happy on the whole
 
Why arern't there Trial Versions???

I think it's really stupid that there aren't any free tiral versions of the paid apps. I'm very hesitant to pay for an app without having any idea if it's any good or not. I'm pretty sure that I would be buying many more apps if I had a chance to try them first. Apple would probably make more money if they did this too.
 
The programs have extensive DRM so why only trial versions with restricted features?

There should be a 24 or 48 hour trial period where one can try the full application before purchasing it. :cool: It isn't as if piracy is a big problem at the moment.
 
A lot of developers have asked for it, but Apple is not (currently) accepting trial apps into the App Store. So please send your request directly to Apple.

The funny part is: Apple already knows how to do time-limited DRM, as that's what they use for time limited movie rentals from the same iTunes store.
 
I couldn't agree more. I bought a few apps from the App Store and the novelty wore off in about 10 minutes. Aside from OmniFocus, which I knew would be good, and Starmap, I'm pretty disappointed by the other apps I bought. I certainly won't be shopping at the App Store in the future unless the app is a companion to a desktop app I already know and love - or Apple implements trials. Otherwise, forget it.
 
All apps should have a $1 trial version thats limited to 7 days for app, or 3 for game.

Apple makes money, developers make money, iphone users have the option to use if they wish, especially for the more expensive apps.
 
aerospace said:
All apps should have a $1 trial version thats limited to 7 days for app, or 3 for game.
Click to expand...

Many developers would like to do this, but Apple does not currently appear to be accepting time limited trial apps. Complain to them please. The more iPhone customers that complain to Apple, the better.
 
Probaly because you could just go read a review. Quit whining and get over it:D
 
volsfan said:
Probaly because you could just go read a review. Quit whining and get over it:D
Click to expand...

I have a hard time trusting a lot of the reviews. The Where app had like five 5-star reviews praising it right when the app store opened, yet no one has since been able to get it working without it crashing.
 
Same reason I cannot buy a PSP or Nintendo DS game and try, then return it. I think only the big platform games get trials (i.e PS3). I just don't see them doing it. If they did, it would be completely up to the dev's and it would probably only be on games that they know you would buy becuase it is good.

Trials could actully hurt the bad dev's as people would realize the app sucks and post bad reveiws on it.

Although, from a consumer perspective it would weed out the crap really fast.
 
For games you get 3 launches or something like that? Apple could build a standard trialware system for all developers to use. I mean, if they can be the sole distributor of iPhone apps, they already have a ton of control. So adding a trialware option wouldn't be hard.

Pretty much any desktop software is offered with a trial. Why should the iPhone be any different?

bacaramac said:
Same reason I cannot buy a PSP or Nintendo DS game and try, then return it. I think only the big platform games get trials (i.e PS3). I just don't see them doing it. If they did, it would be completely up to the dev's and it would probably only be on games that they know you would buy becuase it is good.

Trials could actully hurt the bad dev's as people would realize the app sucks and post bad reveiws on it.

Although, from a consumer perspective it would weed out the crap really fast.
Click to expand...
 
volsfan said:
Probaly because you could just go read a review. Quit whining and get over it:D
Click to expand...

yeah right
ive seen so many "1 star-this game will suck" or "5 stars-i cant wait to get this"
apple doesnt filter out the owners from the morons
not to mention fanboys and bashers screwing the ratings
the only way is a demo

not a good idea, should have expected as such from a vols fan (go dores! :D)
 
aerospace said:
All apps should have a $1 trial version thats limited to 7 days for app, or 3 for game.

Apple makes money, developers make money, iphone users have the option to use if they wish, especially for the more expensive apps.
Click to expand...


Paying for a trial version would not make sense.
 
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