As a former indie I can empathize with the sentiment, but as a journalist, by focusing on his indie friends' fortunes, he's missing the bigger story. The app b

As a former indie I can empathize with the sentiment, but as a journalist, by focusing on his indie friends' fortunes, he's missing the bigger story. The app business is as healthy as Hollywood or TV, with all the good and bad that implies. You could even say it's the "golden age" of apps. Clash Royale just launched world-wide and immediately rocketed to #1 the same day -- the first blockbuster app launch? And yet, some indies still do well! There are indies in the top 50 paid (if not grossing) apps list right now. It's an extremely interesting time in the app business. But he's missing this fascinating transition story. I'm sure he'll rile people up. Unnamed indies, but surely any of his podcast listeners could guess who, wringing their hands because "the value and esteem is gone." What does that even mean? The obvious guess: they can no longer make a living from their note-taking or podcast-player apps. I'm sort of riled up! I bought Overcast. I bought Vesper. Etc. I like indies! But markets move forward. And this is a very natural progression, from an immature market where anyone could set out a tent and do a brisk business, to a mature market that demands a lot more than just the best mousetrap. Another note: the successful indies in the top 50 lists are mostly making games. Not utility apps. Not note-taking apps. Not podcast apps. The app store is mostly an entertainment venue. Games are at the fat end of the revenue curve. The indie podcast / note apps are squarely in the long tail.