It's easier for developers to start high and adjust prices lower over time to increase sales. The article says $4.99 seems to be the iPad defacto app price for

It's easier for developers to start high and adjust prices lower over time to increase sales. The article says $4.99 seems to be the iPad defacto app price for many apps. If that's high, people won't buy. Or other developers will come in and produce cheaper apps. As a side note, the article does mention the hope that Apple eventually releases some type of trial functionality.