4 ms·
> Apple's app store rules have made it very difficult to build the kind of software business that flourished in the older model where users paid for significant
by zepto 6y ago
> Apple's app store rules have made it very difficult to build the kind of software business that flourished in the older model where users paid for significant feature upgrades.
This era was remembered with fondness, but there were hardly any of these businesses compared to the number of software companies that exist today.
- lupinglade 6y agoQuantity != Quality, though.
- zepto 6y agoAgreed. But the quantity of good software is higher too.
- cageface 6y agoSoftware is now deeply integrated into every aspect of our lives. It's expected that there's a lot more of it. What we don't know is how many and what variety of software companies would exist if the app store wasn't so obviously designed to commodify the complement of Apple's iPhone cash cow.
- zepto 6y ago> wasn't so obviously designed to commodify the complement of Apple's iPhone cash cow This makes no sense whatsoever. High quality apps are in Apple’s interest because they need to compete against Android and the web. The reason the app business model is hard, is that there is a lot of money, enormous competition now, and no intellectual property protection. Nothing more. If anything the App Store has slowed the commodification.
- cageface 6y agoCompare what kinds of music making tools are available inside the app store and outside the app store and you'll see this is completely not the case. There is tremendous competition outside the app store in this market but devs can still charge $200+ for a single very high quality product and make a good living selling paid upgrades. Users will crucify you for trying to charge $200 for anything in the app store. It's digital serfdom for devs.
- nl 6y agoThe fact that price expectations are different for mobile apps and desktop apps doesn't reflect on the appstore model at all. You can charge hundreds in the MacOS appstore and no one blinks. People expect mobile apps to cost a few dollars. This might not be fair but isn't really due to the appstore in any way I can see.
- cageface 6y agoThose same devs also do not sell their products in the Mac app store for the same reason. Too many restrictions and prices trending to the bottom.