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This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it f

This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it first.

tvon 15y ago
Not via the App Store, but there is nothing preventing them from doing this via a direct download on their website.
revorad 15y ago
It's how Apple has commoditized mobile apps and is now trying the same on the desktop.
- st3fan 15y ago
  Not sure what you are accusing Apple of ... This developer does have a choice you know. He could have made a trial available on his own site. Apple does not disallow that.
  - revorad 15y ago
    Choice is a funny word. When all the customers are going to the supermarket to buy their fresh veg, you can set up your own puny little stall in the alley, but guess what, no one's buying because they can't even find you. Apple does not allow you to sell iOS apps outside its app store, and there's every reason to believe they are pushing the desktop market in the same direction. Why wouldn't they?
    - 286c8cb04bda 15y ago
      > Apple does not allow you to sell iOS apps outside its app store, This is incorrect in a minor, but fundamentally important way, I think: Apple does nothing to prevent you from selling outside their store. What they've done is make it difficult for the average iPhone owner to buy from you. You need to target a specific demographic that can overcome those obstacles and will pay enough to make it worth your time. In practice, that probably means enterprise.
    - st3fan 15y ago
      There is always a choice. Currently on the homepage of Hacker News is a reference to http://caffeinatedapp.com/ http://caffeinatedapp.com/ Under the big Available on the Mac App Store button it says: "Try before you buy!. 15 day trial version also available." (You did see that this thread is about a Mac app right? Not about an iOS app. I do agree that the situation there is very different.)

This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it first.

tvon 15y ago

Not via the App Store, but there is nothing preventing them from doing this via a direct download on their website.

revorad 15y ago

It's how Apple has commoditized mobile apps and is now trying the same on the desktop.

st3fan 15y ago
Not sure what you are accusing Apple of ... This developer does have a choice you know. He could have made a trial available on his own site. Apple does not disallow that.
- revorad 15y ago
  Choice is a funny word. When all the customers are going to the supermarket to buy their fresh veg, you can set up your own puny little stall in the alley, but guess what, no one's buying because they can't even find you. Apple does not allow you to sell iOS apps outside its app store, and there's every reason to believe they are pushing the desktop market in the same direction. Why wouldn't they?
  - 286c8cb04bda 15y ago
    > Apple does not allow you to sell iOS apps outside its app store, This is incorrect in a minor, but fundamentally important way, I think: Apple does nothing to prevent you from selling outside their store. What they've done is make it difficult for the average iPhone owner to buy from you. You need to target a specific demographic that can overcome those obstacles and will pay enough to make it worth your time. In practice, that probably means enterprise.
  - st3fan 15y ago
    There is always a choice. Currently on the homepage of Hacker News is a reference to http://caffeinatedapp.com/ http://caffeinatedapp.com/ Under the big Available on the Mac App Store button it says: "Try before you buy!. 15 day trial version also available." (You did see that this thread is about a Mac app right? Not about an iOS app. I do agree that the situation there is very different.)