I think that works in theory, but you have to look at what will draw users to care about applications. If the network effects aren't there, there's no reason wh

I think that works in theory, but you have to look at what will draw users to care about applications. If the network effects aren't there, there's no reason why a user would be drawn to using a given application if the underlying service just isn't worth it. Users have a high tolerance for bad design and I think not paying for a Twitter that displays ads is well within that range of tolerance with the current Twitter app offerings. You'd have to not charge users to get the network effects to kick in, but at that point, you're just a more open Twitter clone and you'll have to scramble to find a revenue source eventually.