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I always thought this was an interesting topic. I think it really leaves the door open for developers. I remember thinking a few years ago that most of the ap

I always thought this was an interesting topic. I think it really leaves the door open for developers. I remember thinking a few years ago that most of the app ideas I had were already implemented, but now when I look for those apps I see that a lot of them have grown stagnant and opened the door for new players in the same space. On the OP though, I think it is unfair to bash apple so much. Most of the apps I find are from curated groups like "Best New Apps", "Hot Puzzle Games", etc.

kayoone 12y ago
Those apps are abandoned because its increasingly hard to reach any visibility (and thus success) in the App Store, even if you sell for a ridiculously low price. The risk on not even making back what you invested in time to create a really good and polished app is immense when looking at the stats. So yeah, there is room for new guys to find out its not a sustainable business these days, unless you have a superb app and get really lucky.
- justinpaulson 12y ago
  Well, the problem is too many people think an App is a Business. A really great app can create a business, but most apps are not sustainable businesses, and should not be confused as such. That said, if you redesign each time Apple updates iOS you will probably have a good chance of getting featured in their store. Like I said, anecdotally, most of my purchase come from features and recommendations from friends and blogs, not top lists.
- coldtea 12y ago
  >Those apps are abandoned because its increasingly hard to reach any visibility (and thus success) in the App Store, even if you sell for a ridiculously low price. Not necessarily. Lots of very celebrated and nice selling apps are abandoned just as well. This, for example, was a top seller in its day, and was all but left to rot: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/09/the-best-camera-iphone-app-book-community/ http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/09/the-best-camera-iph... I have lots more example of similar abandonment. Some developers went in for cashing out, and couldn't bother afterwards.

kayoone 12y ago

Those apps are abandoned because its increasingly hard to reach any visibility (and thus success) in the App Store, even if you sell for a ridiculously low price. The risk on not even making back what you invested in time to create a really good and polished app is immense when looking at the stats. So yeah, there is room for new guys to find out its not a sustainable business these days, unless you have a superb app and get really lucky.

justinpaulson 12y ago
Well, the problem is too many people think an App is a Business. A really great app can create a business, but most apps are not sustainable businesses, and should not be confused as such. That said, if you redesign each time Apple updates iOS you will probably have a good chance of getting featured in their store. Like I said, anecdotally, most of my purchase come from features and recommendations from friends and blogs, not top lists.
coldtea 12y ago
>Those apps are abandoned because its increasingly hard to reach any visibility (and thus success) in the App Store, even if you sell for a ridiculously low price. Not necessarily. Lots of very celebrated and nice selling apps are abandoned just as well. This, for example, was a top seller in its day, and was all but left to rot: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/09/the-best-camera-iphone-app-book-community/ http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/09/the-best-camera-iph... I have lots more example of similar abandonment. Some developers went in for cashing out, and couldn't bother afterwards.