mike[space] dot net

A couple of interesting issues have come up in the last few days which have highlighted a couple of issues with the iPhone App Store. The first problem has been with TwitterFon which hit some issues with the data it was receiving through the twitter API. The issue itself was fairly simple, but getting a fix out that people could use was not. As detailed in the developer's blog, a workaround was put into the app, but then the app store approval process meant that we had to wait and wait for the fix to be made available. It's still not available now, but twitter have responded and fixed the problem with the API. But the lack of either a fast track, or some way of installing an unapproved update has been a big problem for dealing with this issue.

A more general problem that is becoming increasingly evident is seeing the app store become a victim of its own success. The sheer volume of apps that have been released means that actually finding the good apps is proving tricky. TBH I am fairly happy with the apps that I have, but I am less and less inclined to browse for new apps when there's little opportunity to try things out.

Apparently the economics are not so good for the devs either, as everyone races to the bottom price point. The developer of twitterific posts on the subject, pointing out that customers are so used to seeing 99 cents apps, that the $4.99 apps are dismissed as being expensive, regardless of the relative qualities. I think this is relatively easy to solve, and will probably come with maturity of the market - as certain devs get a reputation for quality etc, people will be willing to spend more. And of course, the app does need to be worth the money.

I wonder (given how much control they have over the environment), whether a new means of purchasing needs to be introduced, essentially allowing a full demo, that automatically turns into a purchase after 15 days of use (or some other period that can be defined by the developer). I'm more willing to spend more money, if I know what I am getting, and I get to know an app if I have a full demo. Other than that, the only way I am buying an app for $4.99 (£2.99 price point in the UK), is if I get a recommendation from a friend (thanks Grant for the iXpensit recommendation).