The in-app purchasing could be HUGE for app developers and their bottom lines.
jfno
· 8 months ago
The only problem I see with the in app purchasing is the 70-30 split. It is great for content that is not distributed any other way. For the other content you have to have a model that support a distribution fee of 30%
Devil4411
· 8 months ago
I'm real interested to see how the push notification works. I just wish I could do local notifications as all the data I need is stored on the phone. It is nice to see they are making some nice strides at updating their business model. Hopefully we can do some cool stuff at www.skedet.com with the latest APIs.
Daniel Laughland
· 8 months ago
Even as a developer myself, I see these in-app purchases as nagging and irritating. Desktop apps are largely a one-and-done deal too, but those manage to survive just fine. If Apple introduces an "upgrade price" instead, I'll be much happier. App developers should focus on building a brand and a reputation instead of constantly nickel-and-diming their customers.
Ben Parr
· 8 months ago
Dan: Most do fine, but many are hurt by piracy and a host of other issues. I think these types of in-app payments helps alleviate that concern to businesses because they don't need to reply on something that can be easily pirated.
And if an app is trying to nickel-and-dime someone, they will turn to another app that won't do that. That's the great thing about competition.
tim
· 8 months ago
That's an odd comment coming from a developer, Dan. Whether the purchase is nagging or not is entirely up to how you implement it. And I don't see why in-app purchases can't be the perfect framework for software upgrades, and hence building the app's brand. Everything you wanted.
Patrick
· 8 months ago
The 70/30 split would seem most logically to be in reference to the app store beginning to eat into Apple's own iTunes store most significantly.
If I was a band I would immediately be getting ready to build an app that can distribute my song catalog within my "Band" application vs. the iTunes store.
Facebook User
· 8 months ago
Great post Ben...the in app purchasing is a BIG deal if the developers use it correctly. What are your thoughts about apps that monteize the users' activities rather than directly? Do you see them also benefiting from this?
Michael Long
· 8 months ago
The "sub-store" isn't the one to watch. The "Accessories" option has gathered the least press but is likely to have the greatest impact. Your iPhone (or Touch) will soon be the "Dremel Tool" of gadgets. Just slap on a different attachment and it will be able to just about anything.
HiRes camera? IR transmitter for remote controls? Sports performance receiver and data monitor? Medical monitor? D-Pad for games? Laser bar-code scanner? High-grade stereo microphone for digitial recording?
All attached to a high-performance computing system with a high-resolution color touchscreen interface. All with the ability to transmit and exchange and sync information practically anywhere.
Apple just introduced a brand new computing platform, and no one noticed...
KayEss
· 8 months ago
What if Apple decides in-app purchase only get dinged for 2%? Will that help Apple become the mobile world's Paypal?
Connect with a store's app, browse the store, buy things with the push of a button. Apple charges your CC and sends 98% to the store owner.
Store owner doesn't need to take CC's themselves. Apple can even forward shipping info if necessary.
Max
· 8 months ago
This is terrible for consumer in my opinion. Say goodbye to free updates. Updates (for games) are going to cover only bugs from now on, and levels are going to be purchase only. I assume some devs will keep updating apps with free levels, but I don't imagine the majority will. Also, I imagine we'll start to see this abused. Flashlights with $.99 color addons. Fart apps with $.99 fart noise addons. Those new gun apps with $.99 new pics of guns. Like we saw in the Keynote, $.99 weapons for games. It's terrible for consumers, but I came blame developers for trying to make money on it. After all, everyone has to feed their families.
tim
· 8 months ago
There was another announcement that will have, I predict, more impact on the New Mobile Economy than in-app purchases. That is the new ability for developers to communicate with peripheral devices, either through the Dock connector or through Bluetooth. This opens up a huge marketplace that hasn't existed til now and we'll start to see combined hardware/software solutions that haven't even been thought up yet.
Sebbi
· 8 months ago
Haha ... it has been thought up for pretty much every other mobile plattform. It's only new to Apple ...
But I agree, it is something with the potential of an even greater impact than in-app purchases (especially at these 70/30 rates, even if it is implemented consumer friendly ... losing 30% to Apple is not that compelling)
yozzo
· 8 months ago
Hardly a New Mobile Economy since its been around for long before iPhone was launched via normal mobile applications with payments via SMS or paypal or debit/credit card like in game purchase (more levels) or Maps for GPS applications etc. But yes a new Mobile Economy logistic for iPhone users and developers. Like most things with iPhone updates is been around on other devices in other countries than the US but fail to take of in the US market - similar to SMS.
Demos Flouri
· 8 months ago
Sounds like good stuff, do you have the ability to use skype through it though?
Al
· 8 months ago
I honestly think the one to watch is the ability to use the iPhone/iPod touch as an interface for various electronic devices. Medical instruments like the glucose meter. Recreational devices like telescopes, range finders, GPS, survey tools, fish finders, the next big thing. Industrial tools like tool and dye lathes.
If there is an electronic device, there can be an iPhone App to control it via Bluetooth, WiFi or Cell phone call. Actually, the iPhone or iPod touch can be the only interface needed for an electronic device.
Colin Clark
· 8 months ago
Here's an idea. Why not give retailers the option to bill people via the app store? Have you ever tried to make an online purchase on an iPhone. Talk about a pain! You've got to enter all that information, your credit card number, address, not fun!!! They should just have a function where you can charge anything to your itunes account. That would be sweet.
no it will not create a new mobile economy! why because with all the hype about the iphone, subscription has gone down! battery life has not improved. fad is starting to fade. i heard similar things when the ipaq came out several yers ago. it was supposed to replace the desktop and laptop. now no one is using an ipaq/pda anymore. why? because it is faster to write down things in a notebook. moleskine notebooks are increasing in sales even at their outrageous prices.
i also remember the 3G hype a few years back. they said people were going to be video calling each other. they will be able to see the faces of people they are talking to. Nope did not happen. people in the digital age are avoiding face to face contact if you noticed. people in adjacent office cubicles are emailing each other memos instead of talking .
Iphone will go the way of the ipaq in a few more months. especially when samsung and sony ericsson roll out their new touch series. iphone will just be another phone.
andre
· 7 months ago
I'm also part of the developer's program but for now I do not trust on the 3.0 cause of its lags, bugs and it's crashes which cause me to restart the phone once or twice a week
Bart Jawien
· 7 months ago
Transfer is proud to launch a competition to thank everyone for supporting the group.
Register to the http://www.digitalTransfer.com.au site and go into the draw to win a brand new Apple® iPhone™ 3G with the latest wireless 3G technology, GPS, support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, and the new App Store.
Goodluck. Bart
satosoft
· 7 months ago
I'm starting my third iPhone application soon, based on the 3.0 version of the SDK. However, it would be handy to have a more informative start date for when it goes 'live'.
The current date of 'Summer' is a bit vague to say the least, I mean, they said that push notification would be ready for September 2008..... :-(
I know that Apple tend to be a bit wishy washy on this sort of thing, but it would help to plan things a bit better!!
This is indeed good news for iPhone developers as they will be able to monetize and easily build and market new versions. If you're looking to jump into iPhone Development and Publishing do have a look at our online courses at www.edumobile.org or PM me.
b33t
· 8 months ago
when will apple accept they have had their turn, and sure they made mobiles "pretty" and idoit friendly for the masses, but the lack alot of things. personally i like being able to hack my phone to do anything i want, i think apple need to go bankrupt and allow all other handset makers to be seen with googles OS as it is so much better than apples.
MMansonFan08
· 8 months ago
OHH HELLS NOO! wow reallyyy on my iphone i wantt A LONG BATTERY LIFE AND A BETTER CAMERA!!! wow plezz!
All Comments
And if an app is trying to nickel-and-dime someone, they will turn to another app that won't do that. That's the great thing about competition.
If I was a band I would immediately be getting ready to build an app that can distribute my song catalog within my "Band" application vs. the iTunes store.
HiRes camera? IR transmitter for remote controls? Sports performance receiver and data monitor? Medical monitor? D-Pad for games? Laser bar-code scanner? High-grade stereo microphone for digitial recording?
All attached to a high-performance computing system with a high-resolution color touchscreen interface. All with the ability to transmit and exchange and sync information practically anywhere.
Apple just introduced a brand new computing platform, and no one noticed...
Connect with a store's app, browse the store, buy things with the push of a button. Apple charges your CC and sends 98% to the store owner.
Store owner doesn't need to take CC's themselves. Apple can even forward shipping info if necessary.
But I agree, it is something with the potential of an even greater impact than in-app purchases (especially at these 70/30 rates, even if it is implemented consumer friendly ... losing 30% to Apple is not that compelling)
If there is an electronic device, there can be an iPhone App to control it via Bluetooth, WiFi or Cell phone call. Actually, the iPhone or iPod touch can be the only interface needed for an electronic device.
i heard similar things when the ipaq came out several yers ago. it was supposed to replace the desktop and laptop. now no one is using an ipaq/pda anymore. why? because it is faster to write down things in a notebook. moleskine notebooks are increasing in sales even at their outrageous prices.
i also remember the 3G hype a few years back. they said people were going to be video calling each other. they will be able to see the faces of people they are talking to. Nope did not happen. people in the digital age are avoiding face to face contact if you noticed. people in adjacent office cubicles are emailing each other memos instead of talking .
Iphone will go the way of the ipaq in a few more months. especially when samsung and sony ericsson roll out their new touch series. iphone will just be another phone.
Register to the http://www.digitalTransfer.com.au site and go into the draw to win a brand new Apple® iPhone™ 3G with the latest wireless 3G technology, GPS, support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, and the new App Store.
Goodluck.
Bart
The current date of 'Summer' is a bit vague to say the least, I mean, they said that push notification would be ready for September 2008..... :-(
I know that Apple tend to be a bit wishy washy on this sort of thing, but it would help to plan things a bit better!!
If anyone is interested, my first two apps are;
http://twurl.nl/ifoh2c - iAboutClock
http://twurl.nl/21g3ad - iTextClock
Cheers