In-app purchase now available on free Apps

hutch · 16-10-2009, 10:48 AM

Apple have just announced that in-app purchase will now be available to developers of free apps, a feature which was previously restricted to paid Apps only.

I think this is a great idea, hopefully it'll signal the end of "Lite" apps which I hate and push more developers to make apps which have limited functionality for free and then you have to pay for the full version - something which I think the App Store is seriously lacking in at the minute.

from me.

derek1971 · 17-10-2009, 2:04 AM

Not trying to be cheeky but am i missing something? Are lite apps not just what you are describing there? eg a game app with limited levels to encourage you to buy the full app

Desmo · 17-10-2009, 7:43 AM

They are, but what I think he is saying is that the app store won't be full of lite apps. You'll just have the one version of an app and can then upgrade it.

hutch · 17-10-2009, 9:16 AM

Yes exactly and I think this will start to push some of the larger developers into releasing their apps with limited access for free which isnt happening at the minute.

IMO all apps should have some "demo" functionality so people can trial before they buy, thats a big gripe of mine regarding the app store, the amount of times ive made a leap of faith on an App and it hasnt paid off isnt funny...

derek1971 · 17-10-2009, 9:34 AM

Cheers - yeah that would be good. There are a number of apps i have looked at but not bothered with due to no demo and i have also bought a few that i wouldn't have if a demo had been available

filmfreak71 · 19-10-2009, 9:24 AM

One of the main reasons Apple have gone down this route is to reduce the amount games piracy out there. Those people with jailbroken phones will now only effectively be able to get hold of the free part of the game, if they want to play the rest, they will have to pay out just like everyone else.

Apparently some games like Rolando 2, the estimate currently has a 90% piracy rate, ie 10% of the copies that are being used are legit, while the other 90% are pirated copies.

Stream62 · 19-10-2009, 9:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmfreak71

Apparently some games like Rolando 2, the estimate currently has a 90% piracy rate, ie 10% of the copies that are being used are legit, while the other 90% are pirated copies.

This is shockingly high!

I'm quite surprised by this... i don't ave anything against jailbreaking for customisation etc but getting paid apps for free is obviously piracy and i'm not keen on that.