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Thursday, October 15, 2009, 05:30 pm
Apple announces In App Purchases for free App Store software
Apple has announced that developers who offer free App Store applications can now take advantage of in-app transactions -- a feature that was previously allowed only for paid software.The In App Purchase feature, which was implemented in the iPhone 3.0 software update for paid applications, has now been expanded for use in free applications. Previously, some developers were forced to charge a nominal $0.99 fee for their software to have In App Purchase capabilities.
The new policy has already affected some prominent applications, including MapQuest's Navigator. MapQuest had previously offered a $.99 price for a 14-day trial. Now due to what the MapQuest blog called "App Store restrictions," they now initially offer the application for $3.99 for one month of use.
TechCrunch suggested that this change will have a major impact the structure of paid and free applications. Due to the previous paid-app restriction, premium app makers have often offered both full and light versions of their software. Now that free applications are essentially upgradeable, developers will not face this problem.
The note sent to developers Thursday reads:
"In App Purchase is being rapidly adopted by developers in their paid apps. Now you can use In App Purchase in your free apps to sell content, subscriptions, and digital services.
"You can also simplify your development by creating a single version of your app that uses In App Purchase to unlock additional functionality, eliminating the need to create Lite versions of your app. Using In App Purchase in your app can also help combat some of the problems of software piracy by allowing you to verify In App Purchases.
Visit the App Store Resource Center for more details about how you can add In App Purchases to your free apps."
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Previous Comments View All
I think it's great
- there's no need for the 'Lite' version of every app any more
- just make the basic version free, and have In-app purchases to enable all the features
- makes perfect sense to me
Also e-books, it's ideal - the reader is free, and the you have to pay for the books...
I think it's great
- there's no need for the 'Lite' version of every app any more
- just make the basic version free, and have In-app purchases to enable all the features
- makes perfect sense to me
Also e-books, it's ideal - the reader is free, and the you have to pay for the books...
Could be good could be bad. People being what they are I am certain many "developers" will abuse the privilege.
It will cut down on piracy and that's good, but there's nothing worse than a free app that bugs you every five seconds to buy something.
it seems perfect for books as you say, but it will also create walled gardens. For instance there is a "Comix" app on the store now that I bought to read comics with. Even though there are standard comic formats and comic readers though, this one refuses to let you read any content that you don't buy through the app in their proprietary format.
That's just plain awful (and mean as well).
No doubt we will see a lot more of that kind of crap, but if it cuts down on the theft I guess that's a good thing.
I think it's a great idea. Yes, some developers will abuse it, that's not new, is it?
But users will weed them out.
In the meantime, in app purchasing has been great for me. My latest app is Audio Tools, a professional program for extensive audio testing. The basic program costs $19, and add ons cost from about $5 all the way to $99 for one.
This is a great way to pay for only those tests you need, with the ability to easily add new ones later. In addition, they will have hardware coming out in mid November that adds to the ability of the program, and you don't need to pay for the extra tests that require the hardware (even though most of the others will benefit from it) until you buy the hardware, and need those tests.
This would be a real pain to do otherwise. The company told me at the AES convention last week, where I first found out about this stuff that they would have had to charge over $100 for the basic program otherwise, and come out with the other extras as separate programs, duplicating a number of functions along the way, bringing their cost up as well.
I'm not advertising this program, but it's a great example, as there are a large bunch of extra tests available from within the program if you press the "Install" button. In addition, they will be adding a large number of other tests and filters from another well known pro audio test software company in the near future.
Without in program buying, this would all be much more complex and expensive for many people.
As far as buying an upgrade from within a free program, well, that's great too.
Many developers have been complaining of the need to build, and submit two different apps. This will make that much simpler for them, and for the customer who wants to upgrade from the free version.
Im not a fan of this. I liked the idea of free apps always being free.
...I am certain many "developers" will abuse the privilege.
How dare those developers try to make money and be reimbursed for their time. From now on, I'm making my own apps!
How dare those developers try to make money and be reimbursed for their time. From now on, I'm making my own apps!
No one is saying they cant make money. I expressed my desire for in-app purchases over a year ago and stated that it would help push new levels or periodicals and such. When Apple stated that free apps cant have in-app purchases I applauded that move as it would limit the bait and switch moves by some developers, but they could still do it with 99¢ apps and having a Lite version is a pain in the ass. I guess in the end ts 6 of one half dozen of the other, but I still wish it wasnt changed.
It's handy, but I can see this getting abused very easily.
I'm a fan of a model where users can 'test' a full featured app for a limited time and return it if they are unsatisfied. And, when I say limited time, I mean an hour or just minutes. Long enough to get a feel for the app.
We've all downloaded an app that has limited screenshots in it's description. After it's installed, you find the graphics actually stink, the controls are shotty, or the mechanics don't deliver. You can usually tell within the first few minutes of messing with the app.
Wouldn't it be great if within an hour (or even 15 minutes) of downloading an app, you could return it for a full refund?
Many developers have been complaining of the need to build, and submit two different apps. This will make that much simpler for them, and for the customer who wants to upgrade from the free version.
It'll also make it much easier for Apple (iTunes Connect), who won't have to review two versions of each app release.
Looks like a win-win all around.
Just one caveat: Developers, DO NOT NAG YOUR USERS TO UPGRADE!! If the app is good enough, users will spring without extra prodding.
Finally!! This is long overdue and welcome!!
This is exactly how the real world of software works for our Macs... download a free trial, and then pay to unlock the rest of the app!
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I'm not a fan of this. I liked the idea of free apps always being free. Then again, this might limit developers creating a limited free app that they don't update/fix and a paid for app that they do update/fix. I guess we'll see.