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Monday, March 22, 2010, 04:15 pm
Apple adds 'Gift This App' option to App Store
Apple on Monday added the ability for customers to send an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad application to another person as a gift when purchasing software through iTunes.By clicking the drop-down menu next to "Buy App" in iTunes, users now have a new option entitled "Gift This App." Selecting it accesses the "Give a Gift" page, which allows users to type in the recipient's name and e-mail address. It also gives the opportunity to add a personal message of up to 500 characters.
The gift can then be printed and physically delivered, or e-mailed to the recipient via the automated form. Gifts can only be redeemed in the store country from which the gift originated.
Users first noticed the new feature Monday when Apple updated its App Store Terms & Conditions. The update added a "Gifts" section to the App Store terms, while modifying them in the iTunes store.
The terms note that gifts cannot be used for in-app purchases, upgrades or to update the iPod touch OS.
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Previous Comments View All
Darn, they're 6 days too late. I needed to gift an app last week and had to buy a $10 gift card and instruct the recipient how to buy the $3 app I wanted them to have. 
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A nice marketing wrinkle, but still doesn't address the glaring problems with the App Store, namely navigation, speed and reviewing of Apps.
It's like Apple is trying to train the next generation of computer users to remember and judge apps by icons alone. Sure this works with a static set on a users device, as eventually they come to remember what a icon stands for. But to locate new apps out of a 150,000 like that is a pain in the arse.
Until one can search graphics like they can words, they better think of going back to good old text descriptions on the main pages, loads faster too. Leave the icon for when a user downloads the app later and needs a visual reference.
Really nice but why the heck can't we gift to other countries?
Think about it. Probably because of the complexities of currency exchange rates, taxes, customs regulations, etc. Too much trouble to be worth it, and for possibly small potential demand.
Think about it. Probably because of the complexities of currency exchange rates, taxes, customs regulations, etc. Too much trouble to be worth it, and for possibly small potential demand.
Because it would hamper developers from charging more or less in different economies or selling their product in areas developers don't want to support.
Some moron would gift their English only app to some bloke in China and all hell would break lose.
Finger licking good thought for the day:
One out of 10,000 chickens on average is born half rooster, half hen.
GREAT- I'd like to gift a fart app to solipism. Ireland -I'd gift bubble snap.
What's your email addresses?
Whew. This is news.
Is anyone even a little bothered that Apple is asking you to give them personal information about another person? Or conversely, that Apple is tempting others to give your information to Apple.
Granted, this not personal like health records, and in the case of an iPhone, we would expect that each user/email would be registered in Apple's massive databases, but what about iPod Touch owners? Many are kids/teens who own devices purchased by parents. Now Apple is luring friends and family to send other people's personal information (full name and email) to a 3rd party. In this case, a big corporate entity. What about devices that are owned by kids under age 13? There are legal restrictions on that data.
Also, many people have personal email addresses for friends and family, but use separate ones for other purposes, like online purchases or forum registrations. If you're going to gift someone an app, are you likely to ask them in advance if Apple has their personal email information?
Gifting is best done as a surprise, not so great if you tell someone in advance "Hey, I'd like to buy this $2 app for you. Can I send your personal info to Apple? What email address should I use?"
Just curious if people even think about this stuff. Would you ask someone before gifting them?
Is anyone even a little bothered that Apple is asking you to give them personal information about another person? Or conversely, that Apple is tempting others to give your information to Apple.
Granted, this not personal like health records, and in the case of an iPhone, we would expect that each user/email would be registered in Apple's massive databases, but what about iPod Touch owners? Many are kids/teens who own devices purchased by parents. Now Apple is luring friends and family to send other people's personal information (full name and email) to a 3rd party. In this case, a big corporate entity. What about devices that are owned by kids under age 13? There are legal restrictions on that data.
Also, many people have personal email addresses for friends and family, but use separate ones for other purposes, like online purchases or forum registrations. If you're going to gift someone an app, are you likely to ask them in advance if Apple has their personal email information?
Gifting is best done as a surprise, not so great if you tell someone in advance "Hey, I'd like to buy this $2 app for you. Can I send your personal info to Apple? What email address should I use?"
Just curious if people even think about this stuff. Would you ask someone before gifting them?
I think that's why there is a print option.
Your post sounds like Apple is trying to use the gift option to figure out social connections or personal info and exploit them as the main purpose of this feature. Though this may help them with targetted ads, it sounds much more like a Google strategy than an Apple one.
Because it would hamper developers from charging more or less in different economies or selling their product in areas developers don't want to support.
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Developers can't charge different amounts for different countries or regions.
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Really nice but why the heck can't we gift to other countries?