Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#1

Post by rbanffy » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:38 PM UTC

Xcode now costs US$ 4.99
itunes.apple.com

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#2

Post by kylelibra » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:50 PM UTC

For the convenience of being able to download Xcode through the mac store and get the updates automatically, I'll gladly pay $4.99.

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#3

Post by rbanffy » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:53 PM UTC

kylelibra wrote: post #2

For the convenience of being able to download Xcode through the mac store and get the updates automatically, I'll gladly pay $4.99.

While I agree it's still quite cheap, I wonder why Apple suddenly decided to start charging almost nothing for something that used to be free.

I don't see the price tag having any impact in the iOS/OSX software ecosystem, so, why are they bothering to charge for it?

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#4

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:53 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#5

Post by olivercameron » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:54 PM UTC

rbanffy wrote: post #3

kylelibra wrote: post #2

For the convenience of being able to download Xcode through the mac store and get the updates automatically, I'll gladly pay $4.99.

While I agree it's still quite cheap, I wonder why Apple suddenly decided to start charging almost nothing for something that used to be free. I don't see the price tag having any impact in the iOS/OSX software ecosystem, so, why are they bothering to charge for it?

It's still free, for registered Apple developers who pay the $99 a year.

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#6

Post by georgemcbay » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 8:59 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #4

[deleted]

"Xcode is still free, as long as you pay the $99 a year to be a registered Apple developer".

Sort of like the way Visual Studio is free, as long as you pay $800+ to be an MSDN subscriber? That's an odd way to judge something as still being "free".

From where I'm standing Xcode is not free now, it costs 5 bucks or a hundred bucks, though the version that costs a hundred bucks includes some other stuff too.

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#7

Post by rbanffy » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 9:00 PM UTC

olivercameron wrote: post #5

rbanffy wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I agree it's still quite cheap, I wonder why Apple suddenly decided to start charging almost nothing for something that used to be free. I don't see the price tag having any impact in the iOS/OSX software ecosystem, so, why are they bothering to charge for it?

It's still free, for registered Apple developers who pay the $99 a year.

If you are really into developing for Apple, $99/year is not that bad. Still, the free-as-in-beer Xcode attracted those curious with the platform. Don't forget those who can't set up a store account (Brazil was on this list until not that long ago) will not be able to even try it.

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#8

Post by superfamicom » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 9:01 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #4

[deleted]

It's not inaccurate, just incomplete; it should be "Xcode now costs US $4.99 or free with Mac Developer Program Subscription (US $99 annually)"

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#9

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 9:02 PM UTC

superfamicom wrote: post #8

[deleted] wrote: post #4

[deleted]

It's not inaccurate, just incomplete; it should be "Xcode now costs US $4.99 or free with Mac Developer Program Subscription (US $99 annually)"

[deleted]

Re: Xcode now costs US$ 4.99

#10

Post by pornel » Wed, Mar 09, 2011, 9:03 PM UTC

kylelibra wrote: post #2

For the convenience of being able to download Xcode through the mac store and get the updates automatically, I'll gladly pay $4.99.

Automatic updates should be obvious standard feature, not a premium.

I don't like paying Apple for solving problem they've created themselves by putting download behind pointless registration and releasing minor updates as 4GB bundle of everything.