Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
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Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
1–10 of 74 posts
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#2"Paid Android apps are [ only ] available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States."
Yikes!
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#3Before poo-poo'ing the idea, consider that a conspiracy isn't required for Google to be unconcerned with paid app sales. Android only exists because Google was afraid of being cut out of mobile search advertising. Their priority has been getting a competitive OS with a prominent Google search box on as many handsets as possible. Paid app revenue is something of a sideshow. (Even with paid apps, Android isn't going to turn a profit in the short term, so why worry about minor revenue streams?) I'm sure Google doesn't want a shitty, disorganized app store that can't collect payments or rampant piracy, but they aren't exactly hurting Android yet, so why should they worry about it?
Edit: Even worse, Google apparently doesn't get any revenue from paid app sales. Their 30% cut goes to the carrier. (Thanks gregholland!)
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#4Although you CAN buy apps on the New Zealand market place, as a developer in New Zealand, you CANNOT sell any apps!
As a developer you need to be in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom or United States to set up a merchant account.
I had an email conversion with Tim Bray about this...
He said: "I hear you. We're working on lots more countries. It's an amazing amount of work to do each one. -Tim"
But did not indicate any timeline :(
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#5Before poo-poo'ing the idea, consider that a conspiracy isn't required for Google to be unconcerned with paid app sales. Android only exists because Google was afraid of being cut out of mobile search advertising. Their priority has been getting a competitive OS with a prominent Google search box on as many handsets as possible. Paid app revenue is something of a sideshow. (Even with paid apps, Android isn't going to…
The paid App Store or Android market will never be a revenue stream for Apple or Google. In fact it is probably designed to be break-even at best. They need interesting apps to push their respective platforms further - that's where the gold mine is for both companies (apple gets to sell more hardware and goog gets more searches)
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#6In a similar vein, some of the best apps are made by non-US developers, but neither of my [American] credit cards works buying apps in non-USD.
(Not sure if Apple has the same limitation, or whether they "solve" that problem by only showing American apps, but I never ran into it there.)
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#7In a similar vein, some of the best apps are made by non-US developers, but neither of my [American] credit cards works buying apps in non-USD. (Not sure if Apple has the same limitation, or whether they "solve" that problem by only showing American apps, but I never ran into it there.)
Thats a limitation with your credit cards. Mine can bill in any currency required (obviously, followed by a currency conversion fee, and the conversion itself being completed at rates seemingly VERY favorable to the bank/cc company).
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#8Payment friction is the enemy of many plans. If you don't account for it in your model, prepare for possible doom.
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#9Maybe Google is hoping that someone will fork the app store side of things, and it won't be their problem anymore?
Re: Why Android devs are losing money, and it’s not due to piracy
#10Before poo-poo'ing the idea, consider that a conspiracy isn't required for Google to be unconcerned with paid app sales. Android only exists because Google was afraid of being cut out of mobile search advertising. Their priority has been getting a competitive OS with a prominent Google search box on as many handsets as possible. Paid app revenue is something of a sideshow. (Even with paid apps, Android isn't going to…
The paid App Store or Android market will never be a revenue stream for Apple or Google. In fact it is probably designed to be break-even at best. They need interesting apps to push their respective platforms further - that's where the gold mine is for both companies (apple gets to sell more hardware and goog gets more searches)
Yep, the difference between them is that Apple had the luxury of waiting a year before tackling the app store (and experience with iTunes to draw from) whereas Google needed an app store on Day 1, albeit a store they could neglect.