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Coming changes to Apple's App Store

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Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#51

Post by 6stringmerc »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #31
6stringmerc wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe this model is good for games, but as a predominately "Music Creation App" user I sincerely hope this "Subscription 2.0" model doesn't catch on in that arena. Paying up-front is suitable to me, and sometimes updates offer a lot (Propellerhead Figure has been through several improvement phases, for instance). I seem to recall other software trying to go 'subscription' in the music or creative arena with not-so-gr…

>> "updates offer a lot" This is the main issue I think. The only way to charge users for an update is to create a new version of the app and then try to inform users about it. A subscription will enable ongoing development for apps which is unsustainable at 99¢ per download.

Or, as revenue comes in from an app, adding more features to entice more buyers, then giving existing users more features (which in turn will theoretically result in better word-of-mouth) can have a positive feedback loop.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#52

Post by kbenson »

mrdrozdov wrote: post #45
AlexandrB wrote: post #20

As someone who buys a lot of apps this is very disappointing. Things that would make me buy MORE apps (demos, upgrade pricing, better support) are still not in the app store, meanwhile the one pricing model I detest (subscriptions) is being added. I suspect I'll be buying far fewer apps if there's a mass movement from a purchase model to a subscription model among app developers. I'm perfectly happy to pay $20-30 for…

Apps have existed with subscriptions long before now. I suspect you will still be able to buy a flashlight app for a fixed price, but maybe you'll subscribe to Hulu through Apple rather than Hulu's backend.

As someone who signed up for HBO Now and Pandora through Google's Play service in exactly this manner, I imagine this is the reason they are adding it. It's very easy. The one downside I encountered is that when my card changed and billing failed, it automatically unsubscribed me after what appeared to be a single failure, and I had to sign back up after adding my new card. That looks to be an implementation problem though.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#53

Post by 6stringmerc »

corysama wrote: post #40
6stringmerc wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe this model is good for games, but as a predominately "Music Creation App" user I sincerely hope this "Subscription 2.0" model doesn't catch on in that arena. Paying up-front is suitable to me, and sometimes updates offer a lot (Propellerhead Figure has been through several improvement phases, for instance). I seem to recall other software trying to go 'subscription' in the music or creative arena with not-so-gr…

What was the price of the most expensive music app you've purchased and how did you decide to gamble that much? For most people and most apps, paying once up front is a huge gamble. Most app consumers have no idea how to get a refund. Many aren't even aware that it's an option. So, they don't buy. It's not worth risking even 99c up front. Especially because the vast majority of consumers are not interested in doing t…

Not unusual for me to grab something at a $9.99 or $19.99 introductory price. Have a half dozen or so. I happen to think it's a niche for music creation apps though.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#54

Post by lips »

This won't substantially change anything, given the existing power-law type distribution of app-store earnings. When the ~app~ store debuted, I called it the K-Martization of software. This is just Apple expanding into Rent-A-Center.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#55

Post by pfranz »

ssharp wrote: post #44
wlesieutre wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$0.49/month is $6/year. If I thought an app was worth $2, I'm absolutely not willing to pay that much for it. If you're talking about an app that's a major part of your workflow for something, maybe this makes sense. But most of the apps that I've paid $2-$5 on are things that I'm only likely to fire up occasionally when I need them. Monthly fee to mark up photos or scan papers with the camera? I'll pass.

If the subscription price is $0.49, then you're effectively able to demo the product for one month and only risk $0.49. I'd hope "delete app" = automatic unsubscribe, which would make this type of trial pretty simple.

They'd have to tweak a few other things. I often download apps on my phone and remove them soon after. A few weeks/months later I notice the app on my iPad; never launched.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#57

Post by surge »

mrdrozdov wrote: post #45
AlexandrB wrote: post #20

As someone who buys a lot of apps this is very disappointing. Things that would make me buy MORE apps (demos, upgrade pricing, better support) are still not in the app store, meanwhile the one pricing model I detest (subscriptions) is being added. I suspect I'll be buying far fewer apps if there's a mass movement from a purchase model to a subscription model among app developers. I'm perfectly happy to pay $20-30 for…

Apps have existed with subscriptions long before now. I suspect you will still be able to buy a flashlight app for a fixed price, but maybe you'll subscribe to Hulu through Apple rather than Hulu's backend.

I was already doing this with ABCMouse for a while for my toddler, paying for a subscription through iTunes, which allowed me to use the app. So this isn't new, its just now not through a iTunes subscription, just directly through the app store, which is the same account and CC anyway.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#59

Post by AlexandrB »

dapearce wrote: post #28
AlexandrB wrote: post #20

As someone who buys a lot of apps this is very disappointing. Things that would make me buy MORE apps (demos, upgrade pricing, better support) are still not in the app store, meanwhile the one pricing model I detest (subscriptions) is being added. I suspect I'll be buying far fewer apps if there's a mass movement from a purchase model to a subscription model among app developers. I'm perfectly happy to pay $20-30 for…

What about $0.99/mo, or even $0.49/mo? My initial reaction is the same as yours, but I could see myself agreeing to $0.99/mo for some of the apps I paid $2 or $3 for. Still relatively cheap for me but would dramatically increase income for the developer.

My app usage pattern is a handful of apps I use every day and a much larger number of apps that I use very occasionally (down to once a year for something like GPS Nav, an offline mapping app).

The problem with subscriptions is that it's hard for me to justify paying a recurring $12/year subscription for an app that I'll use once in that time. These kinds of apps I'm most likely to just do without if they go to a subscription model.

Re: Coming changes to Apple's App Store

#60

Post by [deleted] »

joezydeco wrote: post #16
surds wrote: post #12

Subscription model for all apps... I don't see a reason to subscribe for apps that are one-time pay and periodic long term use. There is a fine line here that developers will have to be cautious not to cross. A lot of apps have no reason to be subscription model, but the prospect of recurring revenue is too tempting. Edit: On the other hand, this is totally awesome for services and products that already offer subscri…

What do app developers do now when everyone has 1.0 and you want to release a 2.0 version with more features and not just bugfixes? Do users still expect the upgrade for free?

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