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What happens when you dump the App Store?

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Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#81
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting never thought about it like that. To me the icon indicating it's app store is this: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/marketing/guidelines/#... But now you actually got me wondering if I should change it.

You probably should. Your usage of the App Store logo is likely in contradiction with Apple's rules, and since it's their IP, they get to dictate how it's used.

People seem to be downvoting me. Was my comment incorrect? If so, I'd love to know.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#82
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is quite correct. When we removed Piezo from the Mac App Store a year ago, we didn't send out a press release, nor seek publicity over this move in any way. We simply removed it and explained why on our blog ( https://weblog.rogueamoeba.com/2016/02/12/piezo-1-5-arrives-... ). That was it. We can certainly debate how well-established or tech-savvy our users are (though I will note that Piezo is by far our simples…

True, but your own brand and storefront is very well established and respected for more than a decade. This makes the story entirely unrepresentative of what happens when developers in general quit the Mac App Store.

We started outside of the App Store because of its sandboxing restriction.

It's still 2nd to 3rd page of search results despite having some reviews and only a couple of competitors. So a considerable investment in SEO is required.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#83
Apple should lower the fees for desktop apps. The developer license, while only 100$, is still a factor that prevents indie developers from considering the App Store. Perhaps make it free for free and open source apps. And only take a commission for paid apps. The mobile app store was different because that was the only option for developers at that time. Apple would ideally like to make it that way even on the desktops eventually, but that would suck.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#84
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like how even thought I got windows 10 home with my laptop I can't install it from anywhere because the laptop didn't come with a recovery USB and the recovery partition got corrupted so basically I have to rely on downloading so-called "MSDN" images from torrents and hope for the best, verifying the hashes along the way...

That's simply untrue. You can download a copy of Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. [0] It's the first search result if you Google Windows 10 ISO. Plus, most laptops don't come with a recovery USB (neither do Macs) and IMO having a recovery partition is silly when installing it from scratch is cleaner/easier. [0] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Link is actually https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10I...

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's a well known application I will go out of my way and buy it outside the store if that's the only way to get it. But for some random app that I just found I have to wonder if it's worth getting it from outside the store (and frequently the answer is no). I need to a) give my credit card to a random website that will probably get hacked in the next 12 months, b) start getting unsolicited email campaigns in abou…

> give my credit card to a random website that will probably get hacked in the next 12 months Pretty much everyone takes PayPal which shields you from this

Or uses stripe which hides your real card number from the merchant. The annoyance of adding a card is one thing but fear of an app developer getting hacked and exposing your card doesn't strike me as a very strong reason.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's a well known application I will go out of my way and buy it outside the store if that's the only way to get it. But for some random app that I just found I have to wonder if it's worth getting it from outside the store (and frequently the answer is no). I need to a) give my credit card to a random website that will probably get hacked in the next 12 months, b) start getting unsolicited email campaigns in abou…

> give my credit card to a random website that will probably get hacked in the next 12 months Pretty much everyone takes PayPal which shields you from this

Dev logic, not how most of us are thinking

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#87
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> give my credit card to a random website that will probably get hacked in the next 12 months Pretty much everyone takes PayPal which shields you from this

Dev logic, not how most of us are thinking

As an app developer, most users also seem to think developers are to blame for issues like the App Store failing to download apps, double-billing etc, so I don't think buying though Apple makes much of a difference there.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#88
post #31
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wait a sec – consumer benefits absolutely affect the developer, because they affect whether or not the consumer buys the developer's app! It's not necessarily a dealmaker or breaker; but if someone really cares about that and the market has many substitutes, it could be enough to sway them towards App Store purchase.

But that's my point. I think there is only a tiny number of people for whom that particular consumer benefit is a make or break deal.

Perhaps for now. I expect this to shift just as we saw mobile apps shift. Slowly at first then a mass migration of users towards the new model.

Example: Steam

I just don't think any implementation has really been that great yet. However as I think about Steam, it's rare I even consider a game I can't install via it - mostly due to it being an easy way to "back up" my games for later availability. That and they keep things up to date so it more or less Just Works.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#89
post #88
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But that's my point. I think there is only a tiny number of people for whom that particular consumer benefit is a make or break deal.

Perhaps for now. I expect this to shift just as we saw mobile apps shift. Slowly at first then a mass migration of users towards the new model. Example: Steam I just don't think any implementation has really been that great yet. However as I think about Steam, it's rare I even consider a game I can't install via it - mostly due to it being an easy way to "back up" my games for later availability. That and they keep t…

The Mac App Store is now a full 5 years old. If 5 years in developers abandoning it see their revenue go up, that looks a lot more like persistent stagnation and decline for the store.

Mobile app stores post-iPhone just took off. There was no 'slowly at first' phase, in the sense that they had an uncertain future. They went gang busters from the start. But we're past theorising about how the first 5 years of the Mac App Store might go. They've gone. It really doesn't look good and I don't see any signs it might improve any time soon. A few people appreciate the convenience, but as this case study shows it's not enough to make an economic difference to developers. Steam killed it, but the Mac App Store is completely stalled.

Re: What happens when you dump the App Store?

#90
We should make a clear difference here between any App Store and a computer App store. Sure, people will not care much when it's a computer app store, since they have long experience in installing programs without it. But when it comes to smartphone/tablet app stores, not being in one of them means your program is dead.
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