Are some app developers taking the !@$%
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:22AM | Glyn Evans 
Since starting up this blog a few months ago I have noticed a trend by some app developers to take an app (some good and some bad) that consist of several elements and split those elements up in to individual applications. I recently spotted this with a photo app that looked like a good app that contained 4 features, then over the course of a week those features appeared in the AppStore as stand alone apps. For me I could see no reasoning for this other than a financial one, as the all-in-one app was price at £1.19 ($1.99) and the individual apps were priced at £0.59 ($.99) each, so if each app was purchased separately, it would have cost the buyer twice as much as the all-in-one app. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this, for me, I feel this is morally wrong, and sends out the wrong signals about the developer/developers, especially as the all-in-one app I am thinking of looked to be a well thought out, well designed, and well worth every penny of its asking price.
I hope any developers reading this article review their AppStore strategies, and seriously consider how they market their apps, and should take a look at an app like Tiffen's Photo fx that could have easily been split in to multiple apps, but instead is one very big app with bags of features, and at a price that can not be complained about.
What I, and I suspect most iPhoneographers want, are well thought out, well designed apps that include as many features as that app warrants, and for a price that does not leave us feeling ripped of.
If you are a developer or an iPhoneographer, I would love to hear what you think, so please leave your comments in the usual place.
NOTE: When commenting, please refrain from directly naming developers of products, as the last thing I want is a cease and desist order.
Reader Comments (5)
COMPLETELY agree. I'd have to say, it seems like most devs (VERY unfortunately) are in it for the $$$ rather than in it to create something that's useful and advances the platform. That's why you see so many sh*t apps being pumped out daily.
Now where's my Photoshop Mobile ;)
- k
Yes... It is such a shame that many will take the quick buck & release a handful of less that quality apps that might do 1-2 functions rather than combine a stellar app such as PhotoCanvas, Photo fx or CameraBag for a few examples. Developer "XxxxXxx" is one new dev spamming the app store with a handful of one function apps @ .99 each that combined at $1.99 etc would have hand made more sales in the long run. Then the developer of all the "Vint" apps... I contacted him directly when he first started flooding his one function apps & he said NO & that he purposely wanted them to all be separate & the only reason to see these as individual apps was looking at $$$. But if he had put together a quality package would have put him in the same league as other camera greats. But then again he released the biggest dud "vintshift" which is the biggest piece of !$%&. Not even worth installing let alone ever using. I am not really bashing developers for seeing the $$ side of things BUT... put forth quality apps & with feature rich options & effects at a price that everyone is happy & your sales alone will rise due to word of mouth. I Beta Test apps for a large majority of the iPhones Photography apps & the one offs that produce a one function app truly sink to the bottom of the barrel. Either step your game up & raise the bar in some form or fashion or produce a quality product that will truly sell it's self with word of mouth. If there any developers out there that are reading this & would like me to help them & or join your Beta Testers Team contact me anytime Email: the.scw@gmail.com
Actually what everyone misunderstand is that, making $0.99 app for 10000 people costs higher than making $2.99 app for 3000 people.
Because if you sell many app with cheaper price, it means you have tons of user that needs support. In addition most of them just bought because app is $0.99 and they don really understand the concept behind the app.
I will go opposite side. I will priceup QuadCamera after several updates. Making app for someone who agree with its concept is much better.
Well put Takayuki I understand what you mean & I agree with that side of it as well.
But Takayuki your apps are not one function apps you offer multiple film options & also cropping etc so I personally don't consider your apps to be "one function" apps at all. They are of the highest quality & you are updating & adding new features all the time. But your quality is what makes you the best at what you do. As well you offer support & freely accept suggestions. You already know how much I appreciate your apps but to others they need to follow you as an example of hard work & quality, quality quality.
Cheers