Comments on: Hockenberry: An Open Letter to Steve Jobs on App Store Pricing

By: DaMan

DaMan — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:38:39 +0000

I think the same way apple let’s you see screen shots of apps they should let developers post demo videos on their apps page so buyers can see what we are getting into

By: AnteL0pe

AnteL0pe — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:12:26 +0000

@Steve wow, how very bigoted and ignorant.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:31:54 +0000

@J Doss:

Car manufacturers don't get bailouts... they BEG for "loans" that they pay back with interest, while Banks (who caused the mess with their corruption) get THEIR free money with no questions asked. If forgetful anti-Americans didn't buy cars from those animals who bombed us 60 years ago, they wouldn't NEED a f**king loan!

— Steve (from f**king Detroit)

Sorry everyone.... back to the topic (someone had to say something).

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:50:24 +0000

It’s called supply and demand, so I don’t know why he’s so upset.

By: Robert DeFranco

Robert DeFranco — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:46:39 +0000

Wahh! What a cry baby –

Here is an open letter response to Craig Hockenberry

http://www.211me.com/corp/blog/index.php/2008/12/10/an-open-letter-to-craig-hockenberry/

By: AnteL0pe

AnteL0pe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:49:25 +0000

I’m really just speaking form my own experience I guess. When I look at expensive software I like to try it first. If I try it and it sucks then I could see why a demo could be detrimental, but only to that sale. I’d certainly be more pissed if I bought an expensive app and only then did I find out it sucked.

By: Davit

Davit — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:41:55 +0000

@AnteL0pe demos are actually known to decrease overall sales. Ask game developers about that. You can also see that for yourself how many demoversions are released recently. No, increased costs are not the main reason. Be careful for what you wish for.

By: Davit

Davit — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Some developers should finally realize that they have to find also other ways how to advertise their products, other than using just App store. Market is usually not limited only to the shop, where the goods are sold.

By: AnteL0pe

AnteL0pe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:31:14 +0000

@AppBeacon a "demo" system has to come IMHO. Even with the new community created content on Xbox Live there's ALWAYS a free demo. If not mandatory then there should at least be the option for developers to submit a demo version.

It's the only way to foster the development of more expensive apps. Sure I'm willing to drop $3 or less on an app and if I don't like it it's not a big deal. But if I'm looking at spending > $20 on something, I better be able to try it first.

By: AppBeacon

AppBeacon — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:12:02 +0000

I've just read the full article posted by Hockenberry. I felt it was a little less whiney than others posting here. He's really asking Apple to showcase good quality apps in more than just the Top 10 or Hot apps lists.

He states : "I’m not going to give you suggestions on what to do about this: you and your team are perfectly capable of dealing with it on your own terms."

So, he's not telling Apple to advertise his app, make a special list for him only, etc. He's leaving it to them. However, at the end of the article, he makes a subtle suggestion that many of you hear would welcome. He notes that having to pay for an app based on a few screenshots is a tough decision. Basically, he's suggesting that Apple get off their butts and create some sort of demo option.

Then, we'd all be less hesitant about paying $4.99 or $10.99 for that potential "killer app". We'd try more and buy more, thus allowing him to justify the risk of the development.