Apple's 99-Cent Apps Are Too Cheap, Microsoft Says

NewsFactor ^ | Thursday, August 20, 2009 | Barry Levine

[Star Traveler]

Now I see that other "stores" (Microsoft, Blackberry, Andriod stores) are complaining that Apple is selling their apps *too cheap* ... LOL... They want a *minimum floor amount* for developers to sell their apps in their stores (read "it's gonna cost consumers more money!").

But, Apple doesn't tell developers what to charge for their apps. They can charge anything they want. Apple takes 30% for its costs and the developer prices it any way they want. If the app is free, Apple charges nothing for having the app on their site.

We can see who has the consumer's best interest at heart... :-)

[Star Traveler]

Well, it looks like Microsoft thinks Apple should *make developers* charge more money for the apps that they sell at Apple... LOL...

[steve-b]

“Microsoft is fine if you want niche boutique stuff, but if you want to tap into the mass-market at competitive prices, you have to go to Apple....”

[KarlInOhio]

I just found eRoentgen Radiology DX which "provides physicians with a fast, efficient way to determine which radiology test is best for a given patient." Price: $49.99, which is a lot more than 99¢.

Quit crying, Microsoft. The AppStore is as close to a free market as you'll find with sellers choosing their prices and buyers deciding to buy or not. The only thing missing are some apps to compete with Apple's built in apps like their music player. Competing apps are against the rules, even though I could think of a half dozen improvements to the build in music player.

[TexasRepublic]

I’d love to write a .99 cent app that sold a million units.

[joejm65]

‘Well, it looks like Microsoft thinks Apple should *make developers* charge more money for the apps that they sell at Apple... LOL...’

Many of my iPhone apps cost more than $.99. This article is a little misleading. And, Microsoft shouldn’t trash another company about software until it releases an operating system that doesn’t completely suck.

[Mr. K]

99cents is what microsoft should charge for VISTA

[past_present]

Yeah, I’m going to pay $79.95 for a “compass” app, or an app that will let me level a hanging picture frame. Good thinking Microsoft. Then, maybe they’ll let me call some guy in India to help me install it, by the many arms of vishnu

[Star Traveler]

You said — I just found eRoentgen Radiology DX which “provides physicians with a fast, efficient way to determine which radiology test is best for a given patient.” Price: $49.99, which is a lot more than 99¢.

—

Exactly..., the apps are there and will sell, if they are good and meet a demand that is there.

Heck! There was one developer (not too long ago) who sold his 99¢ app at the iPhone Online Store and made $250,000 in about three months. Yee-haw! LOL....

[Star Traveler]

LOL.... yep... that’s “Microsoft-think” for ya....

[GeronL]

Not a bad strategy but the consumer demands the cheaper apps.

[Star Traveler]

A guy did almost that... just recently... sold about 250,000 units in three months... hoo-boy!

[mattdono]

[mattdono smirks]

[LonePalm]

Overpriced.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[aruanan]

I’d rather have a very small percentage of a very large number than a very large percentage of a very small number.

[ShadowAce]

[Star Traveler]

Yeah..., Microsoft charges *too much* for “cheap apps”.... :-)

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

Actually, 99 cents is pretty pricey for some apps.

[Alex Kida]

Competitors that conspire to fix prices are guilty of collusion and restriction of free trade. This is illegal behavior.