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Why do people pay for apps?


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Old 03-02-2011, 15:41
slapmatt
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I find it strange, as a PC user I have become conditioned to expect all but largest most complex pieces of software to be free. I have a free email client, Web browser, anti-virus, image editor, music editor, the list goes on. Pretty much the only paid software I use is Microsoft Windows and Office.

So how come companies have persuaded mobile phone users that somehow little apps that carry out a very specific function on your phone are worth paying for?

I find this hard to comprehend, as I'm not a smart phone user.
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Old 03-02-2011, 15:50
TeeGee
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I find this hard to comprehend, as I'm not a smart phone user.
I think that answers your question!
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Old 03-02-2011, 15:52
slapmatt
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I think that answers your question!
I don't see what difference that makes. The "apps" I've seen on smart phones are nothing compared to the free software I have on my PC.
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Old 03-02-2011, 15:53
radiosgalore
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I swore i would never waste money on paying for an app then I discovered Poweramp. has better volume plus a graphic equaliser and quite simply no free program I tried came close. So i bought it
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Old 03-02-2011, 15:54
koantemplation
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I find it strange, as a PC user I have become conditioned to expect all but largest most complex pieces of software to be free. I have a free email client, Web browser, anti-virus, image editor, music editor, the list goes on. Pretty much the only paid software I use is Microsoft Windows and Office.

So how come companies have persuaded mobile phone users that somehow little apps that carry out a very specific function on your phone are worth paying for?

I find this hard to comprehend, as I'm not a smart phone user.
I know what you mean. I prefer to use apps that do the job but are free than pay for bloatware or more professional looking UIs.
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Old 03-02-2011, 15:55
elliecat
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The only apps I have on my phone are free ones except the one game I paid 59p for. I don't want to start spending money on apps that I would use a couple of times and then get bored of as it would be a waste and I get bored quickly.
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Old 03-02-2011, 16:07
Red Arrow
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Only one I've bought beside a game was one for train times. Saves having to go into the mobile browser to find out when my train is due. The app has nice widgets I put on one of my home screens so I can quickly see if my train is delayed or not.

Saves me so much time and effort, so I don't mind spending a couple of quid on it as I get my moneys worth.

Don't get me wrong though, if there was a free version I would have used that instead. But there isn't so was stuck having to pay for this.
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Old 03-02-2011, 16:13
skunkboy69
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App lovers are a marketing dream.All my friends with Iphones buy them by the bucket load.It's the reason they bought the Iphone.They don't use half of them though.When someone buys one I always joke,"why the hell you bought one of those ?" "Have you seen all the apps you can get ?"
And ?
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Old 03-02-2011, 16:16
slapmatt
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Do you pay for the apps through your mobile bill/credit?
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Old 03-02-2011, 16:56
Kenny Maclean
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Do you pay for the apps through your mobile bill/credit?
No. With Android you set up your prefered card details with google and pay them, in a similar way that you do with itunes and apple.
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Old 03-02-2011, 17:35
psionic
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I don't see what difference that makes. The "apps" I've seen on smart phones are nothing compared to the free software I have on my PC.
For every paid for smartphone app, there are several free alternatives. Some of the free ones aren't that bad. And even the paid ones just cost pennies if the market is large enough.
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Old 03-02-2011, 18:15
DieDieMyDarling
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I've personally not paid for a single one, on my Android phone. The main reason I haven't, is I know if I get carried away enough to pay for one, I'll find it easier each time after to pay for more. And it seems like nothing, to pay 59p, £1.13, etc, but they would soon count up, if you get carried away.

I imagine the reason more people are prepared to pay for apps on a smart phone is this very reason. They're a hell of a lot cheaper, than forking out for PC software.
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Old 03-02-2011, 19:01
neo_wales
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There is so much free stuff in terms of applications for the Android phones there really is not a real need to buy much but I suspect its down to personal fancy for those who do buy or of course to fill a gap left by having no free application available to suit the role.
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Old 03-02-2011, 19:39
tvtimes
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I have never bought an app yet. I find if there is an app I like there is usually a free app by a different developer that is basically the same thing. If there isn't I wait a little while and then there is. I have loads of free apps that also have pay for versions. You just have to look harder sometimes.
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Old 03-02-2011, 19:40
tvtimes
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For every paid for smartphone app, there are several free alternatives. Some of the free ones aren't that bad. And even the paid ones just cost pennies if the market is large enough.
This.
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Old 03-02-2011, 19:43
tealady
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I have paid for 1 app to avoid ads. I paid for some content on another app, because of copyright.
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Old 03-02-2011, 20:31
MGS4SnakeRulez
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I don't. I have a phone that runs on android os and all the best apps are free.
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Old 03-02-2011, 20:39
Pencil
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Apple's App Store has free apps, but none are much good.

You could download apps for free by jail-breaking the iPhone - something that invalidates the warranty and could permanently brick your £500 device. All the while, it's illegal and you could lose the app (and all scores) if you

Rarely, free apps that are ok are available but only if you don't mind being plagued by ads or answering questions.

It's possible to search the Internet for an app's file extension, find a game that sounds good, download it, risk downloading a virus/trojan/malware to your PC, risk messing up your phone trying to upload something dodgy, then after all that hassle, find out the app either isn't compatible or it was made by someone trying to cause trouble, in which case, you have problems.

... or you could pay 59p and get hours upon hours of high quality entertainment.
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Old 03-02-2011, 20:50
Swansea Stu
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... or you could pay 59p and get hours upon hours of high quality entertainment.
Or you could get an Android device and have it for free.
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Old 03-02-2011, 21:19
gouldy26
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Why do people pay for apps?

believe it or not people pay for software because the developer wants/expects to be paid for his work, just like you and me he has bills/family to take care of, so in return for working days and days and days, he expects people who download his software to pay the price which has been set

the theory is quite old believe it or not, pop out side once in a while and you will see business all over the place, see if there offering free goods, pop to your local shop and ask if the milk is free, if hes says no, ask why


of course there's free apps, if you don't want to pay for apps with a price tag, just use the free version but dont expect everyone to give there things away
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Old 03-02-2011, 21:38
finbaar
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I bought a decent chess app for Android (Shredder) as all the free ones are very weak and I could beat them easily. Other than that free for me.
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Old 04-02-2011, 01:04
DieDieMyDarling
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Why do people pay for apps?

believe it or not people pay for software because the developer wants/expects to be paid for his work, just like you and me he has bills/family to take care of, so in return for working days and days and days, he expects people who download his software to pay the price which has been set

the theory is quite old believe it or not, pop out side once in a while and you will see business all over the place, see if there offering free goods, pop to your local shop and ask if the milk is free, if hes says no, ask why


of course there's free apps, if you don't want to pay for apps with a price tag, just use the free version but dont expect everyone to give there things away
I see what you did there. You're playing "Totally missed the point of the thread, guy". Yes?
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Old 04-02-2011, 05:53
unklesam
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I find it strange, as a PC user I have become conditioned to expect all but largest most complex pieces of software to be free. I have a free email client, Web browser, anti-virus, image editor, music editor, the list goes on. Pretty much the only paid software I use is Microsoft Windows and Office.

So how come companies have persuaded mobile phone users that somehow little apps that carry out a very specific function on your phone are worth paying for?

I find this hard to comprehend, as I'm not a smart phone user.
This is why Applanet of Installous came about.
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Old 04-02-2011, 07:08
Firmy1
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I find this hard to comprehend, as I'm not a smart phone user.
Are you saying your not a "smart" phone user on not a "smart phone" user?

Sorry, couldn't resist!
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Old 04-02-2011, 07:29
IvanIV
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When the only legal channel to distribute apps is app store and owner is charging for being able to participate, developers want to get some of the expenses back.
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