Originally Posted by slapmatt:
“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.”
The big apps are available free partly because so many people want them, so there's a reason for Open Source programmers to rally round and produce them. A lot of phone apps are more specialist.
There is also a feeling that you get what you pay for, and an expectation that the more expensive version of a thing will be better. That's not always true, but it often is.
Quote:
“Pretty much the only paid software I use is Microsoft Windows and Office.”
Most people get Windows included with their PC - perhaps not free, but they don't notice the cost. Is there a reason you paid for Microsoft Office instead of the free OpenOffice?
Originally Posted by mtaylor1811:
“The Majority of apps on iphone are a lighter version of the real thing, they have a few things missing bits and the inclusion of ads etc.”
Absolutely. And the adverts have to be downloaded from the internet, so they consume your data allowance and also run down your battery. I suspect a lot of people who complain about poor battery life have tons of "free" apps serving adverts all the time.
It's worth paying to avoid that, so long as the price is low. Usually apps are cheap compared with a pint of beer, never mind compared with the cost of the phone.