Phone APPS - so is almost nobody buying?

alanwarwic · 12-10-2011, 11:22

Quote:

Why would the non-inclusion of a "cheap" iPhone directly correlate with "pitiful" app sales?

Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales.

People willing to pay a £700+ for a phone are becoming an exception to the norm.

mmace · 12-10-2011, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by frailfury

What apps have you bought for all that money?!

remote VNC Pro £10, sat nav (before Maps did it for free) £27, these are the main 2, plenty of others just under £10 and loads around £1

skimminstones · 12-10-2011, 13:55

ive bought some on android. To be frank though the 15 mins refund window is ridiculous. How are you supposed to test a £20-£30 sat nav is good enough within 15 mins for example? It takes that long to download the maps and set it up. Those prices encourage piracy.

But generally ill read the comments and decide if i want to try it, although the vast majority of the ones i actually use have been free anyway.

iain · 12-10-2011, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

My prediction of a £200 iPhone to maintain developer APP support was certainly wrong, at least for now.
This hints that APP spend on phones might be pitifully low.

Spent much on Android or IOS phone apps?

surely your logic is back to front there?

if the logic is that a cheap iPhone is needed to improve app sales, then shouldn't the absence of a cheap iPhone suggest that app sales are not too bad?

Iain

EDN1 · 12-10-2011, 18:00

I've never bought an app since getting my Desire. I probaly would but there doesn't seem to be a method to suit me.

What are the current methods for buying Android Apps ?

mtaylor1811 · 12-10-2011, 19:53

I used to buy quite a lot apps from the iphone app store, but when Apple put the price up from 59p to 69p for an app I have not bothered and wont buy ever again- its not the cost, its the principle!

iain · 12-10-2011, 20:01

which principle is that?

Iain

Inkblot · 12-10-2011, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales.

People willing to pay a £700+ for a phone are becoming an exception to the norm.

Might sales of iPhones be likely to rise again in a couple of days?

Gormond · 12-10-2011, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtaylor1811

I used to buy quite a lot apps from the iphone app store, but when Apple put the price up from 59p to 69p for an app I have not bothered and wont buy ever again- its not the cost, its the principle!

It's exchange rate, not Apple's fault.

Matt D · 12-10-2011, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales.

Do you have a source for that?

I was under the impression that although there are more free Android apps than free iOS apps, iOS has more paid apps plus more money is made from those paid apps than from Android's paid apps.

mincepie · 12-10-2011, 23:28

Bought a few apps on my Android phone. I haven't bought it - but i see the Logmein app is £18 - very expensive by mobile standards.

Can't see how developers can make that much money from this - when compared to real/desktop software the mobile apps cost so little.

Matt D · 12-10-2011, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Do you have a source for that?

I was under the impression that although there are more free Android apps than free iOS apps, iOS has more paid apps plus more money is made from those paid apps than from Android's paid apps.

Sorry, scratch that. I assume you're talking about device sales not app sales?

Matt D · 12-10-2011, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mincepie

Can't see how developers can make that much money from this - when compared to real/desktop software the mobile apps cost so little.

I would assume that volume is a large factor. Many may only cost £0.99 or whatever, but when you multiply that by all the sales it all adds up... Plus, of course, the low price of many iOS/Android apps would encourage impulse buys etc. If something's less than a quid, people are more likely to roll the dice on it than if it costs £5 or £10 or more...

paulbrock · 13-10-2011, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDN1

I've never bought an app since getting my Desire. I probaly would but there doesn't seem to be a method to suit me.

What are the current methods for buying Android Apps ?

Main methods are go to Android Market app on phone , select app, downloaded over wifi/3g, good to go;
or go to market.android.com on a PC, select app, it will be downloaded on your phone over wifi/3g, good to go.

Also Amazon have their own app store which works in the same way, and getjar do now as well. And you download apps from direct links on websites either on your PC, then transfer over to phone, or just go the webpage on your phone and download it as you would a pdf or something.

Or someone could email you/bluetooth you a (non-Market) app, I guess.

EDN1 · 20-10-2011, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulbrock

Main methods are go to Android Market app on phone , select app, downloaded over wifi/3g, good to go;
or go to market.android.com on a PC, select app, it will be downloaded on your phone over wifi/3g, good to go.

Also Amazon have their own app store which works in the same way, and getjar do now as well. And you download apps from direct links on websites either on your PC, then transfer over to phone, or just go the webpage on your phone and download it as you would a pdf or something.

Or someone could email you/bluetooth you a (non-Market) app, I guess.

Hi Paul,

I use the Market on a regular basis, I'm very familiar with it, what I ment was what are the current options for paying for an app. I don't do buying online so have no card method of purchasing an app through the Android Market.

My preferred choice isn't available I don't think, which would be to take it off my current balance. Since I'm on PAYG and top up each month I have plenty of credit to spend just nothing to use it on !

Can you use Paypal? It's a shame they don't to Pre-Payed cards those would surely open up payable apps to a far bigger and wider consumer base I would imagine.

paulbrock · 20-10-2011, 01:50

the official Market uses Google Checkout for purchases, which accepts debit and credit cards.
https://checkout.google.com/support/...&answer=105916

I guess you could get a pre-paid debit card and use it?

Amazon's payment methods are listed here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...?nodeId=513058
but don't include Paypal.

Getjar looks to be completely free (didn't realise this).

Your mobile operator may also have app downloads - these probably will come out of your bill.

So best bet is probably using a pre-paid debit card I reckon.

prazynothh · 20-10-2011, 10:52

I am using only few money saving free iPhone apps

paulbrock · 20-10-2011, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by prazynothh

I am using only few money saving free iPhone apps

which apps are money saving?

grumpyoldbat · 20-10-2011, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDN1

Hi Paul,

I use the Market on a regular basis, I'm very familiar with it, what I ment was what are the current options for paying for an app. I don't do buying online so have no card method of purchasing an app through the Android Market.

My preferred choice isn't available I don't think, which would be to take it off my current balance. Since I'm on PAYG and top up each month I have plenty of credit to spend just nothing to use it on !

Can you use Paypal? It's a shame they don't to Pre-Payed cards those would surely open up payable apps to a far bigger and wider consumer base I would imagine.

Carrier billing (paying using your phone bill/credit) is available in a number of countries. Here's a bit of info from Google: http://www.google.com/support/androi...&answer=167794

prazynothh · 21-10-2011, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulbrock

which apps are money saving?

Gasbuddy app to find cheap gas prices, Pushpins app for instant grocery savings and the new IOS 5 iMessage app to reduce sms bill.

david.boobis · 21-10-2011, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by prazynothh

... and the new IOS 5 iMessage app to reduce sms bill.

But increase date charges if you're over your limit...whereas most people have unlimited texts.

dontpannic · 21-10-2011, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by david.boobis

But increase date charges if you're over your limit...whereas most people have unlimited texts.

Who charges for data? Most operators slow you down until your next billing period and block access to certain sites - youtube as an example. With an iMessage coming in at bytes it won't impact too much.

IslandNiles · 21-10-2011, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontpannic

Who charges for data? Most operators slow you down until your next billing period and block access to certain sites - youtube as an example. With an iMessage coming in at bytes it won't impact too much.

You're right that iMessages won't impact too much on data allowances. But as far as I'm aware, every network charges if you go over your data limit.

12-10-2011, 11:22	#26
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Quote: Originally Posted by dontpannic Why would the non-inclusion of a "cheap" iPhone directly correlate with "pitiful" app sales? Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales. People willing to pay a £700+ for a phone are becoming an exception to the norm.

12-10-2011, 13:43	#27
mmace Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Leeds Posts: 790	Quote: Originally Posted by frailfury What apps have you bought for all that money?! remote VNC Pro £10, sat nav (before Maps did it for free) £27, these are the main 2, plenty of others just under £10 and loads around £1

12-10-2011, 13:55	#28
skimminstones Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 8,186	ive bought some on android. To be frank though the 15 mins refund window is ridiculous. How are you supposed to test a £20-£30 sat nav is good enough within 15 mins for example? It takes that long to download the maps and set it up. Those prices encourage piracy. But generally ill read the comments and decide if i want to try it, although the vast majority of the ones i actually use have been free anyway.

12-10-2011, 14:05	#29
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic My prediction of a £200 iPhone to maintain developer APP support was certainly wrong, at least for now. This hints that APP spend on phones might be pitifully low. Spent much on Android or IOS phone apps? surely your logic is back to front there? if the logic is that a cheap iPhone is needed to improve app sales, then shouldn't the absence of a cheap iPhone suggest that app sales are not too bad? Iain

12-10-2011, 18:00	#30
EDN1 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,646	I've never bought an app since getting my Desire. I probaly would but there doesn't seem to be a method to suit me. What are the current methods for buying Android Apps ?

12-10-2011, 19:53	#31
mtaylor1811 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 224	I used to buy quite a lot apps from the iphone app store, but when Apple put the price up from 59p to 69p for an app I have not bothered and wont buy ever again- its not the cost, its the principle!

12-10-2011, 20:01	#32
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	which principle is that? Iain

12-10-2011, 20:11	#33
Inkblot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West London Posts: 24,316	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales. People willing to pay a £700+ for a phone are becoming an exception to the norm. Might sales of iPhones be likely to rise again in a couple of days?

12-10-2011, 20:23	#34
Gormond Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 15,714	Quote: Originally Posted by mtaylor1811 I used to buy quite a lot apps from the iphone app store, but when Apple put the price up from 59p to 69p for an app I have not bothered and wont buy ever again- its not the cost, its the principle! It's exchange rate, not Apple's fault.

12-10-2011, 21:25	#35
Matt D Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 13,064	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales. Do you have a source for that? I was under the impression that although there are more free Android apps than free iOS apps, iOS has more paid apps plus more money is made from those paid apps than from Android's paid apps.

12-10-2011, 23:28	#36
mincepie Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere only we know... Posts: 691	Bought a few apps on my Android phone. I haven't bought it - but i see the Logmein app is £18 - very expensive by mobile standards. Can't see how developers can make that much money from this - when compared to real/desktop software the mobile apps cost so little.

12-10-2011, 23:53	#37
Matt D Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 13,064	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic Apart from the iPad Android is swamping IOS in sales. Quote: Originally Posted by Matt D Do you have a source for that? I was under the impression that although there are more free Android apps than free iOS apps, iOS has more paid apps plus more money is made from those paid apps than from Android's paid apps. Sorry, scratch that. I assume you're talking about device sales not app sales?

12-10-2011, 23:55	#38
Matt D Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 13,064	Quote: Originally Posted by mincepie Can't see how developers can make that much money from this - when compared to real/desktop software the mobile apps cost so little. I would assume that volume is a large factor. Many may only cost £0.99 or whatever, but when you multiply that by all the sales it all adds up... Plus, of course, the low price of many iOS/Android apps would encourage impulse buys etc. If something's less than a quid, people are more likely to roll the dice on it than if it costs £5 or £10 or more...

13-10-2011, 00:07	#39
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	Quote: Originally Posted by EDN1 I've never bought an app since getting my Desire. I probaly would but there doesn't seem to be a method to suit me. What are the current methods for buying Android Apps ? Main methods are go to Android Market app on phone , select app, downloaded over wifi/3g, good to go; or go to market.android.com on a PC, select app, it will be downloaded on your phone over wifi/3g, good to go. Also Amazon have their own app store which works in the same way, and getjar do now as well. And you download apps from direct links on websites either on your PC, then transfer over to phone, or just go the webpage on your phone and download it as you would a pdf or something. Or someone could email you/bluetooth you a (non-Market) app, I guess.

20-10-2011, 01:20	#40
EDN1 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,646	Quote: Originally Posted by paulbrock Main methods are go to Android Market app on phone , select app, downloaded over wifi/3g, good to go; or go to market.android.com on a PC, select app, it will be downloaded on your phone over wifi/3g, good to go. Also Amazon have their own app store which works in the same way, and getjar do now as well. And you download apps from direct links on websites either on your PC, then transfer over to phone, or just go the webpage on your phone and download it as you would a pdf or something. Or someone could email you/bluetooth you a (non-Market) app, I guess. Hi Paul, I use the Market on a regular basis, I'm very familiar with it, what I ment was what are the current options for paying for an app. I don't do buying online so have no card method of purchasing an app through the Android Market. My preferred choice isn't available I don't think, which would be to take it off my current balance. Since I'm on PAYG and top up each month I have plenty of credit to spend just nothing to use it on ! Can you use Paypal? It's a shame they don't to Pre-Payed cards those would surely open up payable apps to a far bigger and wider consumer base I would imagine.

20-10-2011, 01:50	#41
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	the official Market uses Google Checkout for purchases, which accepts debit and credit cards. https://checkout.google.com/support/...&answer=105916 I guess you could get a pre-paid debit card and use it? Amazon's payment methods are listed here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...?nodeId=513058 but don't include Paypal. Getjar looks to be completely free (didn't realise this). Your mobile operator may also have app downloads - these probably will come out of your bill. So best bet is probably using a pre-paid debit card I reckon.

20-10-2011, 10:52	#42
prazynothh Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 37	I am using only few money saving free iPhone apps

20-10-2011, 11:34	#43
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	Quote: Originally Posted by prazynothh I am using only few money saving free iPhone apps which apps are money saving?

20-10-2011, 12:27	#44
grumpyoldbat Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,636	Quote: Originally Posted by EDN1 Hi Paul, I use the Market on a regular basis, I'm very familiar with it, what I ment was what are the current options for paying for an app. I don't do buying online so have no card method of purchasing an app through the Android Market. My preferred choice isn't available I don't think, which would be to take it off my current balance. Since I'm on PAYG and top up each month I have plenty of credit to spend just nothing to use it on ! Can you use Paypal? It's a shame they don't to Pre-Payed cards those would surely open up payable apps to a far bigger and wider consumer base I would imagine. Carrier billing (paying using your phone bill/credit) is available in a number of countries. Here's a bit of info from Google: http://www.google.com/support/androi...&answer=167794

21-10-2011, 11:03	#45
prazynothh Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 37	Quote: Originally Posted by paulbrock which apps are money saving? Gasbuddy app to find cheap gas prices, Pushpins app for instant grocery savings and the new IOS 5 iMessage app to reduce sms bill.

21-10-2011, 11:23	#46
david.boobis Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 376	Quote: Originally Posted by prazynothh ... and the new IOS 5 iMessage app to reduce sms bill. But increase date charges if you're over your limit...whereas most people have unlimited texts.

DS Forums

Phone APPS - so is almost nobody buying?

21-10-2011, 11:51	#47
dontpannic Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 2,344	Quote: Originally Posted by david.boobis But increase date charges if you're over your limit...whereas most people have unlimited texts. Who charges for data? Most operators slow you down until your next billing period and block access to certain sites - youtube as an example. With an iMessage coming in at bytes it won't impact too much.

21-10-2011, 12:26	#48
IslandNiles Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 13,091	Quote: Originally Posted by dontpannic Who charges for data? Most operators slow you down until your next billing period and block access to certain sites - youtube as an example. With an iMessage coming in at bytes it won't impact too much. You're right that iMessages won't impact too much on data allowances. But as far as I'm aware, every network charges if you go over your data limit.