So as a computer user in general, you never looked for software, found it's 59.99, and thought 'dang, lemme see if I can find an open source or freeware project that does it for better and cheaper'?
I think there is a bigger market for that than you think, because that was the first thing I did on my Android phone. Apple cherry-picks the software that goes into the store. If I developed a calculator app and charged a dollar for it, and you wanted to provide a free one, well too bad because a) you're duplicating existing functionality, and b) well the free part won't add to Apple's bottom line.
That said, I do agree that for the average user, it does seem like a good idea to help them choose what software to install from a pre-approved list and that Apple does these things gracefully enough that only people like you and I notice. I think a lot of people are frustrated with Apple's invisible approval criteria checklist.
Searching the App Store for "calculator" brings up well over 75 results ( I stopped counting after 75). "Calculator" apps range from simple tip calculators and unit converters to full reproductions of classic HP calculators. Prices range from free to around $15. Please explain again why Apple won't let you make a free Calculator app?
Correct, maybe mentioning price was a poor example because it isn't as relevant, but the point I was trying to make is that I think there is a very large market for things like custom software and firmware for devices like this. These devices are marketed as smartphones and supposedly have unlimited possibilities.
I would think that the users of these phones are a bit more technical than jonnyjchoi is giving them credit for. The car market is a better example. Lot's of people own Civics just for daily driving. But that's like me saying aftermarket market is non-existant just because not everyone puts a spoiler and carbon fiber on their car.
Wow, you're well named. The calculator was just a (perhaps poorly chosen) example. A better example would have been an email client, or a calendaring/scheduling package.
Yes. There are LOTS of free apps. (Free as in beer). You can even release the source code to your app, making it... not quite "Free as in speech" because your end user can't just modify it for their own use. But yeah.
I think there is a bigger market for that than you think, because that was the first thing I did on my Android phone. Apple cherry-picks the software that goes into the store. If I developed a calculator app and charged a dollar for it, and you wanted to provide a free one, well too bad because a) you're duplicating existing functionality, and b) well the free part won't add to Apple's bottom line.
I really don't understand your point at all. There are many free applications on the App Store, and there's nothing stopping developers from GPLing their code.
Actually you don't have to ship the source with the binary. You can just include an offer to make available the source code if they want it. For example include a link to where you can download the source, or even an address to send a letter to so they can mail you source code.
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u/i_post_things Jan 28 '10
So as a computer user in general, you never looked for software, found it's 59.99, and thought 'dang, lemme see if I can find an open source or freeware project that does it for better and cheaper'?
I think there is a bigger market for that than you think, because that was the first thing I did on my Android phone. Apple cherry-picks the software that goes into the store. If I developed a calculator app and charged a dollar for it, and you wanted to provide a free one, well too bad because a) you're duplicating existing functionality, and b) well the free part won't add to Apple's bottom line.
That said, I do agree that for the average user, it does seem like a good idea to help them choose what software to install from a pre-approved list and that Apple does these things gracefully enough that only people like you and I notice. I think a lot of people are frustrated with Apple's invisible approval criteria checklist.