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iPhone App Pricing Limits Developers

HardYakka writes "According to this post in the Fortune blog, the iTunes app store has been a boon for users but some developers are saying the number of free and 99 cent apps make it difficult for developers to create complex, higher priced apps. Craig Hockenberry of Iconfactory says the iPhone may never get its killer app like the spreadsheet was for the Mac. If Apple does not do something, the store will be left with only ring tones and simple games. Some are suggesting that overpaid developers are the problem and the recession will soon lower the wages and costs for complex apps."

16 of 437 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Like spreadsheets for the MAC? by Anpheus · · Score: 3, Funny

    If we're going by sales, StarCraft and Half-Life crush VisiCalc :)

  2. Re:Spreadsheet by Evanisincontrol · · Score: 2, Funny

    (Score:0, Troll)

    To be fair, you shouldn't have been modded troll -- you should have been modded flamebait.

  3. What is this? by AceofSpades19 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is this "Please give me a bail out because I can't figure out how to compete" week on slashdot?

  4. Re:Spreadsheet by poetmatt · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you think all pixar does is animation, and that animation is not a category of graphic design, then maybe you need to break out a dictionary.

  5. Re:Well, that is the problem right there by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Wouldn't it get raw after a few hours?

  6. Re:It's a stupid rant by timeOday · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some of the simulation programs my company uses cost $75,000 a seat.

    Boy will they be ticked when I release my competitor on the iPhone for $4.99!

  7. Re:Spreadsheet by binarylarry · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, Macs are designed by programmers like every other OS.

    The difference is: Mac OSX programmers have a very angry man in a black turtle neck furiously yelling at them as they develop new features. This "turtle necked fire," so to speak, is what drives the high quality components of the modern Mac operating environment.

    It's a bit like a Katana forged by a master craftsman.

    --
    Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
  8. Re:Well, that is the problem right there by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Because Americans haven't outsourced racism yet. Be patient.

  9. Re:Spreadsheet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No mother. I don't want to. She's nice.

  10. Re:Spreadsheet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yes but, you're software developers - being crap at maintaining your OS and any IT task other than code is almost a job requirement. /me ducks

    Anon 'cause, you know.

  11. Re:Spreadsheet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wish I could mod this +1 Owned.

  12. Re:Spreadsheet by calmofthestorm · · Score: 3, Funny

    -1 Flamebait.

    Poster has not accepted Linux as his Operating System and Kernel.

    Now...why are we OS bashing? I wanted to read about iPhone apps damnit

    --
    93rd rule of Slashdot: No matter how obvious my sarcasm is, my comment will be taken seriously by someone.
  13. Re:It's UNIX! I Know This! by mc900ftjesus · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ones that want to buy their own hardware at a reasonable price?

  14. Re:Spreadsheet by cawpin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, I'm so glad they finally got that high quality sorting of folders before files...oh wait.

  15. Clearly... by roc97007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Once again, the obvious solution is to forbid developers from working too cheaply. I mean, how can I demand a high price for my complex, quirky app when someone else has the audacity to produce a better app for 99 cents? Sowing "you get what you pay for" FUD only works so far.

    I'm thinking a software developers union. The union bosses would set prices, and consumers would be forbidden from using non-union-approved apps, on penalty of high fines or, you know, getting your kneecaps busted. In no time prices would soar, and we'd all get the full benefit of our efforts. Minus union dues and other applicable fees, of course.

    And another thing. Software development tools have become way too cheap. When any pimple-faced geek can download a complete development environment for free, it gives them the impression that anyone can write useful programs. Compilers, debuggers and editors should be expensive, dammit, just like they were in the old days. And have fiddly license requirements. Software development should hurt so everyone knows why we're getting paid top dollar to do it.

    Consumers? Hell, if they can't afford $79.95 for a fuel efficiency calculator, they can jolly well do without. They should be happy that their phone works as a phone.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  16. it's called competition by glyph42 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sorry, what? Are they complaining that it's hard to make money because there is competition? Hahahahaha. HAHAHAhahahahaha.

    --
    Music speeds up when you yawn, but does not change pitch.