'Free' Games Dominate Top-Grossing Game List On App Store

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'Free' Games Dominate Top-Grossing Game List On App Store

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday November 1, 2011 @07:33PM from the for-sufficiently-unfree-values-of-free dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Why are there so many free games listed in the top 10 grossing games over in Apple's App Store? Because some feature exorbitant in-app purchase fees for virtual items. Quoting ZDNet: 'Developing "free" games aimed specifically at children, and then bundling ridiculously priced in-app purchases inside those "free" games feels scammy to me. Sure, it's not illegal, and it's not against Apple's developer terms and conditions, but Apple is a company that prides itself in protecting users from harm. Most of the game developers do make an attempt to warn users that the game "changes real money for additional in-app content" but it's a lame attempt. It's easily missed, and kids aren't going to read it anyway.'"

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If kids have your iTunes account password ... by _Chris_ · 2011-11-01 19:41 · Score: 2

... seems to me there's a lot more to worry about than in-app purchases.
1. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by monkyyy · 2011-11-01 19:50 · Score: 0
  
  such as?
  
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  warning pointless sig
2. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Dr_Barnowl · 2011-11-01 20:59 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  You don't need the password to make in game purchases (in the default configuration of iOS). You need the password to install the game.
  The mechanic for in-game purchases is a cynical, well engineered, well researched hook.
  The OS establishes a precedent - that privileged actions like installing apps require a password - and then goes on to breach that precedent in a kids game for actions that spend real money in large gobs, with single clicks.
  It's like combining a daycare centre with a nuclear launch control facility. Getting past the door guards requires a security check. But the launch control console has been cunningly disguised as Whack-A-Mole.
3. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by taoareyou · 2011-11-01 21:13 · Score: 0
  
  There is an option on my iPhone to restrict in-app purchases. You can password protect this option. I turned the option to make in app purchases off anyway and I have no children using it. If I want to pay for an app, I will buy one that is up front about the price. I never make in app purchases. Ever. But I have purchased many apps.
4. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by _Chris_ · 2011-11-01 22:15 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  You do need the password to make in-app purchase since iOS 4.3. Apple did listen to parents complaints. Your comment is true for older versions however.
  "We are proud to have industry-leading parental controls with iOS," said Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple. She said users have always been able to use parental control setting and restrictions of in-app purchases to protect their iTunes accounts from accidental charges. "With iOS 4.3, in addition to a password being required to purchase an app on the App Store, a reentry of your password is now required when making an in-app purchase."
  (http://www.macrumors.com/2011/03/10/ios-4-3-requires-password-reentry-for-in-app-purchases/)
5. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Rogerborg · 2011-11-01 23:09 · Score: 1
  
  I was torn between rating you "+1000 Informative", or posting "Hey! Everybody else! Read that, then shut up forever. The problem is (now) demonstrably with the parents". Ranting won out, as you can see.
  
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  If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
6. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Sockatume · 2011-11-01 23:15 · Score: 1
  
  You need the password to make an in-app purchase. You have always needed the password. There is a 15-minute grace period, so if you entered the password 14 minutes ago, you don't have to enter it again. They have recently shortened that grace period for in-app purchases to almost zero.
  
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  No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
7. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by mr100percent · 2011-11-01 23:52 · Score: 1
  
  Such as buying a lot of stuff. It's like letting your kid play on Amazon.com when you have One-Click purchasing turned on.
  Apple has parental controls and iTunes passwords to prevent people accidentally/maliciously buying stuff on your device.
8. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by JoeMerchant · 2011-11-02 00:22 · Score: 1
  
  There is an option on my iPhone to restrict in-app purchases. You can password protect this option. I turned the option to make in app purchases off anyway and I have no children using it. If I want to pay for an app, I will buy one that is up front about the price. I never make in app purchases. Ever. But I have purchased many apps.
  As the GP said, "in the default configuration of the OS". GM cars have an option to turn off their headlights. Doing so would save money on gasoline spent on turning the alternator load, small money sure, but this is America we're talking about, if you can save $2 per year "turning off lights" in your house... anyway, look around, how many GM car owners do you see utilizing this money saving configuration option?
  Almost everybody runs default settings. Most people don't even know they can be changed.
9. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by JoeMerchant · 2011-11-02 00:23 · Score: 1
  
  Still, that window of opportunity spawned a whole load of exploitative software. Glad it's closed now.
10. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Dunbal · 2011-11-02 00:36 · Score: 1
  
  Credit cards and children have been around for a long time. It's your own fault if you're incapable of raising your kids properly. Please don't shift the blame onto "society".
  
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  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
11. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 00:48 · Score: 0
  
  Not quite accurate, you've clearly never tried it. The OS version levels that added that minor protection still buffers the password for an unknown and hidden amount of time. So parent installs $GAME, kid runs $GAME, and the buffered password allows direct in-game purchases without further prompting.
  Apple are making a fortune out of this devious loophole, and they won't close it. iOS purchases is now their cash cow, their business needs it.
12. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Grizzley9 · 2011-11-02 00:55 · Score: 1
  
  You can also set Restrictions in the Settings>General area. This allows you to turn off In-App purchases all together or to require a password either at 15 minutes or Immediately.
  
  So don't give your kid an expensive device that has a chance to be more expensive unless you put on parental controls. That's just good parenting.
  
  I mean really, they give you the "freedom" to do what you want and you complain it's too easy. Take some responsibility!
13. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anubis+IV · 2011-11-02 00:57 · Score: 1
  
  What you say sounds very interesting, except for the fact that it's not based in fact. Slashdot covered it when Apple changed their password requirements earlier this year. Prior to then, in-app purchases still required a password, but they could piggyback on a password entered for something else since there was a 15 minute grace period after entering a password before it needed to be entered again.
  Here's some of what I wrote then in relation to how it used to work:
  
  As I recall from the last in-app purchase I made, it's actually a rather jarring break (intentionally so, I believe), and is not nearly as integrated as you claim. You have to go through a few rounds of pop-up notifications, each one saying that you WILL be charged, dictating the amount, and asking whether or not you are certain, not to mention that someone has to enter the password at least that first time (and now, every time). It's pretty far from One-Click type of transactions, and it breaks out of the UI for whatever app you're in, so it should be apparent what is happening.
  Since then, it's required a password for every single in-app purchase (which is quite annoying). So, unless you're handing over your password to your child, in which case you should also accept full responsibility for any charges made, there's no way that your analogies make any sense. It doesn't establish precedent and then break it, there is no way around the security, and you do need a password for in-app purchases.
14. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anubis+IV · 2011-11-02 01:03 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  No it didn't, because there never was a window. Prior to iOS 4.3, and contrary to what _Chris_ said, passwords were still required for in-app purchases. The change that 4.3 made was that for in-app purchase it removed the 15 minute grace period after you entered your password before you had to enter it again. Prior to that, if a parent entered their password to install a game, a kid would then have a 15 minute period where they could make in-app purchases. After 4.3, in-app purchases require a password, no matter what. There never was a time when kids could make any in-app purchases they wanted without needing to have a password entered at some point.
15. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:09 · Score: 0
  
  I would have a hard time imagining my four year old trying to use my credit card, but a button that appears while playing a game on my phone could easily be hit and apparently significant charges incurred.
  And no - it isn't society's fault. It is my choice whether to allow my children to play games on my phone or not.
  That being said - whether I can safely let me children use my phone/tablet/media player without incurring large costs might be a factor in me choosing which device I purchase. I don't want to have to guard my phone in my own house so my kids don't pick it up and start making crazy purchases.
16. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:10 · Score: 0
  
  This is not necessarily a failure on the parents' part. My two year old nephew watched his mother purchase and download a game for him onto the iPod on two separate occasions and now can do it himself in under a minute. So, yes, there does need to be controls in place to protect parents from this.
17. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:13 · Score: 1
  
  That's the worst example I've ever read. Admittedly you were trying to shoehorn in a car analogy, kudos for that, but the reason you don't see people with their lights disabled is because it's illegal and a massive safety issue, not because people can't figure out how to do it. Seriously, there must be a million better examples you could have used.
18. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by bberens · 2011-11-02 01:19 · Score: 1
  
  For about $5 you can get a pre-paid [insert credit card brand] and tie that to your iTunes account if you're going to let your kids mess around with it.
  
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19. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by JoeMerchant · 2011-11-02 01:26 · Score: 1
  
  15 minute hole... top grossing apps in the store. When I sold my Palm OS game, most purchasers didn't realize it was shareware and paid the $9 by entering their credit card number into PalmGearHQ. I made it plain on my website that payment was at the discretion of the user and gave clear instructions on how to download, but PalmGear's marketing was less explicit about how shareware worked and lots of people paid for the app before they realized it was optional.
20. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:43 · Score: 0
  
  15 minute hole... top grossing apps in the store.
  [citation needed]
21. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by mosb1000 · 2011-11-02 02:10 · Score: 1
  
  Apple makes big bucks selling iPhones, and their primary source of income is repeat customers. There is no way they would make more money by leaving such a loophole open. Such a move would alienate too many customers.
22. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by funfail · 2011-11-02 02:16 · Score: 1
  
  ...and headlights are not on by default...
  
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  Search RapidShare and MegaUpload!
23. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by AngryDeuce · 2011-11-02 02:16 · Score: 1
  
  Why the fuck are people giving children that are too young and immature to handle the responsibility smart phones anyway??
  I see grade schoolers rolling with iPhones now, and I just don't understand what their parents are thinking. There is no reason whatsoever that a child needs a smart phone. A cell phone I can understand, something simple that they can use to call a parent if need be, that makes perfect sense to me, but a grade schooler does not need apps and itunes and all that other nonsense.
24. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by AngryDeuce · 2011-11-02 02:19 · Score: 1
  
  I'm assuming he's talking about the people that run their headlights during the day, and the newer cars that just have the headlights on by default. I really doubt that those millions of people driving around during the day under the full sun need their lights on, but again, by default they are on always.
25. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Dunbal · 2011-11-02 02:32 · Score: 1
  
  There already is - most if not all phones come with software locks and password protections. You just want to be lazy and not have to lock your phone every time you put it down. Another safety protection from 2 year olds is putting it on a counter.
  
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  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
26. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by uigrad_2000 · 2011-11-02 03:17 · Score: 1
  
  Or... just the content of the games you buy.
  There's a lot of crap in the app stores, and a lot of ways to make that crap look good (ie. fake reviews). Putting down $2.99 for a game that you think you will play a lot is a risk if you haven't played it yet.
  I'm happy with the current model. I've put down $1 in two different games (in one case to remove ads, and in the other, just because I liked the game so much I wanted to support it). Both of them were significantly better than the 30-40 games I've tried and not paid for.
  To me, it's like the shareware days (before the internet). You would get a floppy with a ton of free games, and if you were significantly impressed with any, you would send money (through the mail) to the authors.
  
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27. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 03:44 · Score: 1
  
  They're called Daytime Running Lights and they're mandatory (by law) on all cars sold in Canada since 1990. They're also standard equipment on many cars in the US, including all GMs since the late 90's. They have been shown by numerous studies to improve safety.
28. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 04:05 · Score: 0
  
  No, it's terrible unintuitive design. Seriously, do we all like Linux so much that we cannot look at bad design and say "that sucks for the user".
  If a feature is not obvious to the user or a function has big consequences it's on the UI to figure out how to effectively communicate that to MOST users (as in, nearly all). Just because you have some sort of issue with "bad parents" doesn't mean you get to crucify them for shitty design.
  No one reads the manual, no one would know those parental controls are there by default, relying on that alone is stupid. If a child is generally careful there's no reason not to hand them your phone or iPad to play Angry Birds or what the heck ever, there's no more reason to think this would suddenly cost you 100 bucks than to expect that the Angry Birds are goign to start having sex on screen,
29. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Demonantis · 2011-11-02 04:16 · Score: 1
  
  Apple should have done this initially irregardless. Basically Apple was performing fraud as it was accepting funds from someone not authorized to use the credit card. Doesn't matter if the kid has your idevice. They need your permission to use funds on the credit card. If a store accepts a stolen card they are on the hook for the unauthorized charges. Now I have no idea how it would work out to if the child was criminal responsible for the fraud, but Apple definitely was failing with due diligence.
30. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by b0bby · 2011-11-02 04:21 · Score: 1
  
  Just about every 4th grader I know has an ipod touch - the problems still apply even though it's not a phone. Grade schoolers LOVE apps & all that other nonsense. My kids don't have the itunes password, and I have enabled restrictions so they have to ask me to install whatever they saw on their friends' device & now have to have too.
  The article talks about Smurfberries - my kids like that game, but they don't even bother asking anymore if they can get the in app stuff, they know the answer is no. (I did buy them each something like a wand in the Harry Potter app.)
  I'm not willing to pay for an iphone data plan for myself, let alone my kids, but an ipod touch is the best thing ever. Books, movies, apps, internet access, free unlimited texting via google voice, skype, all in one easy to use package. Just keep the itunes password to yourself, set the restrictions, and get a cool skin on there for protection & you're all set.
31. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by AngryDeuce · 2011-11-02 04:40 · Score: 1
  
  At the very least they could be tied to a light sensor somewhere on the car, though. I mean, what the hell situation could you possibly be in where you are driving around in full-daylight and those daytime running lights provide you with more visibility than the sun already does?
  And yes, I realize that when you are going into tunnels and under bridges and such they may help, fine. But they don't need to be on when you're driving in the open air under midday sun. Negligible energy savings for the individual, but across however many millions of cars on the roads, that could be millions of barrels of oil less a day we use...
32. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by DJRumpy · 2011-11-02 04:47 · Score: 1
  
  There are only two password options for restrictions. A 15 minute timeout (after which you are required to enter a password), or an immediate setting. In-App purchases always require a password regardless of this setting.
  You can optionally turn on the Restrictions (Settings -> General -> Restrictions) to enable more fine controls, for example to disable app purchases entirely, disable In-App purchases entirely, turn off browsing, Ping, etc, or to set an immediate password requirement for all purchases (In-App or otherwise).
  The default is to require a password within a 15 minute window for regular purchases, and an immediate password for anything In-App. If your children do not have this password, they can't do in-app purchases.
33. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by OeLeWaPpErKe · 2011-11-02 05:56 · Score: 1
  
  Another safety protection from 2 year olds is putting it on a counter.
  You don't have a 2 year-old kid, do you ? Sure they can't reach it directly, but if they're interested, they will get there.
34. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by 19thNervousBreakdown · 2011-11-02 06:01 · Score: 2
  
  It's not that the lights allow you to see better, it's that the lights allow others to see you better, you self-centered dink.
  As for your ridiculous efficiency argument: we would save roughly 100,000 barrels of oil per day, not millions. The next step is for you to decide how many more people dying per day is worth saving those 100,000 barrels, and then go look up the statistics on DRL.
  
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35. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by AngryDeuce · 2011-11-02 07:02 · Score: 1
  
  So the other drivers that are also driving around in the full sun along with me, my headlights actually make a difference in how well they see me? Come on, now...if they can't see me in full daylight in a fucking car they should not be driving. Does NOT having my headlights on during the day absolve someone from hitting me in the event of an accident? Good fucking luck with that.
  And as for my ridiculous efficiency argument, it's still 100,000 less barrels of oil less a day we are burning. Saving just ONE barrel of oil a day is worth it because that is just that much less shit in the atmosphere. And how the hell did they even prove those statistics concerning the running lights? I highly doubt it was done in a research environment where every other variable was eliminated. No, more than likely some tool saw a statistical decrease that happened because a lot of different factors in a specific geographic area and attributed it to daytime running lights, and now here we are...
36. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by 19thNervousBreakdown · 2011-11-02 07:49 · Score: 1
  
  Given that you not only haven't looked up the efficacy statistics of DRL, but appear to believe that your gut feeling that they're completely ineffective trumps any amount of research and any research that disagrees is fundamentally flawed, I guess the fact that the 100,000 barrel a day figure assumes 90W DRL when the dedicated LED lights on newer cars use closer to 9W doesn't matter.
  Even if it did, the 10,000 barrels a day is still more than one, and you've established that saving one barrel a day is worth any amount of lost lives. There's still an interesting question there, however, which is what about those that are just maimed but not killed? X-rays and MRIs take a lot of power, the hospital staff has to get to work somehow (I'll bet a lot of them even have daytime running lights on their cars!), and I haven't seen a hybrid ambulance yet, and then on top of that they have tons of lights that they keep on all day long, and they force possibly hundreds cars that otherwise wouldn't stop to halt on a single trip down the road, burning even more gas when they start moving again. What's worse, they send an ambulance out even when the people involved are very likely dead! And then there's police cars, and if there's even a hint of a fire they send out sometimes multiple fire trucks. Finally, if there's sufficient damage to the vehicle, it may end up totaled, and then all that energy has to be spent again to build another car (unless the occupants are dead, in which case we only have to worry about the environment if the the recently deceased are cremated). Whether you care about loss of life or not, accidents are certainly more expensive than DRL. The question is, since you don't care about the loss of life, just how much energy does an average accident cost, and is that cost divided by the frequency of accidents higher than the cost of DRL. Because, if it is, you'll end up spending more oil trying to save some. Oh, why can't we just let them rot in the street!
  
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37. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 08:18 · Score: 0
  
  The next step is for you to decide how many more people dying per day is worth saving those 100,000 barrels
  I'll say ten. Is ten OK? Did I win a prize?
38. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Coren22 · 2011-11-02 08:24 · Score: 1
  
  RTFA?
  Hell, RTFS?
  
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  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
39. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Coren22 · 2011-11-02 08:32 · Score: 1
  
  You do realize that children don't come from the womb fully trained right? Kids like playing games, they have bright colors. When there is a button that allows them to play the game better, they will press it. Kids up to around 14 don't understand, and even college level kids often don't understand the value of money. I am not allowed to have my 11 yr old son get a job to earn money, so he has no concept of how much work is involved with the earning of money. It is a rather difficult thing to teach children, and when Apple made it so easy (before the update) for kids to spend $1400 without parent involvement, it was a boneheaded thing for them to do. This was a story in the news, there really was a kid who did this. I don't blame the parents, as I have kids, and I know how hard it is to teach them basic money skills, and basic security. My kids don't even notice the Android security screen when they download free games, and if my market purchases required no password, I am sure they wouldn't notice that they were spending money. Apple did allow this to happen, it has been since fixed, but this article is pointing out a bug. Why is it that you can get a free game, then pay $99 for a wagonload of smurfberries?
  
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  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
40. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by RalphTheWonderLlama · 2011-11-02 08:45 · Score: 1
  
  I believe you just built a strawman. "Daytime running lights help other drivers see you" magically turned into "if a driver can't see your car in full daylight, they are a safe enough driver to be on the road". Indeed, the second one sounds bad doesn't it, but it's not the argument.
  It's been pretty obvious to me, as a driver, that it is easier to see people if they have daytime running lights on. And this improves safety. I have actually noticed this on specific occasions several times. I remember because I was anti-daytime running light as well just for aesthetics. I've noticed it especially in situations where the low sun is shining in your eyes and when it's just generally low light. At these bad lighting times the car may look the same "color" as everything else, but the headlights are dead giveaways. Keep a look out and you might notice it yourself as I did.
  
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41. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Grizzley9 · 2011-11-02 08:50 · Score: 1
  
  Nope, bad parenting. Parental controls are on nearly every electronic device that's media capable. It takes 2 seconds to search for it as a parent. They've made it intuitive with the password requirement and the parental controls in the settings. So you're saying it's not "walled-garden" enough? Interesting.
42. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Dunbal · 2011-11-02 12:18 · Score: 1
  
  No, I have a 20 year old and an 18 year old kid. I'm sure they haven't changed them much in the past couple decades. Be creative. You are the parent, after all.
  
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  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
43. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Dunbal · 2011-11-02 12:21 · Score: 1
  
  You do realize that children don't come from the womb fully trained right?
  No, actually they are pretty stupid. I know mine were. That's what parents are for, to train them. There really is no excuse. I've never had a kid use my credit card, and I've never had to smack them around or be otherwise cruel to them to achieve this. It can be done by YOU - not the government.
  
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  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
44. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Anubis+IV · 2011-11-02 12:41 · Score: 1
  
  Might I suggest you read them and the comment thread here, then rethink what you said? The article and summary don't discuss the 15 minute window that JoeMerchant was claiming was being exploited at all. This story is about the fact that freemium games are grossing well due to in-app purchases, but makes no references to exploits or the like. The thing we were discussing (before AC and you interjected) was a perceived issue that existed prior to iOS 4.3 (specifically, that after a password was entered, there was a 15 minute period before they'd be prompted again). iOS 4.3 added the setting to remedy that issue.
  Now, if you want to suggest that freemium games are grossing well because loads of iOS users are using a pre-4.3 version of the firmware, I'd point out that numbers from three months ago indicate you'd be overstating their potential impact. If you want to suggest that, despite their small numbers, many of them are entering their password and then making inadvertent in-app purchases in the 15 minutes that follow, I'd point out how unlikely that is, given that in-app purchases are rather jarring in how they remove you from the app with pop-up notifications to let you know that you WILL be charged. And if you still want to suggest that there are so many stupid users entering their passwords regularly while running old firmware and disregarding warnings, then I'd say we have nothing further to discuss. :P
45. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by taoareyou · 2011-11-02 18:46 · Score: 0
  
  Exactly, you can turn on Restrictions, disable in app purchases. You set a restrictions password that is a 4 digit number not associated with your iTunes password. You can even have it set to wipe the phone after 10 wrong guesses. So even if your child has an iTunes password, you can still prevent them from in app purchases. Those unwilling to do this cannot blame anyone but themselves. Well they can, but it would certainly not be that effective.
46. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Coren22 · 2011-11-03 03:01 · Score: 1
  
  It is pretty much a given that most people in the world don't change the default settings. My understanding is that the change was not made to the default, but was made to give you the option of changing the behavior. I don't have an iPhone, I prefer Android, so I can't check the setting, but if it still defaults to the 15 minute window, that would be good reason to believe that many kids would utilize that 15 minute window to their advantage, and most likely mom and dad wouldn't even notice.
  
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  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
47. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by Coren22 · 2011-11-03 03:08 · Score: 1
  
  So, if all your kid had to do at 4 was to click a button, and it charged your credit card, you think s/he would hold back somehow? As far as I recall (it has been a few years) my kids knew their alphabet at 4, but could not read much yet. Giving a child (through default settings) the ability to charge their parent's credit card through in app purchases should be considered fraud. You should always have to type a password to charge a credit card. PizzaHut.com makes me enter my password every time I order a pizza, why can't a phone?
  Could you put a chargeback on the transaction with your bank as you didn't authorize the charge? Your kid, or any random person who picks up your phone is not an authorized user of your credit card; only you are the authorized user. I noticed this recently on my Android phone too, I tried out an in app transaction, it connected to my Google wallet (I guess? the screen didn't say, just had an old expired CC) with no password entry, and had an ok button to charge the card. What if I had dropped my phone on the ground at the gas station, anyone could have used the phone to buy stuff. My understanding is that the default iPhone settings are still to allow a 15 minute window after entering a password before it is forgotten; this is not a good thing.
  
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  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
48. Re:If kids have your iTunes account password ... by PoopCat · 2011-11-03 04:35 · Score: 1
  
  I am not allowed to have my 11 yr old son get a job to earn money, so he has no concept of how much work is involved with the earning of money.
  Here's a fun and simple way to teach your kids the value of money. "Hey, Coren22 Jr, do the dishes and I'll give you $1." At some point, Coren22 Jr figures out that $1 is not an appropriate reward for the thrill of loading the dishwasher, and says "Ok dad, but this time it'll cost you $5.". Achievement unlocked: Parenting 101.
Just like "free" phones? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 19:41 · Score: 0

The sticker price is zero, but it's subsidized by ridiculous texting and data fees, in part by every user on the network.
1. Re:Just like "free" phones? by tumnasgt · 2011-11-01 21:58 · Score: 2
  
  Indeed, but it's pretty damn hard for a 6 year old to walk into a Verizon store and walk out with a $100/month plan. Making an in app purchase is very easy, and doesn't always require verification of the user. The problem isn't the in app purchasing, it's the fact it's used in app targeted at kids that don't understand that they are spending real money.
2. Re:Just like "free" phones? by mosb1000 · 2011-11-02 02:14 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, all the contracts I've seen only require you to keep the voice plan. You could turn off data and texting if you wanted to. This will send you back to the '90s, but it's still an option.
Setup parental controls now by Que_Ball · 2011-11-01 19:42 · Score: 4, Insightful

Even if you leave every other setting unlocked you should go in and setup parental controls on your device to block in app purchasing. Do it now before you head out to the restaurant and you load up something to keep the kids amused not realizing that because you just finished downloading it your itunes account is still unlocked and the kids can buy whatever they want without a password for the next few minutes.
Even if you don't have kids of your own, you might be out with friends or family that do and your generous act of amusing the kids turns expensive.
1. Re:Setup parental controls now by PowerCyclist · 2011-11-01 20:19 · Score: 1
  
  I don't let any device I own save purchasing info -it's just asking for trouble. It helps you save money anyway because entering in the info each time makes you consider if you really want that song or game that will only bring a couple minutes' joy.
2. Re:Setup parental controls now by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 21:32 · Score: 0
  
  you head out to the restaurant and you load up something to keep the kids amused
  Or you could, you know, treat them like human beings and interact with them yourself.
3. Re:Setup parental controls now by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 23:37 · Score: 0
  
  Thanks... Little late now... I actually managed to get Apple to give me a refund for an in App purchase even though they dont refund app store purchases according to their policy. They advised exactly what you did.
4. Re:Setup parental controls now by 140Mandak262Jamuna · 2011-11-02 00:06 · Score: 1
  
  What? Actually spend f2f time with you own flesh and blood? Is it some kind of belated Halloween joke? Someone stop this madness from spreading.
  
  --
  sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
5. Re:Setup parental controls now by Sancho · 2011-11-02 01:23 · Score: 1
  
  iPhones required entry every time, but gave a 15 minute grace period that wasn't configurable. Now it's configurable, but I don't know how many parents know about it.
Its a good system by satuon · 2011-11-01 19:43 · Score: 1

That way you can still play the game for free. You don't have to purchase anything in the app if you don't want to.
1. Re:Its a good system by ron-l-j · 2011-11-01 20:34 · Score: 1
  
  I agree free is good, but in some cases you can spend a bunch of cash or spam everyone on the internet just to make the game playable after a few levels are completed. android GLU mobile games are the worst for this.
Apple isn't a parenting service! by Superdarion · 2011-11-01 19:43 · Score: 4, Insightful

I find it hard to blame Apple for this problem when parents are giving their unsupervised children an iDevice with credit card information.
1. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by PowerCyclist · 2011-11-01 20:00 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Agreed. Remember the 1990s? All the 900 numbers advertised to kids in commercials? This is the same deal. The people that setup these things deserve to be flayed, but it's the responsibility of parents to teach their kids responsibility.
2. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by cfryback · 2011-11-01 20:28 · Score: 1
  
  + 100
3. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by JavaBear · 2011-11-01 20:31 · Score: 1
  
  99% of "computer" users are dumb when it comes to IT, it's a sad fact.
  Most do not even realize that there are such features until it's too late, and they probably would not know where to disable this until then either.
  Just like I think 900 numbers should be disabled unless the subscriber specifically enable them, as should in-game purchase settings be set to disabled by default.
  Additionally it might be an idea for Apple and other resellers to create the concept of "sub accounts" for the kids, where they either can't make purchases at all, or can have a pre-paid account which can only be replenished from the "master account". Oddly enough, everybody's favourite whipping-boy, Sony PSN, already have this, more or less...
4. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Tom · 2011-11-01 21:29 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  99% of "computer" users are dumb when it comes to IT, it's a sad fact.
  No, it's not a fact. It's an urban legend perpetrated by geeks so they can feel superior to others. I've seen people with no computer knowledge whatsoever get their first PC and get familiar with it, and while they aren't IT experts, "dumb" doesn't describe it correctly. What they have is a different attitude - to them the machine has a purpose, it's not a toy by itself, they care about learning its fine details as much as most average geeks care about the difference between buckshot and birdshot and how to clean a shotgun blindfolded.
  
  Additionally it might be an idea for Apple and other resellers to create the concept of "sub accounts" for the kids, where they either can't make purchases at all, or can have a pre-paid account which can only be replenished from the "master account". Oddly enough, everybody's favourite whipping-boy, Sony PSN, already have this, more or less...
  As does Apple: http://www.apple.com/itunes/inside-itunes/2010/11/using-itunes-allowances-with-your-kids.html
  
  --
  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
5. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by luisdom · 2011-11-01 22:37 · Score: 1
  
  See, i have a 2 yr old daughter. I purchased Talking Tom, which is a f***ing talking cat. A simple toy, with which she laughs a lot. I checked every option, no risk invovled. I've seen that now, in-game, you can buy him glasses for 1$ a piece. Should I check every update if they've added scam features? That's why I paid apple "no-worry" premium?
  It's a game specifically targeted for children, and frankly, you don't want parents to supervise every minute of their children's wake time; they grow assholes.
6. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by drinkypoo · 2011-11-01 23:14 · Score: 1
  
  "dumb" doesn't describe it correctly. What they have is a different attitude - to them the machine has a purpose, it's not a toy by itself, they care about learning its fine details as much as most average geeks care about the difference between buckshot and birdshot and how to clean a shotgun blindfolded.
  See, when you brought guns into the metaphor, you fell right on your face. Because if you're going to go out hunting with your shotgun, you had better fucking know the difference between buck shot and bird shot, and a lot more things besides, like which choke to use with a slug, and indeed, how to clean the weapon, though how to do it blindfolded is probably not necessary; ducks aren't going to shoot you if you flip on a flashlight. People use computers without knowing the equivalent, to their detriment. People use guns without knowing what they're doing, too, and sometimes manage to blow them up in the process.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
7. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by AdrianKemp · 2011-11-01 23:41 · Score: 1
  
  as should in-game purchase settings be set to disabled by default.
  Go. To. Hell.
  I don't have kids, and you have absolutely no right to fuck up my experience on the device because you can't control your fucking kids.
  Apple has amazing parental controls, the best I have ever seen for a phone or music player. Parent's that are unwilling or unable to control their children can fuck right off.
8. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by El+Royo · 2011-11-01 23:46 · Score: 1
  
  Is it just me or does the fact that their allowance program has a -minimum- purchase of $10 per month seem a bit ridiculous? Damned if I'm going to give a young child $10 per month to spend on games and in-app purchases. If Apple really wanted to make it useful for parents it would have a $1 minimum. Instead, it's about pulling more money.
  
  --
  Author of Enyo: Up and Running from O'Reilly Media
9. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by robthebloke · 2011-11-01 23:47 · Score: 1
  
  I find it hard to believe that people assume it's the kids doing all the purchasing. If someone is willing to pay a £45 a month line rental for an iPhone, then a couple of quid here and there for an app store purchase (or an in game purchase), isn't that much of a stretch. Whilst you might hear a number of scare stories about children running up bills on their parents phones, the stories you won't hear, are from those individual 'whales' that actually make freemium a profitable business model.
10. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by robthebloke · 2011-11-01 23:54 · Score: 1
  
  ducks aren't going to shoot you if you flip on a flashlight.
  
  You're doing it wrong. Turn your flashlight on, point it at a duck, walk towards them, and knock them over the head with it.
11. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by WillAdams · 2011-11-01 23:57 · Score: 1
  
  The minimum of $10 is probably a threshold negotiated w/ the credit card companies so as to make it worth their while.
  
  --
  Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
12. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Jbcarpen · 2011-11-02 01:21 · Score: 1
  
  Erm, did you see the post further up the page regarding the $99 in app purchase in smurf village? This is a kids game aimed at four year olds. No excuse there whatsoever.
  
  --
  GENERATION 667: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation
13. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by AdrianKemp · 2011-11-02 01:22 · Score: 2
  
  $10 a month minimum is perfectly reasonable.
  First: If you aren't giving a young child $10 worth of entertainment budget a month you're a goddamn monster. That's less than most toys, and far less than a couple of movie rentals or what-have-you.
  Second: If you can't afford $10 a month, you shouldn't be having kids.
  Third: Having such a budget will invariably teach the child something about budgeting and responsibility.
  Fourth and last, if you can't afford $10 a month... forget kids *Why do you have a luxury tech gadget?*
14. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Hatta · 2011-11-02 01:34 · Score: 1
  
  "dumb" doesn't describe it correctly.
  Yes, yes it does.
  What they have is a different attitude - to them the machine has a purpose, it's not a toy by itself
  Play is the best way to learn. If you get a new tool, and your first reaction isn't "Sweet, let's see what this thing can do!", you're probably dumb. If you learn a tool, any tool, by simple rote memorization of the tasks you need to do, instead of understanding the theory behind the usage, then you're dumb.
  they care about learning its fine details as much as most average geeks care about the difference between buckshot and birdshot and how to clean a shotgun blindfolded.
  If you're going hunting and you don't know what sort of shot you're using and why, you're dumb. If you use a computer for a living and don't know how to open a text file, you're dumb.
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
15. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by El+Royo · 2011-11-02 02:23 · Score: 1
  
  I see... Because I have kids -and- an electronic gadget I'm obligated to spend $10 per month on apps? Interesting. I guess if my kid had no other interests I might could get behind you. You know what? I suspect it'd just be easier if there was a mandated $10/month app spending requirement that came with kids and iDevices so I could just stop thinking about how to spend my money. Thanks for your kid raising advice, stranger!
  
  --
  Author of Enyo: Up and Running from O'Reilly Media
16. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by PNutts · 2011-11-02 02:52 · Score: 1
  
  It's not aimed at four year olds, it's rated 4+ because there is no objectionable content. And on every screen where you can purchase it there is a disclaimer, "PLEASE NOTE: Smurfs' Village is free to play, but charges real money for additional in-app content. You may lock out the ability to purchase in-app content by adjusting your device’s settings."
17. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Tuan121 · 2011-11-02 03:55 · Score: 1
  
  No it's not, but they should add an option on your itunes account to be able to block in-app purchasing (if this isn't already there).
  I only want the apple store to be able to charge me, is that too much to ask?
18. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by tlhIngan · 2011-11-02 04:13 · Score: 1
  
  Play is the best way to learn. If you get a new tool, and your first reaction isn't "Sweet, let's see what this thing can do!", you're probably dumb. If you learn a tool, any tool, by simple rote memorization of the tasks you need to do, instead of understanding the theory behind the usage, then you're dumb.
  It depends, because no one has time to check out the features of their new "toys". If work gives you a cellphone, 99% of the population won't got and check out the features it has, because they don't care. Work required them to have a cellphone, they were given one, end of story. The cellphone is not their job, it's just a tool to facilitate doing their job. This isn't true if your job is to sell cellphones, but if you're hawking widgets to other companies, you don't care if your cellphone is has 3 Gees or 10Gees or has Flash or whatever. It just makes calls and possibly lets you send and receive emails.
  Just like a car is used to facilitate transportation, it doesn't mean people go out onto the highways to go full throttle to see what it can do - most people don't care about their cars - other than it gets them from point A to point B.
  It's like how some people go into a store, and buy the first shirt they find, while others spend hours agonizing over two shirts.
  Of course, the hope is if some tool is helpful to the task at hand, and said task happens often, curiousity to explore the tool would develop. Of course, we can also blame many IT departments for slapping anyone who even tries to do anything fancy to the point where diverging from "recommended steps" leads to fears of dismissal or reprimand...
  That said, you are right wrt to an iPhone or iPod Touch - since those are rarely bought as tools meant to accomplish some other task but be a means to themselves. Which is why Apple advertises both as not just a phone or music player, but as gateways to entertainment, fun, and exploration.
19. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by AdrianKemp · 2011-11-02 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  I have new advice: don't have anymore. You're too stupid to be in control of a human's development.
20. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 08:51 · Score: 0
  
  Your analogy "most average geeks care about the difference between buckshot and birdshot and how to clean a shotgun blindfolded" only holds true if "most average geeks" were running around using shotguns for important purposes.
  Take the average computer user, tell them they need antimalware protection if they are going to be online, and that they need to secure any wireless network they hook up. Explain to them why this is needed. Go back 6 months later, and the computer is full of malware, they don't know how someone got their credit card info, and guess what, no antimalware & an unsecured network being used by three neighbors. They will tell you "I meant to do what you said, but ".
  a) didn't want to spend the money
  b) didn't have the time.
  A more appropriate analogy, in my opinion, is driving a car. Everyone knows a car needs gas, oil, coolant, tires, et cetera. Run a car until the motor siezes because of 5 year old oil, or no coolant, and you get no sympathy from anyone.
21. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Tom · 2011-11-02 12:33 · Score: 1
  
  I've written lengthy articles and given speeches about this topic. I'm trying to sum up a complicated matter in very few words, but your (and most tech peoples) expectations of the mindset of an average user are dramatically wrong.
  You are telling your example user things that appear to you as simple, obvious and important. But to him it's a load of technical crap where he doesn't understand one half, and for the other can't see why the computer, this powerful machine that does all the other things all by itself, can't handle that. And the more nanny-like computers get, with all their "you need to do this", "you need to update that", "new this available" - the less you can explain to an average computer user why it nags him with all kinds of nonsense, but can't take care of the important things.
  Or, in a car analogy, that's like a car having neither a fuel gauge nor an oil warning lamp, but exploding when either runs out.
  
  --
  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
22. Re:Apple isn't a parenting service! by Tom · 2011-11-02 12:39 · Score: 1
  
  Play is the best way to learn. If you get a new tool, and your first reaction isn't "Sweet, let's see what this thing can do!", you're probably dumb.
  You assume that everyone in the world either is or ought to be thinking like you do. Many people do not have that fascination with new toys, and live perfectly good lives without it. One part of evolution is that many strategies are explored, often in parallel. As regarding this curiosity, many variations are still around, the final verdict is still open.
  
  If you learn a tool, any tool, by simple rote memorization of the tasks you need to do, instead of understanding the theory behind the usage, then you're dumb.
  Not at all. Again, there are several different types of learners. And there are different kinds of tasks. Some do in fact get learnt best by repetition, others by understanding, many by a balance of both.
  
  If you use a computer for a living and don't know how to open a text file, you're dumb.
  I smell a failed reductio ad absurdum. Of course the average user knows how to open a text file: Double-click it. What he doesn't know is what exactly happens in the background, and he really shouldn't have to. When I drive a car, I need to know that pressing the right pedal makes it go faster, but I don't need to understand combustion engines.
  It's not "dumb" when your knowledge is limited to that which matters to your task at hand. Every single one of those "dumb" users very likely has an area of expertise in which you are "dumb".
  
  --
  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
re: by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 19:47 · Score: 0, Interesting

"but Apple is a company that prides itself in protecting users from harm"
Whoa, what?
Look, I'm not trying to attack anybody here, but that's an incredibly stupid statement. Apple doesn't really care whether its customers come to harm, and neither do Google or Microsoft or any other comparable companies anybody can come up with. Liability and profit are the only concerns. As long as it doesn't cost them anything, they don't care whether or not you get completely screwed over, destroyed, etc.
Utter nonsense.
The world is full of sharks... by emanem · 2011-11-01 19:47 · Score: 1

...just watch out you and your cubs don't swim too far away form the reef.

Cheers!
Remember Habbo Hotel? by Sigvatr · 2011-11-01 19:49 · Score: 2

When I was a teenager I used my household phone to ring up hundreds of dollars worth of virtual furniture in Habbo Hotel. I never got caught. No one noticed. These companies are making money off of people like me (as a teenager).
Ban Credit-Cards. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 19:51 · Score: 0

Credit-Cards managed by a major issuer is like dealing with a BOFH Firewall administrator in the sense that no matter what you say or do it is ultimately the finale judgement of the Credit-Card company of what you may trade or buy or sell with thier trustee status over your person and account.
Don't believe me? Look at the Bestiality Industry how that was shutdown when Credit-Card companies stopped all payments to that kind of commerce.
Lawful money on the other hand is far away from future interest kinds of currency in that the trade is not maintaned by a trustee and there is no account to draw legal standing but simply trading value for value in terms of existant substance.
Living in the USA is prime example of how Lawful money has been eschewed if not entirely coerced away from using because it's unregulateable. Legal Tender is how to wage a war of commerce on the people.
1. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by SuricouRaven · 2011-11-01 20:03 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not aware of the bestiality history, but I recall the most recent attempt of the US government to ban internet gambling is to prohibit any US bank from doing business with a non-US gambling (including poker) company, thus making it impossible for their customers to pay. I am also reminded of how Wikileak's fundraising was crippled when no financial company would process payments to them, thus making it near-impossible to donate.
  
  Here in the EU, we're removing all the highest-denomination notes from circulation on the grounds that the only people who need to make such huge transactions in cash are criminals.
2. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by PowerCyclist · 2011-11-01 20:13 · Score: 0
  
  I like that logic for removing large notes. The US seems to be going the other way, trying to remove pennies from circulation on the grounds that nothing costs a single penny anymore, even making them costs more than a penny. They hit resistance from Abraham Lincoln lovers though.
3. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by mwvdlee · 2011-11-01 21:16 · Score: 1
  
  Here in the EU, we're removing all the highest-denomination notes from circulation on the grounds that the only people who need to make such huge transactions in cash are criminals.
  Do you have ANY evidence to back that seemingly far-fetched claim up?
  I've never even heard of categorically removing high denomination notes in the EU.
  
  --
  Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
4. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Maddog+Batty · 2011-11-02 00:33 · Score: 2
  
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8678979.stm
  
  --
  wot no sig
5. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 02:39 · Score: 0
  
  hahaha you've been down modded stooge.
6. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Random_Goblin · 2011-11-02 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  500 Euro note withdrawn in the UK here is one example for you. actually the main trouble is that it makes a large amount of money quite a small physical size, and thus harder to catch people moving about
7. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by mwvdlee · 2011-11-02 06:48 · Score: 1
  
  The UK's currency is Pound sterling, not Euro.
  They're banning large denominations of foreign currency. UK isn't banning any denomination of their own currency.
  The article doesn't mention any of the Euro countries banning any denomination of their own currency either.
  
  --
  Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
8. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Random_Goblin · 2011-11-02 07:13 · Score: 1
  
  original poster said;
  
  Here in the EU, we're removing all the highest-denomination notes from circulation on the grounds that the only people who need to make such huge transactions in cash are criminals.
  you replied;
  
  Do you have ANY evidence to back that seemingly far-fetched claim up? I've never even heard of categorically removing high denomination notes in the EU.
  
  I politely give you a link about the UK (a member of the EU since 1973) removing 500 euro notes (what might be called high denomination) from circulation because of organised crime (what we might call criminals)
  
  and you then tell me that the currency of the UK isn't euros...
  
  no fucking shit sherlock
  
  top tip for you; not all members of the EU use the euro. There are 27 members of the EU and only 17* of them are in the eurozone
  
  *this number may drop suddenly in the next few months
9. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 07:31 · Score: 0
  
  Doesn't surprise me, the US eliminated $500 and $1000 bills back in the 45 and 69 for much the same reasons.
10. Re:Ban Credit-Cards. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-03 04:48 · Score: 0
  
  ITYM spooge.
But only 5 look like kid's games by msobkow · 2011-11-01 20:05 · Score: 2

Only 5 of the free games mentioned look like they're targeting children. If they're installing the other 5, I'd like to know where the parents are that should be monitoring their kid's gaming and viewing habits.
I see no difference between trying to get kids to buy in-game items than trying to get them to buy real-world toys. In both cases, the parents are the ones who should be holding the purse-strings and taking their children shopping.
I think it might be possible to restrict these games on the basis of children under a certain age not being able to enter into a legal contract for the purchases.
At very least, there should be some requirement for parents to authorize the in-game purchases and limit spending on them on a per-game basis.

--
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
1. Re:But only 5 look like kid's games by msobkow · 2011-11-01 20:08 · Score: 2
  
  I believe social media network games should be held to those same standards. The device you use to play games should not affect the legal restrictions on those games.
  
  --
  I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
2. Re:But only 5 look like kid's games by Taco+Cowboy · 2011-11-01 20:14 · Score: 2
  
  I believe social media network games should be held to those same standards.
  I believe parents should be held to those same standards
  
  --
  Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
3. Re:But only 5 look like kid's games by MatthewCCNA · 2011-11-01 20:45 · Score: 2
  
  At very least, there should be some requirement for parents to authorize the in-game purchases and limit spending on them on a per-game basis.
  There is another way, an iTunes allowance which prevents over spending be creating a separate bucket of funds automatically incremented each month with $10 - $50.
  
  --
  "He is so stupid. And now back to the wall!" Moe Szyslak
4. Re:But only 5 look like kid's games by DrXym · 2011-11-01 21:47 · Score: 1
  
  That assumes the device belongs to the kid which I doubt is true for most iPads or whatever that a kid might be permitted to play on from time to time.
5. Re:But only 5 look like kid's games by Grizzley9 · 2011-11-02 01:28 · Score: 1
  
  At very least, there should be some requirement for parents to authorize the in-game purchases and limit spending on them on a per-game basis.
  There is. Under Settings>General>Restrictions. You can turn off In-App Purchases or require a password immediately or every 15 minutes. Silly is the parent that gives up their password (basically their CC info to their kid to purchase as wanted). There is also an iTunes allowance that can be setup for kids. Allowance
Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children? by zephvark · 2011-11-01 20:06 · Score: 1

That is all.
1. Re:Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 20:14 · Score: 0
  
  Don't worry, many people spend the whole day thinking about children and how to take their money.
2. Re:Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children? by Taco+Cowboy · 2011-11-01 20:20 · Score: 1
  
  Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children?
  The one who should think of the children are the Parents.
  Stop blaming others if parents have failed to take care of their own children
  
  --
  Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
It must be a slow news day by Taco+Cowboy · 2011-11-01 20:09 · Score: 1

or that people have run out of valid things to complain and now they are complaining of free games with OPTIONAL in game items which cost money.

--
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
1. Re:It must be a slow news day by DrXym · 2011-11-01 21:08 · Score: 2
  
  That depends who these free games are targeted at, how much this optional stuff costs, and how essential it is to play the game. Smurf Village (for example) is aimed at 4+ year olds yet allows kids to purchase in game items with real money. Not pocket money either. A "wheelbarrow of smurfberries" costs $60 and can be had with a few taps. It's not the only example and I suspect most of these free games operate along similar lines. That's simply unconscionable exploitation by the game operator and bad design by Apple (and Google) for allowing it to happen at all through their system.
  I think at the very least a user should be required to enter a password at least once at the start of a session and per purchase outside of a 15 minute window in any 16 rated game that offers in-app purchases. Better yet Apple (and Google Marketplace) should impose per-app limits on the amount of purchases that may be made in such game, e.g. $10 within any 24 hours and require account holders to manually remove this limit. That would at least limit the damage and would curb the worst excesses of these scummy games.
2. Re:It must be a slow news day by DrXym · 2011-11-01 21:09 · Score: 1
  
  Correction - that "in any 16 rated game " was meant to read with a < i.e. "in any < 16 rated game " but /. stripped it out
3. Re:It must be a slow news day by iamhassi · 2011-11-02 00:21 · Score: 2
  
  or that people have run out of valid things to complain and now they are complaining of free games with OPTIONAL in game items which cost money.
  While spending real money is optional to simply play the game, it's not always optional if you want to actually finish the game. I've played some games like Pumpkins vs Monsters where you'd have to play hundreds of hours to beat the game unless you pay real $$$ because a level will only give you ~100-300 gold but a single upgrade is 10,000+ gold.
  
  It's not impossible to win but almost. Imagine playing Half Life but health, additional lives and weapons cost real money, you're left to run around with whatever health you start with and a crowbar. Could you win? Highly unlikely.
  
  Then you have games like Smurfs' Village and Order & Chaos who have $99 in app purchases (here's another example)
  
  I agree something should be done since these games don't really fall in the "free" category.
  
  --
  my karma will be here long after I'm gone
4. Re:It must be a slow news day by PNutts · 2011-11-02 02:53 · Score: 1
  
  That depends who these free games are targeted at, how much this optional stuff costs, and how essential it is to play the game. Smurf Village (for example) is aimed at 4+ year olds yet allows kids to purchase in game items with real money. Not pocket money either. A "wheelbarrow of smurfberries" costs $60 and can be had with a few taps.
  
  It's not aimed at four year olds, it's rated 4+ because there is no objectionable content. And on every screen where you can purchase it there is a disclaimer, "PLEASE NOTE: Smurfs' Village is free to play, but charges real money for additional in-app content. You may lock out the ability to purchase in-app content by adjusting your device’s settings."
5. Re:It must be a slow news day by PNutts · 2011-11-02 02:58 · Score: 1
  
  I forgot to mention that in the app store the graphic is Scaredy Smurf so you are effectively warned twice.
6. Re:It must be a slow news day by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 04:12 · Score: 0
  
  I think at the very least a user should be required to enter a password at least once at the start of a session and per purchase outside of a 15 minute window in any 16 rated game that offers in-app purchases.
  It's behaved exactly that way for a year now... Except it does so regardless of the age rating. You also get a modal "you're about to spend money" dialog for every purchase and this is entirely outside the control of the app developer. This is a non-story. If children have unlimited access to their parents' wallets, they're likely to blow it on useless crap, be it physical or virtual. Here's an idea: Don't give your kids unfettered access to your bank account.
7. Re:It must be a slow news day by Coren22 · 2011-11-02 08:02 · Score: 1
  
  How hard is it for a child to download the game though? What child really understands money? I still am teaching my kids the costs of their wants, and what it takes to earn that money, but I wouldn't trust them with the keys to purchase on my phone or tablet even though they are old enough. Most kids wouldn't even read the warning, I have watched my son installing apps on my android tablet, and he doesn't even realize there is a security screen, it is just an additional tap to him.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
8. Re:It must be a slow news day by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 13:22 · Score: 0
  
  So much for Android's security model.
Summary inaccurate, iOS shows purchase dialog by perpenso · 2011-11-01 20:22 · Score: 5, Informative

Most of the game developers do make an attempt to warn users that the game "changes real money for additional in-app content" but it's a lame attempt. It's easily missed ...
Apple puts up a dialog over the app's screen indicating the item to be purchased and the price to be charged. These are standard purchase dialogs displayed and implemented by the operating system, beyond the app's control. Apple also updated iOS so that the authorization for the free download could not be used to authorize an in app purchase. The in app purchase requires its own authorization. And then there is the parental control option regarding in app purchases ...
1. Re:Summary inaccurate, iOS shows purchase dialog by PowerCyclist · 2011-11-01 20:27 · Score: 0
  
  Sounds good to me, but I'll just stick to devices that don't save purchase info at all.
Download auth can't be reused for in app purchase by perpenso · 2011-11-01 20:25 · Score: 4, Informative

... you load up something to keep the kids amused not realizing that because you just finished downloading it your itunes account is still unlocked and the kids can buy whatever they want without a password for the next few minutes ...
I believe Apple updated iOS so that the authorization for the free download could not be used to authorize an in app purchase. The in app purchase requires its own authorization.
Re: by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 20:26 · Score: 0

You must be one of these assholes who think Steve Jobs was not a Saint.
Not kids by Coward+Anonymous · 2011-11-01 20:33 · Score: 1

TFA is being charitable when assuming the demographic is children. It's the same demographic playing FarmVille - adults. Adults with too much time and money on their hands. Both of which they are being helpfully relieved.
1. Re:Not kids by PowerCyclist · 2011-11-01 20:40 · Score: 1
  
  There is no age limit for acting like a child.
2. Re:Not kids by flimflammer · 2011-11-01 22:01 · Score: 1
  
  Who really cares?
3. Re:Not kids by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:12 · Score: 0
  
  I wish I could find the link again... I read a story last month from a game developer who talked about the sleazy shenanigans that go on in boardroom meetings with the money guys in the entertainment industry. The projected costs and revenues of these free games are worked out to the cent before they're even released, and game colors, graphics and UIs are designed for the maximum psychological effect. The average person spends something like $1.70 on a free game, but >95% of players don't spend a cent. All the income is made from less than 5% of the player base which, according the to statistics, comes mostly from bored middle-aged women spending up to $1,600.00 each. I would expect that the "kids bounced my credit card" portion of sales are actually infinitesimal and considered casualties (if considered at all).
4. Re:Not kids by Coward+Anonymous · 2011-11-02 08:48 · Score: 1
  
  TFA does.
5. Re:Not kids by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 09:15 · Score: 0
  
  That would be who killed videogames? (a ghost story):
  
  The Useful Statistic:
  A year ago, if you talked to anyone about social games, they’d inevitably throw out this popular statistic: if you divide the combined total amount of money yet made by all social games by the combined total number of people who have played any social game even once, you’d see that social games make an average of one dollar and seventy cents per person.
  Of course, there are people — like me — who would never spend money on one of those games. That’s actually ninety-five-ish percent of the people.
  And then there are the people — statistics show they are middle-aged women — who will gladly spend upward of $10,000 on one game in less than a year.
  The average money spent on a social game by The User Who Actually Spends Money is $60. (The field of Users Who Actually Spend Money, of course, which only accounts for 10% of players, also includes the white whales who spend $10,000. This perhaps gives you an idea of the rift.)
Re:Download auth can't be reused for in app purcha by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 20:52 · Score: 0

Problem with that is so many iDevices are jailbroken these days and people won't update them since doing so would un-jailbreak them (requiring a new jailbreak, possibly triggering reinstallation of apps, loss of settings, etc).
This further reinforces the fact the locked down devices that need to be jailbroken are hindering security in much the same way that MS blocks security updates on "non-genuine" Windows installations. The OS is kept unpatched so as to preserve the "jailbreak", leaving the device vulnerable to the latest attacks.
The real problem in this instance are devices that need to be jailbroken in the first place. The device should not care from where it gets service from. Other than customer lock-in, there is no valid reason for locking devices to a specific carrier. I'm glad I live in the EU where this practice is uncommon. Here, I can buy my device from anyone I choose, and use it with whatever service I choose. Just change the SIM card.
Penny Arcade by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 20:56 · Score: 0

This story reminds me of this PA comic:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2011/6/10/
I hate "Free"-to-play games, because if you want "the whole game" its going to cost you an insane amount more than a traditionally priced game would.
Re: by mwvdlee · 2011-11-01 21:11 · Score: 1

"but Apple is a company that prides itself in protecting users from harm"
Apple doesn't really care whether its customers come to harm
Doesn't mean they can't still pride themselves of protecting it's users.
It's called "Lying" but you might be more familiar with the synonymous term "Marketing".

--
Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
Apple does by Tom · 2011-11-01 21:16 · Score: 2

And Apples does protect its users - you can set up parental controls and disable in-app purchases. In fact, I'm using parental controls on my own device to disable Ping.
If you give your kids free reign with your credit card, you shouldn't be surprised when they actually, you know, spend money on it. Sheez.
On the other topic, though, I do agree. Apple should remove games with in-app purchases from the "free" list, because they really aren't. Many of them are just demos for the real game with an in-app purchase to unlock the full version, much like the old shareware concept. Others are social media games that allow you to spend the better part of a car on crap.
The only ones I support are the ones where the in-app purchase feels more like a "hey, I really liked this game, here's a couple bucks". There's a few, for example, where you get some 20 or so levels with the game and can buy another 5 or so for money. Yes, I didn't reverse the numbers there, you get the largest part of the game for free and if you enjoy it so much, can buy a bit extra.
But still, I'd love to see a search or filter option for really free games.

--
Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
1. Re:Apple does by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 05:22 · Score: 0
  
  Perhaps a more consumer friendly version would require the user to enable in app purchases (and default to disabling them)
2. Re:Apple does by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 08:03 · Score: 0
  
  Apples does not protect its users. They make the bulk of their fortune through the appstore now (go read their financial statements), and all of their defaults are set to not protect you. Some settings are very poorly worded and pretty much hidden unless you know where to look. There is no simple initial dialog asking how you want things to behave.
  It would be trivial for them to flip this and be 100% locked down until you unlock various purchase options. But they don't, simply because they are literally making billions from how things are.
  Your filter for real free applications is very much missing and would be the most used function. But we know why it'll never appear.
3. Re:Apple does by Tom · 2011-11-02 09:05 · Score: 1
  
  It would be trivial for them to flip this and be 100% locked down until you unlock various purchase options.
  Uh, you do need to enter your credit card details, you know?
  And I personally like being treated like an adult. I hate that the entire world has to be made child-safe, even for those of us who aren't children anymore. If you don't want your brats to spend your hard-earned cash, it isn't too much to ask you to spend two minutes. And if you think the settings are poorly worded, about a thousand step-by-step instructions are one Google search away.
  
  --
  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
Because you reminded me of it: by orphiuchus · 2011-11-01 21:16 · Score: 1

"Let's cut to the chase. There are two kinds of people: sheep and sharks. Anyone who's a sheep is fired. Who's a sheep?"
"Errr, excuse me... which is the one people like to hug? "
"Gutsy question. You're a shark. Sharks are winners, and they don't look back, because they don't have necks. Necks are for sheep. I am proud to be the shepherd of this herd of sharks!"
Re: by DeathElk · 2011-11-01 21:20 · Score: 2

Bullshit. A screwed over, destroyed customer is not a return customer. Despite any policies on hardware lockdown or software distribution, none of the companies you mention have any interest in screwing or destroying their customers. Fuck, AC, why do I even bother?
Like drugs by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 21:54 · Score: 0

"Free" video games are like "free" illicit drugs. The first hit is on the dealer and the next hits are on the addict.
This is the tip of the iceberg by Flipao · 2011-11-01 23:14 · Score: 1

Companies are starting to notice people are willing to pay money not only for in game items, but also for perks that used to come in the form of cheat codes. So users are being given the choice to either spend hours unlocking stuff through gameplay or pay up to unlock them immediately.

Gameloft is one of the worst offenders, Modern Combat 3, which is a clear ripoff of the CoD Modern Warfare series allows users to purchase kill streak rewards with real cash.

Worst thing is, they've only just started to figure this stuff out, give it a couple years... we, as gamers are screwed.
Re: by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-01 23:53 · Score: 0

Look, I'm not trying to attack anybody here, but that's an incredibly stupid statement. Apple doesn't really care whether its customers come to harm, and neither do Google or Microsoft or any other comparable companies anybody can come up with. Liability and profit are the only concerns. As long as it doesn't cost them anything, they don't care whether or not you get completely screwed over, destroyed, etc.
No. You assume that whoever runs those companies acts in the interest of short term profit for the company alone.
This may or may not be correct but most likely everyone involved have different goals.
If a company is run by a person who for example doesn't like ponies then the company as a whole will act in a way that is pony unfriendly.
Are you so sure that there are no-one important in the Apple organization that wants Apple to be a company that prides itself in protecting users from harm that you are willing to call that statement stupid?
The only stupid thing with the statement is that it considers companies to have intentions. Companies are just the tools of whoever runs them. Whatever the person in charge wishes the company will do. Stop thinking of companies as individuals because that way of thinking removes liability from the people behind the company.
Teach kids to pay attention by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 00:39 · Score: 0

Well how about you teach kids not to be so flipping stupid and/or greedy?! My kids use their iPod Touches and they play those sorts of games but they know they cannot just buy stuff and they know it costs real money for those in app purchases and they're only 8 years old. If they really want something badly, they ask and we make a note that it will come out of their weekly allowance or they can do a couple more household chores to make it up.
Teach kids there are zero free rides in life and EVERYTHING has a cost, in either time, money or manpower.
As a cheapskate, I think it's great by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 00:51 · Score: 0

For cheapskates like me, I need a bunch of those kids to fund the developers to keep making me new content and games
Though the temptation is strong sometimes, I control myself and save my money for non F2P games that I really want to support.
I hold no animosity to F2P: if they have a working business model and continue for years to come, I'll just continue to enjoy all the free parts. If F2P dies because of people like me, no hard feelings either. I enjoyed my time and I'll, again, just pay for non F2P games that I really want to support
If you.... by Lumpy · 2011-11-02 01:12 · Score: 1

Buy your child a $350-$900 ipad for a toy, you deserve little johnny buying crap off of the app store and in game. WTF is wrong with adults that buy kids these things?
Hell, I told my 19 year old child that I will not buy her an iPad, she can go buy one on her own. Here have a stick, they can be fun.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
1. Re:If you.... by Onaga · 2011-11-02 02:01 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Here have a stick, they can be fun.
  Pfft. Every hardcore gamer knows that logs are better than sticks.
  What rolls down stairs
  alone or in pairs,
  and over your neighbor's dog?
  What's great for a snack,
  And fits on your back?
  It's log, log, log
  
  It's log, it's log,
  It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
  It's log, it's log, it's better than bad, it's good.
If you don't have kids, you don't know jackshit by rjejr · 2011-11-02 01:18 · Score: 0

I'm sorry all you knowledgeable geeks spending all your time playing WOW paying 8c so your horse can have wings, this isn't about that, it's about the Smurfs charging NINETY NINE DOLLARS for a bucket of make believe berries. It's not even make believe caviar. That price is obviously picked as an evil attempt to get kids to do something they shouldn't, b/c I don't care how much you like the Smurfs, nobody, not even Bernie Madoff and his illegal billions, should be spending $99 on imaginary berries. Not even with your cheatin' ex's stolen credit card should you be giving the makers of this game $99 for anything in a virtual game. And if you don't have kids then I'm sorry, but you really don't know anything. I don't care if you're a live in nanny or au pair or greatest aunt in the world, if they aren't your kids you don't know. So don't give advice or critique on something you seriously have no idea whatsoever about, you're just making yourself look like a smug superior jack@ss and even if you were 100% correct, which by the way if you don't have kids you have no chance of being, but nobody is going to listen to you anyway, b/c you don't know, so just shut up and go away.
Re:Download auth can't be reused for in app purcha by Pharmboy · 2011-11-02 01:21 · Score: 1

Problem with that is so many iDevices are jailbroken these days.....[blah blah blah]
You jailbreak your kid's iPhone?

--
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
Take you credit card off file by oddjob1244 · 2011-11-02 01:29 · Score: 1

Login into itunes and under payment options select "None.",

I took my credit card off my itunes account a while ago after I started hearing stories on the news of kids running up huge bills and what a nightmare it is to get Apple to act. I can still "buy" the free games, and I don't have to worry about my kid accidentally selecting something that costs money. On the rare occasion that I do want to buy something from Apple it prompts me for payment information and I just have to enter in my credit card information.

This has the added bonus of preventing someone from discovering your username and password and running up a huge bill.
1. Re:Take you credit card off file by SuiteSisterMary · 2011-11-02 01:32 · Score: 1
  
  Or go into the parental controls section of their iDevice, and disable in-app purchases.
  
  --
  Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
Re: by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 01:34 · Score: 0

Yeah, nobody who bought an iPhone 4 and couldn't make phone calls on it is still a rabid Apple fanatic. That's a real thing, for sure.
Re: by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2011-11-02 02:03 · Score: 1

Apple doesn't really care whether its customers come to harm... Liability and profit are the only concerns.
Derr. And guess which news story they don't want floating around. I'll give you a hint, they did a very quick update when the Smurf Berries thing came around.

--

"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Line rental for an iPod touch by tepples · 2011-11-02 02:17 · Score: 1

If someone is willing to pay a £45 a month line rental for an iPhone
How much does the line rental for an iPod touch cost?
When $120 per year is too much by tepples · 2011-11-02 02:23 · Score: 1

There is another way, an iTunes allowance which prevents over spending be creating a separate bucket of funds automatically incremented each month with $10 - $50.
Is there a way to have it add $10 every two months or every three months?
Not a real worry by macshome · 2011-11-02 02:42 · Score: 1

Not only can you disable in-app purchases, but why would you give your kids an iTunes account that has a credit card linked to it. My kids accounts have no Credit card, they only get to buy stuff when they save up for a gift card, or give us the cash to gift them an app.

To them, all the "freemium" apps are great since they get to try a whole bunch of options.
Re: by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 02:46 · Score: 0

Yeah, nobody who bought an iPhone 4 and couldn't make phone calls on it is still a rabid Apple fanatic. That's a real thing, for sure.
They might be, but they are definitely not an AT&T fanatic. You are confusing "handset" with "service".
One more reason by Sentrion · 2011-11-02 03:11 · Score: 1

why my kids won't get anything more high-tech than a Commodore 64 until they are 18 and accountable for their own actions and contractual agreements.
Um.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 04:28 · Score: 0

No shit, Sherlock?
Why is this even here?
How about stopping them getting on my phone... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 04:47 · Score: 0

... in the first place. I'm surprised that their is no call to set you iTunes account to simply not show applications / games with in app purchases. The number of times I have downloaded a game then found I need to buy more then the basic intro levels or weapons or whatever makes me annoyed. I then delete the game but it is now associated to my account forever [some thing else I hate].
Apple has a plus sign to show iPhone / iPad compatible why not a sign to show in app purchase [$ maybe?], of course the problem here is 30% of this money goes to Apple, and according to them they don't make much money from apps - so they are not likely to want to reduce the income stream.
1990 games? by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 05:22 · Score: 0

How can lame 1990 physics games be so popular? 90% based off the same engine and have the player do the same things every 10 seconds forever. I don't understand. I'd rather play Zork on my phone. Thankfully there's a Nethack game.
This is a new but well understood business model by GregGardner · 2011-11-02 07:06 · Score: 1

This is a new (in the last year or so) "freemium" business model which is turing out to be a very lucrative way for developers to make money in the new App Store mobile gaming world. It is all explained quite well in this blog post:
http://blog.flurry.com/bid/65656/Free-to-play-Revenue-Overtakes-Premium-Revenue-in-the-App-Store
Most of these games don't require you to make in-app purchases to continue in the game, they just allow you to buy items to proceed in the game faster. Because the games are free, the developers get vastly more distribution of their games than if they were paid, and even though only a small minority pay for in-app purchases, the developers can make a significant amount of money off of them. This ends up being a win-win: developers get paid and get lots of exposure for their hard work and potentially millions of people get quality games for free which is subsidized by a small number of people with more money than time on their hands who want to proceed faster in the games.
The bigger issue with these inapp purchases by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 11:15 · Score: 0

If you buy games that let you "unlock" the full version through in-app purchase, you may be in for a surprise later on. If you restore your phone or upgrade phones, I haven't seen any apps that let you get this in-app purchase back. The only app that I've seen do this is iTap RDP.
Dealing with kid gamers by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-02 22:28 · Score: 0

I recently lured a 9 year old nephew of mine out from her desire to buy penguins of certain colors (and specific personalities) with real money in a F2P game, just by pointing out how many things there were still awaiting her discovery, such as things to buy with in-game currency, minigames and challenges and new places to explore. It took me about an hour of discussion by me repeating the same idea over and over again until the message was finally able to postpone her desire to feel special with the game by having things that required real money... for a while.