Apple and Facebook started the ball rolling and have directly paid out billions to developers to date. Insatiable hater vituperation aside, the iOS space is still far n’ away the most lucrative and innovative place for devs to be. However, like so many created in Silicon Valley innovations, the app-conomy has taken on a life of its own, reshaping how software is made, sold and used.
The mothership has gotten heat from developers and pundits over its apparent inaction vis-a-vis app piracy, a problem observers say has only gotten worse in recent months. Although criticism of Apple is unlikely to subside, the biggest iOS pirate site has been pushed off shore and the problem has moved to countries ‘that do not have copyright laws.’
‘Tis the season to over eat and laze about, yet you need not let the time go completely to waste. Curl up with a nice iBook and listen to free internet radio. Or, why not shop, shop ’til you drop. How’s about a few laughs a la Apple’s hot new digital assistant, Siri — your new iPhone 4S is a source of endless amusement.
The early bird gets the worm, or so hope a handful of iOS app developers. And, what about all of the new features + functions + apps the mothership’s building into iOS 5? Yeah, there’s a lot to mull over and this is a great place to start with insight on Apple most powerful mobile operating system ever.
If your iOS development model can be summarized by the words “show me the money,” then you need to sit up and pay attention. Whereas last year at this time paid apps accounted for the lion’s share of the cash, freemium is the new black and savvy developers are coding appropriately.
You’re going to get coffee anyway, why not get some go-go juice for your Apple smartphone at the same time? The really good thing about this offer is, whereas the caffeine will leave feeling like a rung out dish rag in a couple hours, your shiny new free app will keep your iPhone feeling funky fresh for days if not weeks and months.
Apple has announced that iOS 5 will ship in the Fall, which officially begins at 5:04 a.m. on Sept. 23. Will we get our hands on this hotly anticipated mobile operating system release before then? Perhaps another large-scale “semi-public” beta like Apple employed with OS X Lion?
In general, Apple’s approach to security and piracy is one that emphasizes low prices and minimal barriers to entry. “Helping honest people stay honest” are usually words one associates with this low-impact approach — is it enough?
Call it sheep for the fleecing if it helps keep you regular, but the real import of this news is that the app sector is maturing, rapidly so. Whereas pay-to-play apps once represented a plurality on the App Store, an overwhelming majority are now free (if you don’t make any in-app purchases).
As a developer, you may prefer Android’s attenuated version of “open,” but nothing compares to cashing that check. Blorge has brought you the news that iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are much more willing to pay for apps and twice as likely to click on in-app ads — now we close the circle.
Technology news Windows news Mac news Mobile technology news Green tech Buying guides Gaming news Photography news
