Refunds And Trials In The App Store

Refunds And Trials In The App Store – Inside iPhone Blog:


Apple has complete control over the App Store and its component parts. I’ve bemoaned this control in the past, but it could easily be used to benefit developers and customers alike. Hopefully, as the App Store continues to mature, Apple will consider making it possible for developers to offer free trial versions of their software.

A number of developers are, in fact, already doing this.

They’re doing it by issuing both a “light” or “limited” version of the App for free, and then encouraging you to upgrade to the full, paid version.

A good example is Mighty Mighty Good Games Sudoku, which I decided to give a shot, and then happily upgraded to the full version.

(and am wasting a number of evenings with it right now…. highly recommended, if you don’t want a life)

So you can do this today, at least with some classes of Apps, and I’m not sure just how much a formal “trial version” set up might help the cause here; I don’t think it’ll make developer’s lives easier, in any event.

It’s not as convenience at the Xbox 360 marketplace download&activate model, but it’s actually workable and practical today.

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  • http://profile.typekey.com/iacas/ Erik J. Barzeski

    I like the Android approach: apps returnable within 24 hours.
    http://nslog.com/2008/10/16/android_purchases_returnable_inside_of_24_hours
    It’s so much simpler for everyone involved.

  • Nigel

    On the contrary, I think this would be a very useful feature. Apple could allow developers to offer time-limited trials of their applications, potentially using the same DRM system developed for movie rentals. Developers then wouldn’t need to worry about users cracking their trialware versions. Apple would take care of that headache for them.
    Obviously this doesn’t work for all types of software, but having an opt-in system would make for a huge simplification in development efforts. No need to keep two code paths – lite & full – up to date. And the potential to reach a far broader customer audience than only those willing to pay before buying. Plus, depending how Apple manages the system, a friendly, quick & easy way of upgrading once you hit the time wall.
    I thought this was a no-brainer and figure it’s only a matter of time before Apple offers the service.