Are Apple doing a “Facebook”?
posted by robert | filed under uncategorized
I just saw a Tweet from @DavidFeng with a link to this article about Apples App Store Refund Policy.
OK. Cool, we all think initially. This’ll stop the stupid iFart, iPewk or whatever other nonsense Apps there are out there. The unprofessional Developers of insufficiently-tested Apps who fail to ensure that a necessary backend service is running to support the App (Multiphoto send anyone?) will also be called to accountability.
But I’m not impressed, really not impressed!
Here’s the low-down:
- Developer produces iPhone App, tests and ensures that it works and is ready for production
- Developer pays $99 to be able to put App in App Store, provided it gets through Apples somewhat haphazard review process
- App hits the store and starts selling. Developer receives 70% of purchase price, Apple keeps 30% for providing an excellent infrastructure and for marketing…fair enough, by the way
- Users, for whatever reason as there seems to be no qualification required for it by Apple, demands refund within 90 days
- Apple requires Developer to refund 100% (I say again 100%) of the purchase price to the Users concerned. Apple keeps it’s 30% (for “services rendered”?)
- Do the maths – Developer has big problems
But, and this is a big BUT: What about small companies and individual Developers who are trying to get into a marketplace where they compete with bigger organisations? Are we about to see a rush of eBay-like bad reputation mongers purposefully destroying these smaller competitors through anonymous “disgruntled Users”?
Believe me, this sort of thing happens. It’s a shame if Apple are going to make it possible for it to happen in the App Store and literally kill off some promising Developers along with those who they were probably trying to target.
Think it through Apple, please. Facebook have more or less killed off a promising business model by pushing applications more and more into the background on people’s profiles. DO NOT kill the App Store just because you’re sitting on piles of cash!
Maybe somebody will listen? Hm.
Robert
comments are closed.
