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Apple Now Allowing In-App Purchase in Free App Store Applications
October 15, 2009 by Brooke
Categories: App Store App, Apple
6 Comments
1,627 views
Apple has announced to developers that they are changing the in-app purchase feature of App Store applications. In the past, only paid applications could use the in-app purchase feature however, Apple is now allowing the feature to be implemented into free apps as well as paid apps.
I’m not sure what I think about this yet but, I do think it could help clean up the App Store a bit. Instead of developers creating a free lite version of their app, they could just make the application free with an in-app purchase to buy the full game thus eliminating the need for free lite versions of applications.
Below is Apple’s memo.
In App Purchase is being rapidly adopted by developers in their paid apps. Now you can use In App Purchase in your free apps to sell content, subscriptions, and digital services.
You can also simplify your development by creating a single version of your app that uses In App Purchase to unlock additional functionality, eliminating the need to create Lite versions of your app. Using In App Purchase in your app can also help combat some of the problems of software piracy by allowing you to verify In App Purchases.
Visit the App Store Resource Center for more details about how you can add In App Purchases to your free apps.
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Hmm, I don’t like this idea a whole lot. I have a feeling that we will start to see apps that say they are free but you download it, and then it tells you you have to pay. I like free apps that are truly free.
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i totally agree, in this instance they need to have a new category, EG Trial / Demo or something like that.
Or a big warning that this is not a full product and requires additional purchases etc
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I agree with the above comments, although this type of system will help cut down on apps that require a $.99 initial purchase such as many of the navigation apps.
With that having been said, it still stinks of cronism. The App Store since its creation has become saturated with junk. Apple and their developers should focus less on payment and more on content.
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I agree – now we’ll never know which apps are really free and paid apps will be working their way up the free app chart
def. BAD
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The bottom line is that no apps will be free. This may take a little time but will happen sooner or later. Thus Apple is once again lining its pockets and ensuring that they rake in money from ALL apps.
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