Google Outs Pricing Guidelines for Android Market
Google: The maximum price point of an application is $200.
Me: So, $200…you mean, if I create an app called “I’m Rich, Snitch” that simply shows a chest of treasure, and I let a user purchase it just to show off, that you’ll “accept” it.
Google: Of course! As long as we get a free copy to show our friends. We know, we know…it costs a lot to develop an app like this, but those are the terms!
Me: Cool beans!
Okay, so…maybe I’m a little harsh on Google for the whole “terms” comment, but I don’t quite understand how Google can now call it an open Market that follows loose guidelines. The whole idea behind this Market scheme is to allow the developer to really harness the power of the multitudes of mobile handset users and make some moula, while giving some awesome functionality to the end-user.
However, I don’t see any practical purpose for a $201+ application. But if a few of them ever showed themselves in the wild, I’m sure Google would consider changing the terms. So much for that “Prospectivity” concept we (I) learned in History class. This price barrier could prove to be a good thing, though: those of you that follow me know that I’m already pretty fed up with the comments and even spam applications on Market, as of now. I do my best with RC33 to calm the unnecessary and horribly annoying comments (and I’d ask you to please, kindly, go through the apps you’ve put reviews on and mark the inappropriate comments as spam!), so hopefully this $.99 – $200 price range will keep some jerk from making a fool of Android’s good name. Sometimes I wonder to myself how I could say such a thing, as this is the entire reason I left Apple and their iPhone, I wanted free, open, space for applications. However, I think of it more as the “Great Compromise” of the United States…the little guys should have some power to do what they like, but the big guys need some power to regulate a bit,too. (Give me a break, people, it’s President’s Day!)
So, sorry rich dude, now “I’m Rich, Snitch” app this go-around. Maybe next time, eh?
[Gizmodo via Ars Technica via AndroidCentral via IntoMobile]