Apps, the price of updates?

omro · 05-18-2010, 07:29 AM

Hi, am just curious about the general price of updates for apps.

I was wondering if you get all updates to an app for free, like the shareware model?

Or whether you buy 1.x and get all the .x updates for free and have to rebuy the 2.x app?

Or whether you have to pay for each update?

Thanks

DixieGal · 05-18-2010, 07:48 AM

When you tap the "App Store" icon, you get choices, including "Updates.". Tap it to see if any of your apps have updates, then just tap to install. They are free and automatically show up so you don't have tp search.

Javed · 05-18-2010, 07:54 AM

If you see a number next to the app symbol in itunes then this indicates how many updates you have available for your apps. You can also do updates without being connected to itunes via updates in the device. Yes they are free.

Javed · 05-18-2010, 08:04 AM

Sometimes there are free (or cheaper) "lite" versions of apps (with less features). The "full" version with more comprehensive features can be bought later if need be. This is totally different to updates as such, just mentioning this incase you didn't know. Regardless, both versions would still have free updates.

Tamara · 05-18-2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

Hi, am just curious about the general price of updates for apps.

I was wondering if you get all updates to an app for free, like the shareware model?

Or whether you buy 1.x and get all the .x updates for free and have to rebuy the 2.x app?

Or whether you have to pay for each update?

Thanks

App updates are free regardless of whether the original app was free or cost money.

BenG · 05-18-2010, 08:25 AM

Are any of the vendors charging to update to an ipad optimized app?

athlonkmf · 05-18-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

Are any of the vendors charging to update to an ipad optimized app?

MANY vendors are charging for the ipad version.

This also indicates the problem here. UPDATES are usually free.

But if a devver decides to change their product name as "HD-version" or "2.0" or whatever, they can charge money for it.

ChristopherTD · 05-18-2010, 08:51 AM

Several other useful things to note:

Generally prices for apps are very low $1 - $5, and the updates (as others have said) are free. Even if an app splits in two for a HD version, the cost is still generally low.

You can deploy the apps (and any in-app purchases) on as many iPads, iPhones, or iPod Touchs that you like. For an individual this doesn't really signify, but amounts to big savings for families!

pshrynk · 05-18-2010, 09:01 AM

The only update I've ever paid for was the updated OS for the iPod Touch. Some of the bigger apps might have pay for upgrades in the future, like getting a whole new program for reduced prices, but I haven't seen that yet.

omro · 05-18-2010, 09:17 AM

Sounds good :-)

jes1 · 05-18-2010, 11:26 PM

I can't remember which app it was for the iPod, but I did have one upgrade that had 2 levels. You could download the free upgrade that was adequate for most users, but there was also a full upgrade that they charged for. It was not anything useful to me, so I was able to get by with the free one. They only charged $0.99 for the full one, but it seemed like a disturbing precedent to me. I hope that does not become the norm.

omro · 05-19-2010, 06:23 AM

I have no issues paying for apps, though decent freeware is awesome. If paying a nominal fee for the app allows the developer to fund future development then I'm all for it. However, I don't want to be paying again and again for each update. If the app gets a major revision that could potentially be worth paying for again, then maybe I can justify that. I just wanted to be sure how it worked.

stustaff · 05-19-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jes1

I can't remember which app it was for the iPod, but I did have one upgrade that had 2 levels. You could download the free upgrade that was adequate for most users, but there was also a full upgrade that they charged for. It was not anything useful to me, so I was able to get by with the free one. They only charged $0.99 for the full one, but it seemed like a disturbing precedent to me. I hope that does not become the norm.

that sounds AWESOME!

get the app and try it and then if I like it or need more functionality 99c gets me the full version.

Much better than just charging 99c for teh app and not having a free version.

or are you suggesting the whole full version should be free???

pshrynk · 05-19-2010, 04:27 PM

Many free versions have an adware component that keeps a small banner ad on a rotating basis, where the developers get their revenue. For $.99 you can get the ad removed.

05-18-2010, 07:29 AM	#1
omro Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 452000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton, On Device: Kobo Aura HD	Apps, the price of updates? Hi, am just curious about the general price of updates for apps. I was wondering if you get all updates to an app for free, like the shareware model? Or whether you buy 1.x and get all the .x updates for free and have to rebuy the 2.x app? Or whether you have to pay for each update? Thanks

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05-18-2010, 07:48 AM	#2
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	When you tap the "App Store" icon, you get choices, including "Updates.". Tap it to see if any of your apps have updates, then just tap to install. They are free and automatically show up so you don't have tp search.

05-18-2010, 07:54 AM	#3
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	If you see a number next to the app symbol in itunes then this indicates how many updates you have available for your apps. You can also do updates without being connected to itunes via updates in the device. Yes they are free.

05-18-2010, 08:04 AM	#4
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	Sometimes there are free (or cheaper) "lite" versions of apps (with less features). The "full" version with more comprehensive features can be bought later if need be. This is totally different to updates as such, just mentioning this incase you didn't know. Regardless, both versions would still have free updates.

05-18-2010, 08:25 AM	#6
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Are any of the vendors charging to update to an ipad optimized app?

05-18-2010, 08:51 AM	#8
ChristopherTD Addict Posts: 343 Karma: 1010002 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London. UK Device: Marvin Reader on iPad Air (via Calibre)	Several other useful things to note: Generally prices for apps are very low $1 - $5, and the updates (as others have said) are free. Even if an app splits in two for a HD version, the cost is still generally low. You can deploy the apps (and any in-app purchases) on as many iPads, iPhones, or iPod Touchs that you like. For an individual this doesn't really signify, but amounts to big savings for families!

05-18-2010, 09:01 AM	#9
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	The only update I've ever paid for was the updated OS for the iPod Touch. Some of the bigger apps might have pay for upgrades in the future, like getting a whole new program for reduced prices, but I haven't seen that yet.

05-18-2010, 09:17 AM	#10
omro Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 452000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton, On Device: Kobo Aura HD	Sounds good :-)

05-18-2010, 11:26 PM	#11
jes1 Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 698 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Device: Astak EZReader, Dell Axim x50v, iPod Touch, nook	I can't remember which app it was for the iPod, but I did have one upgrade that had 2 levels. You could download the free upgrade that was adequate for most users, but there was also a full upgrade that they charged for. It was not anything useful to me, so I was able to get by with the free one. They only charged $0.99 for the full one, but it seemed like a disturbing precedent to me. I hope that does not become the norm.

05-19-2010, 06:23 AM	#12
omro Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 452000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton, On Device: Kobo Aura HD	I have no issues paying for apps, though decent freeware is awesome. If paying a nominal fee for the app allows the developer to fund future development then I'm all for it. However, I don't want to be paying again and again for each update. If the app gets a major revision that could potentially be worth paying for again, then maybe I can justify that. I just wanted to be sure how it worked.

05-19-2010, 04:27 PM	#14
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	Many free versions have an adware component that keeps a small banner ad on a rotating basis, where the developers get their revenue. For $.99 you can get the ad removed.

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