An App Store Idea
I have an idea that might help improve the App Store. It won’t address every concern, but I think it’d be a step in the right direction.
I propose that Apple take a two-tier approach to the store so that there’s a distinction between being listed in the App Store vs. just being available for sale (or free distribution) via the App Store’s infrastructure.
An app would need to be approved in the usual (current) manner in order to get indexed, or to have a chance at being featured, or put on TV, or put on demo units at Apple stores, or a chance of being on the top 10 lists, etc. However prior to approval (and after rejection from being listed) any submitted application that passes the static analysis tools and any automated testing processes (does the app work?, does it use any undocumented calls?, etc), would get a URL that links to the app in iTunes or the App Store app where it can be purchased directly. There could be a note along side of it that the app wasn’t approved or vetted by Apple, the buyer is at risk, it’s not stocked on the App Store’s virtual shelves, etc. - but it’d still be available for sale (albeit indirectly) and subject to the marketing of the developer themselves with no implication that Apple condones it (yet).
This would remove a significant amount of the risk of developing for the iPhone because unless you’re trying to hack the system or use undocumented or forbidden code, you’d still at least be able to offer it up for sale by yourself while taking advantage of the underlying distribution and payment system Apple has created. (And Apple still gets their 30% cut.) Plus, Apple (and the rest of us) would have a chance to see if the apps they’ve been rejecting really do include the gems we want to believe are there.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
This is an interesting idea. The two-tiered approach is actually a good idea in my opinion. Allowing the consumers to get the apps (straight from dev) that aren’t necessarily condoned by Apple, yet are not breaking any of the firmer rules for the app store like the undocumented calls and etc, is one of the better ways to go about this. This would likely allow a broader spectrum of applications to be loaded onto the device including apps that Apple wouldn’t want to be associated with. Games like Dope Wars (blackberry) or even adult rated applications could be possible — and I’m sure there is a massive market for that.
I doubt Apple would go through with something like this, but I do think the idea is worth entertaining. I like it, and boy, do I love Dope Wars.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:26 am
From Apple’s end though do they want to be associated with selling “Adult” applications for example? Under your suggestion they would still be sold in the virtual “Apple App Store” in some manner as Apple would take a 30% cut. Apple doesn’t sell porn videos in its iTunes Store. Why? Apple would probably start turning a nice profit by selling such videos. Apple doesn’t want its brand to be associated with be a porn vendor. The cost doesn’t justify the benefit. Apple like any company has the right to determine what it sells.