Apple Now Allows Review Copies of iTunes Apps

[Vincent Ferrari]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/02/developers-can-now-issue-free-promotional-copies-of-iphone-apps/' target='_blank'>http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/02...of-iphone-apps/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Apple has finally started allowing developers to issue free promotional copies of their iPhone applications. Once an application has been accepted to the App Store by Apple, developers can issue up to 50 promotional codes. The codes allow the recipient to download a full copy of the application for free. Presently, these codes can only be used in the U.S. iTunes Stores by using the "Redeem" link in the App Store."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1228309710.usr18053.jpg" /></p><p>When we started Apple Thoughts, I didn't realize that we couldn't get "review copies" of apps because iTunes was the only way to get an application.&nbsp; In fact, one developer sent me a gift card to review three of their apps because the minimum was $10 for a gift card.&nbsp; Imagine if their apps were $0.99?&nbsp; Anyway, this is a welcome change and I hope all our developer friends that read regularly are taking this one in!</p>

[Darius Wey]

It's a step in the right direction... but only 50?

[Vincent Ferrari]

It's a step in the right direction... but only 50?

49 after Thoughts Media gets ours ;-)

[Daring]

I won't go off on too long of a rant here but this is seriously absurd. While I am pleased that Apple is loosening its grip a bit I can tell you that I'm not that excited. While I am grateful that more apps will be able to be reviewed I've rarely found someone who's opinions match my own exactly. There is a solution however...free trials.

I'm a recent WinMobile convert and this is one of the huge sticking points for buying software from the AppStore for me. I can think of only a few WinMobile apps that don't have a trial. I've spent about $50 on AppStore apps and found that a couple were really bad and a few others I just didn't like after just a few minutes of use. Seriously is a time limited trial that hard to implement? If Apple would make this easy I'm certain that more apps would be sold. Further the good apps would be able to demand a higher price which is good for everyone.

(Bet you're glad this wasn't a long rant...)