Lite iPhone apps now upgradable to full versions via in-app purchases

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 16th 2009 at 10:26AM }

One of our biggest complaints with the relatively streamlined iTunes App Store was the user's inability to upgrade "Lite" applications to their full, paid counterparts through the demo apps themselves. This led to the App Store being cluttered with two versions of nearly every game app, which sent us into fits of obsessive-compulsive rage. Fortunately, Apple has switched its position on in-app purchases, allowing developers to include the option to purchase and unlock the full version of an app (or even DLC) through the lite version's main menu, folding free and paid apps into one neat, orderly download.

Of course, with this new model, we're likely to see a lot more app developers attempt to nickel-and-dime iPhone owners with insubstantial DLC. Still, the changes should bring a much-needed simplification to the device's download service. Now, if someone could just find a way to fold Fart Machine, Fart Gun, Fart Helicopter, Fart Piano, Fart Bomb, Fart Generator, Fart Machine 2, and Fart Thesaurus into a single, unspeakably crude executable, the App Store would be pretty much perfect.

Tags: app-store, apple, digital-distribution, dlc, itunes

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

whylekat @ Oct 16th 2009 11:07AM

I can't believe people pay for all those "fart" apps at all.. seriously.

umm....hello??? @ Oct 16th 2009 11:14AM

except for those applications that are listed as "free" for the first use and then charge a small fee for additional usage. wtf is that about? I don't understand why Apple allows shareware-type price models.

either it's free (lite) or paid (premium/full) edition. I'm not sure how many applications abuse this method, but most recently I was setting up Twitter for my mom on her ipod touch when I discovered this.

NaeemTHM @ Oct 16th 2009 11:29AM

It's not all that different from downloading XBLA/PSN arcade demo. You play it for a bit then you're prompted to buy the full game. I don't see a problem with that, however if they nickle and dime people with .99 cent extra levels I'll be miffed.

umm....hello??? @ Oct 16th 2009 12:41PM

the difference is that with XBLA/PSN you know you're getting a demo/trial version. In the AppStore it is just listed as "free" and when you read the fine print it says that additional functionality (ie - the function you were looking to use it for) you have to pay extra.

If the AppStore was to label it "free trial", "trial", or "demo" than you would know before downloading that you would be expected to pay for it. My problem with the current system is when something "free" does not equal "free."

PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Oct 16th 2009 11:35AM

this is good and bad news i guess, The good is that we can clear up that all those versions from the app store, the bad is that they may charge for anything now

WebScud @ Oct 16th 2009 11:47AM

To clarify, in-app purchases/DLC have been available since firmware 3.0 launched. In-app purchases for free apps is what Apple has just launched.

partner @ Oct 17th 2009 2:03PM

They should definitely distinguish between "demo" and "free" games, er, apps.

In-app purchases are a great way for developers to monetize their investment by charging separately for each individual piece of a game.

Perhaps it will catch on with office software as well.

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