Mar 12

Mobile Software Pricing Sucks

What’s up with the software pricing model on mobile devices? More specifically, how come vendors are pricing software by the month?

I just got a new Sanyo Katana, and there are some demo games loaded on it. One of them is a nifty little pool game — Midnight Pool. It’s pretty fun, and the kids really like it, so it’s a great way to keep one of them occupied for a while if the need arises.

But, this game doesn’t have a lot of depth and it’s on a tiny screen, so the playing experience ain’t spectacular. If this was packaged software on the shelf, I’d pay maybe $15 for it, at the most.

But the pricing offered: $4 per month. Seriously. First, no — it’s not worth that. Second, why the per-month pricing? Why are we suddenly renting software? I object to the word “buy” that they throw at you — if I’m paying per-month for something, I’m not “buying” it.

I just went to the vendor’s site and the pricing there is “$4.99*”. I looked and looked, but I couldn’t find an asterisk anywhere on the page. I bet it says something like “pricing is by the month.” Doorknobs.

by Deane   March 12, 2007 9:32 AM   |

Comments

by Carter Adler,   March 13, 2007 9:56 PM  

Because they can.

Have you tried writing software for the mobile phone lately? By keeping "homemade" mobile software to a minimum (or nonexistant), companies maintain an artificial scarcity, which allows them to charge whatever price the market will bear without worrying about losing customers to a competitor.

Add Comment

Want to advertise on this site? Contact FM.
Web Hosting Web hosting, dedicated servers and Web design services
Laser Toner Cartridges UK laser toner, toner cartridges, hp toner, lexmark toner, samsung toner, canon, toner, epson toner, oki toner, kyocera toner, xerox toner, remanufactured toner, compatible toner
Direct TV Deals Free 4 room direct tv deals. no equipment to buy. free fast professional direct tv installation. this is the best direct tv deal available anywhere.
SEO Article Learn from the experts with our SEO article.
rope light Shopping with birddog distributing, inc., gives you access to the lowest prices, the best customer service and the quickest delivery times possible.
Laptop AC Adapter We offer genuine factory direct replacement AC adapters.
Direct TV Best satellite TV deals.
Direct TV Deals Direct TV programming deals are varied and include packages containing from 50 channels up to over 250 channels.
8mm film to DVD Retain family memories with the only frame by frame digital restoration service in the United States for your 8mm film to DVD today
Rubber Stamp Shop for custom self-inking stamps, hand stamps, address stamps, label stamps, check endorsement stamps, check deposit stamps, date stamps, pre inks, pocket stamps, ink and much more!