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Apple is biting the hands that feed it
THE COST of enjoying your Apple smartphone with any new games for it has just gone up.
As of today the cheapest games and applications available from Apple's UK App Store will be 69p, an increase of ten whole pence. But, this entry-level price hike isn't the only increase found on the fruit themed shop's online shelves.
Iphone and Ipad toys formerly priced at £1.19 will now set you back £1.49, while items which once cost £1.79 are now £1.99.
Whether this will stop gamers from investing in time sinks like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja is yet to be seen. But in the age of austerity, with rocketing food prices and cripplingly high inflation, will this fun tax change our purchasing patterns at the country's one stop app store?
The INQUIRER doesn't think so. After all, what's 10p to experience the phenomena of catapulting feather sprites or an extra 30p to read your favourite comic on the go?
News of Apple's price point realignment comes just 24 hours after EA's purchase of casual gaming giant Pop Cap was announced.
The deal, reportedly worth a massive $750m, is testimony to the emerging significance of quick fix gaming. Established games companies clearly feel as much under pressure to fill those few minutes on the bus commute as they do the hour or two sat in front of an HD FPS in the evening. And rightly so ,as many analysts are talking up the future prospects of casual games overtaking the more hardcore demand in the near future.
Other international changes in Apple's App Store pricings are detailed below:
Australia: AU$1.19 > AU$0.99
Japan: 115 > 85 Yen
Mexico: $10 > $12
Switzerland: 1.10Fr > 1.00Fr
Norway: 6.00Kr > 7.00Kr
While loyal Apple customers in Mexico and Norway will feel as hard done by as us Brits, it appears that the technology giant will have gained even more friends in other territories as some prices actually appear to have fallen. µ
Tags: AppleNumb thumbs
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Apple seems to think they are "helping" their customers by revoking approval for certain apps from their "App Store" (no TM). Then they steal the look, feel, and concept behind the "banned app", and use it in their own products, daring the "little" app developer to sue them and their $ billion team of lawyers.
This may save customers a small amount of cash (even though they probably will splurge on an new Applegadget due to all the sales hype). However, once the ethics of the situation are considered, customers may well reconsider from which company they wish to make future purchases.
Apple's lawsuit(s) against Samsung -- which are based on alleged similarities of "look and feel" -- make this kind of blatant piracy on the part of Apple against certain app developers seem all the more reprehensible. It seems morally wrong to support companies that act in an immoral manner.
Have you guys never been on Theinquirer before? You are taking everything so serious... they tell news in a cynical ans sarcastic manner that mocks everyone and everything. This article isn't about how bad apple is, its just letting you know there is a price increase. They are only pretending that apple is horrible just like apple fanboi's pretend to be individuals.
The Apple Jacks will continue to buy because they love to get ripped off....how else do you explain pay Apples outrageous prices for the same hardware that we all buy for have the price!Remember the membership to the Church of Jobs only costs every penny they can rip you off for!!
You're the latest in a constant stream of humorless Apple fan boys who seemed compelled to maintain the stereotype of complete cluelessness. Has to be something about Apple products that damages the brain.
Aside from the name of the company being "Apple", the company and its retail stores have nothing whatsoever to do with fruit.
I suppose you think you are being humorous and clever, but such distortion casts doubt on the credibility of the rest of the article, and by extension, inquirer.net in general.
Once again we have a hit whoring load of BS from the Inquirer.
Apple has not changed app prices. Apps are priced in US dollars. Apple has simply adjusted the the exchange rates used in the international stores to track market fluctuations. For example, prices are up in Britain, Mexico, and Norway; but they are also down in Switzerland, Japan, and Australia.
Is it Apple's fault that the Pound is dropping in value?
I'd say you Brits should have a chat with your PM about monetary policy.
Apple doesn't set the price of apps - such as games.
The DEVELOPERS set the price of apps.
If there is a price increase, then blame the developers for wanting to make more money for their work.
And if the app is worth it, people will still buy it for an Apple device.
After all, Apple customers are MORE AFFLUENT and have MORE SPENDING MONEY than customers on other platforms.