Worth writing a WinMo app for MobileMarketplace?

[3DPiper]

I have a couple of good ideas for some simple apps I'd like to write for WinMo..

But as I look at what I find on XDA, or 1800pocketpc.com , or other sites, most of the very good programs I see are written by people like me and released for free..

Will any of these currently available apps make it into the Mobile Marketplace?

Not that I think I'll become a millionaire, but I'd like to write them specifically for the Mobile Marketplace simply because I think more common people will find out about it and be able to easily purchase and install it.. It would be a simple (but very specific) sports-score-ticker type app for like $2..

All the apps I see on here and elsewere are great and well written, but hardly any of the common WinMo users know about them, or already have mortscript installed, etc..

Is it even worth writing an app for the Mobile Marketplace, or should I just do like everyone else and release it on here for free..?

-Matthew

[ace10134]

I'd rather like it here for free, I won't get it if I gotta pay $2 bucks, and I'm sure many other ppl won't get it either.

With the Windows Marketplace, you also have to pay like $100 yourself just to put an app up there. Then you can only put like 5 apps total, or you have to pay more. Unless you think you're gonna get like hundreds of people buying it, and you wanna make some money, then go ahead and do the Marketplace.

I would just be kind and make it for free at XDA though, and then make a donation box.

Btw, I'm not gonna get ur app, I don't care about sports...but...make a PS3 Upcoming Games tracker, and I'll get it!

[CmPO]

I think you should post it on both places on the marketplace and here because a ton of people know nothing about xda let alone freewarepocketpc.net or handango. But they will know about the marketplace because it will be more publisized.

[ou2mame]

can you release apps for free, and in the marketplace? that seems counter productive. that just lessens the chance of getting back the hundred bucks you gave to ms.

[ace10134]

can you release apps for free, and in the marketplace? that seems counter productive. that just lessens the chance of getting back the hundred bucks you gave to ms.

Well, it'd work, because as he said, not everyone knows about XDA. The power WM users get it for free, then, and the average user pays, lol.

[orb3000]

That is one of the main diferences!, here at XDA we share it for just the pleassure and of course donations are always accepted! and members donate!

Just my opinion,

[bugsykoosh]

if you release a free app on Marketplace you still need to pay the $99 development fee (for the first 5 apps). The best course for a developer to balance the two worlds is likely to release some free apps here for the base and some paid apps in the MarketPlace because there are far more people that will be using the marketplace than visit any forums or blogs. It's just reality...or maybe you want to release one version for the MarketPlace and a similar version for free here so you can make a few dollars off of the mass markets and give back to the community here. Also, some developers (like Herm's Software) release some free apps and some paid apps. Obviously, the free apps are intended to show people the quality apps you are producing and introduce them to the paid apps so they will get some free benefits and you still get some perks.

[valkryomnia]

Well. Many people will and wont buy it.
You need it to stand out from other apps like it. If it doesnt stand out, or is more expensive than another app like it, no one will get it. You need a good looking app, or an amazing new version of an old one for it to sell.
If I liked sports, and this app worked well / looked good, I would buy it.

[brownhornet]

Think about it like this... even with the large amount of people that have jailbroken iphones and are able to get apps for free, there is still a VERY large number of people that make a killing selling their apps in the app store. I remember seeing an article not too long ago about a guy that came up with some simple game and because almost an instant millionaire off of his app. I prefer free, but trust me there are plenty of people out there that WILL buy it if its a useful app. And with football season upon us I think a sports ticker may do better than you think it will.

[ace10134]

Think about it like this... even with the large amount of people that have jailbroken iphones and are able to get apps for free, there is still a VERY large number of people that make a killing selling their apps in the app store. I remember seeing an article not too long ago about a guy that came up with some simple game and because almost an instant millionaire off of his app. I prefer free, but trust me there are plenty of people out there that WILL buy it if its a useful app. And with football season upon us I think a sports ticker may do better than you think it will.

Yet, most iPhone users are dumb highschoolers (like my friends). They don't care to do advanced things, they just wanna buy dumb apps, like an app that makes a light-saber noise when waving the phone, LOL.

Windows Mobile, on the other hand, is directed toward the advanced user. We have been trained to search for our apps. We have been trained to replace the WinMo interface as much as possible. We have been trained to flash custom ROM's so we can get the latest and greatest.

WinMo users are more advanced, and they know better than to waste money on apps. We will probably look for alternatives to a paid app.

So, SOME people would pay for your app, but others would most likely be more practical. I haven't paid for an app, since, ever. I don't think I'll start now.

I could be wrong, but I think we could agree that dumb blondes don't go out buying WinMo phones :D

Now, if your app was something killer, and exclusive, then yes, I might end up paying. But a sports score tracker? I'll pass.