Despite the fact that all reports indicate Android dominates the smartphone market, being able to brag having an over 80% share, app revenue continues to lag behind Apple (by a shocking average of almost $4 million dollars per day). Understandably, Google would like to do something about that imbalance --especially with such a firm position as Android's biggest cheerleader. … [Read more...] about Google Play Store May Offer Trials for Apps and Games
freemium
Google Adding Transparency to In-App Purchase Prices
According to Google, price ranges for in-app purchase will be listed on their detail pages within the Play store --including those fees payable for virtual products and subscriptions. Recent changes had already indicated whether in-app purchases were present within each title, but this takes it a thankful step further. I expect reactions to this change will be mixed. In … [Read more...] about Google Adding Transparency to In-App Purchase Prices
Instapaper for iOS Goes Freemium, Gets Updates
With the arrival of iOS 8, apps are starting to release updates to take advantage of the new features. Instapaper is no exception, adding several new features this week but also moving to a freemium business model. What this means for users is that the universal iOS app can now be downloaded for free --with the old subscription package being renamed to Instapaper … [Read more...] about Instapaper for iOS Goes Freemium, Gets Updates
Meaning of Free Apps Changing in Europe
Every person with a smartphone or tablet has experienced the frustration of a free (but not so free) app; you download it, you install it, you go to run it... and find that it's so bogged down with ads and purchase options that it's nearly impossible to use. In North America, many classify these apps as being Freemium. Beginning in September, Google has reached an agreement … [Read more...] about Meaning of Free Apps Changing in Europe
SwiftKey Changes Predictive Keyboard App From Paid to Freemium
It is always a nice surprise when a paid app becomes free. If you have been eying up SwiftKey, the time up upgrade your keyboard is now --the $3.99 price-tag has been eliminated and the app can now be downloaded for free (unless you are using Amazon's app store, as the company is still in talks with them to make the change). Making the move to a freemium model means that you … [Read more...] about SwiftKey Changes Predictive Keyboard App From Paid to Freemium
Freemium Apps Prove Beneficial For Google, Apple App Stores
A new report by app analysis firm Distimo has brought an interesting revelation, that freemium apps are far more popular than anything else. Freemium apps are those that are available free, though users are required to pay to enjoy advanced services or features. It appears that is how users tend to spend, with an overwhelming 98 percent of revenue in the Google Play Store … [Read more...] about Freemium Apps Prove Beneficial For Google, Apple App Stores
Chegg Offers Subscription-Based Textbook Rentals to College Students
A significant number of startups have tried--and for the most part, failed--to entice readers and publishers with a Netflix-style subscription model for reading. Users would pay a monthly fee or adhere to the freemium model of ads within the texts in order to get to read; the publishers would then receive compensation for the books that were consumed during that month, either … [Read more...] about Chegg Offers Subscription-Based Textbook Rentals to College Students