Steve Jobs told USA Today that the Apple App Store will launch with "more than 500" applications Thursday night for the iPhone and iPod touch. Of these, 25% will be free and 90% (of those for sale) will cost $9.99 or less. "This is the biggest launch of my career," said Jobs. Analyst Tim Bajarin at Creative Strategies said, "When IBM introduced the PC, it was good, but it didn't take off until people started discovering the software." It's these apps then, he adds, that will "dramatically differentiates the iPhone" from Treos and BlackBerrys. Indeed, while consumers are focused on the launch of the iPhone 3G device, it's the App Store which has analysts in such a tizzy.
Update: The New York Times
reports that 1/3 of all first-wave applications will be games. We also corrected the Bajarin misquote above.
[Thanks, Matt and Chris Z.]
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Joe @ Jul 10th 2008 2:14AM
you know I don't give a shit how many are $10.00 or more I want the free ones!
Matthew Thomas @ Jul 10th 2008 2:15AM
Ok, maybe you dont, but cleary, Bryan didnt have the brain power to work out the maths.
Brian @ Jul 10th 2008 2:44AM
"90% (of those for sale) will cost $9.99 or less"
The question is whether "for sale" includes "free" apps. If "for sale" includes only non-free apps, then the breakdown is:
25% Free
67.5% $0.01 to $9.99
7.5% $10 or more
DYLAN C @ Jul 10th 2008 2:10AM
Lol @ apple fanboys.
I've been running much more powerful apps on my Windows Mobile phone for ages.
You nubbies say "omg t3h applicazuns on ph0ne is g0dddddly!!!! s. jobs ftw!!!!". It seems like Apple fanboys are zombies that think that everything Apple does is "revolutionary".
Sergio @ Jul 10th 2008 2:14AM
Thanks bro. Right next to you.
Most of them would be completely lost
anywhere outside of that tightly controlled
Apple universe.
Remember, Second best they are.
Alex Seyer @ Jul 10th 2008 2:16AM
Yeah well atleast iphone apps dont run slow as dick like winmo ones do. kthxbye
maveric101 @ Jul 10th 2008 2:32AM
Alex, have you ever even used a WinMo phone?
also, there are tens of thousands of apps for WinMo, some are going to be amazing, and lots are going to be crap.
gozer @ Jul 10th 2008 2:34AM
what are these powerful apps? how much power do they hold?
Alex Seyer @ Jul 10th 2008 2:42AM
Actually..yes I've used a WinMo phone my last 2 phones where a htc tilt then a htc touch, i didnt say winmo didnt have good apps i know they do and they have a crap load of them. winmo is just slow and ugly where as iphone is simple and smooth. my friends couldnt even make a call with my winmo phones but no one has had a problem with my iphone. and why cant engadget just remember my freakin password?
iJuleguy @ Jul 10th 2008 3:32AM
Oh yeah, same here. I've got a N95 loaded with cool stuff. Even though the pixel density sucks, it doesn't have a real keyboard, is extremely bulky, and has shitty battery life, I'm still going to say the iPhone 3G sucks to boost my self worth.
ill trooper @ Jul 10th 2008 3:38AM
...Or is it YOU that thinks YOUR phone is the ONLY phone that can do anything revolutionary?
Don't think about it too hard - just go away.
maveric101 @ Jul 10th 2008 1:57PM
btw: "Finally, a legit, standalone Twitter client. We're finding it to be quite buggy and slow, however -- which seems to be a growing trend with apps we're testing out."
hm, sounds like iPhone apps aren't actually any better than WinMo apps. Besides, i bet most WinMo apps would run fine on faster phones like the X1.
nak @ Jul 10th 2008 2:10AM
So of the 4,000 developers selected to sell iPhone apps, only 500 are launching?
Jake Pollack @ Jul 10th 2008 2:19AM
Yes, at the very moment it's launched. I'm sure the first full week of the App Store will have tons more apps.
Robin Lalonde @ Jul 10th 2008 2:11AM
i believe the 25% that are free would also fall under costing $9.99 or less, no?
Jake Pollack @ Jul 10th 2008 2:18AM
Yes, but I think what the writer means is that apps that will cost an amount of money...... 90% are $9.99 or less.
Free < n > $100
Verx @ Jul 10th 2008 2:22AM
Sounds like Steve is trying to go back in time and make up for losing to M$, and quote the IBM days hah. I always have a feeling like the guy is just asking for attention, like he's that one child that never got loved, or one band player that never got the spotlight. I'm looking to see what apps are released, and i dont own an iphone and most likely will not buy one either. Open SDK FTW!
Jake Pollack @ Jul 10th 2008 2:26AM
yeah, like the bass player for metallica.
KarlW @ Jul 10th 2008 2:43AM
I don't think Steve needs it - he pretty much IS Apple. When Apple's BoD fired him, the company turned rubbish. He came back, introduced the iMac, and all started looking back on track.
- Created the Mac platform. Arguably 'better' than PCs, cult following and iconic hardware designs allow a luxury goods company to turn record profits during a 'recession'. One of the only companies to still focus on quality.
- Led the iPod to launch. Pretty much revolutionised music sales by creating the first usable DRMed Download store. Created the PMP industry, increased the amount of music people listen to (even if not on iPod itself). Word has entered the OED.
- Led the iPhone to launch. It's legacy is TBD, but it was a historic launch in that Jobs managed to get Apple complete hardware independence from AT&T. That model may continue and promote innovation in the whole Mob. Phone market. Extremely high satisfaction rates - it's an economic and usability success, even if it doesn't change the world.
- Apple Retail. A lot of people skip this one out. They're the quickest growing retail chain in the world (not just quickest "tech market chain"). Very high satisfaction ratings, design awards for stores worldwide. Employ thousands.
Oh, and he used to own Pixar, before he sold it to Disney. He's now the largest single shareholder in the Walt Disney Company.
Whatever you think about Apple and/or their products, you can't flame Steve. He has a very good eye for potential markets, has changed the world several times, and is one of the most successful CEOs in the world. Check out the speech he gave at Stanford (YouTube).
Verx @ Jul 10th 2008 3:00AM
I'm not doubting his success, he sure is up there. I just dont see why he has to be such a money hungry monger. Fact remains apps are not to be distributed by everyone, and apple takes 35% cut from all the sales, puts restrictions in SDK agreement. Seriously...am i the only one that thinks this is bullshit? To a consumer, this might be transparent...but to some one that likes to develop like me its complete bullshit. Most SDK's out there provide free support and encourage development, not the case here. Dont get me wrong i really like iphone, i just cant stand the fact its more locked down than arabian vagina. Apple was never known to be a good supporter of developers, and you can see it by the amount of software available for the OS.
heshmati4 @ Jul 10th 2008 3:18AM
Verx
You have no clue what you are talking about. Apple gets 30% in order to run the app store... Developers think that the app store is simply the best way to get their apps into consumers hands.. No Support??? Go to Apple Developer center where there are tutorials and support pages to help you...
ill trooper @ Jul 10th 2008 3:51AM
"...one band player that never got the spotlight."
?
I can't say your comparison is working as he's definitely been the only guy in the band, making hit records, in the spotlight for the last 32 years. He's closer to retiring than just starting out, so you don't need to worry about his spotlight ever arriving - it's been on him for decades. While you make comparisons to band members, Jobs sells iPods and band member's music on iTunes.
Verx @ Jul 10th 2008 3:53AM
@heshmati4
"Apple gets 30% in order to run the app store... Developers think that the app store is simply the best way to get their apps into consumers hands"
Is that straight from Job's ass or you figured it out all by yourself? Do you think record labels also get 30% jack hammer? Obviously YOU don't know what you're talking about. It's about choice, and apple gives you none.
Apple developer center is a joke.
Justin @ Jul 10th 2008 2:23AM
*cough*
Android.
heshmati4 @ Jul 10th 2008 3:13AM
*cough*
Loser
ill trooper @ Jul 10th 2008 4:01AM
Hey, the Android demos look cool. But it's not out. No phones, no solid availability dates. I'll look into it when it comes out, but while I've been waiting, I've been using my iPhone for the last year, and will be getting the 3G.
Waiting for perfection until you buy will have you waiting a long, long time. You gotta get involved at some point if this stuff turns your crank.
Case @ Jul 10th 2008 4:38AM
*cough*
Vaporware.
Striker @ Jul 10th 2008 2:24AM
Go away clak.
Striker @ Jul 10th 2008 2:25AM
NOOO! Thought I hit the reply button to clak, I mean Ocean, sorry about that, at least it wasn't a double post lol.
Striker @ Jul 10th 2008 2:28AM
Interesting, every time I hit Ocean's reply button, it goes down to the comment box, but does not say that you are replying to anybody. Good, I'm not crazy thinking that I hit 'reply' when the system says I didn't.
tconner @ Jul 10th 2008 2:33AM
You're all wrong actually...
If you read the direct quote from USA Today: "Jobs says 25% of the apps will be free, and 90% of the ones for sale will be $9.99 or less." I believe the 90% excludes the free apps. So...
25% of 500 = 125 free apps.
Leaving 90% of the remaining 375 are 9.99 or less (.9x375 = 338 rounding up)
375 apps for sale - 338 that are 9.99 or less = 37 or 7.4% of 500
So according to Steveo's off the cuff guestimates we can assume approximately 7.4% (~37) of the 500 apps available at launch are $10 or more.
neokepplar @ Jul 10th 2008 3:56AM
spot on tconnor, people did not read the article carefully enough (particularly the parenthesized part).. yes, most people got it wrong including the 25% into the 90%.
Richy @ Jul 10th 2008 6:03AM
At last, someone who can do maths (or math according to our American brethren).
It never fails to astonish me how many people seem to be proud of the fact they can't do basic sums. Some of them don't even realise they can't do basic sums, which is even more worrying...
Andre @ Jul 10th 2008 2:34AM
OT: People, upload avatars for your accounts already.
vcxccc @ Jul 10th 2008 2:39AM
what application could possibly be worth more than 9.99...and how much more are we talking about? like adobe photoshop 399 dollars? hahaha
Jake Pollack @ Jul 10th 2008 2:44AM
I smell a Final Cut Mobile Edition coming on!!!
Only $499.99!!
Greg Mcp @ Jul 10th 2008 2:54AM
Oh god don't throw any more numbers into this thread.
"But $399.99 < $499.99 which is 1% of the remaining 10%..."
alex_bardasu @ Jul 10th 2008 3:21AM
Yeah...you guys are talking about iPhone Apps, but the iPhone still hasn't launched in Romania :(
jspeed04 @ Jul 10th 2008 3:22AM
I have ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST in the iPhone 3G. But I tell you. If I can play and record piano sounds on my phone, that would (excuse me) FUCKING ROCK!
Jeremy Callan @ Jul 10th 2008 3:24AM
Don't know if anyone else noticed, but itunes 7.7 is on Software Update. Hopefully 2.0 will be available soon!!
Ben J-Strike @ Jul 10th 2008 3:33AM
I was just about to say the same thing.
s_pack @ Jul 10th 2008 3:33AM
itunes 7.7 is live i just downloaded it from software update... just letting you guys know. and it says it has suppot for 3g iphone, 2.0 software, and remote control from ipod touch/ iphone available as a free download from the app store. just letting u guys know...
Generic @ Jul 10th 2008 3:40AM
It's these apps then, he adds, that will "dramatically differentiates the iPhone" from Treos and BlackBerrys.
...notice how he sidesteps WinMo...
Romeo @ Jul 10th 2008 3:47AM
Long time reader, first time commenter.
DYLAN C:
I have to completely disagree with everything you say. I currently own a WM6 PDA, the XV6800. I waited over a year for it... constantly checking sites for any info at all. Then it comes out after a nine month delay, and I wasn't eligible, so I paid retail for it.
The phone stock is absolutely, 100% garbage. I cannot receive MSN or Hotmail email. Pocket IE takes about three years to load a page, it looks like crap, and it usually freezes the phone if used on any non-mobile site. Then of course come the constant resets because of the 24mb available RAM overall... and the memory leaks, please. Just two weeks ago, for absolutely no reason at all, the phone started going slow. Soft resets did nothing. Luckily I was able to sync my contacts and info, and I was forced to hard reset.
Of course it you can install apps.. some are great! Which is why I wanted a PDA, to be able to customize it. And my phone has GPS... but it's locked, so it doesn't work at all. I had to install at least six apps to make the phone even usable out of the box. So now that I can install third party apps, why would I want to keep my PDA? I pay the same monthly ($30 data), have GPS but can't use it, and the phone needs to be reset once a day because of memory leaks.
I love MS products, but they are VERY far behind. Just look at IE. Opera has dominated the PDA market, and Firefox has crushed the desktop side. (I don't use FF either).
By the way, everything I own is Microsoft... custom XP MCE desktop, a $4,000 XPS m1710 Vista laptop, Xbox 360 (on my 5th one now in 18 months)... and so forth. Yet I cannot wait to get rid of my XV6800 and get the 3G iPhone Friday morning.
So there you have it... diehard MS consumer, yet Friday morning can't come soon enough for me.
Veyka @ Jul 10th 2008 7:17AM
I have one of them, under the T mobile MDA Branding.
Lovely phone, butt, if your having problems, give a rom from here a go.
Im using CRCs R11.0, fast, and very much like vanilla, no extra bloat.
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Hermes
xda-developers are a reason to keep buying WM and HTC phones.
Ps. on the gps part, blame HTC, if you read the topic, they deliberately made it so you couldn't use it, thus they had a big new feature for the TyNT 2.
Verx @ Jul 10th 2008 4:18AM
@ ill tropper
i wasnt expecting anything less than such allegiance to apple from a fanboy like yourself.
collegekid13 @ Jul 10th 2008 4:18AM
jobs is pullin out the big guns. comparing to ibm . . . wow!
CarrotAndStick @ Jul 10th 2008 4:54AM
I'd like to know this... how accurate or precise is the iPhone's touchscreen? Will it be able to run applications to make sketches, jot down notes, etc?
My Sony Ericsson P1i can do that, but this one uses an old touchscreen technology.
What about the upcoming Xperia? Or the HTC Touch Pro? None of these new ones seem to have a stylus supplied.
Lastly, will there be a WiFi streaming radio application that takes advantages of free streams like ShoutCast, Reciva, etc?
I hope so.
CarrotAndStick @ Jul 10th 2008 4:59AM
Oh, and for all you Nokia / SonyEricsson users, try the free Virtual Radio application that's available at http://www.vradio.org/index.php?js=a
It's a nifty thing that can tune upto 900 -odd stations, for free, and at good bitrates.
It would be amazing if the iPhone can have something as functional and feature-packed as this application.
Ernie Oporto @ Jul 10th 2008 7:41AM
Yeah. Not really looking for games from the iPhone. Especially since it means I'll have to recharge it much sooner.