Comments on: Why charging for developer tools is stupid

By: Tom Markiewicz

Tom Markiewicz — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:47:38 +0000

I agree with your post, but there's another issue here. I've read that for various accounting reasons Apple has to charge for these apps. They've already done it with FaceTime ($.99 when I was free before the MAS) and they've had to do the same with some of the iOS upgrades in the past.

Regardless, to your main point, if that's the case they could have made the price even cheaper.

By: @deferom

@deferom — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:08:13 +0000

In reply to Tom Cat. It's also available in the iOS (and I'd assume Mac) Dev Center if you are registered there. Also, you can buy a prepaid debit card or an iTunes gift card (they work in the Mac App Store!).

By: Tom Cat

Tom Cat — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:53:11 +0000

In reply to @deferom. I had a hackintosh for a year or so before getting a Mac. Little kids can be very persistent in their pursuit of education ;-) That is, until mommy and daddy's wallets come into play. IDK how I can get a credit card to pay $5 =P

By: @deferom

@deferom — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:35:29 +0000

In reply to Tom Cat. True, but I was think more along the lines of iOS. Either way, you still need an expensive Mac.

By: necuz

necuz — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:31:31 +0000

I don't see any reason to jump to the conclusion that they will stop including Xcode on the OS DVD.

By: Tom Cat

Tom Cat — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:24:31 +0000

For those in Vietnam where even the idea of a credit card is strange (cash and/or domestic debit card at most, no Visa or MasterCard in most families I know), Xcode 4 has just become something many kids (and adults) can't afford.

By: Tom Cat

Tom Cat — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:22:21 +0000

In reply to @deferom. Xcode isn't for iOS only; it's also for Mac OS X.

By: @g4b0r

@g4b0r — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:21:18 +0000

I actually don't disagree with your blog post. I'm just trying to think of good reasons to charge $5. I do think you are correct and keeping it free is better for Apple long term.

By: @g4b0r

@g4b0r — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:12:29 +0000

Maybe the $5 cost is to discourage 50 million people from downloading a 4.3Gb app 🙂 It's too easy to download it from the app store and a bunch of people who never intend to code would get it just cause it's free.

By: @deferom

@deferom — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:10:03 +0000

I think an even bigger hurdle would be owning an iOS device.

The cheapest one is $229. That's a rather large hurdle for teenagers, and many won't settle for the lowest-end iPod touch. They want more storage, RAM, etc. Or they want an iPad, which is $500.

Sure, they can learn without one, but you know they won't.