Should software developers or anyone working on similar fields pay for the "Apps" they use? Legally speaking, if the software is for a price, anyone who intends to use it must buy the software. Of course we all know this is never a common reality. I will not go into discussing corporate non sense and go into details of complicated licensing schemes being offered by , often times, greedy software companies. Let's focus into what they call, the "Apps". These simple yet entertaining and(sometimes) useful software has kicked off to become a worldwide commodity, thanks to the ever expanding smart phone industry. Unlike big productivity suites offered by large money-sucking companies, most of these "apps" are startups trying to make a name in the industry. Of course we know some who went on and hit big time with a highly addictive app. Others were eventually bought by bigger companies. That's the idea of a food chain after all. But then again, these are applications made perhaps on someone elses basement or a shitty small office by developers trying to earn some cash by doing what they do best. In reality, they are us, they work like us, they live like us, typical software developers. Like us, they deserve to be paid as well.
I dont mind spending a few dimes and nickels for a useful app. I have done it in
iTunes before, buying a $15 iTunes gift card just to buy a $2.99 guitar app. Then, I went on buying some til I bolted out of iTunes and left a $7.99 fortune waitng to be spent. I also bought a few in the
Play Store. I must admit, however, that I have not bought anything above 5$ mark.
Sygic, is really tempting I must admit:-)
Going back to the question, I think out of respect to other software developers, we should pay for the apps that we think we need. That is why our clients continue to pay for the services and product we provide them, because the payment is due to us. The emergence of mobile applications has opened the doors to a lot of developers. Mind you, most of these applications in the market don't earn that much. We can not blame them for the ugly advertisements that come with their masterpiece, especially if that is the only way they will cash in some money. So if the vast amount of free apps can't satisfy your need and only a paid app will do, be kind enough and pay. Just don't forget to evaluate first before buying.
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