5 random App Store thoughts

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Devs need to work with Apple to either give away an app for the first day or number of users to encourage reviews of ‘expensive’ software. For instance, who wants to be the guy that spends $25 for this app, ostensibly the first Voice Dialer for the iPhone, http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284951677&mt=8 only to find out that it doesn’t work? By giving it away to a few random users, you could encourage reviews and let people know what they are contemplating buying.

Apple also needs a more structured timeframe for releasing apps. Pick a day (or at least an hour) to release new apps and updates. Don’t let stuff trickle in where it can be missed. I know that the MPAA and RIAA dictate new releases in their own respective domains, but Apple needs to step up and create a standard for their own App Store releases.

How about a ‘gift this app’ function, eh? Would be nice for devs to give away a review copy or to send a friend an application they might enjoy. It’s available for every other item in the iTunes store, so it shouldn’t be too hard to do.

Now that we’ve seen how updates work, the idea that a trial of an app couldn’t be done seems outdated. It’s clear that Apple can remove an app from a device on sync - we saw that with Aurora Feint - so the concept of a 7/14/30 day trial doesn’t seem too far out of the realm of possibility. See point one.

Advance search/browse would be spectacular. Being able to properly browse the App Store (in the 4 pane browse mode, I mean) and have the info be accurate would be awesome. Being able to sort by ‘date added’ would be incredibly useful. See point two.

BONUS ROUND!
Don’t allow app reviews unless the user has actually downloaded or purchased the app. Too many reviews are simply complains about pricing or other unrelated items.

What do you think could make the App Store better?