New section of the App Store lets you Try Before You Buy

Apple seems to be taking a step towards trying to combat app piracy, while making App Store customers happier about their purchases.

A new section in the App Store touts the free, "Lite" versions of many popular apps. These versions have been around for a while and have always been free, but this is the first time that Apple has marketed the apps directly. Not only is there a whole new section called "Free on the App Store," but the Lite versions of popular are now listed in a "Try Before You Buy" area. The idea is that if you try out an app and like it, you'll be more likely to purchase the app, and once it's purchased, less likely to try to get a refund from Apple and the developer.

There are 98 free titles listed in the new section, including Lite versions of Angry Birds, Labyrinth 2, CoPilot Live Directions, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and DigiDrummer.

[via 9to5Mac]

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Source: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewRoom?f…

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Apple seems to be taking a step towards trying to combat app piracy, while making App Store customers happier about their purchases. A new...

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cjschris

This is nothing new.
And only for the US.
Nothing like it on the AU store.

August 06 2010 at 6:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Diddle

There's nothing I hate more than some of these apps that look good but within 30s of actually using it you think "Crap, why was there no TRIAL version?"

Many app authors are making vids (and users too) so quite often now I'll seek those out before I buy to get a better feel.

I agree that Angry Birds has had its 15 minutes and needs to move on. Perhaps another section of the store for "All-Time Faves"?

August 06 2010 at 10:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Aaron

Wow! I never even noticed this section since I always go to the top 25 lists.

August 06 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chewie67

This is a great idea, but....

Come on Apple! Give smaller developers a chance.

Angry Birds doesn't need any more exposure. How about smaller apps that are only getting a dozen downloads a day now instead of YET AGAIN featuring apps that everyone already has?

All this does is ensure the rich get richer.

August 06 2010 at 9:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Oscar

And that's the reason the developers are making NO money on the android market.

August 06 2010 at 9:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Oscar's comment

Level 5

There maybe some truth to that, but look what such a thing would imply; that buyers who grew to regret their purchase on the App Store are at least SOME source of revenue for iPhone devs.

No Bueno.

No developer wants that, and CERTAINLY no customer wants that either. From my experience on both stores, Apple has encouraged demo versions a lot more than Google has; which may skirt the buyers' remorse issue. Still, it's comforting as a consumer that if I don't like a purchase, I'd be able to cancel it in a reasonable window of 24 hours.

August 06 2010 at 11:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Level 5

This is one area (the only area, lol) that the Android Market shines. Allowing users to get a refund within 24 hours, despite the fact that a second purchase becomes permanent, helps alot. There have been a few apps on the Android Market without trials/demos, etc; and being able to try these apps knowing I have a full day to choose whether or not I want to keep it risk free is awesome. I'm sure Apple has their reasons for not doing something like this (there's way more demo/lite/trial versions on my iPod Touch than on my Nexus One), but I'd LOVE to have it on my iPod Touch.

August 06 2010 at 9:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Justin

Gah, there really needs to be an edit/delete option for these comments. Third time's a charm?

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/

August 06 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Robert G Boulay

Looks like U.S. only. Not showing in Canadian App Store.

August 06 2010 at 8:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

I can't find this in the Norwegian app store. Is it a US phenomenon?

August 06 2010 at 8:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

TheCastro

People have gotten refunds for apps?

August 06 2010 at 8:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply