Are these the first screenshots of the iPhone AppStore?

One of our readers sent us in some screenshots of his iPhone showing what appears to be the anticipated iTunes AppStore. Could these pictures be the AppStore, or could it be some type of hack? It definitely looks legit to us! He says that after opening and closing the AppStore a couple of times and getting an "iTunes connection" error, it finally loaded some random AppStore pages.We also got word from modmyiphone.com that they got the same tip we did and are featuring the screenshots as well. That's two votes for legitimacy...Gallery: iPhone 2.0 AppStoreThanks AaronRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The iPhone App Store

Today, Steve Jobs announced the App Store to go along with all of the SDK fun that's soon to begin. Available in the iPhone 2.0 software update, the App Store will allow for easy navigation of both paid and free apps; Featured, Just Added, Staff Favorites, Most Popular ... it's basically an iPhone version of Apple Downloads. You'll be able to search, tap and download applications wirelessly to your iPhone (and iPod touch for a nominal fee) via WiFi or cellular. You'll also be able to install apps via iTunes. Developers will be able to sell their apps in the App Store, and can set their own price. They'll receive a monthly payment of 70% of sales, with 30% going to Apple for their credit card, hosting and marketing services. There are no additional costs for listing apps, after the $99 setup fee. Quite predictably excluded from listing in the App Store are pornography and malicious applications. I have absolutely no witty comment to make about that. It's common sense.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Unfair practices in the App Store?

The App Store might be only a few days old, but it has already proven itself to be a viable and potentially lucrative outlet for developers. With so many apps (and more being added all the time) for sale, getting exposure is extremely important if a developer wants to stand out in the crowd. Unsurprisingly, the market, especially in the games sector, is very competitive. But is the quest to compete leading to some unfair, and ultimately consumer unfriendly practices? Note: All of this data refers to the U.S. App Store, I'm unsure of the situation in other parts of the world.We got a tip from an iPhone developer, who requested anonymity, about some shady techniques being employed by some developers to obtain a higher app ranking in the App Store. As it stands right now, if you choose to browse the App Store in iTunes, not using the search but using the "All iPhone Applications" category, apps are visually displayed in alphabetical order. Well, they are supposed to be displayed in alphabetical order. As it stands right now, only five of the 21 titles displayed on the first page actually fit that criteria -- and they are the last five apps on that page.Some developers have figured out that adding a symbol or space before the game name will promote the app to the first page. Thus, Solitaire City, which alphabetically should be on page 26, is the very first app listed in the store. Other tiles like Whack the Groundhog, $0.99 Sudoku and 'ColorRise 3D' are all listed on the first page, instead of where they should be cataloged.Gallery: App Store HijinxContinue reading Unfair practices in the App Store?Permalink | Email this | Comments

AppStore is on the way. How much are you willing to pay?

Apple's iPhone-based AppStore is sure to debut sometime in the next month or two. My guess is that it will launch at WWDC, with select close partners at the launch and then a general opening to the rest of the third-party developers. I'd be quite surprised if AppStore launched and allowed immediate access to everyone who wanted to post an application for sale. Follow the jump for more thoughts and questions.Continue reading AppStore is on the way. How much are you willing to pay?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple's App Store could emerge as $1.2B business by 2009

Investment bank Piper Jaffray is urging investors who typically focus only on Apple's hardware announcements to also pay attention to the company's iPhone software strategy, particularly its upcoming App Store, which could balloon into a $1 billion m...

Just how big is the App Store?

Section: Apple, iPhone + Communications, iPhone, iPhone SDK & AppsGene Munster from investment bank Piper Jaffray is predicting that Apple’s App Store could one day become an over one billion dollar industry. However, this prediction is just one part of his three case scenario in which Apple could see anywhere from a 1 to 3% operating income increase. According to Munster, one of the key reasons this may happen is that, “Mobile service adoption rates show that iPhone owners are more sophisticated mobile users, likely a result of both the user profile and the device itself. The bottom line is that we expect similar adoption of the App Store to other advanced services.” Munster believes the App Store is going to bring tons of games, which will help make the iPhone a player in the mobile gaming market and increase the usage of the App Store. “Applying this 70% higher likelihood to the rate of game usage for smartphones, we arrive at 75% of iPhone users engaging in downloading third party applications,” he added. I have to agree. With the outstanding accelerometer in the iPhone and pretty great graphics, it looks very attractive to a certain type of gamer.  Finally, he closes by saying Apple’s stock is going to reach around $250 and that you should definitely buy. Via [AppleInsider] Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »