Developers Can Make Money on Android Apps, Too…
So still think there is only money to be made for developers of apps for the iPhone? Well, developer, Edward Kim, would have to say otherwise.
Edward Kim developed a pretty basic app that helps users find their car. It uses the GPS to pinpoint the location, can then tell you things like when your meter is running out and needs some coins, the distance to your car, the direction, etc. The app has been selling in the Android Market for about 5 months and is now bringing in some serious cash; $13,000/month now, according to Ed.
There is a free and a paid version of Ed’s app. The free version seems to have been downloaded about 70,000 times while the paid version has been downloaded about a tenth of that so far and increasing more each month. The paid version was selling for about $1.99 when he started but is now selling for $3.99. This seemed to work out for Ed as he doubled the cost of the app, while keep more than half the amount of downloads (in turn increasing profit).
So Android devs thinking about jumping on the App bandwagon, $150k/year a good enough reason?
in order for Android phone to succeed, I think it is important to promote Android Market as better money making place than Apple’s. personally I think Android Market web site is too elementary. Google needs to improve the website, and make easier for people to buy. I think using centralize payment system that Apple uses is good idea… i understand that will increase the overhead, but the consumer will feel better that it goes thru Google, the trusted name. Right now android market just post apps online and let the buyers buy straight from the developer.. it seems too much hustle and complicated. Apple’s way is much easier and faster…
We’ve just launched a service that helps Android developers monetize apps, thought it might be useful – http://www.metaflow.com/news/2010/07/06/metaflow-gets-down-android