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Did the early days of the iTunes App Store create a “gold rush” mindset in developers? It certainly looks as though many developers, on the assumption that there was easy money to be had on the App Store, tried to create as many apps as quickly as possible without regard to quality. On the other hand, there were indeed early stories of success — such as Trism — that might have contributed to the proliferation of fart apps and flashlights.
Whatever the reason, iPhone app developers have a hard road to hoe when it comes to getting quality products noticed. The sheer glut of apps, combined with Apple’s inch-deep mile-wide catalog system, is causing considerable frustration. At least, that’s the attitude that The Apple Blog found in its first App Store Roundtable.
The roundtable’s participants agree that, in the words of developer Mike Kasprzak, “the glory days are over.” With the initial App Store honeymoon over, app developers are trying to figure out how to create a sustainable, repeat business foundation rather than chase after cheap bucks with a fad app.
Some developers blame the App Store’s organization for creating the get-rich-quick atmosphere. On the other hand, developer Trent Shumay notes, “If you’re not a Top 20 musician, you do not expect people to learn of you via iTunes, so why would we expect it to work for Apps?”
The Apple Blog plans to make the App Store Roundtable a regular feature.
Topics: Apple, Flash, Web Development
