After thinking about this quite a bit, I’ve finally boiled my take on the AppStore down to this:
The problem with the AppStore is that it is the only way to distribute apps for the iPhone.
If developers could sell apps for the iPhone through their web sites, with download links to download apps direct to the device, the AppStore issues would be an annoyance; but only that.
There is no technical reason not to allow this. Perhaps that is why it is so frustrating.
[…] King nails it: If developers could sell apps for the iPhone through their web sites, with download links to […]
Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like Apple has any incentive to allow the existence of third party, app store, websites.
I wonder what it would take to get Apple to change their policy?
Blackberry has an appstore, however it is not as effective as it could be. I have the Blackberry Storm, and with the apps you have to log in and pay for them through pay pal. It would be so much easier and more convenient for the user if you could pay for them and add it onto your phone bill, like you were able to do with ringtones and games back in the day. Many a time have I missed out on buying apps because it was way too inconvenient to have to sign into my paypal account and pay 3.95 for an app. Just an idea…