"Reaction [beta]"
Update: I Am Rich has been pulled! 7 Aug 2008
We're saddened to report that Armin Heinrich's "I am rich" iPhone application (as featured on our blog yesterday) has been removed from Apple's App Store. As you may remember, the app costs $999.99 and does nothing more than display a red gem on your iPhone's desktop, thus serving no function other than to convey your wealth to others by virtue of owning it.
Many suspect that Apple pulled it under pressure from the blogosphere. Sheesh! Where's your sense of fun people?! As Kottke points out, the iPhone itself is statement of wealth and status, yet no one's clamouring for iPhones to be removed from sale. And how is purchasing Armin's app any different to spending $5,000 on a Rolex when a Casio does the same thing for $10? "I am rich!" is a J-O-K-E. It's a comment on how us Westerners like to spend more than we need on stuff in a shallow and tasteless attempt to convey social status, that's all.
Next article: How to hide your navigation...
Previous article: !Alerting Infrastructure!
Bookmark this page
Trackbacks
To create a TrackBack to this entry simply append ping/ to the permalink URL for this page.
3 comments so far
Tom 7 Aug 2008 10:38 AM
It may have something to do with the ease by which people can buy apps - "one click" purchasing is fine, but when a mistaken click leaves you with a bill for $1k? Buyer's remorse... http://i35.tinypic.com/vfeo5.png
Speaking of which, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the usability of the App Store - see http://i38.tinypic.com/24px57c.jpg
Screenshots like this show how easy it is to mistakenly click on the "Get/Buy App" button when you're just trying to find out more information. Oh, you have to click on the *title* to find out more about the app. How very intuitive.
Also, the "Get/Buy" labels are too similar - at a glance, it's impossible to see which are going to charge you and which are free. I'd like to see some colour differentiation between the free & paid buttons, or at least some physical separation so they're not mixed in together.
Simon 8 Aug 2008 09:30 AM
Tom: Thanks for your comment. In my opinion, both the App Store and iTunes for iPhone make it far too easy to accidentally purchase stuff - to the extent that I'm actually reluctant to use either for fear of making a costly mistake. As you say, the options are poorly differentiated - which is completely unacceptable given the absence of a "confirm your purchase" screen (that, if present, would prevent many an unwanted transaction).
Tom 8 Aug 2008 11:58 AM
Agree. People have been clamouring for a 'shopping basket' system on iTunes for a while, which would serve two purposes: it would provide the "confirm your purchase" functionality you describe; and it would also allow items to be grouped up and purchased at once, rather than having to purchase each one individually.
Of course, it would also provide an opportunity for the buyer to back out of the purchase process, losing a sale for Apple. It may not, therefore, be high on Mr Job's list of priorities.
Oh, and stop being scared, you wuss! There's some great applications on there if you're careful about where you click ;)