Why are lots of apps free?

roboj01

As it says in the title - the cynic in me is trying to understand, why are apps free? What is in it for the developers/software companies and are they risky even if you download from appbrain or something similar? I am probably being over-cautious but I am currently looking at a smartphone in the near future (something like the HTC Desire S/HD, Galaxy SII) and there seem to be thousands of free apps but the cynic in me is struggling to get past the 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is' mentality! :eek:

Thanks

Jo

KillerWatt

Apps have been free in the Linux community for years, that's the whole idea of open source.

bubblesmoney

Many free apps have advertising in them which I guess gets them some revenue.

Some new developers make free apps while learning the ropes i guess as I noticed free apps becoming paid ones after some time. Some are with limited functions, so that you buy the full paid version. Some are time limited free trials which hope that you like them enough to buy them. Some have donate options.

JJ_Egan

Free apps via AppBrain are just the apps from the market delivered from the market .
Free as in i can code an app for Android and over it to others as a hobbyist developer or as a budding developer i can offer an app for free to build a user base or offer free and a better paid for pro version .
But most of all its the GNU Linux Open Source ethos Its just free .

jje

roboj01

Thanks for explaining this - I had googled but couldn't find any answers - MSE to the rescue again :T

Jo

anon_ymous

Another one may be that some developers may have a lite version(free) and a full version(cost) Some may have certain popular apps for free, so that they can charge for other apps as users are browsing through

F_T_Buyer

Hmm, is there a good forum for discussing Apps?

marleyboy

Would recommend (as its not included in smartphones) downloading "android manager" on both pc n phone if you prefer the idea of syncing your phone via wifi (instead of the standard cable route), I cannot understand why smartphones did not include a wifi method for syncing your phone with your pc.

PixelPound

Don't forget to put an app on iTunes costs the developer, so they need to charge, putting one on Android App store doesn't

thor

Where is the best site to go to if you want to start getting into writing android apps?

F_T_Buyer

thor wrote: »

Where is the best site to go to if you want to start getting into writing android apps?

I've been reading around http://androidforums.com/ (this is a worldwide site, not UK specific) which may help.