A few days ago, we reported on what Palm needed to do to become a leader in app stores over iPhone, Android, RIM, WM, and Nokia. Criteria included: time to market, developer attraction, store interface, number of apps and more. PalmAddicts have released their own summary entitled "(Prē)dicting Palm success", adding some good points to the app store discussion. Here's a summary of the points:
Better quality of apps: With a library of over 15000 apps and growing (25 000+ according to 148apps.com), how does this affect quality? Looking at the numbers, iPhone users tend to download an average of 5 apps per visit, but only 30% use them a day after purchase, and only 5% use them after 20 days. This gives the App Store "an ugly side on the back", and Palm needs to do a few things to avoid this.
Better pricing: Pinch Media CEO Greg Yardley advises developers to get their money up front, and stop depending on a free/ad-subsidized model. Last time we analyzed a chart of respective app prices among Apple, RIM, and others, with Apple far cheaper than their competitors. However, higher prices can mean more money for developers. RIM's audience of mostly business users are willing to pay more for "real apps that deliver". Palm needs to appeal to these customers as well.
Try before you buy option: Apple doesn't allow trial apps, only free ones. Meanwhile, RIM charges $200 upfront to submit apps, so there are far less free apps, and correspondingly less junk apps. Whether they will charge a premium has yet to be determined, but Palm needs to limit junk apps from finding their way onto the Pre.
Better friend to soft devs: This is another point we touched on earlier, webOS energizes developers and has a much more accessible language than the current iPhone SDK. They add that Apple has limited communication with iPhone software devs. Palm also has the advantage of true multitasking, which overcomes the iPhone's limitation.
Better transparent system: In terms of approving and rejecting certain apps in the App Store, Apple is known to flipflop on certain apps, and keeps details of fee sharing largely hidden. According to JAiB, for the team of reviewers for the app store, "each reviewer makes their own decision about what gets approved...they couldn't even guess at what would or wouldn't get through the store." Palm needs stricter and more transparent guidelines in this area.
Better reliable reviews: Apple's policy of allowing non-customers to post reviews got out of hand, destroying some developers' reputations. Apple finally changed their policy, but there are still issues with how reviews are used to promote apps in the App Store. Palm needs to create a healthier environment in the App Catalog, so software developers can enjoy the benefit of honest reviews.
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