I think that the "free" or "lite" versions are double edge swords. Here's a couple thoughts:
- Apple doesn't allow the free version to up-sell or reference the full version. At least not anymore. I posted "sketchinz free" in around 12/07/08. The "save" and "upload" button opened up a message that said this function is not available in the free version. I got this email from Apple, with the app rejected:
"sketchinz free cannot be posted because it is a feature-limited version. Free or "Lite" versions are acceptable, however the application must be a fully functional app and cannot reference features that are not implemented or up-sell to the full version. After tapping on the "Files -> Upload" button, sketchinz free displays the alert message "Sorry, this feature is not available in the free version of sketchinz."
So I removed those buttons to make the app non-feature-limited.
- The free version was identical to the full version with the exception of not being able to save and not being able to upload. I always planned having this version, so if you created a sketch with the full version and wanted to send it to someone else, the other person could enjoy your drawing without paying. However you could create drawings with the free version and even without the ability to save I think I gave too much away.
- The free version downloaded thousands of copies, but it only results in as someone said earlier, about 1% full version sales.
Hope this info is helpful to someone. And since we are talking about it, check out
sketchinz :: anyone can draw . I think it's a really cool app.
-lajos
