Apps previously labeled as “Free” will now have a “Get” label on AppStore. If those apps include in-app purchases, a small gray “In-App Purchase” label will appear below the “Get” button.
The new language shows up all through the different sections of the mobile and desktop versions of the App Store and is the identical whether or not an application allows in-app purchases. No change has been made to apps that cost an upfront, one-time fee. Those apps still show the price on the download button.
The move is related to the small language and behavior tweaks other mobile platforms have made to their mobile stores in the last year in the face of rising pressure from the likes of the European Union and the Federal Trade Commission.
Apple has taken a great deal of flack from customers and consumer protection groups through the years over apps marketed as free that push in-app purchases. The freemium model has been used in some cases to circumvent the lack of app trials on the App Store. For example, a developer may make an app free to download, but require an in-app purchase to unlock the app’s full functionality. The new ‘Get’ labels seem to address such a use case where previously ‘Free’ could be misleading.
Apple hasn’t specified why it made the change, but it most likely has to do with the rise of so-called “freemium” games that are free to initially download but offer in-app purchases to unlock more features.
Google took a similar approach this fall, removing the word “free” from all games that contain in-app purchases. It has also provided targeted guidelines for developers, so they can keep it away from children making micro-transactions.
Apple necessitates users to enter a passcode before making an in-app purchase, informs consumers when an in-app purchase is about to be made, and obtains express permission with a popup word of warning. iOS 8 introduced even more control over app purchases, letting parents approve or deny their children’s purchases via Family Sharing.
Here in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission took legal action Apple and Amazon on behalf of parents who weren’t able to grant such purchases. Apple settled with the FTC earlier this year, refunding $32.5 million to parents.
The free-to-play business model is the present standard on both iOS and Android. The setup is responsible for 92% of all revenue on iOS and 98% of the same on Android. Curiously, most of the revenue comes from high spending users, whose money essentially provides for the experience of those who are not willing to part with any money.
Article Source: Apple Replaces ‘Free’ for ‘Get’ in App Store
Author: Alcanzarsoft is a tech enthusiast and likes writing about technology.
***
(Image Credit – Bing Images )
Stay Informed On Latest Tech News – If you found this article interesting and informative, please visit us for more at SourceTech411 .