Daily iPhone chess programs releases

[Steve Maughan]

Hi Julien,

...The application being quite costly (3.99 euros)...

Wow - times are hard. $5 costly - I remember when a decent chess program was $100!! OK, so we have Stockfish (which is free) but how many hobbies can you name where the weekly host is less than $5?

Steve

[JuLieN]

Hi Julien,

...The application being quite costly (3.99 euros)...

Wow - times are hard. $5 costly - I remember when a decent chess program was $100!! OK, so we have Stockfish (which is free) but how many hobbies can you name where the weekly host is less than $5?

Steve

Steve, that was a relative statement, considering that the vast majority of applications on iOS cost $0.99. ChessBase chose to price their app much higher than the average price, hence my "being quite costly".

Seriously, you did understand that, didn't you?

[Steve Maughan]

Hi Julian,

Fare enough. I wasn's sure it was relative.

Having downloaded the application. I'd say it "OK" - nothing special. I'd really like to be able to email a game but ChessBase seem to have locked everything.

Steve

[JuLieN]

No pb.

My main concern is that there seem to be no engine in the app, even for analyze purpose. IMO it should come with Fritz.

Also, I'm not a fan of online databases: what if you're in a remote place with no good gsm coverage?

[Albert Silver]

No pb.

My main concern is that there seem to be no engine in the app, even for analyze purpose. IMO it should come with Fritz.

Also, I'm not a fan of online databases: what if you're in a remote place with no good gsm coverage?

I cannot comment on its functionality but will say that sifting through a DB is slow stuff even on a PC, much less on a PDA/tablet. FWIW, I use the online DB far more than I use the normal DB while commenting games, as it is always up-to-date, and yields results faster.

In any case, it doesn't seem like they misrepresented what is being offered. I saw you can enter moves, but can you save the game? Does it support variations or anything else?

As to the price, I have to agree with Steve and Christophe, the economic model of $1 per app seems completely unrealistic, depending on the app of course.

[Cubeman]

The information that is available on iTunes site is very limited, it does not mention that an online connection is required or not.I only have an ipod touch so would require a wi-fi connection which is easy at home, but when away at a chess tournament with limited time to go hunting for wi-fi spots and having to pay a premium for the pleasure to get online.I imagine that it would be good to have the games downloaded on to the device in hand and that is where they are stored then you could do what you want from there.TWIC files have this ability but don't have all the functions yet of the CB offering.
I also assume that this is a one off payment which will give you unlimited access when and where you want.
Still waiting for a proper Playchess client on iphone with a built in engine to be able to analyse along with after the games are completed.

[M ANSARI]

While the $.99 is a common price for a program, there are quite a few applications that are much more. I think I paid more than $90 for my Navigon application with local maps ... now that seems over priced as I could get a complete Navigation system locally for $59. But having it on my Iphone has some advantages. Also I think I bought the American Heritage Dictionary for more than $25 ... which seems a lot as there are many dictionaries for free. I can't help but feel that both companies would have made much more money if they kept their applications at the .99 price. The cost of development is already done, and selling 25 applications at .99 is much easier than 1 application at 25. I tend to distrust any application that is free, and I think the only free application I have from the itunes store is Stockfish, which I would have gladly paid money for, and I know that I won't get swamped with advertising crap.

[Steve Maughan]

... selling 25 applications at .99 is much easier than 1 application at 25...

For the vast majority of businesses the reverse is actually true. It's much easier to sell one product at a higher price than multiple at a lower. Trust me, I've studied it. Think about it, would it be easier to sell 4 copies at 0.25c than 1 at 0.99c? I don't think so but it's the same logic.

Steve

[tiger]

... selling 25 applications at .99 is much easier than 1 application at 25...

For the vast majority of businesses the reverse is actually true. It's much easier to sell one product at a higher price than multiple at a lower. Trust me, I've studied it. Think about it, would it be easier to sell 4 copies at 0.25c than 1 at 0.99c? I don't think so but it's the same logic.

Steve

The App Store is a very special case. Usual economic constraints and rules do not apply.

Actually most of the REAL rules are not even known.


// Christophe

[Steve Maughan]

The App Store is a very special case. Usual economic constraints and rules do not apply.

Actually most of the REAL rules are not even known.

You've done an experiment by launching at one price and reducing, so you have a real data point. I'd be surprise if you've seen a x5 increase in unit sales.

I would also agree that the App Store's integration into the iPhone platform (and now the Mac) is phenomenal. It reduces the friction of buying. And I think the $1 economy is fine for products people stumble across. People think, "it's only a dollar - why not". But I think it's different for products that people search for, or ones that are somewhat specialized. The game of chess certainly has a "stumbled upon" market but it also has a "I'd like a decent chess program" market. IMO the first market is super crowded (and served well by Stockfish) while there is room for Tiger in the second. And I doubt the second group of customer would complain about a $5 or even $10 price point. Just my 2c.

BTW - quick question - in analysis mode there are multiple PVS. Is there a way to only have one PV? Am I right in assuming that by showing multiple PVS the search is slower.

Cheers,

Steve