Android App Class War: For Richer, For Poorer
Earlier this month, Google opened up the Android Market for U.S. and U.K. developers to submit paid applications with pricing. With the launch of paid applications, developers were quick to capitalize on the attention that Apple and its AppStore received when the grossly overpriced and equally as useless I Am Rich application went live for the iPhone.
First comes I Am Richer, a $200 take on the I Am Rich application for the Apple iPhone that was pulled from Apple's AppStore after a handful of people dropped a grand on it. Like I Am Rich, I Am Richer doesn't do much of anything but display a glowing jewel on the user's home screen.
According to the listing in the Google Android Market, I Am Rich offers an ostentatious display of a user's wealth.
"Prove your wealth to others by running this app and showing them the mesmerizing glowing crystal," the I Am Richer description states. "Only those with the wealth and sense can show the world their glowing crystal."
So far the application, developed by Mike DG, hasn't received the attention that Apple's I Am Rich did. Maybe it's the $800 price difference, or maybe it's the fact that I Am Richer features a glowing blue crystal as opposed to I Am Rich's striking red ruby.
Despite the price, I Am Richer currently boasts a five-star rating, the highest that Android Market apps can receive. And the one user who left a comment apparently enjoys showing off how frivolously he or she spends cash.
"OMG I LOVE THIS APP!...Its sooo worth the money. I wouldve paid $600," [sic] the sole commenter wrote.
And while Apple was quick to banish I Am Rich from the AppStore based on user complaints, I Am Richer will stick around in the Android Market, since Google takes a hands-off approach and doesn't control applications in the store. Instead, Google lets users decide which apps are worthy with its rating system and comments. I Am Richer has fewer than 50 downloads.
So far, I Am Richer is the most expensive paid application for Android, with most hitting the 99 cent to $9.99 range.
On the other side of the spectrum, an astute developer countered back, launching the I Am So Poor application. It appears the 99 cent I Am So Poor application takes a similar tack, displaying a shopping cart on the screen but also offers users a daily "poor quote."
"There is an I Am So Rich app," the description states. "However, not many people want to slap down $200. So why not present your frugality with pride? Also, you get access to a rather hilarious poor quote every day. The app costs $0.99 because that is the cheapest price I can set. I wouldn't be comparable to I Am So Rich if it didn't cost."
Like I Am Richer, the I Am Poor application currently has fewer than 50 downloads; however, where I Am Richer has a five-star rating, I Am Poor has earned just one out of five possible stars.