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How did they actively encourage that situation, what could possibly be their motivation for wanting that situation (surely they'd rather have 30% of a $10 app vs. 30% of a $1 or free app), and what would you have them do to change that situation? There are literally millions of people who would love to have a healthier market for paid mobile apps, including the company itself. Since you've clearly got the answers and we're all just out here in the wilderness scraping sticks together, please share your insights for the sake of the entire industry.

A lot of those $.99 apps are useful and reliable enough. I'm constantly amazed at how well made cheap or free apps are. Yes, Sturgeon's Law is a thing, but the apps that aren't crap are often very good.

A million times this.

So basically they conned people into a walled garden without providing any of the benefits they explicitly(or implicitly) promised.

As long as they get 30% of fart apps, who cares, right?