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Symbian Signed - Stopping Piracy

4 replies · 2,091 views · Started 25 November 2006

A few thought on recent article posted: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/Symbian_Signed_to_the_Rescue_An_Idea_on_Piracy_and_Certification.php

I find that symbian 3rd party software is often overly priced e.g. 20-60 USD for normal range of application and 8-19 USD for simple or small application. This is exactly the problem that encourage piracy. Supply and demand should match, although many people who owns hundreds dollar phone should theoritically afford such 20-60 USD software, they probably reluctant to pay.

Software developer should have approached Palm's approach. Cheaper 3rd party program and making money from people buying the software legitimately instead of using pirated software. Hey, if HandyClock is going at 10 USD, I'd buy it for sure ... but pricing it at 20 or more USD? many would think twice.

How about a dictionary from MsDict that costs 39,95 USD? Would you pay for it easily? I don't think so. If it is priced 10 USD, would it be more attractive?

To charge premium, the developer should really have a good value proposition. Software like from EPOCware for example, they are great ( handysafe ), but customer service? I can't say the same.

So I urge the software community to reprice their software so that it is no longer attractive for people to spend their time using pirated copies, but rather buy it...

my 2 cents of international currency....

I would agree with this. I have no argument with paying but not exorbitant amounts - and often these are for simple or medicre software. These people never learn. They just want to rip off a few rather than work honestly and grow and serve a good size market.

you only have to look at the console games market, �50 for a game and they wonder why piracy exists.

Tested Psiloc Wireless presenter recently. Works great compared to Phonepoint or BT Remote.

Price tag: 50 Euros

With 50 Euros, I can buy Logitech Wireless Presenter or any other similar brand with dedicated laser pointer and improved range. Is there a logic in this kind of pricing....

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Psiloc Hotspot finders is another example. Do you need one when there is already a connection manager that scan WiFi networks ? 😊

The prices are sometimes increddible for stupid things. Remember Torch from Symbianware? For $5 you could have an app which blanked your display and kept the light on. No shit, here's you money :reddy: FExplorer did that for free. For that money you could buy a real flashlight, batteries and a beer. The same thing for N70 Torch which turns you flash on. Price is $5. I rather donate money for a freeware app than pay for an app without trial. Take for example Cubix mp3 player. There's no trial and I tried a cracked version to see how the sound is. JUNK! A junky whistlig sound for $24. Conclusion: I stick to freeware apps and donate for the ones which really deserve (FExplorer, OggPlay, TCPMP, TaskSpy)