I think Matt makes a good point. The point being, who or what is the iphone app focused at. If it is just focused at those who currently have Libronix, then yes, it would make sense to charge a lot for the app (up to $50 per person). In the case of this type of appealing to this type of customer, you won't be seeing sales of resources over and above what you currently are.
However, if you are looking to bring in new users through the program, having a super expensive app would work against that. As Matt said, there are many Bible programs out there that are absolutely free or cost under $20 to have the NIV included.
Where you could stand to make money in offering a cheap ipod app would be selling the resources. You easily have the biggest resource library of any of the iphone/ipod touch bible companies. And, by looking at the ideas posted on m.logos.com you will easily have the most maneuverable application.
Another idea would be to sell the program free to everyone, but charge those who have the resources on their computer $.50 to transfer a resource onto their ipod/iphone (kind of in the way that kindle does). Making people pay small sums as they go along makes it seem more manageable and affordable then giving them a huge lump sum. I'd only do this option though if you are going to make the program free.
Unblurring...
Personally I'd like to see 35 (looks like an Exegetical Guide) and 6 (find out more about the bookshelf, library, and store), but I yield to whatever "king" is chosen this time around.
Pricing
Coming from the perspective of a student who has already (at least it feels like) invested a lot in Logos (Gold pkg, NICOT/NICNT [credit card was just charged - woot!], Mac Engine), I really don't want to pay a lot to have content I've already paid for once on my iPod. I'd be comfortable with a price around $20, which is comparable to other premium apps. With your amazing wealth of available resources at that price you'll also be very attractive to non Logos users, as the current Bible apps (OliveTree, Laridian, Mantis, etc. [i have at least 6 bible apps + kindle app on my iPod]) have nothing on the ideas on m.logos.com.
Can't wait til it's in the appstore! (And if you need any more beta testers, I've beta-tested other iPhone/Pod apps before )
An interesting article on the pricing of iPhone apps on Gizmodo today. Australian link: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/10/the-app-store-effect-are-iphone-apps-headed-for-oblivion
Good news
I see the Logos iPhone/iTouch App as less of a direct profit (recoup development costs) but rather a potent entry point for new users looking at bible systems to the Logos computer based systems. In that vein I think the App should be cheap, as revenue will come from the existing model which I think works well. This way existing Logos customers (really investors, because once you buy into a bible software system enough its too costly for most people to really change) aren't much more out of pocket for the App and will buy more books specifically to have them on their iPhones/iTouches like daily readings etc. They will also help sell more Logos software and books by virtue of always have their Logos everywhere which should generate interest and sales.
The App for me will make all my other iPhone bible readers irrelevant (assuming we get good functionality such has been discussed and hinted at in this thread) because they all require me to rebuy resources I already have in Logos.
I think you should also consider promoting the App with contingencies to allow those with entirely other Bible software platforms to migrate across to Logos which has everything everywhere, along with what ever attractive transition package you can offer for a limited time. I dont know how this transition of licences works but I am sure I have seen it in the past.
Chris Roberts: Good news
Could we see something in about two weeks? Apple claims most get through in that time. Another bible beta I tested was approved about that quickly after resubmission. So lets hope it gets approved first time around.
Dr. Kevin Purcell - Theotek.com
Just a thought.
What if youth did pick up on this. I didn't think of this before. But please enable PBB. The youth leader could create a PBB style devotional or lesson. If there was a way to direct transfer of a PBB file....
Just thinking it through a little more. This could work well also for sermon based small groups. An easier, greener way, of pushing out material.
The only problem with this is the price of the PBB creator and if it would work with iPhone app.
all about Christ,David
all about Christ,
David Buckham
http://thinkspurlove.blogspot.com
I would expect to see it in the 1-2 week range, but it's in Apple's hands. It was interesting watching the author of the Tweetie app fret while waiting for Tweetie 2 approval. I think that took 9 days.
I completely agree with supporting PBB. And if you build that support for the iphone it should be simple to add it to the Mac engine
Blessings,
Michael Kares
Well.. I like what I see, lets hope that the Apple tester understands same vision too..
Never Deprive Anyone of Hope.. It Might Be ALL They Have
With the coming iPhone Logos we desperately need some more European languages Bibles. Of course Czech Bibles should be the first Polish the second etc. etc. There are no modern Czech Bibles on the iPhone yet. You might be first, Logos. That would really open you up to the Czech pastors and especially youth leaders. Many of them use iPhone. We don't need Czech books and commentaries. The only thing we need is Bibles. All the other stuff can be English. We do not preach from the commentaries, we preach from the Bible! Please, consider that aspect. Europe is quite big market, but even more, Europe is more and more a mission field. We need Bible in the iPhones, Notebooks, Netbooks, iTablet (if such will exist sometimes...) Looking forward to seeing all of that soon.
Bohuslav
PhilipGurgel:charge those who have the resources on their computer $.50 to transfer a resource onto their ipod/iphone
I don't know about others, but I really don't want to pay (and likely wouldn't) to put books on my portable device. Other than a few Bibles and a limited number of other books, my main use for Logos on a portable device is for general reading (in bed, on the go, etc). This would mean regular transfer of books on and off of the device. I wouldn't want to pay again for each book.
Assuming I had a iPhone (which I don't since I don't live in the States and don't have access to them... and may not want one even if they were here), I would rather pay more upfront and have access to my full library with no additional cost.
Note: This would encourage me to buy more books since I currently refrain from buying books for general reading since I don't want to sit in front of my computer for endless hours reading. Going mobile would encourage me to buy those books I have wanted to read, but knew I wouldn't read on my computer.
www.3rdcultureliving.com - Simple Abundant Legacy
Rob:I don't know about others, but I really don't want to pay (and likely wouldn't) to put books on my portable device.
Amen. I would pay $20 ro $30 for an app for our touch, assuming it supports 1 gen Itouch, but I would not pay .50 each resource. This would be a pain to me. No I would pay to RENT books I don't have on occasion, but I would not pay for them.
I agree. I wouldn't use the app if I had to pay each resource that I wanted to use. I am ok with a $15-20 flat one time fee, other than that, not so much.
Or on the other hand, a free Bible-reader, library app would generate quite a bit of buzz...thereby introducing quite a few new people to Logos. Also, it could make marginal users see the benefit of expanding their digital library...this seems like it would be more in line with Logos' business plan (I hope :-))
Jacob HantlaPastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church gbcaz.org
Jacob Hantla: Or on the other hand, a free Bible-reader, library app would generate quite a bit of buzz...thereby introducing quite a few new people to Logos. Also, it could make marginal users see the benefit of expanding their digital library...this seems like it would be more in line with Logos' business plan (I hope :-))
that was certainly my initial thought
I don't think there is any way it will be completely free. If they offer the app itself for free, there will be a cost for transferring over the resources, whether that will be a one time cost or a reoccurring smaller fee would depend on what Logos wants to do (since they have already sent it in to Apple, I imagine they've already decided how they are going to go about charging folks).
I wouldn't mind the smaller fees, I use about 20-30 resources on a regular basis so it wouldn't really bother me to pay $.50 each to have them moved over. And if I decide to put more resources on there, $.50 is really not outrageous to have mobile access to a resource. I'm paying for the convenience of having it with me wherever I go.
I understand it could be annoying to have to pay a small fee each time, but would a $.50 charge really be enough for someone to not use the program? I know some of you are saying that, but I find it hard to believe when people do it all the time uploading their personal files to their Kindles (for double that price). And it especially surprises me after reading how much some have spent on resources in the other thread, that despite spending thousands of dollars one would make a $.50 charge the line that could not be crossed.
It would be nice if they gave a nod to us who have bought various packages (such as 50 free transfers for anyone who has Scholars Library, 75 free for Silver, 100 free for Gold). That would be a nice way to recognize those who spent a significant amount on their software in the past. Also, maybe they could consider giving free transfers for resources bought on pre-pub (giving people yet another reason to order things on pre-pub).
I'm sure they put a significant amount of money in the production of the app, and at the very least they'll want to recoup that, so I don't see any way they'll offer it for free. But I guess we'll see soon when it appears in the app store.
PhilipGurgel: they put a significant amount of money in the production of the app, and at the very least they'll want to recoup that, so I don't see any way they'll offer it for free. But I guess we'll see soon when it appears in the app store.
they put a significant amount of money in the production of the app, and at the very least they'll want to recoup that, so I don't see any way they'll offer it for free. But I guess we'll see soon when it appears in the app store.
They put more into the libronix application for the pc, but don't charge for that...because it generates books sales.
I hope you are right, however I'll play the doubting Thomas here and believe it when I see it. ;)
PhilipGurgel:I'll play the doubting Thomas here
Sarcasm is my love language. Obviously I love you.