It’s laughable really but quite sad. GQ in the US has sold 365 copies of its iPad app.
That’s right 365 copies. Less than 400. It’s made about $US1,000 in sales for the $US2.99 app, according to Mashable.
That’s in a market of 307 million people. What hope is there for Australia, with its tiny population of some 20 million, a 15th the size of the US.
I sincerely hope that it will punch above its weight, which means selling more than 25 copies. And it shows the problems for local magazines and media properties investing in apps.
These apps cost tens of thousand – if not hundreds – to develop. There is the potential to charge for the convenience of having the content downloaded to the portable device rather than having to access it on the internet or in old-fashioned print form.
But is it economic to do so in Australia?
We are less than 10 days from launch of the iPad in Australia on May 28. I’m pretty sure I won’t buy what is effectively a giant iPhone as I need to create as well as consume when I’m on the move. I want something with USB ports where I can install Photoshop, ftp programmes and all that sort of stuff.
Where do you stand?