THIS is the way to launch an new iPhone App!

25 Sep

iPhonegizmo gets promo emails from a LOT of app developers. Most of them are hoping to get a hot write up for their app. We have a standard policy which basically means that we want the app developer to give you – the reader – a free trial or a free app or the chance to win a free app.

As part of the SDK requirements each app developer has to make 50 apps available for free. So we know these are available. Most of these get used up in the trial  phase of app development. However, it is our experience that app developers are smart with technology  but not smart with marketing (they should really pay attentuion to how Apple does things!!) So, in their innocence, they are reluctant to give away any apps becuse they fear that that is much needed revenue being lost.

But you know – as we know – that freebies are a necessary part of getting wide acceptance and good revierws etc. Even better if the app is launched with a video. Even better if there is some other motivator – like a competition, for example.

Which is why we are doing this post on the relatively uninspiring app called the Ruler.
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Its a smple, unglamorous but very useful app. We are even doing this post despite the fact that the app has a price tag (temporarily 99c). And that is because they have done such a great launch promo for the app. First up – they have a great contest with fantastic prizes:

   • Grand prize: The brand-new 64 GB iPod touch with FaceTime, Retina display, HD video recording, and Game Center.
   • 2nd: The 16 GB iPod nano redesigned with Multi-Touch.
   • 3rd: The smaller, streamlined Apple TV.
   • 4th: The new iPod shuffle.

The details of this easy to enter competition are on the Ruler site.

Secondly, they are launching the app at half its normal price of $1.99.

And finally, they have a very neat demo  on their site. Go check it out!

Oh… and BTW, these are the developers that paved the way for Apple’s ibooks. So they know how to create great apps.