iPhone apps over 10mb - a bad idea?
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CEO at Econsultancy
01 December 2009 12:33pm
I assume it's not just me but it seems that if an iPhone app is over 10mb then you can't download it except over WiFi or direct via iTunes on your computer?
When I try to download such an app over the mobile network (including 3G) and it is over 10mb it just comes up with a message saying it can only be done over wifi or iTunes.
Everyone else get this?
The reason I ask is that in both cases I remember I didn't then go on to do this. One was an app for the Royal Navy - a recruitment-focused app. I'm not planning to join the Royal Navy just now but I did want to see the app and might have recommended it on. But as it was over 10mb I gave up.
Worse, I was about to spend £9.99 on a 'book' (actually one of our Innovation Awards entrants which sounded fascinating enough for me to want to buy) but gave up because, again, the app was over 10mb.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this? My gut feel is that doing apps over 10mb might seriously negatively impact conversion rates from browse-to-buy?
Editor at Econsultancy
01 December 2009 13:20pm
I think it depends what the app is and how compelling it is to users. Some of the apps in the top grossing charts in the App Store, such as Monopoly and Call of Duty, are well over 10MB, but these are well known games.
I think if you are looking for recruits like the Royal Navy is, or to promote your brand or sell via apps, then keeping the size down is the best idea.
For example, Amazon's shopping app is just 1MB, while Ocado's grocery app is 1.7MB.
Founder / Chief Developer at namesuppressed
02 December 2009 17:06pm
John Carmack mentioned in his development notes for Wolfenstein 3D that he was aiming to keep under the 10MB over-the-air limit - though he also noted it was probably the only iD game that would ever fit under that limit.
We've got some stats coming in this month's Internet Statistics Compendium showing ~90% of iPhone & iPod touch users download apps on the device, not through iTunes... but I haven't seen figures on 3G vs WiFi purchases yet.
It's also worth remembering that 32% of iPhone OS devices are iPod Touches, which don't have 3G access anyway.
Strategy Director at Blueleaf
10 December 2009 17:33pm
To me it does depend - but for me an easy rule. Games: I can understand why it's bigger, e.g. Monkey Island and Worms (love those games!) but for other apps, it's harder to justify.
If the app relies on online content to work, it needs to be pretty small and easy to download in the first place. If it's available for use offline and needs to be (games for example) then there's justification for that and I will wait.
That's my 2p anyway!
Executive at toy-electric-cars
17 December 2009 05:07am
I think its partly AT&T and partly for your "protection". I'm sure partially downloaded apps don't work well so Apple probably thinks its best if you are on wifi to maximize download speed and minimize download corruption. Although 10MB is pretty slim.