While I have never been a fan of insane control Apple exerts over the applications developers submit to the App Store, I’m usually satisfied with the relative quality of the Apps that come out of it that I can purchase for my iPod Touch. I love being able to purchase $0.99 apps and not having to worry about having functions restricted from me, or having to upgrade to get another feature. I also like having fully-functional “lite” applications for free, that are worth downloading on their own, and aren’t limited in use. Looking at the developer application page at developer.palm.com, I found something that has me a bit worried.

This was from Palm’s SDK application. Looking at the business models intended for the developers application, I find the “Try then Buy” and “Subscription” disconcerting.  I don’t want to find that an application I want is a feature-limited demo, or worse, subscription based where I must pay to continue using it. If it has to be this way, I say restrict the “Micropayment” and “Try then Buy” business plans to non-consumer based applications.  Businesses that need some high-cost software on their devices should be able to try before buying the software, but if that model is to exists, restrict it to pricey business software only. For consumer apps, keep the current Apple-style business models. Either free applications or one-time payments. Make it easy and simple for consumers who don’t want to have to mess around with feature-restricted applications and trial limits.  I know Apple is instituting Subscription and in-app purchase models, but that doesn’t mean I agree with that either.

The Palm Pre is meant as both a consumer and professional device; Pro-sumer is the official term actually.  There should be room for varying business models, but the options should be kept easy and simple for the consumer who only wants to pay $0.99 for a Pull My Finger application. Is it really necessary to be able to unlock additional realistic and unlimited gas-passing for $2.99? No. Palm, stay transparent with your developers and keep them in the loop, but don’t let Try then Buy, demos, and cut down versions of consumer apps become prevalent for the Pre.