Yes, I get that. But the one-time purchase app store model is absolutely terrible for these companies. First off, many blind folks don't have that kind of money up-front, so it strictly limits the market. Secondly, Apple (and I think Google) doesn't allow app developers to charge for upgrades. So once all the blind people who can afford the up-front cost have purchased the app, it means no, or almost no, on-going revenue stream for the company to maintain the app and do future R&D. And that means that eventually the app dies, and I lose the money I spent on it. Personally, I'd much rather that the KNFB app was a monthly subscription, at say $3 a month. In the long-run, they get just as much money from me, and perhaps more. But I don't have to lay out huge amounts of money up-front, and the company gets an on-going sustainable revenue stream to grow and continue the business. As an app developer, do you have any insight as to why KNFB may have chosen not to go this rout? Is there something obvious I'm missing? Because the problems seem so obvious to me I can't believe they haven't thought of them.

Oh, and as an aside, many organizations have a list of vendors they will purchase products from. In general, these are dealers in accessible technology (ATGuys and similar). If the Apple or Android app store isn't on the list of vendors, the agency just won't cover it at all. So this is yet another reason the app store up-front purchase model is a terrible one for KNFB.

Eh flaming isn't really my thing :) It's good to get different opinions and insights, especially from someone within app development. The problem is that it ends up being a lose, lose situation for everyone involved when these things are so expensive. For those that have access to state funding and non-profits, getting technology isn't so hard, it's super easy to request that an organization with funds set aside for this to fork over thousands of dollars for technology. Unfortunately there are a lot of people without support systems to help, I was just commenting in another thread about that very problem. This means that the blind individual has to go without the tools necessary to function and the company doesn't get anything.

 

I do get that it is a niche market and that companies have overhead. I bet it's like this wheelchairs, FM loops for the deaf, and really any other product for those with disabilities, but I go through some of the prices on different products and I can't help but think there has to be some kind of middle ground. I do like what /u/fastfinge said about a monthly subscription, that feels like a good first step that keeps technology within reach of those who don't have all of the support they need while making sure companies are getting paid. However I don't think it's a perfect solution, I for one don't like paying for subscriptions, and I know I'm not alone. I think a lot more thought has to go into this and it starts with better support systems for the blind and visually impaired community, but I think that the manufacturers and developers are also going to have to make a concerted effort to try to make their prices more reasonable. NVaccess is able to maintain one of the most respected screen readers for free, and I'm not saying that's a viable option for every company, but it is something to be considered when talking about the state of inflated prices in the blind/ low vision technology market.