iPhone's 'I am rich' application attracts scorn

Posted Aug 11th 2008 12:12PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Consumer Experience, Apple Inc (AAPL)

Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) decision to open the iPhone to outside developers promised to offer "amazing" and "innovative" software, but German software developer Armin Heinrich's gadget has the few people who bought it hot under the collar.

Price at $1,000, the "I am Rich" application provided the buyer with nothing but a red ruby that displayed on the screen, a pointless testament to the user's ability to blow that kind of money on nothing.

The application was meant as a joke but The New York Times reports that eight people actually bought it, and some demanded refunds.

I think the "I am Rich" application is a hilarious idea. Think about it: it's really not that different from a designer handbag or watch whose value is mainly a function of its exclusivity and, dare I say it, it has a lot more in common with the iPhone than many of its users would like to admit.

Tags: aapl, i am rich, IAmRich, inthenews, iphone, smartphone

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-11-2008 @ 12:13PM

Barry Summerlin said...

Some enterprising programmer will probably make a few grand selling an identical app for $20. People are suckers.

8-11-2008 @ 12:25PM

george scandalis said...

Zac,

I read and re-read your blog posting and can not find anything about scorn.
Can you show me where the scorn reference originates from?
Who is it directed towards and by whom?
Why?

8-11-2008 @ 1:23PM

webterractive said...

Well it's like buying an LV bag you're just paying for a name and lots if people go to the poor house for such things.

8-11-2008 @ 5:03PM

Mike said...

Another ploy where the rich steal from the poor no matter how crooked or cheatful. If Jobs spent more time helping the poor than his own pocketbook he would get more admiration. For what he is worth now, is of no benefit to anyone. Just his own plain GREED.