Looks like it’s not just Apple fans getting cheaper Australian App Store prices: Microsoft has reportedly also dropped Windows Phone 7 app prices. US 99 cent apps are now 99c here instead of $AU1.18, and other tiers have slashed, too…
I’ve reached out to Microsoft Australia for official comment, but thanks to all the Giz readers who sent this in. Looks like news first broke after a tweet from Aussie Windows Phone dev, @ChrisWalshie: “It would appear there are new price brackets for Apps, not XBL games, $0.99c, $1.49, $2.49, $3.49 in the AU market. #wp7 #wp7au.”
US$0.99 apps now AU$0.99 (was AU$1.18)
US$1.29 apps still AU$1.49
US$1.99 apps now AU$2.49 (was AU$2.73)
US$2.99 apps now AU$3.49 (was AU$3.64)
US$4.99 apps now AU$5.49 (was AU$5.91)
US$9.99 apps still AU $10.49
[@ChrisWalshie via 1800PocketPC]
TSH
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:19 PMSuh-weeet. Now, the question is will Steam follow suit?
Sheeds
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:29 PMI’m awaiting official confirmation from Microsoft before posting at http://wpdownunder.com
Per my post on the official MS WP7 Dev Blog here: “Details on App Hub Refresh Coming Soon” http://bit.ly/qwhcCM
I have been the first person to seek better equalisation of APP pricing from US to AUS – however twitter today has seen a number of major Aussie WP7 Dev’s confirm their app pricing all reduced on the marketplace today accordingly with NO notification from MS.
Their Blog post saying “more coming soon” is clearly insuffficient and poor engagement on such a major change.
Very disappointing. More coverage at Windows Phone DownUnder when MS answer some questions!
Cheers.
Sheeds.
Mik
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:32 PMstrange, the ‘now’ listings above are post GST, the ‘was’ listings are Pre GST. Would seen like it would read better if they listed the ‘was’ prices as they appeared in the Marketplace.
Barry
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:42 PMIt’s a shame that they didn’t do more for the higher priced apps but any improvement is better nothing :-)
warcroft
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 6:40 PMIm happy theyre dropping the prices but ideally the AUS price should be less than the US price. . . good exchange rate and all.
Its not like we have to pay import tax or something. . . unless theres something Im missing for the higher price.
Travis
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 7:21 PMI don’t know how app stores work but in most stores in the US tax is NOT listed so you may need to add that on top. Which if you do in some/most instances we come out cheaper :)
warcroft
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 7:18 AMGood point. Thanks!
Steve
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 9:09 PMI saw these changes on the marketplace last night while browsing – and XBL games were cheaper – Angry Birds is now $3.49 etc – so pricing applied to everything. Which sucks, because I just bought a bunch of games, might have saved $5 or $10 lol..