Will Apple’s App Rentals Finally Let You Try Before You Buy?

I’ve asked for trial versions of iPhone and iPad apps since the beginning. Not lite versions, but complete apps that users can test for 24 hours before buying — or not. According to the latest iTunes beta, it may happen.

App Advice has discovered mentions to “app rentals” in the latest iTunes beta. According to these text strings, the apps would be removed at the end of the “rental period”. There are no mentions for trials, rental periods or prices.

It doesn’t make sense to rent a 99c app. Or one with a two bucks price tag, for that matter. The rentals only make sense for expensive apps, like A-list games and productivity apps. Paying 99c to try a big game before buying it makes sense.

On the other hand, perhaps there are free rentals for a day too — for apps that cost $0.99 to $4. That will eliminate the need for lite versions and make life easier for consumers (and developers). Rent the app for free or a price, reach the deadline and have the option to keep it permanently for the difference in price or ditch it. That’s how I would like it to work. [App Advice via Cult of Mac]


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

It’s the most popular NBN speed in Australia for a reason. Here are the cheapest plans available.

At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.