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Why universal apps are good for gamers but bad for developers

W3i co-founder Rob Weber details ranking split

Why universal apps are good for gamers but bad for developers
The ability for iPad to run iPhone apps seemed like a boon for developers, but the increased install base doesn't come without some downsides. 

In a blog post, the co-founder of paid-discovery platform W3i Rob Weber points out that developers pushing out universal apps are potentially sacrificing a favourable iPad rank because of the way Apple counts downloads for such releases.

In short, if a user buys a universal app on iPhone or iTunes, Apple counts said purchase towards the iPhone ranking only – even if the consumer then goes on to install it on an iPad.

Universally speaking

"With a universal app, purchases on the iPhone count for iPhone rankings only, purchases on the iPad count for iPad rankings only, and purchases in the iTunes desktop application count for iPhone rankings only," Weber states.

"Therefore, creating a universal app creates value for the user as they can use the app on both the iPhone and iPad, but as a developer, creates a possible disadvantage since it splits the count in the rankings."

Weber also notes that universal apps, by their very nature, cost the same amount on both formats, meaning its impossible to adjust the price of an iPad game to reflect the cost of native apps on the format.

[source: W3i]

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.