Now Ars Technica is reporting that Apple has clarified what is acceptable via material seen by the highly regarded website.
Ars Technica's source says:
The App Store will not accept feature-limited versions of software. Applications may not even reference features that are not implemented or up-sell to the full version. Developers must remove any reference to demo or beta from both the application binary and from any supporting materials.
While the words "Demo" or "Beta" represent App Store insta-rejection, "Free" or "Lite" versions remain acceptable. These applications must be fully functional and stand independently on their own.
While the words "Demo" or "Beta" represent App Store insta-rejection, "Free" or "Lite" versions remain acceptable. These applications must be fully functional and stand independently on their own.
This outcome means some proven try-before-you-buy methods of sampling are still off limits to App Store developers.
In particular, developers will not be able to create time-limited trial versions. Instead, potential customers would have to download a standalone Lite version.
As Ars Technica points out, this presents difficulties for developers of potentially expensive software, such as medical applications.
But given the popularity of time-based trials in casual PC gaming, games developers and publishers might also feel a little aggrieved.
