More affordable on Windows Phone 7: ‘I Am Rich’

By Geoff Duncan December 23, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Back in 2008, an ambitious iPhone app developer launched “I Am Rich,” an iPhone application that cost $999.99 and did nothing but display a picture of a red gem. The point? Proving you had $1,000 to throw away on a virtual status symbol. Now, however, “I Am Rich” is back—only now it’s available for Windows Phone 7 devices, rather than the Apple iPhone. And it may be something less of a status symbol: for Windows Phone 7 devices, the software costs only $499.99.

The original ‘I Am Rich’ application garnered fame both for its high price—the highest fee an app in Apple’s App Store could charge—but also for being one of the first applications Apple summarily removed from the App Store. A total of eight people purchased the original ‘I Am Rich;’ Apple apparently refunded at least two of the purchases.

Although ‘I Am Rich’ won’t be taken seriously by most mobile-savvy consumers, the application and others like it highlight some distinctions between a “curated” experience like the Apple App Store and the comparative free-for-all of mobile stores like the Android Marketplace. Although developers have consistently chafed at the restrictions and obscurity of Apple’s application approval process, part of the appeal of Apple’s iOS platform is arguably a less-confusing marketplace that’s less likely to contain offerings intended to prey on customers. Microsoft’s response to applications like ‘I Am Rich’ will help set a tone for the Windows Phone 7 platform: will the company try to protect consumers and its marketplace experience, let any developer with .NET tools run amok, or attempt to strike a balance?

For the record, not all $999.99 iPhone apps are bogus: BarMax seems to have built a profitable business selling $999 iOS applications that help aspiring lawyers prepare for bar exams.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

iPhone SE 4: news, rumored price, release date, and more

The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Apple iPhone SE (2020) together.

While the spotlight always seems to be on Apple’s mainline iPhones, the iPhone SE is a great pick for those who are on a budget. If you want an iPhone that doesn't break the bank, the SE is the way to go.

The original iPhone SE came out in 2016, and then Apple revamped it in 2020 and 2022 by giving it some more modern hardware. The iPhone SE tends to get updated every two or so years rather than annually like the traditional iPhone. This means that we should see a new iPhone SE 4 this year, but it’s not so cut-and-dried with this particular model.

Mobile

3 reasons why I’ll actually use Anker’s new iPhone power bank

A person holding the Anker MagGo Power Bank.

Power banks are a necessary evil, and even if you don’t consider yourself a “power user” who's likely to drain a phone’s battery in less than a day, there will be times when one comes in handy. And when I am forced to carry one, I want it to be as helpful and versatile as possible.

I’ve been trying Anker’s MagGo Power Bank 10K -- meaning it has a 10,000mAh cell inside it -- and there are three reasons why I'm OK with it taking up valuable space in my bag.
It has a screen on it

Mobile

One of the best budget phones just got even better

Google Pixel 7a in Snow showing home screen.

Phone deals feel extra sweet when they involve a discount on an already great value phone. That’s the case with the Google Pixel 7a which is currently on sale at Amazon for just $349. Usually priced at $499, it’s even better value while it’s $150 off. It’s unlikely to stay this price for too long and it’s already proving popular, so if you want to get in on the action, do so now. If you’re not certain, take a look at what we have to say about it below.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a is a big upgrade from its predecessor and while our review pointed out that its increased price was an issue, that’s no longer something to worry about while it’s on sale. One of the best cheap phones, it offers a lot of great features. One immediate thing to notice is its 6.1-inch OLED display. It’s a full HD screen with a 1080 x 2400 resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability. It also has a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate so you get smoother scrolling and a generally better experience when watching videos or playing a game.