Buyer Beware
By 
I’ve alluded to this elsewhere but am now seeing enough examples that it deserves its own post.
With more than 1000 apps available you will be well served if, before hitting the "Buy" button for a paid app you slow down, count to ten and do a bit of research.
Why? Because there might be a free, or at least cheaper, alternative than the app you are about to buy.
Example- "Call Now" vs. "You’re #1"
Call Now allows you to create one icon on your homescreen that, when pushed, dials yor most frequent number.
You’re #1 allows you to create one icon on your homescreen that, when pushed, dials yor most frequent number.
If tthe two apps sound similar you win the prize. There is, however, one significant difference. While Call Now costs $4.00, You’re N#1 is just $.99.
Example- "ByLine" vs. "iRSS" vs "NetNewsWire"
"ByLine" is a $9.99 RSS reader for the iPhone while "iRSS" is a $4.99 RSS reader while NetNewsWire is a free RSS reader.
Sure ByLine works with GoogleReader RSS feeds while NetNewsWire works with NewsGator. If you don’t NEED to use Google Reader RSS feeds, though, why spend $10 when you can spend $0?
Example- "Aria Touch" vs. "OmniFocus" vs. "ToDo" vs "To Do"
"Aria Touch" is a $29.99 ToDo manager, while "OmniFocus" is a $19.99 ToDo manager, "ToDo" is $9.99 and "To Do" is a free ToDo manager.
Granted they aren’t the same app. Aria Touch syncs with the online task manager Mentat, OmniFocus syncs with the OmniFocus desktop program, ToDo syncs with Toodledo and RememberTheMilk, and To Do is a stand-alone app. If you don’t need a particular sync option, though, why spend moeny when To Do is free?
The point is this-
the App Store makes impulse buying tremendously easy. By slowing down, thinking abut what your needs REALLY are and spending a minute to look at free alternatives before you buy an app you can save some serious cash.
