Wealth-flaunting app arrives on Android phones

The Android Market now offers the $200 'I Am Richer' application.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET Networks)

An application that did nothing beyond showing a person was willing to spend gobs of money for it didn't last long on Apple's App Store, but now we'll begin to see if Google lives up to its more laissez-faire approach to its rival Android Market.

Apple banned Armin Heinrich's "I Am Rich", which cost $1,000 and only showed a red ruby, from its App Store last August. Now the conceptually similar "I Am Richer" has arrived on the Android Market from Mike DG.

Perhaps owners of T-Mobile's G1 phone are more cost-conscious, or the recession has hurt the market for inane software, or Android programmers are willing to offer greater value, though, because the new application offers basically the same feature set for only $200, a fifth the price of the app Apple banned.

"Prove your wealth to others by running this app and showing them the mesmerizing glowing crystal," the software's description says.

Google has some rules for Android Market--no malware is allowed, for example--but generally has a much more liberal attitude than Apple. While each application on the App Store requires Apple's approval, Google plans to let the world at large sort out Android applications through the mechanisms such as the rating system. Good applications will eventually sift their way to the top of the heap the way good YouTube videos do, Google argues.

Update 7:06 p.m. PST: The $200 price is as much as Google permits organizations to charge, the company said. And yes, Google appears perfectly happy to let people buy the application:

"We check applications for compliance with the Market Content Policies and Terms of Service (in order to remove malware, porn, spam, or profanity)," the company said in a statement.

(Via IDG News)

[JRG1392]

The reason it's cheaper on the G1 isn't because of the economy or cost consciousness, it's because that's what Google decided to set the Market price limit at.

[3rdalbum]

Armin Heinrich should have taken out a software patent.

[baconstang]

The perfect accessory for their Hummers.

[mrobmsu]

It'll cost you $200 to read what I think about this story.

[carguy622]

Seem especially inappropriate given the current economic climate. Perhaps an application to track bailout money would be more useful.

[carlg113]

i agree with google. leave it up there. <br /><br />i saw more than one of these on the market. <br /><br />if someone wants to spend 200 bucks on a glowing crystal app i say go right ahead!

[derilium]

LOL that is a hilarious marketing scam. what if someone creates a similar free one though.. o.O

I know someone who's dad pulled a scam like this around 30 years ago. He ran an ad in several area papers in the classified section. The ad simply said " Last week to send in your dollar" along with his a P.O. Box. The guy said his dad actually netted about $2000.00. Later, he did another version sending people genuine beach sand for $5.00. I guess this is a modern-adjusted for inflation version of the same scams :)

[freemarket--2008]

A fool and his money are soon parted...

[be_fit]

Although i'd never actually spend $200 on a phone application, I have to admit a part of me wants that app!! <br /> <br />On another note there are a lot of great apps in the Android market that are free. Downloaded that app cardiotrainer the other day and took it on a run this morning! loveee it! <br />www.worksmartlabs.com/cardiotrainer/about.php <br /> <br />...any other free apps people really like?

[suziejl]

How cool is that! what a groovy phone application! it'll be cool when sites like http://www.mobilephones.name <br />have comparisons to get te best deal though, $200 is a bit steep, if you've got it, flaunt it, <br />I'm well impressed!

[Linuxforever]

http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=132378<br />saw this on new linux phone - from vodafone - called people phone?<br />what is up here?<br /><br />website is nowplus beta site think