Cost of Publishing to Ovi.

[johnhtl]

Hi All,

I have read and view a variety of documents and blogs around the web about Publish to Ovi. I have seen alot mention of the process but not many on how much it COST to publish. I have seen a site here (Lucian Tomuta blog) showing a mind-map of the process and cost.

It looks like to publish one, either individual developer or publishing house, must pay at least $200 to get a Publisher ID. This is $200 PER YEAR, and then $20 additional to get 1 application signed.

Compare this to iPhone Developer ($99 for individual) program it seems more expensive.

So how is Ovi being competitive? How will Ovi/Nokia change to improve on this price point?

Regards,
JHTL

[johnhtl]

I forgot about the cost of testing house. This website has the info.


If anyone has insight on additional iPhone development cost please share.

[ltomuta]

Should we really count all the ingredients to evaluate the price of a cookie? Count that a Mac is more expensive than a PC, that Apple charged you for a OS update without which the SDK would not work? Or make some comments about a cheap closed market vs. a slightly more expensive open one?

The question is not really how much it costs you to develop but rather how much of a market the Ovi Store creates for you and how fast you can recover your costs.

BTW, an independent developer cannot obtain a Publisher ID, one must establish a company and that might indeed add some more costs.

[johnhtl]

Yes you are right that a MAC is needed to develop for iPhone, but there are ways to get an Intel PC to run OSX.

Again you are right that with a large market exposure these cost can be recouped if the application is well received. A Publisher ID requires opening a business and with it learning local tax laws, etc...

In a way it seems like Ovi was made for large Publishers or a group. Ovi potentially can turn away a great many independent developers but at the same time makes sure that created apps are not craps.

Will there be any $0.99 apps? Will there be junk apps like that on the iPhone? Who knows!


But what other ways for an individual developer to tap into OVI without needing a business degree or tax lawyer?

[CHAPLIN]

BTW, an independent developer cannot obtain a Publisher ID, one must establish a company and that might indeed add some more costs.

Do you think in the future an independent developer will be able to obtain a Publisher ID without establishing a company, or if it will be possible to sell apps on Ovi Store without a Publisher ID?

Carlos Silva
http://Nokia-Blog.net

[bullanjiu]

Hi,
If someone wants to publish only wallpapers to ovi (stuff that doesn't need to be verified, signet etc) are there the same costs or is it cheaper?
Thanks.

[ltomuta]

Signing is not a big issue for passive content (if it is a issue at all), however only premium publishers can publish personalisation content in Ovi Store.