The iPhone's App Store landrush

So today Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch App Store went up on iTunes, and the blogs have been on fire about it. All kinds of reviews of apps, the interface, what’s there and what isn’t…but in the midst of all this noise, I noticed two apps that give you access to Flickr, one of which is free (Exposure), the other costs $2.99 (Mobile Flickr). Both have more or less the same functionality – upload, browse and share photos on Flickr through your iPhone or iPod. Why would anyone pay even $2.99 when there is a free alternative? Only if the paid version offered either greater stability, or more attractive features, would paying be worth it.

My take on this is that smart developers will wait to see what comes out and becomes popular, and then write and release alternatives that will knock down the competition. Otherwise, it’s a crapshoot.