Colorado Gets Its Own Physical App Store
Openspace wants to help you shop for apps. In person.
App stores hold thousands upon thousands of applications, so it's not surprising that it's sometimes hard to find what you want, or even discover new applications in the sea of software. A new app store is aiming to make app discovery much easier, though. The only difference is that this is a real brick-and-mortar app store.
Openspace is a new start up that wants to make the whole app shopping experience an easier and less confusing activity. Speaking in an interview to AllThingsD, founder Robert Reich said his company aims to fill a gap that Apple and the major carriers leave open and cure customers' "app-rehension."
"If your iPhone has a problem, you take it to Apple. If your Android tablet has a problem, you take it to Verizon, AT&T or Best Buy," said Reich. "But if you have a question about which camera app would be great for taking pictures this weekend on the slopes, where can you turn?"
The first store is located in Boulder, Colorado, and is open six days a week. The staff are called 'App Gurus' and are there to help you will all of your app-related questions. The only trouble is that, according to AllThingsD, Openspace isn't sure how it's going to make money from the store. Down the line, it hopes to partner with developers to take a percentage of revenue from applications promoted in the store, but it's not clear how the store is going to remain profitable until then.
If you don't live in Boulder (or don't feel like venturing to the store) but still want Openspace's app recommendations, you can visit the company's website instead.
[Update] According to a comment authored by Openspace founder Robert Reich, the store makes its money by selling software, with 70 percent going to the developer and 30 going to Openspace.
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do people really need this? LOL
Considering how many Iphones has been sold. This probably just might make it big too.
I predict an early departure for these guys. Just seems counter-intuitive to the market.
*sigh* They're opening a store, but they're not sure how the store is going to make money?
What, the hell?
The only way I'd visit this is if it were next door to a MM dispensary and I could take my "meds" before entering.
I love Colorado.
Doesn't sound like much of a business plan. There has to be some sort of revenue stream.
"Where can you turn?"
Umm... cnet? tech sites? google?
So we have a new profession in the society: 'App Gurus'!
*sigh* They're opening a store, but they're not sure how the store is going to make money?What, the hell?
It's like the '90s before the tech boom all over again. I was once minority partner of a company with 17 corporate clients that couldn't get any funding, and there's cash available for THIS? Insane. Are we SURE it's not a prank? This reads just like an April Fool's joke other than not being April.
I'm Robert Reich the founder of Openspace and the store makes money by selling software, 70% goes to the developer and 30% goes to Openspace.
give it a month and then we'll see if the lights are still on?
I'm Robert Reich the founder of Openspace and the store makes money by selling software, 70% goes to the developer and 30% goes to Openspace.
Robert, I wish you much success in your venture. I buy my software from a couple of small local stores and they have been in business for many years. I also rent videos from an independent video store in town. When the owner opened his store 20 years ago, A man from Blockbuster stopped by and warned him that he would never survive in that spot. Well, Blockbuster is pretty much gone now and his store still has long lines of customers.
*sigh* They're opening a store, but they're not sure how the store is going to make money?What, the hell?
First World Problems.
I'm not sure I will drive the way to Colorado to buy a $0.99 app. I'm not even sure I would walk down the block for the same app.
Personally, I actually kind of like the idea if they can find a way to make money.
Picture a grandmother who uses an iphone because, lets face it, they are easy to use (not a fanboy, I have thunderbolt, just telling it like it is). But for someone not up on technology, finding the RIGHT app out of thousands would be a bit daunting. Not to mention that Googling information about the best apps might bring you to an article 3 years old.
So - here comes a store that Grandma can walk into and say "What is the best cook book app". And there are people up on their knowledge that can say "well, this one just hit the market last week and it's taking the pie world by storm."
Do I think it's going to survive? Unfortunately not. Do I think it's a good idea to try? Sure!