I'd appreciate your feedback on a new project of mine:

www.workhub.com/appiration

It's meant to enable everyone with an iPhone, an iPod touch, or an iPad to download new apps virtually for free. Here's the deal: You write an honest review on the App Store, and you're paid a little more than the original price of the app.

While we're in closed alpha, registrations are limited to 100 users per country.

Please tell me:

– Do you like the idea?
– Are you missing any information on the website?
– Would you recommend this site to others? If not, why?

All feedback is welcome.

Anton

Do you like the idea? Please tell me

The idea sounds like a good one, although I am wondering exactly how it works. Where does the money come from to pay the reviewers? It's definitely something I would try out myself, and depending on the outcome of that, I'd recommend it. Oh, and where does this leave reviewers like me?

-Caleb

Hi, thank you for your response !

Well the idea is pretty simple:
Who pays? – Developers who want their app to be trusted on the App Store pay for your review. For them it is important that there are reviews by real customers telling others what is good about the app. And they need feedback to improve.

Its important that workhub is not telling its members to rate apps good or bad, but just to test and give their honest authentic opinion. The only thing we ask, is that your review is constructive. There are already enough reviews on the app store like "This app is Sh$#t", a developer can not do anything about. Critics is welcome, but you should tell the developer, what you dislike and may be even what he/she can do to improve the app.

You are saying, you are a reviewer yourself. Where do you review stuff?

I'd be grateful, if you could try our service. We are going to start by the end of this week or the beginning of the next.

Thanks for clearing those things up for me.

I can definitely see the positive for developers, I've seen the kind of reviews most people post, and you're right, most aren't super constructive. Is there going to be a minimum word count, or some other limitation like that? I think it would help make sure reviews were thought out and not just something short someone wrote just to get a free app.

That last bit about reviewers like me was an attempt at a bad joke I write for NZiPhone, that's all my stuff on the front page. Well done with this service though, it looks like it could be very profitable for developers and users alike. I'll definitely give it a shot.

It sounds like a good idea to have a minimum word count. We'll definitely discuss that.

We thought that people would have to answer some minimal questions like: "Who is this app designed for? What do you like/dislike about it and what special features does it offer in comparison to other apps you know?"
What do you think about that? I'll have a look into your reviews, to learn from you. Is your name Caleb?

Thanks once again for your input

Yep, I'm Caleb (I do need to change that iforkiwi username)

Is there going to be some kind of moderation process? I think there needs to be some kind of policing done to be sure people aren't going to just rip off the system. I know of people who make robots that just copy/paste the same generic response into these kind of things simply to get free apps and a quick buck. I'm sure you've already got something worked out for that, but I just felt I should mention it in case.
I like the question idea, maybe in conjunction with a minimum word count? Even if it was fairly low, ie 80 words. I'm sure most people can easily think of 80 words, and that will guarantee no "It was fun, made for kids. Nice graphics, really cool. 5 star" kind of reviews.

By all means, read through my reviews (If you notice any typo's let me know. I spotted one today.) and if I can be of assistance in any way, let me know.

-Caleb

Hi Caleb,

We'll be moderating everything manually in the beginning. Later on, it going to be another paid task of our members. Some of them, who will have gained our trust by writing reviews, will be able to check compliance for other reviews and earn money doing that.

Thank you for your input.

Anton

Very good idea. As I said, I'll be looking into this. Who knows, after I try it I may even do a write up on it for the site, to help advertise.

-Caleb

We've launched our alpha . First 3 apps can be reviewed and tested. Tell me what you think!