One of the intriguing products of the new iPhone economy was “[I Am Rich](http:\/\/www.alleyinsider.com\/2008\/8\/apple-s-iphone-app-approval-mouse-falls-off-treadmill-buy-the-1000-app-that-does-nothing-aapl-),” a program that promised nothing but bragging rights and apparently delivered a conundrum for Apple.<\/p>\n
Many believe the only reason for pulling this product from the Applications Store was because someone might “accidentally buy it.” I love [Steven Frank’s analysis of this problem](http:\/\/stevenf.com\/archive\/on-the-app-store.php):<\/p>\n
> You have to be dumber than a box of dried-out paintbrushes to “accidentally purchase” something, and even if you’re unwilling to accept personal responsibility for your own actions, it should be an open-and-shut case of giving the unwitting user a refund and moving on.<\/p>\n
Of course, people “accidentally buying it” isn’t the reason for pulling an application like this, even with John Gruber’s logical business decision for [pulling a product with a high return rate](http:\/\/daringfireball.net\/linked\/2008\/08\/07\/i-am-rich). Apple’s most likely reason to nip this idea in the bud? **Stem the tide of copycats.**<\/p>\n
As soon as the word got out that [Heinrich was able to profit $5,600 from a few hours labor](http:\/\/latimesblogs.latimes.com\/technology\/2008\/08\/iphone-i-am-ric.html), we would have been treated to the $899 “I’m Rich” application which displays a blue gem. Then, hours later, the $799 dollar “Phat Pimpin'” application which displays an jingling gold chain and flashing diamond-encrusted dollar sign. And, eventually, when the horse has been beaten to death, there will be free versions.<\/p>\n
If there’s anything we’ve learned on the internet, it’s that [a unique, interesting and utterly original idea](http:\/\/www.milliondollarhomepage.com\/index-orig.php) that can actually work once will be [mindlessly duplicated en masse](http:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=buy+pixel+ads) by people who don’t get it.<\/p>\n
Apple removed “I Am Rich” only because they didn’t want to add a new category for “[Status Symbols](http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Conspicuous_consumption).”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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