Besides vastly greater sales volume and higher programmer productivity due to better tools, another reason why software is cheaper now is cheap distribution via the internet and app stores.
Not having to deal with boxes, printed manuals, inventory, warehouses, shipping, and shelf space saves money. And the 10%-30% markup from app stores is probably lower than the 50% markup from brick-and-mortar stores of the 1980s.
I still occasionally miss printed manuals though, especially for games.
Not having to deal with boxes, printed manuals, inventory, warehouses, shipping, and shelf space saves money. And the 10%-30% markup from app stores is probably lower than the 50% markup from brick-and-mortar stores of the 1980s.
I still occasionally miss printed manuals though, especially for games.