# I Am Rich

> iOS application

**Wikidata**: [Q1187627](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1187627)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Rich)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/i-am-rich

## Summary
I Am Rich is a controversial iOS application released in 2008 that became infamous for its exorbitant price of $999.99, offering no functional value beyond a visual display of wealth. It was developed using Objective-C and designed to exemplify the Veblen effect, where demand increases due to its high cost rather than utility.

## Key Facts
- **Price**: $999.99 (United States dollar)
- **Version**: 1.0 (released on August 5, 2008)
- **Platform**: iOS (mobile operating system by Apple Inc.)
- **Programming Language**: Objective-C (general-purpose, object-oriented language)
- **Data Size**: 0.1 megabytes
- **Aliases**: "Я богат" (Russian)
- **Characteristic**: Exhibits the Veblen effect (demand driven by high price)
- **Wikidata Description**: "iOS application"
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in 13 languages (cs, en, es, fr, id, lt, ru, th, tr, ur, vi, zh, zh_yue)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04gvbxd
- **Sitelink Count**: 13 (Wikidata)

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of I Am Rich?**
I Am Rich serves no practical function beyond displaying a glowing red gem on the user's screen, symbolizing wealth. Its sole purpose is to act as a status symbol, leveraging the Veblen effect to attract buyers due to its high price.

**Why was I Am Rich so expensive?**
The app was priced at $999.99 to deliberately target consumers who derive value from conspicuous consumption, making it a novelty item rather than a functional tool.

**What programming language was used to develop I Am Rich?**
The app was written in Objective-C, a high-level, object-oriented programming language commonly used for iOS development at the time.

**Is I Am Rich still available?**
The app was removed from the App Store shortly after its release in 2008, but it remains a notable example of extreme pricing in digital goods.

## Why It Matters
I Am Rich is significant as a cultural artifact that highlights the psychology of luxury consumption in digital markets. It challenged conventional notions of software value, demonstrating how perceived exclusivity and status can drive demand even for functionally useless products. The app also sparked discussions about Apple's App Store policies and the ethics of pricing in digital marketplaces.

## Notable For
- **Extreme Pricing**: One of the most expensive apps ever sold on the App Store at $999.99.
- **Veblen Effect**: Designed to exploit the psychological phenomenon where high price increases desirability.
- **Minimalist Design**: The app's only feature was a glowing red gem, emphasizing its purely symbolic nature.
- **Short-Lived Availability**: Removed from the App Store shortly after launch, making it a collector's item.
- **Cultural Impact**: Frequently cited in discussions about digital luxury goods and conspicuous consumption.

## Body
### Overview
I Am Rich is an iOS application that gained notoriety for its absurdly high price and lack of functional utility. Released on August 5, 2008, it was developed using Objective-C, a programming language widely used for Apple's mobile ecosystem at the time. The app's sole feature was a glowing red gem displayed on the screen, serving as a digital status symbol.

### Development and Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Objective-C, a general-purpose, object-oriented language introduced in 1984.
- **Platform**: Exclusively designed for iOS, Apple's mobile operating system.
- **Data Size**: The app occupied only 0.1 megabytes, reflecting its minimalist design.
- **Version**: Only one version (1.0) was released before the app was discontinued.

### Economic and Psychological Aspects
I Am Rich is a prime example of the Veblen effect, where the high price of a product enhances its appeal rather than deterring buyers. The app's $999.99 price tag was deliberately set to attract consumers who value conspicuous consumption, making it a novelty item rather than a practical tool. This approach challenged traditional software pricing models and sparked debates about the nature of digital luxury goods.

### Reception and Legacy
The app was removed from the App Store shortly after its release, but it remains a cultural touchstone in discussions about digital economics and consumer behavior. It has been referenced in academic and media analyses of the Veblen effect and the psychology of luxury consumption. The app's Wikipedia page is available in 13 languages, indicating its global recognition as a peculiar phenomenon in the history of mobile applications.

### Related Entities
- **Objective-C**: The programming language used to develop I Am Rich, known for its role in early iOS development.
- **iOS**: The mobile operating system for which the app was exclusively designed.
- **Veblen Effect**: The economic principle that the app was designed to exemplify, where high price increases desirability.

### Cultural Impact
I Am Rich has been cited in various discussions about the ethics of pricing in digital marketplaces and the role of status symbols in consumer culture. Its brief existence on the App Store left a lasting impression, making it a case study in the intersection of technology, economics, and psychology.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013