It seems apparent that it wouldn't - convincing all your friends to download some random app is one thing, convincing them to pay more than $2 is another.

Then again, app.net went with this model and a fairly high price and is moderately successful. (The combination of a target audience generally highly willing to pay money for internet things and a large amount of hype probably helped.)

Thanks. This is surprising indeed. Will it stick ? I doubt it was bootstrapping.