paying for an app, having it become a demo

[mek]

Blacklist: (These developers have used a Bait and Switch tactic so Buyer Beware)
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AroundMe:
Developer:Tweakersoft
Description
They sold it and now it is free and you have to watch Google Ads as paying customer.


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Kinwits (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=1270&highlight=kinwits)
Developer:Troutfly software
Description: - Went free for a little while, then the dev "updated" the app and made the full version into a 10 level demo


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PaklSound and PaklSound Deluxe.
Developer: Pakl
Description: I was so satisfied with PaklSounds, so I bought PaklSound Deluxe too.
Unfortunately, in few weeks, the developer updated the standard version adding the Deluxe features. Practically, I had a double application on my iPhone and wasted my money for the Deluxe edition.


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Rescue Angels
Developer: xCube Labs.
Description: Rescue Angels 60 originally came out with no warning that it was a demo....the 60 levels were fun, and worth 99 cents, but it essentially became a Demo advertising their 500 level app, with the same initial 60 levels, which makes me not want to purchase the full app


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Space Monkey (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=1517&highlight=space+monkey) Developer: Glu
Description: - went from $4 to $1 then went free but has ads
Update: the Developer is currently correcting this, and once the update rolls through, if two people speak up and feel that the issue has been corrected, we can remove Space Monkey and Glu from this list

Originally Posted by VegantTnT View Post
Looks like everyone's feedback paid off!

Glu has removed the ads from the game and placed this note on their itunes page for Space Monkey:

"<***NOTE TO USERS: We have heard your feedback loud and clear and we sincerely apologize for causing you any distress over the in-game ads in Space Monkey. When the monkey started screaming and throwing junk at us, we knew we had to get the cosmos back in order. For our existing customers who have previously bought the game or tried the free version, we will be removing the ads and updating Space Monkey with all the new features. We hope you will continue to provide feedback and enjoy future games from Glu. ***>"
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Urban Tycoon:
Developer: TouchSoft Mobile
Description/Issue: Many people felt burned by the fact that the game, which is quite limited, does not match the description, all is said to be fixed with weekly updates, which have not occurred, there is mention of a version 2.0 which is 3d, but very little information is provided [BUYER BEWARE]

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[pablo19]

same thing with me I bought rescue angels. But it could have been a lot worse:o

[istopmotion]

Yeah dude, that sucks. Same thing hapened to me with Rescue Angels... And Space Monkey for some people. It cost like $2 or 3 when it first came out and now it's free and ad supported... :\ it sucks :P

[gnadenlos]

AroundMe is another example. They sold it and now it is free and you have to watch Google Ads as paying customer.

[istopmotion]

AroundMe is another example. They sold it and now it is free and you have to watch Google Ads as paying customer.

Yeah, you can tell why they do that. It's because they're not making enough money by charging $1 for it, so they figure they'll get more downloads if it's free and they include ads. It's gay, there needs to be an ad version and a $1 version w/o ads. :p

[evanmav]

yeah taht really does suck. thats why i dont buy anything i just get free games. unless its from a big company like gamesloft or ea. it really is stupid for an app to become free and have ads and then for paying costumers to have to watch the ads. wat the company shoudl have done is made a free app tahts the same with ads and tell people to upgrade to the paid version if they dont want apps

[VeganTnT]

It's really unfortunate that devs are punishing paying customers like this

Kinwits (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=1270&highlight=kinwits) - Went free for a little while, then the dev "updated" the app and made the full version into a 10 level demo

Space Monkey (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=1517&highlight=space+monkey) - went from $4 to $1 then went free but has ads

[Paulio]

What they should do is tell you if they are going to include ads in the update description then you can ignore it.. tho then your stuck with not being able to update all.. perhaps they should have an 'I choose to not update' option for these cases. you can always be notified of the next ones?

edit: I actually think this idea is great. Anyone agree? to have an ignore update option?

[daniglue]

I had a worse experience with PaklSound and PaklSound Deluxe.

I was so satisfied with PaklSounds, so I bought PaklSound Deluxe too.
Unfortunately, in few weeks, the developer updated the standard version adding the Deluxe features. Practically, I had a double application on my iPhone and wasted my money for the Deluxe edition.

Really disappointed, even if I adore PaklSound.

[Mr. Charley]

What they should do is tell you if they are going to include ads in the update description then you can ignore it.. tho then your stuck with not being able to update all.. perhaps they should have an 'I choose to not update' option for these cases. you can always be notified of the next ones?

edit: I actually think this idea is great. Anyone agree? to have an ignore update option?

Interesting thought, and I agree.
I update all my apps (even those that become demos or with adds) simply because I don't want to see a number 1 in the top right corner of my app store icon for the rest of my life...
Ignore update would definitely solve that issue. So I'm with you on this one!

[CrocStock]

I read ALL my update descriptions so when Kinwits updated into a demo I simply havent updated it and I gave them a negative review. If Apple are not controlling this then we as a community could create a Developer Blacklist on the site. Toucharcade has a strong community so this would certainly impact developer sales if they were on the blacklist.

[mek]

I read ALL my update descriptions so when Kinwits updated into a demo I simply havent updated it and I gave them a negative review. If Apple are not controlling this then we as a community could create a Developer Blacklist on the site. Toucharcade has a strong community so this would certainly impact developer sales if they were on the blacklist.

I agree with the blacklist idea
we can use it as a way to curb bad developer behavior...cause they are essentially screwing consumers and giving the app store a bad name
and although we may have a voice, other iphone users do not, although now they have the delete rate option, but that isn't the best solution to the problem

i will update this thread for those apps as listed

thanks

[CrocStock]

Noone better buy from these developers, or ill savage you :P

[Mr. Charley]

Developer blacklist idea is great!
And make sure to add the developer Bootant to it!!!
Although they haven't changed their app to a demo, their constant "updates" to keep them visible has made me delete all thier apps and want nothing to do with them any longer.

[CrocStock]

The developer blacklist should be for developers who have either changed a paying app to a demo or to a free ad version. There should be another list for developer cautions in regards to ethics but this should be for more serious abuses.

[Mr. Charley]

I'm cool with that, but then I would appreciate 2 lists! :)

[mek]

The developer blacklist should be for developers who have either changed a paying app to a demo or to a free ad version. There should be another list for developer cautions in regards to ethics but this should be for more serious abuses.

yeah I agree that it should be for serious developer offenses, like robbing people of their money buy coercing them to buy a game, then turning it into a developer without prior notice

as for abusing the update or price change features
i dont think they should be blacklisted per say
but maybe a cautionary list

[istopmotion]

Put Urban Tycoon up there. The dev promised weekly updates... and I've seen 1 update and that was before he promised weekly updates. It was supposed to turn into a great game, but he's just left it as crap.

Overall the game sucks but everyone was hoping for amazing 3D updates and stuff.

[Modus]

There's good reason to feel conned when someone turns a paid app into an advertising billboard, but in cases such as the calculator, as I understand it the developer has released a more advanced version and re-categorised Version 1.0 as a free application.

This is nothing new, and has been common practise for years with software developers. Retail games lose their value after a couple weeks; cars lose thousands when they roll off the shop floor. It's the price you pay for early adoption: Apple customers should be well familiar with by now.

It's really great that the App Store makes it easy for devs to update apps with bug fixes and new features, but you have to understand and bear in mind that no developer has liability beyond the promised function of the app you paid for.

If the calculator has bugs, then by all means complain. But if you're upset because you have to pay for a better calculator, and because the one you bought is now free ... well, think about it.

These guys spend hours, days, weeks writing software. The developers who add tonnes of features and functionality, and improve their app, they'll reap the rewards of only having to support one application. But the audience for some applications is limited, and if there's no profit in supporting something (beyond the obligations of keeping it bug free), then common sense says move on to a new product.

This is contentious I know, and it's different when it's your own money spent. But remember most of these guys are trying to make profit. No doubt Calculator 2.0 will be free in six months, and Calculator 3.0 will be on sale.

If anything's at fault, it's the limitations of App Store, as it doesn't cater for the tried and tested practise of paid updates between versions: The only way to release a new version, is to make people pay for it (or release an expansion application... easy enough, but very messy in the long run).

Just my 2 cents anyway.

-modus

[Eric5h5]

This is nothing new, and has been common practise for years with software developers.

This is new, and has not been common practice. If you have any examples of non-App Store software where updates turn previously paid-for software into demo-ware or ad-ware, I'd like to see them.

It's really great that the App Store makes it easy for devs to update apps with bug fixes and new features, but you have to understand and bear in mind that no developer has liability beyond the promised function of the app you paid for.

That is wrong. If you buy an app and a later update turns your previously functioning app, which you paid for, into cripple-ware, the developer certainly should be held liable for that. Telling people to just not update and keep the old version would not be an acceptable answer, because that breaks the "update all" functionality.

--Eric

[mrsteveman1]

If the calculator has bugs, then by all means complain. But if you're upset because you have to pay for a better calculator, and because the one you bought is now free ... well, think about it.

No read the start of the thread, this is about applications people paid for, turning into ad-supported apps. That means you paid originally and now also get ads in the game. You are paying for the app multiple times here, which is much different than simply dropping the price of an application.

[VeganTnT]

So it looks like Glu has updated space monkey again and taken the ads out!

"<***NOTE TO USERS: We have heard your feedback loud and clear and we sincerely apologize for causing you any distress over the in-game ads in Space Monkey. When the monkey started screaming and throwing junk at us, we knew we had to get the cosmos back in order. For our existing customers who have previously bought the game or tried the free version, we will be removing the ads and updating Space Monkey with all the new features. We hope you will continue to provide feedback and enjoy future games from Glu. ***>"

[Modus]

This is new, and has not been common practice. If you have any examples of non-App Store software where updates turn previously paid-for software into demo-ware or ad-ware, I'd like to see them.



That is wrong. If you buy an app and a later update turns your previously functioning app, which you paid for, into cripple-ware, the developer certainly should be held liable for that. Telling people to just not update and keep the old version would not be an acceptable answer, because that breaks the "update all" functionality.

--Eric

I think I was quite clear regarding my support versus paid apps becoming ad-hosting trojans. I'm referring to applications that become free over time to make way for newer versions of the same application, sans advertising or demo-mode hobbling (which is probably illegal in some countries/states).

The OP made a case from the calculator application that had become free (no mention of demo mode crippling or advertising), and in it's place a newer paid version had appeared in the store. The intimation being that he was angry at having paid for something that is now free, and he'd have to pay for the features in the new build. You did read that, right?

No read the start of the thread, this is about applications people paid for, turning into ad-supported apps. That means you paid originally and now also get ads in the game. You are paying for the app multiple times here, which is much different than simply dropping the price of an application.

I said this in another similar thread earlier today: If you have a problem, complain to Apple. Demand a refund.

A "Blacklist" may make you feel better and get your blood boiling good and proper, and it's not something I'd ignore myself, but I find things get done by talking to people who can actually do something about it, not by pulling faces and pointing fingers. Mob rule is powerful stuff, but only if you wield it efficiently.

Second time I've posted this link today:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

(24 hour response support)
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/browser/

[mek]

I brought up the Calculator, not because i had purchased it, but because it brought to my attention that an app that people have paid for changed its status, and a Pro paid version was offered, so for those people to gain those features they already had, plus the new ones they would have to pay for again... but it was not crippled with advertisements and it did not become a demo, so i removed it from the list

i realize it was a bad example, but it did bring up the point that there are developers that are abusing customers out there...so out of that bad example, hopefully came some good, and a voice

so I have updated the list accordingly...and with a healthy debate, we can add and or remove items from the list accordingly

[pante]

any updates to the list?

[pharmx]

didn't something like this happen with aurora feint also?

[coconutbowling]

didn't something like this happen with aurora feint also?

No. The original was always free.

[G0tsk1llz]

Duck Shoot used to be $.99 until they made it free. They then released Duck Shoot Pro for $.99

[iGewappnet]

RunKeeper is a special case. First it was quite an expensive app. Then it became free, because the seller expected to make enough money from ads on his webpage, where you have to go to see your data. Finally they decided to remove the app completely and to re-release it in two versions: RunKepper Free with ads and RunKeeper Pro without ads for 9,99 Dollar. To calm down the angry buyers of the original RunKeeper they announced that RunKeeper Pro will be free for one day and reminded every original buyer via mail. This might be an acceptable way, but it still remains strange.

[TwistedFry]

Also add Kirill Satchkov, their "night vision" app purports to have smart algorithms and is not a gimmick however, it is!

And if you look on the description, it actually uses keywords (names of other successful apps) and tries to disguise it as a suggestion for what to use this app on.

Not very honest IMO

see for yourselves (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=302888108&mt=8), and scroll down just above where it says about the new version :eek: tut tut

[iGewappnet]

A new entry in the list: iJiggles (not to be confuse with iJiggly!). This infamous app is now permanent free - with ads!

[HardcoreEricXXX]

A new entry in the list: iJiggles (not to be confuse with iJiggly!). This infamous app is now permanent free - with ads!

The update description said not to update if you didn't want ads

[iGewappnet]

The update description said not to update if you didn't want ads
That's ridiculous. It means you will never get an update (new features, bug fixes). And who wants to get this update presented forever in the update screen?

[Ahiru]

can we add LOCK N ROLL to that list??

it was awesome, it was free.. now it is FREE AND HAS ADS.. soon a "PRO" version will be released, leaving the previous full game as a mere demo with ads. shucks.

[pharmx]

No. The original was always free.

You're right, I forgot that it was free. I think they updated the original to say lite in the name which threw me off.

I'm wondering what the "free" games that ask you to spam friend invites are going to do once they get enough of an installed user base. Typically these viral apps make revenue off of ads, so it could get ugly.

[schooze]

I agree this list should be updated I think it's important not to support developers who do this.

Here's one I know there is no way that it will get added but with the news of topple too and topple now being free with ads following the rules Ngmoco should be on the list.

[Spartan12103]

It happened with Topple also. I paid for it and now it's free with Topple Too the paid one instead.

[NickFalk]

can we add LOCK N ROLL to that list??

it was awesome, it was free.. now it is FREE AND HAS ADS.. soon a "PRO" version will be released, leaving the previous full game as a mere demo with ads. shucks.

???
Let's see if I got this straight: You got a free game and later the developer added ads to it and made a better version people could buy? What's the problem exactly? You got something for free and now you're angry that if you want more of the same you have to pay?

[stargazer513]

It happened with Topple also. I paid for it and now it's free with Topple Too the paid one instead.

TOPPLE. it was paid. and then went to FREE WITH ADS!! wth ngmoco ... just wth. i dont mind if its free but ADS?? ive lost faith in this developer..