updating free apps - becoming trial apps?

[ei8htohms]

Hi All,

I can't imagine anyone has a good answer to this yet, but hope springs eternal as they say...

I just got an "update available" notification for Livo, but I noticed that at the end of the app description (update details, etc.) it says "trial until 2/21". I hesitated with the update at that point because I fear Livo has put a "self destruct after 2/21" feature into the update so they can charge for it in the future.

Am I being paranoid or does this seem like a sensible way that currently free apps could become paid apps in the near future? If so, mybe I'd want to stick with the version of Livo I have now. It's kind of an interesting program that I MAY actually use at some point (when I need an impromptu 'wire' to catch some villains!), but it's maybe not so compelling that I'd want to pay for it, you know?

What do you think?

_john

[jordanjay29]

Well, there's nothing wrong with backing up a completely free version of an app that you have now, if it's becoming a trial or future paid app. You just might not have any future functionality or bug fixes that future (possibly paid) versions would have.

If you're that convinced you might need it, back it up with Astro or something.

[deserttopping]

yeah, we were talking about this in another thread. if you back up the app, you can always update and see if they've added functionality worth paying for. if not, you can uninstall and roll back to the free version.

[ei8htohms]

Thanks, good advice!

[cryptyk]

I just wanted to bring in a developer's perspective here. I always intended on doing two versions of my app - A free version that allows a certain number of objects per user, and a Premier version that is unlimited.

For the devs, though, that already have free versions of their applications in the market, I can easily imagine them saying, "Well I've put in a lot of work for this thing - Now I can get payed something for it", and removing the free app to put it back up as paid. It sounds reasonable from where they sit.

They aren't considering what the users will think, though. The users have been using the thing for free and are now being asked to pay up without any additional benefit. That isn't a good feeling.

So basically, everyone needs to consider what the other people are thinking, because both sides are justified in what they're doing, if a little self-focused.

If you're a dev, consider putting in some cool new features before updating your application to paid. Your users want to feel that they're getting something [additional] for their money.
If you're a user, consider paying for the upgrade even if you don't need the new features. You've already been using it for free and getting value from it. Send some of that value back to the author in the form of money (typically less than a cup of coffee)

-cryptyk

[hawtseks]

A lot of apps that are free are now having 'updates' that basically give them an expiration date. After the expiration the user is of course expected to pay for the software. Its kind of deceptive if you ask me. Being a person who doesn't pay for things that are made once and can be infinitely copied and distributed without any physical media (that i didn't already own), I will certainly be rooting as soon as it becomes relevant to me. Cheers.

[ickyfehmleh]

...
Being a person who doesn't pay for things that are made once and can be infinitely copied and distributed without any physical media (that i didn't already own), I will certainly be rooting as soon as it becomes relevant to me. Cheers.

Yeah, pirate the apps instead, that'll show 'em who's boss! Don't let little things like copyright laws and intellectual property laws get in the way of how you want to use your cell phone! Besides, developers' time and effort are free, so why should they get paid anything for producing something you use? That's just crazytalk, and it goes against everything this fine nation stands for.

[f4phantomii]

A lot of apps that are free are now having 'updates' that basically give them an expiration date. After the expiration the user is of course expected to pay for the software. Its kind of deceptive if you ask me.

I've felt this way too....some of the devs are pretty forthright and explicit about their app going to a paid version with an expiration date if you update to the latest/greatest.

Others I'm concerned have been (either intentionally or unintentionally) releasing "updates" to free versions with no mention that it will expire requiring the next one to be purchased.

For those of us with numerous apps, trying to manage all that and keep up with which versions are free, trial with expiration/beta, and soon-to-be paid apps is really difficult. Managing each individual backup is tedious.

I know I certainly appreciate the devs who have split theirs into free and paid versions.....certainly makes it a lot clearer, gives a useful way for a potential customer to get more familiar with their apps at their leisure, and keeps updates/bugfixes unambiguous.

[hawtseks]

Yeah, pirate the apps instead, that'll show 'em who's boss! Don't let little things like copyright laws and intellectual property laws get in the way of how you want to use your cell phone! Besides, developers' time and effort are free, so why should they get paid anything for producing something you use? That's just crazytalk, and it goes against everything this fine nation stands for.

Oh! And the money that i would have to pay for it was just given to me without me having to do anything for it right? Please. Copyright laws and intellectual property laws produce artificial scarcity in our society. Once software is created it can be infinitely copied using almost no natural resources. It should be illegal to charge for something that can be produced in such abundance. The monetary system cripples every aspect of society in this way. Got another irrelevant, sarcastic comment to throw at me? Or is my crazy talk too much for your simple brain?

[eminembdg]

I believe if in the description it doesn't tell you that it will expire after a trial period that it's not a very honest thing for a dev to do. Having 2 versions, one a free one and the other a paid app with more features is and excellent idea.

A second thing that's been on my mind is.. it's not like these apps are $20 and up! Most , probably around 90% of the paid apps are ONLY A BUCK! I'm not rich at all, nor well off as some would put it. I work in retail and with the economy I don't get many hours. But even with all my bills, I can afford to pay $1 for something that helps me or makes my life easier. Seriously guys.. a $1 - $5 , that's not a lot of money. These devs spend countless hours sometimes coding these apps. A few bucks probably does't even cover the beer or pack of smokes they've used while making the app.

You can wait to see reviews and the rating before buying, or ask in the forums, before buying if it's too much money for you to maybe waste.

Lets be real. No one is forcing you to buy the apps. Hell... they could of never offered the 24 hour return policy. So lets give the devs a few bucks, they only get 70 cents of that buck anyways.