Hey guys,
So as the subject says, Vorail now requires you to subscribe to use the app. And I don't mean continue using the app. You have to subscribe before you can even start using it.
Now, this may sound like something good so the devs can cover costs and such, but from my perspective, $50 to $60 can add up pretty quickly, not to mention not many can afford as much.
Now a move I think would of been more appropriate, is to let users at least have access to some of the features. For example, answering, recording and viewing questions, and the upgrades for things such as changing sounds, voice mask, etc.
What do you guys think?
P.S. Here is the update taken from the App Store:
Version 1.87
Members of the Vorail community support each other, and each of us contributes to covering the costs. This version includes monthly and annual subscription in-app purchases.
Comments
Don't like it either
Seriously if I would subscribe it would be 55 swedish kronor for one month and that just doesn't make sence for a social media. In that case, as I already done, I just stop using it. That is way too expensive for a social network. There should be a lite version because now if you download the app and open it it will instantly ask me for a subscription. This means for new users also that there is no way for them to actually try out the app before subscribing such a highn fee. I am not rich and have already said goodbye to everyone on Vorail when I saw it was about to go subscription based. It has been free for a long time and now it requires subscription? I don't gret it. Deleted the app. Goodbye Vorail.
Edit: Oh, And I don't like a free trial of a subscription.
Unfortunetly Becoming the Norm
For myself , I can see this go either way as there are pros and cons to both of being free and of having a subscription to use the service. The subscription started several months back I believe and that caused quite a stir to the core users.
As I can understand the shock as the developers have stated before that this would be a free service that they wanted to give back to the community. This was discussed in the interview that we had with them in one of our AppleVis Extra.
As any regular users on that platform can tell you that it was becoming toxic and I was quite disturbed of the materials that some people were talking about and no doubt racial slurs were also happening. Yes, they had several bad apples on the platform. I wonder if having a subscription was not only to help them on the cost of running the service but also on the same hand to remove those toxicity by only core people that want the service. Another word to weed out the people that were abusing the service.
Unfortunately, this is becoming more on the norm side these days to have some sort of monthly subscriptions and I think it will only become widely use. As the app developers are starting to see that charging a flat fee for an app is not really working out as that method will at some point flat out and the developer will no longer receive any additional money to sustain the services and to feed their mouths. We generally will find that they will no longer update the app and slowly disappear along with many other apps that we used to love. Even apps that support advertising are finding out that isn't enough to help. But I'll be the first to admit I am not sure what the real reason was for them to go on a monthly subscription.
So, going back to your original question.
Yes, this will no doubt limit us in what we really want to pay for on a monthly basis. Frankly, more like what can we afford and are willing to part our money for. This is already happening to me and I am finding that I can live with out certain things or other things that I really need or like to have. I think this is only going to get worse for all of us. As we are on a limited budget and there will be things if it isn't already happening to you. That we are going to have a few things we would love but I can't afford it.
Sure, I love Aira, Blindfold, FlickType, Nearby Explorer, and such but we can only afford certain things.
But we can't get our pants in a bunch if the app decides to go under and disappear. It was probably because they could no longer afford to keep it for free or that it couldn't find any new source for money.
Who knows but I think the people behind VORail had their reasoning and I am not certain if we can convince them to go back the free route.
Good luck though!
@AnonyMouse is right, more
@AnonyMouse is right, more apps are going subscription.
I was reading an article, I'll post the link at the end of this post, it was basicly saying apple is trying to convince developers to switch to a subscription model, and it looks like they're succeeding.
We're not owning software anymore, we're renting it.
Think about it like this, you download an app, only that app isn't accessible.
Now you could explain to the developer about voiceover and go back and forth, or simply move on, particularly if a developer doesn't care.
Even jaws is doing it with their anual plan.
Office 365 has been around for a while, and I'm sure many other apps will follow.
Eventually it'll all be like this, you just have to decide, do I really need this app?
Here is the link to that article I was refering to earlier.
Apple secretly urges iOS app makers to add subscriptions.
https://www.cultofmac.com/569993/ios-subscription-fees-apple-urges-iphone-developers/
in all fairness
If there were a free, although trimmed down version, it would be the choice of most users, which would defeat the purpose of having a paid app. When grant money runs out, why shouldn't the user pay to use? People complain about the cost of the yearly subscription. That's why the monthly is available. I cannot afford a one time fee of $50, but $5 a month is fair. Someone's got to pay for data storage and development costs. Why shouldn't it be us? If you're concerned about having to pay for so many subscriptions, well, it comes down to money management, doesn't it? You choose what to subscribe to based on usage and income. Pick your priorities. When considering the value of an app, consider the uniqueness of it. VoRail is totally Voice-Over friendly, simple to use, and text and pictures (other than emogies) are eliminated, so it beats Twitter and FaceBook hands down. No phone number is seen by other users, so it beats What's App. Only the power of the spoken word is used, so your meaning and emotion are accurately conveyed. And if you don't like the content, delete the sender of offensive stuff. Only receive from people of your choice. I think that $5 is a very reasonable price to pay for such an app. I don't compare it to others in cost, because it is like comparing grapes to water melons. Beastmaster is remaining a VoRailian.
All I can say
Is things have currently settled down there a bit. A lot less people posting means it's a lot easier to get through a day of posts. Some of the bad apples have been plucked, which is another bonus. Still some drama clingers and crap flingers though, but such is to be expected. A lot of good people seemed to have dropped off too though. Perhaps the subscription model will create a different feeling in the community. Only a few more months will tell. I did subscribe, though how long I remain so remains to be seen. The subscription model does seem to be becoming the norm. Depending on the service this can be either good or bad. Eastwest for instance is a virtual instrument company who makes some truly amazing sounding stuff. Even one of their instruments costs a couple hundred dollars. I can get EVERYTHING they've ever released though for a flat rate of $14 a month. So for me, that subscription is more than worth it.