Advertisements in 2.0.1

[cheinbokel]

I recently upgraded to the most recent version of What's On?. Shortly
after upgrading, I opened the application to see what was on TV, only
to find that after the initial splash screen was a 5-second, full-
screen ad, which I had to tap in the corner to skip.

I would totally understand if I hadn't paid for the application. In
fact, at the time I purchased, it was $1.99. I wasn't aware that in
subsequent releases, the application would not only become free, but
ad-supported.

I suppose I've gotten used to the model of paid application developers
who wish to get into the free app field releasing a modified, ad-
supported version of their software for free. Still, I'm rather
disappointed that after using the application for so long, it would be
tainted by obtrusive, obnoxious advertisements which I can't get rid
of.

The purpose of my posting is mainly to provide feedback on the new
version. I'm going to continue using the application for the time
being, but probably only until I can find either a way to avoid
advertisements or a different application with the same functionality.

What's On? is an amazing application. I understand your desire to
broaden its user base, but selling out to advertisements, especially
after charging between $1 and $2 for it for over a year, leaves a
bitter taste in my mouth.

Thanks for all the hard work you've put into the product. It really
shows. I hate to see ads taint it.

[Andrew Gould]

Thanks for the very constructive thoughts. It's certainly nice to hear
feedback that is more thought out than "omg ads suck, you suck!". The
decision to move to an ad based model has been a long time coming.
When we launched version 1.0 back in September of 2008 in the App
Store's infancy, we were the only TV guide out there and users paid
$1.99 for this feature on the iPhone. As competitors started arriving
in the arena, they changed the game by introducing a similar app for
free. As soon as this occurred, we saw a nearly flat line of new
users. We obviously wanted to remain competitive and adapt to the
market so we went free to allow as many users as possible to use the
app. With the release of 2.0, we moved to an ad model because it was
really the only choice.

Even when we charged for the app, the amount we made only offset data
and bandwidth costs for a few months. We quickly realized that a "pay
once, use forever" model would never work as we added users because we
would use more bandwidth without getting any additional revenue from
the users. This is what makes our application different from a To Do
app or a game. They have no on going costs like we do.

We certainly considered the fact that some users that paid for the app
would now be served ads but we feel it's fair to say that you paid
$1.99 for a service that cost us $8-$10 to provide to you. We went
free in December 2008 so even if you purchased then, you've received
nearly a year of service. If we went to a paid model, we would render
ourselves out of business in just a few months. What it essentially
came to was ads are required for What's On? to continue.

We value all the feedback of users and certainly listen to each and
ever one. We've tried to make the ads as good as possible (allowing
you to close the ad if you're uninterested unlike our competitors) and
will certainly continue to tweak these to make them better. We're
looking into a subscription model that will hopefully appeal to users
like yourself while allowing us to at least break even on costs. If
you have any other feedback or concerns, we're always available here
and at sup...@napkinstudio.com

Respectfully,
Andrew Gould
Napkin Studio - Co-founder

[cheinbokel]

I absolutely understand where you're coming from. While I knew the
service cost money to run, I never realized how much it was really
costing. The advertisements are relatively unobtrusive (they're
growing on me) - they were just unexpected - and keeping in mind what
you've said, I absolutely intend to continue using What's On?, and to
help promote the service to friends.

I sincerely appreciate your prompt and very detailed reply. I haven't
really checked the TV guide app market recently, since I've used
What's On? for so long, but I can see it's starting to get crowded.
You haven't disappointed me yet, and I trust whatever methods you're
planning to use to make money will be in the users' best interest and
taste.

Thanks for clearing that up. One possible suggestion, though - have
you considered adding a method to donate on the website? As the
service is free, appreciative users might be inclined to donate to
keep the service running and growing.

Once again, thanks.

> and at supp...@napkinstudio.com

[cheinbokel]

I'd like to give you one piece of feedback I just noticed. The touch
area to close the ad is too small. I've, in the past five minutes,
accidentally tapped the ad twice. This would be okay, except it means
What's On closes and Safari opens. Personally, I feel it would be
beneficial to make the touch area to close the ad larger than it
appears to be, because a user who wants to close it but accidentally
taps it might be prone to become frustrated and reduce use of the
application.

Just my $0.02 on the matter. I'll leave you to your business now.

[Don]

It would be much better if the program used the in-app browsing
feature. I don't know if that can be done without breaking iPod
compatibility by requiring 3.0

On Sep 16, 6:39 pm, cheinbokel <chris.heinbo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'd like to give you one piece of feedback I just noticed.  The touch
> area to close the ad is too small.  I've, in the past five minutes,
> accidentally tapped the ad twice.  This would be okay, except it means

> What's On closes and Safari opens.  PersConally, I feel it would be