I wouldn't normally respond to a review of an app in the iTunes App Store, but I feel compelled to do so in one case with Backline Calc.

In a recent review, we were criticized for using a "poor marketing model" for Backline Calc. Given that in-app purchase for free apps is new and it seems that we are an early adopter of it, I want to make sure that our customers fully understand how Backline Calc works.

On October 15th 2009, Apple announced that it was enabling in-app purchase in free apps, reversing their previous stance that "free apps remain free." This was done specifically to allow developers to create a single version of their apps rather than paid and "lite" versions. This reduces confusion and complexity for consumers and developers alike. From the email sent to developers:

You can also simplify your development by creating a single version of your app that uses In App Purchase to unlock additional functionality, eliminating the need to create Lite versions of your app.

This was well-timed in our development of Backline Calc and we decided to take advantage of it. Thus, Backline Calc is free to download and install. The Note Length, File Size and Frames to Timecode calculators are enabled by default. We chose those particular calculators because we feel they a) represent the breadth of the user experience for all calculators and b) they are useful. If you like what you see, you can utilize in-app purchase to unlock them. Currently, that price is set at US $2.99 (check your localized app store if you are not in the United States). If you don't, you can simply remove the app from your iTunes Library and device.

Certainly, if you have any questions, concerns, feedback or feature requests, please contact us at support@audiofile-engineering.com.

Matthew Foust
Audiofile Engineering, LLC
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2009 09:17PM by Matthew Foust.

I don't mind at all with this marketing method. It's all very clear and comes as no surprise.

In-app purchasing works great! I just had to try it.

Your note in the App Store is clear. I wonder if the commenter missed it. Perhaps if users continue to complain you could make the note a little stronger.

Here is a suggestion for a stronger wording (you might not want the last sentence):
"Demo Version: Most the features of Backline Calc are NOT free. This application uses in-app purchasing to unlock most of the features. For free you get three calculators while the remaining calculators remain locked until purchased. The price is $2.99 in the U.S. store for the full version."

Here is another idea to help make it more clear. You could change the first screen shot, or at least one image, to show the locked calculators and the "Buy" button.

Also, since two of the three free calculators are not visible without scrolling, maybe the commenter couldn't see what they were getting immediately and were, therefore, shocked into writing that review.

Ideally and psychologically it is probably better to present a simple screen for the locked version. In a future version, I imagine you could have a screen with only the three calculators along with an ad style list of the other calculators. Perhaps the ad could also be a giant "Buy" button linked to the in-app purchase.

Anyway, these are just ideas. As I said before your note is clear but, as we all know, sometimes people don't read before acting or reacting.

Donald



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2009 08:50PM by Figshta.