That was my comment he was referring to, and the main point I had made on their forum, but nobody really ran with, was that the difference here (if they go with subscriptions), compared to other subscriptions I’m aware of, would be the odd mix of an up-front purchase on the Mac, and a subscription on iOS.
I am perfectly fine with subscriptions in general, but I think this mix could rub people the wrong way with an app that is an “everything bucket” for some people. Those users have committed to an up-front purchase on the Mac, only to learn that, to continue using their “bucket” the way they always have in the past, they’ll be forced to pay a subscription on the other platform.
Well, it could be argued that not having the ability to charge for software upgrades on a platform is a weird thing to have to adapt to - particularly for an app that presumably needs to be updated with some frequency.
I’m betting that if DT could do a “next year we’ll release a new version, with a 50% upgrade discount for existing customers” that they’d be considering it. And YES, I know, there are weird hack-y ways of trying to do stuff like that with app bundles…but that’s not what Apple wants you to do, seemingly.
The “just use a subscription for iOS” mentality seems to have been blessed by the fine folks in Cupertino.
Oh, I agree with you, and think the race to the bottom with app pricing on iOS isn’t sustainable. I meant it would be weird to have a different purchase method on another platform, after people bought the Mac app outright and put all their eggs in that basket.
Honestly, I kind of wonder why they don’t go to that sort of model - or at least offer it. If they offered DEVONthink as a monthly subscription for $10-ish I’m thinking that may be useful for getting more users in. The “pay per month” model, if the something is already crazy-expensive, would seem to be a potential draw.
And of course that $10 is an arbitrary number, but I’m going off their “full” license cost and assuming a couple of years for break-even.
It sucks. I had paid high fees for a few apps that flipped to subscription and refused to grandfather recent purchases. Left such a bad taste I just bailed on the developers all together.
It is one thing for charging for a new version, a completely other matter to go subscription. We avoid subscriptions like the Corona Virus.
I think a lot of developers, perhaps unwittingly, rely on the “ooo, shiny!” effect of their apps. You (that’s the royal you) download DEVONthink, think it’s going to solve all your problems, so spend the $199 for the Pro version, ('cause that’s how you roll), then a couple of months later you’re looking at Keep It, which will totally solve all your problems. (Note that I have never, everever done this.)
In contrast, if they offered a subscription, they’d only make $10 or $20 on your folly.
Developers would also have to stay on their toes and listen to user feedback which DEVONtechnologies historically does not do. If they don’t, people bail because their sunk costs are lower, and, after all, they can come back if the developers get their act together.
If you want to start a support group, there are many of us who can support you during this difficult time. I have called my AA (apps anonymous) sponsor many times before.
I’ve had the exact opposite experience with the DEVONThink people. I’ve made suggestions and either they are eventually implemented, or they explain why they can’t or won’t, and also offer work arounds and alternative ways of looking at the problem I am facing.
I found DEVONthink 3 very responsive and helpful to date. It is my main app now without a doubt. Maybe it works for me though of course. I don’t do any really heavy lifting now.
This is (one of) the last maintenance update(s) for DEVONthink To Go 2.
It prepares the data store for version 3.0, which has been in the works for a while and will become available as a separate app in the App Store in due course.
A welcome screen will inform you about the arrival of DEVONthink To Go 3.0.
The update to 2.7.8 also brings those bug fixes over from version 3 that don’t depend on larger changes to the database or app structure, or would make the app incompatible to iOS 11 and 12.
And finally, we’ve updated the PDF library and MultiMarkdown support as well as brought the sync submodule on part with DEVONthink 3.6 for Mac and the upcoming DEVONthink To Go 3.0.
See also DEVONtechnologies’ Christmas Updates blog post, which ends with this (which is both a smaller font and lighter grey color than everything else).
While we have an internal release date for DEVONthink To Go 3 we don’t publish it yet as there might be unforeseen delays caused, e.g., by factors out of our control. We are not releasing it before the Christmas holidays, though, as we want to be available for customer support when we put it into your hands. Version 3 will also bring changes to the licensing model but we are not yet disclosing them at this point in time as we might make adjustments until the final release.
I am glad they are bringing the bug fixes to v2. My use case is limited to accessing my database (viewing only), so I may stick with v2 for some time (assuming its stable).
Yea, I look forward to seeing what the 3.0 features and pricing are. Every individual gets to choose what the value in the product or subscription is. I’m guessing that every iOS/MacOS release becomes an annoying issue for developers.
Yes, the release notes for v 2.7.8 say that 3.x will be a separate app. it also says you’ll be notified in the 2.7.8 app that the 3.x app is available, but that definitely sounds like they are going to leave it there for people who want to keep using it.
Well… not to be the bearer of bad news, but given that the release notes for 2.7.8 start with this:
This is (one of) the last maintenance update(s) for DEVONthink To Go 2.
I would not expect anything more and would certainly not expect DTTG v2 to work with iOS 15 unless it just so happens that Apple doesn’t add/change anything that breaks it.
DevonTech has repeatedly said on their forum that they are a small company with limited resources and can only really focus on one app at a time. I can’t see them taking time away from improving v3 for subscribers to fix problems in v2 that will have “opportunity costs” and generate no additional income for them.
