Monday
Jul162012
Question: Do you trust software developers?
Monday, July 16, 2012 at 3:00AM Do you trust mobile software developers? On the whole I do, but some recent experiences with Android highlight some real underhand tactics which can be rather annoying.
Reader Comments (7)
Mostly but the in app purchase scenario is leaving sour tastes.
Neither more nor less so than, doctors, accountants, engineers, plumbers, builders and so on — we're talking about a massive number of people and companies here, and some will be great, and some will be undesirable, and many will be inbetween. I certainly couldn't say I do not trust a whole group of people like this — they are not estate agents after all ;)
About the same as any other person I have never met.
Have no issues with in app purchase system - don't like it, don't use it. Personally I prefer to pay an upfront price, so for those free apps/games with in app purchase system - I tend to ignore them...
Generally yes, but I'm still cautious. Certainly for the main apps I use such as Priorities and iThoughtsHD, I've been in contact with the developers. I do read the descriptions and reviews and try to find 3rd party reviews as well. I am very wary of the IAP system unless I've been in contact with the developer. I would prefer to have a free version to try plus a separate paid version rather than upgrade within the app.
What bothers me is the creeping introduction of non-feature bloat, or the loss of features when you upgrade, to try and force users who got the free version into being paying customers... I have no objection to the "freemium" business model, in fact I think it's a great idea, but when I've invested time and effort into something only to find I start having to pay for something previously free I get quite annoyed.
I am happy subscriber to LastPass Premium which works for me. I've also paid for Digiguide in the past. At work we (reluctantly) use Redhat. All provide a useful service.
There's a really great android app called "astro" file manager, and it was ad free for a long time, and they pushed an upgrade which didn't mention that it was going to be full of adverts after as well as getting a few new features. had I known I've have stayed with the old!
Trust no one!
Until they earn it.
Most developers are in it to make money. Capitalism actively discourages morality, not all developers will resist that pressure.
I certainly don't trust EA after the Real Racing 2 fiasco. Also hate the freemium model apps as the overall costs are largely hidden.