Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Grant Hardy]

Hey Richard,

I absolutely appreciate that the economics of maintaining an app are tricky.

However, Apple Developer guideline 3.1.2 clearly states:

If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business
model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users
have already paid for. For example, let customers who have already
purchased a “full game unlock” continue to access the full game after you
introduce a subscription model for new customers.


This is why, for example, when the Weather Gods app converted to a
subscription, existing users (those who already paid for the app) kept the
functionality they previously paid for.

In this case, it seems like all our purchases (Voice Dream Reader, any
purchased voices, Voice Dream Scanner, etc.) are simply going to be
disabled. I do have some concerns with that, because it seems like the
quoted Apple Developer review guideline states that this shouldn't occur.

I don't have any concerns about charging a subscription for new users, or
charging existing users for updates. But I haven't ever heard of an app
that is disabling previously purchased functionality from working at all.
Regardless of the PR that this generates, I'm a little unclear how this is
in accordance with the Developer Guidelines as quoted above.

If it is, I am curious then if it would be reasonable to expect every app
purchase we've made on iOS to be disabled then at some point. I'm not
talking about apps not being developed anymore and possibly not working
anymore given an update to iOS etc.. I am talking about code that
specifically tells the app not to recognize your previously purchased
license.

just some food for thought. Again, I am absolutely sympathetic to the new
owners of Voice Dream Reader, but I don't think disabling previous
purchases is the appropriate solution. At the moment, I'm working on
transitioning my audio content to Downcast. Haven't decided what to do
about my text content yet.

Thank you,
Grant Hardy


On Sat, Mar 30, 2024 at 6:01 PM Richard Turner 
wrote:

> I took Dennis’s advice and made a donation to listen to Jonathan
> interviewing Kishin Manglani from the Applause Group.
>
> It is very much worth listening to.  It is fairly long, but it is very
> clear that they care very much about their customers and are doing their
> best to provide a quality product and adding new features.
>
>
>
> The one thing I noticed if you go into the Voice Dream Reader app and
> double tap on settings, then on subscription, it brings up the post titled
> Pricing Changes for One-Time Purchasers.
>
> As you read through that, when you get to the line that says, try the 14
> day trial or something like that, it doesn’t say it is a link or button,
> but if you double tap on that, it takes you to the app store where you can
> choose to subscribe and get 2 weeks free if you were a one-time purchaser.
> I don’t know what you get if you are a new subscriber.
>
>
>
> But signing up this way keeps it fairly simple and familiar since it is
> within the app store.
>
> The difference from subscribing through the link through a service that
> seems to be called Stripe or something; whatever Jonathan said, the
> Applause Group gets a higher cut of the payment than if you go through the
> app store.
>
> I don’t know if people realize, that whatever price you pay for an app
> through the app store, Apple gets a pretty big cut.  I think 20 or 30
> percent and the developer gets the rest.
>
>
>
> IN any case, I’ve signed up through the app store.
>
>
>
> They will be offering a monthly option in the not too distant future.
>
>
>
> HTH,
>
>
>
> Richard, USA
>
> "It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less
> than a disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight
> fails or you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life."
> -- Dr. Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)
>
>
>
> My web site: https://www.turner42.com
>
>
>
> *From:* viphone@googlegroups.com  *On Behalf Of
> *Dennis Long
> *Sent:* Saturday, March 30, 2024 11:47 AM
> *To:* viphone@googlegroups.com
> *Subject:* RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
>
>
>
> You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents
> and get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to
> it.  I do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.
>
>
>
> *From:* viphone@googlegroups.com  *On Behalf Of
> *Michael Irons
> *Sent:* Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
> *To:* viphone@googlegroups.com
> *Subject:* Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
>
>
>
> Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with
> voice dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase
> prices or make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do
> need to do or have to do to make money. Just remember that Free 

RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Dennis Long]

I will echo your feedback.  They have lost the trust of the community through 
their own actions.  Finding out through someone else getting emails about it is 
not how we  should’ve found out.  Had they controlled the narrative would’ve 
been the best result.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Richard 
Turner
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 10:00 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
I agree with their communication issues.  I just wrote them and recommended 
they start their own email discussion list.  The one that currently exists that 
Alan Lemley started called Voice Dream Products still includes the apps Winston 
owns, so they need to start their own.
I hope they do sooner rather than later.
 
Take care,
Richard, USA
"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)
 
My web site:   https://www.turner42.com
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Dennis Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 6:37 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Richard I do agree with you  I do think they truly care.  There messaging and 
communication is absolutely terrible and that is something they need to work 
on.  Being honest transparent and communicating with us to see what we want and 
need in the app will go a long way.  But again Richard I do agree they care.  
I’m considering the monthly option.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Richard Turner
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 9:01 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
I took Dennis’s advice and made a donation to listen to Jonathan interviewing 
Kishin Manglani from the Applause Group.
It is very much worth listening to.  It is fairly long, but it is very clear 
that they care very much about their customers and are doing their best to 
provide a quality product and adding new features.
 
The one thing I noticed if you go into the Voice Dream Reader app and double 
tap on settings, then on subscription, it brings up the post titled Pricing 
Changes for One-Time Purchasers.
As you read through that, when you get to the line that says, try the 14 day 
trial or something like that, it doesn’t say it is a link or button, but if you 
double tap on that, it takes you to the app store where you can choose to 
subscribe and get 2 weeks free if you were a one-time purchaser.  I don’t know 
what you get if you are a new subscriber.
 
But signing up this way keeps it fairly simple and familiar since it is within 
the app store.
The difference from subscribing through the link through a service that seems 
to be called Stripe or something; whatever Jonathan said, the Applause Group 
gets a higher cut of the payment than if you go through the app store.
I don’t know if people realize, that whatever price you pay for an app through 
the app store, Apple gets a pretty big cut.  I think 20 or 30 percent and the 
developer gets the rest.
 
IN any case, I’ve signed up through the app store.
 
They will be offering a monthly option in the not too distant future.
 
HTH,
 
Richard, USA
"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)
 
My web site:   https://www.turner42.com
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Dennis Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 11:47 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents and 
get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to it.  I 
do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Michael Irons
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice 
dream reader want to do. That developers 

RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Richard Turner]

I agree with their communication issues.  I just wrote them and recommended 
they start their own email discussion list.  The one that currently exists that 
Alan Lemley started called Voice Dream Products still includes the apps Winston 
owns, so they need to start their own.

I hope they do sooner rather than later.

 

Take care,

Richard, USA

"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)

 

My web site:   https://www.turner42.com

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Dennis 
Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 6:37 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

Richard I do agree with you  I do think they truly care.  There messaging and 
communication is absolutely terrible and that is something they need to work 
on.  Being honest transparent and communicating with us to see what we want and 
need in the app will go a long way.  But again Richard I do agree they care.  
I’m considering the monthly option.

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Richard Turner
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 9:01 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

I took Dennis’s advice and made a donation to listen to Jonathan interviewing 
Kishin Manglani from the Applause Group.

It is very much worth listening to.  It is fairly long, but it is very clear 
that they care very much about their customers and are doing their best to 
provide a quality product and adding new features.

 

The one thing I noticed if you go into the Voice Dream Reader app and double 
tap on settings, then on subscription, it brings up the post titled Pricing 
Changes for One-Time Purchasers.

As you read through that, when you get to the line that says, try the 14 day 
trial or something like that, it doesn’t say it is a link or button, but if you 
double tap on that, it takes you to the app store where you can choose to 
subscribe and get 2 weeks free if you were a one-time purchaser.  I don’t know 
what you get if you are a new subscriber.

 

But signing up this way keeps it fairly simple and familiar since it is within 
the app store.

The difference from subscribing through the link through a service that seems 
to be called Stripe or something; whatever Jonathan said, the Applause Group 
gets a higher cut of the payment than if you go through the app store.

I don’t know if people realize, that whatever price you pay for an app through 
the app store, Apple gets a pretty big cut.  I think 20 or 30 percent and the 
developer gets the rest.

 

IN any case, I’ve signed up through the app store.

 

They will be offering a monthly option in the not too distant future.

 

HTH,

 

Richard, USA

"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)

 

My web site:   https://www.turner42.com

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Dennis Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 11:47 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents and 
get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to it.  I 
do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Michael Irons
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice 
dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase prices or 
make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do need to do or 
have to do to make money. Just remember that Free doesn’t make any money for 
anybody and, he doesn’t buy anyone’s lunch. I think we’d all be better served 
if we could look for something that does the same things as voice dream reader 
and it’s either Free or at least at low cost. It just sounds like the people 
that work with voice dream reader are going to do whatever they’re going to do 
and they’re not 

RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Dennis Long]

Richard I do agree with you  I do think they truly care.  There messaging and 
communication is absolutely terrible and that is something they need to work 
on.  Being honest transparent and communicating with us to see what we want and 
need in the app will go a long way.  But again Richard I do agree they care.  
I’m considering the monthly option.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Richard 
Turner
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 9:01 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
I took Dennis’s advice and made a donation to listen to Jonathan interviewing 
Kishin Manglani from the Applause Group.
It is very much worth listening to.  It is fairly long, but it is very clear 
that they care very much about their customers and are doing their best to 
provide a quality product and adding new features.
 
The one thing I noticed if you go into the Voice Dream Reader app and double 
tap on settings, then on subscription, it brings up the post titled Pricing 
Changes for One-Time Purchasers.
As you read through that, when you get to the line that says, try the 14 day 
trial or something like that, it doesn’t say it is a link or button, but if you 
double tap on that, it takes you to the app store where you can choose to 
subscribe and get 2 weeks free if you were a one-time purchaser.  I don’t know 
what you get if you are a new subscriber.
 
But signing up this way keeps it fairly simple and familiar since it is within 
the app store.
The difference from subscribing through the link through a service that seems 
to be called Stripe or something; whatever Jonathan said, the Applause Group 
gets a higher cut of the payment than if you go through the app store.
I don’t know if people realize, that whatever price you pay for an app through 
the app store, Apple gets a pretty big cut.  I think 20 or 30 percent and the 
developer gets the rest.
 
IN any case, I’ve signed up through the app store.
 
They will be offering a monthly option in the not too distant future.
 
HTH,
 
Richard, USA
"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)
 
My web site:   https://www.turner42.com
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Dennis Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 11:47 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents and 
get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to it.  I 
do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Michael Irons
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice 
dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase prices or 
make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do need to do or 
have to do to make money. Just remember that Free doesn’t make any money for 
anybody and, he doesn’t buy anyone’s lunch. I think we’d all be better served 
if we could look for something that does the same things as voice dream reader 
and it’s either Free or at least at low cost. It just sounds like the people 
that work with voice dream reader are going to do whatever they’re going to do 
and they’re not willing to, or able to change their minds.  Just trying to find 
an alternative would be a lot more productive for everybody than just talking 
about not being able to use voice dream reader. I’m just saying all this 
whatever it’s worth. For all I know it may not be worth anything not even a 
plug penny or a plug nickel. 
Sent from my iPhone
 
On Mar 29, 2024, at 6:46 PM, Sieghard Weitzel mailto:siegh...@live.ca> > wrote:
 
I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to increase 
the price for their app or to charge something for a previously free app or to 
switch to a subscription model then that is entirely their decision. 
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Grant Hardy
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hey guys,
 
If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for the 
app, 

RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Richard Turner]

I took Dennis’s advice and made a donation to listen to Jonathan interviewing 
Kishin Manglani from the Applause Group.

It is very much worth listening to.  It is fairly long, but it is very clear 
that they care very much about their customers and are doing their best to 
provide a quality product and adding new features.

 

The one thing I noticed if you go into the Voice Dream Reader app and double 
tap on settings, then on subscription, it brings up the post titled Pricing 
Changes for One-Time Purchasers.

As you read through that, when you get to the line that says, try the 14 day 
trial or something like that, it doesn’t say it is a link or button, but if you 
double tap on that, it takes you to the app store where you can choose to 
subscribe and get 2 weeks free if you were a one-time purchaser.  I don’t know 
what you get if you are a new subscriber.

 

But signing up this way keeps it fairly simple and familiar since it is within 
the app store.

The difference from subscribing through the link through a service that seems 
to be called Stripe or something; whatever Jonathan said, the Applause Group 
gets a higher cut of the payment than if you go through the app store.

I don’t know if people realize, that whatever price you pay for an app through 
the app store, Apple gets a pretty big cut.  I think 20 or 30 percent and the 
developer gets the rest.

 

IN any case, I’ve signed up through the app store.

 

They will be offering a monthly option in the not too distant future.

 

HTH,

 

Richard, USA

"It's no great honor to be blind, but it's more than a nuisance and less than a 
disaster. Either you're going to fight like hell when your sight fails or 
you're going to stand on the sidelines for the rest of your life." -- Dr. 
Margaret Rockwell Phanstiehl Founder of Audio Description (1932-2009)

 

My web site:   https://www.turner42.com

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Dennis 
Long
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 11:47 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents and 
get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to it.  I 
do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Michael Irons
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice 
dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase prices or 
make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do need to do or 
have to do to make money. Just remember that Free doesn’t make any money for 
anybody and, he doesn’t buy anyone’s lunch. I think we’d all be better served 
if we could look for something that does the same things as voice dream reader 
and it’s either Free or at least at low cost. It just sounds like the people 
that work with voice dream reader are going to do whatever they’re going to do 
and they’re not willing to, or able to change their minds.  Just trying to find 
an alternative would be a lot more productive for everybody than just talking 
about not being able to use voice dream reader. I’m just saying all this 
whatever it’s worth. For all I know it may not be worth anything not even a 
plug penny or a plug nickel. 

Sent from my iPhone





On Mar 29, 2024, at 6:46 PM, Sieghard Weitzel mailto:siegh...@live.ca> > wrote:

 

I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to increase 
the price for their app or to charge something for a previously free app or to 
switch to a subscription model then that is entirely their decision. 

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Grant Hardy
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

Hey guys,

 

If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for the 
app, and scroll down, there is an option to "report a problem". Please consider 
reporting what the developer is doing to Apple. I am not sure if it violates 
any developer guidelines, but it sure seems like it would: selling lifetime 
licenses with agreed upon terms and then disabling them. The nature of how the 
update was released also didn't give users any warning or opt-out, as the new 
deadline wasn't mentioned in the release notes. I think Apple uses these for 
internal purposes, and if enough people file reports then they may act upon it.

 

I would also recommend leaving a review of the app and mentioning the 

RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Dennis Long]

You can subscribe to livingly blindfully plus for just 60 American cents and 
get access today or wait 3 days.  I strongly encourage you to listen to it.  I 
do think the Voicedream team does care and value our feedback.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Michael 
Irons
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 2:45 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice 
dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase prices or 
make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do need to do or 
have to do to make money. Just remember that Free doesn’t make any money for 
anybody and, he doesn’t buy anyone’s lunch. I think we’d all be better served 
if we could look for something that does the same things as voice dream reader 
and it’s either Free or at least at low cost. It just sounds like the people 
that work with voice dream reader are going to do whatever they’re going to do 
and they’re not willing to, or able to change their minds.  Just trying to find 
an alternative would be a lot more productive for everybody than just talking 
about not being able to use voice dream reader. I’m just saying all this 
whatever it’s worth. For all I know it may not be worth anything not even a 
plug penny or a plug nickel. 
Sent from my iPhone



On Mar 29, 2024, at 6:46 PM, Sieghard Weitzel mailto:siegh...@live.ca> > wrote:
 
I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to increase 
the price for their app or to charge something for a previously free app or to 
switch to a subscription model then that is entirely their decision. 
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of Grant Hardy
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hey guys,
 
If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for the 
app, and scroll down, there is an option to "report a problem". Please consider 
reporting what the developer is doing to Apple. I am not sure if it violates 
any developer guidelines, but it sure seems like it would: selling lifetime 
licenses with agreed upon terms and then disabling them. The nature of how the 
update was released also didn't give users any warning or opt-out, as the new 
deadline wasn't mentioned in the release notes. I think Apple uses these for 
internal purposes, and if enough people file reports then they may act upon it.
 
I would also recommend leaving a review of the app and mentioning the upcoming 
disabling of previously purchased licenses, and how the update was handled.
 
I absolutely do not have a problem with developers going the subscription 
route, charging for new features and updates, or raising prices. It's a tough 
world out there. But I do have serious concerns about pushing out an update 
that disables previously purchased licenses from continuing to work at all and 
not mentioning that this would happen in the release notes. I would imagine 
this will impact many schools and other educational institutions as well who 
will rely on having access to this app at least for the remainder of the school 
year.
Let's hope we can share with the developer and Apple some constructive feedback.
 
Grant Hardy
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Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Michael Irons]

Hello everybody I believe that we just have to except what do people with voice dream reader want to do. That developers are totally free to increase prices or make free apps, paid apps or whatever they feel they want to do need to do or have to do to make money. Just remember that Free doesn’t make any money for anybody and, he doesn’t buy anyone’s lunch. I think we’d all be better served if we could look for something that does the same things as voice dream reader and it’s either Free or at least at low cost. It just sounds like the people that work with voice dream reader are going to do whatever they’re going to do and they’re not willing to, or able to change their minds.  Just trying to find an alternative would be a lot more productive for everybody than just talking about not being able to use voice dream reader. I’m just saying all this whatever it’s worth. For all I know it may not be worth anything not even a plug penny or a plug nickel. Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 29, 2024, at 6:46 PM, Sieghard Weitzel  wrote:







I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to increase the price for their app or to charge something for a previously free app or to switch to a subscription model then that is entirely
 their decision. 
 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com 
On Behalf Of Grant Hardy
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

 

Hey guys,


 


If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for the app, and scroll down, there is an option to "report a problem". Please consider reporting what the developer is doing to Apple. I am not sure if it violates any
 developer guidelines, but it sure seems like it would: selling lifetime licenses with agreed upon terms and then disabling them. The nature of how the update was released also didn't give users any warning or opt-out, as the new deadline wasn't mentioned in
 the release notes. I think Apple uses these for internal purposes, and if enough people file reports then they may act upon it.


 


I would also recommend leaving a review of the app and mentioning the upcoming disabling of previously purchased licenses, and how the update was handled.


 


I absolutely do not have a problem with developers going the subscription route, charging for new features and updates, or raising prices. It's a tough world out there. But I do have serious concerns about pushing out an update that disables
 previously purchased licenses from continuing to work at all and not mentioning that this would happen in the release notes. I would imagine this will impact many schools and other educational institutions as well who will rely on having access to this app
 at least for the remainder of the school year.


Let's hope we can share with the developer and Apple some constructive feedback.


 


Grant Hardy

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RE: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Dennis Long]

I do suggest if you have the .60 cents you subscribe to living Blindfully plus 
and listen to the podcast.  I do think the Voicedream cares and values our 
feedback.
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Grant 
Hardy
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 12:55 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Cc: siegh...@live.ca
Subject: Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hello Sieghard,
 
Developer guideline 3.1.2(a) Permissible uses, states, in part:
 
If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business model, 
you should not take away the primary functionality existing users have already 
paid for. For example, let customers who have already purchased a “full game 
unlock” continue to access the full game after you introduce a subscription 
model for new customers.
 
Source: 
https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
 
Do you not think this applies? If not, what would stop me from selling you an 
app for $99 then a couple months later stating that I am disabling your 
purchase and switching to a subscription-only model? Are all perpetual 
purchases subject to being disabled then?
 
There is also a guideline about undocumented functionality not being permitted. 
The notice that the app is switching to a subscription-only model starting May 
1st arrived after installing an update, and that caveat was not mentioned as a 
"feature" for that update. Thus, I think that guideline may apply as well.
 
Thanks,functionality:
 




Grant Hardy
 
 
On Fri, Mar 29, 2024 at 4:46 PM Sieghard Weitzel mailto:siegh...@live.ca> > wrote:
I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to increase 
the price for their app or to charge something for a previously free app or to 
switch to a subscription model then that is entirely their decision. 
 
From: viphone@googlegroups.com   
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of 
Grant Hardy
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com  
Subject: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
 
Hey guys,
 
If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for the 
app, and scroll down, there is an option to "report a problem". Please consider 
reporting what the developer is doing to Apple. I am not sure if it violates 
any developer guidelines, but it sure seems like it would: selling lifetime 
licenses with agreed upon terms and then disabling them. The nature of how the 
update was released also didn't give users any warning or opt-out, as the new 
deadline wasn't mentioned in the release notes. I think Apple uses these for 
internal purposes, and if enough people file reports then they may act upon it.
 
I would also recommend leaving a review of the app and mentioning the upcoming 
disabling of previously purchased licenses, and how the update was handled.
 
I absolutely do not have a problem with developers going the subscription 
route, charging for new features and updates, or raising prices. It's a tough 
world out there. But I do have serious concerns about pushing out an update 
that disables previously purchased licenses from continuing to work at all and 
not mentioning that this would happen in the release notes. I would imagine 
this will impact many schools and other educational institutions as well who 
will rely on having access to this app at least for the remainder of the school 
year.
Let's hope we can share with the developer and Apple some constructive feedback.
 
Grant Hardy
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can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com  
 
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Accessable fitness tracker

[Barbara Stahl]

Hi list!  
What are your opinions on the most accessible fitness trackers?  Is the apple 
watch the best, or is a fitbit product just as good for fitness related things? 
 Or is there something else out there that is acceffsible and reasonably 
priced?  

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Re: Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader

[Ivan Icin]

While this may be correct, I don't think that you can do much before they 
actually disable the feature. Chances are that Apple will react to blog 
posts and emails between the customer and app provider aren't that big as I 
don't think that any of those is regulated by App Store policies.

On Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 5:55:18 AM UTC+1 Grant Hardy wrote:

> Hello Sieghard,
>
> Developer guideline 3.1.2(a) Permissible uses, states, in part:
>
> If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business 
> model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users 
> have already paid for. For example, let customers who have already 
> purchased a “full game unlock” continue to access the full game after you 
> introduce a subscription model for new customers.
>
> Source: 
> https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
>
> Do you not think this applies? If not, what would stop me from selling you 
> an app for $99 then a couple months later stating that I am disabling your 
> purchase and switching to a subscription-only model? Are all perpetual 
> purchases subject to being disabled then?
>
> There is also a guideline about undocumented functionality not being 
> permitted. The notice that the app is switching to a subscription-only 
> model starting May 1st arrived after installing an update, and that caveat 
> was not mentioned as a "feature" for that update. Thus, I think that 
> guideline may apply as well.
>
> Thanks,functionality:
>
>
>
> Grant Hardy
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 29, 2024 at 4:46 PM Sieghard Weitzel  wrote:
>
>> I highly doubt it violates any Apple rules, if a developer decides to 
>> increase the price for their app or to charge something for a previously 
>> free app or to switch to a subscription model then that is entirely their 
>> decision. 
>>
>>  
>>
>> *From:* vip...@googlegroups.com  *On Behalf Of 
>> *Grant 
>> Hardy
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 27, 2024 10:17 PM
>> *To:* vip...@googlegroups.com
>> *Subject:* Please submit feedback to Apple about Voice Dream Reader
>>
>>  
>>
>> Hey guys,
>>
>>  
>>
>> If you search for Voice Dream Reader on the App Store, open the page for 
>> the app, and scroll down, there is an option to "report a problem". Please 
>> consider reporting what the developer is doing to Apple. I am not sure if 
>> it violates any developer guidelines, but it sure seems like it would: 
>> selling lifetime licenses with agreed upon terms and then disabling them. 
>> The nature of how the update was released also didn't give users any 
>> warning or opt-out, as the new deadline wasn't mentioned in the release 
>> notes. I think Apple uses these for internal purposes, and if enough people 
>> file reports then they may act upon it.
>>
>>  
>>
>> I would also recommend leaving a review of the app and mentioning the 
>> upcoming disabling of previously purchased licenses, and how the update was 
>> handled.
>>
>>  
>>
>> I absolutely do not have a problem with developers going the subscription 
>> route, charging for new features and updates, or raising prices. It's a 
>> tough world out there. But I do have serious concerns about pushing out an 
>> update that disables previously purchased licenses from continuing to work 
>> at all and not mentioning that this would happen in the release notes. I 
>> would imagine this will impact many schools and other educational 
>> institutions as well who will rely on having access to this app at least 
>> for the remainder of the school year.
>>
>> Let's hope we can share with the developer and Apple some constructive 
>> feedback.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Grant Hardy
>>
>> -- 
>> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone 
>> list.
>>  
>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or 
>> if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the 
>> owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
>>  
>> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: 
>> mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at 
>> cara...@caraquinn.com
>>  
>> The archives for this list can be searched at:
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/vip...@googlegroups.com/ 
>> 
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>> "VIPhone" group.
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>> email to viphone+u...@googlegroups.com.
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>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/CAAhK5Q_6xx%3DYdcxPUqDoWEqUUP2qEPpZ3UhD7HB8_2EcynoiTQ%40mail.gmail.com
>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
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