I'm not sure everything in the attached message is correct. For example,
I'm not sure where Seeing Eye is marketing this as a free application.
On their web site at
http://www.senderogroup.com/products/shopseeingeyegps.htm it says
Can I try the app before purchasing? A trial version is not currently
available. It is available for a 1 year subscription for $69 or a 3 year
subscription for $129.
Also, I don't think it's true that most GPS systems do not require a
data connection. Other than Navigon and maybe TomTom, all of the GPS
apps I can think of (Apple, Google, MapQuest, Motion X GPS) all require
a data connection, so the Seeing Eye app is no different than these apps
in that respect.
True you might be out of luck if Seeing Eye goes out of business, but
this is true for any company, and it's not clear to me that the service
would automatically stop working. I was under the impression that the
map data was coming from another source. Sure, you wouldn't be able to
sign up again if Seeing Eye went out of business, but I'm not sure you
wouldn't get your full subscriptions worth. Besides, this is no
different than any other product using this model.
I don't have a problem with someone not liking the app or how it's being
marketed or sold, but I think it's a disservice to misconstrue the facts
to make a point.
On 07/04/2013 04:03 AM, Joanne Chua wrote:
Hi all,
Below message might e interest for some of you.
Regards
Joanne (AU)
From: Greg Kearney
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2013 08:44:18 +0800
Subject: Sendero's i-phone gps app
I downloaded this app by tricking my phone into thinking it was in the
U.S. and that I could buy things from the U.S. app store. I have
serious issues with the way this app is being marketed which I feel is
deceptive and amounts to a bait and switch. These concerns have
nothing to do with the fact that the app does not support navigation
outside of North America, which is why it is at the moment only
offered in the U.S. app store.
My issue come from the fact that the app is promoted as a free
download, which in fact it is. What the developer fail to tell you is
that while you can download the app for free the app will be useless
to you unless you buy the subscription for $70 a year. So, in fact,
the app is not free at all and unlike other GPS solutions the app will
cost you money each year to keep it running. Should the company go out
of business the app becomes worthless. Also you are going to be at the
mercy of the company as far as pricing goes. Once you have this app
you will need to continue to pay each year for the ability to use it.
While other apps do use the idea of in app buy in those app do as a
rule offer some, all be it limited, functions in the free version.
This is not the case here.
The other issue that the app is completely dependent on data from the
internet and so unlike many GSP applications will require that you
have a data connection on your phone at all times. If you attempt to
use this app outside of areas with data service the app will simply
stop working. This would pose a real issue in regional, rural and
outback Australia where data and sometimes even phone coverage is not
available. Not only will you be paying the $70 a year but you will be
using up your phone data demands as well.
Given these fact I think that we would do well to remember the maxim:
caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
Gregory Kearney | Manager Accessible Media
Association for the Blind of WA - Guide Dogs WA
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this
right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to
seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers.
Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
***
--
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google
Group.
To search the VIPhone public archive, visit
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
