Wednesday the two-man Tapbots team granted the wishes of many iPad owners who fell in love with Tweetbot on the iPhone – a native Tweetbot for the iPad. While I was originally expecting the iPhone app to become universal, Paul and Mark stayed true to form and created a brand new app made just for the iPad. I am sure glad they did.
Like all the rest of the apps in the Tapbots family, the magic is in the little details. Since this post is not a review be sure to read this review or this one. I bet your thinking “well if this isn’t a review…” It is more about supporting super talented gifted developers. Shortly after the new app was released there was some backlash about charging $2.99 for it.
Tweet by @MattGemmell | Photo from www.MacStories.net
Maybe I am different, but I did not hesitate to tap buy. I know the Tapbots duo will continue to refine the iPad app for the foreseeable future. Yes they are making good money selling their apps, but I firmly believe they actually love bringing a bit of craftsmanship to app development. So for me, paying another $3 for the iPad app was no question. It has a different look, in landscape and portrait, than the iPhone version. If an app developer just makes an HD version of an iPhone app that should be universal. I have also noticed that I am buying more $2+ apps that offer better quality, support and regular updates.
If you expect every app to be $0.99 or [worse] free, please return that smartphone or tablet you own. The platform would be better without you.
So to literally ‘put my money where my mouth is’ – I am offering to gift three copies of Tweetbot for iPad to commenters who share a time when they went over and beyond to support their favorite indie developer. Whether that involved a barrage of tweets, ‘nicely’ bullying their friends into buying a new app or something else to help the indie app do well. Please post your story in the comments.
I would also like to hear your views on universal versus individual apps. Are app developers justified to charge for completely new versions of their apps? Have users become accustom to getting apps and updates for cheap? Is making your mark in the app store with price versus quality a good thing?
Oh and now that we have native Tweetbot apps for the iPhone and iPad I am even more convinced that Tapbots could, almost needs to, make a kick ass Tweetbot for Mac and sync the three via iCloud. But then again, I am a little crazy with my wishful thinking.
Disclaimer: This giveaway is independent of Tapbots. They did not supply me with promo codes or any compensation for running this post. I will be paying for the apps out of pocket.
Respect. And quite honestly, you’re right. The ecosystem should be supported by consumers.
I bought the iPhone app based off you and @oliviertse belief in the product. that’s a better sale than I could think of.
So, even though I don’t use my iPad for twitter as much as I thought, I’d buy it just so they would continue to build and refine. Quite honestly this ecosystem needs craftsman. We are about to enter a time when apps won’t have the prestige they do now. A majority of people have smartphones, but a developer has to choose a platform. android, iOS, windows…it would almost behoove a developer to make a mobile version of their product. But for companies like this, why would you go to tweetbots website over twitters? This app makes the app experience worth the purchase. Hopefully the me too’s will disappear and stop cluttering the app store…as much as I love android, that ‘non craftsman free stuff’ system can go there.
A company that I would love to give a shotout to and hope that people will support is @anydo http://www.any.do It’s just a simple task manager that is beautifully designed and it integrates with your google task list and you can share tasks. I loved that app for android and that app is free. I’d gladly have paid .99 cents or maybe 1.99 for it…just to support. But they aren’t on iOS yet. I’ve sent emails asking them to and also have given rave reviews in the android market. There is a waiting list…they say they are coming to iOS…I’d pay for it. (.99)
Interesting post. I think what you’re actually saying is – putting your money where your mouth is. They are catering experiences for the device and that is the way it should be. HOWEVER. Because they knew they were making an iPad app, it would be nice to have been able to buy both for $4. They could have put out feelers to see who was interested and such. They would know their market for the device and that determines how much resources they can put towards it and how much they can develop for it.
My 2 cents.
Interesting take. I’m surprised there is any backlash. I’m thankful that Tweetbot for iPad has finally been released. It means I can delete the other crApps that I have bought for iPad.
I’ve tried and purchased MANY Twitter apps for both iPad and iPhone. The few that have versions for both devices, Twittelator and Tweeting to name just 2, charge for both platforms. It may not make it right in your eyes but I fully expected to pay for the iPad version. I also though the price was more than fair. Twittellator(sp) charged – at least when I bought it – $4.99.
Any way you slice it in my opinion there is nothing unfair about it.
I’m intending on purchasing it and I don’t even use my iPad very often!