something to consider

whilst we are eagerly working away to try and launch the paid app and the free app simultaneously we have hit a few snags in the original concept of limiting the functionality for the free app.  Something other developers may want to consider is how this can be regulated and/or enforced without a workaround for all the smart alecs out there who want your free app with unlimited use.

Originally our idea was to limit for a month, we figured 'hey, let's get folks hooked on our functionality and then they will upgrade to the paid app and get the bonus of the web app'.  WRONG!  Apple wont allow time limitations.  so instead, we allow 30 estimates, based loosely on one per day for a month.  Sounds good.  Then we figured, if they removed the app then re-installed they could run it again for 30 days.  Then we figured link it to their email address when they set up their company details...sorted.  Then the clever guys at mofirst came up with some other limitations which will allow use of the free app to get hooked, but not enough so you would want to workaround and use it all the time, that's the job of the paid app.

Trying to gauge something like this is a logistical nightmare, not everybody agrees what is reasonable for a free app to do functional wise.  Not everybody agress with what is enough limitation to make them like the app enough to upgrade.  We have hit upon what we believe is the right answer but only time will tell.  At least we can update the app and amend it if it doesnt work out in terms of numbers of downloads and sales.

And so...onto the good news.  The web app is fully functioning and I use it myself for creating estimates.  It's brilliant, slick smooth and fast and an estimates can be fired off as a pdf attachment in around 9 minutes even with careful consideration!  The downside is that you cant use the webapp as a standalone, you have to register for it via the paid app, which isnt complete yet.  Once apple get the airprint feature right and driverless printing from your iOS device is a realistic option without having to buy a HP printer, then we can look at integrating that and adding extra cool streamlining to the way folks produce their Quick Estimates.

And so time crawls on and we are heading towards Christmas of the wrong year...but we are working hard and tirelessly to launch pre-Christmas 92010) on iTunes store.