Rant Time: Subscription-Based Software for Mobile Devices

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=4321' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=4321</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The functionality in the software is great, and the software is completely, 100% subscription based. But not all functionality seems to be working ok. And the one failing right now is the one that manages the subscription."</i><br /><br />Mauricio, over at Geekzone, recently had a bit of trouble with WorldMate for Smartphones, and funnily enough, the problem was with the portion of the program which manages the subscription. As a result, he posted on his thoughts, and I had a bit of a chuckle reading it, because I largely agree with what he says.<br /><br />In my world, I also use subscription-based software (namely, Epocrates Essentials for my medical work - and subscription doesn't come cheap either)! Although I've not really had a problem with the subscription side of things, I'm not a huge advocate of it, nor am I a rebel to the cause. There's a time and place for everything, and as Mauricio has stated, subscriptions should be <i>"done in an easy way for both the user and the distributor"</i>, yet unfortunately, this principle does not always exist. If I had my way, I'd love to be able to just pay once and not have to worry about renewing my subscription every year. But we all know that this will never be the case for <b>every</b> single software title out there. So I'll cut the ranting and let you decide. Although Mauricio's problem was with the Smartphone edition of WorldMate, such problems can also exist on the Pocket PC, which is why I decided to post on the issue here at Pocket PC Thoughts to see where the community stands on the issue. I've set up a poll, so if you care to provide a bit of input, please choose the most appropriate poll option, and feel free to leave a comment.

[sto-helit.de]

I think the poll is missing an "depends on the case" option.
I don't like subscriptions generally. For most everyday applications, they are just annoying and expensive.

But imho, there are two cases in which they make sense:

1. The program depends on a regulary updated database (phone books, news, current stock levels, virus signatures, ...). Data maintenance isn't cheap, and the data must be transferred to the user. Thus, paying for it is OK.

2. Seldom used programs. E.g., a navigation system only during holidays, getting a phone number every now and then, etc. In this cases, a "pay per use" or "short time subscription" (e.g. navigation system or map for one or two weeks holiday) is a better and cheper solution than buying or doing without (because it isn't worthwhile).

An "in between" case are programs with lots of updates. I think, a selectable licensing model would be best, but is hard to manage. The problem with thos applications is: Nobody likes to pay for every update, but it's still work most authors like to have paid. Additionally, not everybody needs the update, and thus doesn't like to pay for it.
So, the most fair solution would be to offer a subscription for "regular updaters" and a "buy once" option without included updates (except bugfixes) for "never touch a running system" people.
Most vendors solved this problem with free "minor updates" and different update fees for "major updates". That's a nice compromise, but sometimes leads to the trouble of defining the difference between "major" and "minor"...

[tjy]

I think that your poll is missing another important case. I will not purchase subscription based software. PERIOD. :(

[Darius Wey]

I think that your poll is missing another important case. I will not purchase subscription based software. PERIOD. :(

I opted for simplification in this poll. When I was posting it, I actually had about 7 or 8 poll options lined up, but thought it'd be too complex, so I decided to keep things to a simple, "Yes, I prefer it", and "No, I don't". I think the second option best fits your stance on the issue. :)

[beq]

We could also segue into related topics such as how the software industry (Microsoft et al) seems largely to want to move everything to a subscription-based model in the future, to provide better/more reliable revenue streams perhaps. Isn't that also the whole crux for so-called "application service providers"? Though I think these ideas go that one step further to actually run the software itself remotely from their server or whatnot...

Or talk about other related news, like how Motorola's new iTunes-playing cellphones were supposedly being opposed by the cell carriers as that would drive consumers to just copy the music they already have on their PC to their phone, instead of buying a new copy of the songs directly from the carriers to use on their phone (I'd also heard there was some consideration for a Napster-like flat-rate music subscription model?)...
http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/tech/scottmoritz/10212889.html

[rmasinag]

When I think of subscription, I think of STEAM and they screwed up HAlfLife 2 :evil:

[WyattEarp]

It would have been nice to have a "I don't like subscription based software" choice. It would have still been simple and you'd get better results. Oh well, can't have everything. I say no to subscriptions.

[Hrun]

I prefer to pay once for my software. :D

Then, every 8 to 12 months they offer a major upgrade and I end up paying the upgrade fee :cry:

But hey, at least I am not subscribing to a regular outgoing :mrgreen:

Hmmmmm

Giles

[Dinosaur]

It would have been nice to have a "I don't like subscription based software" choice. It would have still been simple and you'd get better results. Oh well, can't have everything. I say no to subscriptions.

Huh? Isn't that the same as the second option? :? :|

You make me confused. :mrgreen:

[alex_kac]

The problem with subscriptions on a Pocket PC for most apps is that its not much different from upgrades and upgrade fees - except its a lot more work on the user and just more frustrating period.

For apps that get feeds of data and need constant updates to handle changing scenarios I think subscriptions work, but its got to be a monthly thing for it to be worthwhile.

I believe that on the Pocket PC VERY few apps are worthy of subscriptions. I know I've considered it as an option for our apps, but in the end felt it just didn't really do anything that upgrades didn't already do.

[gt24]

&lt;snip>
I know I've considered it as an option for our apps, but in the end felt it just didn't really do anything that upgrades didn't already do.

Correction, it does one things that upgrades don't do...

I can use an older version of a software item FOREVER, which is helpful if the software is being used on an older device anyways. The software, like the device, will be permanently out of date, but may fulfil the purpose well enough. Besides, the older version, in rare cases, might work better than a newer version.

Force subscriptions on users, and you will "time out" older software and perhaps even force upgrades on users. Therefore, having an older respository of software will be useless.

Then again, under a subscription model, you won't "own" the subscribed software, you will be under the full force of any zany EULA documents which might also have a clause saying that your software can stop working someday for no reason and you have no say about it... you never know...

so, there really isn't many benefits of subscription software, and a TON of potential downfalls... so... yeah, I'm against it.

[WyattEarp]

It would have been nice to have a "I don't like subscription based software" choice. It would have still been simple and you'd get better results. Oh well, can't have everything. I say no to subscriptions.

Huh? Isn't that the same as the second option? :? :|

You make me confused. :mrgreen:

Sorry if I wasn't more specific but I don't want the one-off payment either. I like things the way they are.

[sto-helit.de]

Force subscriptions on users, and you will "time out" older software and perhaps even force upgrades on users. Therefore, having an older respository of software will be useless.
Right. That's one of the reasons I think subscriptions will work only for products where regular updates are required. For example, a virus scanner which is a few years old might still work, but wont be any real help. Or if you travel a lot, a navigation software with outdated maps isn't any real help.

Then again, under a subscription model, you won't "own" the subscribed software, you will be under the full force of any zany EULA documents which might also have a clause saying that your software can stop working someday for no reason and you have no say about it... you never know...
Well, that problem exists for "old fashioned" license models, too. It's just not as easy to realize. But in theory, a vendor could write "you mustn't use this software after xx/xx" and sue you if you did. (For example, read the EULA of beta software...).

so, there really isn't many benefits of subscription software, and a TON of potential downfalls...
I think the main trouble with subscriptions it the software control, not the licensing model itself. Having to transfer data for every single use is cumbersome, annoying and leads to spyware suspicions.

But it can be an alternative. I mean, most virus scanners are using some kind of "prepaid subscription", too. If you pay the product, it includes a subscription for e.g. a year, and almost nobody complains about that.
Done right, subscriptions can be a nice way to both keep customers and save them money. For example, imagine a navigation system for, say, $50 with an optional upgrade subscription for $5 a month. Wouldn't that be cheaper, more comfortable, and up to date than a major update for $100 to $200 every year? (OK, in that example $50 + 11*$5 is $105, too - but you're always using current maps, not just once a year.) And if you don't want to update (e.g. because you don't use it often), you don't have to pay for them.

Another thing that was left out of discussion is the "short time license". I think this could be a nice thing, too. Let's stay at the navi example: If you need it only during holidays, would you pay an expensive software that's outdated (or the wrong area) next year, if you could get a two weeks license for about $10-$15?

To get it short: It's not generally "evil". It's a matter of needs and the way it's done.

[gt24]

&lt;snip>

Another thing that was left out of discussion is the "short time license". I think this could be a nice thing, too. Let's stay at the navi example: If you need it only during holidays, would you pay an expensive software that's outdated (or the wrong area) next year, if you could get a two weeks license for about $10-$15?

To get it short: It's not generally "evil". It's a matter of needs and the way it's done.

Continuing for the enjoyment of a good debate! :)

Short term licenses do have a place... after all, look at some cell phone applications (you can subscribe per month to use it, or spend 2.5 times more money and just buy it forever!). I don't think maps quite do it, unless folks really like the convience of downloading a map softare, downloading map packs, spending money to subscribe, and then learning the interface...

Mapquest for a while allowed you to download directions to your PDA... and for some confidence I would save images of the places were I am going (I'd say like 6 photos of the surrounding area) so that if I do get lost, I can pinpoint myself on the 6 minimaps and go from there... Then again, I don't travel much... but my 2 cents is either a Mapquest solution would be used, or a small driving atlas map like thing would be bought for the same price, or the person would seriously want some computer firepower behind their mapping software and would spend the big bucks..

As for yearly updates... there isn't much that changes around my area... I don't need an up-to-date map, just a map that is close enough will do (at least 10 years old or newer). I dunno, perhaps this relates to I don't travel much?

About the evil... if folks were all "good" then there would be no need for a government, rules, laws, or any of this mess about the abuse of anything... however... things aren't perfect. :devilboy: So, my paranoid view on this issue made me label it evil. You were completely correct in your rebuttle to that comment. :)