Navionics for the iPhone changes their app.

[Turtlesboat]

Just found out navionics will no longer support the early adopters of their iphone app. They launched a "new" app, looks the same to me, and want us to buy the app again if we want support or updates. Oh, and don't loose that app because you can't get another copy, they are going to remove it from the itunes server so you're SOL. Way to go Navionics.

I would recommend that all of us that bought the app, write them an email to say "thanks".

 

[Tonka Boater]

Do you have a link with more info on this?

 

[HUMPH]

They should at least let you upgrade to the new version for an upgrade charge only. It is BS to expect people to pay for the new app when we have already paid for the original one...

 

[Turtlesboat]

Here's the link to the info

http://www.navionics.com/MobileMari...ategoryID=52&ViewCategoryID=0&SubCategoryID=1


Q. Why did Navionics create a brand new app and not a free update of previous apps?
A. In order to continue improving the Mobile apps, Navionics had to make some structural changes that made it impossible to provide the new app as an update. Hog wash


Q. I already have a Navionics Mobile app (v5.x), do you offer a discount on the new app to existing customers?
A. No, no special price will be offered to existing customers.

Q. What is the risk in keeping my original Navionics app?
A. Navionics will keep improving the new apps by adding features periodically. By not downloading the new single app, you will not be able to benefit from these updates. You can certainly continue to enjoy the regional Navionics app but it will be frozen at version 5.0.2 and not be further updated. It would be wise to make a back up copy of the app file (.ipa) that resides in your iTunes Library on your PC in case of loss or stolen property as the older regional apps are no longer available to you on iTunes to re-download.

Q. I already have Navionics Mobile on my iPhone, why should I buy a new Navionics Mobile app?
A. In time, the new apps will offer many important and innovative features that will not be available in the previous Navionics Mobile apps.

So basically, nothing is new right now. but If you want to get updates in the future, you have to re-buy the app.

Is this even allowed by apple?

 

[Tonka Boater]

So basically, nothing is new right now. but If you want to get updates in the future, you have to re-buy the app.

Is this even allowed by apple?

That's crappy. They don't give any good explanation as to why they had to create a new app instead of continuing to update the existing version. So, yes, it is technically allowed by Apple as long as it's a new binary with a different name. Maybe they had to rewrite the all of the code to allow for new features and enhanced charts...even then, I think they could still push it as an update. My guess is they were brainstorming ways to scam $10 out of 80% of their existing users -- "Hey, let's rebrand the app and and charge for it again and make the old one obsolete! Great, idea! We can do this every 18 months!"

 

[Creekwood]

That's crappy. They don't give any good explanation as to why they had to create a new app instead of continuing to update the existing version. So, yes, it is technically allowed by Apple as long as it's a new binary with a different name. Maybe they had to rewrite the all of the code to allow for new features and enhanced charts...even then, I think they could still push it as an update. My guess is they were brainstorming ways to scam $10 out of 80% of their existing users -- "Hey, let's rebrand the app and and charge for it again and make the old one obsolete! Great, idea! We can do this every 18 months!"

Isn't that what apple does each time there is new hardware (how many iPhone versions have there been since launch, and we are already on iPAD 2 with many more to come). We keep buying and upgrading. When you think about it, software is just a tiny part of the huge draw that technology takes on our wallets -- probably the smallest part.

I still think that the $10 is a deal even if you have to pay it every year. How much did the last Navionics SD card update cost you? (I hope Navionics is not reading this, but even if they are, I sure there are going to be many ways to have cheap navigation on portable devices from many other sources. They will have more and more competition.

 

[Turtlesboat]

There's a difference between hardware and software. and sure, upgrades are a part of life. But, why not give credit to those that bought the app towards the new app? Seems like a sure way to keep your customers loyal. Now with this turn of events, I have to ask myself... If I have to buy a new app, what else is out there? So I'll probably buy Charts and tides instead of buying another version of navionics.

 

[Larry&Leisa]

yeah..and some of us paid more than $10... I bought just before the price drop.. :/ bastages......again.....

 

[Oar Play]

Look into the Motion X app! Much better people.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vince_nj1]

Just another example of Navionics arrogance. NOAA provides free maps (paid for by our US tax dollars). I can load them on my PC and run Raymarine's raytech navigator and use these maps, but Raymarine MFS units wont recognize the maps. You have to buy Navionics C-map cards for $300 and if the card fails you are sht out of luck. When I can load NOAA's maps on a open source GPS enabled tablet, I am going to buy one for under $400 and use my C80 for radar and fishfinding. Navionics can go the way of the typewriter.

 

[george2064]

I had the Navionics app for my iPhone, and downloaded the same one on my iPad. It worked fine. I am not going to upgrade it for additional money. The question I have can you share routes between two devices?

 

[TheLucille]

This is probably much of Apple's doing.

It's quite possible that the changes they made required a new app instead of an "upgrade", especially if it's capable of downloading new map data. Other than a limited number of "free" downloads, Apple doesn't provide any means for developers to offer a discounted upgrade path or the same app free only for customers who have purchased the previous app.

They really have app developers by the balls.