Tapatalk ripoff

thomasn75 · 10-09-2013, 02:33 AM

I have had tapatalk pro on my phone for a while. I purchased this as mobile read uses it and it does make the forum better to use on my mobile. Now yesterday i was asked to "update" app to the free version of tapatalk 4. If i want the pro version i now have to pay again.
This is just a warning to people don't update app if you are running tapatalk 2 pro.
Looking at tapatalk forum many people are pissed of about this and i can only join them.

Thomas

Canuck_in_Japan · 10-09-2013, 03:18 AM

If you have an android phone you should be able to downgrade. Also Android owners can grab the old APK file from the Tapatalk website or forums I believe.

thomasn75 · 10-09-2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

If you have an android phone you should be able to downgrade. Also Android owners can grab the old APK file from the Tapatalk website or forums I believe.

Thanks for info. I have disabled auto update on app so should be fine. I suppose my point is more about fairness. I have paid for app. This
Purchase has been cancelled without a refund. And even more important the description that i read on Google play re update does not state this. It doesn't specify that i will be downgraded to free version

At_Libitum · 10-09-2013, 07:01 AM

Thanks, good to know, wasn't too happy with the free version either as it kills stuff in code blocks if you happen to edit a post via tapatalk

Canuck_in_Japan · 10-09-2013, 07:40 AM

I never did like the new version of Tapatalk so I have no plans to upgrade.

ProfCrash · 10-09-2013, 09:12 AM

Tapatalk is ok but I don't use it that much since Safari works fine on my iPad

Synamon · 10-09-2013, 10:19 AM

Last time I updated my paid version of tapatalk I got this free version. I did not like the format of it so I put the old one back on. Since then the app nags me daily to update which is pissing me off. Yesterday I updated to iOS 7 and it auto updated apps putting on the new free version again. Ugh, I still don't like it so I put the old version back on and now I have to keep automatic updates disabled just for this stupid app. Maybe I'll start using Safari instead. Way to go tapatalk.

Teknikal · 10-09-2013, 10:29 AM

Same thing happened to me but with a podcast app called instacast I paid for it it was an amazing app in truth then one day they updated to a version with all the good stuff gone and wanting people to buy IAP packs to get the same features back but in a worse form.

Was one of the contributing things to me dumping the iPhone well that and hating iTunes.

pidgeon92 · 10-09-2013, 11:51 AM

I have to ask... Why should a major update to an app (I don't use this app, so won't speak to it specifically) be given to prior purchasers for free? I pay to upgrade the apps on my computer all the time. Why should mobile apps be different? If the prior purchased version would no longer be functional, I would understand being upset....

tomsem · 10-09-2013, 12:13 PM

It is a bit confusing.

Google Play shows that I have 'Tapatalk Pro' installed (updated Oct 9), but it appears to be identical to what you get now by installing Tapatalk (FREE). But the listing for the latter does not reference a specific version ('depends on device') or version history. There's also a listing for 'Tapatalk 4-Comm..' but clicking on that results in an 'unexpected error'.

As installed the app is named 'Tapatalk 4' but there is no reference to 'Pro' anywhere, and no 'About' screen in the app that shows which version I have installed.

I think it is just that they are not charging for the app any more. I think I paid 99 cents for the pro version, though I never could tell the difference, and none of the problems I've had with it have ever been fixed, despite the relatively frequent updates. I don't know there's anything to get upset about here. Yes they took money from me, but I was happy to pay for it at the time. So they've changed their minds about charging for the app. Good for everybody. How is that a rip off?

I just wish they'd fix some of the persistent problems. I continue to use it in spite of the issues, because I'm not aware of any better alternative. There are a number of forums I wish I could hook it up to but it doesn't support them. But it is good enough for a couple of them and lets me review posts efficiently (though it is harder to post without a real keyboard).

Teknikal · 10-09-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I have to ask... Why should a major update to an app (I don't use this app, so won't speak to it specifically) be given to prior purchasers for free? I pay to upgrade the apps on my computer all the time. Why should mobile apps be different? If the prior purchased version would no longer be functional, I would understand being upset....

If they want to change the app radically they should make a new app not update one people have already bought for certain reasons or features.

How would you like it if one day your expensive windows/mac software updated itself in front of you into a completely different looking program without the features you actually bought it for.

Jessica Lares · 10-09-2013, 01:40 PM

Then that would only double the work if they were depended on APIs that would break the older app.

Having to pay $5 again is much easier than working backwards. Plus, Apple will probably not let you publish for iOS 5 in the next few months anymore.

thomasn75 · 10-09-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I have to ask... Why should a major update to an app (I don't use this app, so won't speak to it specifically) be given to prior purchasers for free? I pay to upgrade the apps on my computer all the time. Why should mobile apps be different? If the prior purchased version would no longer be functional, I would understand being upset....

What without telling me, they have moved me from a paid app to a free one and that is ok. There is no mention of this change in the play blurb. I have complained to Google not that I expect anything to happen

afv011 · 10-09-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasn75

What without telling me, they have moved me from a paid app to a free one and that is ok. There is no mention of this change in the play blurb. I have complained to Google not that I expect anything to happen

Nothing will happen, there's nothing in the Play Store rules that would prevent a developer from changing an app from paid to free; Google recently made their office suite free. If you want to complain, you should complain to Tapatalk directly.

pidgeon92 · 10-09-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasn75

Now yesterday i was asked to "update" app to the free version of tapatalk 4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasn75

What without telling me, they have moved me from a paid app to a free one and that is ok.

I guess I am confused. Was your paid app Tapatalk 4? Or 3? Or 2? Were you "asked" to update to the free version, and replied in the affirmative, or did it just update on its own to a free version and remove functionality?

10-09-2013, 02:33 AM	#1
thomasn75 Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1085592 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo aura h2o v2, kobo Aura, sony prs t1	Tapatalk ripoff I have had tapatalk pro on my phone for a while. I purchased this as mobile read uses it and it does make the forum better to use on my mobile. Now yesterday i was asked to "update" app to the free version of tapatalk 4. If i want the pro version i now have to pay again. This is just a warning to people don't update app if you are running tapatalk 2 pro. Looking at tapatalk forum many people are pissed of about this and i can only join them. Thomas

10-09-2013, 12:13 PM	#10
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,900 Karma: 27013865 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	It is a bit confusing. Google Play shows that I have 'Tapatalk Pro' installed (updated Oct 9), but it appears to be identical to what you get now by installing Tapatalk (FREE). But the listing for the latter does not reference a specific version ('depends on device') or version history. There's also a listing for 'Tapatalk 4-Comm..' but clicking on that results in an 'unexpected error'. As installed the app is named 'Tapatalk 4' but there is no reference to 'Pro' anywhere, and no 'About' screen in the app that shows which version I have installed. I think it is just that they are not charging for the app any more. I think I paid 99 cents for the pro version, though I never could tell the difference, and none of the problems I've had with it have ever been fixed, despite the relatively frequent updates. I don't know there's anything to get upset about here. Yes they took money from me, but I was happy to pay for it at the time. So they've changed their minds about charging for the app. Good for everybody. How is that a rip off? I just wish they'd fix some of the persistent problems. I continue to use it in spite of the issues, because I'm not aware of any better alternative. There are a number of forums I wish I could hook it up to but it doesn't support them. But it is good enough for a couple of them and lets me review posts efficiently (though it is harder to post without a real keyboard). Last edited by tomsem; 10-09-2013 at 12:21 PM.

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10-09-2013, 03:18 AM	#2
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	If you have an android phone you should be able to downgrade. Also Android owners can grab the old APK file from the Tapatalk website or forums I believe.

10-09-2013, 07:01 AM	#4
At_Libitum Addict Posts: 265 Karma: 724240 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: KyBook	Thanks, good to know, wasn't too happy with the free version either as it kills stuff in code blocks if you happen to edit a post via tapatalk

10-09-2013, 07:40 AM	#5
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	I never did like the new version of Tapatalk so I have no plans to upgrade.

10-09-2013, 09:12 AM	#6
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Tapatalk is ok but I don't use it that much since Safari works fine on my iPad

10-09-2013, 10:19 AM	#7
Synamon Lunatic Posts: 1,691 Karma: 4386372 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Land of the Loonie Device: Kindle Paperwhite and Keyboard, Kobo Aura, iPad mini, iPod Touch	Last time I updated my paid version of tapatalk I got this free version. I did not like the format of it so I put the old one back on. Since then the app nags me daily to update which is pissing me off. Yesterday I updated to iOS 7 and it auto updated apps putting on the new free version again. Ugh, I still don't like it so I put the old version back on and now I have to keep automatic updates disabled just for this stupid app. Maybe I'll start using Safari instead. Way to go tapatalk.

10-09-2013, 10:29 AM	#8
Teknikal Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 5264318 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belfast Device: Sony T1, Note Pro 12.2, Honor 10	Same thing happened to me but with a podcast app called instacast I paid for it it was an amazing app in truth then one day they updated to a version with all the good stuff gone and wanting people to buy IAP packs to get the same features back but in a worse form. Was one of the contributing things to me dumping the iPhone well that and hating iTunes.

10-09-2013, 11:51 AM	#9
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I have to ask... Why should a major update to an app (I don't use this app, so won't speak to it specifically) be given to prior purchasers for free? I pay to upgrade the apps on my computer all the time. Why should mobile apps be different? If the prior purchased version would no longer be functional, I would understand being upset....

10-09-2013, 01:40 PM	#12
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	Then that would only double the work if they were depended on APIs that would break the older app. Having to pay $5 again is much easier than working backwards. Plus, Apple will probably not let you publish for iOS 5 in the next few months anymore.

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