Big Photos 4+

Still Worth the Money

The move to a subscription model from a single payment app could have been handled a little smoother, but this is still an app that I consider essential. I use the resize function—BigPhoto is quick, efficient and gives me total control of the output. I originally paid 0.99 cents for this app many years ago. Would you want to support a product for life because they gave you a single dollar bill? Would you work faithfully for years for a boss that gave you a one-time payment of a buck? Get real. The developer deserves some compensation for this useful little gem.

Not happy

The developer has released this “new” subscription-based app and removed the original one I had already paid for from the App Store. So far the old app is still working but there was no notice of the original app losing support and updates (not that the new one has any notable updates yet anyways). I will not be paying the dev again for this software; the way things were handled here makes me unhappy and that alone is cause not to support the app (not to mention there are other alternatives in the App Store that get the job done as well). I’m sure there were options for migrating existing users to the new app. The dev just chose not to care.

Gave it two stars only because the app did work fine when I bought it (now I can’t even use it without first paying the subscription).

Sorry devs, I do appreciate the ability to make a decent application but you should have thought about your poor business practices with this one…

Developer Response ,

Dear customer,
Original company was closed. The developer tried the best to transfer original app to the new entity which is based in different state. Sorry not able to save the old app. If you like the new app, we will be more than willing to add more features to it.

LOOK PEOPLE !!!

This is STILL Best In Class.

I also had paid the one time purchase years ago, but it’s time to move on.

These devs not ONLY have to spend spend spend, improving and iterating the app, but somewhere along the way make a darn living. I seriously doubt they are living large, and this new subscription model was probably EXISTENTIAL in maintaining the app. And it IS maintained..

FIVE BUCKS A YEAR. Not for nothin’ and no disrespect, for an app of THIS QUALITY AND RELATIVELY UNIQUE FEATURE SET, that is a BARGAIN. And you know it. Frankly, if it’s the principle, get past it, buy a years worth, THEN evaluate.

DEVS: It certainly would NOT GO UNAPPRECIATED to lay out the what and the why Zynga found it necessary to switch.

NOR would it be amiss to offer all those previous purchasers a $2.99 credit towards whichever subscription plan they might choose, long with a heartfelt, “THANK YOU for sticking with us, as we plan a long and active development cycle.”

Bet you would turn all these frowns upside down. If memory serves, you once enjoyed a 4.8 rating in the AppStore. It has to be killing your revenue plans to both lose all those loyal users, while they toilet your rating, for ZERO to do with app utility and quality.

I am writing all this both to all the old fans, potential new fans, and you devs. TERRIBLE communication in the new plan rollout, friends. Hire a comms person. Write a blog. Expand the AppStore explanation. You are a PHOTO company. Go BIG on Insta, and Flickr, get some heavyweight recommendations, like from NASA on how they use your product PROFESSIONALLY.

This rant was entirely heartfelt, spontaneous, and (as yet lol..) unpaid and unsolicited.

Last thing devs: eMail, text, send cards, whatever… but get those loyal users to look again. Explain. Credit.

APPRECIATE.

ALSO, A SUPER DUPER BATCH DOWNLOAD FUNCTION.