Release notes for updates
Paul (guest) 01 Aug 2011 22:04
Are there release notes for the various updates? I'm at 1.35 and have no issues. Don't like to update unless I know what I'm getting.
Release notes for updates
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» Release notes for updates
Paul (guest) 01 Aug 2011 22:04
The release notes are generally displayed in the app store, but only for the latest version.
The entire history of the release notes is available within the app, once it's installed, which I realize is not terribly useful. Hm. I will think about this.
You will have to install the next update though, as Google is about to shut off the old API (and I am hard at work to start using the new API instead).
Still running 1.35; don't notice anything not working.
They promised to shut off the old API at some point. I guess they didn't do that yet.
Sometimes it takes them up to a year to phase out old things, like was the case with the "legacy" Google Apps accounts.
On a related note, what missing feature would prompt you to upgrade if implemented?
I want to mostly just reiterate what Paul said, because I also really dislike updating my apps, and I want you to know why: I get burned by it by too many developers who use updates to make the app worse for the user but more profitable for themselves. Mostly, they add ads to their app, and just label their update, "Bug fixes." Gar, it makes me so mad. I actually have to research now before updating my apps. Like seventy of them, right now, wanting updates.
Your recent update sent up a red flag for me, with the new "Pro" option and options to pay more for future updates. My first reaction was, "hey, I paid for this, and he's trying to squeeze more money out of me??" I got more annoyed every time I had to hit the OK button to the warning that I should update soon.
Now, I understand what is happening, only after visiting this website, and digging through the forums. Google is updating its API. The app must be updated to continue working with Google's change. And you don't want to keep updating your app for free for the existing users. I get that. But please understand, you were not clear enough about it, Denis, and I _felt_ like one more developer was trying to squeeze more money from me with what they were disguising as an update supposedly bringing more features to the user.
Please, add more detail to the App Store update page, "What's new in version X.xx." I see that you are a good person, and I can trust you. But because of the other profiteering developers, we need more info from you, please. Including update history for those of us a few versions behind. I hate seeing developers just stating "Bug fixes." In the current App Store environment, it sometimes means, "we added iAds and don't want to tell you," or "we found a great new way to make money from you," unfortunately.
Thanks for a GREAT, GREAT app. Meets my requirement of no recurring fee. I use it several times every day, and I'm a better person because of it.
Thanks for taking time to explain this, it certainly makes sense. I had no idea this is going on.
As a simple workaround I suggest you install the app update on the iPhone directly without syncing w/iTunes, and if you don't like the update you can remove it from the iPhone and then sync the old version of the app from the iTunes back to the iPhone. Alternatively, you can backup the iTunes library, and if things go bad for one app you can restore it from the backup to the iTunes (and then go back to previous suggestion). Unlike anything I could do for you, this will work for all apps, and will save you time over doing the research.
Apple might introduce ability to get earlier versions of an app with iCloud, so this might become even easier! At least they are asking developers to confirm there are no legal issues with keeping old versions accessible, which is a sign of things to come.
The situation is sometimes complex with the updates. Google is adding new features to Tasks, and as they go they break things left and right. In one instance over a hundred of users actually lost access to their data for a few days because Google suddenly could not handle an empty date on a created task that was sent to them (and that worked just fine for two years before that). Google eventually fixed the problem and users regained their access, but in the interim I saw it fit to roll out the update with a workaround, and get in your face with a daily popup; ostensibly trying to save your data.
So it was an unfortunate choice between annoying people with a popup and letting them lose their Tasks access altogether. :( I'll do better than a popup next time. Here's what I have in mind:
A small banner along the top of the screen, with a reminder to install the update. You can chose to ignore the banner and go about your business - unlike the popup it does not block all other operations. On the other hand, unlike the popup it always takes screen space. Interacting the the banner gives you following options:
- Dismiss the banner temporarily
- Dismiss the banner forever (I want to make this harder than installing the update, e.g. force you to type "go away!" before it leaves you alone). :)
- Get release notes for the new update.
- Get instructions on how to install the update, maybe a demo video.
- Get instructions on how to rollback the update (see the second chapter of this post).
- Reference to this forum where the update is discussed (hopefully), so you could get impression from other users.
/forum/t-378714/release-notes-for-updates#post-
