iBrewmaster2

[HopRodGR]

FWIW, I found this app called BrixCalc a couple days ago for refractometer readings. It's really nicely done and offers a lot of options for how to measure and convert your readings. This would have been one of the main sells for me with iBM2 had they gotten it right. Andy, the developer for BrixCalc, has done a nice job with it. I even emailed him last night to suggest he add a second formula for ABV calculation and he quickly replied and said he'd get it in the next update which should be out in the next week or two.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brixcalc/id432095779?mt=8

 

[Braufessor]

In regard to the water profile calculator...... Does it allow for RO/Distilled water dilution? Does it project mash pH (like Brun Water).... Or does it basically just give you a place to import your water numbers, then select a desired profile and you add things like CaCl and gypsum until the numbers match . . . . .without any insight into what mash pH might be, the effects of RO dilution, or the effects of grain bill/acidulated malt, etc....

Basically, Does this in any way replace Brun water.... or is it just basically a place to record your additions. I have always just figured my water on Brun water and then recorded additions in "other additions" and under the area for "notes".....

 

[samuryan]

Seems like iBM2 contains all the options people were asking for from iBM. Shady money grab that makes me want to support a different product.

 

[reuliss]

I just want to add that I don't see why additional NB recipes is seen as added value. You can go to the NB website and get the recipes for free. I say, "big deal," iBrewmaster. I bought the app a year ago, so I'm one of those who paid over $15 recently. I'm not upgrading for water profile tinkering and such.

 

[dustin489]

On the new app, does it automatically sync between your iPad and iPhone? Also do you have to buy the app twice, once for iPad and once for iPhone.

I currently only have the iPad version of the original app, I wasn't willing to buy it twice without syncing ability, but might upgrade if it syncs.

 

[FlyDoctor]

I just want to add that I don't see why additional NB recipes is seen as added value. You can go to the NB website and get the recipes for free. I say, "big deal," iBrewmaster. I bought the app a year ago, so I'm one of those who paid over $15 recently. I'm not upgrading for water profile tinkering and such.

There are also several recipes in addition to the NB recipes. And I for one would rather have them all in the app rather than having to enter in recipes from the website manually.

 

[Rob_B]

There are also several recipes in addition to the NB recipes. And I for one would rather have them all in the app rather than having to enter in recipes from the website manually.

That's one thing that annoyed me really. There were about 600 included recipes that are useless to me. It also defaults by taking you to iBrewmaster's recipes instead of personal. I had to manually remove each recipe since I view it as wasted space. They could have made "free" recipe packs available to those that want them.

 

[241]

Go back to iBM1, 2 is still so buggy, even at v1.02

It was clearly released before it was ready.

 

[westicle]

Go back to iBM1, 2 is still so buggy, even at v1.02

It was clearly released before it was ready.

I just purchased IBM2 and I have to agree that they have lots of bugs to fix

 

[oneandahalfshepherds]

So wait its overpriced and buggy? Id accept cheap am buggy or overpriced and flawless. But i will not stand for overpriced and flawed.

 

[rkorn74]

I'll admit it is buggy, but the fixes are in the works. No one who home brews is too cheap to shell out the money for this app and none of us is so non OCD either. Truth be told we home brew because we aren't like the masses and are picky, especially when it comes to beer. I have both apps and have been picking the second apart and sending ideas via email and Facebook and they have all been addressed. I don't have the time or skills to build an app like this, but they do and they keep improving it. Instead of just bashing this app and trying to keep people from purchasing, I say that, buy it and criticize the hell out of it to the designer in hopes that your issues or ideas will be in a future update. If we all did that, I bet we would have the best app for our number one hobby. Just my two cents.

 

[DerCribben]

I couldn't agree more. If you don't like the app don't buy it...or do and hell, even come on here and talk about the things you don't like. Looks more like all these people are trying to organize a boycott. Instead why don't you tell the developer about what you want? It won't satisfy your need to be a critic or to be seen as a discerning consumer but it'll surely get the problem fixed. Someone is seriously even whining about a ton of free recipes? Seriously? Because tapping "personal" on the recipes screen is that complicated? And regarding having to pay for iBM2, that's the deal with software. Photoshop, office, windows, Zelda, madden....every year or so almost every piece of software that is commercially available is re-released, SOLD to consumers, with "all of those features we've been requesting from the last version". It costs money to run a business, and software development is a business. This guy added new features we'd been requesting for four years before producing another paid version. Just buy it, or don't, but if you're going to complain, just try to do it constructively instead of just being a critic or promoting boycott.

 

[Ragtop232]

First of all, this is a forum and the topic of this thread is iBrewMaster2. No boycott, just people giving opinions and experiences from having purchased the product. This developer released this app 2 or 3 months early based on his own website saying it would be released sometime in July. I personally think he released this to stave off the onslaught of users purchasing the newly released BeerSmith mobile app, but that is just my opinion. Also, this developer has opted to charge an enormous price to his existing customers to upgrade their current version. The software is again expensive as apps go to upgrade after you already paid full price only a few months ago, it's very buggy and freezes/crashes all the time. Crashing or freezing in the middle of a brew with the timers going, either mash or boil with hop additions, can be detrimental to your brew day. I think the recommendations in this thread to either wait until the developer gets his act together or look at BeerSmith Mobile, BeerAlchemy, etc are well founded and good advice. YMMV

Jim

 

[DerCribben]

It's not an upgrade. It's a new version of the app. It's full price, because its a new version of the software. Buggy because it was entirely rewritten. Should the developer have sorted out the bugs first? Yes, but I am also certain he did as far as he could tell. Testing is one thing but most of the bugs in an app don't rear their ugly heads until they hit the real world. I've written the developer a number of times over the past year or so, sometimes with a stupid "where do I find this" question, sometimes pointing out an issue and have never waited longer than a day for a response.

As far as the boycott recommendation. I've seen a few, one memorable one was the guy who said "I'm deleting this, and the last version off of every device I own and recommending to everyone I know to never do business with this developer".

 

[Rob_B]

I couldn't agree more. If you don't like the app don't buy it...or do and hell, even come on here and talk about the things you don't like. Looks more like all these people are trying to organize a boycott. Instead why don't you tell the developer about what you want? It won't satisfy your need to be a critic or to be seen as a discerning consumer but it'll surely get the problem fixed. Someone is seriously even whining about a ton of free recipes? Seriously? Because tapping "personal" on the recipes screen is that complicated? And regarding having to pay for iBM2, that's the deal with software. Photoshop, office, windows, Zelda, madden....every year or so almost every piece of software that is commercially available is re-released, SOLD to consumers, with "all of those features we've been requesting from the last version". It costs money to run a business, and software development is a business. This guy added new features we'd been requesting for four years before producing another paid version. Just buy it, or don't, but if you're going to complain, just try to do it constructively instead of just being a critic or promoting boycott.

Seriously! It's an annoyance, and clearly I found a resolution. Yes free recipes can be a good thing but 600 and the default page is a pain. Not to mention a waste of space. Free recipe packs to those that want them is great, but not everyone wants them. I've used iBM1 for a few years and have been happy enough to shell out the $18 to continue support and get improvements. If some of the other programs you mentioned did the same thing you'd be a little annoyed too. It's like a photoshop user constantly having to open up to tons of stock photos instead of what they bought the program for. Personally I like to write my own recipes and this program makes it am easy task with a lot of its features.

Most of us have contacted the developer and he has done a great job addressing most if these issues. As he's done with the original program. I understand there's a priority list and all we can do is wait for our topics to be addressed.

This thread has served more to inform potential buyers of what the pros and cons are of the program. Not a boycott. The whole argument of "if you don't like it, don't buy it" is garbage. It's not like you tried coca cola once and hated it so you never buy it again. $18 to some is a lot to gamble on a program they may not like. There is not doubt in my mind that overtime the kinks will get worked out.

 

[dustin489]

On the new app, does it automatically sync between your iPad and iPhone? Also do you have to buy the app twice, once for iPad and once for iPhone.

I currently only have the iPad version of the original app, I wasn't willing to buy it twice without syncing ability, but might upgrade if it syncs.

Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[Rob_B]

Anyone know the answer to this?

You buy the app once and it's available on both. I don't think it syncs your recipes or tweaks right now. You can always back up on Dropbox and restore the other device from that.

 

[Ragtop232]

It's not an upgrade. It's a new version of the app. It's full price, because its a new version of the software. Buggy because it was entirely rewritten. Should the developer have sorted out the bugs first? Yes.

You see, I'm in the software development field and it is not industry standard to say, "This is not an update, but a brand new, rewritten program." Not the case at all, while the underlying code is probably optimized and has new features, it still looks like iBrewMaster, still operates like iBrewMaster (with the exception of all the bugs in the new version). Think if Microsoft would come out every year with a new version of Office and say, "Hey, this is a brand new version of Office, rewritten from the ground up, and we're going to charge full price to purchase again." You think that would fly? I can tell you, absolutely NO!

It's not really about the money for me, but the developers approach and seemingly trying to rewrite the rules. As I've stated before, I think the market will ultimately decide the fate of this software developer. It seems to already be doing so with 14 reviews of iBrewmaster2 and about an average of 2.5 out of 5. So word is actually getting around.

Jim

 

[dustin489]

You buy the app once and it's available on both. I don't think it syncs your recipes or tweaks right now. You can always back up on Dropbox and restore the other device from that.

Thanks!

 

[241]

Thanks!

That's right, nothing syncs. Yes you can export/import your recipes and batches, but all of the profiles need to be added manually. Then of course if you make updates on one device, you'll need to export that recipe and import it on the other device. Hopefully during that process the apps only crash 10 times.. if you're lucky

5/31/13 EDIT: You can sync between multiple devices via Dropbox - continue to next page to find out how in post 82

 

[reuliss]

I couldn't agree more. If you don't like the app don't buy it...or do and hell, even come on here and talk about the things you don't like. Looks more like all these people are trying to organize a boycott. Instead why don't you tell the developer about what you want? It won't satisfy your need to be a critic or to be seen as a discerning consumer but it'll surely get the problem fixed. Someone is seriously even whining about a ton of free recipes? Seriously? Because tapping "personal" on the recipes screen is that complicated? And regarding having to pay for iBM2, that's the deal with software. Photoshop, office, windows, Zelda, madden....every year or so almost every piece of software that is commercially available is re-released, SOLD to consumers, with "all of those features we've been requesting from the last version". It costs money to run a business, and software development is a business. This guy added new features we'd been requesting for four years before producing another paid version. Just buy it, or don't, but if you're going to complain, just try to do it constructively instead of just being a critic or promoting boycott.

Seems to me that you're taking this personal. It isn't "whining", its called "critical thinking."

 

[iBrewMaster]

Hey everyone, (I know this is a long read, but it provides some perspective!)

I felt the need to speak out a little on this subject as, to be honest, the expectations that the App Store has created is simply unrealistic. We provided over 3 dozen updates over the past 4 years for free. How long can any company continue to do this and actually survive? It took over a year to write iBrewMaster 2 using new technologies that Apple released since our initial launch such as Core Data. Core Data wasn't even available when we released iBM 1 in 2009, and it is necessary for us to be able to implement cloud syncing in the future. The rewrite is going to enable us to provide another 4 years of new updates and features, has eliminated the need to purchase two separate apps, and provided many new features. Software development is very resource intensive, and our developers need to be paid. I honestly mean no disrespect to anyone, but I simply can't comprehend why some users expect developers to provide unlimited updates for life, for free. No other business or career field expects this from their workers. We have a very limited audience unlike apps like popular bird games which can sell 10 million + copies, and don't even require years of extensive programming updates and maintenance. Once we reach a saturation level of users, there's no more income and thus there will be no more updates. It's really that simple. Would users be happier if sales got so saturated that the app was no longer supported or upgraded and eventually failed to work on your devices as Apple continues to release new operating systems? Are we suppose to continue to employee developers to keep the app running for the next decade so that users who bought it 14 years earlier could still use the app? Again, I mean no disrespect, but there is simply no nicer way of explaining the reality. If you are happy with iBM1, you can continue to use it for as long as you like….no different than the situation I just described. In fact, we are still supporting iBM1 for a while as some users don't have a need for more or a need for a Universal App and would like to save a few bucks. iBM1 is still a great app, even though some users have felt the need to lower their 5 star rating to a 1 star rating because our developers like to feed their kids. Is that fair? On top of all of this, in reality we are actually making less money on the new app….we invested a year in a new, updated product that is selling for less than half of what many users spent for the original version and recipes. Even if you didn't purchase any recipe packs or are not interested in them, it's still 28% cheaper if you use both the iPhone and iPad apps. Would we have been better off not investing a year of development expenses in rewriting the app, as that's really the message that some users are sending.

In order to provide a few more years of free updates, there comes a time when a new version has to come out. Like several have stated here, it's really no different than a new version of Microsoft Office or other software. In fact, they don't give you years of updates, just service pack fixes or security fixes....period. It's inevitable that some users may have enjoyed 4 years of updates and others only a year or less. But there is no migration options that Apple offers. An in-app purchase was not possible as 2,216 SQL statements had to be eliminated and converted to Core Data code and in addition we really wanted to provide a Universal App as many users didn't want to purchase the app separately for the iPhone and iPad. There is no way to migrate two distinct app ID's into one, and trying to convert an app of this size to Core Data wasn't practical. Apple does not provide a way for us to sell the app at a discount to previous purchasers. (Some users have eluded to other software that have done this, but we couldn't do the in-app upgrade as I explained.)

We are forced to work in the environment provided by Apple and the app store. No company can offer life-long updates and no matter when a new version comes out, some will have enjoyed it for years, and others for months. Quite honestly, we believe we have the solution and have sent it to Apple 4-5 times with no response. To be fair to all users, users would get a year of updates for free. They could choose to continue to use the app forever in it's last updated version. Developers could charge a few bucks for another year of updates. This would be fair to everyone as every user would get their share of updates and developers would have an incentive to continue to develop their app. If a change like this is not made, we're afraid quite a lot of good software on the app store will gradually become extinct and unsupported. But hey, even without this change, our users are still getting the app for less than $5 a year. We've probably all spent the cost of the app on a good Belgian Tripel!

Now, regarding the bugs. No, we did not intentionally rush to get the app out…in fact it was significantly delayed as our original announcement was that it would be available late 2012 / early 2013. Yes, the bugs are more than what we expected ourselves and we are a bit disappointed with some of the bugs that got thru. However, we did recruit over 2 dozen beta testers that tested the app for 2 months. It is true that a lot of bugs don't rear their ugly heads until you get the production level use out of it. It probably would have taken another 6 months for testers to find the bugs that we've already fixed in just a couple of weeks. We released v1.0.1 within 3 days, v1.0.2 shortly after, and v1.0.3 is awaiting Apples review. I hope that our past response to users and demonstration of quick updates and fixes gives users some comfort and confidence that we take the app very seriously and will absolutely, without question, not stop until all the bugs are corrected. Then we'll start looking at implementing new features!

Also, user 241 is incorrect about having to export recipes and import them on devices. Once you setup Dropbox, it's as simply as tapping on "Backup database to Dropbox" on one device, and simply tapping on that file name in the table view on the other. Your entire database is copied over. Plus, when you restore a copy of your database to another device, a backup of that device is automatically taken first just in case you accidentally go the wrong way. Sure, it's not full iCloud syncing, but quite a lot of companies have backed out of large relational database syncing due to corruption. We know of several that actually ripped out the cloud feature in their software. iCloud is great for syncing calendar events or documents, but we don't feel comfortable putting our users data at risk until the technology matures a bit more.

Finally, for those that do not like the iBrewMaster recipes, we included an update in v1.0.3 to automatically restore you back to the last filter button you chose. We have always been open to suggestions as 90% of the app comes from user ideas. All you have to do is ask for it….we can't guarantee that everything will go in the app, but we certainly try our best.

Thank you to those of you who understand the investment in development and for your continued support. We will continue to make iBrewMaster the best brewing software out there! We have a lot of plans!

Cheers,
Joe

 

[dustin489]

Hey everyone, (I know this is a long read, but it provides some perspective!)

I felt the need to speak out a little on this subject as, to be honest, the expectations that the App Store has created is simply unrealistic. We provided over 3 dozen updates over the past 4 years for free. How long can any company continue to do this and actually survive? It took over a year to write iBrewMaster 2 using new technologies that Apple released since our initial launch such as Core Data. Core Data wasn't even available when we released iBM 1 in 2009, and it is necessary for us to be able to implement cloud syncing in the future. The rewrite is going to enable us to provide another 4 years of new updates and features, has eliminated the need to purchase two separate apps, and provided many new features. Software development is very resource intensive, and our developers need to be paid. I honestly mean no disrespect to anyone, but I simply can't comprehend why some users expect developers to provide unlimited updates for life, for free. No other business or career field expects this from their workers. We have a very limited audience unlike apps like popular bird games which can sell 10 million + copies, and don't even require years of extensive programming updates and maintenance. Once we reach a saturation level of users, there's no more income and thus there will be no more updates. It's really that simple. Would users be happier if sales got so saturated that the app was no longer supported or upgraded and eventually failed to work on your devices as Apple continues to release new operating systems? Are we suppose to continue to employee developers to keep the app running for the next decade so that users who bought it 14 years earlier could still use the app? Again, I mean no disrespect, but there is simply no nicer way of explaining the reality. If you are happy with iBM1, you can continue to use it for as long as you like….no different than the situation I just described. In fact, we are still supporting iBM1 for a while as some users don't have a need for more or a need for a Universal App and would like to save a few bucks. iBM1 is still a great app, even though some users have felt the need to lower their 5 star rating to a 1 star rating because our developers like to feed their kids. Is that fair? On top of all of this, in reality we are actually making less money on the new app….we invested a year in a new, updated product that is selling for less than half of what many users spent for the original version and recipes. Even if you didn't purchase any recipe packs or are not interested in them, it's still 28% cheaper if you use both the iPhone and iPad apps. Would we have been better off not investing a year of development expenses in rewriting the app, as that's really the message that some users are sending.

In order to provide a few more years of free updates, there comes a time when a new version has to come out. Like several have stated here, it's really no different than a new version of Microsoft Office or other software. In fact, they don't give you years of updates, just service pack fixes or security fixes....period. It's inevitable that some users may have enjoyed 4 years of updates and others only a year or less. But there is no migration options that Apple offers. An in-app purchase was not possible as 2,216 SQL statements had to be eliminated and converted to Core Data code and in addition we really wanted to provide a Universal App as many users didn't want to purchase the app separately for the iPhone and iPad. There is no way to migrate two distinct app ID's into one, and trying to convert an app of this size to Core Data wasn't practical. Apple does not provide a way for us to sell the app at a discount to previous purchasers. (Some users have eluded to other software that have done this, but we couldn't do the in-app upgrade as I explained.)

We are forced to work in the environment provided by Apple and the app store. No company can offer life-long updates and no matter when a new version comes out, some will have enjoyed it for years, and others for months. Quite honestly, we believe we have the solution and have sent it to Apple 4-5 times with no response. To be fair to all users, users would get a year of updates for free. They could choose to continue to use the app forever in it's last updated version. Developers could charge a few bucks for another year of updates. This would be fair to everyone as every user would get their share of updates and developers would have an incentive to continue to develop their app. If a change like this is not made, we're afraid quite a lot of good software on the app store will gradually become extinct and unsupported. But hey, even without this change, our users are still getting the app for less than $5 a year. We've probably all spent the cost of the app on a good Belgian Tripel!

Now, regarding the bugs. No, we did not intentionally rush to get the app out…in fact it was significantly delayed as our original announcement was that it would be available late 2012 / early 2013. Yes, the bugs are more than what we expected ourselves and we are a bit disappointed with some of the bugs that got thru. However, we did recruit over 2 dozen beta testers that tested the app for 2 months. It is true that a lot of bugs don't rear their ugly heads until you get the production level use out of it. It probably would have taken another 6 months for testers to find the bugs that we've already fixed in just a couple of weeks. We released v1.0.1 within 3 days, v1.0.2 shortly after, and v1.0.3 is awaiting Apples review. I hope that our past response to users and demonstration of quick updates and fixes gives users some comfort and confidence that we take the app very seriously and will absolutely, without question, not stop until all the bugs are corrected. Then we'll start looking at implementing new features!

Also, user 241 is incorrect about having to export recipes and import them on devices. Once you setup Dropbox, it's as simply as tapping on "Backup database to Dropbox" on one device, and simply tapping on that file name in the table view on the other. Your entire database is copied over. Plus, when you restore a copy of your database to another device, a backup of that device is automatically taken first just in case you accidentally go the wrong way. Sure, it's not full iCloud syncing, but quite a lot of companies have backed out of large relational database syncing due to corruption. We know of several that actually ripped out the cloud feature in their software. iCloud is great for syncing calendar events or documents, but we don't feel comfortable putting our users data at risk until the technology matures a bit more.

Finally, for those that do not like the iBrewMaster recipes, we included an update in v1.0.3 to automatically restore you back to the last filter button you chose. We have always been open to suggestions as 90% of the app comes from user ideas. All you have to do is ask for it….we can't guarantee that everything will go in the app, but we certainly try our best.

Thank you to those of you who understand the investment in development and for your continued support. We will continue to make iBrewMaster the best brewing software out there! We have a lot of plans!

Cheers,
Joe

Thanks for the response. I love the first version. It's the only app I've ever used. I was on the fence about upgrading, but you seem like a business owner that truly wants to do right by your customers, while still addressing the financial realities of a business. The fact that you have processed three updates so far shows that you are receptive to issues and concerns. Consider me sold.

 

[Ragtop232]

Joe -

I do take issue with some of your statements about Apple's app store and the rules. I've stated my position on this in the past. An example, you do have a way to know installed copies of iBrewMaster1, and can make a link available to those users to install a special version at a set price. You had a reminder window popup letting us know iBrewMaster2 was released didn't you? I don't have a cached version of your website, but it was only a few weeks before you released v2 that your site stated a July 2013 release. I also take issue with the exorbitant upgrade price you're charging existing customers. You are prorating everyone based on a 4 year upgrade plan, not completely the correct thing to do in my opinion. Not a lot of money, but more about the principle.

This is your software and you are free to charge what you want, however, I do believe the market will dictate if you've made the right choices. For me, I've completely made the switch to BeerAlchemy and it's the better choice for me at this time.

Regards,
Jim

 

[CBelli]

After browsing through this thread and having purchased both the IBM1 and the Beersmith App... I have to say the Beersmith app works great...


I never got the IBM1 app to work.
I brew 'all-grain' and IBM1 never could calculate my fly/sparge water, only my strike volumes... without this most basic feature I chalked it up to a $14 mistake.

I don't want to be negative but I want fellow all grain brewers to know this before potentially wasting money.
Unless they fixed this issue in version 2?
Either way this is too much $$$ for too little app

 

[241]

Thanks for the reply Joe. I stand corrected on sync, and now get how you can get the device to fetch the updates. I'll update the post above.

I have no issues with the price - or supporting you - as you developed an app I rely on highly (iBM1) and to me it's worth having "the right tool for the job." Also I understand the amount of work required to build an app and that means hours/days/weeks/months.

What bugged/bugs me though is that iBM2 has pretty much been unusable with the frequency of crashes. I understand the app has been re-written but to me it's unacceptable to release an app as a version 2 that breaks many of the features that worked perfectly in version 1. One would think at least the core feature set that worked well in version 1 would work reliably in version 2 - which wasn't (still isn't) necessarily the case.

I might have gone a different course than what was taken for the new release, but I'm sure you have your reasons and I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything. Anyway, hope you get everything ironed out and appreciate you dropping a line on this thread.

Cheers

 

[HopRodGR]

This is in no way personal, as I'm not interested in getting into the pros and cons of how to do business in the App Store, the philosophy of paying for upgrades in apps, etc etc. This is really about whether buying iBM2 provides enough new content and added value to convince me, a very happy user of iBM1, to buy it. It's simple economics, for an iBM1 user, iBM2 needs to provide $18 worth of new features to be worth purchasing, as I'm less concerned about whether or not Apple's business model is fair or not.

If iBM2 could do ancillary things as well as other sources, and function without tons of bugs, it'd be worth the purchase price to me. I use YeastCalc and Mr. Malty for pitching rates, Bru'n Water or Brewers Friend for water calcs, various websites and other apps for calculating ABV and doing refractometer conversions. When I saw iBM2 had all these functions built in, I got excited, but all I can rely on without any way to demo it is user reviews and feedback and it sounds like iBM2 does all these things as they advertise, but does them very average or in a more limited way than the sources I just referenced. Again, just the facts, but that doesn't add value for me as a consumer.

If someday iBM2 does do all those things well or better than the sources I referenced, and is bug free, I'll happily purchase it. Until then, thanks for your work on making iBM1 a great app that I use practically on a daily basis, and I'll be sticking with it for my recipe design needs.

Joe -

I do take issue with some of your statements about Apple's app store and the rules. I've stated my position on this in the past. An example, you do have a way to know installed copies of iBrewMaster1, and can make a link available to those users to install a special version at a set price. You had a reminder window popup letting us know iBrewMaster2 was released didn't you? I don't have a cached version of your website, but it was only a few weeks before you released v2 that your site stated a July 2013 release. I also take issue with the exorbitant upgrade price you're charging existing customers. You are prorating everyone based on a 4 year upgrade plan, not completely the correct thing to do in my opinion. Not a lot of money, but more about the principle.

This is your software and you are free to charge what you want, however, I do believe the market will dictate if you've made the right choices. For me, I've completely made the switch to BeerAlchemy and it's the better choice for me at this time.

Regards,
Jim

 

[dustin489]

After browsing through this thread and having purchased both the IBM1 and the Beersmith App... I have to say the Beersmith app works great...

I never got the IBM1 app to work.
I brew 'all-grain' and IBM1 never could calculate my fly/sparge water, only my strike volumes... without this most basic feature I chalked it up to a $14 mistake.

I don't want to be negative but I want fellow all grain brewers to know this before potentially wasting money.
Unless they fixed this issue in version 2?
Either way this is too much $$$ for too little app

I fly sparge as well and the original app always calculated my fly sparge volume correctly. As a matter of fact I was blown away at how accurately the default settings calculated my strike water temp and volume and my fly sparge volume. I always hit 75 to 80 percent efficiency relying on IBM software. Now that I downloaded the new version, I will see when I brew this Sunday if the new version is as perfect as the old.

 

[iBrewMaster]

Thanks Jim,
I certainly respect your opinion. But you are absolutely incorrect about Apple. FYI - the reminder popup is simply part of the app checking our website for new messages with no regard to who it is. If you push "Disregard", it simply saves a userDefault to not display that message id again. It has absolutely nothing to do with knowing who purchases the apps. In fact, Apple use to have a UDID which was a unique device identifier. However, it still wouldn't tell you who purchased the app. Furthermore, they now have deprecated that call and they won't approve any apps that even attempt to use it. See link: http://www.zdnet.com/apple-places-kill-date-on-apps-that-use-udid-device-identifiers-7000012993/ This is very frustrating for us as developers, as they don't even give us names as to who has purchased our apps....just sales counts. It's even worse that the Google Play store not only gives developers user information, they allow you to process partial refunds, and service customers in a lot more ways.

Additionally, apps are restricted to their own sandbox area within the OS. Even though we published both apps, one can not access any data to the other. You are incorrect about being able to make a link available to those users to install a special version. This is simply, and respectfully not true. The only possibility would be to utilize an in-app purchase to unlock additional functionality. I assure you that I personally sat down with an Apple engineer at an event in Texas last year and this is the only way. I expressed my disappointment and concerns to them at the time as well. However, considering that we had two versions...the iPhone version and the iPad version, we would have to rewrite the app twice again and continue to support two different versions. Even more of an issue is that you can't install an entirely different app with a unique app ID, it would have to be a new version of the existing app, which was not practical given the major overhaul of the app with respect to implementing Core Data.
Now, where we are today, with one unique Universal App, we could implement new features in the version and unlock them with in-app purchases...I'll give you that much. But we don't want to continue to charge people for new features...how would that work without a lot of complaints? It would be possible over time to purchase the app and then have to make 3-4 in-app purchases to unlock all the additional functionality added over the past couple of years. Tell me people wouldn't complain about that!
Bottom line...you can't take two distinct app ID's and make an in-app purchase to give users a new, unique app with it's own app ID. If you are a developer and know otherwise, then by all means please let us know how as we did significant research on this and sat down with Apple like I said.

Jim, we aren't trying to prorating anything. Bottom line is that you shouldn't expect any free upgrades. Bug fixes, yes...new features, no. An app should really be considered done when you buy it with no guarantee of any new features. Here's a good link on that topic: http://appadvice.com/appnn/2012/04/gamers-dont-expect-free-content-do-expect-my-two-cents What new features do you get from Microsoft Office? Do you get the new version of NHL for your Xbox for free? But we aren't even taking that approach and are trying to assure users of that and make it known that we have no intention on not providing updates and have no intention of releasing a new paid for version every year. Somehow this is getting twisted into some sort of negative thing. Has Beer Smith or any other software gone out of their way to assure you that they will provide updates for 4 years for free? Isn't it a good thing to know that a company has a lot of future plans and new features they want to implement? Also, to answer CBelli as well, yes, iBrewMaster 2 does calculate the fly/sparge water and strike volumes now!
It's a consumers choice on what they feel comfortable spending and which direction they want to go. We have no issue with that...in fact, it motivates us even more to continue to add new features to be the best. That's simple competition that we welcome. We will continue to improve iBrewMaster 2 and welcome suggestions and feedback. If you choose another direction, we absolutely respect that!

Cheers,
Joe

 

[iBrewMaster]

Hey 241,
I agree with you....there should have been less bugs. The reason (not the excuse by any means) is that everything was in fact rewritten from scratch due to the drastic change in the backend with Core Data. A lot of it might look the same on the outside, but we're going to be in a much better position to update the app faster and with some new things. At this point, all we can do is work our butts off to correct everything and earn your respect and trust again. I have no doubt that we'll do that. Version 1.0.3 has a lot more fixes in it, and we'll keep them coming!
Thanks,
Joe