King Camera 2.5 is out, and is now FREE for ever…
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 9:26PM | Glyn Evans …Well, not quite. It's FREE, if all you want is a low-res camera replacement app!!
Today Saycheezzz released version 2.5 of their successful all-in-one camera replacement app, King Camera. In what I can only describe as a strange move, Martin and Yanik have changed the pricing model of King Camera, making it FREE for all, but with watermark, banner ads and low-res saves. To enable full-res support, and the removal of the watermark and ads, you have to pay the one time low price of just £0.69/$0.99/€0.79, which is done via an in-app purchase option.
If you already own King Camera, then to upgrade, you need to ensure the old version is installed on your iPhone, and has ben used at least once, so that when you install the update, full-res support will be fully active.
Whilst all the above may seem OK, there is a but, and for me this is a BIG but. Because of the way in which in-app purchases are implemented by Apple, and because of the method that Saycheezzz have had to adopt to ensure all previous owners do not have to pay for this update, you can NEVER remove this app from your iPhone, or else you will have to pay again, as this statement from Saycheezzz indicates.
"If you uninstall King Camera from your device, and proceed to re-install KC2.05+ without already having your purchased copy present on your device, unfortunately the HR PACK will not unlock and you will need to purchase it. The reason being that the App Store In-App Purchase mechanism cannot detect if you previously purchased the application as a paid app, because the two are separate entities. Our upgrade procedure described above by-passes the Apple in-app purchase mechanism for our previous customers."
Right, that's my little rant out of the way, so what new in King Camera 2.5? Well, to be honest, and disappointingly, not that much.
King Camera 2.5 new features include...
- A new icon
- Volume Shutter
- PhotoAppLink! (multitask your photo between KC and other photo apps)
- Pinch-Zoom in Quickmatik
- Share simultaneously to MULTIPLE Facebook, FB Pages, and Twitter Accounts
- Twitter as Image Host
- Promatik UNDO/REDO: button(s) now inactive (greyed-out) when function is logically not available
…as well as the following bug fixes.
- Fixed FB destination folder to bypass 200 photos limit
- Photographer username fixed in Settings (iOS5)
- Settings: "Save to Camera Roll Only" now saves in correct order
- correct help video in Share Help View
- Burst Mode: fixed edits in Photodesk for Burst stack
If you don't already own King Camera, then you can download it free from the App Store, but remember, it's FREE, but NOT "completely free".
King Camera in App Update
Reader Comments (26)
I don't have a clue what goes on upstairs in your brains, but to take a good app, doing well & with potential to be a great photography app... You've F'd it all up! Was it simply too hard to release a lame low resolution King Camera Lite / Free edition? Then add in-app purchase to upgrade to the full version if the user wanted to? I mean come on boys... You have taken a back flip in the wrong direction & are now not even recommendable & or in the same league as v2.03.
The only thing that is semi ok is the new icon. But I doubt I'll ever update or use King Camera again. Your creativity & common sense seems to have run dry. I don't know what complete moron suggested you make such an idiotic drastic change such as this... But FAIL it has & along with it King Camera... Deleted!
I used to be a KC user but no longer, I upgraded and as Glyn said, not much new and it's still not anywhere near as good as ProCamera IMO.
All that said, I see Apple is now allowing the Volume Shutter again???
if you DO have a backup, restore the 'king camera 2.03.ipa' file and store it somewhere other than the mobile applications folder (just in case it screws things up with the later version)...
then, if you DO want to reinstall, move the latest 'king camera x.xx.ipa' file out of the mobile applications folder, and in itunes, drag the old one onto the 'apps' icon in the library...it should now be available to transfer to your ios device in the normal way, use the app at least once...hopefully then you'd be able to upgrade to a later full res version without additional purchase...
this is NOT tested, but SHOULD work in theory - i accept no responsibility for failure...;-)
- We are transparent in the transition for 2.5 (see itunes app & update description). It's clearly stated what the in-app purchase does.
- We've included a mechanism that can detect previous customers for a seamless upgrade (no in-app purchase).
- The App is Free to download: so it's risk free for any new user. I mean, how many people actually choose not to purchase an app because they could not use it first? With 2.5, we've found a way to make the app accessible to all, so more people can actually have a go at it without spending any money up front. Shouldn't that count for something and be welcomed?
- The App IS fully functional. All functions are there (photo taking, photo editing, sharing). Yes, the edits are done in Web Resolution. What's the trouble? Web Res is the resolution shared on Twitter & FB. And for many users, believe it or not, it is the resolution of choice (we've been asked so many times to include a toggle in Camera Settings that would set photo taking in Web Resolution Only... A feature we did not include in King Camera).
- New customer wishing for full resolution can purchase the in-app for only $.99! It's even LOWER than the paid app we had on the App Store. So, REALLY, what is there to complain about?
The video was meant as a tongue-in-cheek clip. Of all people, we would have thought readers of iphoneography.com would have gotten the joke best, since it was here that most people commented on the repetitive nature of the 2.0 release video. It was our way of sending you guys a wink.
Why all the fuss, here at iphoneography.com? Seriously? It seems with every single release we do, iPhoneography.com is the only place King Camera gets lashed out at. Other apps bring out an update that contains only Volume Shutter, and get celebrated. We bring Volume Shutter, a boosted Share Module that handles multiple FB & Twitter Accounts (how many camera apps support that?!), we make the app accessible to all by making the download for free and at the same time have a seamless upgrade mechanism for our current users (celebrated by other bloggers) - and what do we get as as response: a "dissapointing, not that much" as coverage, and approved insults from commenters. What's up with that?
Throughout the whole process since KC's release, we've listened to our users (and bloggers) comments, praise, and complaints, and we've continuously improved the application. Have we not shown our most sincere intentions of providing users with the best possible camera app experience? And most of all, that we do listen to our users?
You know, positive support goes a long way for independant devs like Yanik and myself. We are just 2 guys running this thing. We're not a mammoth company, and we do not have the backup financing of corporations or venture capitalists. We financed the making of King Camera out of our own pockets from our genuine love for photography on the iphone - and truth be told, we have yet to get one penny back on our initial investment - because we re-invested every single dollar users paid for the app since v1.0 back into all of its updates!
We really could have used your support throughout the whole process.
With sincere regards,
Martin Perreault
Yanik Chauvin
creators of King Camera
Sadness.
My complaint is the fact that you say that it's completely free, yet you do actually have to pay money for something that I feel most users require - watermark (a.k.a. promotion of King Camera) free, decent size photos. I don't want to be taking photos on my trips just for them to have "King Camera" or whatever it says all over my photos...
I like the fact that you added the Volume Shutter back in, just not sure how long it'll stay there as from what I read Apple are disabling this from apps that aren't there default basic camera??? However you're argument about being able to save to multiple facebook/twitter accounts probably doesn't matter for most of us - how many people realistically have more than 1 account on each? I could be wrong of course, I just don't see a need for it.
I'm not starting a rant over this as for £0.69 it's still a reasonably good camera replacement app - I just think the wording "Completely Free" is not right.
Anyway, I am always thrilled to see apps go free, and to allow users to try them before paying money. I wish more apps worked this way, I would be much more likely to try and buy than to hand money over blindly. But I am a bit disappointed about the way they are supporting previously paid users such as me. Seamless for now, but when I get a new phone or ipad, I will have to pay again. Or if I even so much as have to do a wipe and restore. I'm not sure there is a good way around this, and hey, it's only a buck, but I do wish apple gave developers an easier way to give users in-app purchases free if qualified.
Whilst I did find your video for this release very tongue in cheek, I chose not to run it here on the blog, for fear of titillating too many of my readers, however for any readers who have not seen the video, and would like to be titillated, then you can view it here http://youtu.be/6NjEq1zCPUU
Back to the app, since the launch of King Camera I have featured the app 17 times here on the blog, from informing people when the app goes on sale to a full 2 part review that got a reasonable thumbs up from me. As for the new features, I'm sorry but there's nothing great. If what I here from other developers is correct, then the "Volume Snap" feature may not be here for ever, but only time will tell.
I took you to task the last time you made a claim about a feature that didn't quite hit the mark, and you took exception to my comments, by posting a YouTube response. I have done the same again, but this time in the hope that I'd get a spanking response from Bianca ;)
It's not the fact that you say the app is free, but the way it is put across. You say the app is "completely free", when in fact what you should be saying, is the "app is free to try, but with limitations that make it better suited to social networking than iPhoneography" and "if you want the highest quality results possible with King Camera, then this is available for a low low price, via a simple in-app purchase". For me, these 2 statements alone would have made all the difference, and reflected the freeness more accurately.
With regards to the workaround for existing users, what you haven't taken in to account, is, what happens when a user has an issue with their iPhone that results in having to do a clean install of all their app? Answer, they will have to buy King Camera again. Now whilst I'll agree £0.69/$0.99/€0.79 will not break the bank, what you have done is forced this upon your users by a decision you the developers have made. Now this may only p**s off a very small percentage of your customers/users, but p**s off customers/users is never good for business.
I've tried to be as honest as I can, and I'm sorry if my words have caused offense, but whilst some other blogs may not be as vocal as I am, I do it because I am passionate about, and believe in what I do, and if people do not agree with me, then I encourage them to say so via the comments, as this is what members of any community should do.
Developers love when we support them. Heck, Saycheeze is even suggesting they could use more of our support. What about developers supporting those of us who kept them in business in the first place? It's not the fault of those who paid for the app that the app couldn't attract enough customers to make their business model work.
At least I know not to trust this developer with their future apps.
- Previous users who purchased the app DO get the in-app unlocked for FREE when upgrading to 2.5
- A user who purchased the app prior to 2.5, and gets a new device (or needs to do a complte restore): the in-app is FREE simply by restoring the device backup onto the new device (providing user has backed up his device, prior OR after the 2.5 upgrade).
So would we not agree that this "we're not supporting past customers" argument is blown way out of proportion?
We do support our users, past and present.
Anyone who encounters a problem with KC can report it at our support page: http://www.saycheezzz.com/contact-support
We answer all emails and offer 1 to 1 support, as anyone who contacted us can attest.
For spankings, please contact Bianca. ;)
Best,
But to be honest, if I had to pay another buck to keep this app, I would. I like the app. It's my go-to camera replacement app. I like the filters in the quickmatic settings, and I like the control I get with the promatic settings. It's a good app, and it's worth another buck to me if I ever lose it for whatever reason.
And I swear this testimonial has nothing to do with trying to suck up to Martin or Yanik, or any potential spankings from Bianca. I just really like the app.
BUT...
Now I think it's time to give the guys (and the app) some well deserved credit. As the updates has passed, the majority of my initial problems have been solved. The app is as fast as the top apps in the store. The filters are on par with Camera+ (who by many is top ranked in that area).
Regarding the change of business model for the app. Several apps have done this before (with differing degrees of success). I guess that when you're a smaller company you have to look at all options to gain an advantage over the opposition.
Unless I remember incorrectly the update note in iTunes included instructions on how to avoid the update problems for previous users. Isn't it a bit rude to be that harsh when you don't read the instructions?
Besides, I found the new video quite fun.
For me the app has won it's permanent place on my iPhone.
That said what you don't understand is the "what if's" as if this came out 2 weeks ago, I would already be even more frustrated... Why? well one of my Mac's which I have been using for my iTunes / iPhone had a crash & the end result was my HDD (hard drive) died without a backup & or anything being able to be restored. So $300 later I have my Mac back working... But I do not have the 1800+ apps many of which were discontinued, many backed up to my old HDD versions of apps I preferred. So if such was to occur again I would be SOL with my previously purchased version of King Camera & would have to buy the app again. Yes buy the app again as I had originally paid for the app (no Yanik contrary to belief I bought the app prior to you ever sending me a promo code. Since after Martin had asked me to join the beta team & you decided not to.. your promo code was in someway supposed to make that better. Well I gave that to someone else so they didn't have to purchase the app). So the problem is with the stupidity fact, that you think life & electronics, computers & no backups might never exist. They do & because of such I said... "Was it simply too hard to release a lame low resolution King Camera Lite / Free edition? Then add in-app purchase to upgrade to the full version if the user wanted to?" which would have been your best move to date & have gone with praise & featured promotion on sites & blogs like this to entice all those who do not own or have tried King Camera to do so. Think outside your logical bubble... You have taken a good app & churned out a crapper of a update & downgraded the model to suite web resolution users AWESOME! Well then why don't we go back to the fantastic days when developers though 320x480 & 600x800 was acceptable resolutions to charge for when buying an app. When if fact you said it yourself... [Quote] "(we've been asked so many times to include a toggle in Camera Settings that would set photo taking in Web Resolution Only... A feature we did not include in King Camera)". Hmmm that shows you can't even listen & include a feature some requested, but not change your entire app to by default be low resolution (come on boys). When in fact your lack of seeing outside the box & willingness to include features & functions with simple ease... Thus adding such a toggle switch & or for those who asked a settings panel for sharing & saving web resolution sized images. So that if the said user chaos web resolution & shared their images via KC to twitter, Facebook etc... they were uploaded from in KC at a downgraded low resolution to suit the users needs for such. But these all just seem to have been too much for you to grasp. I don't know what else to say other than... you've taken a gem & unpolished it into a turd & that is not how to make better apps.
I wrote to Saycheezzz explaining my feelings. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the quickness of their reply and their overall sincere and thoughtful response.
I've read the entire thread above too. While I can relate to what is being said, I feel inclined to side with the devs. They have a right to change their business model and it appears their are doing their best to work within the parameters that they are given while trying to keep their customers as happy as they can. Not an easy task to say the least.
It would be so easy to say "Hey, it's only another $0.99... what's the big deal?"
But in my experience, whenever you have legitimate issues, take them directly to the developers. More often than not (much more mind you), they do their best to rectify the situation. Just my 2¢.
On June 4 2011 I bought King Camera for € 0,79. I bought King Camera because I wanted to try it out. At that time, and still do at the moment, I preferred Camera+ over King Camera so I deleted it from my iPhone. I also delete apps I don't use from my iTunes library. I deleted it longer than a month ago, so it's not in my backup anymore.
When there is an update of King Camera I download it again and try it out and maybe this time I like it over Camera+. Last week King Camera 2.5 came out and I don't have the previous version anymore -> I can't use what I paid for and that pisses me off. :-(
Because of this, I deleted it from my phone. But...I delete LOTS of apps from my phone that I don't use on a regular basis to save room, while keeping an eye out for updates to see if there's been any major improvements. There have been multiple times where apps I don't use at first eventually DO become better after a while, and then I just re-download them from the App Store. However, it sounds like I won't be able to do that in this case.
Oh well... It didn't excite me the first time, so I'm not sure it would have now anyway. But I guess no matter HOW good it gets, if I ever want it again, I'll need to pay for it. A really odd way of dealing with this...
So how do I get the full version back without paying again? Every other app on my phone (70+ of them) all me to just restore my purchase.
I actually find the release video about saying things twice to be quite fitting since nothing about using this app is allowing me to actually use it by doing things just once.