MLD
15th March 2012, 07:51 AM
VMS aka Mudmap has advised customers of pending changes to the iPhone app. You should be aware of what is planned so you can make an informed decision whether to purchase the product. IMO the smartTOPO product, itself, isn't worth a pinch of salt. What concerns me is the affect on other aspects of the App for example the ability to search by an address that will narrow the result to a region of the map. It's unknown if the search feature by co-ords is affected which is helpful to set waypoints.
The marketing material:
"Version 3.1.1 allows customers to Subscribe to SmartTOPO™ and dependent features for limited time periods.
New customers, they will be able to purchase the app for $2.99. With this purchase, a 30 day subscription is included. When complementary subscription expires, a Quarterly ($14.99) or Yearly ($29.99) subscription package can be purchased, which enables ongoing access SmartTOPO™ features.
For existing customers who have purchased v3.0 - 3.0.3, you will receive a 3 year subscription to SmartTOPO™ map updates & features valued at $99.97. Put it simply, you get 3 Years of map updates to SmartTOPO Australia for FREE!"
Not satisfied with the level of information disclosed I asked questions to mudmap.
Q - At the end of the 3 years subscription period does the offer expire and the subscription reverts to a periodic payment scheme in similar terms to the new customers offer?
A - Yes, but it's not a periodic payment scheme. You will not be charged automatically, you must agree to purchase another subscription.
Q - Does the expiry of the offer at 3 years affect the operation of smartTOPO for example it locks down so that feature is no longer available in the App or does it only affect available updates?
A - SmartTOPO map and it's features will not be available to you if the subscription expires
Q - Does this in any way affect the other map products operating on the App?
A - It does not effect any other part of the app. Only features that rely on SmartTOPO are effected. These features are:
View SmartTOPO
Address/POI search
"Lead the way" (Routing)
Tap on map to get an address
cheers MLD
The marketing material:
"Version 3.1.1 allows customers to Subscribe to SmartTOPO™ and dependent features for limited time periods.
New customers, they will be able to purchase the app for $2.99. With this purchase, a 30 day subscription is included. When complementary subscription expires, a Quarterly ($14.99) or Yearly ($29.99) subscription package can be purchased, which enables ongoing access SmartTOPO™ features.
For existing customers who have purchased v3.0 - 3.0.3, you will receive a 3 year subscription to SmartTOPO™ map updates & features valued at $99.97. Put it simply, you get 3 Years of map updates to SmartTOPO Australia for FREE!"
Not satisfied with the level of information disclosed I asked questions to mudmap.
Q - At the end of the 3 years subscription period does the offer expire and the subscription reverts to a periodic payment scheme in similar terms to the new customers offer?
A - Yes, but it's not a periodic payment scheme. You will not be charged automatically, you must agree to purchase another subscription.
Q - Does the expiry of the offer at 3 years affect the operation of smartTOPO for example it locks down so that feature is no longer available in the App or does it only affect available updates?
A - SmartTOPO map and it's features will not be available to you if the subscription expires
Q - Does this in any way affect the other map products operating on the App?
A - It does not effect any other part of the app. Only features that rely on SmartTOPO are effected. These features are:
View SmartTOPO
Address/POI search
"Lead the way" (Routing)
Tap on map to get an address
cheers MLD