We just wanted to share a little bit about our perspective on the recently released Audiobooks update that changes the app from downloading the content to streaming it. We hate it. We KNOW that it makes it a much less useful app, and that lots of people are annoyed by this. We’re very sorry, but we received unilateral word that if we didn’t make this change, it would be pulled from the app store. Permanently. So what choice did we have?
As a reminder, we’re literally a mom and pop shop – we’re not a big company, we’re just trying to make great apps that you all love, that will allow us to make ends meet. We feel like we got punched in the gut when we got the call that our all-time most successful app was being pulled from the store. But don’t turn around and kick us because the app isn’t as useful anymore. We’re trying here, people.
On a more positive note, we really want to thank all of our customers who have sympathized with us during this situation – we really appreciate all of your support. Ultimately, the reason we created this app is to get great works of literature out there for you all to enjoy, and we’re so so glad that we’ve succeeded. Thanks for the encouragement; you all make it worthwhile!
#1 by Kara Shallenberg at June 25th, 2009
I’m so sorry. And now you’ve got grumpy users leaving you low ratings on the app store. It’s not really clear on your app page that apple forced you to make the change, but I suppose it would be unwise to emphasize the point.
Is there anything we can do? Is there a chance that if enough of us write to a certain address that apple might change their minds?
#2 by David at June 25th, 2009
The change is awful. Why oh why would they do something dumb like that. Did they give a reason?
You might want to resubmit audiobooks 2 as a new app. That way those who have 1.0 won’t be hounded to upgrade. Let them pull 1.0 and just keep 2.0. Kwim?
#3 by Adrian at June 26th, 2009
Mostly I feel bad for you good folk at TravellingClassics who have put so much work into what amounts to a public service only to be stymied by corporate brainlessness.
I echo Kara’s question: can we LibriVoxiteers do anything to encourage a policy change?
– Adrian, TREASURE ISLAND reader
#4 by David at June 26th, 2009
@kara & @Adrian:
I think that the only thing that can really be done about it is on a grassroots level. Getting it out on Twitter, Facebook, etc. or if you have a friend with a blog/news site to let them know. That sort of thing.
Or you could always email sjobs@apple.com — No Joke. For years people have submitted things to it and gotten actual responses back from someone (certainly not the man himself) at Apple.
#5 by Lauren at June 26th, 2009
@David:
We didn’t submit it as a new app because we didn’t want to loose our ranking in the store, but good thought. Sorry you’re being hounded to update.
Also, we’re not allowed to discuss our conversations with Apple – we’ve given as much detail as we can about the reason for the change.
#6 by Fr. Ignatius at June 26th, 2009
Forgive me. Again I have stuck my foot in my mouth.
Of course, I thought the worst, instead of seeing it properly. Forgive me a sinner.
If there is anything that listeners (like all of us who have complained) can do, please help us, help you.
I agree with the above posts. I will put my two cents worth, somewhere. Hopefully it will be enough.
God bless you for your labours. The work that you all do is helping the next generation be exposed to the “Classics”.
As an iPod Touch user, I will not be able to use this application much (if ever again). I will try to keep abreast of the developments.
Good strength.
Unworthy Servant of God,
Ignatius – priestmonk
#7 by David at June 27th, 2009
This change is truly stupid on the part of Apple, but their motive is obvious. They want people downloading the Kindle app and other pay-for-content apps. I realize Apple needs to find new ways to squeeze revenue out of existing users (because their iPhone 3GS is barely evolutionary and has received a tepid response), but they should keep in mind that every stupid move they make drives their existing iPhone customer base to look at competitors.
#8 by Acestor at June 27th, 2009
For what it is worth, I sent an email to:
sjobs@apple.com
explaining what a wonderful program version 1 was and how the new constraints of WiFi have ruined it and worse, will now deprive iPhone users of access to the great classics of literature. Suggest others write as well; can’t hurt and hopefully might help.
#9 by David Marriott at June 29th, 2009
I have continued to use the older version of Audiobooks. Curiously, I have visited the App Store several times since the new version was released, and have NOT been advised to update to Audiobooks 2.0. In the Canadian App Store, at least, the two versions are being treated as different programs.
#10 by Marc at July 2nd, 2009
i use to be an “Apple fan”, from Norway. Now I wonder if Apple will soon act like a new Microsoft….that´s obviously not a compliment. But i consider this streaming as a kind of sabotage…
Apple has already made big mistakes in the past. Lest hope they can think twice.
#11 by Michael at July 4th, 2009
What about the possibility of having it stream over EDGE or 3G like Pandora or AOL radio?
#12 by Michael at July 4th, 2009
Speaking of Apple, I somewhat doubt that Apple would have approved this app 1.0 without realizing it loaded audiobooks on the device. I suspect they received a call from the lawyer at some publishing company leading to the letter.
#13 by Dan at July 4th, 2009
Well, thankfully for once I read the App update info before clicking “download”. I’ve kept ver 1, will it keep functioning? I’m glad I stopped by your site to see what was going on. I’m very frustrated by this, but not at you. I love having these with me on the road as I drive, and with an original iPhone, the streaming will never be an option. Who can we contact at Apple to complain to?
Thanks,
Dan
#14 by Luke at July 5th, 2009
I would echo Dan #13 sentiment. I also was fortunate enough to check before updating.(your use of REQUIRED was good). If we don’t update what will happen?Still working for me today.
#15 by Shotputjuggler at July 5th, 2009
I have enjoyed listening to Treasure Island over the last week while travelling in the car. With a wifi streaming method, I will not be able to do this. The countryside is not blessed with free wifi zones! Shame.
#16 by Lauren at July 6th, 2009
@ Michael (#11) You can stream the content with the 3G network – but we realize that still prevents the ipod touch users from using it as often — so sorry.
@Dan (#13) You can continue to use v1, but we can’t support it. Anyone who is emailing us asking about the v2 update, we suggest that they NOT update if they want to continue the downloading. Glad you’re able to still access v1.
#17 by Audio Book Fan at July 6th, 2009
It’s getting pretty frustrating that Apple is totally arbitrary with their app store. I’ve heard of apps that were disapproved, resubmitted without any changes and subsequently approved by someone else. They need to straighten this out.
#18 by Rob at July 7th, 2009
I wonder what the real issue here is in downloading public domain content. At first I thought it was Libravox.org getting too much bandwidth on their servers and needing the feed to be cut. This makes the most sense to me. But with the new posts here, I can see this is not true and I am even more puzzled. Why would Apple with one of their flagship products cut the cord (this app is very unusable in the upgraded form) on one of their most important applications? Does this mean that if I create an Apple application that downloads fiction I have copyrighted or public domain fan fiction, this too can be censored and the demand for them to be cut by streaming only? You can download videocasts and iPod soundcasts for free and convert them with the iTouch, so why not books? Perhaps the name of iTunes should be renamed iFarenheit 451? Perhaps the developers should look to the new Palm Pre applications to see what reception they’d get… I’d pay money for the 1.0 application.
#19 by Kara Shallenberg at July 7th, 2009
@rob Nah, it’s all Apple’s thing. It’s not us at LibriVox (I’m an admin & reader there). We’re all in favor of this lovely app, and bandwidth is not an issue.
#20 by Bob at July 8th, 2009
Is it still possible to download version 1?
#21 by Hugh at July 12th, 2009
This is really too bad. Heartbreaking. Very sorry to hear about it.
Have you thought about Android?
#22 by Fusion Splicers at July 18th, 2009
This really stinks, I truly hope Apple changes their position on this.
#23 by Pat SEals at July 19th, 2009
Is it possible to get version 1.0?? I just discovered this apt and I find the ability to listen to the classics on my itouch would be great. Anyway we can get VS 1 – even at a cost??
#24 by Pat SEals at July 19th, 2009
How is it ‘Traveling Classics’ if you can’t travel with it anymore?????
#25 by Greg at July 19th, 2009
I thought I was out of luck after the upgrade, but I found the original version in my Recycle Bin (Windows, don’t know about the Mac). If you aren’t one who empties it regularly, it will still be there for you since iTunes moves all old versions of the apps there when they get replaced. To get it working again, open the folder where iTunes stores its apps and copy it there. Make note of the current versions name, then delete it. Rename the old version to the same name as the new version and sync your iPhone or iPod and the old version is back where it belongs.
#26 by patrick at July 28th, 2009
Thanks Greg,
I accidentally updated audiobooks knowing about the problem restored out of the recycling bin. Others can just download from librivox directly and load as an audiobook on your ipod/iphone. If I had to guess the reason for streaming, the carriers are probably limiting downloads. Some audiobooks are 1 GB and that uses the carriers network for a long time. If that is the case I bet the program could be written to allow downloads from wifi.
Thanks for my favorite app in the store
patrick
#27 by sam at August 25th, 2009
Is anyone able to email or upload the version 1.0 of this great app? If you have it please share!
Thanks,
Sam
#28 by David at September 16th, 2009
Thanks for all the pleasure which Audiobooks v1 has given. I’ve just updated Audiobooks and have unwittingly (courtesy Apple) lost my favorite application. Apart from the suggestions above, which don’t work for me, has anyone found a solution yet? I’ll be letting Steve Jobs know that I’m a very unhappy bunny about this.
#29 by carol at November 22nd, 2009
But I wonder how the volunteer system of readers will work now that we pay for the app? Doesn’t feel as if it quite adds up now.