I do not post frequently from my iPad, but when I do I use Posts (sounds like a commercial). A couple of days ago I attempted to use this app because I was riding in the car and the app kept crashing. I concluded the app must have become corrupted and deleted it so I could download it again. I could not locate Posts in the store. Now I was in trouble. I searched the web and found the web site, but the purchase button back to the Apple store did not work and the date showing when the page was last updated was 2012. The last tweet from the company was 2013 and the company has not returned my email. I sense a pattern here and assume it is time to search for a new iPad blogging app (maybe a review will follow).
This experience seems far too common with services and apps I think are great suddenly disappearing. I started to consider why. This was a great product. it was not cheap – $10 which is a significant price for an app.
I think there is a general problem here and I contribute. I have gotten to a place where I feel little need to buy more. I have a large music collection. The equipment I own is more than capable of doing anything I want to do. The software, apps and services I use have more capabilities than I can use. Putting more money into the system just brings me little return. This is a “problem of saturation”. Those requiring a sophisticated app (and costly at $10) for blogging from the iPad are likely a finite or slowly expanding group so the revenue going to PICO (the company) was likely declining. This is the problem – app paid upgrades are often not necessary and many quality apps are free. In app purchases are only necessary if new capabilities are required. The flow of money probably just ends.
Those focused on apps that involve a backend (say online storage such as DropBox) or a service (music) can charge for use of the backend. Generating a body of users creates a long-term cash flow. I hate this when implemented by Adobe, but understand the necessity when it applies to small companies. I am not certain what the solution is for apps that require no external resources.
BTW – the only annoyance I have with PICO is the lack of information shared with users. If you are unable to contact those loyal to your company, at least take the time to explain your situation on your web site.