I just released a really important Apollo update that adds the ability for users with remaining subscription time left to decline an automatic refund. Devs pay refunds out of pocket, and this will be about $250K, so I thank you for your consideration. ❤️
Also, this update includes an amazing "Goodbye Apollo Wallpaper Set” for your phone, tablet, or desktop, created by outrageously talented Apollo icon designers. You can unlock the pack with a donation that helps with refund costs. 🙂
@christianselig About the importance to do “apps that rely on a 3rd party API” only via a separate Ltd, that can take the fall, if you have to pay back subscriptions if the API conditions change.
(Notice, the big ones like Sony did not refund anything when they just removed “bought” films from their customers' accounts, funny, because their upstream licences ended. Of course.)
@christianselig I was wondering why I’ve never seen the decline screen and wanted to make sure I didn’t get a refund. But it hit me that I had paid for the lifetime, and this is probably only really for the monthly/yearly’s. Just to confirm, if I was on lifetime, I shouldn’t be looking for a decline screen, right?
@christianselig man, this sucks so much. I really loved using Reddit, and now I’m straight-up out because Apollo’s going away. Also, I made a post encouraging folks to decline the refund, and the comments section became a shitshow. Apparently, you’re a millionaire and don’t need any money, which is news to me.
Anyways. Love you, stay strong, and I can’t wait until you create my next favorite app! (Pixel pals are rad, but they are not my new favorite app. 😉)
@christianselig I deleted my Reddit accounts weeks ago, and kept the app installed literally just so I could press this button. Thank you once again and good luck in the future!
@christianselig I paid for Apollo ultra lifetime in 2019 and then switched to using TestFlight for a long time. When I try to decline a refund it says it can’t find my subscription. Do I need to do anything? Thanks for everything! 🥲
@christianselig is it possible to have downloaded Apollo without ever having subscribed? Because I have the latest update, yet don’t see a message to decline refund.
I don’t even have a reddit account, I’m read only visiting Redditt, and downloaded Apollo mainly because reddit was nagging all link ins to get their app.
@christianselig Some of the wallpapers are missing / broken if you buy them through Apollo. „Special Place“ holds the picture of „spaceman“ and „apollo-san“ isn‘t loading at all. Would be great if you could fix that before the app shuts down.
@christianselig@mono On my phone and Mac I still see “Special Place” as “Spaceman”.
“Apollo-san” is fine, but then I see a second “Scenery”.
Including the duplicates I see a total of 19 images. I think I’ll clear the cache and try again in a few hours.
What I’ve seen so far are fantastic.
@christianselig@mono Ugh, I misspoke. “Special Place” was fine, but there was a duplicate entry with the wrong image.
Now it looks like all the images are fine (still a duplicated “Special Place”) and I picked up a few new entries as well. Looks like a total of 20 unique images. All fantastic. I love Piraino’s “Stories Around the Campfire”.
Thanks for all the updates and everything you’ve done.
@christianselig@fracai@piraino Thanks. But „playing cards“ iPhone is not loading and in the preview was a wallpaper of clouds on the left and a spaceship with the Apollo figured inside on the right. That is still missing but was my main reason for buying the wallpapers. Could you please add that?
Redesign the way Apollo calls the backend to minimize API calls.
This could include periodically caching material on your own server, then having the app call your server first.
For example, /r/all can be cached every minute or two. One server-to-server-call. All mobile calls go to your own server first.
Rinse-repeat until all expensive calls are cached.
A year from now, relaunch Apollo as Apollo2 with a subscription model that covers your expenses.
Profit!
Let the Mod/Admin battles play out on their own. Reddit will have to repair those relationships on their own.
Plan B could be to switch over to a federated backend, but if you build this server caching model, a lot of the change could be to your own backend while keeping the mobile app the same. This way, you're less dependent on Reddit's whims while letting users choose their back-end service.
Didn't get "decline refund" option but I had paid for Ultra/Super lifetime on release so it wasn't technically a subscription. If there's something I need to do to decline, please do tell.
I guess some kinda “dear TestFlight user, thanks for testing, please keep in mind this app is shutting down. If you’re a subscriber, switch to the App Store version, …” text.
@christianselig I've declined the refund and kicked some extra money over for the wallpapers. Thanks for creating one of the best apps I've ever used. Apollo will be sorely missed.
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