Personally I would be happy to pay for the new version. Also a bit more than what I payed for the current version.
For (semi)professional musicians, depending on MS, I guess they would allready have a backup solution in the form of a second tablet, while having automatic updates on both tablets off to insure maximum stability.
Updates can then be allowed to happen manually on tablet 1. Weeks later on tablet 2, and again weeks later on tablet 1. . . . . Thus again reducing the risc of problems - also problems caused by updates from other apps.
Without any change from Mike this same procedure should work in highly reducing riscs with MS V5 by manually installing version 5 on one of the tablets, and testing/waiting for stability while, if necessary being able to perform from the current MS version on the other tablet. MS v5 is only installed on the other tablet when confident that V5 is ok.
There is still a risc of course that the tablet containing the current version of MS would have a technical problem, in the period that V5 is being tested on the other tablet. but that will be a limited period only
If Mike were to decide to introduce an new paid version, it would not necessarily mean that current customers not buying it would be left in the cold.
(I have no Idea what is techically possible and possible on the app buying platforms so I am not taking that into account)
There a few scenario's possible (a couple described below), one might be that the new version is an "early adopter" version.
This would mean that a new MS EA (early adopter) is introduced together with it's free evaluation counterpart. MS V5 will then initially be published only in MS EA and it's evaluation version. Professionals worried about being able to fall back to the current version (and others) could then buy this MS EA and run it (V5) next to MS (normal) in the current release.
Once everything is stable, Mike could then release V5 also in the normal version of MS. At this stage MS normal and MS EA would be identical for a short period. New updates would after that again be published in the MS EA version only offering proffesional musicians continued MS stability wile Mike brings out updates.
By Playing with the delay (not only now but also in the future)between a stable MS EA and bringing it's functionality to the MS normal version, Mike can create a couple of scenario's.
- He never does it : Then there are two completely different versions of MS.
- He does it immediately after MS EA is stable. Then MS EA is realy an Early adopter version. This one is the best solution for the professional musician seeking version independibility
- He waits longer. In this way he can motivate more and more people (that want the new functionality) to buy the new version and thus generating more income (which I think he deserves).
- He only does this when an major update in coming. In this way he could be moving to a scenario where an older and a current version of MS are offered, which would - I think - only make sense if the selling price of MS EA is higher than that of MS. He could then follow on some other software vendors who offer older versions of their software at reduced price compared to the newest with full functionality.
So these are my reflections/thoughts on the current situation. I hope everything is understandable as english is not my native language.
Mike, you have my greatest respect accomplishing what you are currently doing, in the situation you are doing it (with your daytime job and all).
I had a look at the previews and it seems the new MS will be great, better than my highest expectations - and a more polished app than the current. Great job!
Cant' wait.
For (semi)professional musicians, depending on MS, I guess they would allready have a backup solution in the form of a second tablet, while having automatic updates on both tablets off to insure maximum stability.
Updates can then be allowed to happen manually on tablet 1. Weeks later on tablet 2, and again weeks later on tablet 1. . . . . Thus again reducing the risc of problems - also problems caused by updates from other apps.
Without any change from Mike this same procedure should work in highly reducing riscs with MS V5 by manually installing version 5 on one of the tablets, and testing/waiting for stability while, if necessary being able to perform from the current MS version on the other tablet. MS v5 is only installed on the other tablet when confident that V5 is ok.
There is still a risc of course that the tablet containing the current version of MS would have a technical problem, in the period that V5 is being tested on the other tablet. but that will be a limited period only
If Mike were to decide to introduce an new paid version, it would not necessarily mean that current customers not buying it would be left in the cold.
(I have no Idea what is techically possible and possible on the app buying platforms so I am not taking that into account)
There a few scenario's possible (a couple described below), one might be that the new version is an "early adopter" version.
This would mean that a new MS EA (early adopter) is introduced together with it's free evaluation counterpart. MS V5 will then initially be published only in MS EA and it's evaluation version. Professionals worried about being able to fall back to the current version (and others) could then buy this MS EA and run it (V5) next to MS (normal) in the current release.
Once everything is stable, Mike could then release V5 also in the normal version of MS. At this stage MS normal and MS EA would be identical for a short period. New updates would after that again be published in the MS EA version only offering proffesional musicians continued MS stability wile Mike brings out updates.
By Playing with the delay (not only now but also in the future)between a stable MS EA and bringing it's functionality to the MS normal version, Mike can create a couple of scenario's.
- He never does it : Then there are two completely different versions of MS.
- He does it immediately after MS EA is stable. Then MS EA is realy an Early adopter version. This one is the best solution for the professional musician seeking version independibility
- He waits longer. In this way he can motivate more and more people (that want the new functionality) to buy the new version and thus generating more income (which I think he deserves).
- He only does this when an major update in coming. In this way he could be moving to a scenario where an older and a current version of MS are offered, which would - I think - only make sense if the selling price of MS EA is higher than that of MS. He could then follow on some other software vendors who offer older versions of their software at reduced price compared to the newest with full functionality.
So these are my reflections/thoughts on the current situation. I hope everything is understandable as english is not my native language.
Mike, you have my greatest respect accomplishing what you are currently doing, in the situation you are doing it (with your daytime job and all).
I had a look at the previews and it seems the new MS will be great, better than my highest expectations - and a more polished app than the current. Great job!
Cant' wait.