Post by: chris122380 on June 21, 2023, 08:56:50 pm
Post by: arf8 on June 21, 2023, 09:55:00 pm
This seems a little short sighted to remove these basic capatwhich were there from the onset.
Hoping Martin and the team with allow pro users to keep these basic features and then others if anyone wants those pay premium. Otherwise like you I will be leaving AM if I can't maintain simple functions like these above
Post by: phred on June 21, 2023, 11:41:37 pm
Those of us who purchased the Pro license as a "one-time purchase" should be grandfathered in the the new options/features. We SHOULD NOT have features removed. Granted the one-time purchase was when Kostya was the developer, but this really seems like a money-grab by Mobi in an attempt to make up for whatever they paid Kostya.
I guess it's time to look at FairEmail once again. I didn't like it the first two times I tried it. Seemed to be a bear to set up, especially since I have twelve accounts.
Has anyone used K9 recently? How does it compare with AM. Or with FairEmail? Didn't Micro$oft purchase it a year or so ago?
Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 12:00:35 am
I use K9 it works well, Gmail is not bad either. AM for now unless they remove the basics I use.
Curious to see what Martin responds with at least for these two basic features.
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 12:08:31 am
I'd hate to lose features. But what's always kept me with AM are the customization features, especially the endless Display possibilities. But I suppose I could live without those if need be. I do have FairEmail installed and like it functionally, but I can't make it look as "pretty". I also have Edison Mail, Outlook and GMail itself... So I'll live.
But I would still hope that AM would honor the original Pro purchases for the old timers and grandfather them in.
P. S. I don't even know the price of the new subscription plan.
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Post by: Wissertje on June 22, 2023, 12:14:10 am
Just got notified that my pro license I purchased will no longer be usable and will need to upgrade to a subscription based plan. I originally purchased aqua mail because it wasn't a subscription based app. It would have been nicer if they would have grandfathered in there original pro member rather then forcing us to pay to stay. Their are already to many subscription services out there. With this app being buggy, not getting the expected updates, and support ignoring the forum (ignoring it's users) it is not worth the high subscription price. This is the last straw for me. I was hoping to see improvement but it's not worth the subscription price and I have already paid for (and am using) the pro version of Fairemail.I'm really pissed but i was already counting on it. If you see the pricing of other products from them it was expecting. I hope with this step they go bankrupt. Rake in money quickly. Those prices they mention are no longer normal prices, are they? they'll never see me again, anyway.
Thanks for pointing me to FairEmail. Developer is also dutch so i also have support this guy whit a fair price.
@mkgtu first year it was 9,95 and after that 29,99 a year. And if i'm correct is was € for me.
Here is screenshot:
Post by: phred on June 22, 2023, 12:35:04 am
I use K9 it works well, Gmail is not bad either. AM for now unless they remove the basics I use.I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 12:39:01 am
But it looks like we'd keep the "Pro" features and pay for the "premium" ones. Of those there are none I couldn't live without. I only occasionally use the "save as eml" and "copy to folder" from the premium list. The rest I've never used anyway.
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Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 12:43:52 am
I use K9 it works well, Gmail is not bad either. AM for now unless they remove the basics I use.I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?
Believe that is correct, it has been a while since I installed it from scratch. Once it set it up it just works, Fairemail is just as good.
If I can't move emails between folders or retain the notification for a second email I'm moving on myself.
Post by: phred on June 22, 2023, 12:48:31 am
But it looks like we'd keep the "Pro" features and pay for the "premium" ones. Of those there are none I couldn't live without. I only occasionally use the "save as eml" and "copy to folder" from the premium list. The rest I've never used anyway.I -never- allow the Play Store to auto-update apps. I just went to my account to see what apps needed updating and AM wasn't on the list, so I updated all. And now AM is at 1.45. <sigh> When you tap the 3 dot menu the first item on the list is "Upgrade to Premium." As long as you don't tap it, you'll stay at Pro with no further cost.
But the good news is that like mkgtu, I don't need nor use any of the premium "features" so I'll stick with AM for a while longer, but will take a long look at K9 first, and then FairEmail. Just in case Mobi starts playing more tricks.
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 12:48:44 am
I've also tried K9. Works OK but pretty basic, not like it used to be many years ago when it was my regular client. Fair EMail seems much more customizable.I use K9 it works well, Gmail is not bad either. AM for now unless they remove the basics I use.I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?
I've also tried Spark. It's pretty good, but also has that free vs premium model. The premium is $60 USD annually. Double the AM premium.
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Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 12:55:41 am
I get it is a business and they have to make money but offering new features and making those a premium is the right way to monetize. Not retroactively going back and taking basic features and lumping them into the premium model. It is a sure way to piss off your base customers and in this business with other open source options the reputation is not worth the risk.
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 01:02:45 am
But it looks like we'd keep the "Pro" features and pay for the "premium" ones. Of those there are none I couldn't live without. I only occasionally use the "save as eml" and "copy to folder" from the premium list. The rest I've never used anyway.I -never- allow the Play Store to auto-update apps. I just went to my account to see what apps needed updating and AM wasn't on the list..
Actually I let Google auto-update most apps but I have it turned off for a dozen or so, mostly apps that have had a history of putting out half-baked, bug infested updates. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) Aqua Mail is one of those for which I've always had the auto-update turned off.
I also checked and AM has the 1.45.0 update available on its own page in Google Play, but for some reason it doesn't show up on the list of updates if I do a general "check for updates". Google can be a little slow on the trigger sometimes.
I'll leave 1.45 on the store shelf
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Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 01:22:17 am
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 02:08:04 am
Thanks.
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Post by: Jeff on June 22, 2023, 02:52:07 am
Post by: chris122380 on June 22, 2023, 07:10:28 am
I use K9 it works well, Gmail is not bad either. AM for now unless they remove the basics I use.I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?
What do you mean by "import existing email accounts"?
I setup my Fairemail the way I like it and then export the settings so I have a backup if I need to reinstall Fairemail. I think Fairemail and it's many settings is closest to Aqua Mail then K-9. K9 is just way too basic and still lacks a lot of functionality.
What I like about Fairemail (no specific order):
1) quick response time from the developer
2) Can purchase through the Play Store but get the latest updates through GitHub
3) Export and import accounts and settings
4) Hide tracking pixels
5) Best documentation I've ever seen for any email app
6) Notification actions (Mark as read, delete, Spam, etc up to 3 actions can be selected).
7) I don't use this feature but I know it was having all kinds of issues in Aqua Mail but is available in Fairemail, Encryption/decryption supported (OpenPGP and S/MIME).
8) schedule email to be sent at a later date and time
9) confirm links before opening them (includes ability to select what browser to use)
10) virustotal integration (scan attachments for viruses)
11) ChatGPT integration (I have had recent issues with this but I think it's with the ChatGPT API and not with Fairemail)
12) LanguageTool integration for checking spelling and grammar
And many more settings and features
Post by: Novox on June 22, 2023, 10:05:57 am
Post by: rarrar on June 22, 2023, 11:54:55 am
Pro allows Unlimited Accounts - which I need as I have several mail boxes on my domain
BUT then says Pro does not support "Moving between Accounts"
This doesnt seem to add up , or am I misunderstanding the features ?
Post by: Justin on June 22, 2023, 12:13:39 pm
And nobody understands "Moving between Accounts"
Post by: sashlets on June 22, 2023, 02:02:59 pm
Now I'm being told that the pro features will be disabled and I need to upgrade to premium with a subscription.
I don't understand why I have to do this.
I'm not set up to pay for a subscription, I will look for other programs
p.s.
disable auto-update in google play
Post by: phred on June 22, 2023, 02:37:34 pm
I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?What do you mean by "import existing email accounts"?
[/quote]
I haven't tried K9 yet, but I tried FairEmail a couple of times over the past year or so. Having twelve email accounts seemed to take a lot of time to set up with FairEmail. I'm asking if there is a way to import all the account settings into FairEmail or K9. The POP/SMTP servers/ports, user name and (perhaps) password, etc.
Post by: chris122380 on June 22, 2023, 02:50:58 pm
I haven't tried K9 yet, but I tried FairEmail a couple of times over the past year or so. Having twelve email accounts seemed to take a lot of time to set up with FairEmail. I'm asking if there is a way to import all the account settings into FairEmail or K9. The POP/SMTP servers/ports, user name and (perhaps) password, etc.I haven't downloaded K9 yet, but I assume it, like FairEmail, can't import existing email accounts, correct?What do you mean by "import existing email accounts"?
[/quote]
I don't think there's a way to do this with any Android email app. I usually get it set up once with all my accounts and then make a backup so I don't ever have to set them up again (now if I have to re-enter a password because of a changed password or an account change I'll create a new backup after that)
Post by: phred on June 22, 2023, 03:03:00 pm
I don't think there's a way to do this with any Android email app.Nor do I after doing a lot of reading on the two email apps that we're discussing.
Quote
I usually get it set up once with all my accounts and then make a backup so I don't ever have to set them up again (now if I have to re-enter a password because of a changed password or an account change I'll create a new backup after that)Exactly what I do with AM.
Post by: Michael Maslarov, Aqua Mail on June 22, 2023, 08:00:40 pm
I'll try to explain as simply as possible and please feel free to let me know if there are any unclear points and I or Martin will respond.
The Unlocker app activates a license that includes these features:
● Push mail for Exchange (corporate email) in the Pro version
● Add multiple accounts
● Supports per-account identities (aliases)
● Removes the promo signature linking to this site to all outgoing messages
● Ad-free
As it is described in the description of the Unlocker in the Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail.UnlockerMarket&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1
The other thing is that the Unlocker licenses will not stop working from the end of September. We have further described this in the help center here:
https://aquamail.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/77000547624
Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 08:48:39 pm
I'll try to explain as simply as possible and please feel free to let me know if there are any unclear points and I or Martin will respond.
You and Martin still have not answered my simple question and everyone else's concern above about existing features.
Past Sept with the Pro account many of us have.
Will we be able to move emails between folders?
Will Priority notifications work?
Can we retain multiple email accounts?
If these features will be removed you can imagine how poor of a business decision this is for you.
Post by: rarrar on June 22, 2023, 09:54:34 pm
There does seem a general move away from everything being "Free" on the internet , indirectly funded by Ads, donations and sometimes Business users.
Yes we paid for an unlocker to give us the Pro version, we could ask for a refund , AquaMail could argue that they have fullfilled their obligations by providing a working App on the version of Android we were using. I dont think the purchase included support for new versions of Android or even bug fixes ?
The reduced cost of the 1st year of the Premium version is a sort of half-way house to a refund.
I will reluctantly take out a subscription to Premium even though I dont use (or understand) a large number of the facilities seemingly aimed at Corporate email system like Exchange.
I know it works and provides me with a very reliable sort of Android version of Thunderbird to access the multiple mailboxes I have on my own personal domains.
Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 10:24:23 pm
You and Martin still have not answered my simple question and everyone else's concern above about existing features.
Past Sept with the Pro account many of us have.
Will we be able to move emails between folders?
Will Priority notifications work?
Can we retain multiple email accounts?
If these features will be removed you can imagine how poor of a business decision this is for you.
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 10:35:58 pm
I'll try to explain as simply as possible and please feel free to let me know if there are any unclear points.....
Explanation was simple but incomplete. It was clear that Pro Unlocker users will keep access ONLY to those "extra" features which were available when the Unlocker was last updated and described in the Google Play Store. Namely:
Push mail for Exchange (corporate email) in the Pro version
● Add multiple accounts
● Supports per-account identities (aliases)
● Removes the promo signature linking to this site to all outgoing messages
● Ad-free
So, we keep these few "perks", but in September will LOSE ACCESS to features that were added over the intervening (almost) four years and which are now included in the "Premium" subscription. Namely, WE LOSE these - and ONLY these features? And it is these features for which we would pay the $30 or so a year?:
- Manage Filters for Outlook
- Unsubscribe
- Priority Notifications
- End-to-end Encryption
- Open & Save EML files
- Copy Email to Folder
- Move msgs btwn folders
- Delete Folders
- Move emails btwn Accounts
- Back up Emails
In the Google Play description for the current app there is also a separate list of "advanced" features, just above the list of "premium" features. I assume all these "advanced" features must be included in the "free" version and are described as "advanced" only for advertising purposes? They are still available to all users (free, Pro, Premium)? Correct?
ADVANCED FEATURES
- Smart folder - unify & organize all messages from different accounts
• Contacts and Calendar Sync for Exchange and Office 365 - compatible with any Calendar app or widgets
• Home screen widgets - check priority emails at a glance
• Android Wear Smartwatch integration
• Save your emails as PDF (but not as .eml files)
• Unique Signature support - attach a different signature to each account (images, links, text formatting, HTML signature)
• Back up/restore settings on the device, via the cloud (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive), or a file
• Battery saving options
• Email notifications (but not Priority notifications)
I hope this makes clear what we keep as well as what we lose, for now anyway. I'd appreciate corrections or clarifications.
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Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 10:46:01 pm
Martin/Michael, I highly encourage you to reconsider where you snap the line in the sand with features and capabilities you want people to pay for in a premium service. Retroactively cherry picking features we have had for years will only upset your base. But do as you wish, there is not only options for other apps, but there is other options as well which is exactly what you are trying to prevent.
My review in play store reflects this move as is a number of others preceding mine.
Post by: sunking101 on June 22, 2023, 11:01:59 pm
I hate subscriptions. Absolutely hate them. It's why I don't use Microsoft products anymore and it's why I bought the 'lifetime' version of AquaMail. No way will I pay £29.99 a year for an email app! £9.99 a year? Maybe, seeing how I have been using AquaMail for years and hate change! Can admin please let me know regarding my query about swapping phones. Thanks.
Post by: mkgtu on June 22, 2023, 11:04:47 pm
Examples:
- The old Pro feature says "multiple" accounts, the Premium says "unlimited" accounts. Logically, not necessarily the same thing! Clarification?
- in Google Play Store, references to "trial" of "Pro" version when "Premium" must be meant, since there is no longer a "Pro" version. Reminds me of the TuneIn app where I have the Pro version (one time purchase which eliminates some ads and adds a few things) but I also have a Premium annual subscription which eliminates some more kinds of ads and adds various other features like specialized sports and news feeds, plus premium podcasts and 100,00+ free audiobooks, some of them pretty good ones. Lots of extra content for $40 a year. I don't mind paying but I like to get some bang for the buck. The $30 annual payment for AM really only adds a bit of fizzle, not much bang for too many bucks!
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Post by: Jeff on June 22, 2023, 11:36:51 pm
I'm already preparing for the inevitable, and I too just purchased FairEmail Pro. While not quite (to me) as polished as AM, it's very good, and considering what's going on here, it'll probably be my replacement. It's a real shame, I do love AM, but I am not loving this decision, and I'm loving even less the apparent lack of honest answers.
The management team is going to lose users in droves over this.
Post by: arf8 on June 22, 2023, 11:42:44 pm
They can save themselves a lot of headache by doing the right thing.
Post by: Wissertje on June 23, 2023, 12:51:29 am
Talking about loyal customers. Yeah right.
Post by: chris122380 on June 23, 2023, 01:07:23 am
Post by: cattleya on June 23, 2023, 01:48:13 am
I have not even been here for 3 months when I purchased unlocker app. I would like a refund :'(
Post by: Sir Psycho on June 23, 2023, 02:11:33 am
I've coosed FairEmail after trying different apps. It's excellent! And also I'm an old user of Netguard, it's from the same developer and excellent too!
I'll miss you Aquamail.. Welcome FairEmail!!
Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 03:58:11 am
For new users or old ones that can't get the Unlocker, I think they're going to be stuck having to pay for premium. It seems the "free" version of AquaMail will be missing some basic features (like multiple accounts) that other apps offer on their free versions. That may drive away new customers and some old ones as well.
For owners of the old Pro Unlocker, we'll still keep some of the premium features. And the rest I doubt I'll miss - and if I do need them I'll start paying for them. What's one more item on the credit card?
But I do think that most of what's in the premium package really isn't very "premium" compared to other apps. Most of the AM premium is "basic" in other apps. What is so "premium" about copying an email to another folder? Really?
It looks like they needed more money (who doesn't?) so they created an empty premium level and started making stuff up to put in there. Hopefully one day they'll use the money to develop some really cool stuff to add to premium.
But right now, AquaMail doesn't really have a viable "free" level at all - except for some old ProUnlocker users who will still get "multiple accounts" and no ads.
Frankly some other apps that include most of AM's premium stuff for free, don't offer much in their own premium versions - and they charge double for it.
Spark, though, has some really spiffy stuff in their premium, but it'll cost you $100 a year. In addition to AI they can look up the phone numbers of all the senders in your spam folders and add them to your phone's block list. They're in a different league and I don't know if I'd be interested in things like that, but that's the kind of above-and-beyond, cutting edge thing that I'd expect in a premium package. Not the commonplace things AM now wants to charge for (even granting they're the cheapest I've seen).
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Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 04:18:09 am
Then I switch to AM, and Voila! I'm home!
I also use an SMS app, Handcent Next SMS, that I can also make very colorful and unique. I also recommend Chomp SMS, which is almost a clone of Handcent (or vice-versa). I keep it as a backup and can make both apps look identical - non-textish. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230623/3eb12c4cb4ebf9ba0c4ddaffe721baaf.jpg)
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Post by: Jeff on June 23, 2023, 04:26:49 am
That all said, looking through AM's services (some of which I disable), it was not much of a surprise to me to read this:
https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/search/org.kman.AquaMail/
FairEmail, being open source and completely ad free, regardless of paying the insignificant cost for the pro features, is clean and secure. I no longer feel that way about AM. Oh AquaMail how I love thy interface, but as it's said "you can put lipstick on a pig"... and sadly, that's what it appears AM is becoming.
Post by: ABOSWORTH on June 23, 2023, 04:56:56 am
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Post by: T2 on June 23, 2023, 09:32:03 am
I've been using Pro for almost 10 years too, so discarding the pro users to go subscription doesn't feel very nice and definitely not a very user friendly move.
I really like (probably my favorite) AM's UI and how it feels and like some others are saying, one of the reasons I settled on AM is because it was a one time payment and not a subscription since I'm not a big subscription fan.
That said, I'll probably continue to use AM for the time being until I find a suitable alternative.
"You can still enjoy the Pro features but we can't promise you anything about how long that'll last" isn't very reassuring...
(I'll probably fiddle around with FairEmail and K-9 for now because that's about the only e-mail apps I know of...
but I guess I can always just use the Gmail / Outlook)
Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 09:50:45 am
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Post by: MickJ on June 23, 2023, 10:41:46 am
But the way this latest change has come about and how it was notified to its pro users with a very badly worded notification after an update, about the move to a subscription based app, is just appalling.
Can AquaMail afford to alienate its long term supporters
AquaMail, why not offer your loyal Pro users a one payment life time fee of 29.99 for the latest evolution, rather than subscription.
The subscription can apply to all new users.
As it stands, If I am going to pay a subscription, I like many others will try out other apps to find one best suited to my needs and so far like many have found Fairemail looks like it will be my next home for email on my mobile.
Post by: Iceman_jkh on June 23, 2023, 12:02:29 pm
My Google Play Review warned of this when the app was initially bought out. Now it will be updated to highlight this bullshit act by the company.
I'll also ensure that everyone I know moves away from AM (including those who were on any subscriptions).
F*ck you greedy c*nts.
You could have just kept things going for all those who supported you with lifetime licences at the start, and charged your new customers.
The recommended replacement is FairEmail. One time purchase. I haven't checked it myself yet, but anything is better than supporting this greedy, unethical bullshit.
Post by: sunking101 on June 23, 2023, 12:07:24 pm
I have been using AquaMail Pro since March 2016, and appreciate times change, priorities move on and apps develop to keep pace with demand.
But the way this latest change has come about and how it was notified to its pro users with a very badly worded notification after an update, about the move to a subscription based app, is just appalling.
Can AquaMail afford to alienate its long term supporters
AquaMail, why not offer your loyal Pro users a one payment life time fee of 29.99 for the latest evolution, rather than subscription.
The subscription can apply to all new users.
As it stands, If I am going to pay a subscription, I like many others will try out other apps to find one best suited to my needs and so far like many have found Fairemail looks like it will be my next home for email on my mobile.
We would pay the £29.99 and then a year or two later Aquamail would pull the stunt they're pulling now. We've already paid for this app. Why do they not keep the subscription service for new users only? How many of the old guard do they seriously expect to keep after ripping us off like this?
Post by: sashlets on June 23, 2023, 12:09:49 pm
when I buy a new phone instead of my old android8 phone, will I no longer be able to use the pro version? Do I need to buy a subscription? But why? I already paid once.
Well, if you chose this path, give us back our money.
Post by: sunking101 on June 23, 2023, 02:23:20 pm
Quite who would pay £29.99 a year for an email app is beyond me. Aquamail may be good but it's not THAT good. I would sooner go back to the Samsung Mail app than spend more than £10 in a one-off fee. I don't do subscriptions for apps.
Post by: Jeff on June 23, 2023, 03:07:03 pm
Post by: Martin Kostov - Aqua Mail Support on June 23, 2023, 06:59:50 pm
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
Post by: pjproby on June 23, 2023, 07:29:30 pm
Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
Post by: Martin Kostov - Aqua Mail Support on June 23, 2023, 08:31:11 pm
Martin, please be more clear. Are you no longer removing features from Pro? Will Pro continue to be supported? If the answer to either of these is no then nothing has changed.Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
No features will be removed regarding our PRO users!
Post by: arf8 on June 23, 2023, 08:38:42 pm
Need clarification, the link you provided states there will be options for Pro users. It doesn't state Pro users will get the premium features.
Can you confirm here and now. That current Pro users will have all the premium features we currently use now?
Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 09:19:30 pm
This is my interpretation. Martin, correct me if I'm wrong.
My interpretation of "will not lose features you already use" is that current Pro users would keep access to all the basic/free stuff PLUS the CURRENT PREMIUM features that we obviously "already use". BUT we would NOT have access to any NEW PREMIUM features that might added IN THE FUTURE. Access to new, as yet not developed, premium features would likely require a Premium subscription. And I'm sure there will be new premium features because AquaMail currently lags behind some other top rated (paid) apps, especially in multiple AI based features. It will need to continue to develop (not just fix bugs) or risk becoming obsolete somewhere down the road, and those future development costs will understandably needed to be covered.
That is my interpretation based on the language used in the post. I can't see any other possible interpretation.
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Post by: chris122380 on June 23, 2023, 09:23:49 pm
Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
This really doesn't change the features will get though. We basically paid for a service to go stale.
Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 09:31:34 pm
Martin, please be more clear. Are you no longer removing features from Pro? Will Pro continue to be supported? If the answer to either of these is no then nothing has changed.Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
No features will be removed regarding our PRO users!
Martin's statement, "No features will be removed regarding our Pro users!", seems to confirm my interpretation above, basically that Pro Users keep everything we now have (including current so-called "premium" features) but "might" be excluded from new premium features added in the future. That future for Pro users was not addressed; we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
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Post by: chris122380 on June 23, 2023, 09:36:18 pm
Martin, please be more clear. Are you no longer removing features from Pro? Will Pro continue to be supported? If the answer to either of these is no then nothing has changed.Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
No features will be removed regarding our PRO users!
Martin's statement, "No features will be removed regarding our Pro users!", seems to confirm my interpretation above, basically that Pro Users keep everything we now have (including current so-called "premium" features) but "might" be excluded from new premium features added in the future. That future for Pro users was not addressed; we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
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They already destroyed the bridge so we're already there.
I made this original post because I didn't see any others and I figured I wasn't going to be the only one upset over this issue. I like to thank all those who have posted comments as well as those who've gone and given their complaints on a rating in the Google Play Store.
I have once been burned by this before when Newton went to a subscription email service. I figured I wasn't the only one who was surprised by it so I figured I should have alerted you all.
Post by: chris122380 on June 23, 2023, 09:42:03 pm
Post by: mkgtu on June 23, 2023, 09:52:12 pm
We paid for what we got, and as long as it is maintained, bugs fixed, etc. It's a good product. But the field is changing, new things get created. And the next level of tech may cost more.Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
This really doesn't change the features will get though. We basically paid for a service to go stale.
Do you think FairEmail will stay the same, or not someday go the way of AquaMail? I've tried it and it has many impressive features, but frankly I find it clunky and awkward to use, and of all the many email apps I have it is the absolute slowest at loading message content when I open an email. So it needs work and maybe a design refresh and that will cost money. Maybe that's why it hasn't been done.
Further, if FairEmail is so good, someday some big company is going to buy it, just like Mozilla bought K-9, and things will change. Over the years the developer of FairEmail has quit or threatened to quit supporting the app several times. Who's to say one day he won't just throw in the towel?
So, will AM become "stale" for Pro users one day if they can't get access to new bells and whistles? Possibly. I have several old "legacy" apps that haven't been supported or updated for years, but what they do they still do well. They're "keepers". AquaMail (Pro) even without any new features, AI, etc could well become one of those for me. Not stale bread, but a fine old wine!
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Post by: arf8 on June 23, 2023, 09:55:47 pm
There is a business cost and I rather they develop and fix based on your license type. Rarely will open source remain until someone buys them and makes it worse.
Post by: chris122380 on June 23, 2023, 11:00:42 pm
We paid for what we got, and as long as it is maintained, bugs fixed, etc. It's a good product. But the field is changing, new things get created. And the next level of tech may cost more.Dear Aqua Mail users,
We have heard your feedback!
Refer to this post, please.
https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8803.0
This really doesn't change the features will get though. We basically paid for a service to go stale.
Do you think FairEmail will stay the same, or not someday go the way of AquaMail? I've tried it and it has many impressive features, but frankly I find it clunky and awkward to use, and of all the many email apps I have it is the absolute slowest at loading message content when I open an email. So it needs work and maybe a design refresh and that will cost money. Maybe that's why it hasn't been done.
Further, if FairEmail is so good, someday some big company is going to buy it, just like Mozilla bought K-9, and things will change. Over the years the developer of FairEmail has quit or threatened to quit supporting the app several times. Who's to say one day he won't just throw in the towel?
So, will AM become "stale" for Pro users one day if they can't get access to new bells and whistles? Possibly. I have several old "legacy" apps that haven't been supported or updated for years, but what they do they still do well. They're "keepers". AquaMail (Pro) even without any new features, AI, etc could well become one of those for me. Not stale bread, but a fine old wine!
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Businesses have to realize that not everyone can afford to continue paying subscription services. They keep trying to turn everything into a subscription service and we don't make enough to be able to do that long term. Subscription music, movies (it's bad enough you have to pay a subscription service for almost every major film studio), etc and you even have car companies trying to charge you a subscription on top of your basic car It is outrageous.
Post by: arf8 on June 23, 2023, 11:03:53 pm
Post by: eheartshine on June 23, 2023, 11:05:55 pm
Post by: arf8 on June 23, 2023, 11:22:26 pm
Post by: mkgtu on June 24, 2023, 01:22:51 am
A little history. It's possibly a little disingenuous for AM to have pointed to the "pro" features (very few!) that were described in the Google Play app description for the "Pro Unlocker" we all purchased. That was October 2019 and the Pro Unlocker app, along with its description, hasn't been updated in almost FOUR YEARS. There were a fair number of features added to the main AquaMail app since then and all Pro users had access to them as they came along even though the Unlocker description had not been updated to account for the new features.
Furthermore, it isn't really clear whether all of those new features were Pro-only or were just additions to the basic version of the app. And some of them are not earthshakingly "premium" in nature and most are part of a lot of other apps basic/free packages.
Then somewhere along the way someone decided to switch from the one-time purchase Pro model to a subscription model and, for whatever reason, decided to call it "premium" instead of "pro". Perhaps that was to avoid confusion, but the result, as we can see here, is quite the opposite: chaos and muddy water!
The choice to create a "premium" model instead of just keeping the "pro" designation and grandfathering in the old members probably made it necessary to now enumerate what was included in the "premium" vs the "basic/free" plan, with the old "Pro" version left in no-man's-land. I think for any app the decision about which features are free and which need to be paid for is pretty arbitrary. Some of AM's now-premium features could just as easily be free ones, there's nothing intrinsically "premium-ish" about any them, and at the time they were added it wasn't clear, if you were a Pro user what they were, free or Pro. They were just new and you could access them.
If there were to be changes to what Pro users could or could not access when the new "premium" plan was invented, then that should have been clarified at the time of Premium's birth.
As it stands now I'm happy to just keep what I've got and will wait to see what "new" things will be added later before I decide whether to subcribe. But I will say this: new features that will be Premium-only had better have that WOW factor. Simple new additions or improvements should just be part of the basic app.
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Post by: eheartshine on June 24, 2023, 01:04:24 pm
what version you have does not matter, you can upgrade to the latest and still enjoy everything for now. Read the prior posts. If you enjoy AM and want the newest features you will have to pay. I'm more concerned with making sure we get all the premium features right now as of today in our Pro license and not lose current features we enjoy.
The features table available in this post (https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8801.msg47456#msg47456) states otherwise. Martin has not clarified what will be happening to the bottom features that are unchecked. If they're not removing anything, then why bother unchecking anything at all?
Post by: Anupe on June 24, 2023, 04:42:50 pm
Any alternative email apps I could look at?
I am a Pro user and I do not want to consider a yearly subscription.
Post by: arf8 on June 24, 2023, 05:56:10 pm
what version you have does not matter, you can upgrade to the latest and still enjoy everything for now. Read the prior posts. If you enjoy AM and want the newest features you will have to pay. I'm more concerned with making sure we get all the premium features right now as of today in our Pro license and not lose current features we enjoy.
The features table available in this post (https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=8801.msg47456#msg47456) states otherwise. Martin has not clarified what will be happening to the bottom features that are unchecked. If they're not removing anything, then why bother unchecking anything at all?
Like I said it doesn't matter what version you use. In the future any feature could be disabled via license check. The newest version has the same features as the last version.
Post by: arf8 on June 24, 2023, 05:59:26 pm
Post by: chris122380 on June 24, 2023, 06:43:06 pm
Latest version for now
It has changed about 3 times in the last few days. Makes me wonder if the unsubscribe feature might be part of something they have to subscribe to (or a AM server side implementation). I never use the unsubscribe features as I'd rather click unsubscribe over an automated system I can't tell or know exactly what it's doing. Plus many of those services make me wonder if they're spying on our inbox and making more money by selling our metadata. This is one reason why I am highly suspicious of email subscription services. Paying for a product who is already collecting and selling your data to make even more money off of ya (not to say that my email provider isn't already doing it).
Post by: arf8 on June 24, 2023, 06:45:35 pm
It was a long discussion about the firebase analytics and some of the other trackers AM uses there are ways to turn that off as well outside of the app
Post by: JerryF on June 26, 2023, 12:58:07 am
Who would pay for a subscription-based android app? The new(ish) owners of AM have joined the bandwagon of large companies with software. It's a shame.
As a user who tries out a free app and ends up using it, I purchase the paid (Pro) version which I did with AM. If an app doesn't have paid version, I make a one-time donation to the maker. Now it's like extortion to to get me to move to the "premium" version. Not cool.
Post by: Boothy on June 26, 2023, 01:10:25 am
I downloaded FaireMail this afternoon and spent time setting it up to look pretty much how I've had AM looking & responding. My finger is currently on hold over the "pay" button ... but it's definitely ready to go ahead and click if we're to be pushed to it.
Post by: JerryF on June 26, 2023, 02:45:18 pm
Post by: phred on June 26, 2023, 02:52:57 pm
Post by: Wissertje on June 26, 2023, 05:10:50 pm
Post by: H2Om on June 26, 2023, 05:30:23 pm
Dear valued users,I don't feel like a valued user, but like a scammed user.
First of all mentioning piracy is misleading. Sure it happens but has absolutely nothing to do with introducing premium.
The deal was that when buying pro you'll get lifetime updates.
Now that's changed into "lifetime bugfixes" or something like that.
But that wasn't the original contract. The original contract was and still is "Get every update, upgrade, etc"
SCAM
Post by: H2Om on June 26, 2023, 06:01:18 pm
Thanks for the clarification, Martin. This certainly seems like the right thing to do - keeping existing PRO users licensed without requiring any payment and without losing any features.And WITHOUT any updates as was part of the contract when you bought a pro version.
The only right thing to do is migrate pro users to Premium with a lifetime $0/year.
AND obviously remove the abandon ware from the PlayStore. Still selling pro, to users who will get zero updates.
Post by: Pete6 on June 26, 2023, 11:32:37 pm
No, no , NO.
Post by: qwerty1q on June 27, 2023, 01:44:03 am
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Post by: phred on June 27, 2023, 05:24:22 am
Post by: chris122380 on June 27, 2023, 06:33:43 am
It appears that Martin's post from today (June 26) has been deleted from both "subscription" threads. Does anyone have a screenshot of it? If so, please post it. It would be nice to have so we can hold Mobi/Martin to what was stated in that post.
I wonder why they deleted it. Still trying to figure out what they are doing because of all the complaints
Post by: karmantyu on June 27, 2023, 10:39:22 am
Developer has multiple choices to change the rules we agreed on:
1. Leave the application development and end Aquamail business (eg. later can start a new application with other name)
2. Rename the PRO package and keep the same feature set and priviliges for PRO users as we agreed on (eg. if the new app name is Aquamail Premium then this app should provide the agreed updates and upgrades for free in the future for us)
Post by: Justin on June 27, 2023, 10:44:01 am
It appears that Martin's post from today (June 26) has been deleted from both "subscription" threads. Does anyone have a screenshot of it? If so, please post it. It would be nice to have so we can hold Mobi/Martin to what was stated in that post.
There is still the article in help/freshdesk:
https://aquamail.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/77000547624-important-announcement-concerning-the-aqua-mail-unlocker-pro-users
Post by: Martin Kostov - Aqua Mail Support on June 27, 2023, 11:52:42 am
We would like to extend our sincerest apologies and provide some clarification regarding recent developments.
Starting from September 30th, we will no longer update the "Pro Unlocker" as part of our proactive measures against piracy. The Pro Unlocker was being sold as a separate APK and is an old method for purchasing in Google Play from the time when in-app purchases were still not popular. Currently, there are 2 existing Apps - Aqua Mail and Aqua Mail Pro Unlocker. We aim to drop out the Pro Unlocker App, so we can only maintain the Aqua Mail App. Therefore you will be reissued a Pro license in the Aqua Mail App. So this will make the UX even better for our Pro users and they won't need to download and use two APKs.
We will be introducing a migration to which users with the Unlocker, including the "PAYPRO" license and those using codes, will be migrated.
Migrated "PRO" users (This will not be a subscription plan) will retain access to the features they used in Aqua Mail. They will receive regular updates including compatibility and security improvements, except for newly introduced features like "Unsubscribe" and others that will be exclusive to "Premium". It's important to note that subscribing to the "Premium" is not mandatory for "PRO" users, it's only optional.
We are striving to make the transition as smooth and convenient as possible for everyone. Further instructions will be provided to guide you through this process.
We truly appreciate your feedback and support.
Regards,
The Aqua Mail Team
Post by: chris122380 on June 27, 2023, 03:53:23 pm
Hi everyone,
We would like to extend our sincerest apologies and provide some clarification regarding recent developments.
Starting from September 30th, we will no longer update the "Pro Unlocker" as part of our proactive measures against piracy. The Pro Unlocker was being sold as a separate APK and is an old method for purchasing in Google Play from the time when in-app purchases were still not popular. Currently, there are 2 existing Apps - Aqua Mail and Aqua Mail Pro Unlocker. We aim to drop out the Pro Unlocker App, so we can only maintain the Aqua Mail App. Therefore you will be reissued a Pro license in the Aqua Mail App. So this will make the UX even better for our Pro users and they won't need to download and use two APKs.
We will be introducing a migration to which users with the Unlocker, including the "PAYPRO" license and those using codes, will be migrated.
Migrated "PRO" users (This will not be a subscription plan) will retain access to the features they used in Aqua Mail. They will receive regular updates including compatibility and security improvements, except for newly introduced features like "Unsubscribe" and others that will be exclusive to "Premium". It's important to note that subscribing to the "Premium" is not mandatory for "PRO" users, it's only optional.
We are striving to make the transition as smooth and convenient as possible for everyone. Further instructions will be provided to guide you through this process.
We truly appreciate your feedback and support.
Regards,
The Aqua Mail Team
Why premium features at all? Why not premium for new users and just update Pro users to lifetime premium? Will some new features be available to both Pro and premium users or will all new features be premium only?
Post by: Wissertje on June 28, 2023, 02:09:18 am
We aim to drop out the Pro Unlocker App, so we can only maintain the Aqua Mail App.What nonsense that you maintain 2 apps. The Pro Unlocker app has not been updated since 2019.
I think this change is nothing more than raking ordinary money. And was actually waiting for this step of you. If you also look at the prices of your other apps, I really wonder which planet you are on? I am quite willing to pay a fair price, but not the prices that you ask. Although it is ridiculous because I paid years ago. I don't believe any word you type. You could have removed the Pro Unlocker app from the store and be able to build it in in the mail app itself, or just like many other app do, add a license check for preventing piracy. I even find it shocking that this Pro Unlocker app can still be purchased in the Playstore.
What it comes down to is that I have paid for pro lifetime, but don't get new functions.
The reactions you give are the same for days and they are no more than panic reactions and sweet holders. I still have aquamail on my phone, even though I don't use it right now, but get rid of that notification at the top.
And very much hope that this step you have made will work against you. After this step, Aquamail is no longer a company that can be trusted.
Post by: chris122380 on June 28, 2023, 03:33:11 am
Post by: RavenSoft on June 28, 2023, 04:09:00 am
Hi everyone,
We would like to extend our sincerest apologies and provide some clarification regarding recent developments.
Starting from September 30th, we will no longer update the "Pro Unlocker" as part of our proactive measures against piracy. The Pro Unlocker was being sold as a separate APK and is an old method for purchasing in Google Play from the time when in-app purchases were still not popular. Currently, there are 2 existing Apps - Aqua Mail and Aqua Mail Pro Unlocker. We aim to drop out the Pro Unlocker App, so we can only maintain the Aqua Mail App. Therefore you will be reissued a Pro license in the Aqua Mail App. So this will make the UX even better for our Pro users and they won't need to download and use two APKs.
We will be introducing a migration to which users with the Unlocker, including the "PAYPRO" license and those using codes, will be migrated.
Migrated "PRO" users (This will not be a subscription plan) will retain access to the features they used in Aqua Mail. They will receive regular updates including compatibility and security improvements, except for newly introduced features like "Unsubscribe" and others that will be exclusive to "Premium". It's important to note that subscribing to the "Premium" is not mandatory for "PRO" users, it's only optional.
We are striving to make the transition as smooth and convenient as possible for everyone. Further instructions will be provided to guide you through this process.
We truly appreciate your feedback and support.
Regards,
The Aqua Mail Team
What about Google family library users? Are they suddenly going to be screwed out of the so that has been shared with them for years? Because subscriptions can't be shared if I'm not mistaken.
Post by: chris122380 on June 28, 2023, 06:15:42 am
Hi everyone,
We would like to extend our sincerest apologies and provide some clarification regarding recent developments.
Starting from September 30th, we will no longer update the "Pro Unlocker" as part of our proactive measures against piracy. The Pro Unlocker was being sold as a separate APK and is an old method for purchasing in Google Play from the time when in-app purchases were still not popular. Currently, there are 2 existing Apps - Aqua Mail and Aqua Mail Pro Unlocker. We aim to drop out the Pro Unlocker App, so we can only maintain the Aqua Mail App. Therefore you will be reissued a Pro license in the Aqua Mail App. So this will make the UX even better for our Pro users and they won't need to download and use two APKs.
We will be introducing a migration to which users with the Unlocker, including the "PAYPRO" license and those using codes, will be migrated.
Migrated "PRO" users (This will not be a subscription plan) will retain access to the features they used in Aqua Mail. They will receive regular updates including compatibility and security improvements, except for newly introduced features like "Unsubscribe" and others that will be exclusive to "Premium". It's important to note that subscribing to the "Premium" is not mandatory for "PRO" users, it's only optional.
We are striving to make the transition as smooth and convenient as possible for everyone. Further instructions will be provided to guide you through this process.
We truly appreciate your feedback and support.
Regards,
The Aqua Mail Team
What about Google family library users? Are they suddenly going to be screwed out of the so that has been shared with them for years? Because subscriptions can't be shared if I'm not mistaken.
I hadn't thought about the Family library users, you make a good point. I originally enabled Family library to allow my kids to use a simple usable email app besides Gmail (I don't think they still use it but that's not the point). Why allow family library on the Pro app in the first place if the family can't use it anymore?
Post by: RavenSoft on July 07, 2023, 08:09:23 pm
Post by: alpine101 on July 08, 2023, 03:47:20 pm
Post by: mkgtu on July 08, 2023, 05:08:03 pm
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Post by: alpine101 on July 08, 2023, 05:18:59 pm
Post by: mkgtu on July 08, 2023, 06:38:50 pm
40mb just might be too large a file for AquaMail to shrink.
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Post by: alpine101 on July 08, 2023, 06:49:35 pm
Post by: b8drf on August 10, 2023, 10:31:00 am
I am therefore migrating away to an alternative.
I have always been a big fan of Thunderbird on various desktop platforms and now the Thunderbird team are migrating the old K-9 mail client code into Thunderbird for Android, I will be using that. Free, open source with no corporate greed involved!
Post by: nadir husain on August 10, 2023, 11:21:13 am
Post by: chris122380 on August 10, 2023, 04:21:57 pm
I can understand developers also have to feed themselves and paying a one time charge of USD 5( at least that is what I paid) when Kostya was developing this app as a hobby or part time income is not the same as developers being at it all the time. However they should not treat long time users the same as new users. Perhaps a nominal yearly or two yearly fee (perhaps $5) for the old pro users would have been fair. However they have decided otherwise. Good luck to them! I don't see Aqua lasting beyond a couple of years with newer better apps which either have a one time charge , are donation based or if they have subscription they have multi platform (with one subscription) and advanced features.
I agree with you but when Kostya was developing this app we were getting better communication and more frequent updates. Why all of a sudden when there should be a team of programmers is there less updates and less communication?
Post by: chris122380 on August 10, 2023, 04:25:24 pm
Having supported Aquamail via a full purchase many years ago, I find the way Pro users are being treated via the new subscription model totally unnacepptable.
I am therefore migrating away to an alternative.
I have always been a big fan of Thunderbird on various desktop platforms and now the Thunderbird team are migrating the old K-9 mail client code into Thunderbird for Android, I will be using that. Free, open source with no corporate greed involved!
I can't use K-9 Mail it still lacks a lot of features that were available in Aquamail and other basic Android email apps. However I am keeping an eye on it. I use Fairemail which is open source and not run by business either. I was upset that Thunderbird hadn't gone with using that email app since it had more of the features one would find in Thunderbird then what was in and what is currently in K-9 Mail. Fairemail also receives more frequent updates than Aquamail or K-9 Mail. So I'm sticking with Fairemail for now.
Post by: b8drf on August 10, 2023, 04:31:33 pm
Thanks. I will try Fairemail out.Having supported Aquamail via a full purchase many years ago, I find the way Pro users are being treated via the new subscription model totally unnacepptable.
I am therefore migrating away to an alternative.
I have always been a big fan of Thunderbird on various desktop platforms and now the Thunderbird team are migrating the old K-9 mail client code into Thunderbird for Android, I will be using that. Free, open source with no corporate greed involved!
I can't use K-9 Mail it still lacks a lot of features that were available in Aquamail and other basic Android email apps. However I am keeping an eye on it. I use Fairemail which is open source and not run by business either. I was upset that Thunderbird hadn't gone with using that email app since it had more of the features one would find in Thunderbird then what was in and what is currently in K-9 Mail. Fairemail also receives more frequent updates than Aquamail or K-9 Mail. So I'm sticking with Fairemail for now.
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