Post by: paras.desai on October 02, 2018, 08:37:59 pm
I am aquamail Pro user.
When I tried to open an attachment, I was offered prominently to install office suit and in small letters below, written use alternative.
Now this is not fair for pro users. And if forced upon every time I Open the attachment, I will be the first person to ditch this other wise excellent application permanently.
Please remove the advertisement as early as posdible.
Thanks
Paras
Post by: Justin on October 03, 2018, 12:34:51 am
But I hope it just happened accidentally.
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on October 03, 2018, 01:02:29 am
This prompt will only show a limited number of times - and it's a very small number.
We do understand that if the user is not interested - he / she is not interested.
In case when there are *no* apps that are able to open a particular attachment type, the prompt will show a few times more (which I hope makes sense).
Post by: Justin on October 03, 2018, 01:11:06 am
Quote
Ad-free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail.UnlockerMarket&hl=en
Please remove the advertising.
Post by: sheep on October 03, 2018, 11:05:05 am
Quote
In case when there are *no* apps that are able to open a particular attachment type, the prompt will show a few times more (which I hope makes sense).
This is wrong. I have several apps installed e.g. for opening PDFs, just none from the MobiSystems family.
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on October 03, 2018, 12:51:04 pm
The prompt will show "a small number of times" in any case.
And a few times more (still a small number of times) if there are *no* apps that can open the particular attachment type.
Post by: mikeone on October 03, 2018, 02:34:43 pm
This is what you actually promise for the "AquaMail Pro Key:So, "Ad-free" doesn't mean Ad-free for the MobiSystems company?QuoteAd-free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail.UnlockerMarket&hl=en
Please remove the advertising.
That's not trustworthy.
Please remove the advertising, at least if the user has already installed apps, which are able to open a particular attachment type.
Ad-free means Ad-free means Ad-free...
[at least from to the user's point of view 8)]
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on October 05, 2018, 11:23:00 pm
Yes makes sense. We'll discuss it.
Post by: Justin on October 18, 2018, 11:09:31 am
In the largest german-speaking Android forum, there we give support for AquaMail.
Now it happens: Users are afraid to use and buy AquaMail because the Pro version will now also contain advertising:
https://www.android-hilfe.de/forum/e-mail.2242/emailapp-bei-der-man-direkt-im-banner-gelesen-auswaehlen-kann.891773.html#post-11248777
Please make clear that the Pro version will never contain ads.
Post by: Justin on October 18, 2018, 04:37:23 pm
"Well, I don't pay 10 € for possibly getting ads." (translated by DeepL)
I can understand him.
Post by: kowalski on October 18, 2018, 09:01:35 pm
Post by: mikeone on October 19, 2018, 12:52:42 am
Post by: Justin on October 20, 2018, 12:23:24 am
Post by: jcasares on October 20, 2018, 12:46:43 am
Should it be reported to Google for bad behaviour?
They are placing ads instead of a common open dialog from Android so "Interfering with Apps, Third-party Ads, or Device Functionality". That's totally prohibited by Google Play policy.
:-X
Post by: Justin on October 20, 2018, 01:02:40 am
Instead they spread their new version more and more.
Post by: nadir husain on October 20, 2018, 02:34:12 am
Post by: nadir husain on October 20, 2018, 09:18:07 am
Best wishes to you.
Post by: nadir husain on October 20, 2018, 10:11:28 am
Post by: Justin on October 20, 2018, 10:57:36 am
I don't know the exact reason of adding this link to their othet app - and I have no financial interest in Aquamail.
And additionally you don't know anything about the strategy of Mobisystems, which was planned when buying AquaMail.
Do you know what comes next? No. And Mobisystems (and Kostya) don't tell us. No reply in this thread for 2 weeks.
Quote
I guess that there are not enough new paid users to finance Aquamail developments, so Mobisystems need to find other sources of revenue.
I would donate once more, if it helped. But:
Mobisystems (and Kostya) promised "ad-free" for the pro-key. This means "ad-free".
This is the first app, I know which shows ads in a paid pro version. I can not recommend such an app to others. So other users can not, too:
https://www.android-hilfe.de/forum/aqua-mail.2241/aquamail-mit-werbung-in-pro-version.892023.html
Post by: mikeone on October 20, 2018, 01:44:13 pm
Re: Ad-free means Ad-free means Ad-free...Hi Kostya, do you have any news regarding my previous suggestion:
Yes makes sense. We'll discuss it.
Quote
Please remove the advertising, at least if the user has already installed apps, which are able to open a particular attachment type.
It's a compromise, I know. But it would be definitely less aggressive for the (paid!) user.
Post by: Justin on October 22, 2018, 06:48:48 pm
2 weeks ago Kostya wrote in this thread:
Re: Ad-free means Ad-free means Ad-free...
Yes makes sense. We'll discuss it.
After 2 weeks of silence by Mobisystems we don't see results of that discussion, instead Kostya renewed (in another thread) his definition of ads:
Re: Is this version the last ad-free version for users with pro-key?
Pro versions are still Ad Free.
Maybe our "file open / office suite prompt" looks like an ad to you, but it isn't.
Seriously? An unwanted popup with a request to install another app, this is not an ad? What else?
...
What comes next in 3 months? More ads in the pro version?
Can we please have a new paid extra-pro-key to avoid this popup ad? ;)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on October 23, 2018, 05:17:11 pm
Quoting *selectively* is so charming.
I gave two specific differences vs. "real ads".
By the way, those (differences) also address the "what about high security corporate environment" point made above.
And so yes, personally I understand why there are people here (and elsewhere, on that German forum) are calling these "ads" but I still personally don't think they are ads.
"Similar to", "bordering on" ads, whatever - but they're not ads proper.
That's my opinion. It's not the same as Justin's opinion but it's mine, my opinion, not Justin's opinion.
And Justin's opinion is not same as mine because that's his opinion and not my opinion.
Are we all clear on this "different people sometimes have different opinions" thing?
---
And then I should also make it clear (more clear than ever before) - I can't speak for MobiSystems and can't make any promises about the future (which I don't think I ever did).
If anyone wishes to get a comment from MobiSystems - please email support.
Post by: OhWell on October 23, 2018, 06:29:19 pm
Kostya - You are a great developer. I understand why you went with MobiSystems, we all have mouths to feed. And I understand that you have to defend their practices since they are still paying you. But please don't be condescending about it. This is your userbase who have stood behind you all these years. Oh well. Someday I hope you get your app back and we can all install it again.
Post by: Justin on October 23, 2018, 06:50:13 pm
A user taps on an attachment in a mail app. He expects the file to be open by the default app. Instead suddenly a popup shows up with advertisement for another app, The user mus close this window by tapping "Use default app".
This is a "real" ad. Of course there are worse ads in the world. But it's (for me) the first time that a paid app ("ad-free" in description) shows ads. As said, you and Mobisystems crossed a line.
This is why many people are angry and afraid of the future of AquaMail. See all the comments on play store. Found another forum thread about it (sorry, again only german), btw:
https://www.androidpit.de/forum/781004/jetzt-hat-aquamail-pro-auch-werbung
And then I should also make it clear (more clear than ever before) - I can't speak for MobiSystems and can't make any promises about the future (which I don't think I ever did).
You work for MobiSystems and you defend their strategy. Sorry, as user; You belong to MobiSystems and you don't speak for them? Impossible.
If anyone wishes to get a comment from MobiSystems - please email support.
Wow. MobiSystems decided to ignore the feedback of users in this forum? No comment? :o
Really? I'm stunned.
You chose a strange company to sell your app...
Post by: mikeone on October 24, 2018, 09:07:52 am
They are doing itself a disservice:
... just look into the ratings at the Play Store. OMG, nice job from the "MobiSystems - Team" 8)
Post by: Justin on October 24, 2018, 12:31:58 pm
You noticed that Mobisystems doesn't give a damn what users write, especially in this forum with "more interested" users?
This attitude I never experienced with other apps. Exception: QuickPic after the takeover by CM.
Now you find many modded versions of QuickPic in the world. And on xda meanwhile I found a Version of AquaMail v. 1.16, signed with a different key.
I don't know what comes in future, but I don't trust Mobisystems (and btw also Kostya's split personality) anymore.
I thought Mobisystems was listening to the feedback of users, especially in this forum. Now I read that I have to "write an email to the support".
Post by: gkiers on October 24, 2018, 05:56:26 pm
I've recommended this app to many people, but that is the past now. Feel sorry for Kostya.
Used to be excellent, now it is damaged.
Post by: OhWell on October 24, 2018, 06:22:44 pm
I already uninstalled it and won't ever reinstall it. I know I won't get a refund. Just spread the word to others on Android app forums, Reddit, etc... A crap company all around. I don't know how people can live with themselves doing things like this just for a little money.
And shame on you Kostya for defending them. You should walk away.
Bye all.
Post by: Philip on October 25, 2018, 11:53:00 pm
It's an ad, pure and simple. In an app where I paid for an ad-free version.
The developers are dishonest, disingenuous liars - they deserver every 1* review and every slating that they get on Reddit and elsewhere on the 'net.
Post by: mikeone on October 26, 2018, 12:05:39 am
Quote
It's an ad, pure and simple. In an app where I paid for an ad-free version.Absolutely, unquestionable - and unacceptable for an ad-free described pro version.
Post by: paras.desai on October 26, 2018, 09:36:37 am
The Aquamail as such is best around, except few fancy features.QuoteIt's an ad, pure and simple. In an app where I paid for an ad-free version.Absolutely, unquestionable - and unacceptable for an ad-free described pro version.
+1
Now the question is: what's the alternative app?
Contributers on this forum, have you found and used another app with the same level of reliability and similar features?
Under reliability chapter, I can mention:
- efficient imap sync and push
- offline/online use of the app, without issues in syncing and deleting messages (especially with Gmail and Hotmail accounts)
- ease to create accounts (French "Free" provider, Yahoo, bk.ru, Gmail)
- unified box/folder /place where you can read all your emails in a glance
- no cloud. Your data will not be processed and sold to other companies
- low battery drainage
- RTL support (I know, it's a niche, not all users speak Arabic/Hebrew/Urdu/Amharic/Persian)
- it's not a MVP. The app has already been sold to a company which is developing it. It's not a startup project which aims only to be sold to a bigger one and in the meanwhile ignoring to correct bugs and to improve reliability
I can list a dozen of irritating "pains" in Aquamail (in message view screen, navigation drawer, settings, notification process, some old fashioned UI actions, etc.) and I think that the user interface should be reviewed and changed in depth - there are some rare apps that present far better interfaces. But when it comes to reliability (cf. my points above) I haven't found an alternative.
The floor is yours, please give your comments /ideas.
It takes quite a practice to get adjusted to other app, after using aquamail for so many years.
Some more worthy application
1. Maildroid
2. OPTIMA (privacy issue?)
3. NINE (though very expensive)
4. Outlook
5. WPS mail (though their track record with Kings office is not good, and WPS may migrate to that model eventually)
Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk
Post by: nadir husain on October 26, 2018, 10:38:09 am
of us users but I for one will stick with Aqua. I also believe, based on history that Kostya is perhaps being squeezed by Mobisystems and has no choice but to submit to them . He is a stellar human being based on what I hv seen so far there is no developer who gives the kind of support to his users like Kostya does. More power to him! I never had respect for Mobisystems but I have extreme and high respect for Kostya and will continue to do so. I am sticking with Aquamail!
Post by: Justin on October 26, 2018, 11:29:18 am
Now the question is: what's the alternative app?
First of all I would mention K-9 (open source). Another very promising open source app is FairEmail. This app is currently heavily developed and is by the developer of the well-known Netguard firewall.
Maildroid and Nine are also good e-mail apps that do not store mails or access data anywhere on a server.
All these providers have so far been honestly shown and keep their promises.
Post by: paras.desai on October 26, 2018, 12:28:39 pm
SummaryNow the question is: what's the alternative app?
First of all I would mention K-9 (open source). Another very promising open source app is FairEmail. This app is currently heavily developed and is by the developer of the well-known Netguard firewall.
Maildroid and Nine are also good e-mail apps that do not store mails or access data anywhere on a server.
All these providers have so far been honestly shown and keep their promises.
A- efficient imap sync and push
B- offline/online use of the app, without issues in syncing and deleting messages
C- ease to create accounts
D- unified box/folder /place where you can read all your emails in a glance
E- no cloud. Your data will not be processed and sold to other companies
F- low battery drainage
G- RTL support
H- it's not a MVP
My feedback:
Nine:
B, C, G, H conditions are not met. For instance, you cannot write and edit/correct a text in Arabic without heavy issues. You might archive emails when deleting them (issues in sync offline), looks like a MVP
Pros: the best of the best user interface, a superb tablet interface
Cons: heavy bugs even in supported features (labels, move messages, phone number detections, rich text editor, etc.)
Maildroid:
D condition is not met. You can get a unified Inbox, but that's all. To see your sent messages, you'll have to dig inside navigation drawer.
Cons: outdated user interface (have you seen conversations?), navigation makes screens blink (heavy issues in their screen developments). No heads-up notifications (Android 7+) etc.
K9 and forks:
Open source. In my opinion, not a viable business model. Not sure to get up-to-date features.
--> in short
if you use one account, Gmail app or Outlook app are the best choice
if you use more than one account, with specific needs (my A to H conditions), and no Exchange accounts: AquaMail is the best
if you look for a good looking, nice User interface app, and use Exchange (no Gmail accounts, no other specific accounts), Nine is the best
My (secret) wish: that Nine quality improves to reach AquaMail's reliability, or that AquaMail implements a Nine like user interface (best of the best, as stated before). In both cases, this needs huge developements (maybe 1 year of work for 2 developers), and this means lots of money (and a genuine understanding and acceptance of user needs).
Like there is no perfect woman, (if she is pretty, she may have many tantrums for example)
threre is no perfect email app.
Aquamail is almost there but mobisystem is introducing some TANTRUMS (OR should I say advert)...
So in short, we poor guys never get best as we dream of..
Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk
Post by: Justin on October 26, 2018, 12:36:13 pm
There are always compromises.
Some conditions AquaMail does not met, e.g
- copy messages in another folder.
- Or: No ads in pro version.
And keep an eye on FairEmail ;)
Quote
Open source. In my opinion, not a viable business model
You can have a reliable business model and open source.
Post by: paras.desai on October 26, 2018, 12:36:51 pm
Subscription option has never been successful.
So only way to stay profitable is
A. Either earn through advertisement
B. Through selling analytics collected through application
C. Or Capitalise the application by selling it to some big company
Our (users) fate lies in how the philosophy of the big company is?
At the end of the day, users can not be taken for granted, they are intelligent enough to find alternatives and keep finding.. The struggle will continue as long as I can see..
Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk
Post by: Justin on October 26, 2018, 12:42:24 pm
Jokes apart, I do not see future of any email application, developed by an individual or a small company. They simply do not have resources for constant development, neither they can be a profitable proposition with amount of investment and potential to earn return through applications
Marcel Bokhorst (dev of FairEmail) has already proved that it is possible, see NetGuard. He is an experienced dev and he knows the business.
Post by: nadir husain on October 26, 2018, 04:02:44 pm
Post by: nadir husain on October 26, 2018, 04:10:14 pm
Post by: paras.desai on October 26, 2018, 04:13:56 pm
But it score good in privacy
It's UI is good enough
Had problem in syncing, which an irritating issue though.
So, if advertisement is the big issue, then maildroid is a good compromise.
Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk
Post by: Philip on October 26, 2018, 08:08:21 pm
Some of us would prefer to use products from developers who have some integrity.
Post by: mikeone on October 26, 2018, 08:57:37 pm
@ parisgeek. I am in absolute and total agreement with you. I hv been around the block many times in the play store but always return to Aquamail. What Mobisystems is doing is not correct perhaps it can even be called deception and this one small step does not augur well for the future+1000
of us users but I for one will stick with Aqua. I also believe, based on history that Kostya is perhaps being squeezed by Mobisystems and has no choice but to submit to them . He is a stellar human being based on what I hv seen so far there is no developer who gives the kind of support to his users like Kostya does. More power to him! I never had respect for Mobisystems but I have extreme and high respect for Kostya and will continue to do so. I am sticking with Aquamail!
Absolute accordance in ALL points.
I'm pretty sure, that MobiSystems will limit expansion of the user base by themselves due to such dubious business practices.
I'm perplexed, that one can be so incredibly stupid to negligently destroy the hard-won trust which Kostya has built up for years.
It's a shame and pity that they devalue Kostya's extraordinary skills with their dubious behavior.
Post by: alleluia on November 01, 2018, 01:27:17 am
I did not receive any answer from MobiSystems, but I did receive an email from Google Play saying that my purchase was cancelled and I would have a refund (I assume that Mobisystems arranged that).
I am not actually very happy with the solution. I paid 5€ during a promotion so, if things get solved, and I wanted to go back to Pro, I would possibly have to pay 10€. But well, it was me who asked for that (albeit not as the first option).
Anyway, if MobiSystems prefers to make a refund instead of adding the option "do not show again", should we anticipate that they will add more intrusive advertisement (and that will not disappear after a few times)?
Regards.
Post by: Cukierkas on November 01, 2018, 11:12:33 am
I wrote to support, proposing the solution that the OfficeSuite popup included an option "do not show again". I also suggested that, in case they did not take that solution, they should refund to me.Guessing they will have a bit aggresier policies to sell other stuff. It's better to loose 5€, knowing that more can be earned.
I did not receive any answer from MobiSystems, but I did receive an email from Google Play saying that my purchase was cancelled and I would have a refund (I assume that Mobisystems arranged that).
I am not actually very happy with the solution. I paid 5€ during a promotion so, if things get solved, and I wanted to go back to Pro, I would possibly have to pay 10€. But well, it was me who asked for that (albeit not as the first option).
Anyway, if MobiSystems prefers to make a refund instead of adding the option "do not show again", should we anticipate that they will add more intrusive advertisement (and that will not disappear after a few times)?
Regards.
I do like Kostya's work and knowledge.
Post by: arf8 on November 02, 2018, 10:15:19 am
And so yes, personally I understand why there are people here (and elsewhere, on that German forum) are calling these "ads" but I still personally don't think they are ads.
Gee, I wonder where I have heard this before, oh ya just about every feature you and the other developers have forced down our throat that didn't agree with your opinion. Arrogant much?
Put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig. Stop advertising a product no one wants and listen to user feedback. Your desperation to stand by your opinion reeks bad and we can all see right through it. You have just as much a voice at the table with Mobisystems as anyome there. Stop the lame excuses.
Post by: Justin on November 29, 2018, 09:41:35 am
Issue with ads in AquaMail Pro still exists. In biggest german speaking Android forum there is still a sub-forum, but there is hardly any support left, generally less traffic.
Last thread yesterday: https://www.android-hilfe.de/forum/aqua-mail.2241/appvorschlag-in-aquamail-abstellen.896015.html
You can see that users trust the company less and less. Main thread about ads in pro version has hundreds of active clicks, thread about changed privacy policy at that time has thousands of clicks.
I would suggest again to remove those ads. I don't know anybody who likes it.
Does these advertisements really increase sales of the office suite so much, so it's worth damaging AquaMail's standing?
Post by: arf8 on November 29, 2018, 09:47:40 am
Post by: Justin on November 29, 2018, 04:27:28 pm
People are becoming more and more suspicious of Mobisystems. Although I don't see the advertising myself anymore, I wonder what will come next. That's how many people feel, the name AquaMail is no longer what it used to be.
Maybe there will be more advertising? Maybe you have to pay more for more features?
That's why I do it like many others:
You test, observe and discuss other good email apps. And when the time comes when AquaMail does even more such things, you can switch to another e-mail app relatively quickly. Then the inhibition threshold is no longer high.
Post by: arf8 on November 29, 2018, 08:41:49 pm
What aquamail fails on is security that was requested years ago, but hey they have time to botch priority notifications and text to speech that no one uses because of their arrogance so K9 is an option and you can customize is pretty well with pgp.
Curious what others have been using as this is not the first time people left AM as a result of their own actions with less and less trust.
Post by: Wizardling on April 01, 2019, 02:26:32 pm
Re: And if forced upon every time I Open the attachment
This prompt will only show a limited number of times - and it's a very small number.
We do understand that if the user is not interested - he / she is not interested.
In case when there are *no* apps that are able to open a particular attachment type, the prompt will show a few times more (which I hope makes sense).
I just experienced this with a PDF attachment. PDF. Shall I inform you how many PDF reading apps there already are on my Pixel 2? :-) Not to mention the default app for PDFs is already set.
Seriously - don't ever show me unsolicited advertising less than a day after I've paid $16.99 to remove ads. Doing so is just plain unethical.
Post by: phred on April 01, 2019, 03:10:36 pm
I've paid $16.99 to remove ads. Doing so is just plain unethical.I'm curious - is the $16.99 USD? And if so, how many licenses did you buy? Because the Play store version is currently selling for $9.99.
Also, more to your issue, the 'ad' should only appear three times if you have PDF apps already installed. It did for me and for others.
Post by: Wizardling on April 01, 2019, 03:18:12 pm
I've paid $16.99 to remove ads. Doing so is just plain unethical.I'm curious - is the $16.99 USD? And if so, how many licenses did you buy? Because the Play store version is currently selling for $9.99.
Also, more to your issue, the 'ad' should only appear three times if you have PDF apps already installed. It did for me and for others.
NZD.
And even if this ad - and it is an ad - goes away after a while, I still shouldn't see it after the promise that paying would free me from ads. This is deceptive and unethical. Not the worst such behaviour I've experienced, but it damages trust.
Post by: phred on April 01, 2019, 03:55:17 pm
NZD.Ahhh ... I feel much better.
Quote
And even if this ad - and it is an ad - goes away after a while, I still shouldn't see it after the promise that paying would free me from ads. This is deceptive and unethical. Not the worst such behaviour I've experienced, but it damages trust.I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying after three appearances it went away and I went on with my life. A small price to pay for what is the best Android mail client I've had the pleasure of using.
Post by: Cukierkas on April 01, 2019, 05:00:25 pm
I must double it. Resently changed the rom, that naggy add went away after couple of attachments. Way better than it was before :DNZD.Ahhh ... I feel much better.QuoteAnd even if this ad - and it is an ad - goes away after a while, I still shouldn't see it after the promise that paying would free me from ads. This is deceptive and unethical. Not the worst such behaviour I've experienced, but it damages trust.I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying after three appearances it went away and I went on with my life. A small price to pay for what is the best Android mail client I've had the pleasure of using.
Post by: mikeone on April 01, 2019, 05:00:44 pm
Maybe, he meant New Zealand Dollars?
16.99 NZD - > 11.60 US-Dollar
8)