The new UberTwitter beta went out yesterday and as I sat back watching my Twitter account I could clearly see many, many people were not happy with the integrated advertisements UberTwitter now has. It became much more of a topic when Mashable posted an article about the new ads where you can clearly see some users were not happy at all. Personally, the ads did not bother me and I typically use SocialScope anyways, but at this time, feeling the pressure UberTwitter has disabled ads.
We have been listening and have heard you loud and clear! We will not turn advertisements on again until we can offer a a paid option with no advertisements. The paid version will be less then $5 and will likely be a year long subscription model, i.e. all upgrades for a year. If you purchase during the beta period, the year won't start until we release version 1.0. Thank you for your patience and your feedback!
-@CodeWarden
These days, I like to see developers doing great work and lets face it, while we all may have our own personal preferences when using a Twitter client, UberTwitter is great work and offered to people for free. Including some ads for everyone to possibly click on helps pay the server bills and reward the devs for their time and effort spent. To make your tweets hit Twitter, putting up with some ads does not really seem like that bad of an option at all - to me anyways. Many other BlackBerry applications do it (example - Viigo), not to mention iPhone applications are littered with ads.
So here's what I'd like to know... assuming you can't have a free app with no ads, would you rather have a Free App with Ads or a Paid App With No Ads?
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I dont understand twitter....hey im sitting on my couch, getting a drink, now i have to pee...
I hate adds. I would rather pay 5.00 to have a program with out adds.
Paid App With No Ads
Ads dont bother me enough for me to pay
Ads weren't that bad on UT, like Viigo. But I understand that some ppl can't stand the ads.
ads in UT much more "obtrusive" than in viigo.
having the ads definitely affects performance, in both, however, and that's the biggest problem - not being able to scroll/view/etc b/c the ads are rotating/downloading
I never had any performance issues with the ads, and I'm using an ancient Curve.
I have the storm, full of apps and I had no issues with performance either. If anything, I felt UT was running better with this build.
Didnt have them in the first place here in UK, have them on Viigo but you just forget they are there after using it all the time.
If it's free i almost expect ads, how else are the developers gonna make any money. I much rather have free with some non intrusive ads like UT had for that short time, and twitteriffic has on the iphone.
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...will always bring ads. With the new UT the ads did not bother me. We are bombarded with hundreds of ads all day, but get used to them and eventually tune them out. I don't think the ads hindered performance at all. But to answer your original question, free with ads doesn't bother me one bit. I can use the extra 3.99 for coffee and a donut. :)
It's a great app that is constantly improving. I use it and will support it any way I can. I'm not going to sign up for Netflix or check out any other advertisers over my Blackberry though. If I want to do something like that, I'm going to wait until I am on an actual computer. 5 dollars for a year? That's nothing and I'd pay it in a heartbeat to keep using UberTwitter ad free.
I really enjoy UberTwitter and the developers should have some incentive to actually keep working on it. I haven't experienced any performance/usage issues with the tiny ad at the top.
they were entertaining ( :-p ), and I imagine the devs were making some cash off them...
But seriously, there are ads on every damn webpage, why not in a _free_ freakin' twitter app?? it's freakin' _twitter_ people!! its not like its some important business application or something...
jeez. people...
I updated my version last night and immediately noticed the ads at the top. I was already making plans to uninstall it and go to some other app. My phone will not be used for ad space. Sorry. I'd rather pay for it than have ads.
did not bother me at ALL! It is not like you had to see the Ad when you scrolled down to old tweets. Some ppl are just...never mind. I rather have sponsors pay the developers than pay out of my own pocket.
I did not mind the ads. As soon as you scrolled down they went away so they did not take up viewing space unless you were at the top tweet. If it helps pay the bills of the developers who are doing outstanding work so be it.
People should just stop whining. Ubertwitter is a great product and the developers are quick to respond with any concerns or bug reports.
Little tiny ad, generates a modest amount of revenue for a team that breaks their butts to develop a good product, and that's a problem? If there is no reward for doing the work, why bother? The ad wasn't a problem for me - you only see it a few seconds and you're down the page anyway. I will gladly pay a modest amount for the 'full' version - but could have lived a long time with those little ads. Developers (I'm not one) deserve some sort of return.
i got the latest version and the ads didn't really bother me. i don't see why you would even pay just to get rid a a small banner that pops up every 20-30 tweets. it's not a big deal.
I just downloaded it again but it still has the ads in it. What's the final synopsis on this? Is the paid option already available?
I downloaded the updated beta for UberTwitter and noticed the ads, and didn't think there was anything wrong with including them. Their appearance is very infrequent and they're not blatant or invasive in any way.
The people who are complaining about these ads need to stop and understand that programming anything isn't cheap and quick, ESPECIALLY if it's done with a small team of people with little or no budget. It doesn't matter if ads were available in the previous version or not, these people should be compensated for time and efforts, especially for offering one of the best Twitter apps available for Blackberries.
All of the complainers should turn your focus to the Blackberry apps that are WAY overpriced, rather than complain about a FREE quality application that included ads in one of their updates as a way to generate a little extra revenue to the dev team for the work they do. I guarantee the amount generated through ads probably isn't very much, either.
Way to go, complainers. Nicely done.
It depends on the cost of the app. If it's too expensive I guess I will have to live with the ads if I can't have a free similar app with no ads. The thing is that ads, in many cases make the app slower and sometimes the ads get in the way and it's distracting. It's all about options, if there aren't I'll use the paid app with the ads.
Given a choice, I will generally take the paid app without ads, assuming it has a free trial. If an application doesn't have a free trial, I will keep looking. I don't want to pay for something I don't like.
I had no problems with the ads using UT. The software is awesome and free, if the developers want to try and make money they should have that ability. There's probably more spam in peoples twitter feeds than the little banner in UT.
If a paid version was released I would pay for it and it'd be the first app I've bought.
People get spoiled when something is free.
As far as ads go, I DON'T MIND ADS. I understand the developers have to raise capital. The problem is the real estate on our small screens (Storm excluded).
I've sent feedback to UberTwitter a few times about the ads. My recommendation is for them to seriously study the placement and size of ads in Viigo. In Viigo - which many of us use - the ads are there, but they aren't so obtrusive. If you look at the very top of the UberTwitter app the space that say "home" or "update your status" is 1/8 inch wide. They could make it 3/16 of an inch wide, throw an ad in there and no one should have a reason to complain.
Flip side: I'd pay $5.00 for a year ad free subscription. That's a fair price point to me.
Why look at ads on UT when I can just go to one of the other 3000 twitter clients that don't have ads? Nothing is stopping me. Sure, they aren't as good as UT, but if it means I can't accidentally click an ad, then so be it.
I agree, putting up with a few ads isn't that big of a deal. If I created a program like UberTwitter I would want some compensation for the work put into it. just my 2 cents.
I stopped using it due to the adds being there. Good to here they are gone. As soon as they come back, I'll be on the search for something else.
I don't mind the ads, they are not that annoying. I understand people don't like them but it's a personal preference.
I had absolutely no issue with their ads. My first reaction when I saw the ads was negative, but after an hour I was over it and barely even noticed the ad, especially since the ad scrolls of the screen.
Which would I prefer? I like to have the option of both paid/no ad and free/ads. FWIW, UT is an awesome Twitter client and I would pay $5 for it.
The ad was too large and a bit distracting. However, I understand the need to make money. I will be happy to pay for the no-ads version.
remember how well the free computers in 98 sold? We give you a free computer but the right side of your screen will always have changing adds on it....didn't do so well.
I can deal with it... if the free app has ads, *if* the ads do not hinder performance of the app. That was my only issue yesterday, I found myself not seeing updates because the app was waiting for the ad to load.
That said free app that rocks with small ads is not a big deal to me. I just hope they maintain the option for a free app.
I agree with you Blaize..people want their cake and eat it to. Its a great free twitter client and people can't put up with a little advertisement to help support the makers of ubertwiter. After all they have been coming correct with the updates to make sure it works great and this is the thanks we give them. This may force them to start charging for the app in order to generate the revenue their losing from no more ads. Plus the less money they take in, the less they can work on the app to make it top notch. People are so spoiled and selfish these days.
free with ads. no doubt.
I fully support UT's need for revenue. The ads did not hinder my performance, nor were they any more intrusive than say the ad panel on any Google product that is free. People need to realize that not everyone who creates a program does it as a hobby, for some people this is a livelyhood. If we don't support them the product goes away.
Just look to your right as you're reading these posts and count the ads...come on, let's whine about those ads too! Lets just whine about very shortcoming on every *FREE* app!
Ads don't bother me as on my iphone all of my apps had ads so I guess I'm used to them. as long as they just sit at the top of the screen harmlessly I can ignore them. I'm willing to put up with them because I refuse to pay for twitter (or facebook, myspace etc.) clients when i can just go to the browser and do it for free, but obviously it costs the makers to run the app and so it's perfectly fine if they want to put ads in to pay the bills!
The adds were not bad at all, and I find it ridiculous that ppl would even complain about it. You got this GREAT app that developers are constantly working on to make better...PLUS ITS FREE, and you complain about a little (Blackberry focused) add here and there??? Puleeease.
They've made an excellent app, and they deserve revenue. The adds are probably a lot more useful than the tweets of some of the ppl ur following. Lets be real.
i don't really mind the ads in UT as long as they are limited to the top border and not throughout the web.
pay to place an ad..
Why Pay for an app that you use to access a free application?? not to mention there are loads of twitter clients out there!!
Seems strange to me....
New UT ads did bug me for a bit...still undecided.
As for paid subs...i will leave UT in a heartbeat if that happens!
Hands down that's the best choice. Especially in today's BB App World environment where you really want to test an app to see if it works on your device or if you'll actually even use it without huge memory leaks.
PLEASE make half the screen ads if that's what it takes! You could always offer a $1.99 paid version for those who love the app so much they won't need the ads.
Hands down that's the best choice. Especially in today's BB App World environment where you really want to test an app to see if it works on your device or if you'll actually even use it without huge memory leaks.
PLEASE make half the screen ads if that's what it takes! You could always offer a $1.99 paid version for those who love the app so much they won't need the ads.
They did affect performance (not that UberTwitter was fast anyway). In REALITY, how many average or above average Tweeple are actually going to click on those ads enough to be of any benefit or payment to UberTwiter? Most people are on there to give updates about themselves or read others' updates and could give a fig less about the stupid ad UberTwiter thinks will turn them a profit. Make your money UberTwiter, that's what the world revolves around but get over yourselves.
I cannot believe how much time and effort has been put into this product. The ĂberTwitter folks are constantly releasing updates and improvements, and have never yet asked for anything in return until the product was good enough to justify some compensation via inconsequential ads or small payment. Instead of receiving the justified kudos they deserve, they are instead treated with mind-blowingly arrogant statements like - "In REALITY, how many average or above average Tweeple are going to click on those ads enough to be of any benefit or payment to UberTwiter [sic]."
In REALITY, who are you to decide how the good folks at ĂberTwitter might be compensated for their hard work, j3nnybean? I wonder if you have ever once worked for a living. What else do you expect to receive free of charge in perpetuity?
I receive twitter.com for free but whatever man. BTW...it is spelled Ubertwiter on its twitter.com account. [Sic on that] LOL!