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Overcast's settings page encourages you to try Marco's competitors if you don't like his app, right above the export option. Ballsy and classy. (http://i.imgur.

by pflats 12y ago

Overcast's settings page encourages you to try Marco's competitors if you don't like his app, right above the export option. Ballsy and classy. (http://i.imgur.com/xO09x8d.png http://i.imgur.com/xO09x8d.png) It's a shame his two tentpole features (Smart Speed, Voice Boost) are locked behind the paywall, though. I'd have liked to try them out before dropping a sawbuck. Not sure if that's part of Apple's "no time-limited demos" policy, a business decision, or both. edit: apparently I should have tried the effects menu before posting; they are apparently available for 5 minutes at a time without paying. (I say apparently because I already unlocked the app and can't easily verify the replies below.)

skywhopper 12y ago
I dunno, if those features work as advertised, they seem like a pretty huge innovation. Definitely worth the money.
- MBCook 12y ago
  There are quick little clips in the MacStories.net review: http://www.macstories.net/reviews/overcast-review/ http://www.macstories.net/reviews/overcast-review/
- nicky0 12y ago
  Cool features although not "new". RSSRadio for iOS has had both silence removal and voice boost features for a long time.
solutionyogi 12y ago
I don't know if you are from USA or not but 4.99 is a very reasonable price to pay. I spend that much money for apps where I have no clue if it will be worth it. Considering this app is by Marco, I would say that go ahead and buy it. It's highly unlikely that it won't work as advertised.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
  - sjs382 12y ago
    I happily paid $2.99 for my favorite Podcast app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggler.android.applications.doggcatcher.v1_0&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggl... Edit: Missed a decimal there...
    - creativityhurts 12y ago
      You mean $2,99. Kinda scared me for a second there.
    - cr3ative 12y ago
      I hope you missed a decimal place there.
    - deleted 12y ago
      [deleted]
TannerLD 12y ago
You can try them out in the effects tab for 5 minutes at a time without paying.
ropiku 12y ago
You can test the 2 features for 5 minutes at a time in the free app.
untog 12y ago
Ballsy and classy. To me it feels a little haughty. Basically, "if you think anything in this app is wrong, you are incorrect, and should go elsewhere" Don't get me wrong, it's Marco so he has earned the right to dictate how an app is. It strikes me as more funny than anything else, but I wouldn't want people to see this and think they can replicate it without having a big name to back it up.
- makmanalp 12y ago
  A year or so ago I would have agreed to you, but I'm on the fence now. Some criticism or requests are not necessarily wrong but take the product in a direction you don't want it to go. Keep in mind that this is not the same thing as ignoring or disdaining criticism, it's just deciding to put it to use selectively. No product can be, neither should it be, everything for everyone. Quite a few people thing google docs is fine, but some think it's lacking in features. They are both correct, in their own way. Whether you choose to cater to everyone, which is a fool's errand in my opinion, is ultimately a business decision. If you think the product as you envision it will have buyers, then why not? So the dichotomy of correct / incorrect is not as clear as you say.
- nnutter 12y ago
  This is probably closer to the truth than either the "ballsy" or "manipulative" arguments. Though, I think this is overly cynical. He just doesn't think it's worth doing support. He has stated numerous times that, if he could, he would rather just refund people'e money than provide any support.
- rsynnott 12y ago
  > Basically, "if you think anything in this app is wrong, you are incorrect, and should go elsewhere" To be honest, that isn't a terrible approach to take with this sort of app. Sure, there'll be some problems that he'll want to fix, but it's the sort of thing where people have differing personal preferences, and you're never going to please everyone. EDIT: Also, I think I remember him talking before about how he implemented things due to user demand on Instapaper that ultimately didn't really fit, and which he regretted. Was on a podcast, unfortunately, so no link.
- 12y ago
personZ 12y ago
Ballsy and classy. It's also perhaps a bit manipulative. I'm not in any way saying this in a critical or dismissive fashion, but rather given that many here are learning from software like this, and I do think there is a lesson to be drawn from that. Persuasion and social norms are powerful forces. Giving direct links to your competitors not only demonstrates confidence in your product (e.g. it must be better given that it confidently points you at alternatives), it can also diffuse criticism, ala "if you aren't happy, here are other options that might make you happy". Recall that reviled Comcast phone call the other day -- the agent was using a tactic as old as time which is to make the caller feel unreasonable and unfair about cancelling (e.g. "until you've given me a good reason", and then a list of why they're better). Such a competitor link list may achieve the same goal for negative reviews/sentiments. App looks great. EDIT: Pretty extraordinary how literally (and simplistically) people take the Comcast comparison. I was describing persuasive techniques (of which our society is filled), not saying that Marco is equal to Comcast. It is deeply unfortunate that this needs to be spelled out. It is also shocking how people are both going forth to fight any notion that this is anything but a purely selfless move wrought by good intentions, but because of such a selfless move wrought with good intentions isn't Marco a great guy (and so "ballsy and classy") and isn't it worthwhile to spend $4.99. I am not sure if the reality is lost, or the fan club has flocked in. /r/hailcorporate
- runjake 12y ago
  You're comparing this "tactic" to that Comcast fiasco? If you listen to any of Marco's podcasts, he feels really strongly about independent developers and even his independent competitors, who he compliments often (esp. the Pocket Casts and Downcast people).
  - personZ 12y ago
    Yes, I'm comparing persuasive tactics. Is there some reason I shouldn't? The notion that anyone would read my comment and think they have to defend Marco or silence an obvious, factual comment is rather sad.
    - 12y ago
runjake 12y ago
His primary competitors, Downcast and Pocket Casts, cost $2.99 and $3.99 up front, respectively. Calling it a "paywall" seems disingenuous.
Nogwater 12y ago
FYI: a sawbuck is an X shaped structure used to hold wood while cutting it. It also refers to a ten dollar bill because X = 10 in Roman Numerals. This app is half that price.
- pflats 12y ago
  Could sworn it was a fiver because a sawhorse looks like an upside-down V. Guess I got my etymologies confused. Thanks.

by pflats 12y ago

skywhopper 12y ago

I dunno, if those features work as advertised, they seem like a pretty huge innovation. Definitely worth the money.

MBCook 12y ago
There are quick little clips in the MacStories.net review: http://www.macstories.net/reviews/overcast-review/ http://www.macstories.net/reviews/overcast-review/
nicky0 12y ago
Cool features although not "new". RSSRadio for iOS has had both silence removal and voice boost features for a long time.

solutionyogi 12y ago

I don't know if you are from USA or not but 4.99 is a very reasonable price to pay. I spend that much money for apps where I have no clue if it will be worth it. Considering this app is by Marco, I would say that go ahead and buy it. It's highly unlikely that it won't work as advertised.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
- sjs382 12y ago
  I happily paid $2.99 for my favorite Podcast app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggler.android.applications.doggcatcher.v1_0&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snoggdoggl... Edit: Missed a decimal there...
  - creativityhurts 12y ago
    You mean $2,99. Kinda scared me for a second there.
  - cr3ative 12y ago
    I hope you missed a decimal place there.
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]

TannerLD 12y ago

You can try them out in the effects tab for 5 minutes at a time without paying.

ropiku 12y ago

You can test the 2 features for 5 minutes at a time in the free app.

untog 12y ago

Ballsy and classy. To me it feels a little haughty. Basically, "if you think anything in this app is wrong, you are incorrect, and should go elsewhere" Don't get me wrong, it's Marco so he has earned the right to dictate how an app is. It strikes me as more funny than anything else, but I wouldn't want people to see this and think they can replicate it without having a big name to back it up.

makmanalp 12y ago
A year or so ago I would have agreed to you, but I'm on the fence now. Some criticism or requests are not necessarily wrong but take the product in a direction you don't want it to go. Keep in mind that this is not the same thing as ignoring or disdaining criticism, it's just deciding to put it to use selectively. No product can be, neither should it be, everything for everyone. Quite a few people thing google docs is fine, but some think it's lacking in features. They are both correct, in their own way. Whether you choose to cater to everyone, which is a fool's errand in my opinion, is ultimately a business decision. If you think the product as you envision it will have buyers, then why not? So the dichotomy of correct / incorrect is not as clear as you say.
nnutter 12y ago
This is probably closer to the truth than either the "ballsy" or "manipulative" arguments. Though, I think this is overly cynical. He just doesn't think it's worth doing support. He has stated numerous times that, if he could, he would rather just refund people'e money than provide any support.
rsynnott 12y ago
> Basically, "if you think anything in this app is wrong, you are incorrect, and should go elsewhere" To be honest, that isn't a terrible approach to take with this sort of app. Sure, there'll be some problems that he'll want to fix, but it's the sort of thing where people have differing personal preferences, and you're never going to please everyone. EDIT: Also, I think I remember him talking before about how he implemented things due to user demand on Instapaper that ultimately didn't really fit, and which he regretted. Was on a podcast, unfortunately, so no link.
12y ago

personZ 12y ago

Ballsy and classy. It's also perhaps a bit manipulative. I'm not in any way saying this in a critical or dismissive fashion, but rather given that many here are learning from software like this, and I do think there is a lesson to be drawn from that. Persuasion and social norms are powerful forces. Giving direct links to your competitors not only demonstrates confidence in your product (e.g. it must be better given that it confidently points you at alternatives), it can also diffuse criticism, ala "if you aren't happy, here are other options that might make you happy". Recall that reviled Comcast phone call the other day -- the agent was using a tactic as old as time which is to make the caller feel unreasonable and unfair about cancelling (e.g. "until you've given me a good reason", and then a list of why they're better). Such a competitor link list may achieve the same goal for negative reviews/sentiments. App looks great. EDIT: Pretty extraordinary how literally (and simplistically) people take the Comcast comparison. I was describing persuasive techniques (of which our society is filled), not saying that Marco is equal to Comcast. It is deeply unfortunate that this needs to be spelled out. It is also shocking how people are both going forth to fight any notion that this is anything but a purely selfless move wrought by good intentions, but because of such a selfless move wrought with good intentions isn't Marco a great guy (and so "ballsy and classy") and isn't it worthwhile to spend $4.99. I am not sure if the reality is lost, or the fan club has flocked in. /r/hailcorporate

runjake 12y ago
You're comparing this "tactic" to that Comcast fiasco? If you listen to any of Marco's podcasts, he feels really strongly about independent developers and even his independent competitors, who he compliments often (esp. the Pocket Casts and Downcast people).
- personZ 12y ago
  Yes, I'm comparing persuasive tactics. Is there some reason I shouldn't? The notion that anyone would read my comment and think they have to defend Marco or silence an obvious, factual comment is rather sad.
  - 12y ago

runjake 12y ago

His primary competitors, Downcast and Pocket Casts, cost $2.99 and $3.99 up front, respectively. Calling it a "paywall" seems disingenuous.

Nogwater 12y ago

FYI: a sawbuck is an X shaped structure used to hold wood while cutting it. It also refers to a ten dollar bill because X = 10 in Roman Numerals. This app is half that price.

pflats 12y ago
Could sworn it was a fiver because a sawhorse looks like an upside-down V. Guess I got my etymologies confused. Thanks.