Disqus - Latest Comments for caaarlo

Re: Apple Doesn’t Want Us To Use the Term “App Store” Any More

caaarlo — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:43:21 -0000

Crazy stuff.

Re: She texted. We kicked her out. : Blog : Austin : Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

caaarlo — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:45:34 -0000

Um, a doctor responding to an emergency so urgent probably wouldn't mind getting kicked out.

Not that there aren't any other big holes in your logic or anything, but just sayin'.

Re: STOP PRESS: ShoZu to start charging!

caaarlo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:57:34 -0000

The problem for me, though, Gabe is that the way ShoZu's been performing, I'm not sure I like it all that much :)

Re: STOP PRESS: ShoZu to start charging!

caaarlo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:23:30 -0000

It will be difficult for ShoZu to convert existing free users to paid ones. Yes, it will remain free for current users, but when they get a new device, or cross whatever threshold ShoZu's set up (version upgrade, or something, who knows), it appears they will have to pay. Perhaps 5 euros isn't much, but when other services exist that do largely the same thing for free, it is a lot. What's ShoZu's differentiation that warrants the price, and more importantly, how will they communicate that to users alongside their free competitors, or the built-in capabilities of devices?

This speaks to Dan's point: on its own, 5 euros isn't much. But it's measured relative to the free competition. And I've never bought into the "it's a service, they deserve to get compensated for their costs" argument -- business models don't exist in a vacuum. Just as ShoZu has a choice of business model and pricing, consumers have a choice of whether they want to buy in or not, too.

This harkens back to the flap over the cost of the Gravity app. Seems like largely the same thing: if you don't like the price, don't pay it. Surely that's the risk of any business, and we as consumers shouldn't be compelled to give any business our money because they previously used a business model that saw their services provided for free.

ShoZu does have some nice features over other similar apps and services. But it's hard to see those features justifying the price.

Also, in my personal experience, ShoZu's performance has slipped over my last two devices (N82 and E71). Given that, I'm more likely to seek out alternative solutions than pay the cost whenever it comes due.

Re: Adidas and Samsung team up for miCoach

caaarlo — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:30:08 -0000

I too am a bit skeptical that something like this can be successful when it's limited to a specific handset. There's also the Nokia Sports Tracker which does some similar stuff on S60 devices with built-in or external GPS.

Still, wouldn't Adidas be better off approaching this from a marketing angle rather than a sales one? That is use the software and services for promotional purposes rather than for the sake of trying to sell a single Samsuing handset.