Converting App Store purchase to regular license, and upgrade pricing
I've read that only the Mac App Store version can sync with iCloud, but only the Agile Bits version is eligible for upgrade pricing and other perks. I've also read that it's possible to convert a App Store license into an Agile Bits license. If one does this, is the Agile Bits license eligible for upgrade pricing and other perks?
I'm just trying to see if I can have my cake an eat it too: iCloud sync and upgrade pricing deals. (I understand that any upgrade given to me by the Agile Bits store would only give me the Agile Bits version, not the App Store version, for subsequent releases.)
Also, as a follow-up question, for upgrades that Agile Bits has made available for free (for example, from v4 to v5), has the App Store version also been upgraded for free? Or was it released as a separate product on the App Store, thus requiring an additional purchase?
1Password Version: Not Provided
Extension Version: Not Provided
OS Version: Not Provided
Sync Type: Not Provided
Comments
-
Greetings @int3h,
Let's see if I can help :smile:
So any free update available to our AgileBits Store customers has also been made available to our Mac App Store. You wouldn't have noticed as the App Store application simply offers you updates as and when they're available.
Now for your other query. Should a future version of 1Password require a paid upgrade don't worry, we've never tried to be unfair with any of our customers so I feel confident that if you were able to provide proof of purchase of the Mac App Store version that we'd be able to accommodate you. As long as you're happy that doing so would mean iCloud wouldn't be available based on the current conditions which you are. I'm confident we can even skip the whole intermediate step of the AgileBits Store licence and simply help you at the time. We haven't ever been in this position yet but I wouldn't be shocked if those in charge come up with a way of trying to help all of our Mac App Store customers through some form of offer. I genuinely don't know, what I can say is we love our customers and we do try where we can.
Does that reassure you at all?
0 -
That definitely puts my mind at ease! Thank you so much for the reply. I think I'm going to be leaving LastPass behind for the loving embrace of 1Password very soon.
0 -
In that case welcome to the family @int3h :smile: Don't forget that you if you haven't already you can try 1Password out for 30 days to help make sure it suits your needs. It isn't possible to trial the Mac App Store version as I believe time related restrictions are forbidden but you can try the AgileBits Store version on our AgileBits Download page for both Mac and Windows for 30 days. At the end there are some restrictions but you will continue to have access to the vault as to not would be essentially blackmail which is not cool. If you have any questions about the application at all please do ask :smile:
0 -
I've used 1Password since 2008, long before the App Store existed, and the notion that the version from AgileBits, unlike the one from the App Store, limits sync options is preposterous. That's like saying that, if I buy a car from the factory, it will have only six cylinders, but if I get it from a dealer, it will have eight.
0 -
the notion that the version from AgileBits, unlike the one from the App Store, limits sync options is preposterous
Perhaps you'd care to pass the observation to Apple, for the problem is Apple's creation. :)
(I don't work for AgileBits but am merely a volunteer here, so the view is my own.)
Stephen
0 -
Hello @peteraltschuler,
The iCloud framework that allows an application to access iCloud is called CloudKit. Apple have restricted access to this framework to sandboxed applications available from their store. For iOS apps nobody would ever realise the restriction as iOS apps can only be obtained from Apple's store. On a Mac though there is historically a large open market that existed long before Apple gave us the Mac App Store.
To help explain all of this I'm going to link to Dave Teare's post, iCloud Changes in the Website Version of 1Password 5 where he talks candidly about the whole situation. We rely on Apple's framework to access their service and these are the requirements to do so. There is the possibility that Apple are opening this up a bit but we're talking about very early stages at the moment, nothing actionable so until then this is the situation we're in.
Stores have power, according to Bloomberg Amazon to Ban Sale of Apple, Google Video-Streaming Devices. Apple control iCloud and decided to only only access to curated apps or applications which means their stores. So while it might seem daft in relation to your example it's the world we live in. Software does tend to be a very different beast to cars though.
0 -
littlebobbytables,
Your response says, in essence, that long-time customers are not worth defending, that Apple is an adversary instead of an ally, and that the world's daftness is uncorrectable. I'll now be depressed for the rest of the day.
0 -
Or, as an old phrase has it "You can't fight City Hall."
Actually you can, but it needs determination and allies.
0 -
Hi @peteraltschuler,
I feel like a better comparison would be "You can only have Bose speakers in your car if you buy the car from the Bose store." If you buy the car from the factory, it still has speakers, just not those particular speakers.
Apple owns iCloud. It's their prerogative to limit it to apps sold by them. We wouldn't have iCloud sync at all if we didn't sell through the Mac App Store. But we wouldn't be able to give upgrade discounts at all if we didn't also sell through our own store. So we offer both options. It's a compromise.
It has been hinted that the CloudKit restrictions may change, and if/when that happens, we will enthusiastically look into adding iCloud sync support into the AgileBits Store version of the app. For now, we recognize the situation is not ideal, but this is the best we can do at the moment. Please believe that we make these hard choices with user fairness at the forefront of our minds. We just want to do right by you!
0 -
I'll also add that ultimately Apple has to do what they think is best. Similarly, AgileBits needs to do the same. And each of us need to decide for ourselves where to spend our hard-earned money. Choice is valuable. That's why we offer a few different sync options.
Historically, for a brief period leading up to the opening of the Mac App Store, it was decided that 1Password would be sold there exclusively going forward. That certainly would have been much simpler, as we could just put 1Password on sale for people to 'upgrade' to that version. However, a large segment of our existing customers let us know that they weren't on board with that at all. At the time, the Mac App Store was a relative unknown, and many people were concerned that it would lead to heavily censored apps or restricted functionality. As much as we love our iOS devices, not everyone wants their computer to work in that way as well. As a result, people wanted us to offer both options. After all, if some people want to purchase through Apple and others AgileBits, why not let them?
The nightmare scenarios haven't quite panned out, but many people still prefer to purchase apps from independent developers, both to support them more directly without going through an intermediary such as Apple and tied to an account, and also for faster updates and the option to participate in beta testing. On the other hand, many folks appreciate the click-to-buy, click-to-install, and click-to-update simplicity of Apple's App Stores. So unless it becomes necessary to drop one or the other (and we have a plan in place to migrate existing customers), we're happy to continue to maintain both, keeping them as similar as possible; and perhaps in time we'll be able to check iCloud off that list. Here's hoping. :)
0 -
I'm a long-time 1password user. I bought it way before there was an App Store. I have no objections against buying from the App Store.
What I do object is that I already spent money on 1password (and upgrades) and when I want to use the comfort of syncing with my iPhone via iCloud i am forced to buy 1Password again. Not good. I don't feel treated well here.0 -
@wvdheiden: Understood. I do hope that we'll be allowed to add iCloud Sync to all versions of 1Password someday. That would make both us and you very happy I think. For the time being, however, iCloud Sync is limited to app purchased from Apple, so it is necessary to buy 1Password from the Mac App Store if you'd like to have access to its features :blush:
0
