Comments on: Wolfram Alpha to iPhone Users: Get Off our Web, Buy Our $50 App!

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:16:55 +0000

@MexiChriS Maybe you have to pay $50 to post from your iPhone now

@Bliztkreig101 & @BadMnky If you’re jailbroken just download UAFaker. It’s an SBSetting that will trick websites into thinking you’re on a desktop browser. Then you can view the normal desktop version of any site that gives you a custom page based on you using an iPhone.

By: Mike Hunt

Mike Hunt — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:39:19 +0000

BadMnky, I would agree with you if it wasn’t for the fact that Wolfram originally had an iPhone-version web page. The fact that they discontinued it and put that popup for iDevice users makes Blitz’s argument compelling IMO. As far as other apps, Apple has a lot of work left to make the App Store a fair marketplace. Why should I have to pay $10-15 to “test out” Beejive IM? All Apple would have to do is set up a “trial period” for Apps the way the Android app store does and app pirating would be far less of a problem. Also, I’m not convinced that app pirating is the reason Apple seems to be going after jailbreaking more lately (hiring iPhone security developers etc). Apple is known for their desire to exert total control over their platforms. Although the App Store is a great selling feature for their phones vs. the competition, it really doesn’t make them a lot of money (you can look at their earnings reports). Thus, the argument that pirating is the cause for Apple’s push against jailbreaking doesn’t hold much water.

I loved my 2G iPhone and love my 3GS. But if the next gen iPhone takes forever to crack, and Apple still doesn’t give developers more control (so I can have a native flashlight app like my JB app or a native SBSettings) I’ll probably switch to Android, as much as that’ll otherwise suck.

By: BadMnky

BadMnky — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:47:36 +0000

@Bliztkreig101..... You and your kind are the reason apple might have a fighting chance at stopping jailbreaking! Stop stealing apps! I like my jailbroken iPhone and don't need you app theifs to ruin it for me!

If this app isn't worth 50$ then don't buy it. Also just because you have an iPhone doesn't entitle you to an iPhone optimized web page, originally the great thing about the web on an iPhone was the fact that you get the WHOLE Internet!

If you do t like it don't buy it.. And why steal it when you can just load the web page...

By: Blitzkreig101

Blitzkreig101 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:07:00 +0000

I don’t know what the fuss is about. Aren’t most of us on jailbroken iPhones? Download it. For free. You know the drill. It’s the best way to pay them back for pricing the app so high.

By: MexiChriS

MexiChriS — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:52:52 +0000

Weird as hell, my post doesn't seem to appear or be anywhere on here... Had posted it from my iPhone earlier.

Could there be an issue posting comments from the mobile version online from an iPhone!?

MexiChriS

By: Waidt

Waidt — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:30:04 +0000

WolframAlpha does some really cool stuff that you just won’t find anywhere else online. It didn’t look like their iPhone app offered much more than what they provided for free, but I was willing to pay $5 and maybe even $10. But $50 is just ridiculous. What are they smoking to expect people to suddenly pay $50 for an app that essentially does the same thing as what was previously provided for free?! They have lost my respect and good faith. They’re history unless they quickly do some fancy pricing and PR work.

By: BrittN

BrittN — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:13:27 +0000

Fifty dolla! Does it love me long time too?

By: Carl

Carl — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:08:31 +0000

This was news in July or August when they talked about it on Buzz Out Loud!

By: Venture82

Venture82 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:57:30 +0000

@Ben: The issue really isn’t with the ad, it’s the fact that WolframAlpha has disabled the iPhone-optimized version of their site and is basically telling iPhone users to gf themselves or buy the horribly overpriced app if they want to use a convenient version of their FREE service.

By: Jaredkaragen

Jaredkaragen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:56:31 +0000

@Jesh: u must work for or know them…..

100% ripoff app right here

By: John R. Haigh

John R. Haigh — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:16:22 +0000

Well they’re getting plenty of people to talk about it, but you can’t charge so much for something users get for free off the web, even if certain features are enhanced. The thing is if they charged under $10, they’d probably get 50x the number of downloads. Crazy egos!

By: B3gin

B3gin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:52:51 +0000

@Ben Thank you that is what I was about to say and just because you don’t know how to use it which is clear by comments of “google alt”. I find it very helpful as a machinist. But I have no need to pay out $50.00 the web version is good for me.

By: Earless Puppy

Earless Puppy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:15:41 +0000

@Ben I agree, not a big deal, can’t blame them for trying to advertise, even though at $50 I would never buy this app

By: Eatiit

Eatiit — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:45:45 +0000

I wouldn’t download the app if it were free.

By: Jesh

Jesh — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:42:58 +0000

It’s worth the 50$… I use it constantly.. I can’t stand the web version. It can’t copy and paste content.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:30:01 +0000

Has nobody noticed that you can click the little x and the ad goes away? I’m seeing a lot of outrage for no apparent reason.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:50:28 +0000

Who are they now?? Why should I care?

By: BBYM

BBYM — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:47:15 +0000

It’s a great app for people taking high math fast access. I love it helps alot with some of the hw problems. It’s like having mahematica program in ur pocket…

By: trock4u

trock4u — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:19:33 +0000

If they put this at $.99 or even $4.99 they be making a ton of money.

By: Iphone4idiots

Iphone4idiots — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:09:48 +0000

LOL, maybe someone like @geohot uses this, but not someone like me. Terrible business decision

By: IceBike

IceBike — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:50:46 +0000

Ok, so other than Leana, who uses this steaming pile anyway?

There are only so many times I want to see:

Wolfram|Alpha isn't sure how to compute an answer from your input

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:32:18 +0000

Um.. I have a couple of ahem Droid users here at work.. apparently droid has a free app of wolfram alpha... I guess WolfRam is a bunch of apple iphone haters.

By: igorsky

igorsky — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:47:46 +0000

I feel like they’re entitled to sell a product and to try to optimize their sales. But lots o’ luck selling that app for $50.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:44:56 +0000

not worth using either if this is how they’d treat me

By: Matt Sawyers

Matt Sawyers — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:43:27 +0000

Ouch! Little harsh. Mind you, I don’t know many people willing to dish out the $50 just for “a better version of Google”…

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:25:04 +0000

These guys are assclowns. How much would you pay for a free service. Nothing