"Airmail" demands subscription for push notifications

[Rod]

For years now I have been using Bloop's Airmail as my sole email client on both iOS and macOS, I will not bore you with the reasons I chose this app over the native Mail app but suffice to say I liked its features and for some years it has proven to be less problematic than Mail in a few areas of performance. Over and above that I really wanted an app I could use on all my devices.

Today I opened Airmail on my iPhone to see a small green star in a green circle at the bottom of the screen. I clicked on the star and was presented with a window informing me that Airmail Premium would provide me with; Push Notifications, Multiple accounts and Live Support all for only $4.99 per month or $15.99 per year. The macOS app has also recently increased in price by more than double what I paid.

All this is interesting because Apple's App Store review Guidelines state, "if you are changing your existing app to a subscription based business model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users have already paid for."
Personally I think Apple should remove the app from the App Store and see how Bloop manages without any new users.
Airmail Users Frustrated About Sudden Switch to Subscription-Based Pricing on iPhone and iPad [Updated] - MacRumors

 

[chscag]

I read that a little while ago. Lots of Airmail users are very unhappy with this. One reason why I refuse to use any other mail app than what Apple supplies.

 

[Rod]

Yes, received and understood. I may well do the same. I have been trying it out lately (Mail) and I might just consider making the break. I'm sure I won't be alone.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[Rod]

Well I did quite a bit of thinking and decided that there is no reason why I shouldn’t have two email clients. The stalwart Apple Mail as backup with its complex rules and Spam Sieve addon.
And a creative email app like Spark with some nifty features like;
A smart unified Mailbox or classic view. This really helps me sort through the important stuff quickly and is not overdone like gMail’s app.
Reply templates.
Smart searches.
Smart mailboxes that are really easy to access even in iOS and
Push Notifications that really work even on my Apple Watch.
Lastly it has both macOS and iOS versions keeping the process the same on all my devices.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[chscag]

Makes me wonder why Airmail is shooting themselves in the foot over this. It's not like we don't have other good choices.

Lots of folks overlook "Thunderbird Mail" for instance which works great for the Mac, Windows, and Linux. Too bad they do not yet provide a client for iOS or Android.

 

[Rod]

Yes my thoughts too. It’s always been my wish to have the same app on all devices. I second your opinion of thunderbird mail, it’s great.

 

[Rod]

Just a little update. After my rather terse email to Bloop Support nearly 10 days ago I received this reply today from cappucinoapps:

Hi Rodney,

We are sorry for a late answer and the inconvenience caused.

We have returned our old users access to Push and all other features. I hope you've updated the app to the latest version from the App Store.

And we have also introduced some new features which are only accessible to the premium users.

Let me know if you have any concerns.

Thank you

I politely informed them that I had changed apps, namely my email client on iOS and macOS and had no intention of reinstalling their product on my devices.
I'm probably being a bit harsh but had they bothered to contact existing users with an explanation of their intentions prior to the icon on the page move i would have been in more of a mood to negotiate.