Apple to Shut Down Texture App for Windows Following Acquisition

[DakotaGuy]

You have that backwards. Apple only releases hardware to boost software sales. iMessages is only available on Apple devices because they want to sell iMessage and making a phone is the only way to control the distribution of it.
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Who do you believe knows enough to criticize them?
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But please, tell me about the 3rd party apps that are "superior" because everything I have seen on the 5 different Android stores I have installed on my Android all offer terrible alternatives to apple apps. They are ugly, unreliable, covered in ads, and want to much access to my personal information.

I never said anything about 3rd party apps being "superior" I was talking about Google apps that are superior. Specifically Google Maps and Google News and Weather IMHO. I also find the Google Assistant to be superior to Siri. I don't see any ads covering up anything. I also find Google Maps to be more "reliable" and "accurate" compared to Apple Maps. I know on these message boards everything Apple is the best because it's Apple! In real life I find Apple to be good at certain things. I wouldn't own an iPad Pro if I didn't like Apple stuff. I just find things like Google Maps/Navigation and Google Assistant to be better when I am on the move. Buy what you want, but don't spread misinformation that Google's apps are covered in ads, ugly or unreliable because that is total hogwash and you know it.

 

[chucker23n1]

You would be spot-on IF Apple showed more than a casual interest in driving the platform on anything but mobile. OTOH, they talk up their services component as an increasing portion of revenue. IF that's true, then they need to let services stand. They now own a cross-platform PAID SERVICE. As a stockholder I expect them to maximize revenue across all lines of business, including services. By purchasing companies with paying customers then shutting down those customers, Apple is not maximizing that value.

How do you know it would "maximize revenue"? What if the Windows app was a significantly different codebase that wasn't worth maintaining? What if they're planning a replacement Windows app that isn't ready yet?

EDIT:

In all fairness, there are many reasons to do this, some good... some bad... some reasonable... some not. I just get frustrated at Apples "buy them then immediately shut down support for all other platforms" approach. The world is cross-platform. Many of us have a mix of systems,

Very few people have "a mix of systems". Granted, many will combine an iPhone and a Windows computer, but how many of those will use Windows to read a magazine?

each providing functionality for a specific purpose. Personally, when I look for new services I look for providers that have cross-platform support. I do NOT want to have multiple different products/subscriptions that are platform specific. From my perspective there is zero value in that.

Apple is never going to be a good home for you then.
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It would be nice if developers could finally realize the "write-once, run-anywhere" promise that has been elusive for years.

Developers can write cross-platform apps if they feel like it, and I will stay the hell away from them because that's a user-hostile move. Cross-platform is motivated by saving money and effort, not by making a good experience.
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They even offer Apple Music on windows in iTunes.

Yes, but listening to music on a Windows computer is far more common than reading a magazine.
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Apple will soon release a statement explaining this further: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally kill their apps off, remove features, or limit compatibility with other platforms."

If Texture's business worked fine without significant changes, why did they sell in the first place?

 

[4jasontv]

I never said anything about 3rd party apps being "superior" I was talking about Google apps that are superior. Specifically Google Maps and Google News and Weather IMHO. I also find the Google Assistant to be superior to Siri.

Samsung doesn't make any of those apps. They are all 3rd party.

I don't see any ads covering up anything.

All of those apps are used to collect data and serve you ads. Therefore, the entire app is an ad. There is also ads in those apps asking you to download other Google apps. Ads within ads to serve more ads.

I also find Google Maps to be more "reliable" and "accurate" compared to Apple Maps.

Purhaps, but the means by which they got better is questionable.

Buy what you want, but don't spread misinformation that Google's apps are covered in ads,

Which they are.

ugly

Which it is.

or unreliable

It's reliable, but the ethics behind the sourcing of the data is questionable.

because that is total hogwash and you know it.

Not in the slightest.

 

[NotTellinYou]

Oh no! What will happen to the MacOS version! Oh...snap! That’s right there is no MacOS version! Duh! Not a single “news” site, not one, pointed out that this might be part of a mobile strategy. Just as there is no Apple News for MacOS there will not be a Texture outside the mobile space.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Samsung doesn't make any of those apps. They are all 3rd party.



All of those apps are used to collect data and serve you ads. Therefore, the entire app is an ad. There is also ads in those apps asking you to download other Google apps. Ads within ads to serve more ads.



Purhaps, but the means by which they got better is questionable.

Which they are. Which it is. It's reliable, but the ethics behind the sourcing of the data is questionable. Not in the slightest.

Then just buy all Apple all the time and be happy with the same old thing everyday. I prefer using different things. Honestly I don't believe you ever owned an S8 since no one would ever buy something they "hate" with a passion. Everything you claim about Samsung, Google and Android you would have known before you purchased.

 

[notabadname]

Love Texture and believe in paying for content. It's a great service I have used for 2 years. I don't mind Apple making inaccessible to/not supporting PC's. The business of having exclusive features and the corresponding gain for the Apple hardware longterm can outweigh the need for a larger customer base for the particular content. Microsoft had one of their biggest games in the Halo franchise. They could've double sales if they made available to the Play Station. Sony does the same with exclusive titles. No different for personal computing IMO.

 

[nostresshere]

Do people here have trouble reading?

Texture says the Windows app, which has not been updated in some time, is being shut down to "keep things working smoothly." The discontinuation of the app may have been on the horizon regardless of the acquisition by Apple based on its infrequent updates and poor reviews.

 

[mistasopz]

Right on, Apple.
Make people move over from the Dark Side of Windows.

Exactly zero people will move from Windows to macos for textures.

 

[4jasontv]

Then just buy all Apple all the time and be happy with the same old thing everyday. I prefer using different things. Honestly I don't believe you ever owned an S8 since no one would ever buy something they "hate" with a passion. Everything you claim about Samsung, Google and Android you would have known before you purchased.

Actually, no. I didn't know *all* these things before I purchased it. But it was free, as was the watch.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Actually, no. I didn't know *all* these things before I purchased it. But it was free, as was the watch.

Well then you can sell them and make some money. Google has given me no reason not to trust them with my data. If a person already uses Facebook, Twitter, You Tube (well I guess that’s Google so I assume you don’t use it at all) or basically any other social media app you’ve already given up your privacy. Heck out of all of those I’d trust Google the most. It’s true that you’re more “secure” in Apple’s walled garden, but once you leave it to do anything else you’re no better off than anyone else. I bet a lot of people that were part of the Facebook data breaches (or any data breach) were using an iOS device when it happened.

 

[4jasontv]

Google has given me no reason not to trust them with my data.

Really? None? They have given you no reason not to trust them with your data. None.

If a person already uses Facebook, Twitter, You Tube (well I guess that’s Google so I assume you don’t use it at all) or basically any other social media app you’ve already given up your privacy.

So you trust them because you gave up your privacy right away. So when you say you have to reason not to trust them, that must be because you trust they will use it for their own benefit without consideration of how it impacts you.

Heck out of all of those I’d trust Google the most.

Of course, Apple wasn't one of the ones you listed.

It’s true that you’re more “secure” in Apple’s walled garden

,

So you have no reason to not trust Google event though someone else is safer... weird...

but once you leave it to do anything else you’re no better off then anyone else. I bet a lot of people that were part of the Facebook data breaches (or any data breach) were using an iOS device when it happened.

I like how you make stealing data directly from the user ok, but stealing data via a thief bad. It's a cool spin on not doing evil.

 

[Abazigal]

And its that mentality that has reduced Apple to being a smartphone company, with accessories for their smartphones. They are slowly killing the rest of their business with decisions like this. Given they have about 10% marketshare of computers, mobile, tablets combined... their Services segment could be the growth engine of the company. But with this closed minded approach it will never happen.

You can’t have both your cake and eat it too.

Apple is a hardware company. Their services will never have the reach of software companies such as google or Facebook, who thrive on scale and so can afford to give their services away for free and support the major platforms. Because the moment Apple starts giving iMessage away for free on android, what incentive is there to purchase an Apple device?

Nevertheless, even 10% market share still works out to an impressive number of users, especially when the Apple ecosystem has effectively aggregated the best customers who have a greater propensity to spend on these hardware and services.

Apple will do just fine.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Really? None? They have given you no reason not to trust them with your data. None.



So you trust them because you gave up your privacy right away. So when you say you have to reason not to trust them, that must be because you trust they will use it for their own benefit without consideration of how it impacts you.



Of course, Apple wasn't one of the ones you listed.

,

So you have no reason to not trust Google event though someone else is safer... weird...



I like how you make stealing data directly from the user ok, but stealing data via a thief bad. It's a cool spin on not doing evil.

I think it’s funny that you consider yourself a “security expert” however less than a year ago you had “no idea” about Google’s business model. Did you smash the S8 and Gear S3 with a hammer to save someone? I’m going to assume you use no Google services and that’s fine. You think Bing is better when it comes to collecting info for ads? Or maybe you don’t even use a search engine. You might as well get a flip phone so you’ll be secure. Like I said before I trust Google and I believe they have excellent services. Btw I’m still waiting for the ads to pop up on my Google apps. When they do I’ll let you know...

 

[Tiger8]

Nobody uses Windows platform anymore and the Texture app has not been updated since 2015? anyways. Good for Apple to shut it down after acquiring Texture. It still be available on iOS and Andriod platforms. Another smart move by Apple and takes "courage"!

Found out that Texture subscription is not available through a Windows based web browser either! LOL!

Still the worlds #1 operating system. Scales up to million dollar servers and down to $100 laptops.

Its for people who do actual work not those who tap the screen a couple of times and 'express themselves creatively'

 

[chucker23n1]

Still the worlds #1 operating system. Scales up to million dollar servers and down to $100 laptops.

Its for people who do actual work not those who tap the screen a couple of times and 'express themselves creatively'

Er, not sure how you’re measuring “#1”, but if it’s active users, Android is bigger.

 

[chatin]

Er, not sure how you’re measuring “#1”, but if it’s active users, Android is bigger.

When I didn't update my payment for Apple, I discovered a long list of crap they were trying to charge me for that I don't remember ordering. Time to install my Google Home with Android.

 

[oyabroch!]

I'd posit that Apple know a liiiiiiiiittle bit more about marketing and business operations than the great unwashed of MR; just a thought.

 

[truthertech]

/

Yeah... good move Apple. Say your in the service business? Then WHY would you shut down an entire PAYING market segment?

A few points. (You've got to read the actual article before you post). It was de facto already shut down and wasn't working for Windows. Second, most people don't read magazines on their desktops. They use tablets and phones. Third, they are keeping it multi-platform for Android. Finally, this is just the current version of Texture. Once Apple integrates it into whatever platform they are going to there may be another chance for Windows users to subscribe to that service.

 

[Tiger8]

Er, not sure how you’re measuring “#1”, but if it’s active users, Android is bigger.

As my post says: Laptops to servers

 

[chucker23n1]

As my post says: Laptops to servers

How many people read a magazine on a server?

 

[jjudson]

No one has yet to crack the magazine app grail yet. Every one of them gets poor reviews for functionality. It's a market that needs innovative development.

 

[blogcraft]

To keep things working smoothly, you fix your app, not shut it down.

The problem is that Apple has not yet learnt how to fix an app. They keep making new and original bugs.

 

[rowspaxe]

No one cares about Texture or magazines. Texture was the last gasp of this 20th century information modality,
now largely relegated to airports and drugstores

 

[convergent]

You can’t have both your cake and eat it too.

Apple is a hardware company. Their services will never have the reach of software companies such as google or Facebook, who thrive on scale and so can afford to give their services away for free and support the major platforms. Because the moment Apple starts giving iMessage away for free on android, what incentive is there to purchase an Apple device?

Nevertheless, even 10% market share still works out to an impressive number of users, especially when the Apple ecosystem has effectively aggregated the best customers who have a greater propensity to spend on these hardware and services.

Apple will do just fine.

Exactly! What incentive does anyone have to overpay for an Apple device if they weren't trapped? This whole mentality was the downfall of RIM. They had a service/software solution that was the best, and came close to offering it on other hardware... which would have allowed them to grow. They stuck with the protectionist approach and eventually it caught up with them. In the Blackberry hayday, no one would have imagined the day would come that they'd not be the top dog. The world can change in the blink of an eye.

I'm sure they will be just fine for years to come, but that annual sales chart with the huge bar for percent of sales from iPhones is a problem for the long term. They are milking other products and letting them decline. Eventually smartphones are not going to have anything substantially new each cycle to justify the high prices.

 

[chucker23n1]

Exactly! What incentive does anyone have to overpay for an Apple device if they weren't trapped? This whole mentality was the downfall of RIM. They had a service/software solution that was the best, and came close to offering it on other hardware... which would have allowed them to grow.

RIM’s downfall:

• iPhone was a decade ahead
• RIM management had too much hubris to realize it
• Once they finally did, it was too late for a third platform to grow — they got squeezed between iOS and Android

See also: Windows Mobile