Dark Noise Now Free With $3/Month Subscription Upgrade Option for New Users

[Arek2217]

So recently I started using Background Sounds that iOS has built in to get to sleep and if someone was interested I built a simple Shortcut you can get here - Background Sounds Shortcut. It basically turns on the background sound (in this case Rain) and turns it off after 10 minutes. Quick and simple solution you can modify to fit your needs

 

[drumcat]

Well, developers have no choice. Apple is discouraging developers submitting completely new version of existing paid app to get everyone to pay to upgrade. Apple wants developers to either offer upgrades for free or switch to subscription model. Also, servers to host some of the contents of the app aren’t cheap anymore so developers have to make some money to pay the bills.

There have been plenty of apps that have re-launched. The problem isn't they can't version; the problem is they can't leave the old one behind - and they can't use the traditional discount for existing owners.

Frankly, I've abandoned the App Store for anything of this sort. It's not in a customer's interest to be billed monthly. However if you're Apple, it's a great idea.

 

[coolbreeze]

Ripoff. Just go to www.mynoise.net and donate once (like $10, not a requirement but you should) and have a staggering amount of high-quality loops across any genre. You can also mix your own. They do have an iOS app, but the website on your phone works fine and you have access to the full generator settings.

I've used it for years and love it for working, sleeping, background noise, etc. Give it a shot!

 

[Enclavean]

I'm not arguing your point, but your math is off. $3 x 24 months = $72.

Yeah I admit I was a bit too eager to comment lol. Multiplied $9 by 24 instead but yeah paying $72 for multiple apps is not possible

 

[Silverado]

No, thank you. I get my noise for free. And it comes in all colors.

 

[Solomani]

Well, developers have no choice. Apple is discouraging developers submitting completely new version of existing paid app to get everyone to pay to upgrade. Apple wants developers to either offer upgrades for free or switch to subscription model. Also, servers to host some of the contents of the app aren’t cheap anymore so developers have to make some money to pay the bills.

Do you have a news source for this crackdown?

 

[Solomani]

No, thank you. I get my noise for free. And it comes in all colors.

Me too! I get my noise for free, but it comes from a 4 year old.

 

[japanime]

I don’t see this when I try. I’m on the latest iOS and iPadOS. Do I need to enable something?

Sorry ... you do need to add Hearing to Control Center through the Settings app first, as @Rigby kindly pointed out.

 

[Smigit]

Ripoff. Just go to www.mynoise.net and donate once (like $10, not a requirement but you should) and have a staggering amount of high-quality loops across any genre. You can also mix your own. They do have an iOS app, but the website on your phone works fine and you have access to the full generator settings.

I've used it for years and love it for working, sleeping, background noise, etc. Give it a shot!

The mobile app seems good too with a very generous purchase model. Theres a subscription which local for me is $5.95 AUD…so maybe $3-4USD. If you cancel the subscription you keep the content. So effectively one time payment with the option to throw them a few dollars for support.

Edit: the subscription page of the MyNoise site has some excellent developer perspective and is worth a read. For example, he breaks down the operational costs vs local living expenses etc. I love the level of transparency. See https://mynoise.net/donate.php

 

[stevet]

I really hate the subscription model...The fact that Apple is pushing developers to use it seems user hostile. I get paying developers and am completely for it, but come on.

Are you really for paying developers on the App Store? I would turn this around and say it’s the actual customers wanting things for $1.99 or free that caused this.

 

[krewger]

Womp Womp - that’s how the cookie crumbles!

 

[_Spinn_]

I really like Dark Noise but $3 a month seems high. Thank goodness existing users don't have to repurchase it.

 

[svish]

Big increase for one time purchase option.

 

[MuppetGate]

How did this end up as an article?

Well, I think it was more of an advert than an article.

 

[macduke]

This is only marginally better than paying for a Twitter checkmark.

Marginally. Because you get useful noise instead of the usual noise.

This is insane though. I hope nobody buys this but if they do then I’ve got some stupid apps to build.

 

[Silverado]

I get it’s annoying. But, IF the app continues to improve or to get updated content, then those who improve or update it deserve to be paid. Is it fair for the customers who already purchased it to receive improvements year after year for free? it obviously all depends on the initial purchase price, but in the end, if the app/content continues to get updated while the customer base stops expanding, this is the only solution.

 

[eperitus]

No free brown noise. Boo

 

[compwiz1202]

While I understand developers going with subscriptions to make it a long term sustainable business what I don’t get is why, even with inflation, the new yearly subscription is double the previous lifetime purchase…

Yea why can't they make it less, or is $2.99 the minimum a sub can be?