Readdle Launches PDF Expert 6 With New Editing Features, Revamped Design

[MacRumors]

Readdle today announced the launch of PDF Expert 6, a major update to its popular PDF Expert app. PDF Expert 6 introduces a range of new features, from a revamped look to new editing tools.

The app has been overhauled with a fresh, streamlined look that makes it easier to add and manage files, but the most important new feature is the addition of editing tools. With PDF Expert 6, you can do more than just annotate -- the app now supports editing and modifying PDF text, adding images, adding links, redacting information, and more.

Other new features include support for editing and annotating documents directly in Dropbox or another cloud service, password protected files, improved search, and edit outlines.

PDF Expert 6 can be downloaded from the App Store for $9.99, and the update is free for existing users. The new PDF editing tools are available through an additional $9.99 in-app purchase. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Readdle Launches PDF Expert 6 With New Editing Features, Revamped Design

 

[StudyFlo]

So the update is free, but the new functions will still cost me $9.99 for PDF-editing, right? Just for clarification.

 

[yanksfan114]

Perfect. Love using this app for my textbook notes and lectures. The app was in dire need of a refreshed look. Hopefully it fixed the Applem Pencil refresh bug.
[doublepost=1494421788][/doublepost]

So the update is free, but the new functions will still cost me $9.99 for PDF-editing, right? Just for clarification.

No if you have the app already it's a free update. Just did it to mine and everything works perfectly.

 

[13261]

So the update is free, but the new functions will still cost me $9.99 for PDF-editing, right? Just for clarification.

Yes, the update is free, but editing a pdf (text, images, or redacting content) will cost extra.

 

[ZCT]

I've used this app for a while and the updates do make it look more attractive. But when you select the option to upgrade to Pro it gives an error message, which is pretty lame.

 

[StudyFlo]

I'm probably just dumb but how do I edit my Files directly in Dropbox? I've connected my DB account with the App but when I want to edit a document, it always downloads it first. (I'm on iPhone right now), also, where's the In-App-Purchase?

 

[tjleonard]

Best PDF editor ever.

 

[orbital~debris]

If you're just wanting to mark up PDF, is this app significantly better than the built-in iOS PDF tools?

 

[zorinlynx]

I'm really starting to dislike this trend of apps that you have to pay for, then pay more in IAPs for additional features. It's nickel and dimeing and it's ridiculous.

Why not make the app free, then charge IAPs for anything beyond a barebones feature set?

I know I'd be upset if I didn't know certain features were more and had to pay another $10 after already paying $10 for the app itself.

 

[Sheza]

I'm really starting to dislike this trend of apps that you have to pay for, then pay more in IAPs for additional features. It's nickel and dimeing and it's ridiculous.

Why not make the app free, then charge IAPs for anything beyond a barebones feature set?

I know I'd be upset if I didn't know certain features were more and had to pay another $10 after already paying $10 for the app itself.

There are another group of people who similarly hate the idea of a free app with many IAPs to unlock.

 

[lightmyway]

I don't like the idea of a new IAP on an app I've already paid for, but the truth is, if we want pro-level apps like this to be continually updated and improved, we need to pony up some money from time to time, and this is way better than the monthly subscription model.

 

[TMRJIJ]

What's the point of the free upgrade if I still have to pay $9.99 for the new features? I mean, I already paid for the app (both Mac and iOS). It just makes me want to find an alternative for my PDF editing. It's not like these features are really new. I could've been charged more from the beginning just to ensure that I continue to get these refinements in the future.
I need to think this over because I really don't want to shed ten dollars to 'un-gimp' this app.

 

[Ludatyk]

What's the point of the free upgrade if I still have to pay $9.99 for the new features? I mean, I already paid for the app (both Mac and iOS). It just makes me want to find an alternative for my PDF editing. It's not like these features are really new. I could've been charged more from the beginning just to ensure that I continue to get these refinements in the future.
I need to think this over because I really don't want to shed ten dollars to 'un-gimp' this app.

I think the point of is... let the customers know before hand. I had paid for this app awhile back and yeah... I do understand as one commenter pointed out that if we want "pro" level apps that we as customers need to support these developers.

But I would prefer giving customers a heads up. Let customers know beforehand that there's an update in the future and I think it will come off better...IMO. Heck, send a press release... Readdle is a well-known company in the Apple community. So, let us know what the plan is going forward with PDF Expert and customers will be better prepared to deal with it..

 

[bluespark]

I don't like the idea of a new IAP on an app I've already paid for, but the truth is, if we want pro-level apps like this to be continually updated and improved, we need to pony up some money from time to time, and this is way better than the monthly subscription model.

I agree to a point. You're absolutely right that this is better than the monthly subscription model and that software development costs money. But in-app purchase requirements seem less than fully transparent (i.e., it can be difficult to suss out what one truly needs to pay for at the time of purchase) and they can seem like nickel-and-diming if the experience intrudes in any way on the way the app would have been used before the new IAP feature was introduced. IAPs serve a purpose, but they can be a huge turn-off if not used sparingly and appropriately.

As a general rule, I think all "normal" functionality should be priced into the initial download, and that price also should include at least a few years of the developer's planned upgrades. IAPs can work for specialty (i.e., non-mainstream) functionality, or where their need is exceedingly obvious at the time of the initial purchase.

That said, I don't want my comments to fall too heavily on PDF Expert, which is an outstanding app and so far has been worth every penny I've paid for it. I'm a lawyer, and I love using this app to mark up cases on my iPad. It's both an efficient and pleasurable way to work.

 

[IGI2]

I don't like the idea of a new IAP on an app I've already paid for, but the truth is, if we want pro-level apps like this to be continually updated and improved, we need to pony up some money from time to time, and this is way better than the monthly subscription model.

The whole problem with IAP is that they cannot be shared across the family.

I can buy an expensive app, for 10 EURO, but I know my whole family will benefit. That's not the case with IAPs.

 

[Rigby]

I agree to a point. You're absolutely right that this is better than the monthly subscription model and that software development costs money. But in-app purchase requirements seem less than fully transparent (i.e., it can be difficult to suss out what one truly needs to pay for at the time of purchase)

The problem is that Apple still hasn't come up with any good way for developers to offer paid upgrades. There has to be some way for developers to fund the development of new features, and right now the only options are to release a separate app (which existing owners would have to purchase at full price) or use an in-app purchase.

As a general rule, I think all "normal" functionality should be priced into the initial download, and that price also should include at least a few years of the developer's planned upgrades.

Outside of Apple's app stores, no major software product provides major upgrades of the functionality like this one for free. The in-place editing of PDFs is really impressive, beating even much more expensive products such as Acrobat. They recently added it to the Mac version of PDF Expert as well.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Readdle is a great dev.

 

[Ridge Racer]

What's the point of the free upgrade if I still have to pay $9.99 for the new features?

You don't 'have to pay' - only if you want the new PDF editing features. These features were not part of the app when you purchased it, and there was no promise that such features would be made available for free when you purchased.

You're still getting quite a few other things: new design, work in the cloud, password protection, enhanced search, edit outlines and the usual bug fixes for your free upgrade.

I mean, I already paid for the app (both Mac and iOS).

And nothing has changed. You still have the app you paid for with the features you agreed to get at the price you paid when you bought it.

It's not like these features are really new.

They're new to the iOS version of this app. Other apps may have had such features already, and if you needed those features when you bought the app, you should've purchased one of those alternatives instead.

You willingly purchased the app without these additional features, so you must've been happy to pay the price at the time. What's changed?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Great update. But I still find editing on the iPad kind of like painting a house with an artist's brush.

 

[BWhaler]

Amazing update to a great app.

I paid the 10 bucks. Well worth it, plus if we don't pay for great software, there won't be any. It really is that simple.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Great update. But I still find editing on the iPad kind of like painting a house with an artist's brush.

I see it as something great you can do if you need it. I used to edit on my iPhone when in the field, something cropped up, and I had a deadline and couldn't wait to get to a computer. It's invaluable when you need it. Totally worth the price.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I see it as something great you can do if you need it. I used to edit on my iPhone when in the field, something cropped up, and I had a deadline and couldn't wait to get to a computer. It's invaluable when you need it. Totally worth the price.

Absolutely, in a pinch it's great -- it's very much akin to the saying the best camera is the one with you. The iPad is a terrible device to edit on but if it's all you got and you need to submit something 10 min. ago it's a life saver. But I would never seek it out as a go-to editing device. It's tedious no matter what the circumstances.

 

[Traverse]

Love PDF Expert. I've use it for years on iOS for school and now business. I replaced Preview with it in thr Mac when El Cap destroyed Preview and I've been very happy.
[doublepost=1494432072][/doublepost]

I'm really starting to dislike this trend of apps that you have to pay for, then pay more in IAPs for additional features. It's nickel and dimeing and it's ridiculous.

Why not make the app free, then charge IAPs for anything beyond a barebones feature set?

I know I'd be upset if I didn't know certain features were more and had to pay another $10 after already paying $10 for the app itself.

There are another group of people who similarly hate the idea of a free app with many IAPs to unlock.

I dislike Free + IAP because it's often abused and you end up paying 10x more. I'd rather pay (and $10 for a desktop class PDF app is not much) and have all the features.

I look at this IAP as Readdles way around Apple's rule against update pricing. If they did this every three months I'd say no, but I'm happy to pay an IAP for an app I've used for years. They deserve money for continued support. My $10 in 2013 is not going to get them through thr hard times.
[doublepost=1494432587][/doublepost]The only think I'd like to know is if thr IAP is required for both thr Mac and iOS.

I wonder if these new features are available with thr update since the Mac version is much more expensive than the iOS version.

EDIT: they confirmed the Mac App has no IAP.

 

[CrystalQuest76]

I have been creating PDF documents for more than fifteen years. Back then, they could only be created with Adobe Acrobat Pro and Acrobat Distiller. When I created those documents I knew that the readers would view those documents consistently to the way I designed them (i made sure I stuck to safe fonts that everyone had in their systems.) I knew the only thing the readers could do, if they had the technical skills and the advanced apps was copy the text and add annotations that were visually obvious annotations.
While I like the additional tools to highlight or underline; and redaction and of course filling out forms and signatures.
I do not like the reader ability to alter the text content of the documents. There are ways to lock out editing a PDF, but that setting is not honored by many PDF reader applications. The integrity of the PDF document is destroyed by the ability of readers to edit them. In the legal, academic, and research profession this is an important issue.

 

[Works4Me]

Absolutely, in a pinch it's great -- it's very much akin to the saying the best camera is the one with you. The iPad is a terrible device to edit on but if it's all you got and you need to submit something 10 min. ago it's a life saver. But I would never seek it out as a go-to editing device. It's tedious no matter what the circumstances.

I'd tend to agree, if for no other reason than selecting text, cutting and pasting is a pain. BUT the way I can use my Apple Pencil to grade assignments is quite good on my iPad.