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Super fun new messaging app: Blipr

O

opticalserenity

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 14, 2007
596
0
I downloaded this yesterday, and have been using it since. It basically allows you to choose a screen name, add friends, then send them "blips." These are push notifications that pop up with a specific sound you pick. It's great. You can fart, kiss, shoot a gun, burp, make a monkey noise, etc.

Anyway, it's a good buy at $1.99 and great interface. If you've ever used any other apps by Return7 (developers of Billminder) you'll know their interface design is fantastic.

(Note: I'm not affiliated with Return7, just really have been looking forward to Blipr's release)

I'm going to start a thread in the code sharing forum so we can share Blipr ID's..

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=335360690&mt=8
 
That might be cool if I was still in grade school....

I can see it now, I am in a meeting with my boss or a potential customer and phone makes a fart sound. Yeah, that would be "super fun" alright... :rolleyes:

And I get that experience for $1.99? Priceless.....

S-
 
sidewinder said:
That might be cool if I was still in grade school....

I can see it now, I am in a meeting with my boss or a potential customer and phone makes a fart sound. Yeah, that would be "super fun" alright... :rolleyes:

And I get that experience for $1.99? Priceless.....

S-
Click to expand...

Yep, I totally get your concern. A couple of things -- you can turn it off so you don't run into this situation. Also if you were in a meeting, you would probably have your phone on silent anyway. There are "normal" sounds so you can just use it for plain old messaging if you prefer. I know there are cheaper alternatives for that. We just wanted to try making a fun app for once. :)
 
sidewinder said:
That might be cool if I was still in grade school....

I can see it now, I am in a meeting with my boss or a potential customer and phone makes a fart sound. Yeah, that would be "super fun" alright... :rolleyes:

And I get that experience for $1.99? Priceless.....
Click to expand...

You know, people like you are EXACTLY why I like apps to be $1.99. That way, we don't have to listen to your whining in the reviews section.

As has already been said, that's what the little switch is for on the side of the phone that lets you put it into silent mode. Plus, you can turn it off.

We've been having a blast with it all day actually in the office. Perhaps your place is just too old fashioned. Good riddance. Personally I'm glad Return7 made this app, it fills a void that existed.
 
opticalserenity said:
You know, people like you are EXACTLY why I like apps to be $1.99. That way, we don't have to listen to your whining in the reviews section.

As has already been said, that's what the little switch is for on the side of the phone that lets you put it into silent mode. Plus, you can turn it off.

We've been having a blast with it all day actually in the office. Perhaps your place is just too old fashioned. Good riddance. Personally I'm glad Return7 made this app, it fills a void that existed.
Click to expand...

Just like a Whoopee cushion, I would expect the fun factor to wear off for most adults in an hour or less. If that is worth $1.99 to you, great, go for it.

Blipr could be free or cost $4.99 and you would not have to worry about me writing a review for it. If I want to have some fun, I have a lot of better ways than Blipr to do that.

Maybe you should look into some Play Doh and mobiles for you and your office mates. That should keep you going for weeks!

S-
 
Wil the fun wear off? Perhaps. But perhaps the fun wears off when you overuse ANYTHING?

Look - I have Blipr. And I enjoy it very much. I don't use it exclusively when I send messages because I don't need to punctuate every message with a sound. But I love being able to have the OPTION.

Would you get bored of having the option to bold, ital or change the color of text iin the native sms application if available? You wouldn't be using them ALL the time. But it would be nice to have the OPTION.

Blipr fills a void in the messaging app by allowing the OPTION to add some spice to a message.
 
Thanks for all of the input. Eh, not everyone has to like the app. We're glad to receive constructive feedback. Is $1.99 too high?

We priced it at that point because of the time/effort that went into it (a little over a month of 2 people working pretty hard on it, plus a brand new, high end, dedicated server, and design work as well. Having said that, we're open to trying other price points.
 
Good God.

If you dont like it, dont buy it. Simple.
Do you really need to rail on the developer, when regardless of your stance, they took time, and effort to make this? If you have a problem with the interface, or bugs to report, by all means, complain, and I assure you, return7will respond, and take action. He always does.

But dont get all in their face for trying something new. You may not see the use in it, and thats fine, vote with your wallet. But regardless, these people spent time in their lives trying to make something fun. This is their job, and their livelyhood, and they are making it in the hopes that it brings a few laughs to people in a time where we all desperatly need it.

On that note, I wont be getting this. I think its a cool concept, but im trying to not buy apps on impulse anymore. :p It looks great, and I'll probably get it just to support return7 in a week or so when i see the reviews. They're a great developer company, and pretty cool guys.

Oh, and as a developer, I can see why you put it at 1.99$ In fact, 2 months of a team working hard, who also need to be paid for time, and a new dedicated server, you could probably price it at 2.99$ and it would make sense. I say keep it at 1.99$.
 
Unspoken Demise said:
If you dont like it, dont buy it. Simple.
Do you really need to rail on the developer...
Click to expand...

I don't like it and didn't buy it. I did not "rail on the developer". I gave my opinion of the usefulness of the app.

Maybe you guys still go around making fart noises with your arm pits all day. If you do, this is the app for you!

S-
 
sidewinder said:
I don't like it and didn't buy it. I did not "rail on the developer". I gave my opinion of the usefulness of the app.

Maybe you guys still go around making fart noises with your arm pits all day. If you do, this is the app for you!

S-
Click to expand...

Maybe you should look into some Play Doh and mobiles for you and your office mates. That should keep you going for weeks!
Click to expand...

Maybe you guys still go around making fart noises with your arm pits all day. If you do, this is the app for you!
Click to expand...

And heres another one:
That might be cool if I was still in grade school....
Click to expand...
Yeah, thats super constructive, mhm. That would be railing on the developer. Dont get on your high horse. Its a long way down.
 
sidewinder said:
I don't like it and didn't buy it. I did not "rail on the developer". I gave my opinion of the usefulness of the app.

Maybe you guys still go around making fart noises with your arm pits all day. If you do, this is the app for you!

S-
Click to expand...

What an ignorant statement to make. Judgemental much? Just because I like to punctuate a text message with a sound doesn't make ME immature. There are 100 sounds included with the app.

If you had the choice to change your SMS notification sound to whatever you wanted - would you be considered someone who need to play with pla-doh or loves fart noises?

You're not only railing on the developer - but you're alienating yourself on this message board with your condescension. Congratulations though. You look far more immature than anyone who would enjoy this app for WHATEVER reason.
 
Let me be real clear: I think this app is stupid and useful for a few minutes of fun. I personally don't want a messaging app making strange noises all the time. And certainly not at the wrong time.

That is not railing on the developer. That is expressing my opinion of the app.

If there are people out that want an app like that for $1.99, more power to you. I don't care what you buy or use. But I do think it funny that some of you get a long term kick out it.

S-
 
To each there own. Will you be posting how useless or silly every app is that you wouldn't use? Can you point me to the threads where you've weighed in on the other 99,999+ apps available and whether or not you deem them worthy?
 
samcraig said:
To each there own. Will you be posting how useless or silly every app is that you wouldn't use? Can you point me to the threads where you've weighed in on the other 99,999+ apps available and whether or not you deem them worthy?
Click to expand...

That's beauty of living in a free country. I can express my opinion when I feel like it. This thread caught my eye with the "Super fun" title. I had to see what was "super fun" about a messaging app. Please feel free to not read my posts. It certainly will be no skin off my nose....

S-
 
return7 said:
Thanks for all of the input. Eh, not everyone has to like the app. We're glad to receive constructive feedback. Is $1.99 too high?
Click to expand...

As part of a development team on the marketing side of things, I'd say price your app at a point where it's attractive to the customer, not based on how much work you put into it. This can be said for a lot of products and it's a delicate balance. The goal here is sales and some may balk at $1.99 but not at 99¢. Apple doesn't really give you much wiggle room in regards to price.

Good luck though man.
 
jbennardo said:
As part of a development team on the marketing side of things, I'd say price your app at a point where it's attractive to the customer, not based on how much work you put into it. This can be said for a lot of products and it's a delicate balance. The goal here is sales and some may balk at $1.99 but not at 99¢. Apple doesn't really give you much wiggle room in regards to price.

Good luck though man.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's reasonable. Do you think it's a good idea to give it away for a day or two as well? :)
 
return7 said:
Thanks. That's reasonable. Do you think it's a good idea to give it away for a day or two as well? :)
Click to expand...

If you gave it away free then it would give a chance to get the reviews in and also if the people who got it had friends then they would pressure their friends into getting it. As I would.
 
wowipod said:
If you gave it away free then it would give a chance to get the reviews in and also if the people who got it had friends then they would pressure their friends into getting it. As I would.
Click to expand...

Yep, it could also be a double edged sword. We would be taking a big gamble on both revenue, ticking off folks who already bought it, and over all the reviews on the App Store tend to be lower for free apps (and 99c apps for that matter).

You're right though, people might get their friends to purchase it at that point. :)
 
This is a silly thread. The App was fun to be a Beta Tester on and if I don't get sent a promo code from the developers, I will probably buy anyway. It's fun. While testing, I just wished i HAD some friends to use it with. Give it a try....Or don't . Just stop complaining about something you are not going to have anything to do with.

I feel bad for the other people at the grocery store, frequented by some of the people on this thread.

:confused::confused::confused:
 
Mr. Gates said:
Just stop complaining about something you are not going to have anything to do with.

I feel bad for the other people at the grocery store, frequented by some of the people on this thread.
Click to expand...

No where in this thread did I complain about this app or anything else. I did give my opinion of it.

I have no idea what the grocery store comment means...

If you keep calling me out, I will keep responding to your accusations.

S-
 
Giving it away free for a day is a great idea I think. I would really like to try this and get a few friends on board. Maybe put it at .99 for a week after that and see how it takes off?
 
return7 said:
Thanks. That's reasonable. Do you think it's a good idea to give it away for a day or two as well? :)
Click to expand...

We priced our app pretty modestly hoping people would take a chance on it. Wasn't a big mover - a niche app so it wasn't a surprise. :D And, we weren't the beneficiary of being on the 'new' page for our category. Once it was ready for sale, we were sent to the page that corresponded with our submission date. Approved on 9/22 yet appeared on page with apps from 9/7. (total bs) :mad:

We thought about making it free for a while just to get some traffic. We hoped that if you had it, you'd like it and share with your friends. Shortly after we arrived at that decision, Apple changed the game with in-app purchases. We rebuilt it and now have a basic version with the essential features but the ability to unlock via in-app purchase.

Sorry for the ramble! Short answer? yeah, get it out there and people trying it. ;)
 
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