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Why buy WolfRam Alpha app?

P

PSB136

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 26, 2014
89
1
I bought the WolframAlpha app after reading a great review of it, but then found that the Wolfram website does the same thing. :mad: Am I missing something that the app does better than the website? It wasn't a cheap app and I'm trying to decide whether or not to get a refund (and lose all future updates to it).
 
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To cheat in class? :D

I paid for the Wolfram $50 a year subscription for the step by step problem solving... helped me through calc I and calc II.
 
When I bought the app it was $5 I believe. The $50 thing is the yearly wolfram subscription, which includes added features like step by step breakdown of solved math problems, etc.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/pro/

For $3 it is an amazing thing to have on the go, especially if you deal with higher level math. Wolfram is an amazing piece of software. Granted you can always just use the site with safari, but..
 
santaliqueur said:
Huh? The app is $3.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the website does the exact same thing, as I discovered later. Paying $3 for the app to have "on the go" would only make sense if it didn't need the internet, but it does... so, may as well use the free website. No?
 
C DM said:
The app used to be $50 (as the linked web site in a subsequent post shows)--it hasn't been that expensive for some time though: https://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/3...e-drop-new-mobile-site-and-upcoming-ipad-app/
Click to expand...

When it was released several years ago, the app was $50 for its first few months, then lowered to $2. Unsure why that's relevant now, since OP bought the app a few days ago.

----------
PSB136 said:
Yes, but the website does the exact same thing, as I discovered later. Paying $3 for the app to have "on the go" would only make sense if it didn't need the internet, but it does... so, may as well use the free website. No?
Click to expand...

I guess so. Just seems unnecessary to think about a refund for it. It's $3. Delete it and move on, or use it, and think of it as a $3 lesson to do your homework before purchasing next time.
 
PSB136 said:
Yes, but the website does the exact same thing, as I discovered later. Paying $3 for the app to have "on the go" would only make sense if it didn't need the internet, but it does... so, may as well use the free website. No?
Click to expand...

The number of times WolframAlpha has helped me thru school makes the three dollars well worth it, even if I can get the same service for free thru the website. For the less than the price of lunch I'm helping out some great developers and researchers. I'm okay with that.
 
santaliqueur said:
a $3 lesson to do your homework before purchasing next time
Click to expand...

LOL, I did do my homework. The app was advertised as doing MORE than the website ("optimised for mobile" and such), but I found no such thing when I tried. Everything I did on the app, worked and resulted exactly the same on the website. No difference at all. So, I was ripped off by the app's claims. Hence, my asking here to see what I was missing, and when it was evident nothing, I got the refund. Nothing wrong with that. Sure, it's "only" $3, but I'm not into throwing money away for no good reason.
 
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Mostly I use the desktop version when I have a use for Wolfram. But giving the web and app version a quick look. The app must certainly is optimized for mobile use.

It has an easily accessible history and favourite list.
An expanded keyboard.
Allows you to analyze pictures directly.
The results are made to fit the display, unlike the web version.
Quick comparison. 1st picture being the web version(zoomed out), 2nd app version.
http://imgur.com/zZrpnyo&KUv5rxX#1

Yes, the results will be the same. And you are free to decide wether the app is worth it or not, but accusing them for lying is a bit...
 
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Tyler23 said:
When did they lie?
Click to expand...
When they said it did more on mobile than the website. Then their own blog said the experience is the same whether you use the app or website. So... yeah.

As for http://imgur.com/zZrpnyo&KUv5rxX#1 -- OMG, you seriously think that's different or optimized better? Wow. I see the same results in an easy-to-read format in BOTH shots. In fact, the website shows MORE info than the app when zoomed out, which makes IT more optimized.

So, I don't agree, that's all I can say. :)


Vxr0FrE.pnghttp:
 
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PSB136 said:
When they said it did more on mobile than the website. Then their own blog said the experience is the same whether you use the app or website. So... yeah.

As for http://imgur.com/zZrpnyo&KUv5rxX#1 -- OMG, you seriously think that's different or optimized better? Wow. I see the same results in an easy-to-read format in BOTH shots. In fact, the website shows MORE info than the app when zoomed out, which makes IT more optimized.

So, I don't agree, that's all I can say. :)


Image
Click to expand...

Where does it say they did more than on the mobile site?
 
Tyler23 said:
Where does it say they did more than on the mobile site?
Click to expand...
From their blog: "The app is, in fact, a large collection of small changes. These changes add up to a unique and natural experience for using Wolfram|Alpha on the iPhone and iPod touch."

Makes it sound as though the app experience is better, but I disagree, totally. Obviously it's subjective. When I see the results looking the same like in the screenshot above, that's my reasoning.

Anyway, I'm over it. Got my refund, so I'm happy. :) Oh, and okay: they're NOT liars.
 
PSB136 said:
As for http://imgur.com/zZrpnyo&KUv5rxX#1 -- OMG, you seriously think that's different or optimized better? Wow. I see the same results in an easy-to-read format in BOTH shots. In fact, the website shows MORE info than the app when zoomed out, which makes IT more optimized.
Image
Click to expand...

Indeed I do.
I would hardly say it is displaying any relevant extra information. Either way, if you have the need to have more digits than there is always the option to show "More terms" on both of them.

I can say the changes there are small. The way they display the information on the app is a bit prettier and tidier. Which while nice, it isn´t such an important difference to me.
No, what actually matters to me those few times I use the app, is the expanded keyboard. It has made a slightly annoying task into a reasonably comfortable task to do. By making it easier to input what you are wondering about, as a result making it comfortable and saving me time.

Sure this can now be rectified by a 3rd app keyboard. I am not sure if something that does the same has been released. Either way, that expanded keyboard on Wolfram has always been something I have enjoyed about it.
 
Kroner said:
The way they display the information on the app is a bit prettier and tidier.
Click to expand...
For me, that's not a concern or a reason to spend $3. Both screenshots look the same to me because I overlook cosmetics.

As for those saying the $3 will support the team: you do all know that WA makes a fortune anyway licensing their product to companies like Apple? They're not exactly on the verge of Chapter 11, and neither are they a struggling startup. Not having my $3 isn't going to break them.
 
PSB136 said:
As for those saying the $3 will support the team: you do all know that WA makes a fortune anyway licensing their product to companies like Apple? They're not exactly on the verge of Chapter 11, and neither are they a struggling startup. Not having my $3 isn't going to break them.
Click to expand...

Your $3.00 is still a way to show your appreciation for their hard works, isn't it? And it's not like it breaks your bank or anything. :rolleyes:
 
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