[EN] MyRoute-app Routeplanner Next (Beta)

[David Rudgley]

I suspect the main concern is that customers who purchased the Gold Lifetime package believed they were entitled to all future updates and additional functionality for the lifetime of the product.
If that is the case, how were those expectations managed at the point of sale? Was it made clear that "Lifetime" referred only to the functionality available at the time of purchase, and that future premium features could be excluded? If so, then any misunderstanding may simply stem from customers interpreting the offer differently.
My view is that the business has recognised that the Lifetime model will eventually reach a saturation point, where revenue from new Lifetime purchases begins to decline. At that stage, relying solely on Lifetime sales is unlikely to generate sufficient income to support ongoing development, maintenance, and future innovation.
I completely understand why the business has chosen to introduce a new commercial model. However, I can also appreciate why customers who previously purchased Lifetime access may feel differently, particularly if they believed their purchase included access to all future functionalities. Ultimately, much depends on how those expectations were originally set and communicated.

[martin-phogel.de]

@Rob-Verhoeff sagte:

How many times does this still need to be explained?

This isn't about losing functionality in terms of the features currently available. That's certainly the bare minimum one can expect from a lifetime license.

The issue is that the term “lifetime license” is being redefined. If you look at the FAQ and combine the terms “Gold,” “Lifetime,” and “Unlimited,” you inevitably conclude this means unlimited access to all current and future features, like a lifetime subscription to the highest available tier (”Gold”, in this case). That’s not unusual at all.

With the new model, however, the only clear thing is what new features you won’t get with the upcoming update without paying extra.

What the lifetime license will include in the future, on the other hand, is completely unclear. Will it include everything that’s also included in a Gold subscription? Or just a part of it? Or at least bug fixes for existing features? Some features you’ll get, some only with an additional fee. And some maybe not at all?

Sorry, but it’s simply not true that “everything is clear”, even with all these explanations.

[Rob Verhoeff]

@martin-phogel.de If that’s how you see it, then all I can advise you to do is simply wait until the new website is released to all users!

[Nick Carthew]

@martin-phogel.de So as to balance your argument I feel I need to correct your statement. Nowhere in the FAQs does it state that future features would be included, this is just your conclusion. You also failed to include all of the sentence when you mentioned the word unlimited, so here it is: Lifetime: "Pay once to get unlimited access to the purchased product. The important part of this sentence is purchased product. The product that you have purchased is Lifetime Gold and when the new website is launched you will still have unlimited access to the Gold features for your lifetime without having to pay anything extra.

[martin-phogel.de]

Sorry, @Nick-Carthew , I don't agree with that.

According to the FAQ, there are three subscription models: monthly, annual, and lifetime.

If I sign up for an annual “Gold” subscription, I expect to have access to all the features that are implemented during that year—not just the features that were available at the start of my subscription. Do you agree?

And if I sign up for a lifetime subscription, to me that’s like my annual subscription renewing itself over and over again. And “product” simply refers to the distinction between “Planner” and “Navigation (Next).”

That’s how I understand it, that's how I know it from all other “lifetime license” arrangements.

[MotoCon]

@martin-phogel.de, Where does the term "during a year" come from? Your theory would imply a Gold subscription could mean different feature inclusions for people based on how long ago they purchased their subscription. I guess many more people would get mad when they did that!

Like said so many times, Gold stays Gold with all previous features and more...

There are MANY new features that are included in the gold subscription for free.
There are also a few new additions to the program that are beyond the regular workflow, that cost a bit extra and can be seen as an in-app purchase, and that will not limit the use of your regular subscription in any way.

[martin-phogel.de]

martin-phogel.de sagte:

during that year

@Con-Hennekens sagte:

"during a year"

The misunderstanding is probably because I’m not a native English speaker and didn’t express myself clearly.

Let me try again: If I sign up for an annual Gold subscription today, I expect access not only to the current features but also to all features implemented by October 8, 2027.

Based on that, I expect that with a subscription with no time limit, I’ll have access to all features—both those available at the time of my subscription and all future ones.

Does that make more sense?

[Tim 57 0]

That is exactly my point—or rather, my concern.

What is the advantage of opting for a product or provider via a higher one-off payment?

Choosing a monthly or annual subscription gives me maximum flexibility. If Calimoto or Kurviger releases a great feature next year, I can simply switch providers.

However, if I commit to a product and place my trust in it for the future, I expect lifetime access that evolves with the service. As I mentioned, I’ve made various purchases of this kind in both my personal and professional life; in doing so, I am placing my trust in these companies.

If paid updates or new, higher tiers—Gold+, Gold++, Platinum, etc.—are introduced later, it doesn't really feel like the customer is being valued. I really have to emphasize—and I mean this constructively, not aggressively or negatively—that this sort of thing scares off new customers.

The various tiers and the confusing use of "Next" across different products make the whole thing incredibly muddled. Drawing on my professional experience in copywriting, sales promotion, SEO, and corporate digitalization, I can only surmise that you are already losing many potential customers at this stage. It lacks clarity and simplicity.

Furthermore, I don't think it’s productive to confuse and unsettle—and ultimately lose—new customers who were still interested (only to add to that confusion with a website relaunch), while simultaneously unsettling or alienating existing customers (as seen in the comments here) and addressing them in a rather harsh tone.

As I said, this isn't meant to provoke; it’s just an outside perspective from a new customer who hasn't been scared off yet but is definitely having doubts. To be honest, I’ve started looking at alternatives again since my first post here.

Sad to say.

[Karel76]

In my opinion, they completely messed up the PR.

Instead of a well-prepared campaign for the new version, there was total confusion, which they hurriedly tried to fix by adding information to the website. On top of that, their testers (routeexpert etc) and team members were putting down users who didn't understand the new version.

This might be forgivable for a free, open-source project, but not for a paid service. If I had a subscription instead of a lifetime license (Lifetime Gold), I would switch to a competitor immediately.

I've been dissatisfied with the Android app for a long time. Honestly, I regret buying the lifetime license and cannot recommend purchasing it to anyone I know.

[Stefan Hummelink]

@Karel76 said:

putting down

Regardless of the rest of your message, and whether your statements regarding those "other users" are true or not, you do realize that "putting down" in English means something completely different from what you intend to say... ?

[Karel76]

@Stefan-Hummelink said:

Regardless of the rest of your message, and whether your statements regarding those "other users" are true or not, you do realize that "putting down" in English means something completely different from what you intend to say... ?

If I understand the phrase "putting down" correctly, that was the impression I got from the whole discussion on this topic.

[Rob Verhoeff]

@Karel76 If you’re so convinced that this entire platform falls far short of your expectations, why do you post comments like this? Delete your account and look elsewhere. I consider this nothing more than an attempt to stir up discontent.

[Stefan Hummelink]

@Karel76 said:

correctly

Wellz you didn't . Putting down means to euthanize or to kill and most often used for stray dogs or sick incurable animals.

In Dutch: "inslapen" or "afmaken".

[Dae 0]

@Karel76 said:

@Stefan-Hummelink said:

Regardless of the rest of your message, and whether your statements regarding those "other users" are true or not, you do realize that "putting down" in English means something completely different from what you intend to say... ?

If I understand the phrase "putting down" correctly, that was the impression I got from the whole discussion on this topic.

“Putting down” can mean to insult or disparage someone. If that’s what you thought, then you have understood the phrase correctly

[Vince Hyde]

@Stefan-Hummelink, with English being my first and, to be honest, my only language, the phrase putting down has several meanings; one is, as you say, to euthanize animals, but also, as the poster meant, to insult, criticize, or belittle a person; you can also put your bags or objects down.

[MotoCon]

This discussion is leading nowhere. There has been sufficient explanations multiple times, if people still do not understand they simply choose to not understand. I am not saying the hole introduction was 100% splendid, but enough has been said.

I think it is time to close the thread, before more people start being insulting or even abusing...

[martin-phogel.de]

@Con-Hennekens sagte:

if people still do not understand they simply choose to not understand.

Wow.

[Tim 57 0]

quod erat demonstrandum

I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but it is precisely these kinds of reactions that clearly rub people the wrong way. Instead of addressing concerns and questions openly and amicably, people are quick to pass judgment.

I am a member of many forums related to surfing, classic cars, PCs, and various other hobbies. The tone isn't always friendly there—which is fine, since people come together and everyone can decide for themselves whether to stay.

In this case, however, we are dealing with the sale or promotion of a product. I am happy for all the alpha testers and insiders, but perhaps it would be more sensible to communicate in a better, more neutral way, treat questions and concerns with respect, and rein in one's ego a bit.

[Corjan Meijerink]

I’ve done that already numerous times