Update on the PastoralCare App
Quick update and report on the success of the newly released iPhone App version of the Pastoral Care Companion.
After only being live and available in Apple’s iTunes store for only a day, already more than 100 people have purchased it, and the reviews are very positive. You can get it here.
Couple things in response to some questions/feedback.
(1) A fully optimized version of the App for the iPad will be prepared and ready as soon as possible, we did not want to hold off releasing the iPhone App, but the full iPad version is coming soon. If you purchased the iPhone App, you will get the iPad optimized version as part of a free update.
(2) We are aware of a bug in the App that prevents it from working on iPod/iTouch units, that fix is being uploaded to the iTunes store today and Apple should approve it in a few days, and again, if you purchased the App, this will be an update for free.
Thanks for your positive and enthusiastic reception of this App!
Question: If I purchase this (or other software) for my iPad, can I use it on my iPhone if I get one?
Absolutely.
@Timothy Buelow
Assuming it has that little “+” by it. Some apps are iPad only (or iPhone only). So glad CPH is making this a universal app. Looking forward to checking it out.
@Chris and Tim: At present, it is only an iPhone App, but we will be releasing a both/and version which will support full iPad optimization, then it will be able to be used on both and between both. It won’t be an iPad only App or iPhone only App, but both/and, as per the usual.
I haven’t downloaded yet – going to wait for the iPad version.
One thing puzzles me, though… the pricing point. ToDP is a $30 book and a $9 app. Pastoral Care Companion is a $36 book and a $20 app. 20% difference in hard-copy cost = 120% difference in app cost.
Yes, it is still a bargain compared to the hard copy (which would be a great selling point if I didn’t already have a hard copy). But I will be honest, the price gave me pause and curbed my impulse to instantly purchase. I will probably still be purchasing it (eventually), but price/value is the major sticking point at this time.
We’ve learned quite a bit about where to price things in the new “e” world, and we, like many/most publishers are moving away from the “cheapo” digital price points of the days of old. The intellectual property is the same whether it is in a printed book format, in an eBook format, or in an App. The cost to produce a quality App is not insignificant, and so we have to cover our investment. We do price it down a bit, but the price point can’t go to low or we simply realize no adequate return on invesment, and given the fact that Apple takes a good chunk of ever sale, we need to price things more in line with the real value of the material being made available.
The app is very well done. I have been showing it to my friends and instructors here at the seminary and have received good responses from everyone who has seen it. Thank you.
What is the status on the fix for the iPod Touch? I purchased the app right after Christmas for my iPod Touch, but it was only after I paid my money that I learned it does not work on iPod Touch.
Strange…we actually released an update to fix iPod Touch issues. Please contact me at paul.mccain@cph.org so I can route your query and e-mail address to the programmer.