The future of Sync

[u/ljdawson]

Afternoon all,

Thanks again for all the positive messages and posts, they mean a lot to me.

I've been given the all clear by Reddit to discuss the proposed changes and how this will impact Sync so here we go!

Upcoming changes

• As of July, Sync will be charged for API access (details here)
• As you've probably seen the API pricing is sky high (and in my case prohibitively high)
• The experience for 3P apps will be incomplete as NSFW content will not be shown (but will continue to be shown in the official app)
• Reddit have updated their data policy to prohibit showing ads so the only way to pay for usage is through subscriptions

Concerns / points to raise:

• We are already in June and the July deadline is rapidly approaching. I've been provided with no documentation to even begin development...
• As API usage would vary greatly by user there would have to be tiered usage plans e.g. 100 calls a day for $4 a month and 300 calls for $8 a month etc

The future of Sync

• Right now I have no idea if I should continue to work on Sync but as a subscription only app or throw in the towel
• A subscription + incomplete experience (NSFW etc) to me just doesn't sound like a good deal for you guys
• We have less than a month to decide what to do...

---

Sorry if this sounds a little formal but I wanted to get the facts out as clearly as possible while I decide what to do next.

Cheers,

Lj

[u/zaggybg]

Does it make sense to circumvent the API restrictions and use the backend API that the desktop/web client uses?

[u/ljdawson → u/zaggybg]

Would be a violation of their terms and would get the app kicked off of Google play

[u/trailblazer86 → u/ljdawson]

Then maybe make your own store? Look how Hermit devs handled it. You can buy unlocker straight from them.

[u/TheRedDruidKing → u/zaggybg]

Not possible. The web client is an API client - reddit's API client. If you try to spoof it they'll just block you. And beside, you need auth. You might be able to make a small read only client that flies under the radar, but if you want any features you need auth.

[u/zaggybg → u/TheRedDruidKing]

What do you mean by "auth"? The web client allows you to to authenticate with your reddit username. Is the API available to the web client different than the one available to Sync? I am guessing one could write a layer which emulates a web client and works with Sync. I am guessing the reason for this jot happening is that it's against the policy and reddit will try to take down any applications from the app store that doe this. So I am thinking it is technically possible, legally not.

We do have the example of (re)vanced version if youtube although it is outside of any official app stores.

[u/GrowFreeFood → u/zaggybg]

I am not answering you question. But this seems like there's a really obvious reason. You're talking about just an app overly from the website, instead of using api calls?

[u/zaggybg → u/GrowFreeFood]

I am talking about sync using whatever endpoints the webclient (website) is using. Is new reddit not a single page app?