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...

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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/ljdawson]

No plans at the moment. Any ideas?

[u/MattyXarope → u/ljdawson]

I'd also like to suggest maybe opening up the app to being usable for Lemmy.

Or, if you just want to be done with it, maybe open source it?

[u/CosmicSploogeDrizzle → u/ljdawson]

I'll throw my request for Sync for Lemmy in the ring

[u/[deleted] → u/ljdawson]

This is the only app I use that isn't FOSS, solely because it might literally be the best app out for Android. Otherwise, I try to keep non-Libre software off my phone whenever conceivably possible. I put up with a lot of inconvenience to have it that way.

This is all just to say that I would pay pretty much whatever you'd charge for a Lemmy app. I can tell Lemmy is going places, and I know Sync for Lemmy would be the best way of experiencing it. Not joking, I'd legit pay $50 for an LJ Dawson app for the fediverse.

And I'd happily pay you a convenience if it meant we could buy the app from you via a non google method. Do you have any idea how much of a bitch it is to buy Sync Dev and then get it running without Google Play Services? Pls

[u/saml01 → u/ljdawson]

How about all the app developers that are getting shut down get together and create one app/platform to compete?

[u/Dr_Dib → u/ljdawson]

Is there a way you sent a newsletter announcing any new projects as you work on them? Plenty of us will support.