Dive into the world of app subscriptions, where the hosts crack open their App Store accounts to reveal what they're paying for and why. Discover the shift from one-time purchases to subscription models and how that shapes developers and users alike. They tackle productivity apps like Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, along with unique note-taking tools like Craft versus Notion. With insights into daily life and travel management apps, this discussion highlights the balance between convenience and cost in today's digital landscape.
Users discussed their app subscriptions and the reasons behind them.
Canceled subscriptions emphasized individual preferences and needs.
Seasonal subscriptions are adjusted based on user interests and time of year.
Trying out various apps for review purposes led to some subscriptions being canceled.
Deep dives
Day One: A Journaling App with Great Features
Day One is a powerful journaling app that provides a safe and convenient place to record personal thoughts and experiences. It offers features like syncing across multiple devices, end-to-end encryption, and the ability to attach photos to entries. With Day One, users can create multiple journals and easily organize and search their entries. The app is well-designed, user-friendly, and provides a great user experience for those who enjoy journaling.
Obsidian: A Versatile Note-Taking App
Obsidian is a note-taking app that offers a range of features for organizing and managing information. It allows users to create and link notes in a dynamic and flexible manner. With Obsidian, users can easily navigate through their notes and connect ideas in a non-linear fashion. The app also supports markdown and syncing across devices, making it a powerful tool for knowledge management and personal organization.
Grammarly: An Essential Writing Assistant
Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps users improve their written communication. It offers suggestions for grammar, spelling, and style, making it a valuable tool for anyone who writes regularly. Grammarly can be used in web browsers, as a desktop application, and as a mobile keyboard, providing users with support across various platforms. Its features are extensive, including a plagiarism checker and a tone detector, making it a comprehensive writing tool for both personal and professional use.
Time Rew: Efficient Time Tracking with Toggl Integration
Time Rew is a time tracking app that integrates with Toggl, offering a seamless and efficient way to track and manage time. It provides a beautiful user interface, customizable timers, and syncs with Toggl for easy management of projects and tasks. Time Rew also offers timer scheduling, reminders, and comprehensive reports, making it a valuable tool for productivity and time management.
Cancellation of Subscription Apps
One app that was recently canceled is Portal, a wallpaper app with animations and sound. It didn't fit the user's needs, resulting in the subscription being discontinued. Another app mentioned is Productive, a habit tracking app, which proved counterproductive for the user. As a preference, habits are written down in a notebook rather than tracked through apps. Headspace, a meditation app, was also canceled due to not needing guided meditation anymore. These cancellations showcase the individual's choice to discontinue subscriptions that did not align with their preferences or needs.
Seasonal Subscriptions
Bally Sports, a streaming service for sports programming, is a seasonal subscription for the user. It is specifically used to watch the Memphis Grizzlies games and is turned off when the NBA season is over. This exemplifies a subscription that is only active during a particular time of the year and is adjusted based on the user's interests and sports seasons.
Apps Tested for Review Purposes
The user also mentions trying out various apps for review purposes, which were not intended to be long-term subscriptions. Some examples include Up Ahead, Glass, and Reply Cube. After testing them for a month or two, the user concluded that these apps did not align with their personal preferences or needs, resulting in the cancellation of the subscriptions.
Subscriptions aren't just the future of software anymore, but they are how many developers are running their businesses today. David and Stephen open up their App Store accounts to discuss what they're paying for and why.
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