That’s their marketing ploy … get forums to install the plugin free (to generate demand), then charge consumers to get the app (to generate revenue). 
Proboards do the same with their iPhone/iPod app.
Yeah, I get that, but I wondered how you guys feel about US having it installed (bearing in mind that at present we don’t have the resource to build our own). It only prompts once so isn’t that bad IMO, but I’m following up on feedback.
Since nobody else has responded, I’ll post again.
I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking. Tapatalk (for the server) is a free plugin that can be installed on various forum types (like vB). Having this installed matters not unless you want to utilise it’s features on your smartphone, in which case you have to pay for the client app.
So why should we really be bothered if you have it installed? It’s not like it is compulsory, or affects anyone in any way. If we WANT to make use of the plugin then we need to buy the app.
I think you’re over-thinking this.
Nope - I’m not over thinking, just checking in with you. I also understand how it works.
My question is whether people think that it is cheeky that they are prompted to click a More Info link when they first navigate to the forums on their mobile device and are then taken to a $4 app. It would be a better solution IMO if we could PAY for the forum plugin, thereby allowing users to install the app on their device for free. But that isn’t an option with this solution.
And I am going to take the lack of response as confirmation that it isn’t a contentious subject and leave it be for now.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I’m with you… That would be a better solution 
If it were my Forum, I would yank the plugin and look for something that is truly mobile device friendly. The plugin IMO is an unwelcome intrusion which detracts from the purpose of the visit. If you his cancel, it’s no big deal because you just get the website on a small screen but if when you hit Ok and it presents you with a paid for app then it isn’t welcome at all.
That’s my 2 cents
Pretty much a non-issue for me. The app is only £1.79 which is less than my morning coffee. It’s quite good, it works fine, and if you don’t want it you can click cancel, though it would be nice if it remembered my click.
I actually haven’t used it that much because when I click an email alert it takes me straight through to the web version anyway. I think Apple are doing some work on allowing URLs to open in specific apps, though Idon’t think that would work here.
Non issue in my opinion. Nice feature, occasionally useful.
Ah. I hadn’t actually tried accessing the forum on my iPod. I just have now and I see what you mean.
Yes - it is somewhat intrusive, and would have annoyed me if I didn’t already know what would happen if I clicked OK.
I agree with Andrew. Whilst the plugin may have it’s uses, being required to pay the amount they want for the plugin doesn’t really make much sense … smartphones (and similar devices) don’t really need such an app - it’s more of a luxury than a necessity.
Ok, damn. You’re pretty much split down the middle. Some of you like it, some of you don’t.
What I’m going to do is leave it as is for now and do some research into a better solution. Thanks for your feedback everyone. I appreciate it.
Well I think Forums are perhaps a hard type of media to make mobile friendly. I love how the main part of the SP website works on mobile devices though.
Nice and simple