What has changed?
With the release of version 4.6 the following product changes have taken place:
- Development of KeepTrack Pro has stopped, the last version (4.6.14) is stable enough and updates will be made only if critical bugs are found. The product itself will remain in the app stores as an offline storage option for those who prefer it.
- In-app purchases were added to KeepTrack to allow optional paid functionality that was previously available on the pro version.
- New installations of KeepTrack will store the data in the cloud and not locally on the device. Users who are upgrading from an older version will continue to use local storage as long as they do not do a clean install.
- Switching to cloud storage (by doing a clean install) will cause the following:
- A login by Google or an email will be mandatory
- A global limit of 20 entries will be enforced. Unlimited entries will be available for purchase for 1$.
Why was change needed?
The previous products were created a long time ago and the introduction of both cloud storage and in-app purchases has allowed us to make the changes listed above and gain the following benefits:
- Moving from two products (pro/free) to one simplifies the development, testing and deployment which will result in better product which will be delivered faster.
- Using in-app purchases will create a flexible model allowing users to pay only for features that are of interest to them.
- Cloud storage requires servers and servers cost money, this is why we had to limit the number of entries. For people who need unlimited entries this is now available as an in-app purchase.
- Moving to cloud storage has many benefits:
- Your data is kept safe. Although KeepTrack can create backups many people do not use it or forget to backup on time resulting in data loss. Now the data is constantly synchronized with the cloud which means that it won't be lost even if the phone is damaged or the app is being deleted by mistake.
- Your data can be easily shared and synchronized among your different devices, just login with the same user and the data is available.
- You can keep several sets of data each associated with a different login.
- Future planned features will be available only for cloud storage, for example: the ability to view and edit your data from the web, sharing and collaborating with other people on the same data and more.
What do I need to do?
KeepTrack (Free Version) Users
If you have started using KeepTrack before version 4.6 than you are using local storage (data is saved on the mobile device) and will continue to do so even if you update to newer versions. However if you perform a clean install of KeepTrack you will be switched to cloud storage with no way to switch back.
Switching to cloud storage will give you all the benefits described above, however you will need to login and be limited to 20 entries (without buying unlimited entries).
If you are using cloud storage and wish to go back to local storage you can install the pro version, but remember that that version will no longer be developed.
Switching to cloud storage will give you all the benefits described above, however you will need to login and be limited to 20 entries (without buying unlimited entries).
If you are using cloud storage and wish to go back to local storage you can install the pro version, but remember that that version will no longer be developed.
KeepTrack Pro Users
Development of KeepTrack Pro has ended, but it does not mean that the product has become useless. You can use KeepTrack Pro as before and it will be continued to be offered in the app stores as the non-cloud version. If critical bugs are found they will be fixed and as always you can contact us with questions and get the support you need.
If you like the idea of cloud storage or would like to enjoy one of the many improvements that are being done to KeepTrack you can install KeepTrack and check it out. If you decide to switch over you can easily do so by backing up your data on the pro version and restoring it on the non-pro version.
It is recommended to check from time to time our blog or follow us on Facebook to be familiar of the new features being added to KeepTrack in case you might consider them a good enough reason to switch.
I can understand that some of you might not be very happy with these changes but I believe that it is the right choice that will allow KeepTrack to move forward.
If you like the idea of cloud storage or would like to enjoy one of the many improvements that are being done to KeepTrack you can install KeepTrack and check it out. If you decide to switch over you can easily do so by backing up your data on the pro version and restoring it on the non-pro version.
It is recommended to check from time to time our blog or follow us on Facebook to be familiar of the new features being added to KeepTrack in case you might consider them a good enough reason to switch.
I can understand that some of you might not be very happy with these changes but I believe that it is the right choice that will allow KeepTrack to move forward.