Unity control app ... 25 GBP !!! ???

[AlmaataKZ]

http://whathifi.com/News/CEDIA-NEWS-Naim-completes-UnitiSystem-with-iPhone-control-app/

Unity control app 25 GBP?

Doesnt' it sound a bit too steep? Or quite a bit steep?

Itunes remote is free. what about Linn app? Others?

What do you think?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Same price as the HDX app.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It depends what work has been put into it I suppose. Most people are used to free game apps and apps less than £3 - these game companies might do free apps, but they'll have other games and apps that are chargeable as they need to make money somewhere. maybe they've had to employ someone to produce the app and maintain it? Who knows....

 

[The_Lhc]

To be honest David I don't see that that makes any difference, give that the components in the rest of the system are all over a grand in price, charging extra for the app on top is just taking the proverbial.

 

[The_Lhc]

For example, the Sonos iPhone app, started off as an unofficial app but was so well received that Sonos pulled it onboard and made it official (it now gets updated at the same time as the rest of the system hardware). Cost to the user? Nothing, nada, zip. It's free and Sonos's products are MUCH cheaper than the UnitiSystem components.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Mind you, even Jesus only charges 59p for the bible. I think he's underselling it.

 

[John Duncan]

I'm going to have to get it, of course...

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Hmmmm. that's the downside of proprietary systems for the people! Having to have something. And at a steeper than otherwise price!

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'm sure if any retailers feel sufficiently aggrieved at the cost they'd throw in a

as a sweetener for anyone buying a UnitiSystem...

 

[Sliced Bread]

Price is quite understandable.

They are not going to be selling that many copies and the developers need to make a return on it somehow.

It's the same with books. The more specialist they are -> the smaller the target audience -> the higher the price.

 

[The_Lhc]

JohnNewman:Price is quite understandable.

They are not going to be selling that many copies and the developers need to make a return on it somehow.

Bull, they should have factored that in to the rrp of the hardware. The Sonos iPhone wasn't even thought of when Sonos released their hardware and yet they've taken their app on without charging for it. Yes Sonos sells more but their unit price is less (thank dog...).

 

[Anonymous]

A good quality interface makes the whole experience of operating your system really satisfying. The iPod wouldn't be as ubiquitous as it is if it didn't have such an amazing interface - thats what sets it apart from the competition. As long as the Naim app looks good, works in a logical manner and is of the same quality as Naim's hi-fi then I think £25 is a more than acceptable price to pay. I'm getting the UnitiQute when it finally arrives and I'll definitely be getting the app.

 

[sometimesuk]

Surely this application can be considered an integral part of the operation of the equipment. I don't think that people who have spent £1500+ should be asked to spend more on the application.

I'm not sure if there are any royalties to pay to itunes, but if it were me, I would offer a free download, upon registration of the product.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not really: the Unitis work perfectly well with the standard remote control supplied. The App is an optional extra, which buyers can choose to buy, or not to buy.

 

[visionary]

Andrew Everard:Not really: the Unitis work perfectly well with the standard remote control supplied. The App is an optional extra, which buyers can choose to buy, or not to buy.

Hi Andrew

is the Uniti remote IR or RF/wireless as I guess that the iphone app will work all over the house as it does for the Sonos?

That might make a difference

 

[chebby]

visionary:is the Uniti remote IR or RF/wireless as I guess that the iphone app will work all over the house as it does for the Sonos?

I think it involves sending a text message (£6.99 per text, please ask permission from the bill payer) to Naim for their approval (or not) of the music/radio station requested. They then return a text with a special code which allows you to play it without invalidating your warranty.

 

[Anonymous]

sometimesuk:

I'm not sure if there are any royalties to pay to itunes, but if it were me, I would offer a free download, upon registration of the product.

Apple take 30% of any revenue generated through the sale of an app

http://developer.apple.com/programs/iphone/distribute.html

 

[Andrew Everard]

visionary:is the Uniti remote IR or RF/wireless

Sorry, taken a while to recover my composure after the sheer hilarity of Roy 'Chebby' Brown's post - that man is a comic genius.

The Uniti remote is infrared.

 

[Sliced Bread]

the_lhc:JohnNewman:Price is quite understandable.

They are not going to be selling that many copies and the developers need to make a return on it somehow.

Bull, they should have factored that in to the rrp of the hardware. The Sonos iPhone wasn't even thought of when Sonos released their hardware and yet they've taken their app on without charging for it. Yes Sonos sells more but their unit price is less (thank dog...).
As Andrew said, it is an optional extra and therefore it would not have been taken into account when developing the hardware.

You need to look at the number of units sold (not a huge amount), then the number of owners who also have an iphone / itouch, then the number of those who feel the need to replace the standard remote control with the app. The target audience is not that large.

I'm not sure who developed it, but it is likely to be an independent developer(s) working in collaboration with Naim. Developing software is time consuming, it needs to be designed, coded and tested. By the time you divide the profits between the developers, Naim and iTunes the end profit will need to be worth the developers time.

Whether the market feels that the price is right is another matter. I suspect that a fair few people who want the app will buy one, after all £25 is a dip in the ocean when you consider the price of the hardware plus speakers.

If you have one and you disagree, then just vote with your feet and not buy it...after all it is not essential.

 

[visionary]

chebby:
visionary:is the Uniti remote IR or RF/wireless as I guess that the iphone app will work all over the house as it does for the Sonos?

I think it involves sending a text message (£6.99 per text, please ask permission from the bill payer) to Naim for their approval (or not) of the music/radio station requested. They then return a text with a special code which allows you to play it without invalidating your warranty.

Love it!

Still missing your Vulcan though

 

[Andrew Everard]

JohnNewman:You need to look at the number of units sold
(not a huge amount)

Naim has sold a suprisingly large number of Unitis, apparently.

JohnNewman:I'm not sure who developed it, but it is likely to be an independent
developer(s) working in collaboration with Naim.

The app was developed in-house.

 

[Sliced Bread]

Yes, but they still need to pay the developers, whether they are in house or not.

How many units were sold?

 

[Andrew Everard]

JohnNewman:

How many units were sold?

Given that sales are ongoing, you are unlikely to find a company revealing sensitive information such as that...

 

[Sliced Bread]

Andrew Everard:
JohnNewman:

How many units were sold?

Given that sales are ongoing, you are unlikely to find a company revealing sensitive information such as that...

Ah ok!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not really any

about it, just that Naim will tell you that the take-up on Uniti has hugely exceeded expectations, but like most companies in this sector is unlikely to reveal actual sales figures.