42 replies to this topic

[PaulOBrien]

Back at the start of 2008, I spoke with many software developers about the concept of a 'Windows Mobile Software Bundle' (codenamed Bundle.One).

Life as a Windows Mobile developer is rather difficult, and in an effort to expand the ways that developers can offer their products to end users, I have been exploring the viability of a bundle offering.

If you are a Mac user in particular, you will likely be familiar with the concept of bundles. In a nutshell, for a purchase price of around $49.99, you receive a selection of top applications at a massive discount. The Bundle.One project has been a considerable amount of time in planning and discussion but I am now at a stage where I need to solicit feedback from your guys to help test the viability of the bundle! Of course, the developers are offering their applications to the bundle at a considerable discount, so the success of the bundle is based on volumes of sales.

What I would like YOU to do, is to vote in the poll on this topic, to indicate your level of interest in such a bundle (news page readers, you need to click 'View Topic' to see the poll).

First some specifics about the bundle...

• The cost will be $49.99, payable by credit / debit card or PayPal
  
• The bundle will be available for both Pocket PC and Smartphone
  
• The bundle will include AT LEAST 10 top applications, likely a couple more than that
  
• The retail price of the bundle is expected to be in excess of $200
  
• The licences in the bundle will be full retail licences
  
• 100% of the revenue from the bundle will be distributed among the software developers. For my part, one of my applications will be included in the bundle.

Please do vote, discuss, forward this topic to anyone you think may be interested and even send this topic to developers who you would like to see in the bundle. Of course, space in Bundle.One is limited (although the exact set of apps is still unconfirmed, hence me not naming them here!) however if the first bundle is a success, future bundles can definitely follow.

Thanks for your time, and look forward to hearing your feedback

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[tsutton]

Sounds like a fab idea!

[XtremeMaC]

There are many apps for the winmo's and of course people use different ones. but i'm sure there are plenty that everyone uses and would be great to see them in a bundle.

[PaulOBrien]

Yeah, of course we would target the apps with mass appeal initially!

Nice avatar btw XtremeMaC

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[everton2004]

A bundle of WinMo software goodness....at a bargain price....what's not to like?

[WearTheFoxHat]

Id be interested, but also get the Plus Benefits too.

[tsutton]

WearTheFoxHat, on Sep 25 2008, 10:34, said:

Id be interested, but also get the Plus Benefits too.

I don't think it's doable with the price being offered... but would be good if it comes with Ads Free subs.

[PaulOBrien]

AdFree is definitely something that may well be included, the bundle is being designed so that no apps in Plus are also in the bundle.

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[gazbert]

I'd like a better idea of which apps will be included, but on the face of it I like the idea.

[PaulOBrien]

What would you LIKE to be included? :-)

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[Tryster]

I've replied with 'Maybe if the apps appealed to me!', but it would be more accurate to say 'Definately if at least 2 or 3 of the apps appeal to me'.

As a software developer myself I try to buy direct from devs wherever possible, so it really appeals that all the revenue is split between developers rather than middlemen taking their (not inconsiderable) slice.

[gazbert]

I kinda thought you'd have already been in discussions with the software vendors you have in mind. But if you're looking for idea's, I'd go for all of the apps I currently use I guess.

Ilium Software eWallet
Sprite Backup
Spb Phone Suite
Opera
Spb Mobile Shell
BirdieSync (I'm a Thunderbird user)
Pocket Informant
Cootek TouchPal (I currently use the free version)
Spb GPRS Monitor

The rest of my stuff is either freeware or more expensive commercial apps like TomTom or MemoryMap.

[WearTheFoxHat]

I was going to suggest making it best of breed apps.  But then there would be a huge outcry when BobSoft's Calendar App is deemed to be better than JaneSoft's!

[PaulOBrien]

gazbert, on Sep 25 2008, 10:50, said:

I kinda thought you'd have already been in discussions with the software vendors you have in mind. But if you're looking for idea's, I'd go for all of the apps I currently use I guess.

Ilium Software eWallet
Sprite Backup
Spb Phone Suite
Opera
Spb Mobile Shell
BirdieSync (I'm a Thunderbird user)
Pocket Informant
Cootek TouchPal (I currently use the free version)
Spb GPRS Monitor

The rest of my stuff is either freeware or more expensive commercial apps like TomTom or MemoryMap.

I have, I wanna know if they match up

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[Mr. Diego]

Paul (MVP), on Sep 25 2008, 11:44, said:

What would you LIKE to be included? :-)

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Resco File Explorer cannot be left out IMHO

[PaulOBrien]

That is a Plus benefit though...

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[Syphon Filter]

SKTools?

[PaulOBrien]

SKTools is definitely one of my fave apps...

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[eggs]

Nice idea, but depends on the including apps.

[fulinn]

I'd consider it for sure.  I'd like to see some games to ...Crossword Puzzles, Sodoku or Solitare games.