CamScanner: Previously permanent "full version" license changed into subscription to expire in May??

[ktchong]

I purchased the CamScanner full version license from Amazon Appstore in 2011. I've just noticed something new in CamScanner that had not been there before: the Account Settings have a new "Account Type" entry, and mine is "Premium Account", which will expire on 2013-05-31. After May, CamScanner will start displaying ads in the app and watermarks on my scans, unless I renew the subscription and pay $5 a month or $50 a year.

What's going on? I thought the license was permanent and a one-time deal when I bought it. Since when did CamScanner become a subscription-based service?? Did CamScanner changed their business model to subscription-based??

 

[Harry2]

Have a look at CamScanner's last part of its settings at "About CamScanner" ... there I've a "Full Version".

That other, the account in the first part of the settings, might be mean the sync service is on subscription.
EDIT: Sync service means scanned docs are available on all devices with CamScanner installed.

So I think, there won't be ads in the full version of CamSnanner when the sync service has expired.

Harry

 

[mikedt]

Not sure how CamScanner works or is licensed. If it's a stand alone app and does NOT rely on a remote server(the cloud) for functionally, then making it expire like that for software you've paid real money for, that seems like a dirty trick to me.

But on the other hand if it does use their remote servers(the cloud) to make it work, then they can probably change their business model how they like. And if they want to start charging a monthly fee for using their servers, then that's it, you've got to pay up.

 

[ktchong]

... if they want to start charging a monthly fee for using their servers, then that's it, you've got to pay up.

Do you know how many document scanners are available in the Play store? There are so many alternatives. I'll just switch to another app.

 

[mikedt]

Do you know how many document scanners are available in the Play store? There are so many alternatives. I'll just switch to another app.

Fortunately there is plenty of altenatives for that particular app and service.

I'm thinking if one was using something where there might be no suitable alternative. That could be a danger of using a cloud service, they effectively hold you to ransom. Say one was using Google Docs with a Chromebook, and Google started charging for the Docs service.

 

[fdbryant3]

Just out of curiosity - have you tried contacting the dev's to see what is going on?