The Simplify Demo
7:21p update – there are new Mac, PC and Linux builds with demo off switches (off by default). See below for details
Today I’ve been trading emails and comments with a few of you around a feature in Simplify 2.0 – the Simplify Demo. The exchange has re-enforced one thing I already knew – we have great, passionate users — and one thing I know now – I made a mistake in communicating this new capability. Some background.
Simplify is simple, but with a variety of platforms and hundreds of thousands of users, there are bound to be occasional connection problems. To make it easier to fix issues, we first created the Troubleshooting tool (Mac, PC and Linux) to diagnose common problems and suggest solutions. Then, in this release, we rolled out a knowledge base and the Simplify Demo.
In the old days, when a user reported a connection problem we’d ask them to try from another computer, or, if they didn’t have access to one, we’d invite them to connect with one of us. That didn’t scale so well, and, since then, we’ve been without an easy way to answer the question, “Can you play from… ?”
For 2.0, we thought we could help solve a support problem, and improve the new user, just installed experience, by creating the demo. If you can see the demo, at least we know that peer can login to our servers. If you can play from it, we know that things are fine on the playback side and the problem is likely on the remote computer. We reached out to an independent artist we like and asked for permission to use an album. To thank him, we changed the songs tags to include his website.
My plan was to do a special blog post later today around common support questions and feature this as one of the problem-solving tools. Fortunately, there have been very few upgrade and new user problems, but there have been many more reactions to the Simplify Demo. So, to clarify:
1) we aren’t making money from this feature. in fact, I feel bad that we may be causing harm for an artist we enjoy
2) the Simplify Demo is just that — there is no way for us or anyone you didn’t invite to see your music.
3) there will be a way to turn it off in the next release
We’ll have a new desktop build for you tomorrow, and we’ll try to submit 2.0.2 to Apple for approval by the end of the week.
7:21p update: We now have new builds for Mac, PC and Linux. You can download build 1243 here:
Mac: http://www.simplifymedia.com/mac
PC: http://www.simplifymedia.com/win
Linux: http://www.simplifymedia.com/lin
In 1243, the demo peer is off by default. If you need to test your system you can re-enable it by going to Options / Preferences and selecting the Computer tab. If you haven’t upgraded yet, you should get 1243 automatically.
As mentioned above, we are expecting to send version 2.0.2 to Apple for App Store approval no later than Friday. It will have a new feature and the ability to control Simplify demo. The demo will be off by default, as pictured here:
5/1 update – v2.0.2 has been submitted for App Store approval.
5/7 update – v2.0.2 has been approved by Apple and should be available in the next few hours.
Jaime said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
Oh God You were seriously putting together a troubleshooting tool!
Your soft is great keep the good stuff.
Steve Marks said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
The idea of having troubleshooting available is great. Just the ability to turn it off and on was missing. Thanks for listening to your customers and making that update available soon.
Don said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
My brother’s name is Brad, he’s my only SimplifyMedia friend, and having a demo album I can’t erase full of songs that say “Brad Sucks” is ripe for misunderstanding.
john bowen said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
I object to having music foisted upon me. I object so much that I am removing simply media from my iphone and will advise others not to touch it. I think it was a gross error of judgement to put the demo in and especially not to alert users that it would be present once they upgraded
Noelix said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
Glad to hear you’ll be adding in the ability to turn it off. I thought it was some kind of playlist off my own computer actually since I used to have that artist on there. I was like, I thought I got rid of that already!
Ok that hiccup aside, you’re still missing one feature. Now that I’ve purchased not one but two versions of this software I am going to formally request, PLEASE add repeat controls. Repeat one and repeat all. I am one of those people that likes to listen to one track on loop for a while.
brad said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
Since I have no reason to keep up with your blogs, I need to know when and how to either delete the stupidly-named demo or how to back out of this version of the software and get back to the previous release, which has worked fine.
Calvin Broadus said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
That’s cool. Just get rid of it in the next build. Love your software otherwise.
Chris said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for the upgrade. Must admit I pulled a WTF and was about to send an email about the demo. Until I figured I might as well listen. I love it! Thanks again.
simplymad said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Great app… not so great part of is this ‘Demo’. Looking forward to getting rid of it!
Shane said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Having Simplify Demo appear did not bother me. I listened to the 12 songs, had a chuckle at the guys name and website (greatness), and it wasn’t that intrusive. Thanks for introducing us to a new independent artist who put together some good tracks.
Steve said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
I wrote and then erased my response to people complaining about the Demo/Troubleshooting playlist. Instead I say thanks for all that has been done to make my library shareable and portable. I upgraded to the iPhone app v2 and am loving it.
Oh, and the Brad Sucks music is a pretty cool addition too.
Bryan said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
Thanks for such great software. I agree with several of the other users — I didn’t mind the Demo playlist, but think it’s great that there will be a way to disable it. The ability to seek using the scrub bar is (for me) more than worth the upgrade price.
As for those who are uninstalling the software over a Troubleshooting playlist, get a little perspective. The devs are just trying to make the best software possible and make it as easy to use as possible. No matter how annoying the Demo playlist may be, it’s nowhere near annoying enough to outweigh the incredible convenience that Simplify provides.
Overall, Simplify is outstanding. Being able to access all of my music on my iPhone is simply amazing. Keep up the good work.
brad said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
It might not have been such a sore spot if the name used in a derogatory name was not an actual name (which happens to be mine). Also if there had been release notes about it that didn’t require me hunting up a blog through a convoluted method.
Now that it is off on the desktop (so I have been informed, I need to go download the new release, I should be able to delete it.
brad said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
Thanks for the quick response about the demo. It no longer appears in my shared members.
One problem with using somebody’s music like you stated above is that you could search my files from start to finish and not find any similar music. I would never have attempted to play any of the songs listed, as my musical tastes are far from that portion of the artistic spectrum.
simplymad said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
Thanks for the speedy update. You guys rock!
Gary said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Your responsiveness to this perceived issue is impressive. I appreciate your dedication to your customers.
That said, I can’t believe so many of your customers, or at least the ones who hang out on this blog, are so sensitive to this. Its not that big a deal. I hope you don’t beat yourself up about it; you were trying to do a good thing, but didn’t get it quite right. Life will go on.
Love the Sonos capability, BTW. Thanks!
Although I got the first version of your iPhone app while it was free, I’d have gladly paid for it. And I’ve already paid for 2.0. Its worth a lot more than you’re asking for it. If some people aren’t willing to pay, that’s their choice. You deserve to be paid for your work.
Jeff said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
hooray for FLAC support ! I thank you, and several hundred of Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan shows thank you too
Techeroid » Simplify Media update, take 2 said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
[...] and pitchforks can now be stowed. A link to the new updates is on this page, about halfway [...]
Brian said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
I can’t thank you enough for removing the Simplify Demo. When I installed the update to 2.0, I truly thought I’d been hacked and someone managed to remove all my music. I did NOT like the music of Brad Sucks, and was banging my head against the wall trying to locate and remove it.
I’ve had your software for my iPhone since it was introduced and really love being to access my whole 70,000 song library while away from home! I hated the idea that there were unremovable tracks.
I give you five stars for listening to your customers and fixing this issue right away. Amazing!
An to those who are complaining about just buying the 1.0 app: It will still work with the 2.0 desktop software so no worries! I purchased the 2.0 app for my phone and have fallen in love with the favorites and playlist features, so even had I just purchased the 1.0 version, I’d happily pay another $2.99 for the 2.0, Especially since the desktop software is FREE. Now I can share my music across all my PC’s, phones, and even let my friends listen to my music without lending CD’s!
Travis said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
Thanks for the upgrade!!! That was quick!
Kento Ito said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
I was wondering.
I was thinking about upgrading this app to 2.0, but since it did not appear on the app update thing, I searched for Simplify Media on iTunes.
Why are you charging for the update? Shouldn’t the update be free for users who bought 1.0 in the first place?
Maarthok said,
April 29, 2009 @ 10:26 pm
Thanks for the new version
Supcav said,
April 30, 2009 @ 6:26 am
Thank you guys so much for a FANTASTIC product, and an upgrade very worthy of the price! I have turned on at least a dozen people to your app, and I’m sure they’ve told others as well. So far it seems that the upgrade on my iPhone connects quicker and the song quality sounds even better!!! I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t (I don’t think) make an entire artist a favorite easily. I mostly listen to friends’ libraries, and I usually like to explore an album’s worth of music at time, but many of the artists only have one album, so it seems that I’d have to select each song individually. Another issue is that the favorites list is “flattened” to the song level, so individual song favorites and album favorites are intermixed. Would it be possible to make the favorites into an “Artist / Album / Song” structure in the next release? The Search is great, but another suggestion for the future would be to allow a “composite” library of all connected libraries at the “Artist / Album / Song” level. The scrub bar is excellent as well. Thanks again!!!
Geli said,
April 30, 2009 @ 7:21 am
I’m so impressed with you guys for responding to this issue so fast. You have ensured that I will continue to pay for whatever upgrades or new versions you release in the future as well as recommend my friends do the same, because the product plus the support is more than worth it!
Les said,
April 30, 2009 @ 7:34 am
AWESOME.
Thanks for listening to your customers & responding so quickly. As for the people complaining about the $3 for the upgrade this is why it is well worth it…. Good Old Customer Service
JohnnyK said,
April 30, 2009 @ 7:49 am
Good move. Great App! Great Customer Service! Simplify FTW!
Todd said,
April 30, 2009 @ 7:56 am
The software has been awesome since it was first released. I love it. Being able to listen to my library anywhere I am is amazing tech.
The problem is the iPhone app. Why charge customers for a update???? Especially when it’s only adding a few new features. If it was a completely new all new updated fancy app I could understand. But to add search favorites and playlists????? I can see my playlists in my itunes library. So we are paying another $2.99 for search and favorites? Is the next update going to cost money too?
It reeks of greed. And really sours a good reputation you have built.
steve k said,
April 30, 2009 @ 8:01 am
THANKS!!!! Great support and a quick fix to an annoying problem.
C. said,
April 30, 2009 @ 9:11 am
Amazing app. Thanks for the quick update!
Narles said,
April 30, 2009 @ 11:36 am
First off, I absolutely love this app and bought the updated iPhone version without any hesitation. You all have done an amazing job.
A feature I would really love to see is the ability to connect without using the chat function. My work blocks all Jabber traffic and so I can’t use Simplify at work because it will not sign on without connecting to the Jabber server first. Thanks!!
Chuck said,
April 30, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
Thanks for the speedy response on disabling the demo. Does the updated iPhone client have any changes to the audio quality? With the old client the stream is pretty tinny and hard on the ears, even over WiFi. Pandora on the other hand sounds much better even on 3G. Since it’s streaming over my cable connection and I have plenty of bandwidth, it would be nice if I could increase the bit rate. This is the only thing keeping me from buying the new client since I find the quality of the old client to be pretty hard to listen to.
Dave said,
April 30, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
Paul,
I’m with everyone here, thanks to the quick fix. That was a very fast turnaround. You must have one crack set of coders there!
And thanks again,
Dave
Steve said,
May 1, 2009 @ 6:16 am
I just downloaded the new version of Simplify for my Mac and I can’t find that playlist with all the Brad Sucks music. Where did it go? I’m thinking of uninstalling the app and starting WWIII because of this change! Aaaaaaaaahhhh!
Excellent software and customer support as always!
- Steve
Jerome O'Flaherty said,
May 1, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Hi,
Thanks for the Update, I bought it as I think this software is easily worth the small cost (just don’t come out with a v3.0 next week and expect people to pay again). But I do have some problems with it:
I run the Mac version and I have a large library on itunes being shared, about 600 GB’s, 100,000 songs. While everything seems fine on the Mac, the iPhone is where I have a few problems. I don’t mind that the initial sync take a long time (as I imagine you are download a list of all the artists/albums/songs onto the IPhone), but anytime I go into my much collection it takes a crazy amount of time, probably about 2 minutes to get the list of Artists, once that it loaded and I for example select an particular artist it again takes a crazy amount of time maybe 30 seconds to get to the list of albums, then when I select an album it takes probably another 30 seconds to get the list tracks to play. Once I get that far it is mostly great in streaming over edge, 3G and Wifi. I have crashed out horrible a few times when I finally get to play the track(s) I want, which is made even more annoying by the slowness of getting back to where I was again. So surely you guys need to store the artists/albums/songs names in a properly indexed local DB on the IPhone, so that all these lists can be loaded instantly or at least in a few seconds???
I know your answer is probably it is not designed to work with large libraries but I think this is where this software should excel. If I had a small lbrary of music I would just copy it onto the IPhone or get a 32GB IPod touch, the idea/concept of this App should be to always have access to your large library no matter where you are.
I look forward to a couple of free updates which speed up the Application considerable and hopefully fix some of the intermitted crashes.
Thanks
FYI: I like the search and favourites functionality, but the search is very slow also and while the favourites is at least fast access, it is a pity you can’t mark an album as a favourite (rather than copy all the tracks from an album into the favourites).
Jerome
paul said,
May 1, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Everyone, thanks! A few answers to recent questions.
Narles, we use jabber to manage your account and friend list. Unfortunately, there is no way to log in without it. I’m sorry about that.
Jerome, 100,000 songs is really large, but we are happy to work with you on your performance and stability problems. As always, the best way to get support is through our built-in troubleshooting and support options. In this case, next time you sync your iPhone can you please send us any crash reports from your iPhone? support at simplify dot com
On a Mac, the logs are here:
Mac OS X :~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/MobileDevice/
For other platforms:\Application Data \Apple computer\Logs\CrashReporter/
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\
Windows Vista: C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Apple computer\Logs\CrashReporter/MobileDevice/
Joey said,
May 4, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Thank you for responding to my email about the demo list. I appreciate the effort forward for having this removed. FYI I have no issues and my library currently sits at 9059 songs.
tim said,
May 5, 2009 @ 7:18 am
Brad Sucks has you to thank for making me a fan and whether or not you remove the feature, i’m going to support this artist.
pixelauthor said,
May 15, 2009 @ 10:13 am
I was just wondering if there is any way to accept friend invitations without first installing the desktop app. My brother is traveling cross-country right now, and I invited him to view my libraries. However, it still says pending and he says he’s not able to see any invitations. I’ve googled the heck out of this and checked the FAQs, and it’s not covered anywhere. I LOVE the software, you guys have done a great job. If this feature isn’t currently part of the iphone/ipod app, it’d make a great update for those of us who spend more time on our iphones than our computers. Thanks!!
paul said,
May 15, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
pixelauthor, there isn’t (yet), but it is a great suggestion. thanks for the very kind words.
Mike Pepper said,
June 6, 2009 @ 7:00 am
Running in server only mode on Ubuntu. How do I turn off the demo there?
The demo shows up in my Windows desktop client (build 1241) but does not show up on my iPod.
Appreciate haviing the demo very much. Brilliant idea.
Side question: how to get other bands into the demo list?
Mike Pepper said,
June 6, 2009 @ 9:22 am
Demo gone: downloaded .1243 and got the “show demo” option. All is good!
Now; about the “other bands” question?
Terrence John said,
June 12, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
When is repeat functionality coming?
paul said,
June 12, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
very soon. we’re finalizing updates to both iPhone versions that have this functionality.