I took a look at the features that are locked out and they seem reasonable to be behind a subscription as they require costs to maintain. Almost all of the features that do not require some sort of cloud service connection seem to remain free. It's also free for people who use the rental option.
Backlash is also understandable as they are changing the status quo.
Disclosure: We rented a Snoo and it was made a huge difference between our first (no Snoo) and second child.
I think the backlash is overblown because they are only changing the status quo for new purchases with advance notice. Everybody else is grandfathered in.
It is pretty hard to empathize with the people who are complaining but buying the device anyways. Nobody is holding a gun to their head and making them purchase one.
About half of those premium features should not require a server or company-borne "costs to maintain." This seems like a pure cash grab: what subscription will the market bear?
What? Almost none of those features require costs to maintain:
- Car Ride Mode - adds extra bounces
- Level Lock - don't change rhythm
- Sleepytime Sounds - play sounds before and after sleep
and so on.
The only ones I can see? Tracking, Sleep Logs (but I'd also argue that given that this is a smart device, I'd say that they could be expected baselines).
But as for the other, without being argumentative, I am sincerely struggling why it seems reasonable to you that "extra bounces", etc. are a Premium "subscription" feature.
Backlash is also understandable as they are changing the status quo.
Disclosure: We rented a Snoo and it was made a huge difference between our first (no Snoo) and second child.
https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/snoo/premium-app-features....