Voice Dream - Read Aloud

Have been using for the last 2 years, it was great and a generally good app. But I don’t like that it was going to force subscriptions to users that had already purchased the app

After hearing the user base’s criticisms of their decision to make the app subscription oriented the team has retracted their decision and apologised. It’s great to to see a company that seems to actually care about the consumer I will be supporting from here on out

On the 1st of May this year (2024), Voice Dream LLC plans to force all purchasers of Voice Dream Reader on to a new subscription model, including the deliberate sabotage of all purchases of the product made *before* any such model was introduced, to ensure it will no longer function without a subscription! Whilst Voice Dream LLC has a perfect right to alter the terms for original subscription-based purchases, attempting deliberately to sabotage product purchases made before such a model existed (i.e.: single, life-time purchases) may most generously be described as one of the worst, most despicable examples of thievery and corporate thuggery imaginable, made still more deplorable by the fact that they have a captive market in the blind and visually impaired, many of whom may be reliant on Voice Dream Reader as their primary way to access written material! Effectively, their behaviour is tantamount to blackmail: `You have bought Voice Dream Reader in good faith with the understanding that this is a single, life-time purchase. However we are altering the terms of the contract without your consent, have slipped code by stealth into your product to precipitate your compliance, and intend now to force you to pay again, again and yet again. If you do not, we shall sabotage your product to ensure it will no longer function! In effect, we shall keep the original purchase price of your product, give you no compensation and leave you high and dry!' Such appalling, unconscionable conduct _cannot_ be allowed to stand. For those outraged by Voice Dream LLC's despicable, cynical attempt to profit by stealth at the expense of original, life-time purchasers of Voice Dream Reader, they should contact Voice Dream LLC and demand either A): that Voice Dream LLC continue to provide a separate product for those who bought Voice Dream Reader as a one-time purchase, or B): refund the original purchase price of the product: no strings attached! Furthermore, anybody considering a subscription to Voice Dream Reader should consider very carefully the consequences of patronising an organisation which engages in and countenances such egregious, abhorrent practices. Voice Dream LLC's attempt effectively to blackmail original, pre-subscription life-time purchasers of Voice Dream Reader into paying in perpetuity is sickening!

Why are you forcing existing customers to subscribe?!

Developer is forcing users who have invested in a perpetual license and bought synthesizers into subscription pricing after May 1 2024. As compensation for this they are offering a25% discount for the life of the license. When you try to sign up, it’s actually a 25% penalty, I.e au$79 crossed out and au$99 charged. Their claim that their subscription is 50% cheaper than competing apps is also unsubstantiated garbage. Cheaper apps with similar functionality abound. Tried emailing developer for an explanation, no response.

For those who paid a so called life membership now will have to pay yearly. Doesn't seem right.

When this app first went from one-time purchase to subscription, users who had already paid the one time price were promised that they would not ever have to pay the subscription to use the app that they already paid for. Now this company will be going back on their word and forcing users who have already paid to pay again. There are plenty of cheaper and far better alternatives available such as Speech Central, Dolphin EasyReader and Capti. This company has already broken its word once to customers — they will do it again. I will not pay a subscription for an app I bought in good faith, having been assured that I would not have to pay again. It’s fair to charge a subscription for new features, but the features I paid for already should not be locked behind a subscription.

Very disappointed by the functionality of the app given the extreme price tag. Ended up using a free alternative that’s much better!

This program gives nee access to so many books that would otherwise be inaccessible to me for reasons of vision and distance from libraries. The voices are good.

Why is listed as free but with in app purchases? This is only a free 3 day trial then converts to subscription… Please explain..