CrackBerry.com and MobiHand store connection

ryankask · Thread Author #1 11-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Greetings,

I am a new BlackBerry user. I bought a Bold 9000 and having previously been an iPhone user, it is the best handset I've ever used. There is a vibrant community here on CrackBerry.com and this site's offerings are great.

That being said, the site has some sort of partnership with MobiHand, who operates their "App Store." Today I bought a product called "NetworkAcc" and I was surprised that I had to manually enter in many details like the OS version, connection type, and other options that (I am a developer) should be easily obtainable from RIM's Java API (other apps have no problem doing this). Now, many of the comments are very supportive of the software and report drastic network increases. When I did a search on Google for trying to figure out the settings for NetworkAcc, I instead found myself looking at posts about this application being a fraud and that the posts there indicated that someone just creates new users who say how great the product is. Hindsight is of course 20/20 but I bought two other apps -- QuickLaunch and MemoryUp Pro.

Now I am forced to ask myself if MemoryUp Pro is also a dupe (though it doesn't seem to be except for the fact that it only is recovering a few hundred bytes which seems insignificant). Anyway, as a trusted BlackBerry resource that one provider quoted to use for information updates regarding OS 5.0, I think CrackBerry needs to be a little more accountable.

If in fact NetworkAcc is a dupe application, how can it still be sold in the MobiHand store? I am very disappointed and feel let down. Perhaps I should of done more research but I just looked at the customer reviews and bought it. But those reviews and even the application's presence in the store is really a black mark on CrackBerry.com itself.

Does anyone know if I will be able to get a refund? The application does not do what it says it is supposed to do -- if I enter the completely wrong settings it still reports success. I am very disappointed with not only myself for not researching better, but with dubious apps being sold in the store affiliated with CrackBerry.

Any tips for apps are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan Kaskel

ryankask · Thread Author #2 11-08-2009, 05:27 PM

Well, according to this post forums.crackberry.com/f35/networkacc-memoryup-pro-review-unfavorable-review-241908/index2.html both MemoryUp Pro and NetworkAcc are made by the same company "emobistudio." According to people who have knowledge of the API, these applications are fradulent!

Why is there software subscription based? Why do they not offer a trial? Why are the same statistics repeatedly posted by "users?" The more important question is why does CrackBerry affiliate itself with a store that still sells applications known to be dubious? I just don't get it but I hope I get a refund.

Cheers,
Ryan

GYGZACH · #3 11-08-2009, 09:18 PM

You said you were a developer correct? Then why did it escape you that the things MemoryUp and NetworkAccl promise are pretty much impossible to obtain? As far as I know, MemoryUp only engages the garbage collection thing that's already devloped in the OS, thats why you see the little gain you do.

I'm not sure why Mobihand still sells the products, but I don't think you can/should fault Crackberry.com, as the CrackBerry app store is just a mirror of the Mobihand store.

Do I believe you deserve a refund? It's a gray area. I'm just not sure. There had been others who have bought this app as well, and am not sure if they ever got a refund or even sought after one. You live and you learn. My friend bought a used car as-is and didn't take it to a mechanic to have it checked out. It broke down completely a few weeks later. No refund, because he was at fault for not doing the research. Does it apply here? It may.

Research is everything. If you're looking to buy an app, just search it on the forums. Someone has it and will tell you whats what.

jlsparks · #4 11-08-2009, 09:25 PM

I agree with the prior poster. If you want to learn how to manage your memory search "manage memory" and you'll get great tips on how to do so - without spending a dime. No memory reclamation app that I've seen can live up to its promise, exactly because of what the prior poster stated.

Before I buy an app I make sure to search and google the app. I've avoided junk that way. Not fraudulent stuff, just junk apps. Look at the Apple app store. 100,000 apps and how many are useless? Pound for pound CB's app store offers an excellent variety of apps in many categories. Like anything else, you'll get out of it what you put into it - put in some time and you'll likely be pleasantly surprised with the result.

ryankask · Thread Author #5 11-09-2009, 01:08 PM

I am actually seeking legal recourse right now. Why would CrackBerry.com partner up with a shoddy operation like MobiHand. They assume so much risk by selling fraudulent applications and responding with boilerplate nonsense about their proprietary algorithms from the "head of technical operations." What proprietary algorithms are you possibly talking about? We all have the API in front of our faces.

Anyway, I've only lost $20.00 or so but the fact that people are earning a quick buck like this from a respected site like CrackBerry.com is utterly ridiculous. No application should be sold unless it signed and non of these applications are signed because they are of course nonsense.

If anyone else has bought these applications and feels similarly please contact me. I am fed up with the total lack of accountability and am disappointed that CrackBerry.com is involved with these people as carriers refer their customers to this site for information!

Cheers,
Ryan Kaskel

F2 · #6 11-09-2009, 02:11 PM

Did you purchase it from Crackberry originally? As opposed to directly from Mobihand?

In any event, in the few instances where I had had issues with Crackberry purchases, they were resolved in a reasonable fashion. So I hope your problems do get resolved.

Roscopcoletrain · #7 11-09-2009, 02:18 PM

here is a post from Kevin a short while back

Quote:

Hey Guys,

I'll post here for some clarification. In regards to our CrackBerry software stores, they are powered by our software partner Mobihand. So the relationship between the application developers and the apps they provide is not directly between the developer and CrackBerry, but between the the developer and Mobihand. In turn, we have a relationship with Mobihand who powers the software side of our store.

Many smartphone-focused sites such as CrackBerry use Mobihand as their software partner, so when you discuss these apps being in the CrackBerry App Store and it being CrackBerry's moral obligation, etc., it's not a "CrackBerry-only" thing but affects numerous sites that offer the same software catalog as provided by Mobihand - they would all see the same listings, etc.

The developer's agreements with Mobihand do put the obligation on the developer to ensure all apps they contribute to the Mobihand catalogue are in good working order, value-added, etc. (no vaporware). As we've all seen with BlackBerry apps, sometimes there can be glitches initially with apps (almost impossible for a single developer to workout every glitch until more users use the app --multiple devices/OS versions/carriers, etc.) and that's why developers typically offer free upgrades, but apps obviously should be worthwhile and function as intended.

So even though the onus isn't directly on CrackBerry but rather on Mobihand and the developers we have in the past and do contact Mobihand and developers directly when we have seen things pop-up in the app store that seemed a little off - ie. software descriptions not being as accurately/clearly written as they should be, or to have developers further clarify their product descriptions (with multiple versions of the Curve these days you need to be careful which Curve you're talking about, etc.). It's never the intent of CrackBerry.com for customers to buy something that doesn't work as intended. Our goals are long-term - we would never go for short-term profitability at the expense of our long-term credibility and reputation.

Solutions. There's a couple points here:

1. So even though we can't control what gets added/offered through the app stores immediately, we can and do raise a red flag if we see something that's potentially out of whack. That said, with so much content coming in (plus we're all very busy) I'm sure we miss some things. So if you, as members/customers ever come across anything... you can always contact one of our Forum Managers to raise the flag (Adam Zeis, Bla1ze) or even contact the developer directly (every product page in the software store has a Technical Support link that goes to the develeoper) or you can contact our mobihand software support team directly via crackberrysoftwaresupport.com or by emailing crackberrysupport@mobihand.com.

2. Take advantage of free trials when available. They're there for a reason - test that the app works on your device and that it's something you want to buy.

3. If you do buy something that doesn't work as intended, you can contact software support for a refund. The goal is always to get the app working as intended (again, use your free trials), but if there's tech glitches, etc. you can get a refund.

Hope that clarifies things and makes sense. Again, we're here to make happy long-term customers and patrons of the site. Let me know if you have any questions.

Kevin

papped · #8 11-09-2009, 02:24 PM

Nothing stops people from inflating (or deflating) reviews.. I don't care where you are buying from.

And yeah, reference rip off apps that have been around for ever on basically every platform and every app store like MemoryUp...

jlsparks · #9 11-09-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryankask

I am actually seeking legal recourse right now. Why would CrackBerry.com partner up with a shoddy operation like MobiHand. They assume so much risk by selling fraudulent applications and responding with boilerplate nonsense about their proprietary algorithms from the "head of technical operations." What proprietary algorithms are you possibly talking about? We all have the API in front of our faces.

Anyway, I've only lost $20.00 or so but the fact that people are earning a quick buck like this from a respected site like CrackBerry.com is utterly ridiculous. No application should be sold unless it signed and non of these applications are signed because they are of course nonsense.

If anyone else has bought these applications and feels similarly please contact me. I am fed up with the total lack of accountability and am disappointed that CrackBerry.com is involved with these people as carriers refer their customers to this site for information!

Cheers,
Ryan Kaskel

You're going to spend how much money "seeking legal recourse"? Over "$20.00 or so"? I'm sorry if I sound dismissive but frankly that's absurd.

You purchased an app. You had expectations for what the app would do. The app, apparently, didn't perform as you expected. The reasonable course of action, IMO, is to contact the app developer (if you purchased through CB simply login to your account in the app store by entering your email address and ZIP and you'll see a list of all purchases made through the app store. For each item listed you'll have, on the right, an option to send yourself a new link to the app, and on the left a hyperlink for application support.) Have you taken a moment to look there, and to contact the application developer regarding your concerns? Maybe they can upgrade or modify their app to do whatever it is you expect it to do. Alternatively, perhaps if you explain to them that you didn't get what you expected to get, they might be inclined to refund your $20 (btw, what app costs $20?).

Regardless, it would appear that rather than taking a rational, thoughtful approach to your situation you're leaping into the arena of "seeking legal recourse", whatever that means in this situation. You said in your OP that you Googled the app after you purchased it. Had you taken 5 minutes to do so before purchasing the app you wouldn't be in this situation.

Lack of personal responsibility is a big pet peeve of mine. The inclination to try to defray one's own lack of accountability and failure to perform due diligence onto another party is, regrettably, something that we as a society have grown into the habit of doing.

I spent a couple of minutes looking into NetworkAcc and here are some links to threads you might have read, had you bothered to spend a little time:

Buyer beware – what is possible for 3rd party BlackBerry apps? | BlackBerry Cool

http://forums.crackberry.com/f35/net...08/index2.html

BlackBerry App World - NetworkAcc - Mobile Network Accelerator

Note: The third link is from blackberry.com. They offer this app in their store. Are you going to "seek legal recourse" against RIM? They have deep pockets you know... I noticed that the app is $6.99 apparently, which is a bit shy of the $20 you claim.

In any event I think you get my point. I research everything I buy before I buy it. Maybe that's just me. I think that you're a bit ashamed of the fact that the app doesn't do what you want it to do, and you're trying to wrap CB up in your baseless complaint. Rather than posting on here about it why don't you do as I've suggested and contact the developer. By the way, this app is also offered via link to Mobihand on most of the BlackBerry forum websites, so it looks like you've got a lot of suing to do. And as a final aside I'd be careful tossing around words like "fraudulent". We do have laws in the US that restrict libelous speech.

Good luck.

ryankask · Thread Author #10 11-09-2009, 05:05 PM

I should have done a search before hand. But still i ask: Why is this person able to do what they are doing? Why are they able to continue to do what they are doing, something these very forums support? Why should something so malicious exist in an online store? It's sole purpose of being is to cheat customers into thinking that thinking that they are doing something it's not. I'm sure that my anger will subside and I'll no longer feel so strongly about taking legal action just on principal -- forget money for a sec -- this is some serious bull[b][/b][b][/b][b][/b][b][/b] and it's not like emobile(it's not like these are huge companies and it seems like an easy caseor at least something interesting). Again I understand the bias of hindsight and I only lost twenty dollars. But the BlackBerry is great and I just wish this store could take proactive action. Notice that every other successful app store has an application review purpose. That's how you develop a quality store which I don't think CrackBerry.com should associate itself with. Anyway I'm ranting over a very recent purchase but yes as a developer I should have known better. I've never been in court before and I think I could craft a case with the help of a lawyer because emobistudio should be shut down but I will be sure to their area BBB.

Cheers,
Ryan

ryankask · Thread Author #11 11-09-2009, 05:07 PM

Okay I read jlspark's comment

Quote:

erything I buy before I buy it. Maybe that's just me. I think that you're a bit ashamed of the fact that the app doesn't do what you want it to do, and you're trying to wrap CB up in your baseless complaint. Rather than posting on here about it why don't you do as I've suggested and contact the developer. By the way, this app is also offered via link to Mobihand on most of the BlackBerry forum websites, so it looks like you've got a lot of suing to do. And as a final aside I'd be careful tossing around words like "fraudulent". We do have laws in the US that restrict libelous speech.

Okay I totally agree. I love this site I'm just wondering if it should still stick around with a store that deals with shady software developers.

jlsparks · #12 11-09-2009, 05:15 PM

The app is offered by RIM on AppWorld. I'm confident that RIM has a review process prior to permitting an app to be offered on their store. The fact that it's offered by Mobihand (which as pointed out in my prior post is used by pretty much every BB forum as their store) is not CrackBerry's fault, nor their responsibility. Just like they can't be responsible for every off the wall post that's made on here, they can't babysit Mobihand. And honestly, other than one thread that had some negative posts in it, this app seems to get decent reviews. Maybe it's just not compatible with the Bold? Or you had a setting wrong? Again, I'd contact the developer. Only they can resolve this issue for you.

Shao128 · #13 11-09-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryankask

Okay I read jlspark's comment

Okay I totally agree. I love this site I'm just wondering if it should still stick around with a store that deals with shady software developers.

Actually CB has done quite a bit with those developers, they had multiple spam accounts/posts on the forum and they were banned.

Maybe Apple should disassociate with that iTunes store, they're selling shady software like this: Funny Hair Clinic iPhone App Review From KRAPPS | KRAPPS | a different and funny iPhone app review site or this one iPhone Apps - FatBurner2K | Apptism clearly those are scams.

The best thing any consumer can do is research before buying a product. Do a few minutes of reading and make an informed decision.

Now that you've already bought the product ask for a refund, Mobihand is good about that.

pkcable · #14 11-09-2009, 05:34 PM

You could try the support page too...

http://shop.crackberry.com/content/c...upportform.htm

Blacklatino · #15 11-09-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryankask

I am actually seeking legal recourse right now. Why would CrackBerry.com partner up with a shoddy operation like MobiHand. They assume so much risk by selling fraudulent applications and responding with boilerplate nonsense about their proprietary algorithms from the "head of technical operations." What proprietary algorithms are you possibly talking about? We all have the API in front of our faces.

Anyway, I've only lost $20.00 or so but the fact that people are earning a quick buck like this from a respected site like CrackBerry.com is utterly ridiculous. No application should be sold unless it signed and non of these applications are signed because they are of course nonsense.

If anyone else has bought these applications and feels similarly please contact me. I am fed up with the total lack of accountability and am disappointed that CrackBerry.com is involved with these people as carriers refer their customers to this site for information!

Cheers,
Ryan Kaskel

You should probably seek a refund thru customer service - depending on how long you have had the app and the current policy on refunds. Good luck.