After using warmshowers happily for years I was quite sad after the app vanished around 2018. After asking why this happened, all I received was that they're building a whole new app and until then the website is fine for mobile phones. For me the app was fine and I don't understand why you should take off the app from the store without having the new one ready to ship. And the optimiziation of the website for mobile, it's just not mobile-friendly. Yes, it has responsive design but there are so many things that still don't work. Dialogs are spanning over the screen. Input fields are not easily editable. Buttons and other elements are huge and taking all the space on the screen. It just made me losing the interest in Warmshowers. I really like the idea and the concept behind Warmshowers but the realization is so bad. Which brings me to new app.
I was really excited when I first heard about that finally after two years of emails that only asked for donations, a new app would be released. The day of the release came and I already saw me using Warmshowers actively again. And then I launched the app. First thing that popped up: The app costs. I belonged to the people that were donating and hosting. That was also the first thing I wanted to do: host. But now I have to pay nearly 20 € for that. After I already donated 20 € two years ago. But maybe it has something like "try for free for seven days" to get to know the app. Maybe it's that good that I'm willing to pay the money. But so far it looks not good.
I have some experience with website and app development as I'm a software developer. I don't have much experience but even from that I would have expected more after waiting two whole years. In my opinion, requesting money from hosting people that makes the whole concept possible at all is wrong and will lead to the end of Warmshowers.
On iOS the app has 5 reviews with an average of 1.4 stars, on Android it's 1.5 stars from 55 reviews. It's obviously on the best way to its end. Funny side note, the so called "unauthorized" app has 2.9 stars from 642 reviews. Maybe Warmshowers need some more competitors to get back on track but this time without the Warmshowers backend ;-)
What are your thoughts on the new apps? Do you also expected more?
Same opinion
I am a fan of the phone non offical apps,. I made donation, and not agree with the new system.
+1
Pay to be guest, Why not ! but don't forget that host wan use the app too. Now they have to pay to "offer" place. It's a shame. At least message have to be "free" to let host be able to answer to guest when they are contacting you !
+1
Pay to be guest. Why not but don't forget that host wan use the app too. Now they have to pay to "offer" place. It's a shame. At least message have to be "free" to let you answer user when they are contacting you !
The whole concept is keeping it as free and simple based on sharing. It's pretty obvious someone from outside jumped in (probably with ambitions based on self esteem) to destroy the old. This kind of people always have to end something good. Very sad. Just a matter of time. Hope someone gets a new inspiration to set up something new. I will be the first one to join.
Yes, I'm in agreement with the comments here. When the Warmshowers administration posted about the new app on Facebook a lengthy thread that was overwhelmingly negative towards the direction taken. A few hours later, all had been cleared and comments blocked: an enforced positivity had prevailed.
I find it rather tragic, actually. As Bertolt Brecht quipped, lightly modified, "the community had forfeited the confidence of the administration and could only win it back through through redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier for the administration to dissolve the community and elect another?"