Why Ovi Store?

A completely new version of Currency Converter for Nokia N900 has been released in Ovi Store. The old free version is still available in Maemo Extras repository. So what is the deal with this commercial version in Ovi Store?

When I originally started this project, it was only for my personal needs. Later I got some requests if I could publish it. So I did a version for Maemo Extras. To my surprise, it proved to be fairly popular. As the user base increased, so did the requests for new currencies to be added and other improvements. However, I quickly ran into some practical problems.

If I wanted to offer more reliable update services for the exchange rates, I needed more control. Basically I needed my own servers. Furthermore, having exchange rates for anything else than the most commonly used currencies was not going to be free of charge. It was immediately apparent that I could not cover these expenses with voluntary donations.

Hence, I entered into partnership with internet-content.net. They gave me the necessary web and database servers. Obviously they were not going to give me them for free, so we agreed to sell the app in Ovi Store. After all, we all would like to eat time to time.

As for the price point, we chose the lowest available in Ovi Store, which is in most European countries € 1. This is less than an ice cream (substantially less compared to the ice cream portions I usually get), so it should not too expensive for anyone. We hope the volumes are enough to cover the costs.

The app itself has gone trough a major overhaul. Not only are there now more than 150 currencies, but the entire database engine has been changed to a much more efficient one. Also there is a greatly improved UI. Furthermore, portrait mode is now supported.

For all those who supported me with voluntary donations, I would like to thank you. Your donations are really appreciated. I also think the least I could do for you, is send you a free copy of this new version. Please contact me if you donated for this app and I will send you one. Also please use the same name as you used for the PayPal donation, so that I can verify it. Not that I don’t trust you, but hey, this is the internet…