Bedtime - Stories & Meditationv1.6
Released September 9, 2019Major
The latest major update resulted in a sharp rating decline from 4.26 to 3.5 stars on iOS. User friction regarding mandatory microphone permissions and aggressive monetization tactics during onboarding overshadowed the addition of new content. The overall reception is strongly negative due to these intrusive design choices.
What changed
- PerformancePerformance enhancements to ensure smooth operation across devices
- PlatformImplementation of new feature additions for device optimization
- ContentAdded numerous new content packs bringing the total to over 100 episodes
- ContentIntroduced a new library of napping content
Reception
Content
The addition of new content packs and napping library failed to offset the negative sentiment generated by permission requirements.
Performance
backfiredMandatory microphone access for sleep tracking, implemented alongside performance updates, triggered a 0.76 star rating decline.
Platform
backfiredReviewers describe the onboarding flow as using deceptive tactics to solicit ratings in exchange for free trial access.
How it played out
The average rating declined by 0.76 stars following the update, driven primarily by user friction regarding mandatory microphone permissions and aggressive monetization tactics. While the update intended to improve performance and add content, the requirement to record audio to access basic features significantly eroded user sentiment. The negative trend indicates a weakening reception compared to the pre-update baseline.
Marlvel takeaways
- Remove the mandatory microphone permission gate to restore core app accessibility and reverse the 0.76 star rating drop.
- Replace the current onboarding flow that solicits ratings for trial access to mitigate user reports of deceptive design.
- Re-evaluate the analytical value of sleep quality metrics, as users currently perceive these features as gimmicky.
Original release notes
In this release we've made a number of performance enhancements and feature additions to ensure the app works smoothly across all devices. We've also added numerous new content packs bringing our total to over 100 episodes designed to lull you into a deep sleep. Additionally, we've added napping content to our library due to popular demand!