zlacker

I'm having trouble remembering right now but I think that's how they got a prior app. Or maybe Twitter. Or Gmail getting an iOS app with amazing search...

These firms hirebuy (like acquihire but more money) a single dev with an amazing tool, and not long after the tool is terrible and the dev is out of there.

>>Terret+(OP)
Alien Blue. I was a user back when I had an iPhone and it was wonderful.

>>Terret+(OP)
Reddit bought Alien Blue, which functionally was the Apollo equivalent in 2014, with the intention of using it as their new official app.

Instead they jerked around the developer, ditched all the code, and shut down the app in 2016.

>>dablue+d1
Yes, loved it. They destroyed it. Each of these firms took something and destroyed it, or if not destroyed it, replatformed onto a different ethos (see Brian Acton and WhatsApp, and him walking away from a final billion dollar check).

I think it's fair for the authors of these tools to do well. I encourage creators to monetize when they can. Just get the check up front so you can go create the next thing, because no matter what the acquirer says, you are unlikely to remain aligned.