Customer Reviews (500)

Shakespeare 5555 • 2025-03-19T13:16:31-07:00

I’ve always loved Poe so this was a very cool app for me. I would recommend it for younger Poe fans because it is very interactive and exiting.

The Ghost of Cronus • 2024-11-18T13:05:11-07:00

It needs to be updated for modern devices. It’s not formatted correctly and not very responsive.

NS-86 • 2023-09-29T05:19:14-07:00

This is ridiculous. It doesn’t work and now it’s asking me for more money to open it back up again. I want a refund.

Summary of Key Insights

iPoe Vol. 1 - Edgar Allan Poe is generally very well-received, with users praising its unique interactive format, beautiful illustrations, atmospheric music, and ability to bring Poe's classic stories to life. The app is particularly popular among long-time Poe fans and educators looking for engaging ways to introduce Poe's works to younger audiences. However, there are significant concerns regarding app stability, especially compatibility with newer iOS versions, and issues with restoring purchases. Some users also find the content too short for the price. While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, addressing the technical issues and content concerns is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction.

Overall Rating: High (Majority 5-star reviews)

Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 86.6%
  • 4-star: 5.6%
  • 3-star: 1.8%
  • 2-star: 1.4%
  • 1-star: 4.6%

Key Strengths:

  • Engaging interactive format.
  • Beautiful illustrations and atmospheric music.
  • Effective for introducing Poe to new audiences.
  • Enhances understanding and appreciation of Poe's works.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions (leading to crashes and black screens).
  • Problems with restoring past purchases.
  • Limited content for the price.
  • Occasional glitches with page turning and sound.
  • "Nagging" review prompts.

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 500 reviews Time Frame: The reviews span a considerable period, likely several years, given mentions of iOS updates and long-time users. Analysis Methods:

  • Sentiment analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on language used.
  • Keyword extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned words and phrases related to features, issues, and user experiences.
  • Issue categorization: Grouping reviews based on reported problems (e.g., crashes, restore issues, content length).

Key User Pain Points

  1. iOS Compatibility Issues: Many users report the app crashing or displaying a black screen after updating to newer iOS versions (particularly iOS 13 and 14). This is a critical issue rendering the app unusable for a significant portion of users.
  2. Restore Purchase Problems: A recurring complaint is the inability to restore previously purchased content, forcing users to potentially repurchase the app. This creates frustration and a sense of being cheated.
  3. Limited Content Length: Some users feel that the app provides too little content for the price, leading to a perception of poor value.
  4. Glitches and Bugs: Isolated reports of sound not working, page-turning issues, and animations causing motion sickness.
  5. Intrusive Review Prompts: The immediate and unavoidable review request with only "OK" options annoys users.

Frequently Requested Features

  1. Audiobook Functionality: Many users desire a feature to have the text read aloud, similar to an audiobook.
  2. Dictionary/Glossary: Users want the ability to look up unfamiliar words within the app, either through a built-in dictionary or a glossary of archaic terms.
  3. Option to Disable Animations: Some users find the animations distracting or nauseating and would like an option to turn them off.
  4. More Content: Requests for more stories and volumes featuring other authors.
  5. Language Support: Some users requested additional language support, specifically Russian.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  1. Engaging and Immersive Experience: Users consistently praise the app's interactive format, which brings Poe's stories to life in a unique and captivating way.
  2. High-Quality Art and Music: The illustrations and original soundtrack are widely appreciated for their atmospheric and artistic qualities, enhancing the overall reading experience.
  3. Educational Value: Teachers find the app a valuable tool for introducing Poe's works to students, making the material more accessible and engaging.
  4. Nostalgia and Rediscovery: Many users enjoy revisiting Poe's classics in a fresh and innovative format.
  5. Well-Executed Interactive Elements: The "Easter Egg" type pop-up features and hidden interactions are well-received and add to the enjoyment.
  6. Effective for Non-Readers: The app helps engage people who don't typically enjoy reading.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Address iOS Compatibility Issues: Immediately investigate and resolve the crashes and black screen issues reported on newer iOS versions. This is a critical bug that prevents users from using the app.
  2. Fix Restore Purchase Functionality: Ensure that users can reliably restore their previous purchases. Implement a robust purchase verification system and provide clear instructions for restoring purchases.
  3. Remove Intrusive Review Prompt: Change the review prompt to be less intrusive and provide options other than "OK". Consider prompting for reviews after a user has completed a story.

Medium Priority:

  1. Increase Content Length: Consider adding more stories to each volume or offering bundles with multiple volumes to provide better value for the price.
  2. Add Audiobook Functionality: Implement a feature to have the text read aloud, catering to users who prefer listening to reading.
  3. Implement Dictionary/Glossary: Include a built-in dictionary or glossary to help users understand unfamiliar words.
  4. Add Option to Disable Animations: Provide users with the ability to disable animations if they find them distracting or nauseating.

Low Priority:

  1. Add Language Support: Consider adding support for additional languages based on user demand.
  2. Address Minor Glitches: Investigate and fix the isolated reports of sound issues and page-turning problems.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  1. Interactive Classic Literature Platform: Develop a platform specializing in interactive adaptations of classic literature, similar to iPoe, but with a broader range of authors and genres.
  2. Educational App for Literary Analysis: Create an app that combines interactive storytelling with tools for literary analysis, such as character maps, theme trackers, and vocabulary builders.
  3. Personalized Interactive Storytelling: Develop a platform that allows users to create their own interactive stories with customizable art, music, and animations.
  4. Subscription Service for Interactive Books: Offer a subscription service providing access to a library of interactive books, similar to Netflix for interactive literature.

Trends and Observations

  1. iOS Update Impact: App functionality is highly susceptible to iOS updates, requiring constant maintenance and updates to ensure compatibility.
  2. Long-Term User Base: The app has a loyal user base who have purchased multiple volumes and are invested in the iClassics collection.
  3. Educational Use: The app is frequently used in educational settings, highlighting its potential as a teaching tool.
  4. Desire for More Content: Users consistently express a desire for more stories, volumes, and authors in the iClassics format.
  5. Language Preferences: English and Spanish are the dominant languages in the reviews, with some requests for Russian.

Conclusion

iPoe Vol. 1 - Edgar Allan Poe is a highly acclaimed app that successfully blends classic literature with interactive entertainment. Its strengths lie in its engaging format, beautiful design, and educational value. However, technical issues related to iOS compatibility and restore purchases are significantly impacting user satisfaction. Addressing these issues and expanding content offerings are crucial for maintaining the app's positive reputation and attracting new users. The overall recommendation is to prioritize technical improvements and consider adding requested features to enhance the user experience and solidify the app's position as a leader in interactive literature.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ipoe-vol-1-edgar-allan-poe/id507407813?uo=2