Whatever solution it would be forbidden to link to it in the app so hard to discover 
About numbers I have no idea yet as I don’t really know the cost of ads for the wanted search terms but it’s not cheap even if it’s as low as 0.03€ per click (And I doubt it’s that low) then I need to triple the ARPU. (Yes I really did not make Yatse to be rich :p)
In all cases whatever I do this will not be a simple transition.
I think this…
“One solution would be to have higher cost complete unlocker and smaller dedicated licences for cast or offline or plex or emby. But with all the history of Yatse how do I handle the old users without upgrading their unlocker to the new bigger one.”
… have separate unlockers for different features. Emby vs Kodi vs whatever.
For existing owners, Grandfather us in and let us pay the cost difference for the new bigger one. Thus, if we paid $5.99 and you are now charging $9.99 for t ‘unlimited’ version (all unlockers), we pay $4 more as an ‘upgrade’. I bought it a while back even though I dont use the more advanced features hardly ever, paying another reasonable one time upgrade fee is fine with me.
This is easier than a subscription and more acceptable to most of us. Most consumers want to buy something once and using it when/how they want. Subscription models are not very good for consumers, they are only good for the business selling them. *not a guess, this is what I do for a living for a $3B global company 
I’ll PM you
I, I am a user of the paid version for some years now, not really because of the advanced features offered but because I found the app so perfectly built that I found normal to support the work by paying the price requested.
However I think that I do not use most of the new features added month after month (for example because I do not change my phone often so I cannot benefit from latest Android enhancements). Therefore I am unlikely to pay regularly for updates I do not benefit.
I am from the old world where you pay (more) once for a software that brings you a certain number of limited functionalities. If later on a new version with new functionalities appears I evaluate if I want to pay again for something better. Otherwise I stay with the older version.
I do not like the subscription model, because this is more and more the case for everything. You never own something and I feel trapped by the developper.
My suggestion would be a trial app that changes into either a free+ads version or a no-ads paid-once version.
85% of additions are for free users too.
Like the overview panels, the smart filters all the new Kodi stuff (Mainly music).
You also benefits from peformance improvements, bug fixes.
Not defending the subscribtion model but just to clarify that you are using the new work. Try to go back to 5.9.6 for example and see how good it feels to move to last versions.
The thing is really that I do monthly updates so as really big visble changes are rare there’s still many you could not rollback now that you are used to them.
This makes the whole make a new versions a year very different than what I’m doing now.
Hi Mr. Tolriq
How are you? I’ve been a paid user for a couple of years (Bought 2 separate copies, donated once). Created a forum account to comment on this issue.
I’m more than happy to move into a yearly-subscription model of 10 USD / year.
Rumours say Apple is moving to subscription based, so it’s highly likely that Google would follow suit.
Another idea: Get it touch with XBMC Foundation and form a partnership - Open source and merge Yatse with Kore (meaning have Yatse taking over as de facto remote for Kodi); XBMC Foundation to fund future Yatse development; Continue to have paid unlocker for Yatse.
Regards,
S
You have no idea of my relation with some Kodi peoples there 
I’m banned for trying to help (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=117885&page=259), I did contribute a lot to Kodi and still do via alternatives ways, but Martijn there hates me for defending users and devs against it’s stupidity, so as long as he’s alive. Even if he’s hurting Kodi project a lot seems some people see him as important and accept all his non senses.
Hi Tolriq
First off, thanks for all your hard work on Yatse. I’ve been using it for years, mostly for the basics, but appreciated nonetheless. I also have to confess, I’m one of those who paid up ages ago, but have neglected to do so since 
I’ll do something about that soon (promise).
But getting back to the topic, I would be happy to pay a modest annual fee, if that would work for you. Whatever solution you run with would have to present an ad-free option one way or another, as I simply won’t use any app that throws them at me.
I really don’t mind whether this is done as a simple subscription or as part of an annual release cycle. But I hope that by getting enough people to pay a modest amount, you will generate sufficient income to recompense you for your time and work.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Reading about your troubles makes me sad. Thanks for your hard work. We will miss Yatse. If Google wants it dead, you cannot stop them killing it.
It seems like the best thing we can do is to keep leaving feedback on Kore and letting people know to get Yatse.
Have you considered F-droid as an app store?
I hadn’t realised Google steal 30% and on that front alone i’d definitely not donate through the app since they don’t deserve to mooch of your work.
I’d love to see an iOS version but let’s face it…swift is a pitfa as is the Apple app store, but I’d pay for it.
It would be a shame to see ads in the free version but would ads really solve the googs issue anyway?
Hi Tolriq,
I guess Google is just nagging/ teasing you, because they think they don’t get enough money from your popular, well maintained/supported/active app.
I use Yatse for a very long time now, I love it. I saw Kore on another phone recently, now I love Yatse even more.
Maybe 1 startup add in the free version, and a cheaper unlocker wiil bring you more paid users.
I can’t be on F-Droid for many reasons, first because I’m not open source
But also most important because many functions in Yatse depends on Google Play Services and it’s forbidden there, so no cloud save, no Chromecast and more things. Don’t see the point of having an ultra limited version.
Bugger…hey…on that front a generic cloud save would be awesome for my next cloud / own cloud…wholly inappropriate contact point.
I really can’t consider using another Kodi remote, the rest suck and I really like steaming music across my VPN whilst driving with taste.
There can’t be generic cloud thing each one have it’s own API.
What could be done probably is more an export to a secure format to not leak passwords in plain text as it’s no more directly put on a secure place.
But you can post in Support for various cloud hosting sources (Dropbox, Box, etc) to show interest 
Possibly an alternative way for people to subscribe could encourage rolling contributions, without relying on Google’s continued cooperation?
Along the lines of Open Collective, perhaps, although allowing closed-source projects if you prefer to keep it that way. Other platforms exist, like Liberapay, Patreon, Snowdrift.coop etc. (although I hear many complaints about Patreon).
https://wiki.snowdrift.coop/market-research/other-crowdfunding
I also understand this may not integrate well with Google Play if they actively discourage it, and that you probably know about these things already. But it seems worth mentioning.
(Disclaimer: I’m no expert on the topic, but I am involved with social.coop, which manages to get a nominal amount of ongoing revenue this way. Not enough to dispense with volunteer help yet, of course. But other projects get more than this, and I expect every bit helps.)
Most of those solutions are not really meant for app dev, as I can’t really produce content specific to the patron when I looked at patreon.
And I would not be able to advertise that inside the application either
One idea I had if I can’t find a way to save Yatse on Android was to try crowdfunding to make the iOS app as I often have users asking me an iOS version, so could have help to have some income during the dev phase, but dropping Android would really be the last of the last solution.
I just need to find out the proper way to pay for user acquisition in a fair way for all users and the hardcore fans.
I know most games exists because there’s 1% of users who spend 80% of the revenues, but I don’t think it’s fair for applications.
Fully paid with a trial sounds like a bad decision, many people won’t pay and switch to Kore AND Yatse will get less popular and will end up dying, the best choice is to have 2 apps, 1 (with ads) that serves as a way for users to find and love Yatse (sadly under Google’s policies), and the other paid app gives you the rest of your revenue.
Well, I love Yatse. Love the features. My only wish is I could use it with Alexa! Hint! Hint
I recommend anyone to purchase. I did, and have absolutely no regrets. I even use it to control grandsons’ android box in his room from my desk or living room from another android box.
Since I already have a sub, I think a trial before ya buy would have been the choice I would have selected. I delete ANY app filled with ads.
I love this app and I’ve been using it since… well, I don’t remember, many years.
I paid once and I would donate again as it is one of the apps that I use more often and there has been a more than obvious development since then, but I would never pay a subscription. I see subscriptions like taxes for dummies. I pay enough services and rentals and a bunch of subscriptions would make me feel wasteful. I don’t like adds in apps neither. Since it is the only app that works as a remote and for streaming I think fully paid or split in 2 apps are the best choices.
I recomend Yatse everyone I can.
Regards
Hi Tolriq,
I love Yatse and I purchased the unlocker many years ago when I often used Kodi, now I seldom use Kodi and Yatse but I hope you find a way to stay in business and continue to develop the app. I am ready to purchase the program again or to make a donation since I usually purchase the apps I like and use but I don’t like the subscription model.
I rated the app on the store and always recommend yatse but very very few people I know pay for apps, most people expect they are free, probably they think developers don’t need to earn money and don’t have bills to pay.
I am a software developer too but I work on windows, I have no experience with google play store.