[kelnos]

Terrible analogy. If I buy a TV that has smart features or apps on it, I'm only marginally paying for the apps. It's even possible that Netflix is paying the TV manufacturer in order to be in the default install, so I'm not even paying for the apps; possibly I'm even paying slightly less for the TV than I otherwise would. (Even if that's not the case, that doesn't really change the calculus for me.)

So, no, if Netflix disappeared in this case, I would not ask for a partial refund. The TV still works as a TV, and that's what I really paid for in the first place. (If Netflix didn't disappear, but the TV app stopped working, I might be -- justifiably -- annoyed, though!)

This Twitterific thing is in no way comparable: the app only interacts with Twitter. That's its entire reason for being. If it can't do that, then it is worthless, and anyone who paid for it is perfectly in their rights to demand a refund. Hell, the Twitterific folks should be pro-actively refunding the unused portions of subscriptions; that's the only ethical thing to do here.

[NovemberWhiskey]

Did you ever own a dial-up modem? Was its only purpose for being that you logged into your ISP with it? Did you consider trying to get a refund when your ISP stopped providing dial-up service?

[kelnos]

Yes, I did own a dial-up modem. In addition to connecting to my ISP, I spent many years connecting to various local BBSes. The ISP wasn't the only reason I had the modem.

And, regardless, if my ISP stopped providing dial-up service, and I really still wanted dial-up service, I would have simply found another ISP to connect to. (After expecting my previous ISP to issue me a pro-rated refund for whatever subscription I was paying them.)

Also regardless, your analogy is bad, as the modem was a one-time cost. The issue at hand is that of recurring subscription fees Twitterific charges. If we were just talking about a one-time cost to buy the Twitterific app, I wouldn't be suggesting the refund that cost (except to customers who just bought the app right before the shutdown, perhaps; seems shitty to keep customer money when the product irreparably breaks a few days after purchase).

[esskay]

Dial up was an on-demand pricing model, not a subscription. By your own rules that doesnt work.

Now, if you had dial up and paid a subscription for access to a free phone number and they cut you off before your subscription ended, then yes you absolutely would expect a refund.