I’m not a big fan of apps taking the place of built-in software. For me, the issue is that I may use the arranger for 20 years or close to it. But I have no guarantee that app software will be updated and continued to be supported for that long. This makes selling the product at the end of your need for it a lot more difficult if major functionality is no longer available because the app that enables it is no longer supported or available on the Apple store.

You also have the issue of, if the app is no longer available, if you lose or break your iPad, you will not be able to get a new one to work with the old software because once it is unsupported, it is removed from the Apple Store. So you’re screwed even if you don’t sell the arranger!

Case in point, the Lyrics Viewer iPad app, almost essential for the BK7M (the tiny screen can’t display lyrics, which leaves you trying to find a small LCD TV with the rapidly disappearing RCA connector on it) and all the hassles that adds. Dropped by the Apple Store, no explanation for why from Roland, one day there, next day gone, no warning.

Sadly, I got my iPad just after Roland discontinued the app. I know it worked with the iPad’s iPadOS at the time of sale because a friend was using an updated iPad to run it on HIS iPad, no problem. But once an app is gone from the store, there’s no way in hell of ever getting it again.

The pace of computer/tablet OS upgrades is FAR faster than the arranger industry’s update path, you can’t even guarantee devices with the old connectors will be around in ten year’s time..! And the odds of software for iPad still being supported that long are low. And I can’t for the life of me understand that the BK9 Editor is still available for a product discontinued for three years or more is still up, but the app for lyrics display that should work fine on BK3/5 (still available in stores) has been dropped. No logical reason at all!

The more that essential tablet tools are needed for primary function, the more important it is that they get supported and updated for LONG after the product itself is discontinued…

A perfect example is the G70… it had a great tactile touch screen and software inside to do full voice, Makeup Tools, Sequencer and Performance editing built-in. The day I sell it, it will STILL have that functionality. But the day (if ever!) I sell my BK9, I will not be able to have visual/tactile editing controls as a feature to help it sell, unless Apple haven’t changed their OS so it still runs, or Roland updated the Editor app so it runs. Maybe five or more years from now! Fat chance…

I hope that manufacturers move away from apps to complete needed functionality. The life cycle of them is too short. 🎹😢