Ordering / Validation FAQ

General

Android Market Version

Direct-Purchase Version

General

How much is it ?

The price is GBP 3.49 (around $5) bought direct via Paypal / Google Checkout and GBP 3.99 (around $6) when bought from Android Market.

Why is the Android Market version more expensive ?

The market operators take a 30% cut of sales from Android Market. After that and tax, there's not much left. By buying direct, both the developer and user benefit.

Is there a trial period ?

For Android Market you have 24 hours for a trial, after that a refund is not possible. The Direct-Purchase version offers a 7 day trial period before any payment is necessary, and you can purchase the Direct-Purchase or Market version (delete the trial first for the Market version) when it expires.

If you feel that 7 days isn't long enough to evaluate Tasker, you can just delete it and reinstall to start a new trial.

Should I buy the Android Market version or the Direct-Purchase version ?

The two versions are nearly identical. The Android Market version has the advantages:

The Direct-Purchase version has the advantages:

What is Validation ?

Validation is the process of confirming that the Tasker app running on your device has been purchased (not pirated).

Direct-Purchase versions need a key to do this, Android Market versions can do it without a key by talking to the Android Market servers.

Tasker will attempt to validate automatically without bothering you. If it hasn't managed after a few days, it will ask you to attempt it manually.

Isn't this validation business evil DRM ?

Only in the very loosest sense.

It's a one-time check (per install-life of the app) that the app has actualLy been paid for. There is no limitation at any time of your 'Digital Rights'. The app is not in regular contact with some shady server somewhere and monitoring or controlling your usage.

How long do I have in order to validate Tasker ?

7 days from the time of installation.

Do I need to pay for updates ?

No, all updates are free.

Where can I ask questions ?

There is a contact email in the application under Menu / Info / Support (for ordering/validation questions only please!)

Android Market Version

Why do I need to validate it ?

This is an anti-piracy measure to prevent a copy of Tasker running if it was never actually purchased. Piracy is rife for Android Market apps due to historical lack of validation possibilities.

Why does the Android Market version not support encryption ?

It is distributed by servers situated in the US and so is subject to their encryption export laws.

What information does Tasker send during validation ?

That's unknown, the validation is performed by Google.

Can I switch to the Direct-Purchase version ?

Yes: If you get an error 'unknown order code' or similar, you will need to contact the develeloper to make sure the order code has been properly setup (include the order code in your email!)

My card isn't accepted for payment, what can I do ?

This could be because Tasker is listed in GBP (Google won't allow a listing in $ for a non-US developer). Sometimes you just need to contact your credit-card company and ask them to authorize international purchases.

You could also try the Direct-Purchase version, which lets you pay via Paypal if that helps (you can then pay in $US with your credit-card, or use your paypal balance / eCheque).

Be sure to have a look at the differences between the two versions first.

What can I do about other downloading/authorizing/installing issues ?

Problems with download e.g. 'authorizing purchase', and payment are always the result of a problem within Android Market and/or Google Checkout (the market payment processor). A developer has no control over these issues.

You could try first:

  1. go to Android's App Management screen (Menu / Settings / Applications / Manage Applications), select Running, click on Market, click Clear Data
  2. repeat for the Download Manager application
  3. reboot the phone

Some problems can be fixed by simply cancelling the order (within 24 hours or purchase) and trying again with a new purchase, though that might mean you can't cancel the 2nd purchase if you don't like the product.

Finally, please refer to Google's Android Market Support service. There are many relevant help forum posts on Downloading, Authorizing and Installing.

If you find it's not possible to install via Market, you could try the Direct-Purchase Version.

What if I have to reinstall Tasker from scratch ?

Tasker should should revalidate itself automatically (with an Internet connection) after 26 hours. If it doesn't manager after a few days, it will start asking you to do it manually.

If you have a completely new device, you should be able to download Tasker again without paying if you use the same Google account with the new device.

Why do I have to wait 26 hours before I can validate after a new install ?

On the first install, this is necessary because it takes that time before Google will process the payment.

On subsequent installs there's unfortunately no way for Tasker to know that it hasn't just been purchased.

If I buy the Cupcake version, can I get the other version for free when I upgrade my phone or OS ?

Unfortunately that's not possible via the Market because it sees them as completely different items.

What you can do is switch to the Direct-Purchase Direct-Purchase Not-Cupcake version.

Direct-Purchase Version

How do I pay ?

In the Tasker application, go to Menu / More / Order Validation and click Buy Code.

You will pay for an item called 'Tasker Code XXXXXXXXXX'. That code will be automatically filled into the validation screen in Tasker.

You will not receive any special email from the developer, since you already know what your code is (and will receive confirmation from paypal/checkout).

Can I buy a code from my PC ?

Yes, click here. You'll pay for a randomly generated code.

Once you've bought the code, just put it into your Tasker app at Menu / More Order Validation. Don't press the Buy Code button, just put the one you bought with your PC in there and then press Validate.

Where is the email with my validation code ?

There's no need for an extra email, the item you purchased is the code you use to validate Tasker, it will be described as 'Tasker Code XX1XX1XX1XX1'.

If you purchased on the phone, you should find it already in the box at Menu / More / Order Validation.

Otherwise you can find it in the email purchase confirmation you receive from Paypal or Checkout.

Can I validate 'offline' ?

Currently that's not possible, sorry.

Will I be notified of updates ?

Yes, the Direct-Purchase version has it's own version checking mechanism. You can set the frequency of update checks in Menu / Prefs / More / Update Check Frequency.

What if I have to reinstall Tasker from scratch ?

Tasker should should revalidate itself automatically (with an Internet connection). It should be able to retrieve the order code from SD.

Is Tasker transferrable to other devices ?

Each order code is valid for one device at one time. If you know you are moving to a new device, you can 'release' your order code via Menu / More / Order Validation / Release Code. The code will then be free to be entered in Tasker on your new device.

What if I lose my phone, it's stolen or I forget to release my key ?

In that case, the order code can only be bound to a new device by contacting the developer.

And what if I upgrade my ROM ?

It's unlikely that a change of ROM will change the Device ID. Just in case, you may wish to temporarily release your code via Menu / More / Order Validation / Release Code, and then revalidate after the upgrade.

If you had an SD card in the device when you validated, Tasker should have remembered and restored your key the first time you start the UI after the ROM change.

What information does Tasker send during validation ?

Order code, Device ID, Tasker Version, Android version.

How do I install the Direct-Purchase version ?

Please see the Download / Install page.

I've lost my purchase email, how can I validate ?

You should always be able to find your order code from your Paypal or Checkout account. If you paid via the Market and don't have a checkout account, please write to the email given in Menu / Info / User Support with your postcode so the developer can locate the order.

I get 'The server reports an internal error' when validating, what can I do ?

The most likely cause of this error is a 'proxy' server in-between Tasker and the valiadation/market server. It's probably not actually the validation server returning the error.

Several users have gotten around this by using a wifi connection to validate instead of a Mobile Data connection.

If I buy the Cupcake version, can I get the other version for free when I upgrade my phone or OS ?

Sure: