I spend a large part of each day in Panic's Coda app for Mac. It's an FTP client, code editor, CSS editor, and previewer -- and more -- all rolled into one. And it's coming to iPad this Thursday as... Diet Coda.
Diet Coda takes everything we've ever learned about world-class web code editing, and wraps it up to-go. It's packed with features, bathed in fun, ready to work.So go on, take a vacation and only pack your iPad — you'll get your job done, quickly and delightfully. It's so good, you might never touch your desktop again.
The only concerns I have are those imposed by iOS. First, the continued lack of a persistent internet connection background API (only VoIP, streaming audio, and location can persist in the background). Second, iOS still doesn't support all forms of VPN, for example, OpenVPN, which means Apple have to build it in, leading back to the first problem...
Diet Coda is going to be $9.99, or half off for the first 24 hours. If it lives up to the demo, and the expectations set by the Mac app, it'll be more than worth it.
Speaking of the Mac app, the long anticipated Coda 2 for Mac is arriving the very same day.
Coda 2 represents a incredible overhaul of every facet of our venerable all-in-one web code editor. It’s a release packed with tons of improvements that will make you more efficient and faster at your job. And on top of that, it’s got brand new features that will make it an even more indispensable part of your process.
Coda 2 will also be half off for the first 24 hours, and available directly from Panic or via the Mac App Store.
That's an interesting way to work within the confines of the MAS. Users often don't like "paying again" for what they consider "the same app" even if it's a substantial update. Of course, the Mac App Store, like the iOS App Store, doesn't allow for upgrade pricing, and developers can't afford to undertake substantial development "for free".
If you saw Batman Begins, you don't get to see Dark Knight for free, so there should be absolutely no more expectation for free future versions of apps than there are free future versions of movies. By offering a one day sale, and publicizing it, Panic gives owners of the first version, and interested first time buyers alike, a chance to get in at a steeply discounted price.
Source: Panic
