Ken Case, the CEO of The Omni Group, held a Q&A session today at their booth. Here are the questions that I was able to capture:
Q: Any plans to go Android?
A: No, really focused on Apple platforms. Focus on technology that's most compelling for themselves.
Q: Planning any other applications?
A: Lot of ideas for applications, Mac and mobile. Updates coming for OmniOutliner.
Q: Timeframe for OmniOutliner?
A: No. Ships when it's ready. Getting closer
Q: Ever thought about Dropbox integration?
A: All iPad apps do webdav, gets idisk, sync.omnigroup.com. dropdav.com (3rd party) Goal is to build against standards, instead of plugging into one provider, and you don't know what will happen to them in the future.
Q: Features in OmniOutliner for the iPad?
A: cross-platform documents. iPad doesn't have same fonts. Supports rich text, hyperlinks, etc. Built in text zooming, because iPad has different pixel density.
Q: OmniPlan features for iPad?
A: Don't yet have a design. Flip back and forth between outline and gantt chart. Focusing on OmniPlan v2 for Mac.
Q: Sync between OmniPlan and OmniFocus?
A: OmniPlan v2 has social features -- sharing plans with other users, can integrate changes, change tracking, etc. Don't want to force everyone to learn gantt charts. OmniFocus is lightweight application that syncs with cloud, and with OmniPlan. Individual Contributors can use OmniFocus to track their tasks, and sync it into the project plan. Work is finished on OmniPlan side, but not on OmniFocus side (because got waylaid by iPad).
Q: What about OmniWeb?
A: There have been some updates. 64-bit OmniWeb, most of the work is done, but it drops support for 10.4 and 10.5. Not monetizing right now.
Q: Thought on Mac App Store?
A: Best way for most consumers to find software, buy, and install it on their Macintoshes. Consumers aren't the only ones who use macs. Businesses, etc. Had to remove licensing code and software update code to put in MAS. Going to maintain separate versions going forward.
Q: Willing to give rebates to get people into MAS?
A: Thought about it, not sure if they could practically do it. Workload would be tough. Would take them too long to process requests, don't gain too much by getting into MAS.
Q: How many copies sold?
A: Did just have best year ever. MAS is doing well. MAS sales are additive, isn't cannibalizing direct sales.