Paper by FiftyThree, the popular illustrating app for iPad, is making a significant change to its app price today. While Paper for iPad has been free to download and use since its debut, the app has also had tools for drawing and illustrating available for unlocking through in-app purchases as well.
Starting today, FiftyThree is making the all tools offered in Paper free for everyone to use. FiftyThree is now including the Draw, Sketch, Outline, Write, and Color tools for every Paper user. Previously, the essential tools were $3.99 to unlock as a package while individual tools could be have for $0.99 each.
The various essential tools allow you to illustrate using pencils, pens, and marker textures, for example. FiftyThree says Paper has been downloaded more than 13 million times to date, which it says puts the app on 5-10% of all iPads, with over 150 million pages being created so far.
Before being made available for free today, these tools were also available to try for users of FiftyThree’s Pencil stylus. Speaking of which, FiftyThree recently made their Bluetooth connected iPad stylus available in both Apple Retail Stores and the Apple Online Store. Just a week ago, FiftyThree introduced a new color option for its Pencil stylus—GOLD—to match the new iPhones and iPads.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjKtCyXNSTg]
FiftyThree also recently launched a community within Paper called Mix which allows you to share your creations and even remix other illustrations shared by Paper users. (This is especially useful if you’re drawing a blank on just what you want to create, or need to borrow someone else’s work to get started on your own ideas.)
You can download the app (and the essential tools now) for free from the App Store, and pick up the Pencil Gold stylus for $59.95.
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I’ve wanted this set for years. It’s a miracle it’s free. Now I want the pencil. Thanks FiftyThree!
Sounds like the new business model is working…Give away the software and make the profits on hardware.
It’s a good move for them to do this.
I’ve always thought the way they nickel and dime people over a brush or a pen was both bad business and kind of petty and offensive.
I purchased the brushes shortly after this app came out, and was dinking around with it for a while.
Bought myself the Walnut Pencil in December (the magnets to snap to the case are a nice touch) and I’m hooked, even though I’m more a doodler than an artist.
Mix is a brilliant way to make art creation a social experience. I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence.