It was only a matter of time before an Indonesian sticker pack would be available on Path. Given the popularity of the service in the country, it’s actually a wonder that it has taken this long before one shows up. This past week, Path users on Android who have upgraded to Path 3.2 can familiarize themselves with a cute purple octopus called Ollie made by Petshopbox Studio.
Available as a set of 24 stickers, Ollie the octopus is one of the three new sticker packs available as early access items for those who have subscribed to Path’s new subscription service. The other two are Jellybean Kid by Japanese illustrator Kazuma Shirasaki, and Doug the dog by another Japanese illustrator, Shake-o. Being early access items, the three new sticker packs are not available for purchase individually at this point.
Petshopbox Studio is a design company based in Bandung which specializes in illustrations and character designs. The company was also responsible for Kumi, the mascot for Mozilla Community Indonesia. No word if Petshopbox Studio’s Ollie was inspired by @salsabeela [sorry, insider joke].
iOS users who wish to download the early access sticker packs must wait until Apple approves Path 3.2 for iOS, which is currently still being held in review. While Path 3.2 was announced on 5 September and made available for Android on the same day, the iOS version has yet to be approved by App Store review team.
According to Spuul’s chief product officer Michael F. Smith Jr., the most likely reason for the delay in getting Path 3.2 released on the App Store is Path’s newly introduced subscription service. Smith said that Apple is “very picky with how it works across accounts and the restore process”, referring to how customers some times need to restore their purchases either on the same device or on to another device entirely.
We have no way of knowing if this is indeed the reason but it seems the most likely. Smith’s view is supported by Singapore-based iPhone developer Amudi Sebastian. “It could be subscription/recurring IP approval. I remember Apple reviewers really look at your app if you use that”. Path’s customer support account on Twitter have been telling everyone who asked about it that the company has “no definite ETA but should be soon”.
@rockitude Hi! We appreciate your patience – I don't have a definite ETA, but should be soon – once it's available we'll tweet about it!
— Path Service (@PathService) September 10, 2013
[Update -17 Sept] Path 3.2 is now finally available for iOS, you can subscribe to use the early access sticker packs along with all the other premium features
The wait is over! Path 3.2 with Premium, Private Sharing, and Inner Circle is now in the App Store. Thank you for your patience and enjoy!
— Path (@path) September 16, 2013