TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 346
Welcome to the show I am your host Rob and this is the Today in iOS podcast - First up I want to thank BARRY for sending in the music you hear in the background. BARRY wrote:
Hi Rob,
Here's a silly little song I made way back when garage band was first out for iOS. Feel free to use it for your show!
Regards,
Barry S
SONG_Barry_150414.mp3
Thanks BARRY for the music and folks I will put the full song at the end of the episode. I also want to thank KEVIN for sending in the Artwork for today's show. KEVIN said the following:
Hi Rob,
This is a Butterfly taken with iPhone 6 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, processed with Photos, Painteresque and Aviary
Regards,
Kevin Crossman
Fremont CA
KEVIN Thanks again for sending in this artwork and folks you can see KEVIN'S artwork in the FREE Tii App via the BONUS button for ep 346 - or if you subscribe via iTunes on your computer as the album artwork and also as a stand alone post in the VIP section and at Facebook.com/todayinios.
If you have some artwork and or music you have created on your iOS device that you would like to share with the audience please email it to me at today in iOS at gmail dot com and please make sure to include which app or apps you used to create said artwork and or music.
AND I am down to just two songs in my queue - so if you have some music created on an iOS device - please please please send it in.
02:06
In this segment of how wrong were we have the following quote quote “Yet for some of us who sat in the audience watching Steve Jobs introduce the device, the whole thing felt like a letdown.” unquote
Daniel Lyons, AKA Fake Steve Job -
BusinessWeek, 28 January 2010
There is a reason he is known as Fake Steve Jobs and no Steve Jobs. Because he has launched as many hit consumer products as me and that would be ZERO - Just Sayin
02:38
For Promo codes - On Ep 345 we offered up chances to win promo codes for THE APP - Merces - Personal Tip Calculator - a bunch of words. We will be giving those out early this week - for more info on this app go back and listen to the beginning of Ep 345.
For Promo Codes This week we have promo codes for the App Slender Man Origins 3, Here is the written review from the dev:
Hi everyone! We're Bigzur, an independent game developer team. Many of our fans have been asking if there will be another game about Slender, and now it's finally time for the sequel! This game, Slender Man Origins III: Abandoned school is our third installment in the series. The story is about a girl, followed by Slender Man in her nightmares, as she tries to escape from him and save the souls of the children already captured by the Slender Man. The game features improved graphics, atmospheric sound effects, small game events, full voice-acting and a new level-randomizing feature, which makes sure you can't play one level in the same manner twice. Doors get locked, corridors become sealed, while new paths open each time you start a game. The levels themselves have multiple floors and multiple ways to reach every room, giving both you and Slender freedom to choose your way. Even if Slender is off your track, you shouldn't stay for too long - your sanity will slowly escape you, though you can fight it by finding medicine throughtout the level. Finally, use headphones for the best experience. Thanks, and we hope you have fun playing Slender Man Origins III!
Thanks to the devs for their written review of their App - Slender Man Origins 3 and for sending in the promo codes to give away. Folks if you would like a chance for a promo code for this app - send an email to today in iOS at gmail dot com and put SLENDER in the subject line. We will be giving those away later next week.
A QUICK REMINDER if you are an App developer or an iBook Author email me if you want your app or iBook featured in the promo give away segment We Just need the 5 promo codes or more to give away. simply email me at today in ios @ gmail.com and please include a 60 sec or less audio review of your app or iBook - indicating you are the dev or author. Also when you send in the promo codes - please make sure to let me know when they expire.
04:48
Play voice mail from - Ken_VA_Apple_pay_double_tap
Play voicemail from Jonathan_Apple_pay_easy
Hi Rob,
You do NOT have to open Passbook app to use Apple Pay. Double click on button (not crown) and it comes up. How much easier can it be?
Regards,
Janet
Hi Rob,
I’m sure you’re receiving several of similar emails regarding this. You don’t have to open Passbook on your Watch and then double click Friends button in use Pay. Just double click Friends button at any time and your card will come up and be ready to pay.
The double click doesn’t work for me since I can’t click it fast enough. Hopefully they add an accessibility option to allow for a slower click.
Regards,
Darrin
Greetings Rob:
I just finished listening to your first review of your Apple Watch and you commented on the functionality of accessing Apple Pay was clunky. It is by far much faster and easier to bring up Apple Pay on the watch just by double tapping on the side button... and there it is, your default card all ready to be scanned. Please add this to your .pdf list of tips & tricks for the Apple Watch.
Regards,
Bruce T
And from Mark L, and Kareem H as well.
OK - Yup - I was wrong - it is actually very easy to use ApplePay on your Apple Watch. As they mentioned just double tap on the side button and regardless of what app you had running - it will bring up apple pay on your Apple watch and then you just tap your wrist to the payment unit - and it registers as paid.
06:45
http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/27/apple-
releases-ios-8-4-beta-2-to-developers-
with-revamped-music-app/
Last week - Apple released iOS 8.4 beta 2 to devs and iOs 8.4 Public Beta 1. Looks like Apple will keep making the very first beta a devs only release - and then wait at least until the second beta to see how things are going before releasing the public beta.
Most of the changes from beta 1 to beta 2 of 8.4 seem to be bug fixes and performance enhancements and pretty much that is it.
But if you are one in the public beta group you can go and get the 8.4 beta now.
07:46
http://www.imore.com/secret-apple-
watch-options-14-force-touch-tips-
your-wrist#slide11
For those without an Apple watch or any plans for an Apple Watch - note there is going to be a bunch more Apple Watch news and tips this episode - but it is not ALL apple watch. This first story while Apple watch specific - is about force touch - and given Apple added force touch to the macbook - there is a really good chance we will see Force touch on the next iPhone - so in other words pay attention and don’t be so quick to hit that 30 sec jump forward button.
For those that have not experienced force touch - it is kind of like taking your touch on the screen to 11.
With the Apple native Apps on the Apple watch when you do that in most screens you will get access to hidden features / settings.
iMore has an article going over just some of those. Like the one I mentioned on the last episode - where you force touch on the watch face to get to the screen where you can change and customize the watch.
I will not go over all of them - I will link to the article.
But here are some others I found that were not mentioned.
In the Music App if you are on the play screen - when you force touch - you have the options of shuffle, repeat, source, and airplay. under source if you have sync’d up music to your apple watch you can choose the apple watch or you can choose the iPhone. If you choose the Apple watch - you have to have a bluetooth head set paired with the apple watch.
For Airplay it did not seem to find my AppleTV. It just listed the iPhone. Then I realized that Wifi was turned off on my iPhone - so I turned wifi on for my iPhone - and then the option to airplay music to Apple TV showed up. One other note with the music app - the digital crown is used to adjust the volume.
From the Twitter App - if you force touch - it will allow you to create a new tweet. Same with the Message App.
Not all Apps have force touch features hidden - the Stock app does not appear to have any - nor do the Phone app or the workout app or Instagram or Tunein Radio.
But many do - so next time you are in one of the Apple Watch apps - try force touch and see what hidden features you can find.
Like in the Overcast App - if you are using this one - go to an Episode of Today in iOS - and on the play screen - force touch. you will see two hidden options - effects and recommend. Please tap on Recommend for obvious reasons.
Per effects - you can turn on smart speed, voice boost and also change the speed of playback. So Marco added a few nice features there via force touch.
This actually leads us to the this email message
Hello Rob,
I was wondering if the Apple watch can control the playback of podcasts? I mean can it pause and start a podcast using either the Apple podcast app or another 3rd party app? Can it control playback volume? This is important to me since I do a lot of hiking and have the iphone tucked away in a pocket.
Thanks for all the good work.
Regards
Jim K from Morrison Colorado
Well Jim - right now the Apple Podcasts App does not actually have a Watch App. HOWEVER - here is a little trick I found. If you start a podcast on your iPhone with the Podcasts App. and then go and launch the music App on the Apple Watch - you will be able to start and stop the play back - and via the digital crown you will be able to adjust the volume. Note sometimes the play / pause does not work. But the volume control does seem to work.
And you know what this same trick will work with the Tii App.
So it seems if you have an app that is playing back audio on your iPhone - when you launch the Music App - it can be used to control the volume and some of the time control play and pause. But you might have to tap play / pause a few times to get it to work.
Now Jim if you want an app that works all the time like it is supposed to for listening to Podcasts then the Overcast App will be a key one - you just will not get volume control.
But you can launch Overcast on your apple watch find the show and episode you want and hit play. Then go and launch the Music app and control the volume. So it is a two app combo to do what you are looking for. I now keep the Overcast App and the Music App next to each other on my Apple Watch.
By the way this may be a temporary solution - as it may be a bug on the Music app allowing it to control other apps - lets hope no one from Apple listening right now goes and reports this “Bug”. Because as I see it this is not a bug but rather it is a feature.
Hi Rob,
So how do I bulk delete text messages on my watch, any idea? I get several dozen per day.
Not only can’t I find a way to bulk delete, but it seems like each deletion requires a TWO step process!
Thanks and Regards,
Steve in Port Jeff
I replied to Steve
From the main clock screen - swipe down from the top.
And then force touch and choose - Clear All - which is the big X in a circle.
I think this is what you are looking for.
Thanks Rob! Wow that is cool. But if you go to the messages app on the phone you will see that they are still there.
All the text messages just keep piling up in messages.
REgards,
Steve
If anyone has any other suggestions for Steve - please let us know - you can call us - 206-666-6364 - that is 206 moon-dog or send an email to today in iOS at gmail dot com.
Hi Rob,
At my son’s track meet last weekend while timing the 100m race, I noticed a shortcoming of the default stopwatch app. The problem is that the watch goes into sleep mode a few seconds after pressing the start timing button. So, you need to make sure you keep the watch screen active so that you are ready to stop timing. Perhaps a software update will resolve this, but I’m not holding my breath.
Regards,
—Mark
Hey Rob,
I received my 42MM Apple watch sport on Friday 4/24 and have been enjoying it thus far. I have a weird thing that is happening.
My wife and I share Apple ID's but have each of our devices to send message from their perspective numbers.
When I send a drawing to my friend's Apple watch the number that appears is my wife's number.
If I send a default text message, a voice transcribed message or animated emoji, the number that appears on his watch is my phone number.
I unpaired by watch and restored it to factory settings, Then re-paired the watch with my iphone and have the same issue.
I realize that I can have my wife create her own Apple ID and add her to family sharing, but I'd rather not have to go through the pain of redownloading all her apps.
I have already contacted Apple Support, but am curious if anyone else is seeing this.
Thanks
Howard
And Tim Galloway in the Google+ community replied - quote It's not the Apple ID , it's the iCloud ID, just have your wife use her own ICloud ID, she can stay signed into iTunes Store with the ID you currently share unquote
Thanks Tim.
16:07
http://www.cnet.com/news/11-surprises-i-
learned-about-the-apple-watch/
A couple of episodes ago I mentioned an article from CNET titled 11 surprises I learned about the apple watch - and this was from a writer that was given an pre-release Apple watch to test out.
So I wanted to re-visit that article now that I have almost two weeks with my wrist under the Apple watch.
One item was Some taptic sensation were too subtle and you needed to make it Prominent Haptic as necessary - and Yup - I felt the same way - the normal settings were just not jarring enough to notice all the time - basically you need to turn it up to 11 to really notice it. Hopefully via software update that will get even more prominent.
Per vibrations - the pebble has the Apple watch beat.
He also found siri very useful - and I agree - I think the siri integration is where the Apple watch clearly trumps the pebble. If I want to check the score of the royals game or the starting time - it is a simple query to siri - and I have my answer.
He found it shocking you can not start and stop calls on your iPhone - I agree - that is shocking and a major oversight.
So after having the Apple watch for almost two weeks - I would have to see - Scott Stein’s article was pretty good. Link in show notes.
17:37
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/04/29/
apple-watch-component-defective/26593575/
Oh the power of link Bait - if you have listened before you probably have heard me bemoan the practice known as link baiting - and oh boy do we have a doozy this time. Here is the title Quote Apple Watch Component found defective, report says unquote - and that is from USA Today. Yikes - makes it sound like something in your apple watch is defective - right. Well NO. Do you remember that exercise you had to do in high school for one of the standardized tests - it was where you read a few paragraphs and then had to pick the title that best matched what your read. Well per this article - that title would have gotten you a failing grade if you picked it. Here is what the title of the article should have been quote lack of key component limited Apple watch supply at launch unquote.
That is right - there were no Apple Watches shipped with the faulty component - it was something Apple found well before shipping started - and it was with the taptic engine from one of their two suppliers - the one from China. Apple supposedly found during accelerate life testing - that the taptic engines from china failed to often. While the ones from their Japanese supplier were fine - and that is the only one that went out to consumers - again this is not about a component in your Apple watch that was found defective - it was a component that never made it in your apple watch as it was discovered to be defective in accelerated life testing prior to mass production. And this is one of the key reasons that Apple did not have more Apple watches available at launch.
So Shame on your USA Today for the purposefully misleading title to your article - or what we call link bait journalism.
19:26
http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/4/
8549633/apple-bands-made-for-
apple-watch-program
Apple has launched a Made for Apple Watch program which offers design guidelines for 3rd party band designers.
Right now the Made for Apple Watch program is just for band designers - but there is speculation it will soon be opened up to 3rd party charger and stand designers and other accessories to the Apple watch which is well an accessory to the iPhone.
However no word on what that hidden port is - and if 3rd party’s can access it - but there are others out there claiming to have straps coming that take advantage of that port to offer faster charging options - but is sound like they will not be getting that official Made for Apple Watch - MFAW - seal of approval.
20:12
http://www.techboom.co.uk/apple-
confirms-tattoos-mess-with-the-iwatch/
One thing that is not made for Apple watch is Tattoos. According to Apple quote - Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings. unquote.
So what are your choices - well you could move it to the other wrist if it is not inked up. but if the top both wrists are inked up - your next alternative for getting a heart beat reading is via a wireless bluetooth hear rate monitor you can pair to your apple watch.
Some have asked about wearing it on the bottom or inside of your wrist - Apple does not recommend that and says the readings are not as accurate on the inside of the wrist. Others that have tested it on the inside of the wrist have found during a cardio workout the readings to not match up to cardio equipment - but simple sliding it to the top of the wrist as recommended - brought the Apple watch back in sync with good 3rd party cardio monitors.
21:32
Hi Rob,
You haven't really opined yet about iOS v8.3. Reviews seem mixed. I've held off for now, waiting for a thumbs up from you. Can you tell us what you think on your next podcast?
Jim K
Yes - Update.
Also have people asking about my opinion of the Apple watch.
So here goes.
I really do like my Apple Watch a lot - I wear it all day every day. And I have not even started trying it out with bluetooth head phones yet - that will be this week. More on the next episode with regards to that. Also look for an unboxing video in the Tii app for the bluetooth headphones I received to test out.
So is the Apple Watch for Everyone - absolutely not.
First off - do you even want something on your wrist? If the answer is no - stay away. Because once you get it - you will find yourself compelled to keep it on your wrist all the time.
Assuming you are someone that wore a watch - should you get the Apple Watch or the Pebble. That really comes down to what you want to do with it.
If your primary need is for a glances feature - where you look down to see a new message or email or phone call that is coming in or the time or temp. Well the Pebble does that just fine and is a lot cheaper and has a significantly better battery life.
If you however are looking for a device that is more than a remote screen for your iPhone - something that is interactive - where you can answer a call and talk via the watch , where you can reply to text messages or send a tweet or ask siri a basic question - where you can actually get it to work with your phone to take pictures. And where you can measure your heart rate and your steps and tie it all back into the Health app - then the Apple Watch will trump the Pebble.
If you are looking for a device where you don’t need the iPhone and can go out jogging and listen to music while on the jog - and have it measure your steps and heart rate at the same time - then clearly the Apple Watch is for you.
Is the Apple watch perfect - no - is it better than the pebble - in most cases yes - but not in all cases. I will say this - I have not turned on my Pebble since I had my Apple Watch - but I will add - the Pebble did seem to handle receiving push messages better for Texts and emails - and allowed me to answer my phone on my phone via the pebble - which to me is the biggest missing feature at this time on the Apple watch - and something I would guess they will address in a future software update.
So am I recommending it for everyone - NO. But for many if not most iPhone users - it will provide an extra level of interaction with your iPhone that will allow you to keep your iPhone tucked away a little more than you currently are doing.
And I do believe as apps develop for it - you will see more and more use cases to justify the purchase of one. It is still early in its lifecycle and the number of apps are very small now compared to where we will be by the end of the summer.
And if you are still on the fence - don’t feel bad - it is not like you can walk into a store and impulse buy one yet anyway. Keep listening to future episodes and we will have more and more feedback - good and bad on the Apple watch experience I am sure.
25:25
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- iPhone and iPad Photography with iOS 8 by Sean Duggan
One new tutorial I saw that came in this week - is up and running with Apple Watch. This is a 40 Minute video that takes you over configuring and setting up your apple watch, using glances, customizing the watch faces. Receiving notifications and more. Definitely check it out if you have an Apple watch or want to see it in action and what is involved in setting it up.
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27:32
VOICEMAIL - Jonathan_NO_apple_watch_feedback
I had a couple of people mention they missed out on the free monthly trial of HBO Now - Yup - that monthly trial ended at the end of April. However if you signup now - you will get a free 7 day trial. I did signup as I mentioned and did so via my Apple TV - now when I want to also look at HBO Now on my computer - you have to select the choice where you signed up via Apple TV - and use the same emails address when re-registering - it does make you re-register if you want the access on the computer. but not re-pay. At least I hope not. But just because you sign up on Apple TV - does not mean your username and password will work on an iOS device or the computer right away - you do need to go via your computer and re-register. You might be able to re-register on your iOS device - but I did not find it. And stopped looking once I did it on the computer. Any way - I am now into season 5 on Game of Thrones when I work out via my Computer and Season 1 with my wife when we bulk watch on the Apple TV. Kind of fun watching at two time lines.
Hey Rob,
Each episode you mention that the artwork for that episode can be seen in iTunes. For me that’s true but I have to kind of hunt for it by going into Get Info, otherwise I just see the attached. I think in the past that the TII podcast icon used to change each episode but now the attached has been that way for months. Is there a way I can automatically see each episode’s artwork without having to go digging for it (i.e. a way for the podcast icon to change each week)?
<Today in iOS Podcast - The Unofficial iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and iPod Touch News and iPhone Apps Podcast.png>
Thanks/regards,
Rob
Hi Rob,
In the Tii App it is easy to see the artwork.
iTunes has made it more and more difficult with each update.
And in the Podcasts app you can't see it at all.
Nothing I can really do on that front - as it is an iTunes / Podcasts UI issue / change.
But on the Tii App and at Facebook page and google+ community I make sure to put the artwork for each episode for all to see.
And I just started an Instagram account (finally) to also put the artwork out to after each episode.
http://instagram.com/todayinios/
I have a few recent episodes up already - and will work to get more of the older episode artwork up there as well. Please make sure to follow todayinios on instagram if you are a user.
Rob, I have a question about iCloud Photo Library.... I just don't understand it fully! Why all my photos on iCloud sync to my iPhone 6 plus? It's more than 45 gig of photos that I don't need. Also I have the same iCloud account with the wife but if I select iCloud library on her phone... She would get my pics! So how can I save her pics without selecting to sync to iCloud? Or can I upload them to iCloud but not sync mines to her phone? I don't know... it's just so complicated and I feel apple made it worst! Anyway, love the show! Take care!
Jose M.
Hey, Rob and Listeners!
Has anyone bought or used a flash drive designed for use with iOS (with a lightening port)? It appears that the best reviews are posted for SanDisk.
I was considering buying one, even though they are a bit pricey. The added storage space and convenience might be a good thing, although Dropbox and other cloud services may negate the need for such devices.
What do you all think?
Thanks for ALL you do, Rob!
Regards,
- Tammy
(Near St. Louis)
Hi Tammy - on a past episode we talked about the iStick - this is something that will work with the lightening port.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/istick/
id590694047?mt=8
Pricing runs from $80 for an 8GB version to $350 for a 128 GB version. They also have 16 and 32 and 64 gb versions in between those price points. Just google - istick - i s t i c k - and there is an app you need to use with it that is free in the app store.
One one side it is a lightening dongle and on the other side it is a standard USB dongle. Again something we talked about and got feedback on in a previous episode.
VOICEMAIL - Chase_SF_looking_for_app_dev
37:47
https://plus.google.com/communities/
105412562215997292912?cfem=1
We are now over 2,000 members in our Google+ community and growing.
Thanks to everyone that has joined and thanks for the great posts.
One new post in the G+ community that went up since the last episode came out was from Caryl Goodman who said the following
Quote
Can someone tell me, does the new Watch actually count your steps?
Unquote
Steve Russel replied with - Yes displays them in the Activity App.
Mark Page said - from the users guide - quote Your iPhone GPS allows Apple Watch to achieve even more distance accuracy. For example, if you carry iPhone while using the Workout app on a run, Apple Watch uses the iPhone GPS to calibrate your stride. The watch can used stored data to calculate distance and probably estimates stride from your weight and height inputs when no GPS is available such as indoors and when the watch is not connected to the iPhone. unquote.
Seems the Apple watch does do a good job at measuring steps - as Consumer reports tested it while using someone with an actual counter ticking down for each step - and the Apple watch was very accurate.
And since the last episode there were also dozens and dozens of other new posts in the Tii Google+ community - which is an Android fan bois free zone and spammer free zone. Yup it is the most civil Google+ community covering iOS.
Folks Go to today in iOS dot com slash community to join in.
And thanks to all 2000+ of you already in the community and contributing.
Also from the community - I liked this post from Kareem Haskett
quote I discovered an excellent feature on the Apple Watch. Because the watch receives and delivers info from the Health app, it allows its info to be pushed into the Jawbone UP app and vice versa, since the Jawbone UP app also received and delivers info to the Health app. Since I have the watch now, I no longer wear the Jawbone as a step counter since the watch is tracking that for me. When I go to bed, I plug the watch in and put the Jawbone UP on so that it can track my sleep. All of this info is automatically pushed into the Jawbone UP app for me to view and share with my connections. Another cool feature is that the activities app on the watch tracks activities from your other apps like runkeeper since they all write to the Health app. I originally thought that I would have to use the workout app for it to track my exercises.
unquote
Thanks Kareem
40:37
http://www.snazzymujadid.com/2015/05/apple-is-booming-in-europe-at-googles.html
Some good news for the iOS world from Kantar Worldpanel - whom show that iOS is increasing market share in key European nations - mostly at the expense of Android.
From Q1 2014 to Q1 2015 - the iPhone increased its market share in Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Spain from 18.6% to 20.3%. While Android dropped from 71.5% to 68.4%. Still it is an over 3 to 1 ration Android to iOS in those 5 countries.
Of course once you start talking profit share - then all those numbers are meaningless because Apple dominates that part of the equation. Where Apple has almost all of the profit in the celluar market. And at the end of the day - it is all about profits - not market share - but still nice to see a bump in market share as well.
41:31
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apples-iOS-eats-into-Androids-market-share-in-the-U.S._id69061
But you know what - Comscore is not going to let Kantar get all the attention - so they released their numbers as well.
What they found in the US - In December 2014 for total Smartphone subscribers - Android was 53.1% to iOS’s 41.6% - but by Mar 2015 - Android had dropped to 52.4% and iOS had risen to 42.6%. Again that is in the US only. If you look at Apple vs Sammy in the US it is Apple with 42.6% vs Sammy with 28.3%. Apple again going up one point in that last quarter while Sammy dropped 1.4 % points.
In the US if you are looking at the top of the smartphone market - Apple really dominates - as a lot of the that 53.1% Android scored was on the low side of the price pie.
42:33
http://toucharcade.com/2015/05/06/blind-
gamers-are-embracing-developers-who-
have-an-eye-for-accessibility/
Hi Rob,
Thought this article was neat.
Regards,
Chelsea
Thanks Chelsea for the link to the article titled - Blind Gamers Are Embracing Developers Who Have an Eye for Accessibility.
They point out in the article per the title - that some devs of games are making their apps more accessible. And one such app is King of Dragon Pass - A $9.99 app.
One comment about that game was this quote "It's the best example of a formerly inaccessible PC game made fully playable on iOS thanks to Apple's VoiceOver screen reader. unquote.
Another app they mentioned is the game - A Dark Room - Just $0.99.
And there are others mentioned in the article - it is definitely worth a read if you or someone you know is visually impaired and looking for some apps that are well designed to take advantage of iOS’s accessibility features.
43:30
http://www.cultofmac.com/321293/developers-are-pumped-about-apples-new-app-analytics-service/
Thanks to Chris in London for this next one.
Which is about Apple giving access to some Add devs to try out the new App Analytics tool for the App store. This is something announced at WWDC last year - so you know talk about getting it out in the 11th hour or in this case the 11th month. Anyway this tracks how people find a devs app to how long they use them.
It also tracks traffic to an apps page and lets them know if they are downloading or not. Obviously if lots of people are visiting your page and few are clicking download - you have some meta data or price adjustments to make. But if no one is visiting your page - then you have some marketing adjustments to make.
I know I look forward to seeing this info for my Tii App and other apps.
Right now it is just being offered to a small number of devs - and you needed to request early access. If anyone has been given access - please call or email your feedback - I will not mention you name or app if you don’t want me to.
44:42
http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/04/apple-
tv-touch-pad-remote/
Thanks again to Chris in London for this next one.
And hey it is rumor time - which means no Apple Watch info. Nope this time it is about the Apple TV.
One of the key parts of the rumor is that the Apple TV remote will be totally redesigned - with just two buttons - but with a touchpad. It will be wider - but around the same length and thickness.
The Apple TV is supposed to be announced and launched at WWDC.
And the Apple TV itself will be thinner than the current unit.
Again it is rumored it will not support 4K video but will have an A8 Chip inside - and it will be supporting a future role out of Apples upcoming Web TV service offering and its music streaming service.
Some however think the Apple Remote may not be changing - rather staying as is or very close to it. They claim a touch pad would make it more complex and goes against the main design principle of minimalist design.
That said - Apple has a long way to go to catch up to the Google TV remote with its 78 buttons that when I showed my wife a picture of it - she said she would shot me if I had that as a remote for our TV.
46:13
http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/05/03/apples-129-ipad-will-feature-bluetooth-stylus-force-touch-nfc-more-source-says
Hey more rumors - this time - the iPad maxi - or the iPad Pro or the iPad 12.9” version. And the rumors on it this time are it will include force touch - which is a safe bet - since that seems to be the way of the future for Apple.
It would also have a bluetooth stylus with pressure sensitivity to support force touch.
It would also have a USB-C connector and NFC.
No word on when it would be released and if the USB-C connector is in place of the Lightening port or in addition to it.
If there is a USB-C port - my guess is it will be in addition to it.
That said - I could see there being two different Lightening ports - one for landscape docking and one for Portrait docking to make it easier to use with bluetooth keyboards which will be key in any corporate use case.
47:10
https://static.googleusercontent.com/
media/source.android.com/en/us/devices/
tech/security/reports/Google_Android
_Security_2014_Report_Final.pdf
Google released a report or ebook titled - Android Security 2014 Year in Review.
One interesting stat I found was this. 0.5% of devices had a PHA installed. What is PHA - it stands for Potentially Harmful Application. And it is only mentioned 80 times in this report.
But hey 0.5% is a small number right - well no - it is a small % of a large number - as they also talked about over 1Billion devices - meaning 5 Million Android Devices have a PHA.
Oh and if you are in Russia then there are around 3.5% of the devices with a PHA installed if you don’t look at units that side load apps.
Those that do - that number is around 5% for Russia and almost 10% for China.
Yeah - it was an exciting read. If you are suffering from insomnia - link is in the show notes for Ep 346 at todayinios dot com.
http://www.fastcompany.com/3044608/
new-report-on-android-security-finds-
fewer-than-1-of-phones-are-potentially-at-risk
48:30
VOICEMAIL - Dan_LA_theory_iPad_sales_decline
GO OVER PDF.
Hi Rob,
Do you know price and availability on the Sennheiser MKE 2 digital you spoke about on Ep 345 and played the clip from?
Thanks
TH
Hi TH - The availability is July - they said the price was more professional grade. Was not sure what that meant - but I went and found it on line - ummm - yeah. Best price so far I found was $499 - with a quote list price unquote of over $600. Yikes. Ok - that was a tad bit more than I expected. Sorry about that. Or better to wait some time - and see if the price comes down.
Hi Rob,
I am a devout Apple fan and have been following your podcast for a very long time and just finished listening to 344 - thanks for all you do for the community!
I'm always upgrading to the latest iOS devices and whilst I'm not disappointed with the products, I'm getting disgruntled that the features that encourage me to upgrade my devices often never come to fruition outside of the USA.
There's constantly talk of new features, but here in the UK we still don't have iTunes Radio or apple pay. Already there's talk of iOS 9 yet some of the main features of iOS 7 and iOS 8 still don't work in the UK!
Come on Apple - spend some time bringing us the features we've paid for!
Thanks for being our voice!
Best regards,
Anthony
VOICEMAIL - Shannon_Passbook_review
Hi Rob,
I was one of the winners of your promo code give away for the app, "Desk Calc" a few episodes back. Thank you very very much! I want to say how useful I am finding the app and highly recommend it. I believe the price is only $1.19.
The main feature of this calculator app that is not included on the stock Calc app is the virtual digital tape showing what numbers and totals you punched in. The obvious reasons for wanting this feature is to verify that you keyed in the numbers accurately, however some additional and not so obvious benefits I've found are to look back at the tape later to review these calculations. For example, step one calculate your income for the year. Step 2 calculate your tax deductible expenses. Step 3 subtract expense from income to get net income. When done you can email the tape to yourself or whom ever to review later and also add notations to these numbers if desired.
Also during a recent renovation I used the Desk Calc app when measuring the lengths of several baseboards needed for all rooms. I then used the total of these numbers at the builder supply store helping me to estimate quantity of baseboards needed and then when cutting baseboards to size, I had my cutting list right in my pocket.
The last feature I'll mention is the four button memory feature that is not included on stock Calc app when in portrait orientation. I find the four button memory feature very useful on occasions as well.
This Desk Calc app is now my go-to calculator app.
Regards,
Lyle in British Columbia Canada
Hi Rob,
I'm in Canada & ordered a white sport band Watch yesterday morning.
2-3 week shipping estimate. Was told it would be delivered by June 4th.
However, it shipped TODAY!
Just thought I'd share in case the long ship dates were putting anyone off...
Regards,
Danielle S
VOICEMAIL - Gary_PA_apple_watch_feedback_siri_reset_watch
57:34
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/
1198527709/icons-by-corners4-
protection-meets-design?ref=discovery
I was looking around Kickstarter for something unique or different for iOS devices and I came across a project called - icons by corners4 - with icons - actually spelled I C O N S. This is for the iPhone 6 and 6plus - and it is a way to protect your iPhone - but not hide its beauty.
What this is simply is 4 items or nubs or corner protectors that go - obviously one in each corner - they have a decent height above and below the device such that if you drop your iPhone they will keep the screen from ever hitting the ground and thus protects the screen,
This is a neat way to protect the screen but at the same time not get in the way of the beauty of the iPhone. And the corner protectors are cool looking - one is called Forsaken - and it is basically a skull - think the Punisher. Another is called Dragon and think - a castle tower in its design. And there are a few other.
They claim they have a special adhesive from 3M to create a strong bond with the surface of your phone without damaging it. They do state on their site it is not going to damage the surface of the phone and you can remove them if needed - but in regular use they will not come off on their own.
It looks like they already have this product for the iPhone 4/4s and 5/5s. If anyone has purchased these - for their 4/4S or 5/5s - please call in with your review.
Pricing on this starts at $39 for the Original design. then $45 for the Dragon and Prism design. The Forsaken aka Skull design is $55.
I do like this concept and the designs. Right now they are a little light on the funding - with just $3k towards their goal of $20k. But they do have 38 days to get that extra 17k - this one goes until Jun 14th at 12:28 PM CT.
If you are looking for good protection and also something that does not get in the way of plugging into the lightening port this is a good option. I would still suggest a glass screen protector as well. Which is a question I put to them on kickstarter - is will they work with glass screen protectors.
Here was their response:
Hi Rob,
Thank you for your interest and support for ICONS by Corners4. The ICONS will be manufactured to pretty exacting tolerances. They need to snuggly fit the iPhone and accommodate the custom designed 3M adhesive that keeps them in place....This is a system we are using successfully for our original Corners4. Many of our customers use thin 2mm screen protectors...It makes the installation a little tighter, but it works just fine. Some glass protectors 3+mm can present a challenge. This has been a very minor issue for us...Again thank you for your help and if there are any other questions I can answer fire away.
Regards,
Steve W
Thanks Steve for the reply - folks search for ICON at kickstarter dot com on in the show notes for ep 346.
1:01:13
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hicast/
id858974970?mt=8
Hi Rob,
I wish this email finds you well. My name is Markus and I am your show's long time listener. I work as an iOS developer and would like to thank you for your wonderful podcasts, which gave me inspirations and information that helped creating better users experience when developing iOS apps.
The app, 'HiCast', that I have been personally working on, contains all hot features for a podcast players, and on top of that, the menu tab was created to address one hand operation to work best with big screen like the iPhone 6 plus. It provides an easy way for people to share their favourite bookmarks on different podcasts, so that your shows can be shared by listeners much easier than ever. Most importantly, there will be no cost to download or to use this app!
Here is the App Store link for HiCast:
https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/
wa/viewSoftware?id=858974970&mt=8
Hope you like it, thanks a lot.
Best Regards,
Markus Chow
1:02:20
VOICEMAIL - LYNN_SD_TIP_ALARMS
VOICEMAIL - GIL_ISSUE_SIRI_QUESTION
Hi Rob,
I'm a new listener to your show and have been really enjoying it for a couple of months now. Two questions on Cellular Settings in iOS 8.2 (going to wait a bit on 8.3) which I use on my T-Mobile 5S:
- I have some apps that function quite well completely offline, like Downcast for example, since I download, rather than stream my podcasts, including yours. iOS, however, is hellbent on reminding me the split second I open the app when I'm not at home on my Wifi network, that "Cellular Data is Turned Off for 'Downcast'" or whatever other app I'm opening. Since I'm not a good jailbreaker candidate, is there any other way to turn off these annoying pop-ups? "Yes, thank you iOS, but I have a very good reason for having Cellular Data Turned Off: I don't need or want it for this app. My own Wifi is fine and dandy, thank you."
- Closely related to this, is the same pop-up every time I open the "Settings" menu when I'm not on Wifi. Is there any benefit to having Cellular Data turned on for the entire "Settings" menu?
Yes, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to data. "I plead guilty, as charged, your honor."
Thanks in advance for your help and for all the useful tips you and my fellow listeners put out there for us each week.
Regards,
-Brian-
Clermont, FL
Hi Rob and Fellow Tii Listeners:
I'd like to get feedback on using a magnet type mount in a rough riding vehicle like a big truck or rough riding pickup etc.
Thanks for your feedback
Regards
Mike R
Well folks please call or email us if you have done any testing of a good magnetic type mount that survives off roading. Especially if it holds your iPhone in place even after you run into a tree because you were trying to look at the screen while driving off road. Just Sayin
Hi Rob,
I've used mctube for sometime to download videos from YouTube to save and watch offline, it doesn't work anymore with the YouTube rules of third party apps. Do you have a suggestion for a work around, would prefer not to jailbreak will I will if I have to.
Regards,
Nick.
VOICEMAIL - BOB_LI_FDBK_IOS83_UPDATE_ISSUE
VOICEMAIL - JOHNATHAN_QUEST_MESSAGES_AUDIO_ISSUE
Hi Rob,
I have an opportunity to change my AT&T unlimited data plan to a 3GB
shared data plan with one month rollover data while I still have 8
months remaining on my two year (single line) contract. The savings
will be $20 per month for a total of $160 just for the current
contract. I plan to purchase my future phones outright so I don't
need the "supplemented" phone purchase assistance. I am only using 1
to 2 GB right now but I'm not sure what my future data use may be.
I'm looking for some thoughts or Pros and Cons from you and your
listeners as to how dumb it would be to give up the unlimited data
that will never be available again.
Great program and thank you for all that you do.
Regards,
Keith in St. Louis/New Orleans
VOICEMAIL - Quest_JB_app_quest_XCON
1:13:14
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/
invaders-mini/id986212363?mt=8
I wanted to give you a heads up on an app called Invaders Mini - which is a quote game unquote for the apple watch - and yeah - using the word game is being generous. It is a space invaders themed app for your Apple watch. And well it is clear from this quote game unquote - that Apple Watch games have a ways to go yet. But hey if you want a quote game unquote for your Apple watch this one is appropriately priced at Free.
1:13:46
Thanks again to lynda dot com for their support of Tii - and if you go to lynda dot com slash tii - that is l y n d a dot com slash t i i - you will get a free 10 day trial to their 3,000 plus video tutorials. Thanks Lynda for sponsoring this show and for the free offer.
And Before we go today I want to remind you to send in your feedback to the show - 206-666-6364 - that 206-moon-dog - or record your feedback and email it to the show at today in iOS at gmail dot com - The feedback can be a question or comment per something someone said on this episode or it can be a question or rant you have about something else. An App or product review - good or bad - as long as it is iOS related - it is welcomed. I am always looking for new Artwork to feature that you created on an iOS device - just put some Tii branding on it and send it in. And of course we are always looking for more music created on an iOS device to play on the show. This is your show and your feedback is greatly desired. And don't forget to check out our Moderated Google Plus community by going to todayinios dot com slash community.
AND I am down to just one song in my queue - so if you have some music created on an iOS device - please please please send it in.
And finally there is the Tii App which is now Free to you. Search for Tii in the iTunes App Store - it is the best way to consume the show and to get push notifications each time a new episode of Tii is released. Please go right now and download the Tii App - Did I mention it is free.
And that folks is going to do it for us today - Well Except for a bunch of more voicemail messages about listeners experiences with Apple Watch.
OUTRO
OUTRO MUSIC
EXTRA VOICEMAIL
Jan_LV_applewatch_Black_space_grey
Rubin_CA_Applewatc
Rubin_CA_Part2