New iPhone App makes car kits moot?

[TonyPSchaefer]

I have an iPhone 3g.
Does your app only work for streaming blue tooth as in iPhone 3Gs and 2010 Prius? In that case, I have neither.

I can understand not wanting to encroach on copyrighted material but I just think the fictional album cover might scare away some potential customers. My opinion would be to take a nuetral picture and make up some band and a nuetral album name. If the app works with headphones I'll do some graphics for you for the low low price of 99 cents.

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

I have an iPhone 3g.
Does your app only work for streaming blue tooth as in iPhone 3Gs and 2010 Prius? In that case, I have neither.

I can understand not wanting to encroach on copyrighted material but I just think the fictional album cover might scare away some potential customers. My opinion would be to take a nuetral picture and make up some band and a nuetral album name. If the app works with headphones I'll do some graphics for you for the low low price of 99 cents.

The app works with any audio output the phone supports, just like the built-in iPod app does. The means headphone jack, dock connector line-out, built-in speaker and (where supported) the A2DP bluetooth streaming.

FYI, it's unrelated to my app, but the existing iPhones (2G and 3G) will also support A2DP once you install OS 3.0 software. My brother reports his 3G is now working with his aftermarket deck. I'm still stuck with my '06 Prius. LOL

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by mr_zorg

So I probably shouldn't mention that I got my shipping info days ago and am confirmed for delivery tomorrow?

It's here, it's here! OK, it's been here for about an hour now, I'm syncing and restoring.

[DougSlug]

Downloaded the app today. The concept is a good one--it definitely addresses the issues I faced trying to select music, etc. while driving without having to lay out for the integration kit (although I would like that eventually).

I like the feature that keeps the display on--I'm curious to see how this affects battery life (since I don't use a charger in the car).

A few thoughts for the next version:

- Add support for the new 3.0 software "30 second replay" feature (perhaps a multi-touch or counter-clockwise circular touch motion?). This is good for audiobooks.

- When auto-lock is disabled, provide the option for a preset backlight brightness different than the one used by the OS--this would allow dimming to help save battery without having to change the brightness setting in the OS "Settings". It could also provide a brighter setting if desired.

- The app seems to exit unexpectedly sometimes when changing songs. Perhaps you're already addressing this, or maybe it's related to the 3.0 software?

Nice job!
- Doug

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by DougSlug

Downloaded the app today. The concept is a good one--it definitely addresses the issues I faced trying to select music, etc. while driving without having to lay out for the integration kit (although I would like that eventually).

Thanks for your excellent feedback, Doug, I appreciate it. I may not monitor this thread forever, so if you have any more in the future, feel free to email them to support@sogeekysoftware.com ... Oh, hey, any chance I could convince you to leave a review in iTunes? It's a new app, so the more reviews the better!

Originally Posted by DougSlug

I like the feature that keeps the display on--I'm curious to see how this affects battery life (since I don't use a charger in the car).

Yeah, it probably will eat up the battery a fair amount. Of course, you can turn it off, but then it locks and you can't control it so what's the point. LOL. A car charger is cheap though ($10 or less if you get one of those car-to-usb things and use the normal dock cable).

Originally Posted by DougSlug

A few thoughts for the next version:

- Add support for the new 3.0 software "30 second replay" feature (perhaps a multi-touch or counter-clockwise circular touch motion?). This is good for audiobooks.

Good idea. I don't ever listen to audiobooks, so this never occurred to me. I will look into this for the next feature update.

Originally Posted by DougSlug

- When auto-lock is disabled, provide the option for a preset backlight brightness different than the one used by the OS--this would allow dimming to help save battery without having to change the brightness setting in the OS "Settings". It could also provide a brighter setting if desired.

Unfortunately, I don't believe this is technically possible. As far as I know, Apple has not seen fit to bless us developers with screen brightness controls. But I will investigate and try to make it happen.

Originally Posted by DougSlug

- The app seems to exit unexpectedly sometimes when changing songs. Perhaps you're already addressing this, or maybe it's related to the 3.0 software?

Yep. Sorry about that! I had it working nice in all the 3.0 betas and then for some reason it started doing that in the final release. It also does some really weird "multi-flips" on the iPhone 3GS. I've got these and a few other minor issues fixed in v1.0.1 which was uploaded to Apple last night. As soon as they approve it and post it, you'll be good to go. If you find any other "quirks", send 'em my way.

Thanks again!

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by mr_zorg

I've got these and a few other minor issues fixed in v1.0.1 which was uploaded to Apple last night. As soon as they approve it and post it, you'll be good to go. If you find any other "quirks", send 'em my way.

This is getting sad. I uploaded my bug fix update a week ago and it still hasn't been published by Apple. I hope the crashes aren't causing you too much trouble. Please hang in there!

[mr_zorg]

Yikes. Now it's been two weeks and they still haven't posted my update. I can't wait until I post up 1.1, sheesh. FYI, the following new features are coming soon (maybe?) in 1.1:

• New option to use taps to play/pause instead of swipes.
• Skip forward and backward 30 seconds with a two finger flick (intended for podcast and audiobook listeners).
• Two finger vertical swipes to control volume (when not using the dock connector line out).

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

I can understand not wanting to encroach on copyrighted material but I just think the fictional album cover might scare away some potential customers. My opinion would be to take a nuetral picture and make up some band and a nuetral album name. If the app works with headphones I'll do some graphics for you for the low low price of 99 cents.

Apple's still dragging their feet with my update. But I do have some new fictional album are for ya, Tony. How's this?

[mr_zorg]

Good news, everyone!

I would like to inform you that Apple has just posted FlickTunes v1.1 (after nearly two months of waiting) which brings a number of new features to the table, making it even more useful:

* TWO FINGER FLICK LEFT: Skip forward 30 seconds.
* TWO FINGER FLICK RIGHT: Skip back 30 seconds.
* TWO FINGER SWIPE UP: Increase volume.
* TWO FINGER SWIPE DOWN: Decrease volume.
* TAP CONTROL SETTING: Allow taps for play/pause.
* SWIPE CONTROL SETTING: Allow swipes for play/pause.
* TWO-FINGER SETTING: Allow two finger controls.

Additionally, v1.2 is complete and now in the review queue, promising these additional features users have been asking for:

* ALLOW LANDSCAPE SETTING: Allow or prevent landscape mode.
* MORE AUTO-LOCK SETTINGS: Allow or prevent auto-lock while playing or paused separately.
* NEW WORKING SCREEN: Now shows a "working" screen while building the initial random shuffle playlist.

[efusco]

Hey Mr Zorg,
Your flicktunes is on the front page of the iTunes App Store as a "Staff Favorite"!! Congrats!
I've really come to enjoy using the app myself and the recent updates were nice as well.