Smiling Frog Software

My first application ‘Simply Lists’ was released to the iPhone App store a couple of weeks ago.  I submitted a new version of the app a few days ago.  Last night I received a rejection E Mail from Apple. This wasn’t like many of the horror stories you may have heard though.  The E Mail I received was friendly and list the specific steps to reproduce a crashing bug in my application.  I was able to quickly fix the problem, which I had introduced with a recent change, and submit a new binary for testing.

Negative experiences make better news stories than positive stories.  There are many serious issues with the process, and more importantly for me with the application discovery process. However, my experience with the whole process has been very positive.

Special thanks go to the tester that I communicated with, I have no idea who you are, but your doing a good job.

The next version of Simply Lists will require iPhone OS 3.0.  I’ll be shocked if anyone does not upgrade to this version of the OS.  The upgrade is worth it for copy and paste alone.

Simply Lists v1.1 has the following improvements and fixes:

• Support for iPhone OS 3.0 Built In Email
• Improved E Mail format
• Landscape Keyboard in name and note editing
• New toolbar icon for Tags view
• Support for sharing lists via iPhone OS 3.0 Peer to Peer (This feature does not work on 1st generation iPhones or the 1st generation iPod touch)
• Fixed bug with list renaming
• Fixed bug with sounds not working

From the logs I can see that very few people have purchased the app so far. I hope that those that have will tell their friends about the app. I also want to encourage everyone to let me know if there is anything that is keeping you from using Simply Lists.

As of today Simply Lists v1.0 is Available for purchase in the iTunes App store.

So glad to finally have my first app in the store. I hope everyone that uses it enjoys it and leaves useful feedback in the iTunes store.  I’m already working on the first update for Simply Lists.  The update will require the 3.0 OS update that will be available in a few weeks.

Some of things that will be available in the next update:

• Support for the new built in E Mail Controller. No more leaving the app to send a list.
• Peer to Peer support. Send  list from one 3G phone to another.
• Landscape support for text entry.
• Bug fixes and UI improvements.

Check the app out and let me know if you like it.

It might be a small Milestone, but it still made me really happy.  This is my first experience with the submission process. So far it seems like a really easy process.

As WWDC looms nearer I can’t help but think about what wonderful news will trickle down to me via Twitter and the 4 or 5 Tech websites I will be feverishly refreshing.  Some of the rumors and assumptions surrounding the likely new version of the iPhone seem obvious others sound down right insane.

Features I believe we will see:

• Upgraded camera: I would be shocked if we they don’t announce an upgraded video capable camera.  I would expect to see 3+ mega pixel with some form of focusing.
• Larger storage capacity: 32 meg for an high end model is very likely.  Might even see 64 meg for the iPod Touch.
• Faster Processor: Almost a given at this point. Faster processor equals better gaming, equals more money for Apple.
• Non-exclusive with at least one more network: We will most likely see Verizon become an iPhone provider along with AT&T.
• One more thing: I may be hoping for too much here, but I’m expecting them to announce a new feature or two that we haven’t heard any thing about.

Features I find hard to imagine:

• FM Transmitter or Receiver:  I find it really hard to believe that Apple would consider adding support for something that could be done by a 3rd party hardware company for a limited audience.  They have added a bunch of additional access to add on devices via Blue Tooth and the dock connector. Why complicate the hardware with this?
• Video Editing: If they have this at all, it will be very simple trimming.

I would love to see them also announce a new tablet or large scale Media device based on the Touch APIs.

Welcome to Smiling Frog Software!  We just got the site started and will have more information on our first release for the iPhone soon.