Folks, I am starting to get feedback on what some people would like to see in the app so I am asking that you feel free to add to this thread, anything you would like to see added.

I'll start off by saying that voice control is not a viable option right now, while the Apple developed apps can do voice control, Apple has not release what the developers need to make it work in our app when it comes to voice command like pause, repeat, replay and a few others

There is a third party app I can buy but the cost is pretty expensive and I am sure you would not want me to start charging for this app and I really do not want to

Anyway, I will check this thread often and will consider all suggestions, no matter how small or big

Here are some of the things that have been requested and completed

Voice Control -- delayed

Map Function -- implemented version 1.3

Search for Map Function -- delayed

Caller mode -- Implemented version 1.6

Notes for caller mode -- Implemented version 1.6

More website links -- planned for version 1.7

Video links for the current sequences -- planned for version 1.7

Faster loading of the articles in the Tips area -- planned for version 1.7

iPad only version using the full capabilities on the new iPad such a split-view -- In progress as of March 3, 2011, first version in review by Apple as of 03-14-2011

First off, thanks for all the work you have put into this app.

At the Deland contest I used the caller mode on practice day. One thing I would do was flip to the next maneuver and then back to the current maneuver so I was prepared to call the next maneuver at the proper time. I did mess up at the end by hitting next (really the done button) on the last maneuver, and you can't get back. Could you move the done button up a bit so you don't hit it by mistake?

How about a back button on the very last screen as well along with moving the button up a bit

Jerry, that problem has been fixed with the addition of a "previous" button on the very last page and will show up in the next release I plan to have on the App store by next weekend

Sorry about that, I never gave that a thought my bad

I just posted this on the giants thread... thought I'd post it here as well:

Great app! I couldn't find a call sheet before I went to the field the other day. I remembered I had this app, so I knew I was covered!

I do have one suggestion... In caller mode, on the last maneuver of a sequence, it would be nice to have the option of going directly back to the beginning of the sequence (maneuver 1). As it is now, you either have to scroll back through the entire sequence or go all the way out to the "caller mode" menu.

Gary H.


There is one other suggestion. I noticed that the contests with longer names are getting cut off in the map section. Would it be possible to have the "flags" lead to an info page about that contest that would give dates and possibly contact info? As it is now, the dates are getting cut off of the larger named contests.

Gary

I did respond there as well but I'll copy it here for histories sake and also address the map question

Gary, that is one of the nice things about this app, just whip out the device and go for it

I have release 2 sitting in the Apple review queue right now that does have the ability to end caller mode and it will pop up a message asking to confirm that you actually want to end caller mode and you can do it from ANY maneuver in ANY known sequence

For version 2.1 how about if I add the ability to the pop up message and also change the buttons wording a tad, that allows you to chose another maneuver in the current sequence only as well as ending caller mode plus keep the "No" choice just in case you hit end caller mode by mistake

Now for the map question, I am actually working on that as we speak, I am going a bit further and having it automatically give you directions based on what contest you tap versus the devices current location. Adding contest info can be done but it may be easier to add a link to the contest info on the IMAC site so when you tap the location, it gives you directions from your current location as well as pulling up the the info in a separate view

Sound good?

This is how the app gets better and better, all good suggestion and not that hard to do. I have pretty much done every single suggestion, except for voice commands, and that is only because of Apple not releasing what I need to properly implement that

Folks,

I would very much appreciate if you are using the app to go into the Apple App store and rate it and leave some comments and all comments are welcome. While it's not a big deal to me, users tend to look at ratings and comments and if there are none most people will not even look at it

While the numbers so far have me pleased considering the worldwide membership of IMAC itself, it might just help get more people to notice and use it, including non-imac pilots

I would also love to hear how you use it and at this point what is your favorite part of the app, please email me at imacapp@comcast.net and let me know. You can email me from directly within the app as well by clicking on the little info button in the upper right corner of the main screen and then clicking the Contact button at the bottom

Here are the current numbers for IMAC Lite as of yesterday for the last 26 weeks

Total current installs: 1412 current installs (this includes anyone that has uninstalled it and never re-installed it)

Total countries using it: 12 (top is the US followed very closely by the UK and Australia)

It has been suggested that the ability to swipe right or left while in caller mode to move between the maneuvers be added. I thought it a great idea and I'm adding it right now. The next and last buttons will remain for those that prefer it that way. You will only be able to swipe from maneuver one to maneuver 10 and back one maneuver at a time. The option button will still exist with the current options.

This is going to take some time to implement as I have around 20ish lines of code to add to around 150 files so please be a bit patient and will be in the next version (2.3)

Hi Bill,

Thanks again for a great tool!

Would it make sense to have notes put in for one direction transfer over to the other direction? I never thought about this til I went to fly the other direction and the notes I had made weren't there. I suppose someone might want different notes depending on the direction.

I also notice that if I want to edit my notes that when I click on the text box it erases what I already have in place?


Steve

Steve

Notes are specific to the actual maneuver where you made them and do not carry over. That idea was tossed around and in the end, especially on X-Cross Box maneuvers you will most likely need a different set of notes

Now, if you are talking for doing that for the Basic Sequence then that would make sense as nothing in Basic is directional so the notes could carry over between directions

I'm getting ready in the next 3 to 5 days to release an update with some other suggestion so I could easily implement that for Basic only

I will remove the erase part as I have been wanting to do that and keep forgetting

Any chance of getting the 2011 TAS known B sequences added?

Posted By Nick Harwood on 09 Aug 2011 17:21
Any chance of getting the 2011 TAS known B sequences added?

Cool, I haven't looked on Desert Air's site in a couple of weeks but yes, I can certainly add them. I'll get to work on them later this week and send out an update sometime next week

Sweet! Any chance of getting my plane to fly them properly?! Lol

Posted By Kevin Wilson on 09 Aug 2011 18:44
Sweet! Any chance of getting my plane to fly them properly?! Lol

Yea, get someone that can fly them well to program an 14MZ and then all you have to do is flip a switch and stand there

Is there an app for that?

Posted By Kevin Wilson on 09 Aug 2011 19:04
Is there an app for that?

There will be

Actually now that would be cool if I could create one for running your plane through the sequence but then IMAC would not be fun anymore

There was one that could control a heli at some point but a quick look around does not show it anymore. I heard it had some serious range issues

Posted By Nick Harwood on 09 Aug 2011 17:21
Any chance of getting the 2011 TAS known B sequences added?

Nick,

I just submitted version 2.6.1 which includes the 2011 TAS Knowns flimsy "B" , the 2008 TAS unknowns and some minor changes to the table layouts

Typical turnaround time for Apple to approve updates is 5 to 7 business days so I actually expect it to hit the App Store late this week

Hi Bill,

I am finally going to get an iPad! Is there any way to get the Score program on there? Maybe with a voice program for entering scores?

Kevin

Posted By Kevin Wilson on 18 Aug 2011 16:26
Hi Bill,

I am finally going to get an iPad! Is there any way to get the Score program on there? Maybe with a voice program for entering scores?

Kevin

SmartA$$

but just in case you are not kidding.

The Score program would actually work if you could install the proper java software as Apple products do run java natively, just not the right one. I'm actually looking into Adobe Flex Builder 4.5 as it can do Apple apps in the correct java needed for the Score program from scratch, but at this time, Adobe does not offer a tool to import Apple code so I would literally have to convert approx 45K lines of code. (Actually the IMAC Lite app is close to 60K lines but I don't need to convert them all)

Voice is coming but a few of us discussed it offline and the idea came up that using voice for entering scores would be worse than telling it to a scribe. You can lean over and whisper to the scribe so the pilot would not hear you, the device would require a certain volume of your voice so that the software could overcome a loud airplane in close. Apples built in microphone is half decent but the software handles the actual noise canceling so I would need to chose a setting that I feel would allow the pilot to hear you say it.

So voice will be to enhance caller mode and actually call out the maneuver which has been the top rated request since literally the first week the app was available and allow you to record, play, stop, pause, restart in the app itself .

A new release is almost ready for the app store (it's been in review at Apple since 11:00am today) I made some background changes, table enhancements and started editing code for iOS 5 and voice control among some memory cleanup items, more TAS unknowns and the 2011 TAS Knowns Flimsy B for all TAS classes (which was a great suggestion, you'll understand if you go to DA's website and look at them)

Sorry if I missed something, I am not the most computer literate person for sure!

Thanks for answering the question, but I wanted to clarify. The way I see the voice app being used is by the scorekeeper. You could just read off the scoresheets and have it automatically fill in the scores. I think that would take a big load off the scorekeeper. I guess that doesn't really matter though if the program can't be installed on the iPad.

Kevin

Posted By Kevin Wilson on 19 Aug 2011 7:52
Sorry if I missed something, I am not the most computer literate person for sure!

Thanks for answering the question, but I wanted to clarify. The way I see the voice app being used is by the scorekeeper. You could just read off the scoresheets and have it automatically fill in the scores. I think that would take a big load off the scorekeeper. I guess that doesn't really matter though if the program can't be installed on the iPad.

Kevin

Kevin,

No big deal, there was a bit of a joke going around regarding the time it is taking to get voice running and such and I thought you were aware of it and poking a bit of fun at me....

I have developed a separate app that works with the Score program and can send the scores to the scorekeepers computer over WiFi, Bluetooth or direct USB connection. It has been tested, but only once and is functional but I want to do more testing before I release it for all to use

The actual voice functioning will be as I describe above

That sounds interesting. Thanks for all of you work!!

Can anyone advice as to which simulator is best for a Macbook pro??

Posted By J.C. Alvarez on 09 Sep 2011 22:09
Can anyone advice as to which simulator is best for a Macbook pro??

J.C.

There really isn't a good sim for the MAC, but you can do a couple of things, both require a valid Windows install.

If you are running Snow Leopard or Lion, you can use bootcamp and install Windows 7, then install the great planes sim OR you can purchase Parallels and install any version of Windows and then the Great Planes sim

I have the 2011 MBP running Lion and using bootcamp to run Windows 7 just so I can play with the GP sim. TYhe MBP is an i5 with 8GB of ram and an Intel 120GB SDD drive so it's super fast. Boot time is just under 10 seconds from a complete power down and 7 seconds for a restart. Booting directly to Windows in more like 67 seconds from power off.

Your mileage may vary. Feel free to send me an email at imacapp@comcast.net if you need any help. I'm limited in exactly what I can do via email

Thanks for the info Bill ! To much tech for me I will probably just get an upgrade and stick with my old G-4.5 on the other PC . Just got my son the Mac Pro and thought since it is supposed to be faster and the latest I would be able to run the sim a lot better.
Thanks for the help

J.C. Alvarez

No problem JC.

I installed Windows and the GP sim (4.5 also) just for the heck of it to see how the Macbook Pro would handle it and it handles it well. Will I leave it on there, not really. I barely use the sim anymore but at one time I had a separate PC just to run the sim.

Bill, I'd suggest adding background outlining or something to the fonts to make the text stand out better against the background images. It's purely a visual thing having nothing to do with functionality.

Overall the App itself is really well done.

Posted By Doug Cronkhite on 11 Oct 2011 18:04
Bill, I'd suggest adding background outlining or something to the fonts to make the text stand out better against the background images. It's purely a visual thing having nothing to do with functionality.

Overall the App itself is really well done.

Yea, I agree, while I like to include members planes, it has always been the bane of my existence to somehow make the text stand out more

Let me see what I can do. All the fonts and stuff are standard Apple. I'll post a screenshot once I come up with something

As promised, here is a little change in the text. I've added a drop shadow and messed with the colors a bit

Yeah.. that's perfect Bill!

Now.. any chance you can tap into Siri on the 4S to take verbal commands? I always thought it'd be cool to have voice prompts in caller mode, so that you say 'NEXT' and it calls the next maneuver you've recorded. You could maybe use the headphones w/built-in mic for voice input commands.

Command List:
"Sequence <name>" - Loads recorded prompts of a stored sequence such as Unlimited Unknown1 or Advanced Known.
"Start" - Move to sequence start and call 1st maneuver
"Next" - Next maneuver
"Back" - Previous Maneuver
"Repeat" - Repeat current maneuver
"I Ain't Got It!" - automatically orders a new kit from the manufacturer... LOL.

Posted By Doug Cronkhite on 27 Oct 2011 19:11
Yeah.. that's perfect Bill!

Now.. any chance you can tap into Siri on the 4S to take verbal commands? I always thought it'd be cool to have voice prompts in caller mode, so that you say 'NEXT' and it calls the next maneuver you've recorded. You could maybe use the headphones w/built-in mic for voice input commands.

Command List:
"Sequence <name>" - Loads recorded prompts of a stored sequence such as Unlimited Unknown1 or Advanced Known.
"Start" - Move to sequence start and call 1st maneuver
"Next" - Next maneuver
"Back" - Previous Maneuver
"Repeat" - Repeat current maneuver
"I Ain't Got It!" - automatically orders a new kit from the manufacturer... LOL.

Doug,

Officially, in public, all I can say about Siri is right now it can only control Apple provided apps and it does that really well.

Unofficially, someone has created some files I am be able to use temporarily to try Siri with any app and it works well

Now the really nice thing with Siri is you do not even need to open IMAC lite. Just record your sequences using Siri and telling her to create a note. Now record the first maneuver, tell Siri "next line" record the second maneuver and so on. BTW, give the note a name on the first line as you need to use whatever is on the first line to tell Siri what note you want so if you do the first maneuver on the first line, you must tell Siri EXACTLY what is there and telling Siri to open a note called "Fly a horizontal line with a full roll" (Basic Sequence)can be awkward. When I tested it I used Basic for the first line, the second line was the first maneuver and so on

When you are ready to have Siri call it for you, tell Siri to open the note that you created by saying "open note named basic" and there you go. Siri will read the the line named basic and wait until you say "read the second line". However there is a bit of delay which is the limitation of Siri but it can be done and be totally hands off. When you are ready to fly the sequence the second time just tell Siri to read line two as she has not closed the note yet

I've tested the above and it works great once you work out the delay which is just around 1 second though it seems longer

I do like the idea of automatically ordering a new kit on command. "I ain't got it" works, OH !%#@$ would too. Maybe once we are allowed to actually do some programing in Siri, maybe I'll give Siri a bit of an attitude so after you tell her to call a maneuver, she say something like "What the heck was that, I'd bet that the judges are wondering the same thing"

Wow Bill, what happens if you have to call a "break" or "evade"? When she hears you utter an expletive, does she order the new plane or call "break" Or maybe she increases the volume and tells the judges you screwed up. Smiley Face!

You working on a IMAC App for the 18mz lol

Posted By Kevin Garland on 28 Oct 2011 22:06
You working on a IMAC App for the 18mz lol

Now that would be cool

Posted By Steve Stanton on 28 Oct 2011 10:28
Wow Bill, what happens if you have to call a "break" or "evade"? When she hears you utter an expletive, does she order the new plane or call "break" Or maybe she increases the volume and tells the judges you screwed up. Smiley Face!

The only problem with that is I would not need to have Siri running if I design it to tell the judges when I screw up. I tend to do that all by myself.

Bill, you are doing a fantastic job!

Great App

Bill,
I read and understand your comments on Siri design App not being available at present.

Do you think it possible to integrate a Recording App into the Call Mode section along
with the note section.
The reason I ask is because I sort of did this in reverse.
I used a recording App and added a picture of the IMAC maneuver.
While flying the sequence I would tell the caller next he would move to the next maneuver
by swiping his finger across the screen to start the next recording and picture.
This system works ok (on a scale of one to ten it’s a 5) but has delay problems because sometimes it take more than one finger swipe to go to the next maneuver.
Your Caller Mode offers great improvement because you use a screen button to go to the next
maneuver.
If this idea has already been discussed I apologize.

Paul

PS I am very much interested in IMAC and in no way trying to promote a recording app that’s why
I did not mention the recording app name.

Bill,

Does the current app list '2011 sequences' and post the 2012 sequences? or is my app just out of date?

I use this app all the time. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to it.

Craig

Craig, you should be seeing both the 2012 and 2011 sequence flimsies but Caller mode is strictly 2012. Also I have added the ability to print the writtens, NATS and a few other things in the most current version

Another good way to tell is you should see a link on the home page of the app for the 2012 NATS and Clover Creek info

You can also go to setting and look for the IMAC Lite App and tap it, it should show 2.7

If it is not updating, remove it from iTunes but NOT the device, then re-download it from the App store and it should update on the device once you sync.

Post back with what you find out so I can be sure everything is fine

Bill,

I checked the version information and it said 2.7 in iTunes.

Attached is a screenshot. The sequences are 2012 but they are titled 2011.

Craig

Hi Craig,

Now that's weird, I just installed and reinstalled the app on both my iPhones and iPad and the 2011 link for the flimsies are showing all 2011 flimsies and the same with 2012

I'm wondering if you have some kind of corruption going on and may need to delete it from the device and reinstall it

So to be sure we are talking about the same thing, from the app home page on the iphone you are tapping the following

Flimsies, Written and TAS Sequences, the you are tapping 2011 Knowns (Flimsies) and then if you tap all of the sequences listed you are seeing the 2012 versions?

And just to make sure, you are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad

EDIT: ignore the first part of this post, when I responded the attachment was not there. I see what you are saying now. I thought you were talking about the flimsies and not Caller Mode.

The labels are not correct in caller mode. I'll fix that right now and send it up to Apple in about 20 minutes but it can take a few days for apple to do there thing

Hey Bill,

I am using the iPhone version and selecting caller mode. The pdf screenshot was from the caller mode screen.

Craig

The flimsie section is working and the years are correct on the iphone app.

Yea I saw that, when I did the last post the screenshot was not there yet so I went back and edited that post.

Anyway it is fixed and I just submitted it to Apple for their review. Typical time is 4 days (give or take a day) for them to do their thing though I have seen it happen in less than 24 hours

Thanks for letting me know, it goes to show that you guys are the ones keeping me in check

Everyone,

Apple just released the update I sent in regarding the issue Craig found so please update when you get a chance. The issue does not effect functionality of the app itself but can create confusion when you are in Caller Mode and it shows 2011 but they really are 2012

Thanks to Craig Baker for pointing this out to me in this thread

downloaded most recent update. Works great as usual. Thanks

Hi Bill,

I am wondering if you can share some information regarding release dates for the SCORING APP that you are currently working on?

We here at the ASAA (Australian equivalent of the IAC) are looking to use this new app to potentially do away with paper SCORE sheets as a project for 2012.

any information you could provide would be great!!!

Hi Kia,

I actually did answer you a few weeks ago via email but for the benefit of everyone, here ya go

Serious development on a lot of things have been delayed do to a serious injury I took a little while ago. This injury does not allow me to sit for any length of time but it is improving so continued development on my apps will start again as soon as possible

I know a lot of people are waiting and I do apologize but this is beyond my own control and I cannot give anyone any kind of time frame, I wish I could.

The only development I am doing right now is fixing any issues that people may report to me in regards to the IMAC Lite apps

Bill.. Get yourself a standing workstation. I did at work, and it's made a HUGE improvement to my daily productivity.

Love the app, but I would love to haev the caller mode talk to me and be able to set up a timed delay between screens.

ie Each manuver takes me about 15 seconds and then have the app call out the next manuver.