App Store
New App sync feature in iTunes 7.7.1
02 August 2008; 07:54
This is a welcome addition. However, going back to the duplicate apps, there were another two app updates available for me yesterday, and this again produced a list of over a dozen of my apps on the update page. As before, the only way to remove these from the list is to download them again. And once again I ended up having duplicates in my Mobile Applications folder. Grrrrrr!
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Will iTunes 7.7.1 fix app update issues?
31 July 2008; 20:16
Run a Software Update today and you will find iTunes
7.7.1 available to download.
As you can see, it states fixes that improve stability and performance (Apple's usual 'helpful' description). Someone has already commented that this new version fixes some bugs relating to the app updates I have previously mentioned here. So has it? When I updated, the first thing I checked was to see what the filenames were of some of my apps. Unfortunately they are still using the files with the excess numbers in the filenames, and of course the duplicates are still present in the User/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications folder. Perhaps now is the time for me to re-name the updates to the proper title and get rid of the older versions in the folder, and see what happens. But until an update comes out for one of my apps, I don't know for certain if anything has indeed been fixed yet. I will, of course, post the moment I find out.
UPDATE: It does now seem like the app update problem MAY be fixed. When I was checking the Mobile Applications folder, I noticed iTunes telling me there was 1 update available at the bottom of it's window. So, on clicking it, it then listed a dozen or so of my apps that required updates. 'Here we go again' I thought, noticing that most of these apps haven't actually had any updates available. But I downloaded all of them as perhaps this was its way of fixing the filenames. Now, for the majority of the apps it listed, this is in fact the case. Those apps now use their proper filename. However, there were four of the apps that were still using duplicate filenames. All four apps had 3 files in the folder. For example, for the Stanza app, I have 'Stanza.ipa', 'Stanza 1.ipa', and 'Stanza 2.ipa', with the latter as the filename of the version in my iTunes library. I have now deleted the older duplicates of these and re-named the files accordingly as before. No updates are showing now in iTunes. So, are the app updates fixed now? Your guess is as good as mine.
As you can see, it states fixes that improve stability and performance (Apple's usual 'helpful' description). Someone has already commented that this new version fixes some bugs relating to the app updates I have previously mentioned here. So has it? When I updated, the first thing I checked was to see what the filenames were of some of my apps. Unfortunately they are still using the files with the excess numbers in the filenames, and of course the duplicates are still present in the User/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications folder. Perhaps now is the time for me to re-name the updates to the proper title and get rid of the older versions in the folder, and see what happens. But until an update comes out for one of my apps, I don't know for certain if anything has indeed been fixed yet. I will, of course, post the moment I find out.
UPDATE: It does now seem like the app update problem MAY be fixed. When I was checking the Mobile Applications folder, I noticed iTunes telling me there was 1 update available at the bottom of it's window. So, on clicking it, it then listed a dozen or so of my apps that required updates. 'Here we go again' I thought, noticing that most of these apps haven't actually had any updates available. But I downloaded all of them as perhaps this was its way of fixing the filenames. Now, for the majority of the apps it listed, this is in fact the case. Those apps now use their proper filename. However, there were four of the apps that were still using duplicate filenames. All four apps had 3 files in the folder. For example, for the Stanza app, I have 'Stanza.ipa', 'Stanza 1.ipa', and 'Stanza 2.ipa', with the latter as the filename of the version in my iTunes library. I have now deleted the older duplicates of these and re-named the files accordingly as before. No updates are showing now in iTunes. So, are the app updates fixed now? Your guess is as good as mine.
Major App Store update bug found!
23 July 2008; 21:56
Before I begin, I would like to say I have already
submitted a bug report to Apple (I used 'Provide
Feedback' in the iTunes menu). Tonight I have found a
very silly and important bug with regards to updating
your apps in iTunes.
It all began when I found out there was a new update submitted to iTunes today for the rather excellent 'Cro-Mag Rally' game. So, I proceeded to my Applications menu in iTunes and expected to find a message at the bottom of the window telling me of the update (as there was with the first update of this particular game a week or so ago), but it just said 'Check for updates'. I did so, and I was told there wasn't any available. I thought this strange and checked for the game in the iTunes store. Sure enough, in the description there was mention of the update. I emailed the developer to ask for assistance, and before his reply swiftly dropped in my inbox I had found the problem. The problem is with how iTunes installs app updates.
Like I said, I had already updated Cro-Mag Rally once before. What I didn't realise at the time was iTunes didn't actually overwrite the original file- it creates a duplicate! Yes, you read correctly. iTunes created another file in the Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications folder called 'Cro-Mag 1.ipa' to sit along side the original 'Cro-Mag.ipa file.
I checked the info of the app currently in my iTunes library at that time, and sure enough, it's file name was 'Cro-Mag 1.ipa'. Now we're getting to the problem. You see, when iTunes is checking for app updates, it must be going by file name rather than app name. So, in this case, iTunes has been checking for updates for 'Cro-Mag 1' instead of 'Cro-Mag', and of course it won't find any. To prove this, I removed Cro-Mag Rally from the iTunes Library, but kept the file. Then I deleted the original file ('Cro-Mag.ipa'), and re-named the other, removing the '1' from it's name. Then I added it back to iTunes with it's new name of 'Cro-Mag.ipa' by dragging it to the iTunes window. Immediately, I had the message at the bottom of the window telling me of an update available!!!
I find it hard that this has been over-looked by the iTunes developers. Perhaps if we all submit a bug report to Apple regarding this issue, they may release a fix.
It all began when I found out there was a new update submitted to iTunes today for the rather excellent 'Cro-Mag Rally' game. So, I proceeded to my Applications menu in iTunes and expected to find a message at the bottom of the window telling me of the update (as there was with the first update of this particular game a week or so ago), but it just said 'Check for updates'. I did so, and I was told there wasn't any available. I thought this strange and checked for the game in the iTunes store. Sure enough, in the description there was mention of the update. I emailed the developer to ask for assistance, and before his reply swiftly dropped in my inbox I had found the problem. The problem is with how iTunes installs app updates.
Like I said, I had already updated Cro-Mag Rally once before. What I didn't realise at the time was iTunes didn't actually overwrite the original file- it creates a duplicate! Yes, you read correctly. iTunes created another file in the Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications folder called 'Cro-Mag 1.ipa' to sit along side the original 'Cro-Mag.ipa file.
I checked the info of the app currently in my iTunes library at that time, and sure enough, it's file name was 'Cro-Mag 1.ipa'. Now we're getting to the problem. You see, when iTunes is checking for app updates, it must be going by file name rather than app name. So, in this case, iTunes has been checking for updates for 'Cro-Mag 1' instead of 'Cro-Mag', and of course it won't find any. To prove this, I removed Cro-Mag Rally from the iTunes Library, but kept the file. Then I deleted the original file ('Cro-Mag.ipa'), and re-named the other, removing the '1' from it's name. Then I added it back to iTunes with it's new name of 'Cro-Mag.ipa' by dragging it to the iTunes window. Immediately, I had the message at the bottom of the window telling me of an update available!!!
I find it hard that this has been over-looked by the iTunes developers. Perhaps if we all submit a bug report to Apple regarding this issue, they may release a fix.
iPhoneAppReview on iTunes
15 July 2008; 22:51
App Store Sync Problem
14 July 2008; 22:28
Some people are reportedly having problems with
purchases from the App Store on their device (be it
iPhone or iPod Touch) not syncing back to iTunes,
even though they have already opted for it to do so
when first asked by iTunes. Apparently, Apple are
aware of this issue. But while we are awaiting a fix,
here's how to fix the problem yourself.
The solution is very simple once you know how (it's certainly not immediately obvious), by right-clicking your device name in iTunes and select 'Reset Warnings' (if you select 'Transfer Purchases' it will transfer them, but only the once). Once you have clicked 'Reset Warnings', eject your device and re-connect it, then this will appear-
Tick the box, and select 'Transfer', and your purchases on your device will now always sync back to iTunes.
The solution is very simple once you know how (it's certainly not immediately obvious), by right-clicking your device name in iTunes and select 'Reset Warnings' (if you select 'Transfer Purchases' it will transfer them, but only the once). Once you have clicked 'Reset Warnings', eject your device and re-connect it, then this will appear-
Tick the box, and select 'Transfer', and your purchases on your device will now always sync back to iTunes.
iPhoneAppPodcast website live
13 July 2008; 17:59
If like me you are overwhelmed by the number of apps in the App Store then check out this new website iPhoneAppPodcast by Jerad Hill (iJerad). This website is dedicated to video reviews of iPhone apps, and is growing all the time. To date there are 15 video reviews, which will help you decided before you buy some of the App Store iPhone apps. Unfortunately there are no iPod Touch only app reviews, but as most will work on the iPod Touch this should not be a problem.
eBooks on the iPod touch and iPhone
13 July 2008; 12:15
Reader Barry Ward dropped me an email today to point
out that there is a growing number of eBooks by
AppEngines appearing on the
App Store priced at 59p. One of Barry's
favourite eBooks is "The War of the Worlds", and
here you can see it on Barry's iPod touch.
Checking out the number of eBooks currently listed on the App Store it is clear to see that Apple need to create a dedicated section for all eBooks, and this is reflected by the following statement on the AppEngines website.
"We share your concerns that our ebook applications are taking up too much space in the App Store. We have written to Apple, requesting a that the books can be moved to their own category. We will not submit any more books until the situation is resolved. Thank you."
Barry agrees with this statement, but like many others is disappointed. "I do agree ebooks should have their own category, but I am disappointed they aren't submitting any more until then."
UPDATE: Barry emailed me to point out that these eBooks do not require a separate reader, as they are all self contained.
Checking out the number of eBooks currently listed on the App Store it is clear to see that Apple need to create a dedicated section for all eBooks, and this is reflected by the following statement on the AppEngines website.
"We share your concerns that our ebook applications are taking up too much space in the App Store. We have written to Apple, requesting a that the books can be moved to their own category. We will not submit any more books until the situation is resolved. Thank you."
Barry agrees with this statement, but like many others is disappointed. "I do agree ebooks should have their own category, but I am disappointed they aren't submitting any more until then."
UPDATE: Barry emailed me to point out that these eBooks do not require a separate reader, as they are all self contained.
MooCowMusic: Band
13 July 2008; 09:59
App Store Apps video reviews
12 July 2008; 08:55
For anyone who has update their iPhone or iPod Touch
to version 2.0 and are wondering which apps they
should try out first, then check out iJerad's
website. iJerad has a number of video reviews showing
some of his top apps, which helps save a lot of time
if you are unsure which apps you want. Like many
blogs The Mac Café uses Twitter, and you can watch
the Twitterrific iPhone/iPod touch app below, or go
to iJerad's website which has
this and other video reviews of.
The App Store Arrives
10 July 2008; 20:06
