ReadMore, iCloud, Syncing, And What's Taking So Long?

First off, a ReadMore bugfix update is coming soon. It fixes a couple of Readmill sharing bugs, and I rewrote the sharing engine to better support Readmill and future services. I’m also and getting ready to support launching and controlling the app with URL schemes. It’s not quite yet ready for this next bugfix release, but I’m building the pieces under the hood. If you have an idea for the kind of control you’d like of the app, let me know. I want to make it easy to integrate with Launch Center, or your own favorite URL triggering application.

Now we come to the confession. It’s been a long time since I’ve last updated ReadMore. Some of it is the result of a busy summer. For those just now getting to know the app (welcome!) this is one of many side projects I juggle for priority.

To make matters worse, I made a decision earlier this year to chase iCloud and try to get it to work. Syncing the data between devices is one of the top requested features and is the first step I need to take before making the app universal so it runs in full glory on the iPad. In theory, iCloud syncing sounds awesome, and for many applications it does just work as it says on the tin.

But it’s been nothing but pain for ReadMore and other applications that use Apple’s official Core Data storage mechanism. You’d think that going with Apple’s official frameworks would streamline the process of using their premiere cloud based syncing technology. That’s exactly what I thought when they first announced it last June. However, if I was to release a version that tried to use iCloud as it is today, it’s possible that you’d lose your data. Not good.

I won’t go too deep into the struggles I’m having. For the technically inclined, it has to do with record level syncing. Document level syncing, which is fully atomic, works just as it’s supposed to and an application that breaks up their data into chunks that are just stored as files will work just fine. ReadMore is a database application with everything in a single file, just as Apple prescribes Core Data to use. To sync it, you need to find out the changes between records.

Needless to say, there has been much digital ink spilt by prominent application developers describing the pain. I’ve even been looking into other syncing solutions, but they aren’t as immediately straightforward as iCloud. More under the hood tweaks are needed to get them to work and I’m not sure I want to waste more time chasing another method yet.

That’s the update so far. I’m tabling the syncing issue for now. I have some import/export ideas planned that may satisfy some of you who want to get data in and out. That may help me figure out the best way forward for syncing, too. Thanks for your patience!

Rename and Rebrand My Timer App

Some big changes taking place for my timer app. First, the backstory…

The legal team for Francesco Cirillo sent me a friendly letter and asked me to change the name of my timer because it was not officially affiliated with The Pomodoro Technique®. They were very gracious about it and gave me a helpful document to understand how they’d like their trademarks and brands to be used.

They’re concerned with protecting their brand, which I certainly understand. But more interestingly, they’re concerned with the avalanche of tech support and feature requests they get about all these productivity apps that claim to support the Pomodoro Technique®. They’re asking app authors to please make it clear that there is no official relationship with Francesco or the Pomodoro Technique®.

Among things to change, they’ve asked me to alter my icon and change the name from what it used to be, “Pomodoro Timer”. That makes sense to me.

They are contacting other app developers about this as well. A quick search of any app store out there and you’ll quickly find many apps claiming adhearance to the technique. Most of them offer a wide range of tracking and retrospective options that try to follow what Francesco writes about in his book.

This got me thinking. My app is really just a timer. I’ve had requests to do Pomodoro™ tracking activities like the other apps out there, but I’ve never had interest to do this. I wanted a mechanical wind-up timer in my pocket with a lot of care for audio quality, motion mechanics, and touch feel. I practice the technique, and enjoy it, but I use the app for far more than just productivity. The app’s simplicity appeals to me as much as the many of you who’ve contacted me to express this as well.

So, to honor their request I’ve decided to rebrand by moving in a totally new direction. The app’s new name is now “Wind-up Timer”. It’s a simple timer, like it always has been. It sports a new icon, a new orange theme (Navel Labs, navel oranges, get it?), and a bug fix to boot. You can use it for whatever you want, but there is no more reason for me to relate it to the Pomodoro Technique®.

As far as the future of the app, I have a few ideas in mind involving subtle 3D rendering with OpenGL. :) I plan to put some more configuration options in there, and those of you who are Launch Center fans will like the URL launching options coming soon.

Thanks for listening, and I’m sorry to shock you with the icon and branding change. It’s for the best. Hope you enjoy it!

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