BeerAlchemy Touch pulled from Appstore

I've pulled BeerAlchemy Touch from the appstore after it became apparent there was a serious problem with the 2.0.6 update when run on the iPad.

It will return to the store when Apple approves the update.

I have requested an expedited review so hopefully the review will happen soon.

The problem does not affect BeerAlchemy for Mac.

Introductory Pricing to End

The current introductory pricing for both BeerAlchemy for Mac 2 and BeerAlchemy Touch 2 will end on 15th January. This will be two months after their initial launch. After that time the price of BeerAlchemy for Mac will be $30 (US) and for BeerAlchemy Touch it will be $9.99 (US).

BeerAlchemy 2 (finally) released

As those of you that follow me on twitter will know, BeerAlchemy 2 for both Mac and iOS went live yesterday. You can check them out at http://www.beeralchemyapp.com where you can find out about some of the new stuff in the apps and download a trial to the Mac release. BeerAlchemy 2 for Mac requires OS X 10.8 and the iOS version requires iOS 6.

Both apps are paid upgrades but currently there's special launch pricing with 50% off. I will be sending coupon codes to those that bought the Mac app in the last month over the next couple of days. These coupons will allow those users to upgrade for free. Sadly, I can't do such a blanket offer for the iOS app as I don't have contact details for the purchasers of that app and Apple only allows a limited number of Promo codes per app version. The iOS version of the app is however only five dollars right now and you only need to buy it once as it's now a universal app.

There are a couple of things I'd like to draw your attention to as they've already come up as support questions:

Syncing

Syncing now works directly Mac to Mac and iDevice to iDevice as well as between a Mac and an iDevice. Due to changes in how the data is synced and also what is synced, you need to have the same major version running on both partners. This means you cannot sync a mac running BA1 with an iPad running BA2 for example.

There will inevitably be questions about iCloud syncing. Yes, it would be great. Sadly, despite spending a ridiculous amount of time on it, I could not get it to work reliably with Core Data (which is what BA2 uses to store its data). I'm not the only one to have come across these problems either. There are other options out there but they need a lot more investigation. One other issue with iCloud is that it's only allowed in apps sold through Apple's app stores which would tie me to the...

Mac App Store

I do intend to eventually release the app on the Mac App Store. My understanding is that the app would comply with the current restrictions in force in the store (for example Sandboxing). Currently, I like the flexibility to quickly fix any problems in the app without waiting weeks for Apple to review any updates. When I'm sure any initial problems are resolved then I can move forward with a MAS version to compliment the direct version that has just been released. This would give customers a choice of where to buy the app - some people don't like the Mac App Store.


I think that's everything for now. I hope you enjoy BeerAlchemy 2.

A Quick Update

As some of you may be aware if you follow me on Twitter, I've started a limited alpha/beta test of BeerAlchemy 2 for Mac. I'm also about to start testing BA2 for iOS. I expect both apps to be available before the end of the year.

The Mac app will be available - at least at first - directly from our store. Whilst the app is designed so that it could run in a sandbox, the app will not initially be available from the Mac Apple Store. I'm unhappy with the current excessively long review times for Mac Apps and for the early releases I'd like the ability to get bug fixes out quickly without undue delay. After the app has settled down a bit then a Mac App Store version is a definite possibility.

The final specs for the apps are a bit different from previously published. The Mac version will require Mac OS X 10.8 and the iOS version, which will be a universal app for both iPad and iPhone, will require iOS 6. I appreciate that these requirements will prevent some owners of older Macs from upgrading but it will enable me to provide the best apps I can to the majority of users.

Versions 1.x of both apps will continue to work with each other but syncing between the new versions requires that both partners are 2.x versions.

New Releases Today...

... but not BeerAlchemy 2.

Today I put out new releases of both the iOS apps and of BeerAlchemy v1.8.23. All releases have updated ingredient databases (which should please all those that are using Citra) There are also a variety of version specific releases - for example the iPad version has had some updated artwork. The mac version now supports Gatekeeper on Mountain Lion. I've also included some preparatory work in readiness for the 2.x versions of BeerAlchemy.

I have however had to drop support for some older operating systems.

The Mac version now only supports Snow Leopard or later (it might work on 10.5 but I haven't tested it). I have also dropped PowerPC support. These changes are because of the lack of tool support for older versions and for the need to code sign the app for Gatekeeper.

The iOS versions now require iOS 5 or later.

Another Development Update

I was given a nudge the other day to post another update (thanks Joel).

Work is still ongoing and they still aren't finished. On the other hand, I've started dogfooding the Mac version of BA2 in my own brewing so I'm finding bugs here and there. I will probably be looking for a few testers for the Mac app fairly soon.

I'm spending most of my time currently on BA2 for iOS. This will be a new universal app that will support the same new features that the Mac app. No pricing has been decided for this but there will be favourable introductory pricing for this app. I haven't decided on the exact pricing but, the during the introductory period, the price to upgrade to BA2 on both Mac and iOS should be less than $20 in total.

Why a new app? Well, one reason is that if I wanted to make the current two apps universal I would still have to continue with two apps - I can't just combine them. Also, BA2 for iOS will only sync with BA2 for Mac and vice versa. This is so that the guys who aren't yet ready to move to Mac OS X Lion can still continue to use the old BA iOS apps they have already paid for. I won't be breaking anything.

The big question is when.

As I said, BA2 on Mac will only sync with BA2 on iOS so they need to be launched together. Consequently there will be a delay whilst I work on the iOS version. I can't put a date on it though...sorry.

Help! How do I delete stuff?

The #1 iOS support question for BeerAlchemy.

The answer? Swipe Delete.

Swipe your finger from right to left across the row you want to delete and a delete button appears in the row. Tap that and the item is gone.

Help! I don't have a back button!

I've been getting a few reports of people using the iOS apps and finding themselves at a screen with no back button. I haven't seen it in BA myself and it seems to have only started recently. I have however seen it in other apps so my suspicion is it's an Apple bug.

In any event it's fixable. If you do find yourself in that situation, just restart the device and it should all be OK again.