New features for next release

As explaned in the previous post, the next version of iCaching focusses on improving the underlaying code of import and export routines. But that delivers some new features too:

– You’ll get speed improvements during these background operations.
– You can import bigger GPX-files without crashes.
– All background operations are cancelable.

And beside that, we added a new screen to the preferences panel. In this screen you can define the time-period for the following Library folders: New Caches, Recently Imported and Outdated Info.

And -last but not least- you can decide whether you want to hear the ‘ping’ when a background operation is finished 🙂

Together with Apple Developer support, we also solved a nasty bug that makes iCaching crash after import for some users.

We want to send this version to Apple this week. The guys in Cupertino are on holiday next week, so I hope it can be released early next year.

The new preferencepane tab.

The new preferencepane tab.

Time for an update

It’s about time for an update on our work on iCaching. We’re still busy with the big refactoring of the applicationcode.

Last week we’ve been rewriting big parts of the import-routines. There are two main reasons for this:

– bugfixing (unfortunately some users are reporting crashes after import of pocketQueries)
– better readable and extendable code for adding new features

But of course there are also a lot of benefits for you:
– speed improvements
– queued imports (not started yet) are shown in the progress-pane (bottom left)
– importing a zipped pocketquery now only gives one progress item for import of both the cache and the waypointsfile
– correct handling of pocketquerynames with special characters

We’re approaching the beta-phase, so a little patience please…

iCaching 4.25 released

iCaching 4.25 is mostly a bug-solving-release. However, in version 4.25 we redesigned the usernote on the Info tab. Scrolling inside the note is improved and it is more easy on the eye.

And besides: the old note wasn’t sharp in the upcoming OS X 10.9 Mavericks. So iCaching is fully prepared for 10.9 now.

Redesigned note

Cleanup the code

During the summer holidays we did a little programming on iCaching. Instead of adding new features, we focussed on cleaning up the codebase. Improve, cleanup and optimalization of the code.

The result is a more stable and a little faster iCaching. And more room for adding new features in the future.

Still wanting to add new features, we redesigned the Map window and added fullscreen mode to the Map window and the main window for users of Mac OSX Lion and higher.

Also new is the ability to refresh cache-data from the API with a right mouseclick in the cachelist. Lots of users asked for this…

At the moment we are finishing the translations and hope to send version 4.2 to the App Store soon.

To be continued…

New website

Alongside the new version of iCaching, we also release our new site. The new site contains information about all the new features of iCaching.
The new site is fully responsive, so you can enjoy it on your desktop, but also on your iPad or smartphone.
We have more screenshots than ever, so you get a good impression of iCaching.
We hope you enjoy the new site!

iCaching version 4.0 released!

Finally it’s there: iCaching 4.0 with API support!

There were moments even we thought this wouldn’t happen 🙂

You’ll find a complete revamped Pocketquery window, with downloads as file or through the API. (Premium users only)

Through the API you can also query the Geocaching.com database directly. Define your criteria and download those caches.

Just before going out in the field you can refresh the cache-availability from the cachelist, so you won’t be searching for archived caches.

From the Info Tab you can add or remove Favorite points to and from Geocaches. (Premium members)

On every start of iCaching it will check your last logs to keep track of your found caches.

This is the first step in supporting the API. More functions will be added over time.

Happy (i)Caching!

 

API-support on the horizon (part III)

For those wondering whether iCaching 4.0 is still on its way, there is good news: it is nearing completion. Translations are almost done, the help files are ready and we’re ironing out the last bugs. It is also send to groundspeak for approval of the API use. So we ask for a little patience…

In the meantime we’ll demo another new feature: the Import API function. From this new dialog you can query for geocaches straight from Groundspeak.com. You may refine your search with several filters on cache-properties.

BlogAPIDialog

Happy birthday iCaching

Today two years ago iCaching was launched in the Mac App Store. After a half year of programming we dared to release the first version. This version had only GPX-import and -export.

BlogIcaching-1.0

The Map inside the app was a static Google Map without zooming, panning etc.
But there was a lot of enthusiasm about the birth of a real Mac geocache manager. A few point-updates brought some minor new features and fixes.

Version 2.0 released in November 2011 added gpsBabel for direct support of many GPS-devices and file formats. The interface was tweaked for smaller screens. Version 2.5 followed in September 2011 with a completely revamped Maps. The map became interactive: zooming, panning, selecting caches became possible.

Version 3.0 in February 2012 brought the new Library pane with Folders and Smart Folders. Searching was extended to the whole library.
The period between version 3.3 in April to version 3.5 in December 2012 was a pause in the (almost) monthly release-cycle. We were wrestling with the new Sandbox requirements from Apple and some other issues. But in December version 3.5 was released with some welcome improvements on speed and the export-dialog. In the main time we started development on API-support.

At the moment we are about 90% ready with version 4.0 with this API build in. So there is a lot to look forward to…

BlogIcaching-4.0

 

API-support on the horizon (part II)

Tonight we unveil another aspect of the API-implementation in the next iCaching: the pocket query dialog got a complete make-over.
In the old version, you got a web view with the pocket query page of the geocaching website.

The new version lists all available pocket queries in a clear list. Queries that are new, or generated after the last download, are marked with a ‘new’ badge.

Each pocket query can be downloaded as ‘traditional’ zipped GPX-file by clicking the ‘Download File’ button. This is blazing fast, but doesn’t give you the new cache properties like favorite points etc.
The other method is ‘Download data’. Then all cache-data is downloaded through the API with all new properties included. The downside is that it’s (much) slower, therefore we offer both options.

BlogQuery window

API-support on the horizon

After a very long time of developing, version 4.0 with geocaching Live API support is on the horizon. Last weekend we send the first beta version to Groundspeak for approval of our API implementation. This week we will unveil some of the new features.

Warning: It may take a while before this version is production ready. The last debug work, translations and help file creation will take some time. But the update will be free, so you have something to look forward to….

Maybe one of the most asked features is support for favorite points. While geocaching.com doesn’t include them in pocket query files, there is no way to import these favorite points without using the API. So for version 4.0 they’re in!

You can view them in the cache-list and sort on them if you want:

BlogCacheList

Add or remove favorite points to and from caches in the Info Tab (on Lion or higher systems):

BlogFavoritePoints
Of course we also added filtering on the number of favorite points:
BlogFavoriteFilter

And last but not least we added a new Library folder for your favorited caches:
BlogLibrary

Well, that’s it for today. Keep an eye on the site for more….