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Posted by
Alex Kac - CEO/Founder 
I realize this issue was a result of my own mistake. I made the problem. But I think Apple is being difficult unnecessarily and that's saying it nicely.
December 9th: Beta code that was in an #ifdef section was being moved around. We suspect that I got interrupted and forgot to finish moving the code around to keep the beta stuff in the #ifdef. Then it was merged into the release branch. This should never have happened, but it did.
January 15th: The beta code caused PI to expire. We removed PI from the App Store completely worldwide.
January 15th: We submitted to Apple a new build with no expiration date.
January 18th: We are told our urgent review request was approved.
January 19th: PI is in review
January 19th: PI is rejected for sync text that was at the bottom of the sync "First Time or Reset Sync works best with a freshly started device to provide as much free RAM as possible."
This text was within PI for the last year and is there because at the time we found that some people would have better chances with a first time sync when they had a fresh device and many other apps we had used had the same text. We don't really need it anymore and I had actually removed it from our next release already.
But the point is that we have tens of thousands of users who can't use our app right now and Apple decides that its worth rejecting the update for something so inconsequential. For the record, we've responded to the rejection (we don't get many of those), we've uploaded a new build without that text, and now are waiting again.
December 9th: Beta code that was in an #ifdef section was being moved around. We suspect that I got interrupted and forgot to finish moving the code around to keep the beta stuff in the #ifdef. Then it was merged into the release branch. This should never have happened, but it did.
January 15th: The beta code caused PI to expire. We removed PI from the App Store completely worldwide.
January 15th: We submitted to Apple a new build with no expiration date.
January 18th: We are told our urgent review request was approved.
January 19th: PI is in review
January 19th: PI is rejected for sync text that was at the bottom of the sync "First Time or Reset Sync works best with a freshly started device to provide as much free RAM as possible."
This text was within PI for the last year and is there because at the time we found that some people would have better chances with a first time sync when they had a fresh device and many other apps we had used had the same text. We don't really need it anymore and I had actually removed it from our next release already.
But the point is that we have tens of thousands of users who can't use our app right now and Apple decides that its worth rejecting the update for something so inconsequential. For the record, we've responded to the rejection (we don't get many of those), we've uploaded a new build without that text, and now are waiting again.
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22 Comments On This Entry
pamedic
19 January 2010 - 03:27 PM
What a bunch of nonsense. What effect would that line on Apple? Used the work around that is posted and program works fine. I don't even use Safari as my web browser on I-Phone, so not using it has not been an issue for me. Alex sorry they are giving you the run around, but stick to it. You have by far the best PIM out there, and I really appreciate all the work you have done and your honesty with the problem. Good Luck.
Craig A Lohmann
Craig A Lohmann
nekogesaku
19 January 2010 - 06:20 PM
Hi. I am PI use in Japan, waiting for PI update now... and very angry against Apple.
I think that Apple is unable to think what is important or not.
I won't trust Apple any more ... oops, even now lol
I think that Apple is unable to think what is important or not.
I won't trust Apple any more ... oops, even now lol
CalAnnie
19 January 2010 - 06:39 PM
FOUND AN I-FRIENDLY IMMEDIATE WORKAROUND:
if you synced to Google Calendar, go to that site and open your synced info there. Then you can just use Google Calendar instead of Pocket Informant. If you gave jailbroke your phone to use the new Google-based phone apps I'll bet that will get you there, too.
***Look out, PI-- if Apple doesn't approve your patch quickly we will all gave moved on to another calendaring source...***
if you synced to Google Calendar, go to that site and open your synced info there. Then you can just use Google Calendar instead of Pocket Informant. If you gave jailbroke your phone to use the new Google-based phone apps I'll bet that will get you there, too.
***Look out, PI-- if Apple doesn't approve your patch quickly we will all gave moved on to another calendaring source...***
Alex Kac - CEO/Founder
19 January 2010 - 06:40 PM
CalAnnie - we are very much aware of that. Frankly, threats really don't help the matter. Its not like we can do anything about it.
Sheppard
19 January 2010 - 07:27 PM
This is ridiculous. Stop pissing in Alex's ear already. He knows how you feel. I've used a form of Pocket Informant since 2002 and this is the only time I can remember having a significant issue. For those who are threatening to use another program, you'll just be paying more for an inferior product.
Start emailing Apple if you feel the need to complain. They are holding up the fix for what seems like a non-issue.
Have a nice evening.
Start emailing Apple if you feel the need to complain. They are holding up the fix for what seems like a non-issue.
Have a nice evening.
dmichalopoulos
19 January 2010 - 09:21 PM
Alex, are any of the 1.22 identified fixes included in what was sent to Apple?
brianmoss
19 January 2010 - 09:56 PM
So I'll ask the question, how do we leave feedback for Apple? What's the best place that we can all leave feedback and it will be read by someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?
Alex Kac - CEO/Founder
19 January 2010 - 09:58 PM
dmichalopoulos, on 19 January 2010 - 09:21 PM, said:
Alex, are any of the 1.22 identified fixes included in what was sent to Apple?
Only the ones that had been QAed beforehand. For example a crash with the "Reference" task status was in 1.21.11 (that's the official version we sent up). Also some desktop sync fixes were put in that were obvious like alarm times needing to be multipled by 60 to sync properly. Other than that, nothing else.
The reason was we needed to send Apple a new build quickly and the last thing we needed to do was send them code that hadn't been tested much. Now desktop sync is in public beta as it is, so getting the latest in there made sense. But anything outside of that - not at all. Not until its been fully QAed and tested in a non-pressured environment.
Alex Kac - CEO/Founder
19 January 2010 - 09:59 PM
brianmoss, on 19 January 2010 - 09:56 PM, said:
So I'll ask the question, how do we leave feedback for Apple? What's the best place that we can all leave feedback and it will be read by someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?
I don't know. At this point Apple has the new update, its "In Review" and going by past times it'll be anywhere from a few hours to a day or two.
smudie
20 January 2010 - 04:37 AM
I'd just like to add my voice to the "Hang in there, it's worth the wait" crowd. Pocket Informant is one of my most-used apps on my iPhone - I love it, and am looking forward to continuing to love it when the update is finally approved.
Simone
20 January 2010 - 06:24 AM
OK, I feel really pissed at the moment. I've been a longterm PI user on Win, when I got the iPod, I thought I could do without PI, but hey, I can't. PI is so much better than anything else, there is just no way around it and the wait is really, really worth it.
Well, I guess Alex is much more pissed than me, and I have been in his shoes before, so Alex, keep your head up, a faithful community is waiting out there ;-)
Well, I guess Alex is much more pissed than me, and I have been in his shoes before, so Alex, keep your head up, a faithful community is waiting out there ;-)
Bud Pritchard
20 January 2010 - 08:07 AM
Seems like Apple is being too much of a "nanny nag" with third party software such as PI.
None of this nonsense is prevalent on Win Mobile or Android. Everyone seems to get along fine.
I don't understand Apple's tight control over applications. They should succeed or fail on their own merits.
None of this nonsense is prevalent on Win Mobile or Android. Everyone seems to get along fine.
I don't understand Apple's tight control over applications. They should succeed or fail on their own merits.
dmichalopoulos
20 January 2010 - 11:34 AM
Alex Kac - CEO/Founder, on 19 January 2010 - 10:58 PM, said:
dmichalopoulos, on 19 January 2010 - 09:21 PM, said:
Alex, are any of the 1.22 identified fixes included in what was sent to Apple?
Only the ones that had been QAed beforehand. For example a crash with the "Reference" task status was in 1.21.11 (that's the official version we sent up). Also some desktop sync fixes were put in that were obvious like alarm times needing to be multipled by 60 to sync properly. Other than that, nothing else.
The reason was we needed to send Apple a new build quickly and the last thing we needed to do was send them code that hadn't been tested much. Now desktop sync is in public beta as it is, so getting the latest in there made sense. But anything outside of that - not at all. Not until its been fully QAed and tested in a non-pressured environment.
Well, since alarm sync was my greatest concern, it seems like that may be fixed in this. You should at least take some solace in the fact that a number of people are willing to disable their browsers because they like your product so much
Don't beat yourself up too much.
Kurt Hoss
20 January 2010 - 05:12 PM
This would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Apple is not approving an app because of some advice that would be a pretty good idea in any circumstance but will allow Barnes & Noble to spend 2 months putting up one broken update after another that even a modicum of testing could catch .... Yeah, I know, their app is free .. you're just out the money you spent on the books - which is a good bit more than ANY app would cost :-).
Mary Ray
20 January 2010 - 05:21 PM
Pocket Informant is like my right hand - I wouldn't cut it off just because I got a splinter or a hangnail and replace it with an artificial limb. Sure it's been difficult not having my "life" at my fingertips for the past few days, but PI is well worth the wait!
Kurt Hoss
20 January 2010 - 06:04 PM
At 7:03 EST the 1.21.11 update was available on the App Store. I downloaded it and rebooted. The App took me straight to the web page as it did before. Curiously the App showed as available again in the update tab of the App Store app. I updated again. I have gone through this process three time (along with reboots each time). Wonder what's going on ?
Mary Ray
20 January 2010 - 06:35 PM
The same thing happened to me the first time. I went back to the Apple Store, downloaded it a second time, and synced my iPhone a second time... This time it WORKED! My life is back!
StefanSkare
20 January 2010 - 09:21 PM
Yes,
I downloaded 1.21.11 now at 7.20 p.m. PST. No problem, no reboots needed. AOK
I'm a developer for MRI reconstruction software at Stanford Hospital/CA, and I know all about the pain about versioning and innocent bugs. When it's all working, everyone is quiet. When it is not, people yell like there is an earthquake coming.
Thanks for a really good app!
I downloaded 1.21.11 now at 7.20 p.m. PST. No problem, no reboots needed. AOK
I'm a developer for MRI reconstruction software at Stanford Hospital/CA, and I know all about the pain about versioning and innocent bugs. When it's all working, everyone is quiet. When it is not, people yell like there is an earthquake coming.
Thanks for a really good app!
rwsly
20 January 2010 - 09:28 PM
Alex,
I have been a PI user since the first version for Windows Mobile. I just downloaded the new version of PI for my iPhone and thrilled to be back up to speed.
I wanted to thank you for being so straightforward about the issue and keeping us informed. You have handled this very professionally. My enthusiasm for PI has only been increased by this. I with you!
I have been a PI user since the first version for Windows Mobile. I just downloaded the new version of PI for my iPhone and thrilled to be back up to speed.
I wanted to thank you for being so straightforward about the issue and keeping us informed. You have handled this very professionally. My enthusiasm for PI has only been increased by this. I with you!
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