Tuesday, January 27, 2009

RssPlayer development process past and future

This post is about how I created RssPlayer. I went into this thinking, this app would be rejected. It took about a week to get it to version 1, compared to Podcaster that took 2 months. This meant that I had to get the core functions working properly. They are still a bit buggy, but I am confident, that I can iron it out rather quickly. Now that the app has been accepted, I will be devoting a lot more of my free time to development and you can expect to see UI enhancements and features that seem to be missing. I will be going over reports from users for the next few days, then I will prioritize everything and make it happen. At that point, it will be up to Apple as to how quickly they can post the updates.

I want to say a few words about the bug that prevents users from listening offline. Apple rejected the app pending a fix that checked for connectivity, I quickly threw something together and it didn't work out as planned. I will loosen up a bit on how we prevent you from clicking the play button when the app thinks you are offline and simply display the warning. Plus, we will do some background optimization as well.

I have added a way to import from a link in Safari or Mail. This will allow someone to build a netcast directory and it can contain links to import to RssPlayer. This is in version 1.1.1. Find out more from the read me file on google groups.

I will be updating Podcaster users to RssPlayer when version 1.1 posts to the app store. I will be sending emails to everyone that has a paid account on www.nextdayoff.com with instructions on when and how to get your copy.

Please go to http://groups.google.com/group/rssplayer to post a report. Please search first to make sure your question has not been answered. If you have a jailbroken device or have Podcaster installed, please make that clear because it makes a performance difference.

#### posting to Google Groups is public and will allow everyone to see - so keep personal information out. If you need to send a private email, send it to almerica@gmail.com

I just want to close up by saying, I use RssPlayer on a daily basis, I think of it as my companion to and from work, so you can expect that I will not let it lag in development. You can be confident that I will make it awesome.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update. Best $1.99 I have spent in a long time. It's nice not having to sync my machine for new podcasts.

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  2. I'm also a great fan of this app, I have no doubts it will only get better and better... I moved it to the first page on my iPhone, generally reserved for those absolute apps I need daily, so consider that :).

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