UPDATE: RSS player 2.0 App Store Status

I wanted to update everyone on the progress we have made trying to get RSS Player 2.0 into the app store. As of November 1, 2009, we are still waiting for Apple to approve the app. We have sent several emails to the app store review team to ask them to prioritize the approval but we have not seen them take any action. The problem with the original submission seems to be a bad code signing. It might have happened when Apple published the app to the app store. It's a very strange and uncommon bug and we are certain this wont happen again. We are hoping that Apple will approve the app soon. We will update you again when we know more.

UPDATE: 11/11/2009
We have received an email from the app review department at Apple. They have rejected the app due to an image of the iPhone that appeared on the Default splash screen. As you know, RSS Player's load screen features about 30 to 40 small images of podcasts covers and Apple didn't like 'The iPhone Spotlight' podcast image. We modified the image immediately and resubmitted the app. Now the ball is in Apples court again. The lesson to take away for all devs is don't put a picture of the iPhone anywhere in your app.

Error when istalling

"The Application "RSS Player" was not installed on the iPhone because of an unknown error occurred (0xE8008001)" This is the error that we are getting after trying to install, and we are aware of it. It may be caused by an unsigned certificate. Emails have been sent to Apple in order to resolve this. RSSPlayer 2.0 is truely awesome, we ask for your patience as we correct this issue. Keep an eye on @iphonepodcaster on Twitter, as updates will be posted.

RSSPlayer 2.0 has been submitted

Yes, the time is now! RSSPlayer 2.0 has been submitted, and now must go through the lengthy Apple approval process. I have to say, I am quite excited about this new version. As you may remember, I wrote a post a few weeks ago about the new and much improved search. If not, here are some highlights. There are now seven different ways to subscribe to podcasts.

• Search by Title
• Providers
• Most Popular
• Top Rated
• Recently Added
• Suggested
• Import by Url

When searching for podcasts, tap the title that interests you. Then simply tap "Subscribe",
which is located in the top right corner, your podcast is added to the favorites and starts to download immediately. Subscribing to a podcast has never been easier. Already subscribed to podcasts via ITunes? No problem, just enter your opml url and have your podcasts imported into RSSPlayer.


And now, for some really great news! RSSPlayer now has push notification. No more waiting for that new podcast, with a gentle tone, you are alerted as the podcast is posted. (Pretty cool, huh?) Users are limited to 5 push notifications. There is an in app purchase option to purchase more push alerts for an additional $0.99 per 10 downloads. Great for those with large collection.

The application will be priced at $0.99, and is truely a must have. Keep an eye out for the update, and if you have not had the opportunity to purchase RSSPlayer, DO IT!! Trust me you will be happy you did.

One more thing I would like to mention, our sister application, Audiobook Player now has a FREE version in the app store. Great app for the audiobook lover. Try it! Afterall, it is free.

Localization of RSSPlayer

What is Localization?
Localization simply means, to translate your application in multiple languages. I believe, (but do not quote me on this) the IPhone supports 22 (or so) languages, and is available in 70 countries, so localization is an important feature to have if you are sharing your application with an international audience. The user can change the to preferred language by going to Settings -> General -> International -> Language. When the language is changed, the iPhone also changes the name of the application.

If you are following @Iphonepodcaster on Twitter, you have already heard that we are asking people for help to translate RSSPlayer. This is the last step before it is submitted to Apple for approval. There have been a few helpful volunteers, (thank you for stepping up so quickly) to help with French, Spanish, Portugese and German. Honestly, the more people that help out, the faster RSSPlayer can be submitted. Oh wait, I think I may have forgotten to mention..Anyone that translates will get a pre-release copy of RSS Player 2.0 to test with.

New and improved search for 2.0

After some improvements, new features, (oops..did I say new features ;-) and bug fixes, RSSPlayer 2.0 is about to be submitted to Apple for approval. I would like to point out that the search has been improved, there are now seven different ways to subscribe to podcasts.

• Search by Title
• Providers
• Most Popular
• Top Rated
• Recently Added
• Suggested
• Import by Url

If you are like me and like to listen to a variety of different podcasts, the suggestion search is great for discovering them.







When searching for podcasts, simply tap the title that interests you. The details page will appear, where you will see the number of subscibers, a short description of the cast, as well as the link for the feed. There is also a button titled Web Info, which takes you directly to the site. Simply tap "Subscribe",
which is located in the top right corner and well-la, your podcast is added to the favorites and starts to download immediately.






Using ITunes for your podcasts?
No problem. Just choose "Import URL", and go ahead
and enter the opml url to import your podcasts to RSSPlayer.
You also have the option of using the feed url to import your podcast.





Keep an eye out for the new updated version to be out in
October.

UPDATED: Help us out, come up with a tag line.

Many thanks to the users and testers. RSSPlayer has come so far, and with everyone's comments and suggestions, this application has become such a viable tool for listening, as well as watching podcasts. RSSPlayer is looking for an original and unique tag line. The idea is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up RSSPlayer and to reinforce our users' memory of this application. Please leave a comment with your creative suggestions or
check out @iphonepodcaster on twitter. The winner will receive a $25.00 gift card.

Thanks again, looking forward to reading what you have come up with.

Does RSSPlayer play podcasts in succession?

The answer is YES!

This question has been coming up for the past few weeks more than ever so I figured it’s time to clear up the exact process.

You must enable this feature (enabled by default) by pressing the loop icon (see image) in the details screen.

RSSPlayer WILL continue to the next podcast until the end of the queue. The queue is created in 1 of 3 ways, automatically, depending on how you navigate the application and begin to play a podcast.

1) You start from the My Favs tab, select a podcast that has 10 items. (Items are ordered newest to oldest). So you select the most current episode, episode 10. At this point, the queue is created and will contain episodes 9 – 1 and they will play in succession one after another until episode 1 is played. Then the app will stop.

2) You start from Agenda tab. The agenda tab IS the queue so any time you select a podcast item and being to play it, RSSPlayer will continue to the next item in the list until it plays the entire agenda list. Remember that the Agenda tab can be sorted and re-ordered any way you like.

3) You start the application and it opens directly to the details screen with the large image and the play button. The queue is created from the Agenda tab (not visible at this time) and RSSPlayer will play from the top most item down. Similarly to scenario 3.

I am always looking to improve this process so if you have any ides or suggestion, please email me and feel free to add this information to the RSSPlayer wiki at http://rssplayer.wikia.com