An iPhone app and adapter that plugs into a car’s dataport and reports various problems and other data from your car. I am intrigued.
Category: Apps
> [T]he app has been completely overhauled for its new version 4, and the results are fantastic.
> The UI is attractive, simple, and Android-native; while it has a distinct style, it looks like it was designed for the platform, and just about everything works the way you’d expect across both phones and tablets. The effortless cross-device podcast syncing is a killer feature, too, especially as it’ll be compatible with iOS once that app gets its own update.
Sounds like a winner from the guys at [Shifty Jelly](http://www.shiftyjelly.com). It will be interesting to see how much [Instacast](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Finstacast-3%252Fid577056377%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f0712] improves between now and when PocketCasts comes out for iOS. Currently, I am quite pleased with Instacast as my primary podcast client, but PocketCasts’ speed, even in its current version, could make it really intriguing when it gets its next update. I am sure Instacast’s developer is taking notice.
[^f0712]: Affiliate Link
Daniel Jalkut told me about this tip years ago, and I use it quite frequently. I can imagine a lot of people who use MarsEdit, however, do not even know it is possible.
Only 66,683 people before I get access.[^fn1]
[^fn1]: There are currently about 195,000 behind me, and that number is climbing rapidly.
Dropbox is the current leader in the file syncing space, and moves like this are just going to extend that lead.
Categories
THX Tune-Up iOS app Released
It’s free this week.
Categories
Clearing Flipboard Image Cache on iOS
*NOTE: This post was written for the original version of Flipboard. In March of 2013, Flipboad released a big Version 2.0 update. Clearing the cache in that version is much simpler and an explanation is available at: [Clearing Content Cache in Flipboard 2](https://johnkiv.us/2013/04/04/clearing-content-cache-in-flipboard-2/)*
I noticed the other day that Flipboard was taking up 1.5 GB of space on my iPad. For an app that updates its content as frequently as Flipboard, this seemed a little excessive. Unfortunately, I could find no way to clear Flipboard’s cache from within the app itself. Thankfully, [this posting on Flipboard’s Get Satisfaction page](https://getsatisfaction.com/flipboard/topics/using_too_much_storage) gave me the answer:
> We are working on improving how Flipboard handles automatically clearing the image cache.
> In the mean time, you can manually clear the cache. Tap the gear icon in the lower right corner of your Flipboard. Then tap About, then tap our logo. There is a “Clear Cached Images” button, tap this and give it some time to process. This is a temporary debug feature while we sort out the auto-cache issue.
It works as advertised. I now have cleared up 1.2 GB of the space that Flipboard was taking up.
Tons of improvements to a really great iOS app. Simply **the** best way to post your WordPress blog from iOS. It is currently [$2.99 in the App Store](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fposter-wordpress-blog-editor%252Fid549006481%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^fn1]. Highly Recommended.
[^fn1]: Affiliate Link (as is the title link.)
Dan Moren:
> Google Maps is a very solid entry in mapping and navigation apps; those that have been waiting for it since upgrading (or holding off their upgrades) have probably already downloaded it. But given that it’s a free app, having it on your phone costs nothing but its slim 7MB download.
I have moved all of my navigation over to Google Maps. I used it extensively on my trip to Florida and never ran into any issues. The traffic and “estimated time” information seems to be the best I have ever used. Also, the voice navigation is leaps and bounds ahead of anything else I have heard. I am not wedded to using this app forever, but at the moment, it is far and away my preferred navigation app.
Matt Alexander, writing at *one37.net*:
> We, as the early-adopting public, should be accustomed to the systematic deconstruction of our most favorite services. Once a safe-haven for general geekery, Twitter has forsaken our third party apps and has embarked upon a path to become a media-centric company. For all of our argumentative whining against this shift, we are simply not the target demographic any more. Having helped the service gain critical plaudits, our purpose and role has been subverted by the ongoing deluge of the hashtag-using, TV-watching, web-interface-appreciating public.
I think that sums up the most depressing part of this whole story.
Categories
1Password 4 now available for iOS
[iPassword 4](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252F1password%252Fid568903335%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f3833] is now available in the iOS App Store. As you might expect, there has already been a ton of writing about it:
* [AgileBit’s Announcement Post](http://blog.agilebits.com/2012/12/13/new-1password-4-ios/)
* [MacStores’ Review](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/macstories/ad-supported/~3/gjofOc58qSo/)
* [9to5 Mac’s Review](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/9To5Mac-MacAllDay/~3/i1ocv0Nc2kk/)
* [The Verge’s Hands On](http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/12/3759816/1password-4-launches-for-ios)
So far, I like what I see.
[^f3833]: Affiliate Link (as is the post link.)
Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Google Maps for iOS Released**
The day people who have upgrade to iOS 6 have been waiting for has finally arrived![^fn1]
Links related to this:
* [The Next Web](http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/12/13/review-google-maps-for-iphone-is-attractive-and-fluid/)
* [Marco Arment](http://www.marco.org/2012/12/13/google-maps-app)
* [MacStories](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/macstories/ad-supported/~3/PV-xR6v18fw/)
* [The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/12/3760770/google-maps-iphone-available-features-navigation-transit)
[^fn1]: Okay, that *might* be a littler hyperbolic.
The developer of [Instacst](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Finstacast-next-gen-podcast%252Fid577056377%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f3113] explains why he made changes to the management of downloaded files in Instacast:
> To recap, Instacast 2 had a myriad of settings to control automatic download and automatic deletion of content. This let to a number of issue. First, Instacast 2 had problems always enforcing all settings as a lot of them were in conflict with each other. This let to situations where you thought Instacast should automatically download the content of a particular episode, but didn’t and vice versa. Same with automatic deletion, it could happen that you fell asleep and suddenly Instacast had deleted the content and you had to re-download it all over again.
and how he addressed it:
> I came up with the concept of moving the content management into settings and have access to manual management right from there. This has the advantage of not needing to go into every single episode to delete the content, plus people are not confused anymore what “Delete Episode” means. Then I removed all auto-deletion features and replaced them with only one rule: “Delete the content, when you have to”…, because you run out of space. Instacast then would start deleting content of old episodes first as long as they haven’t been marked as favorite.
Personally, I really like the changes[^fn1], but I can understand why there will be other tweaks coming:
> I will make some changes in Instacast 3.1. I will add two options that have to be enabled manually. You will be able to configure automatic deletion of content after an episode finished playing or as soon as the episode gets marked as played. Both of these options can be overwritten in subscription specific settings. I will also make some adjustments to the indicators Instacast is giving in the hope to remove the confusion. And finally I will grey out episodes in the “Offline Storage” settings that had already been played.
To me, this sounds like making a good solution even better. Of course, I wonder if it will be enough to placate the people who want it “back the way it was.”
[^f3113]: Affiliate Link
[^fn1]: I do admit they took a little getting used to, but the whole system works much better once you understand it.
Categories
Hot in Fever – Fantastical for iPhone
Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Fantastical for iPhone**
I have not had a chance to dig into this application yet, but the buzz is insanely positive. You can [buy it in the iOS App Store](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffantastical%252Fid575647534%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f2814].
Links related to this:
* [Shawn Blanc](http://shawnblanc.net/2012/11/fantastical-for-iphone/)
* [Ben Brooks](http://brooksreview.net/2012/11/fantastical-iphone/)
* [MacStores](http://www.macstories.net/reviews/fantastical-for-iphone-review/)
[^f2814]: Affiliate Link
I have high hopes for this release[^ff]. In fact, I have a feeling this could finally solve [the problems I have been having with podcasting apps on iOS](https://johnkiv.us/2012/07/20/making-the-best-of-the-current-ios-podcast-player-options/). I am keeping my fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks as I wait for the release.
[^ff]: Hopes so high at I [purchased an Instacast membership a couple of months ago](https://johnkiv.us/2012/09/13/instacast-memberships/)
Categories
Comparing Siri and Google
Really interesting comparison. I will not spoil the outcome.
Categories
Automating iOS with Pythonista
A tremendous article / review / tutorial from Federico Viticci.
I love [Folding Text](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foldingtext/id540003654?mt=12)[^f3430]. Try this [Macworld](http://www.macworld.com/article/2013699/mac-gems-foldingtext-is-a-unique-and-versatile-text-editor.html) review if you want to see if it’s a good fit for you.
[^f3430]: Affiliate Link.
Available in the various App Stores for[^f1655]
* [iPhone](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fangry-birds-star-wars%252Fid557137623%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)
* [iPad](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fangry-birds-star-wars-hd%252Fid557138109%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)
* [Mac](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fangry-birds-star-wars%252Fid557139259%253Fmt%253D12%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)
[^f1655]: Affiliate Links
Categories
Netbot Updated with Push Notifications
*Netbot*, the [App.net](http://alpha.app.net) client from Tapbots, has been updated to include push notifications. The [iPhone](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnetbot-for-app.net-iphone%252Fid563595132%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f2147]and [iPad](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnetbot-for-app.net-ipad-edition%252Fid563596528%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30) versions are both available now in the iOS App Store.
[^f2147]: Affiliate Link (as are all app links in this post.)