Paris Metro & Planner Released

For a long time I have really wanted to make a version of Tube Deluxe for Paris. It’s finally here! In fact there are two applications for Paris:

Both applications have detailed line-by-line maps as these are not plentiful on the transport network.

Paris Metro
Designed for offline use to avoid horrendous data roaming charges Paris Metro covers all central areas of Paris & beyond. No internet connection is needed to journey plan. If you are visiting Paris, using this application you’ll get around on the Metro, RER, Tramway & Transilien (SNCF) just like a local.

Key sites & attractions are clearly shown on the map.

Paris Planner
Offers users with a internet (data) connection real-time journey plans across the Metro, Bus, RER, Tramway & Transilien (SNCF). It also includes access to timetables and many other features.

How To Supply Your ‘Device Id’

Developers can send iPhone & iPod Touch applications directly to a limited number of users. These applications are commonly referred to as ‘Ad-Hoc Builds’. Before any developer can send you an application they must have your device identifier.

Plug in your device & open iTunes:

  1. Click the “Serial Number” text, it will change to “Identifier (UDID)” and display a different code
  2. Select Edit > Copy

You can now paste this code into an email. The Device Id is separate to your iTunes account and it does not give a developer any access whatsoever to your iTunes account. In fact they will not even know if the id is for an iPhone or iPod unless you tell them.

Show Alternative Plans

Version 5.1 of Tube Deluxe has been submitted for approval, the most notable new feature is the ability to get alternative journey plans. By default this is switched off, so you will need to enable it from the main Plan screen.
You will not always get alternative(s), even if a logical one is possible. If you absolutely can’t live without an alternative, you need to start turning lines off in order to influence the algorithm. Generally, plans with more interchanges will generate more alternatives.
Based on user feedback, many journey plans have also been improved upon.

Tube Boards 1.0, Released

This is the App my wife has wanted me to make for months! London Tube Boards give you ‘One Tap’ access to your favourite departure boards. You can create your own tabs to manage your most used stations. It’s fast, simple & accurate.

Yes, it’s same functionality you can get in Tube Deluxe but the key difference here is speed & the ability to customise the interface to suit you.

Watch the Tube Boards Demo Video (4Mb QuickTime)

London Tube Boards (iTunes Link)

The Londonist Reviews Tube Deluxe

Which is the best iPhone app fro getting around the Underground? Tube Deluxe of course :-]

http://mobile.londonist.com/2010/01/which_is_the_best_iphone_tube_app.php

London Bus 2.1, On its way…

CameraIt’s only a small point release, but one of those things I have been meaning to do since I first wrote the app. The key feature in version 2.1 is “Suggest Correction”. Whilst I have endeavoured to have location for every bus stop in the application there are a small number that I don’t have the details for (about 5.6%).

You can now quickly suggest a correction or exact location of any bus stop. From the “Routes” > “Route Details” screen, tap a Stop & select “Suggest Correction”. You can take a photo of the stop sign & automatically attach it to an email along with the location details. Or just send an email. Continue reading ‘London Bus 2.1, On its way…’

“No, I will not read your manual”

A well known acronym amongst programmers is RTFM (Read The F**king Manual), it’s a common response given to a users question that can easily be answered by reading the manual. It’s also great way to deflect any real or perceived problem with your software. Continue reading ‘“No, I will not read your manual”’

Tube Deluxe 5.0, Is on its way…

IMG_0907I have been asked if there will be an update of the Map in Tube Deluxe to include the new Circle line extension, answer is yes. In fact it’s going to be a whole new major version. Version 5.0 has the latest Official London Underground map which includes the Circle line extension to Hammersmith and the addition of the recently opened Imperial Wharf.

The app is now in the approval process with Apple. Approval times vary, but based on experience its release will be sometime just after New Year.

So what’s the big deal about 5.0? Tube Deluxe will now journey plan you around part or full line closures on the main underground network. It will not plan around DLR & Overground closures. However you can selectively turn lines on & off. Under the hood this is quite a technical feat and has taken sometime to perfect, even TfL’s own online journey planner will not route you around unplanned closures as they happen.

Other new features:

  • Itinerary Displays Towards Station Details
  • Email or SMS Itinerary
  • Integrated Google Maps
  • Indexed Station Finder
  • Departure Favourites Tab
  • Speak Station Name & Itinerary (This is an accessibility feature, the app can now speak station names or read the Itinerary to you).

Multiple languages are now supported: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese & Chinese.

There are also numerous interface tweaks & enhancements.

Presselite Leave Fake Reviews

I have come to the conclusion that the chaps at Presselite are just plain stupid. A while back I wrote about Presselite leaving fake reviews.

They continue to try and game the Apple review system by leaving one star reviews for competitors apps whilst giving their own apps 5 stars. However now they just seem to get even lazier in their efforts. Here’s a screen shot of London Bus one day before the 2.0.2 release. Continue reading ‘Presselite Leave Fake Reviews’

Berlin Q Mapp Approved

IMG_0708_enThe latest edition to the Q Mapps suite has been approved by Apple & is in the iTunes Store. Featuring the impeccable maps from Communicarta & the functionality of Tube Deluxe.

The routing engine is completely new for this edition and is just the start of things to come.

Berlin Q Mapp Click Here (iTunes Link)

Check out my applications in the iTunes Store...
Q Mapps iPhone

Q Mapps
Maps, Journey planning & more:

Paris Metro
Paris Planner
Berlin
Munich
Frankfurt

Other cities are in development.

London Tube Deluxe iPhone

London Tube Deluxe
London's No 1. guide to the Underground.

Tube Boards iPhone
London Tube Boards
One tap access to your favourite Departure Boards.
London Bus iPhone
London Bus
750 Routes, real time journey planning across the Tube, Rail and More.
London Tube Status iPhone
London Tube Status (Free!)
Up to the minute underground line status details.