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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

AudioExplorer+ brings in-app audio to your library

In the jailbreak world, developers strive to be unique. Of course, building a high-quality, high-functioning product is also on the list, but here I'm going to tell you about something new.

Erik Eisenberg (@comdorcet) had an idea for a product that would offer users an easy alternative to essentially "ripping" and adding audio files, from apps, to your music apps, or straight to your ringtones. Basically: he wanted to create an application that would allow you (the user) to browse your app's directories for that catchy jingle you couldn't get out of your head, and furthermore, the application would give you the ability to add that jingle/sound/etc, to your ringtones or music.



The idea was simple, and Erik put it into action, and that brings us here today: AudioExplorer+ is available in the Cydia store at $1.99. AudioExplorer+ is a fully functioning application for all that was  previously mentioned: browsing app directories for music, and uploading it to your ringtones/music. Not only does it give you the functionality to do just that, it also has some added features that make it even easier for the average Joe. However, unfortunately, there are in fact some downsides which can lead to confusion for our friend Joe, as well.



The app works by searching your directory on the initial start-up, taking about a minute. It all starts with  a prompt, asking if you would like your directory to be searched. After confirmation, and the minute-long wait, you are greeted with a list of compatible applications (apps that have sound files), and their icons. The directories contain all of the music files in a single folder, where they can easily be viewed/played in-app (a very neat feature). After this initial search is completed, the app will cache your simplified directories, for an easy second launch. Whenever you download a new application, you may initiate a full search again by pressing the refresh button, or, alternatively, you may select the "plus" (+) button, to initiate a "partial search". The partial search feature isolates the already searched applications from the ones that were not, and only searches the new applications. After the new search, your app directory will be saved and cached for future use.




Already a little confused by the different search buttons? I was too. Furthermore, attempting to import an audio file to my Music took me quite a while. The process starts simple: select the blue arrow icon, followed by "add to..." and then you're prompted with a menu that suggests you are about to select where you are going to import this file. After deciding to add the audio to my iPod Library, the screen flashed some text (far too quickly for me to read) and it seemed to have finished. I then spent about 90 seconds searching and refreshing my music app looking for the file before I realized they had simply been added to AudioExplorer+'s queue. Upon further analysis it seems the text that flashed "far too quickly" was the text informing me the file was being added to queue. Trust me, the screen is unreadably fast. I wasn't even able to snap a screenshot of it.

Rest assured, once you get through the confusion and learn how the application works, it is pretty much smooth-sailing. You can continue to add files to the queue under the two categories (iPod Library and Ringtones) through the blue arrows, or you can simply initiate the "multiple selection" feature to check off each track you want through the menu icon on the top right. The multiple selection feature offers a "select all" option for easy selection. Once you are satisfied with your selections, you may view your queue and see which files are organized to be imported to which library. After you are further satisfied with this confirmation, you may select "Save" in the top right of the app, which begins the import process. The process is quick and takes a little less than 15 seconds per average file, with longer than average for bigger files.




Check out your ringtones or your music app, and your selections should very well be there! The lack of customizable ID3 tags is frustrating, but the developer behind AudioExplorer+ plans on adding custom ID3 tag support in the future. Essentially, I have come to the conclusion that AudioExplorer+ is an app that I'm going to need. It enables quick and easy audio importing, which helps vastly for those who enjoy custom ringtones or some video-game music. However, the clunky UI and and lack of direction takes away from an overall better experience that the app fails to deliver. It is functional, more than I could ask for, and just great in ability, but is essentially difficult to understand when introduced.

AudioExplorer+, developed by Erik Eisenberg (@comdorcet), is available in the Cydia store for $1.99. A free version, AudioExplorer (without the plus), is also available; but has reduced import and search speeds, a less responsive UI, and a lack of a partial search feature.

For some insight on the first step on developing this entry, check here!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Some first-hand insight on how my article development process works

Let's do something different. Since I was busy all day, there was no way I was going to be able to pump out a high-quality article for you guys. You see, as many of you may already know, there's a process to crafting a professional-like article.

There are many different ways to approach writing an article. Two broad examples are "short, sweet, and to the point", and "detailed, flowing, and professionally formatted". For the reason that I have just started collecting articles on this blog, professional-like articles are lacking. Well, articles in general are lacking, but that's to be expected! My piece on Mail Enhancer Pro 2.0 is my first public example of a high-quality article, versus the "short and sweet" approach. Overall, they're much more captivating when fully detailed, and that's impossible to argue.

An unfortunate drawback of creating "full-length" articles is the amount of time, effort, and dedication it takes to make a beautiful work of art. To help keep track of my progress, I take different steps to achieve the end result many will love to read. The following is not only an example of the first step I take to craft a high-quality entry, it is also a sneak perk at an analysis article I'm creating for the functionality enhancing app in Cydia, AudioEnhancer+.

I call this step "the first list".

__________________________________________________

article type: overview/review/analysis

app/tweak: AudioExplorer+
by: Erik Eisenberg; @comdorcet

entry title: AudioExplorer+ allows you to effortlessly find and import audio files from any app

notes:


  • import audio file to ringtones
  • import audio file to ipod
  • open audio file via external apps (ifile)
  • send audio files via email
  • searches all applications for audio files on first startup (prompts first)
  • caches audio files/paths for quick app start up after first use
  • offers partial search (+ button) to search uncached/new apps for audio files
  • displays audio files under the appropriate app w/o directories (all same page)
  • offers a method to find the directory path (open in > path viewer)
  • selecting audio files for importing puts them in the "queue" (see three bullets down)
  • queue categorizes audio files by which library the file is being uploaded to (iPod/Ringtones)
  • process all imports in queue at the same time with the "save" button
  • queue process not straight forward enough (after selecting "Add to > iPod Library/Ringtones", the "adding to queue" prompt is short and almost impossible to see [especially with 1 file]). actually thought the import was finished, looked for it, and was left confused.
  • queue function/process still helpful when realized
  • clunky UI: alternating multiple selection and single selection is difficult. quick, unreadable popups (see two bullets up)
  • clunky UI takes away from a potentially better experience
  • tweak purpose is unique and helpful (especially for those who use custom ringtons; who collect/listen to soundtrack albums)
  • tweak functions as it should with no visible issues
  • $1.99, fair price
  • free version available ("AudioExplorer"); slower searches, slower imports, less responsive UI, lacks "partial search" feature
general consensus: SPOILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLL  LLLLLLL LLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLERRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNN NNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNN (stay tuned for the consensus!)

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mail Enhancer Pro 2.0 out of beta; set for Thursday release

With the release of iOS6, we as a jailbreak community were left empty handed with compatible tweaks. Developers rushed to the scene to update their tweaks for the new iOS, and today there are only a few masterpieces we are still waiting for in terms of compatibility.

I'm happy to inform you that stm_dev, the developer of Mail Enhancer Pro, has been able to submit the final product (with full iOS6 compatibility) to BigBoss for purchase. Mail.app will never be the same again!

I was able to join the dev in the tweak's beta stage as a beta tester, pointing out various bugs and flaws as he crafted the perfect stock Mail.app enhancement. The tweak's intentions are to create a version of iOS's Mail.app with beefed up features and functionality, that far surpassed the standard mail app. Beta testing the product, I became easily familiar with all of the features/functions, and how to use each one accordingly.

There are a large amount of settings for the tweak, and it may look confusing at first, but is actually much more simple than you may think. The settings for the tweak are located right in the stock settings application Apple has given us, with settings in 7 categories, as well as an 'enable' switch where you can enable/disable the tweak as you please.

The 7 categories previously mentioned are*:

  • Signatures: offers more signature options than stock, including alternating/different signatures for different purposes
  • HTML Conversion: for in-app use of HTML code
  • Rules: a very notable feature, and probably my favorite, of the tweak that allows you to set 'rules' for different incoming emails, which categorizes, colors or notes them on its own as long as it follows your set 'rule'
  • Notifications: offers you the choice to give different email accounts set notification schemes that adjust how you get notified, the volume/sound, as well as speech implementation
  • Account Highlighting: places a subtle yet helpful bar of color next to its' corresponding email account, helping you differentiate between accounts using the stock apps "all inboxes" function
  • Message Filter: a neat UI that displays all your emails under the category you've chosen (all, unread, or flagged)
  • Quick Actions: gives you the ability to swipe left/swipe right over an email to apply an action (mark as read, flag, move)
*: for further detail on each setting's features and abilities visit http://mailenhancer.stm-design.de/ and scroll down to "Features".

Mail Enhancer Pro 2.0 will be available on the BigBoss repo Thursday, with a mere pricetag of $5. Anyone who has Mail Enhancer Basic can upgrade for only $2. This tweak is ideal for anyone who constantly finds them-self using email on their iOS device, whether you feel the need for extended features or not. The changes you'll find are seamless, as well as immensely helpful, kudos to stm.

Monday, March 11, 2013

'PasteboardKey' utilizes CocoaNut's 'Keylord' tweak for an easy pasteboard

Hidden beyond the outskirts of the Cydia's default repos, is a tweak close to revolutionary... Well, not really, but it's pretty damn awesome and useful.

Video creds to iDB

'PasteboardKey' is a mobile substrate tweak that uses CocoaNut's 'Keylord' custom keyboard tool to attach a pasteboard to your keyboard. The tweak offers the option to choose how many "copies" it tracks on the pasteboard in intervals of 10, up to 100. This means you can save your last 100 copies without any extra effort, and access them whenever you would like, through your keyboard. Simple and helpful, right?

That's not all, and no I'm not advertising this tweak, in fact I have just heard of it. 'PasteboardKey' also allows you to save selected copies as a "snippet", for easy access. Unlike content on your pasteboard, your snippets are there to stay until you decide to delete them. Just swipe left on a pasteboard entry to save it as a snippet (swipe right to delete the snippet). There’s also Javascript function execution, which is used by swiping left on a snippet entry. But who would use that?

As previously mentioned, you won't be finding this on the default Cydia repos right now, so add the developer's own repository to your sources and find PasteboardKey today!

Dev repository: http://hitoriblog.com/apt

Video tutorial credits to iDownloadBlog

AppCapPro: a step closer to complete functionality

It was just last month AppCap made it's way into the BigBoss repo, offering the ability to block application use with a variety of means and filters. This can be a lot of help when trying to stay productive at work, and you need a quick and blunt reminder to stay focused!



The real part to this tweak that makes it shine is the flexibility and amount of options it offers. The developer had pretty much every idea in mind crafting the filters for blocking apps. You can choose to block the app with these options: the time of day the app is accessed, minimum time/duration between launches, the days of the week, and even restrict the launch by what wireless network your device is connected to. AppCapPro still is hindered by its' limitation of how many apps the tweak can access, with a "cap" of 5 applications.

AppCap (free) in the BigBoss repo provides the same functionality, minus 4 apps, allowing only one application to be limited.

CarrierPigeon - Simple Carrier Text Mod


CarrierPidgeon is a simple tweak with the functionality to easily change your carrier name to any text within a reasonable character limit.




Change it right from the settings app, free in the Cydia Store, apparently made by a 12 year old. No issues yet, put on your iHMi flair today!

Vexil - Something New For Your Lockscreen


With many, many options to colorized and customize your Lockscreen, Vexil is a nice tweak to change the default look you're so used to.

Change strings in the clock or the unlock bar, change the colors too! Change the way you unlock! All of this can be done with Vexil, and more.





Reading other reviews, the only con is how overwhelming the options are. There are apparently just too many, but if you're willing to learn how to make the most out of this tweak, go ahead! Looks unique and fun.

99c in the Cydia Store; BigBoss Repo.

It's cheap, don't pirate! Leave your quicky review below.