I was resistant, but you finally talked me into it.

After many requests, I now have a Beta version of “Shop-It! Stealth Notes & Timer” App for Android ready. I could really use 2 more testers from this community before it goes live on Google Play – I mainly want to test for stability. It definitely should not be depended on for actual shops yet. This doesn't need to take a lot of time - just put it through it's paces on pretend shops, and try anything you can think of to crash it.
It will require changing your phone setting to allow installs from “unknown sources” (that's how developers share apps on Android platform prior to release, as well as other purposes). My testers will, of course, get copies of the final version to keep.

I also have a minor update to the iOS version that I’d love to have tested, just to see if you think it’s worth officially adding it to the App. By user suggestion, we added another stealth feature; press a ‘panic button’ and the screen instantly looks like you’re playing a word game (it’s just a screenshot…). I need a couple of people who already use the current version. Since this is an update, the code won’t work for a full install – and I am also interested in knowing if the placement of the button causes issues for someone who is accustomed to the app already. This is an easy update and won’t require any setting changes, and the version will be fully usable.

If you are interested please PM me and I can give more details. I'm looking at sending them out tomorrow (Friday).

If you have questions, please ask –

Thank you!

(edited for clarification)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2014 01:58AM by dkdshop.

absolutely

will PM

Hello

I emailed you a few weeks ago. This app is great, and I've been using it for every shop I've done as a new shopper. Will PM you.

Wow! Woke up this morning and it Looks like I have my Android testers - I'm in the process of messaging everyone back individually with status. I only need 2 for this round, but may broaden it next week so will keep the list.

As for iOS, I have several who wrote already but more are welcome. This will just act like a normal update, but you will be getting it before it goes live publicly - and if you don't like it for any reason, it can be deleted and your previous version restored (unlike actual updates which are non-reversable). I will start with the first 2 who volunteered today (just to make sure), but will send out others later today or tomorrow.

Thanks All! And, I appreciate the positive comments here more than you know. As I've said before, this is my pet project and not a money maker (though one of these days I wouldn't mind if it could be that). The iOS version just paid for itself recently, so I celebrated by doing the Android version
So far (and certainly for the foreseeable future) I'm satisfied rolling any profits back into updates and improvements, as long as the apps pay for themselves. I enjoy the process.

Now, hoping Android goes smoothly through testing!

I'm kind of late on replying to this but if you need more Android testers, I would be happy to test as well. I used to have Shop-It on my old iPhone 4S and really miss it on the Android.

I have a Samsung Mega (6.3 inch screen) if you are wanting to test multiple device types for screen size reasons, etc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2014 01:42PM by lbw1000.

If you need anymore for iOS, I would love to try it out!

I wish you great success. The original app is wonderful so far. Completely worth the purchase

I would like to add a tip for users. To be even more subtle when using, I turn the screen brightness all the way down. This makes it very difficult to view from a distance (like your server or banker or whoever is your victim)

lbw1000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ..... if you
> need more Android testers, I would be happy to
> test as well. I used to have Shop-It on my old
> iPhone 4S and really miss it on the Android.
>

lbw,
I have enough right now for this round but I'm keeping a list in the event I need another round, or if one of the current ones can't get the download to work for some reason. I'm distributing those this afternoon. It gets confusing if there are too many moving parts at this stage (lessons learned while developing the iPhone version).

I'll definitely add you to the list and will let you know. I'm thrilled you liked the iOS version, and I honestly would love feedback from people who were familiar with that one so functionality of the two could be compared.

Pledger11 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you need anymore for iOS, I would love to try
> it out!


Pledger, I'll send it your way later today. Can you PM me your email?

Hi Lynn - I've been using Shop It on my iPhone 5. It worked pretty good most of the time, but every once in a while, the record would zero out. Is this cause by an incoming call or text? Sometimes I would record 3-4 times per shop, when I'm talking into it for name and description. It seems to be all or nothing. I still wish you would use 12 hour clock, instead of 24. My other suggestion is, when I email the shop, why doesn't the pictures and my recording attach to the email?

I would recommend this app to shoppers.

HI Cubbiecat - I'm glad you would recommend the app

Good questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. I'm re-doing the website and am adding a FAQ page; I'm going to include your questions on that page:

- "every once in a while, the record would zero out. Is this cause by an incoming call or text?"
Most likely, yes - that's why we ask that you put the phone into airplane mode if timings of the recordings are critical to you. That's something that the iPhone won't let developers override. If a call comes in, the recording will stop every time. The recording will be saved, though, just ended.
- Soooo - if you are actually missing recordings, that's VERY unusual. We have several safety nets built in to protect data even in extreme circumstances. You can test this by starting a shop, making entries, starting a recording... then actually power your phone completely off, simulating a crash of the entire iphone. Your shop will end, but when you re-open the app the data will be saved, including the recording. The only thing that should affect your data is a catastrophic failure of the phone itself. If the phone gets into a memory issue (active memory... too many memory-hungry systems and apps going at once, more of an issue for developers on the iphone 4 series than later models), the phone can act erratic, but again, we have back-ups in place to handle it. I would really appreciate getting the details of your issue so we can try to emulate it - please PM me with your phone model and operating system if you have a chance.
- 24 hour clock - I did that instead of am/pm just for clarity. I like a 24 hour clock, and since this app was originally just for me even if I never published it, I went with my personal preference
One of my original goals for the app was to keep it very simple. People don't take time to read a lot of instructions for the operation of an app, I know I don't, so I opted for only one choice. That said, my wish list for the next big update is to add a settings page where people can choose 12 hr vs 24 clock, font size, etc... It's expensive to add things, plus the more moving parts the more things that can break when Apple does and iOS update!! So I will see how robust sales are this year and what the demand is.
- The reason the photos and recordings don't email with the text goes back to the memory management and limitations of the phone. That was my original intent and how it was initially programmed, but the size of the files after a typical 30 minute shop with multiple photos and recordings brought the phone to its knees every time - it simply would lock up. So, we had data and text email separately. The recordings - the iPhone's native recorder has the nasty habit of putting a throbbing red band at the top of your screen and putting a giant microphone image on your lock screen (not particularly inconspicuous). We had to go completely self-contained to get around that. Cloud and dropbox etc. weren't really available when we first developed the app. Again, that's my goal for a future major update one of these days - utilize those tools.

Sorry for the long post, but your questions were great and deserved answers. Thanks again for taking the time, and I'm so pleased you like the app!

The 12/24 clock as options would be on my wish list.

Another would be, if the photo can link to the iPhone's camera. Right now, if I take a photo from within the app, it does not show up on my camera or photo stream. I understand the size limitation from within the app, but can it be linked to the camera.

The missing recording issue happened both times when I got a call. After the call, I'd stop record and start again, thinking since it's a new recording, it would continue. However, recently I had four recording on the same shop and all showed 00:00 and would not play. Luckily, I remembered the names. I have an iPhone5, which is not my favorite of all the iPhones I had, the i4 was more stable - for everything. I have the latest update, the version is ios7.1.1.

This is an excellent app for shoppers, there's just a few quirks, like everything else electronic. I have used it from FF to 5-star hotel shops.

Hi Cubbicat,
Yes, an incoming call will always stop your recording (Airplane mode prevents that, per our app prompts... it's an Apple thing...).

- The app truly Does save to the camera roll.... but not if the phone isn't set to allow access (After an iOS update, some phones toggle it off). should be a one-time thing.
- Also, upon install and updates a query will pop up asking for permission to access photos and voice memo - just check 'yes'... again, a new Apple protection thing intro'd with 7.
---------------------------

To Re-Set:
Please go into SETTINGS on your phone (with our app closed) and open PRIVACY. Then find 'Shop-It' in the app list... make sure the boxes are checked for Photos and Voice Memo. (These access settings are good to check on any app that isn't acting right).
Hopefully that will get the Gremlins out of your Phone?? Let me know! PM me if you want to discuss -

Thanks!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2014 09:57PM by dkdshop.

I PM'ed you.

I don't have a Android phone anymore but GOOD for YOU!! Keep it up! BRAVO I hope it works out!

Do you need anymore iOS testers?

kamarkim Wrote:
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> Do you need anymore iOS testers?


Absolutely!
If you can PM me your email address, I'll send you what you need. I would appreciate your feedback.