A couple of years ago we released our Gourmet Timer app for iPhone which is still used by many people including myself. It’s a great 4-up timer with simple buttons, just what you need in the kitchen. The only problem is it’s not free. With an App Store saturated with free kitchen timers it’s hard for somebody to put down 99 cents.
So that others can still use this handy utility we decided to release a free ad-supported version call 4-in-1 Kitchen Timer [App Store, Free]. Go get it and enjoy!
I recently bought a new car and wanted to begin tracking fuel economy straight from the first tank. It makes sense to track MPGs because a decline in mileage signals a problem, which could be as simple as improperly inflated tires. If you don’t maintain your gear it’ll let you down. So it’s a no-brainer to keep track of each fill up. Bottom line — it saves you money.
This used to be recorded in a log book stowed away in the jockey box. This is really all you need but the math gets done by hand so it’s a bit cumbersome. Why not an iPhone app? It’s an obvious use for your device and there’s already a bunch of these in the App Store. But by comparison they’re a bit clunky to use, requiring excessive navigation across multiple screens or else way too much information densely packed into a few screens. Switching vehicles if you’re tracking more than one should be a snap, but again disappointed. Also missing are seamless backup and sync across multiple iOS devices. No emailing CSVs to yourself and calling that a backup.
I had a problem in search of a solution. That’s why I built Gas Pump. It’s a fuel economy tracker for iPhone or iPod touch which works the way I want it to. I hope it works for you too because it’s live on the App Store [link, $2.99]. One thing missing is a vehicle maintenance log. I debated including this feature but ultimately decided that vehicle maintenance isn’t the same thing as tracking fuel economy, so it should really be a separate app. However, I’m open to suggestions so if you think it should be in there let me know.
Gas Pump stands out in three ways:
1) To switch vehicles swipe left or right just like the built-in weather app. That’s it. Why does it have to be some difficult navigation structure?
2) Cloud sync. After getting a free Gas Pump ID just tap the sync button and your mileage logs get pushed to the cloud. Got another device? No problem, just use the same Gas Pump ID and sync. Same data shared on multiple devices. Now when somebody else fills up the car you don’t have holes in your mileage log.
3) Dead simple entry at the gas station. You’re outside in sometimes bright daylight, busy putting gas in the car, and have a monster truck in the rear-view mirrors waiting for you to get a move on. You need quick entry without fussing around. A lot of work went into mileage log entry and I think we nailed it. Really you just need the odometer reading, price and amount of fuel. Three things and you’re done.
Some people want to track a lot more than that, though. Things like octane, driving conditions, brand, etc. And sometimes you just get a few gallons without filling up. And sometimes you cross the border where gas is sold in liters rather than gallons, or different currencies, and on and on. The variables are significant. Gas Pump actually has fifteen different fields of entry of which four are customizable lists such as brand. We’ve taken something which is surprisingly complex and broke it down to be as quick and easy as possible. I hope you’ll agree.
As usual we refine and polish these things as we get your feedback and use them ourselves week after week. For more details please visit our other website GasPumpCloud.com.
We’ve just finished building out a new website focused exclusively on our DMV Test Prep iPhone apps. The new site is DMVPrep.com and is now live. It will serve as the product page for this series of apps and if all goes well we’ll offload some other product pages as well.
It’s been getting a little crowded around here in what originally started out as my blog. With all the app reviews I’ve done mixed up with our own app releases and product info it’s been getting difficult to separate things out.
Our DMV Test Prep family of apps have always had a Preview feature which let you take a look at the practice questions before using the exam simulator. We’ve taken that feature, enhanced it and given it the new name of Cheat Sheet.
Cheat Sheet offers a sneak peak at the driver’s license practice questions.
Here’s what’s new…
Cheat Sheets for DMV Test Prep cleans up the nonsensical preview questions. For example, previously if the answer to a question was something like “All of the above.” then Preview would list that as the answer. So you’d get… Q: You may not park? A: All of the above.
In addition, we’ve removed questions from the cheat sheet which may appear to be duplicates but really aren’t. Some of the practice questions are of the same substance but worded differently to challenge your knowledge. On the cheat sheet there will only be one question per concept.
What else is in store for Cheat Sheets?
Once the roll-out for all 50 states is complete we plan to go back and start adding additional features to enhance Cheat Sheets. Some of those features include annotations and printing the cheat sheet directly from your iPhone to a printer attached to your Mac.
Presently, Cheat Sheet versions of DMV Test Prep have been shipped to Apple for California, New York, Texas, Virginia, Alaska and Oregon. We’re expecting to see the updates available for download within two weeks.
DMV Plus+ [$4.99] has been our largest project to date for the iPhone. It brings together the localized driver license practice tests of our popular DMV Test Prep series into a single app. But it’s more than just practice tests. Driver manuals for most states can be downloaded and read on the iPhone and iPod touch. Essential state driving laws for all states are also included.
The really big advantage is that once you download the app it’s yours to use, year after year. No matter where you live now or which state you move to in the future the practice tests are yours to use, again and again, without anything else to buy.
Read more about DMV Plus+ here.
We’re announcing a new product in our expanding driver license practice tests for iPhone. Our first products were designed as study tools for teens and new drivers. To fill a need in other markets our new fast-track iPhone app will be geared towards experienced drivers who just need to brush up on road rules and road signs when moving to a new state. For example, the California DMV Driver Handbook is 100 pages. Why read through all that when you just need to know a few basic law changes?
Our experience in helping new drivers enables us to also help knowledgeable drivers get the information they need to pass the driver license written exam fast.
Our other iPhone apps in this series include the original DMV Test Prep, the soon to be available DMV Plus+, and the just released Borders & State Laws.
Update: Rather than building a new product we’ve decided to take our DMV Test Prep family of apps, add new features and enhance existing features.
Studying for any examination is stressful enough. But when you’re a teen studying for your driver’s license it can be extra tough. This isn’t a high school quiz, it’s a tough exam meant to ensure that would-be drivers are prepared for the responsibilities of operating a motor vehicle and aren’t a threat to their own safety and others.
Most people fail the driver’s license test on their first try.
So, without further ado, here are some study tips which should get just about anybody over the hump and into the driver’s seat.
Focus is necessary when learning new concepts. Sleep is necessary to maintain focus. Everyone’s needs are different, but 8 to 10 hours of good sleep is about right. During the many years of working at Microsoft I saw so many young people in their 20′s trying to work late hours; until 11, 12, or 1 o’clock in the morning. Little did they understand that their productivity was suffering, the quality of their work was reduced, much of their late-night mistakes had to be fixed the next day. Remember, caffeine is not a substitute for sleep.
There are myriads of traffic rules and trying to memorize them all is futile. Memorization of driving laws, road signs, and so on is necessary but it may not be enough to get you through the exam. You’ll see questions which require you to think about the situation and choose the most correct answer. Understanding the principles behind the rules will help you to arrive at the correct conclusion.
Remember, most rules have to do with safety. Everyone’s goal when getting behind the wheel of a car is to arrive at your destination.
I can’t give a definitive reason why, but having a clean, uncluttered desk to work on just helps. My best guesstimate is less clutter equals fewer distractions.
There’s a time for listening to music… and studying new material isn’t one of them. Turn it off and tune out the background noise if it’s too much of a distraction. There’s a distinction between music, noise, and noise filters — so-called white noise. White noise is a beat-less sound similar to the sound a waterfall makes and is exceptional at blocking background noise. Give it a try… you’ll be amazed.
Taking practice tests before the live exam is the most effective way to test your knowledge and build your confidence. Attitude is going to affect your performance and if you don’t have a lot of confidence going into the exam then nervousness will cost you answers. Most states require an 80% score to pass the exam which means you can only miss a few questions and still pass.
To help, we’ve developed DMV Plus+ and DMV Test Prep exam simulators for the iPhone and iPod touch. Check them out and we think you’ll agree they’re well worth the modest price.
After two months of development DMV Plus+ has been sent to Apple for approval. Hopefully we’ll see it available in the App Store within a couple weeks.
This iPhone app will become the flagship product of our popular DMV Test Prep series of driver license practice tests. In addition to shipping with practice tests for all 50 states, DMV Plus+ also contains essential driving laws for each state. Handy to keep on your iPhone after you’ve passed the exam.
The permanent product page is here.
A forum has been setup here.
The iPhone includes an already-made PDF viewer which developers can make use of; the UIWebView control. It works, simply, and that’s the problem. Time and again I’m in need of capabilities which just don’t exist, such as searching and bookmarking PDFs.
Especially did the over simplicity of UIWebView hinder me in the development of the DMV Test Prep series. Driver manuals which average about 100 pages overwhelm UIWebView. There were some really cool things that I wanted to do with those apps but just didn’t have the tools available.
Now that’s all going to change.
The next project in the pipeline is to build the best PDF viewer for the iPhone available. Although the intention is to improve our existing apps, we may possibly license a library to other devs. We’ll see about that as the project unfolds.
It’s coming and it’s going to be spectacular.
Our website has gone through a radical change in both appearance and focus. Previously, phoxware.com was a loosely driven outlet for ramblings on the iPhone, apps, and the App Store.
Now we have focus.
The new website design brings our iPhone apps to the foreground while moving the blog, ramblings, and Twitter noise off to secondary pages.
Please excuse the mess while we wrap up a few remaining loose ends over the next few days.
