Phoxware | Category Archive

Archive | Blog RSS feed for this section

Oregon DMV Test Prep 1.0.2 Released

by Kelvin Beecroft • on June 23, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

DMV Test Prep for Oregon 2009 [App Store] has been submitted to Apple for approval. This is a maintenance release which improves overall program usability and includes minor features additions.

What’s new in the update?

Upgrades to the new V2 database, which improves the quality of many questions and answers.
Note: V2 is not compatible with previous versions so your test history will be lost after upgrading.
Full row select makes it easier to select your answer in the exam simulator.
An application badge will now show the number of tests in progress on your dock icon.
Preview questions are no longer listed in random order.
Fixed some minor UI alignment issues.
Compatible with iPhone OS 3.0.

For more information about DMV Test Prep for iPhone click here.

Read full story • Comments Off

DMV Test Prep Named Top 10 iPhone App by Blogcritics

by Kelvin Beecroft • on June 10, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

In their monthly editors’ picks, Blogcritics has named DMV Test Prep one of The Top 10 iPhone Applications of May 2009.

The recognition is very much appreciated.

Included in the Top 10 are other titles such as Tap Tap: Dave Matthews Band, Myst, The Sims 3, and Bento. Very nice company indeed.

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

California DMV Test Prep Updated

by Kelvin Beecroft • on June 8, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

California 2009 [Buy now, $2.99] was one of the first DMV Test Prep driver license practice tests released for the iPhone, and has been very well received. However, there were a few problems uncovered while the rest of the series was developed, and a shift mid-series to an improved Q&A database dubbed V2. These issues have been addressed and rolled into a new update which has been submitted to Apple for approval.

What’s new in the update?

Added 50 new Road Rule questions for a total now of 150.
Upgrades to the new V2 database, which improves the quality of many questions and answers.
V2 is not compatible with previous versions so your test history will be lost after upgrading.
An application badge will now show the number of tests in progress on your dock icon.
Preview questions are no longer listed in random order.
Fixed some minor UI alignment issues.

App Store Link: DMV Test Prep™ California, $2.99

For more information about DMV Test Prep click here.

Update. Apple has approved the update which is now live and available for download. With the release of iPhone OS 3.0 and the new iPhone 3GS app approval wait times increased significantly, causing a delay in this update getting out.

Read full story • Comments Off

New DMV Test Prep States Available: AK, CO, CT, UT, and VA

by Kelvin Beecroft • on June 5, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

Four new premium driver license practice tests are available on the App Store for the states of: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia. This is part of our expanding DMV Test Prep series which delivers targeted exam simulators for practicing the driver license written exam.

We build these out for individual states because each has its own specific road rules. You’ll find variations such as school bus stop laws, driving while intoxicated penalties, speed limits, low/high beam regulations, and unique situations such as beach driving.

Please visit the product page for more details.

Read full story • Comments Off

New DMV Test Prep States Added: NY, FL, WA, and OR

by Kelvin Beecroft • on May 18, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

We’ve just submitted 4 new premium driver license practice tests to the App Store for the states of New York, Florida, Washington, and Oregon. This is part of our expanding DMV Test Prep series which delivers targeted exam simulators for practicing the driver license written exam.

Eventually, we’ll have all 50 states covered with their own iPhone app.

Read full story • Comments Off

DMV Test Prep for Texas

by Kelvin Beecroft • on May 12, 2009 • in DMV Test Prep

DMV Test Prep [App Store] is a series of apps for the iPhone designed to help prepare for driver license tests using an exam simulator. The first in the series to be released was a version suitable for all 50 US states. Afterward, we were going to begin releasing versions for individual states, each with state-specific questions. However, the first app we submitted to Apple was rejected for a rather lame reason. So while we were fixing that version the Texas version was approved (Apple isn’t always consistent).

This is a really exciting series of apps for teen drivers. The main feature is you get to practice taking the exam for just a few bucks. The questions are not pulled off the DMV computer, per-se, but are of the same substance. It’s not a cheat-sheet — students still must learn the rules of the road. But it does ease the exam pressure, build confidence, and help fill in the holes of missing knowledge.

It’s not just for teens. Adults also must take driver license tests for many reasons. For example, when moving to a new state you’re generally required to take a written exam to be issued a license to drive in that state.

The permanent product page can be found here.

Read full story • Comments Off

Food Substitutes for iPhone Gets a Major Update

by Kelvin Beecroft • on April 27, 2009 • in Food Substitutes

Food Substitutes version 1.3.0 has been submitted to Apple for review.

I’m very excited about this update because it organizes the interface for easier navigation and the app just overall looks and feels better. Also a new Low-Fat Food Substitutes category has been added.

The biggest change is that the home screen now shows the list of categories. Previously, this was the entire list of 240 food substitutions grouped according to category. With the addition of the new Low-Fat category, and more coming, it was necessary to break this down a bit.

Enjoy the free upgrade!

Read full story • Comments Off

Lite Apps for iPhone Come to an End at Phoxware

by Kelvin Beecroft • on April 21, 2009 • in General

I’ve been contemplating the value of so-called Lite apps for iPhone (also called LE, Mini, and Free). These are intended to offer users a try-before-you-buy look before deciding to buy the full version. For developers it can be a boon for getting the essential exposure needed for an app to take off. However, there’s no guarantee of that happening and the results are not always positive.

After having Lite versions available for a while I’ve decided to remove them from sale on the App Store. There hasn’t been much of a correlation between Lite downloads and sales of the full versions. Additionally, the extra developer overhead of maintaining Lite versions is taking away time which could be better utilized in serving paying customers.

Thus, Lite versions for both Ambience and iPizzeria are no longer available.

Read full story • Comments Off

Food Substitutes for iPhone Gets a New Look

by admin • on April 18, 2009 • in Food Substitutes

Food Substitutes [App Store] has always had great content. Having hundreds of food substitutions with you all the time on your iPhone is super handy when you can’t find the ingredients you need. The app wasn’t too much to look at though, so this update is some welcomed eye candy.

The food list has gone from black-and-white to an eye pleasing neutral-color background complemented by an opaque black header.

In addition to the color change is an excerpt in small print of the food substitution. So a quick glance is all you may need to see what substitutions are available for the food your recipe calls for.

Support for landscape oreientation was removed in this update to allow for the new look. But perhaps we’ll see it return in future updates.

Read full story • Comments Off

The Perfect Pizza Dough Recipe

by Kelvin Beecroft • on April 17, 2009 • in iPizzeria, Pizza Recipes

For iPizzeria fans, here’s a preview of one of the many new recipes to be included in the next update [App Store].

Dough is the secret to good pizza. It’s difficult to go wrong with toppings and sauce, but if the dough isn’t right the whole thing’s a waste.

Perfect pizza dough will give a nice brown crust outside while staying soft inside. To get this ultimate pizza we slightly adapt the Thin Crust Dough recipe. Olive oil is added and overnight fermentation is the key to making a good pizza great.

Ingredients

1 envelope of dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1 1/2 cups of cold water
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Method

Combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Mix thoroughly.
Using a large metal spoon, stir in the cold water and oil until absorbed by the flour mixture. Continue mixing until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and you have a neat ball (around 30 seconds in a food processor, or 5 to 7 minutes by hand).
To get the consistency just right add flour to get the dough to come off the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom. If the dough is coming off the bottom add a teaspoon or two of cold water.
Prepare a small pan by lining it with baking parchment. Mist the parchment with spray oil or apply oil directly with a brush.
Divide the dough in half and round into two balls. Transfer the dough balls onto the prepared pan and generously apply oil to the dough.
Slip the pan into a food-grade plastic bag and put into the refrigerator overnight where they can stay for up to 3 days.
(Optional) If you want to keep the dough longer you can store in zippered freezer bags. First, coat the balls with oil by dipping in a bowl containing a few tablespoons of olive oil. Then place each dough ball into a separate freezer bag and then into the freezer where they’ll store for up to 3 months.
On the day you plan to make pizza remove the balls from the refrigerator 2 hours before preparing the pizza.
Prepare a lightly sprinkled surface with flour. Place the balls onto the surface and press into 5-inch circles. Sprinkle with flour and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let stand for 2 hours.
Roll out by hand for a 12-inch base.
Place in 12-inch oven pan which has been generously dusted with flour or cornmeal. Press out dough to form a slight lip.
Prepare and apply your sauce and toppings or choice.

Read full story • Comments Off

« Newer Entries

Older Entries »