We've updated SudokuGrab with some major enhancements including iCloud syncing for your puzzles and support for iPads. There are a few bugs we're aware of and we're actively working to fix them in the coming weeks, with a new version already submitted to the app store.
06 May 2014
In this blog, we're diving into the details of setting up and using iCloud's NSUbiquitousKeyValueStore to help persist settings in the new universal app version of Sudoku Grab. We'll look at how to enable cloud syncing for your app, handle updates from iCloud, and persist changes, allowing us to keep user settings consistent across devices. Note, this storage method is meant for small amounts of data with particular quotas - so keep an eye on your usage. For hands-on experience, there's a simple demo project on GitHub ready for you to experiment with!
14 February 2014
Currently, I am revitalizing Sudoku Grab, my first app ever, published in 2009. The plan involves updating the code, upgrading to ARC, simplifying the menu system, accommodating iOS7, and supporting 4-inch display sizes. Future updates may include iCloud syncing features for universal access to puzzles. This endeavor also gives me an excuse to switch to an iPhone5s!
09 February 2014
After putting in some work, I've successfully figured out how to create a real grunt plugin. I've discovered that a node module is essentially a node application with a package.json, and with this understanding, setting up became simple. My new plugin can be found at the given link and has straightforward usage. Once installed, the plugin may be activated in your Gruntfile. The plugin's full mechanisms can be found at the mentioned link or at the git project page.
07 February 2014
Exploring node.js and its associated tools, I've been intrigued by Grunt, dubbed as 'The JavaScript Task Runner'. Amid building a project, I wanted to integrate Liquibase - a useful database schema management tool we used in developing Vollow.me. Despite the lack of a Grunt plugin or a Node module for Liquibase, I've managed to get it operational with Grunt using grunt-shell. The next step is to package Liquibase into a formal Grunt task and streamline database settings loading.
06 February 2014
Stoked to let you know I'm part of the team organising the first ever iOScon 2014 with SkillsMatter! Be quick and snag an early bird ticket for a mere £95! Jam-packed with the brightest minds in iOS development and design, this is your golden chance to keep ahead of the curve, explore new techniques, collaborate and grasp new technologies. Don't miss out on the unique iOS hacking weekend!
05 February 2014
Just switched the blog to github pages and jekyll. A new journey begins!
16 January 2014
In iOS7, a previously unannounced feature allows the ability to read barcodes. Incorporating a new output for AVCapture known as AVCaptureMetadataOutput, supported formats for 1D and 2D barcodes can be read. Demonstrating the ease of use, a simple code snippet is provided to showcase how to apply this feature. Additionally, a demo project is shared for those keen to explore its functionality.
01 October 2013
Haven't been around for a while, folks! Been keeping busy with a startup and working on a server-side project for www.vollow.me. Time to dust off those old Java and database abilities! Soon, I'll be getting my hands on building the app to go with the website. Keep your eyes peeled for some insightful iPhone-related posts coming your way!
09 June 2013
Wrestled with UIImagePickerControllerCropRect today for cropping images. Some of the codes out there were ridiculously long winded, so I took a stab at whittling it down myself. Safely arrived at a streamlined solution that dealt with the size of image, the crop rect and graphics context. Also worked in a neat bit on image orientation. Law of parsimony victorious!
14 July 2012
Had a blast at iOSDevUK - a fantastic conference that was not only filled with intriguing talks, but also offered me the opportunity to present my own talk. I discussed making real time multiplayer games using GameKit and GameCenter. The slides and notes from my talk are available for download if you're interested!
12 July 2012
Well, it's game over for my creation, Tanks!, in the US app store. You won't believe this but Atari's claiming it treads too closely to their copyright. Kinda feels like they think they hold the exclusive rights to all tank-driving games. I'm not buying their claim one bit but, when the game's bringing in less than a buck a day, who can afford legal bills, right?
27 October 2011
During my recent trip to Scotland, I teamed up with my friend, Rob, to integrate Kinect with my game, Aliens Invade. We worked with OpenNI and NITE for person tracking and pose detection after the initial hurdles with raw depth data. The game now requires the player to physically run left or right to dodge bullets, and fire by waving their hands. It not only works well but adds a lot of fun to the classic space invaders game!
23 August 2011
Just got an email from Apple, claiming that my app 'Sudoku Grab' infringes on intellectual property rights of Nikoli.Co.Ltd. So, as a precaution, I've taken Sudoku Grab off the shelves in Japan.
07 December 2010
In this post, I'm sharing performance stats from a free Heart Rate app which has been live for just over two weeks, and has been downloaded around 40k-50k times worldwide. It was categorized under Entertainment instead of Health and Fitness which may have affected downloads and advertising revenue. It's been relatively successful and was built with iAds and AdMob adverts. Revenue generated from the US was substantial with fill rates at nearly 50% and an amazing eCPM of almost $30, compared to Admob's $2.2. Despite the revenue's rapid decline correlating with downloads, I believe there may be a strong case...
03 December 2010
I have received several inquiries about my heart rate app and decided to share details about it. The app uses your phone's camera to perceive the faint changes in the light coming off the flash as blood flows in and out of your finger. I have also provided the demo code and some sample code segments to explain specific functions of the app and the augmented reality blog post for modifications. After a detailed explanation of the code, I show graphical presentations of how the app tracks heartbeats. I end off with a preview image of the sample project and...
25 November 2010
Just found an iPhone app that creatively measures your heart rate simply using the flash on your phone. Thought I'd try the neat little tool and was fascinated with it. Can't wait to share more on how it works in an upcoming post.
19 November 2010
Hey there tech enthusiasts! So, you used to rely on my old methods for employing augmented reality on an iPhone? Well, those days are past. With the release of iOS4, accessing the camera has become a breeze. Check out my latest blog post where I share the specially updated code that works seamlessly with iOS4.
12 October 2010