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Archive for December, 2008

iTunes Connect Closed for the Holidays. Should we take the hint?

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
Starting today, developers logging into their iTunes Connect account to post or manage their apps will see this sign.

Starting today, developers logging into their iTunes Connect account to post or manage their apps will see this sign.

Some of you may have received support email responses from us at all hours of the day and night and wondered if we ever sleep or if we even have lives outside of the iPhone and the App Store. The answer is, well, no comment…

That said, even Apple is taking the next 4 days off. Good for them. So, should we take the hint and lower the shades on Bottle Rocket for at least a few days.

The answer is, well, no comment…

We will actually keep at least one Bottle Rocketeer on duty for any of your support requests. Responses may take longer than a few hours, but we’ll be here for those last minute holiday questions about our apps. Heck, it’s the holidays. It’s the least we could do for our customers. ;-)

Happy Holidays everyone from all of us at Bottle Rocket.

[tags]iphone apps, holiday, iTunes Connect[/tags]

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Posted in Industry News | No Comments »

Ask for a Kiss and you might get a Slap!

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Ok everyone, it’s time to just chill and have some fun. Sure you know us for high-flying apps like Wings 2.0 or super-functional apps like Overnight and Voxie. But we like to relax and just have some fun too.

Mistletoe is our latest contribution to this year’s collection of holiday apps. It joins Santa Wings and Voice Cards-Seasons Greetings (still waiting for Apple to give the nod) as our “triptych” of holiday apps.

It’s just 99 cents. Are there other mistletoe apps out there? Yep, quite a few actually. But we like ours best. Let us know what you think.

Wave Mistletoe above your head at the next holiday party, ask for a kiss and see what you get. Mistletoe will keep your score, kisses vs. slaps, while it rewards you with sound effects and professionally rendered “animated” images of mistletoe.

Just something fun to pass the time, and our way of saying Happy Holiday Everyone!

[tags]iphone apps, holiday[/tags]

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Posted in Application Launch | No Comments »

Overnight: Kitchen Sink Included

Monday, December 15th, 2008

The name we gave Overnight on the App Store is “Overnight: Express Shipping, Tracking, Pricing & Drop Locations”. We know that’s a mouthful, but this app is an iPhone full. There really is no way to describe how much actually went into this app.

We started working on Overnight back in June BEFORE the App Store launched. I know what you’re thinking, “wow, these guys are slow”. Trust us, that’s not the case. Overnight is one of those home-fix-it projects that starts out as something as simple as re-caulking the bath tub. So you head to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some caulk, but while you’re there you see some great looking tile. But when you get the tile in, the sink doesn’t match. You see where I’m going. Before you know it, you have a $25,000 bathroom remodel job on your hands. But when you’re finally done, you realize it’s a masterpiece and you’re so happy to you did it.

That’s how we feel about Overnight. It’s truly amazing how many features we crammed into this app. In fact, we’d like to use the full word. Let’s call it an application. So that we don’t repeat the App Store description, we won’t list out all the features, but Overnight has all the tools you need to price, send, track and receive any express shipment.

Overnight can help you: Find a drop box location or post office, what time does this FedEx Kinko’s close, when is today’s latest drop, what are their hours, are they open on Saturday, what ZIP code am I in, tracking packages, getting a price quote, how much more if I insure my package, how much will I save if I can wait one more day, did that package arrive, I need to send this tracking information to my customer, how long will it take to drive to this drop location, I need directions to that UPS Store, how much will I save if I send it Ground, blah, blah, blah. You get the idea.

We hope you enjoy Overnight. It’s fresh out of the Bottle Rocket app oven. Lightly browned and crispy on the edges…

[tags]iphone application, express packaging manager, iphone enterprise[/tags]

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Posted in Application Launch, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Wings 2.0 Coming in HOT!

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Wings 2.0 is here, finally! After waiting on the tarmac (the App Store review queue) for a bit longer than we hoped, Wings 2.0 is available for download free for all users of Wings 1.0.

And if you don’t have Wings 1.0, there’s no better time than now to join the Wings family.

Over 10,000 people downloaded the Wings 2.0 update within 24 hours of its release. Wow, even the FAA’s supercomputer couldn’t keep up with all those newly filed flight plans.

Wings 2.0 has dramatically improved nearly every aspect of Wings. Take a look at what’s new in Wings 2.0?
- Inflight heads up display (HUD) similar to Garmin 1000
- Magnetic compass
- Flight controls
- Throttle speed control
- Dramatically faster
- New worlds added (old favorites retained)
- Change options while flying
- Whole new Wings look
- Crashing sounds, shake effects and broken glass (cumulating damage)
- Improved graphic detail
- More water and intertwined rivers
- Change viewing angle for sitting, reclining or lying down
- Make sure to see the Wings section in main iPhone Settings
- New main menu

Also, don’t forget to head over the App Store and check out “Santa Wings: Rudolph’s Christmas Flight” for some seriously fun holiday flying.


YouTube Video from touchArcade.com

[tags]iphone application, flight simulator, reviews, mobile gaming[/tags]

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Posted in Application Updates | No Comments »

Power to the iPod First Gen’ers – Voxie Goes Old School

Friday, December 12th, 2008

That’s right, Voxie works on the First Generation iPod Touch. You can thank two of our customers who tested this and helped make this happen. Thanks Shaun and Skatt.

What will you need:
1. The 2.2 firmware update.
2. A compatible mic (this is the important part as most aren’t compatible)

The “Audio In” on the iPod Touch First Gen is in the dock connector and NOT in the headphone jack. It acts more like a normal iPod than a 2nd Gen iPod or iPhone. So, dock connector mics are the only ones that will work, but some may not work. To be clear, the Apple earbuds with integrated mic that comes with the iPhone will not work.

Please help us come up with a complete list of mic’s by responding to this post with your comments and experience in getting the iPod First Gen to work with Voxie. So far we have been told by customers that will work:

Macally iVoice III
Macally iVoicePro
Both are sold at many online retailers and also at TouchMic.com.

And customers have told us these do NOT work or has some issues:
Griffin iTalk Pro (also not listed as compatible with 1G Touch)
Belkin TuneTalk (see user comments on this post as there has been some issues using this one)

Note that the manufacturer of the mic might not even know it works for this application. This is something our customers helped us figure out.

But we’re certain a lot more mics will work just fine. So try yours and post a comment letting everyone know what works.

This is great for First Gen iPod Touch owners. Thanks Apple!

[tags]iphone application, audio recording, iphone accessories[/tags]

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Posted in Application Updates | 15 Comments »

Overnight Delivery Soon!

Monday, December 8th, 2008

I want to share a brief glimpse of our soon to be release app, Overnight. This amazing tool is essential for anyone who interacts with shipping or receiving packages.  Portable.  Convenient.  Overnight has just about every piece of information you’d need regarding your packages.  With the holidays impending, this app is sure to be indispensable!    

Its functions include:

  • Tracking packages from DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS
  • Finding the nearest carriers to your current location
  • Locating what zip code you’re currently in and what zip codes are within the same vicinity
  • Pricing packages from each carrier based on location to destination, package type and any other additional information

Now, for the nitty-gritty:

Tracking:   When you place in a tracking number, all the details including the mapped route are conveniently displayed right in the palm of your hand. Overnight will automatically store all your tracking numbers and update your shipping status in real time.

Locations: Choose your location based on your search criteria 

  • Select one, two, three or all carriers
  • Designate how far away you’re willing to travel (in miles or kilometers).
  • Select what days stores MUST be open
  • Pick locations that are staffed

Based on your search criteria, Overnight will find the closest carrier to you – thanks to iPhone GPS capability – and lists each one starting with the closet one.  It’ll tell you not only how far it is, but how long it takes to get there.  You can then select any one of them and be shown more details like their phone number, address, the ability to map it or to send the location to someone else.  In addition to the standard information, it also includes the the store hours and the latest times packages go out.

Zip Locator: A simple yet useful tool.  One touch kinda gives you your current location’s zip.  It also provides the three closest zip codes around you.  

Pricing:  For all of those who like to know how much something costs before you even walk into the store, this is your feature.  Choose any carrier, input  you shipping specifications and you’ll get an estimate for how much your package will cost you.  

We’ve packed a lot into one application but as always…let us know what you think.

[tags]iphone application, iphone developers, new apps[/tags]

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Posted in Application Launch, Bottle Rocket News | No Comments »

Fantastic Holiday Apps delivered right to your iPhone!

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

We’ve got a few surprises for you and your loved ones to enjoy this holiday season.  Great apps that are fun and suitable for the entire family.  They’re only here for a limited time so get them before it’s too late.  You won’t want to miss out on these fantastic holiday treats.

You loved Wings.  Now try Santa Wings.  This holiday version of Wings offers the same action packed gameplay as the original but now you have a critical mission to accomplished.  Fly around the world as the Jolly Big Guy to deliver presents by Christmas but take care not to crash too many times or the children won’t find anything under the tree come Christmas morning.  Santa Wings is a great distraction from the holiday hustle and bustle or let Junior take a whirl to give yourself a moment of much needed sanity.  It’s perfect for all kids, young and old. 

And how about a little love this Christmas?  How about an ingenious little app called Mistletoe?  Beautifully rendered and works just like the real thing.  Hold it over your intended for a holiday smooch or hang your phone in a door way to catch an unsuspecting recipient.  Be careful though or you might just get slapped!  Either way, you’ll be about to record your exploits on the handy kiss/smack counter!  Find out how much love (or not) you receive this season.

[tags]iphone application, holiday[/tags]

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Posted in Application Launch | No Comments »