Universal Apps… The Proud, the FEW.

For me it's not so much about "universal" apps as the comparative lack of iPad apps compared to iPhone apps. Obviously this will be the case for a while, as not all iPhone apps will be ported to the iPad. It's still a little frustrating that I'll do a search in the app store and it will return dozens of apps for the iPhone but none for the iPad.

I've also found that even if an iPhone-only app is very highly rated, I'm reluctant to buy it for the iPad, instead opting to wait and see if an iPad equivalent appears. I would imagine most other people are doing the same.

I think all the "HD" apps should be universal - for example, I never bought Angry Birds for the iPhone, but got the iPad version. Now, for apps I already own on the iPhone, I don't mind paying a little extra for the iPad version, but when I buy an iPad version first, then have to pay extra for the iPhone, I feel resentful, like, "why am I paying extra for a smaller version????"

Its a whole new ballgame for universal apps, especially if you are expecting full use of the iPad screens. Much of the app has to be redesigned. And the software tools are brand new; it takes a lot of hours to learn, implement, troubleshoot, and make it work 100% successfully. Just be patient. At least Apple was kind enough to allow nearly all apps to actually work on the iPad, and even double the size to fill the screen! That level of seamless compatibility doesn't exist on other hardware platforms!

I agree that there should be a lot more universal apps. My other concern with the universal apps is that they don't appear to sync up with the iphone app. For example, I own the "My Lists" app for the iPhone. When I open the univeral app for the iPad, none of my lists are on there. It's the same thing with Notes created on the iPhone app....they don't carry over to the iPad app.

indeed! I am so sad that my Awesome Note app is not universal

Metsfan7450 said:

My other concern with the universal apps is that they don't appear to sync up with the iphone app. For example, I own the "My Lists" app for the iPhone. When I open the univeral app for the iPad, none of my lists are on there. It's the same thing with Notes created on the iPhone app....they don't carry over to the iPad app.

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iBooks does this very well, so maybe Apple will release an API in the future or just make this happen seamlessly with people's iTunes accounts with an update. This is something that should have been implemented on day 1.

gocardsfan1 said:

iBooks does this very well, so maybe Apple will release an API in the future or just make this happen seamlessly with people's iTunes accounts with an update. This is something that should have been implemented on day 1.

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Agreed, this doesn't happen today because Apple hasn't really provided developers with an API to allow us to do this...

In the old PalmPilot days, they had mechanisms so developers could write "conduits" so that when you synced with your PC, you could write desktop apps that your palmpilot apps could sync data with. Apple hasn't really given any such mechanism for neither iTunes (assumingly through some sort of Plug-in mechanism) nor for the mobileme over the air sync mechanism.

Metsfan7450 said:

I agree that there should be a lot more universal apps. My other concern with the universal apps is that they don't appear to sync up with the iphone app. For example, I own the "My Lists" app for the iPhone. When I open the univeral app for the iPad, none of my lists are on there. It's the same thing with Notes created on the iPhone app....they don't carry over to the iPad app.

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Developers can already develop a sync mechanism for apps. Apiggo's ToDo does it, Taska does it, Deliveries does it, etc.

Ok well currently my app, Local LTD is in review by apple. But that will be a universal app. I don't have sync functionality (not too important in Local LTd) but if I make MedMem universal too, I'll definitely have a sync when the universal is ready.

Check out the screenshots on the Local LTD website.

melman101 said:

Ok well currently my app, Local LTD is in review by apple. But that will be a universal app. I don't have sync functionality (not too important in Local LTd) but if I make MedMem universal too, I'll definitely have a sync when the universal is ready.

Check out the screenshots on the Local LTD website.

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**slight hijack**

I would be interested in MedMem in universal form, with some way to sync between multiple devices. I could see it being helpful when my daughter goes between her Dad's house and mine and I could know where she got her shot, and what times she took her other meds. I'd probably have to send her with a Touch and then have it sync back to my iPad when she got here.

I wonder if my mom saw it when she was looking for Med tracking software for my dad? I'll ask!

Can you show me a screen shot showing the dosage entry??


On Topic - i've been disappointed in the lack of universal apps. We own 3 Touches and 2 iPads and each is used throughout the day for various things, I think long and hard about buying Apps for the iPad because money is tight, rarely are we buying frivolous Apps twice, just productivity ones.

notjustjay said:

For me it's not so much about "universal" apps as the comparative lack of iPad apps compared to iPhone apps. Obviously this will be the case for a while, as not all iPhone apps will be ported to the iPad. It's still a little frustrating that I'll do a search in the app store and it will return dozens of apps for the iPhone but none for the iPad.

I've also found that even if an iPhone-only app is very highly rated, I'm reluctant to buy it for the iPad, instead opting to wait and see if an iPad equivalent appears. I would imagine most other people are doing the same.

Click to expand...

+1 I do the exact same thing

macster84 said:

Its a whole new ballgame for universal apps, especially if you are expecting full use of the iPad screens. Much of the app has to be redesigned. And the software tools are brand new; it takes a lot of hours to learn, implement, troubleshoot, and make it work 100% successfully. Just be patient. At least Apple was kind enough to allow nearly all apps to actually work on the iPad, and even double the size to fill the screen! That level of seamless compatibility doesn't exist on other hardware platforms!

Click to expand...

I do not like the double size apps nor do I like them when they only fill up half of the screen. The apps are simply too fuzzy (WSOP game, for one), keyboard too hard to use (skype, for example) and overall not a great experience. Granted that this option doesn't even exist at all on other platforms, but it is a feature I NEVER use and I basically do not download iPhone apps for the iPad unless they are compatible with both. My favorite iPhone apps don't make it onto my iPad at all.

As a developer, it's hard to design something that works for both devices. The larger screen lets me do a lot more, but the trade-off is it's easier to make two separate apps. I will say that, as much as I can, I'll be doing universal apps moving forward.

I think they will come with time, it has only been four months since the release of the iPad. The iPhone is more than 3 years old and the App store more than two years.

My only critic is towards Apple, I can't believe that they release a device and are not able to upgrade all of their apps to work perfectly on it.

Here's a list of Apps that are not Native iPad Apps:

Remote
Keynote Remote
Clock
Calculator
Stocks
Weather
Apple Store
MobileMe Gallery
Texas Hold'em
iMovie (This one has excuse)

9 Apps they released and aren't able to update for iPad users.

Brien said:

As a developer, it's hard to design something that works for both devices. The larger screen lets me do a lot more, but the trade-off is it's easier to make two separate apps. I will say that, as much as I can, I'll be doing universal apps moving forward.

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I can totally appreciate that too - trust me. What i'd like is if the iPad app was available as an in-app "upgrade" for less than buying them separately.

But there are a lot of Apps i'd LIKE to buy, with the limited funds they are truly limited to the ones i need at the moment.

I also am more willing to pay again if i can see there has been effort put into the iPad app to take advantage of the features and I want them. A lot of the Apps i have purchased aren't being used on the Touches much at all, despite having been used daily prior to that.

Probably the one that irks me the most that it is separate is iPeriod. Seriously, i do not NEED all of that "big" - but I hate it being double on my iPad (hahaha), but i'm not buying it again. It was worth every penny I paid for it, but I guess i'll just end up with the free version and deal with ads or whatever it has (yuck). I've removed MOST of my private stuff from my Touch and let the kids use it now without a passcode - but a few things like this remain.

So for me, it really depends on the purpose of the App and my "buy it again" willingness. Obviously, monthly female crap isn't worth more money to me! LOL!!

TraceyS/FL said:

I can totally appreciate that too - trust me. What i'd like is if the iPad app was available as an in-app "upgrade" for less than buying them separately.

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Agreed. Would also be nice if it worked both ways -- if you buy an iPad app, the iPhone app is also available as an in-app purchase.

I also am more willing to pay again if i can see there has been effort put into the iPad app to take advantage of the features and I want them.

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Good example of an app that has been totally redesigned for the iPad is Apigio's ToDo. The iPad app looks and feels like a leather desktop planner. Sure, the look doesn't affect the function, but it just feels so much nicer to use. So despite the shared name, it's a completely new app from the iPhone version, and that, I totally don't mind paying for.

Just food for thought, I bought Lets Golf 2 for the iPhone and its retina display ready...it displays on the iPad infinitely better than older apps that are just set for the standard 3GS screen. Its not nearly as pixelated or as awful as apps looked before the release of the retina screen. Food for thought anyway.

jediistar said:

Just food for thought, I bought Lets Golf 2 for the iPhone and its retina display ready...it displays on the iPad infinitely better than older apps that are just set for the standard 3GS screen. Its not nearly as pixelated or as awful as apps looked before the release of the retina screen. Food for thought anyway.

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I wondered if they would look better on the iPad than others... i may have to go see what i have updates pending for and see how much better they are - if at all.

I have 289 Apps 25 Universal, 255 iPhone, 9 iPad, Sad thing, one example is this great "Things" App 10$ for iPhone, i think 25$ for iPad and 50$ for Mac, that really hurts

TraceyS/FL said:

**slight hijack**

I would be interested in MedMem in universal form, with some way to sync between multiple devices. I could see it being helpful when my daughter goes between her Dad's house and mine and I could know where she got her shot, and what times she took her other meds. I'd probably have to send her with a Touch and then have it sync back to my iPad when she got here.

I wonder if my mom saw it when she was looking for Med tracking software for my dad? I'll ask!

Can you show me a screen shot showing the dosage entry??


On Topic - i've been disappointed in the lack of universal apps. We own 3 Touches and 2 iPads and each is used throughout the day for various things, I think long and hard about buying Apps for the iPad because money is tight, rarely are we buying frivolous Apps twice, just productivity ones.

Click to expand...

Sure, here's a MedMem screenshot.



I will be working on a universal binary, local notifications (ios4), and more

melman101 said:

I will be working on a universal binary, local notifications (ios4), and more

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Thanks. I have some input/questions that I'm sure no one else wants to read, so i'll send you a PM or email thru your website at some point when I pull it all together in my head.

Gee, go get busy!!!

Ok Local LTD v2.0 which is a universal binary has been approved by Apple! Check it out .

Prediction: if they don't find a way to make universal apps, the whole paradigm dies.

One of the paramount drivers of Apple is ease and uncomplicated use. The first hiccup in this came with folders and 'multi-tasking'. These are ancient paradigms that get complicated quickly, which folder did I put it in, is the application running or not?

Now, I download one app, where is it, oh, it was iPad only, okay, Oh, here is one that works on both devices, oh, it only takes half the screen.

These are complicated scenarios for most people. Apple is starting to follow in a space they created. Disappointing.

Now you could pin this on the developers, because there are many universal apps, but then what about all this "Control" we hear about over the Apple Store, where is that?

I love my Apple devices, I'm a developer, I don't have trouble with the above, but USERS do.