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Readdle Adds Cross-App Drag and Drop Functionality to Documents, PDF Expert, Scanner Pro and Spark on iPad

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Readdle is today updating several of its apps with a unique drag and drop function that works in Split View mode on compatible iPad models.

With the drag and drop feature, files can be dragged between Readdle apps for quick file transfers between documents. Drag and drop is being added to Scanner Pro, PDF Expert, Spark, and Documents.


Drag and drop is limited to Readdle apps and it only works with Split View on the iPad, but it introduces a simple and intuitive file transfer feature that many hope Apple will add to iOS in the future. According to Readdle, there are dozens of ways for its apps to interact with the drag and drop function, with some examples listed below:
- Quickly attach scans and files to emails (Scanner Pro + Spark)
- Intuitively copy files from one app to another (Scanner Pro + PDF Expert)
- Easily sign and edit document attachments and send them back (Spark + PDF Expert)
- Attach multiple files to email from various sources (Spark + Documents)
Click to expand...
In addition to introducing the drag and drop feature across its apps, Readdle is also introducing an update to its PDF reader and file manager, Documents.

Documents 6 features a redesigned interface with new quick actions, simpler import options, a new media player, and cloud-based editing options.


All of Readdle's apps are available from the App Store, with links and prices below.
[*]Spark (Free) [Direct Link]
[*]Documents 6 (Free) [Direct Link]
[*]Scanner Pro ($3.99) [Direct Link]
[*]PDF Expert 6 ($9.99) [Direct Link]

Article Link: Readdle Adds Cross-App Drag and Drop Functionality to Documents, PDF Expert, Scanner Pro and Spark on iPad
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/25/readdle-cross-app-drag-drop/
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I'm sorry, but wtf!? Why can Readdle do this but no other developer nor Apple can? I was under the impression that this was an iOS limitation and each window in split view could not interact with the other one. I hope iOS 11 brings this natively. Shoutout to Readdle though, this looks awesome.
 
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yanksfan114 said:
I'm sorry, but wtf!? Why can Readdle do this but no other developer nor Apple can? I was under the impression that this was an iOS limitation and each window in split view could not interact with the other one. I hope iOS 11 brings this natively. Shoutout to Readdle though, this looks awesome.
Click to expand...
Same. I'm WTFing all over the place right now. How is this possible?!?? I thought apps were sandboxed.

I've thought about it for a few minutes. I wonder if when they initiate the drag, it copies some special code into the clipboard, and then when the app detects a finger sliding in from the side, it quickly checks the contents of the clipboard, and initializes an object based on that code, and continues the drag as though it were one continuous, smooth motion? That's a pretty neat programming trick, and would have to be really optimized to work so fluidly.
 
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This is huge. Well done Readdle.

Hope it's not a violation of app store rules. Maybe they're triggering a 'Share to <any Readdle app>' procedure when the file hits the side of the app in spilt screen mode and then the other app receives the message that a file has been shared with it.

Anyway. Good stuff!
 
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macduke said:
Same. I'm WTFing all over the place right now. How is this possible?!?? I thought apps were sandboxed.
Click to expand...

Sandboxing doesn't automatically mean it will block all types of input, there are some ways to loosen it up as long as the devs permit it. It's opt-in.

Devs can always move files between apps they own, that's not prevented. You can create app groups for apps to be able to access a specific data container: https://developer.apple.com/library...uide/AppSandboxInDepth/AppSandboxInDepth.html
  • App group container directories. A sandboxed app can specify an entitlement that gives it access to one or more app group container directories, each of which is shared among all apps with that entitlement.

Most likely this is an ingenius method of detecting when you drag a file, move to the shared container and copy some data to the clipboard, so other app can know which file you're dragging and work from the shared container.
 
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MikhailT said:
Sandboxing doesn't block this type of input, that's not what it means. First of all, if we go by your thinking that sandboxing would block this, then your own keyboard/mouse would never work in any apps.

You can always move files between apps you own, that's not prevented. You can create app groups for apps to be able to access a specific data cointainer: https://developer.apple.com/library...uide/AppSandboxInDepth/AppSandboxInDepth.html
  • App group container directories. A sandboxed app can specify an entitlement that gives it access to one or more app group container directories, each of which is shared among all apps with that entitlement.

Most likely this is an ingenius method of detecting when you drag a file, move to the shared container and copy some data to the clipboard, so other app can know which file you're dragging and work from the shared caontiner.
Click to expand...
Hah, I literally just updated my post saying something similar. Had to think through it for a minute. Interesting to know about the app group containers. I do the design work so I don't get into the development of our app, but we only have one right now and I don't expect that to change any time soon.

Also, if it's clipboard based, I wonder if an open source type of object bundle protocol could be established and agreed upon between major developers to handle something like this? Apps could then check on that edge slide gesture for clipboard contents, and if that bundle is standardized, they could move data around pretty easily. However, I suspect Apple is probably working on something like this for iOS 11. We'll know soon!
 
Apparently the apps create a local web server to communicate then uses the clipboard when the drag is initiated.
Very clever way to do what should be a system level api.
Would be amazing if they open source the library...
 
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You missed the "WITHIN ITS OWN APPS" part. Still can't do it with all and any apps.
Many apps have access to other apps in read-only. Ex.: Facebook accessing your contacts.
You can also exchange documents like PDF by "sending" the document to other apps when the app allows it. Ex: Scanner Pro to iBooks.
Or you save/send the document to a cloud system like iCloud Drive or Dropbox and the other app gets it from there (again when allowed).
Full file exchange will not happen with iOS… ever. That why it's safe and secure!
 
Wish I could get Readdle's Documents to work with my pc. File Browser app works fine connecting to my \\bear-killer pc and \\Steveimac.local imac - I think File Browser went out onto my network and found the machines then let me login. Readdle's Documents? Not so much. Love Readdle's PDF expert and Calendar.
 
yanksfan114 said:
I'm sorry, but wtf!? Why can Readdle do this but no other developer nor Apple can? I was under the impression that this was an iOS limitation and each window in split view could not interact with the other one. I hope iOS 11 brings this natively. Shoutout to Readdle though, this looks awesome.
Click to expand...
Exactly!!!!!! A few days ago I saw an iOS 11 wish list video for this!!!! Come on!!!! I think this should have been highlighted in the developer conference when it debuted!!! Damn that's awesome!
 
At various times in the past the Readdle apps have been listed as "Free App of the Week" and I have been able to acquire them. i utilize Pro Scanner and Documents a lot for when I am putting together travel expense reports. The drag-and-drop are a nice additional feature.
 
Readdle's apps are addictive because they're solid and designed well. Once you try one you want to use them all. So glad to see this as a major reason to use their apps. Fantastic work Readdle devs!
 
macduke said:
Same. I'm WTFing all over the place right now. How is this possible?!?? I thought apps were sandboxed.

I've thought about it for a few minutes. I wonder if when they initiate the drag, it copies some special code into the clipboard, and then when the app detects a finger sliding in from the side, it quickly checks the contents of the clipboard, and initializes an object based on that code, and continues the drag as though it were one continuous, smooth motion? That's a pretty neat programming trick, and would have to be really optimized to work so fluidly.
Click to expand...

Apps are not sandboxed if they are from the same developer and code signed by the same certificate, no?
[doublepost=1495760386][/doublepost]Here we can see a business rule, when your customers love you, the odds of succeeding is significantly higher.
 
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