Archive for the ‘Announcement’ Category

If you’re interested in getting Distant Suns…

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Make sure to get the right version. There is the iPhone only, and the iPad/Universal variants. The link in the display to the right is the iPhone only version. For the iPad/Universal version go to:

http://itunes.apple.com/app/distant-suns-for-ipad-astronomy/id363418936?mt=8

Why to separate products? Due to many factors, Distant Suns for the iPad is currently a separate product from Distant Suns/iPhone, meaning no free upgrade for the time being. There was a lot of discussion on the boards about the benefits or problems of making apps “universal” (one app that runs on iPhone and iPad) or specific to the device.

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Posted in Announcement | 4 Comments »

Distant Suns now for the iPad

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

If all goes well, Distant Suns will be available for the iPad the day of launch, this coming Saturday. I received the official blessing from Apple yesterday. There is one last hurdle to go through, but I don’t expect any problems.

This will be the sixth platform Distant Suns has been on. Click on each picture to get a better view.

Orion looking up with detailsCygnus 2 with star prefsSun and MoonWhat's Up?

Posted in Announcement | 2 Comments »

Why the iPhone?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

It’s no secret that the iPhone has become a phenomenally successful development target among both seasoned professional engineers, and midnight hobbyist fanboys alike. Some of the most interesting and innovative mobile apps are delivered regularly, courtesy of the Appstore, and are just as likely to be developed by one guy after work with a six-pack of Mountain Dew as a large and well-financed software studio.

As a result, ever since that memorable summer day, back in August of aught-7 when the first iPhone hack was announced, the iPhone/iPod app scene has really become nothing short of a worldwide phenomenon.

When I started the Distant Suns port,(what? Another shameless plug?), it was very cool to say to people with an air of superiority “Oh, me? I’m just doing some iPhone stuff.” I would then pause for the genuflections and the bombarding of flashes from the paparazzi. Nowadays the response is more like “so, who isn’t?”

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Posted in Announcement, Essay | 3 Comments »