July 7th Deadline???

[bigbigbob]

I was looking on macrumors and saw where the deadline to be include in the app store for the launch was July 7. Any chance we will be seeing isilo on the app store on launch day??? :):):) I can hardly wait anymore! Once iSilo is on my iPhone I can finally put down my Palm TX!

[iSilo]

We are working very hard to make the deadline.

[bigbigbob]

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME :D:D:D

Can you give us any details about how we will be able to put documents on the iPhone? I saw in a previous post that this was still a concern.

[iSilo]

Since the iPhone/iPod touch does not have user accessible general file transfer capabilities, you will need to download documents from a web server. So if you have any documents you want to view, you would need to first place them on a web server. Then from iSilo on your iPhone/iPod touch, you would need to download them one by one to your device. That is what we plan to have available for the initial version. A future update will likely provide simplified functionality to download multiple documents at once.

[babyhemi]

We are working very hard to make the deadline.

Thank you so much!! Please, I hope, I hope... :D

[Ismenio]

Hello admin,

Please keep us updated on the progress. And, just as a suggestion, I imagine this is newsworthy enough to warrant a note on the main page (or a What's New section) of the iSilo site.

Again, this is very exciting news and I believe this is going to be big! :D

Kind regards,

Ismenio

[iSilo]

We had encountered numerous problems in submitting iSilo to the App Store, but we finally got it submitted a little while ago. It is now under review by Apple and will likely be several days before we know whether it will appear on the App Store when it launches.

[babyhemi]

We had encountered numerous problems in submitting iSilo to the App Store, but we finally got it submitted a little while ago. It is now under review by Apple and will likely be several days before we know whether it will appear on the App Store when it launches.

GREAT!! :D Thank you all for your hard work! Do you think there will be any problem regarding Apple accepting iSilo? Several days?? Why so? I hope they know that there is a lot of ones wanting it with their Iphone.

[iSilo]

They have not specified how many days it will take, but word is that it has been taking at least several days. Most likely they are swamped with reviewing applications and getting ready for the App Store launch. They have not specified, but they probably want to do some testing on the submitted applications to make sure they are of high quality and do not crash or do any other things that might make the iPhone and the idea of third party applications on the device look bad. That's all we can say.

[bigbigbob]

All of this is such Great News! :D:D:D I can hardly wait to sell my Palm TX! But now I'm curious... No, now I'm just gonna be greedy.... Does this mean a Mac Version of iSilo is just around the corner???

[patrickwest]

Does this mean a Mac Version of iSilo is just around the corner???

I'd like to second the question. In the Past the only desktop supported has been Windows.

Also with a number of these new book readers having Linux under the hood, as does the MAC and I assume the iPhone and Ipod Touch, is there any chance we will see a version of iSilo for the Sony readers or for Amazon's Kindle?

patrick

[iSilo]

Though we can not comment at this time as to what the next new platform version of iSilo will be, at this point a version for Mac OS X is more likely than for any of the dedicated e-book reader platforms.

[bigbigbob]

Update...

The app store is up on iTunes this morning and it looks like there are more than 500 apps up already (including a variety of ebooks). iSilo is not listed there yet, but we know it just a matter of time. As for the Mac version of iSilo, I would love to see it happen! I actually use my Windows desktop version of iSilo as much as my Palm version. Once again I want to thank for your hard work to get this application ready for the iPhone.

[iriequicksigns]

What will the price be on iTunes?

[anmldr]

Wooo Hooooo!
I have always said that iSilo is the best application and the most useful ever written for PDAs.

I have purchased several copies of iSilo over the years since I have had several Palms and Pocket PCs (and Windows Mobile devices).

The minute that I know that the iPhone version is available, I will purchase yet another copy of iSilo. It is WELL worth the price for this application.

Linda

[greenrocks]

Is your application approved by AppStore? :confused: If so, then I will wait patiently until iSilo appears there. By then, I will by no means buy it right away! :)

[epiekarc]

I have been waiting a long time for iSilo for iPhone. Hopefully we get it soon.

[anmldr]

Since the iPhone/iPod touch does not have user accessible general file transfer capabilities, you will need to download documents from a web server. So if you have any documents you want to view, you would need to first place them on a web server. Then from iSilo on your iPhone/iPod touch, you would need to download them one by one to your device. That is what we plan to have available for the initial version. A future update will likely provide simplified functionality to download multiple documents at once.

By this do you mean one HTML page or all of the linked pages in an eBook?

Linda

[iSilo]

It means one .pdb at a time.

[varun]

They have not specified how many days it will take, but word is that it has been taking at least several days. Most likely they are swamped with reviewing applications and getting ready for the App Store launch. They have not specified, but they probably want to do some testing on the submitted applications to make sure they are of high quality and do not crash or do any other things that might make the iPhone and the idea of third party applications on the device look bad. That's all we can say.

Following iPhone app might be the solution for this problem:

FileMagnet. One of the frustrating things about the iPhone is that it has no easy way for users to transfer files from their computers and store them on the phone, even though it is capable of viewing many types of files. FileMagnet, which costs $5, places a small program on your computer, and then wirelessly transfers any files you drag into it to the FileMagnet program on the phone. It works with Microsoft Word files, PDF files, images and more. Biggest downsides: it only works on Macs, but I’d bet a similar Windows program will come along soon.

[justme]

Following iPhone app might be the solution for this problem:

FileMagnet. One of the frustrating things about the iPhone is that it has no easy way for users to transfer files from their computers and store them on the phone, even though it is capable of viewing many types of files. FileMagnet, which costs $5, places a small program on your computer, and then wirelessly transfers any files you drag into it to the FileMagnet program on the phone. It works with Microsoft Word files, PDF files, images and more. Biggest downsides: it only works on Macs, but I’d bet a similar Windows program will come along soon.

Dear iSilo,

Did you look into this one? It's on the iTunes app store, so should be acceptable by Apple?!

Since I don't know how to (or if you even can?) link to the app in iTunes here's a link to their website and the app in question:
http://www.magnetismstudios.com/FileMagnet

[EDIT] This should access the app in iTunes directly http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284797161&mt=8

[iSilo]

We have not looked into the specific details of FileMagnet, but the way Apple set up the security on the iPhone for third party applications is that each application is sandboxed so that it can only access files in its own documents directory. So the FileMagnet program probably saves the files to its own documents directory and uses the Safari or other built-in controls for viewing the transferred files. Another third-party application would not have the ability to access the files in FileMagnet's documents directory.

[varun]

We have not looked into the specific details of FileMagnet, but the way Apple set up the security on the iPhone for third party applications is that each application is sandboxed so that it can only access files in its own documents directory. So the FileMagnet program probably saves the files to its own documents directory and uses the Safari or other built-in controls for viewing the transferred files. Another third-party application would not have the ability to access the files in FileMagnet's documents directory.

Another possibility: DataCase by Veiosoft
http://www.veiosoft.com/

If iPhone does not allow 3rd party file access then iSilo should be able to develop its own file transfer utility along the lines of FileMagnet or DataCase. BTW, is iSilo on iTunes apps yet?

[EDIT] Like Veiosoft, iSilo team might want to make use of Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) and/or Bonjour, so that iPhone (iSilo sandbox) appears as a Mac volume to allow for simple drag-and-drop for iSilo document files.

[iSilo]

The status of iSilo is that Apple still has it under review, so it is not yet on the iTunes App Store.

For those of you wanting to get a preview of what iSilo will look like on the iPhone/iPod touch, go to the iSilo website (http://www.iSilo.com), click information, click screen shots, then click iPod touch. Click here (http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/touch/index.htm) for the direct link to the screenshots.

[bigbigbob]

Another possibility: DataCase by Veiosoft
http://www.veiosoft.com/

If iPhone does not allow 3rd party file access then iSilo should be able to develop its own file transfer utility along the lines of FileMagnet or DataCase. BTW, is iSilo on iTunes apps yet?

[EDIT] Like Veiosoft, iSilo team might want to make use of Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) and/or Bonjour, so that iPhone (iSilo sandbox) appears as a Mac volume to allow for simple drag-and-drop for iSilo document files.

:eek: Now that would truly be awesome. Do you guys know if this is possible? I would definitely being willing to pay more for this feature!

[esower]

FYI File Magnet for the iPhone (a 3rd party app) uses WiFi to move files to the phone and manage them.

http://magnetismstudios.com/FileMagnet/

Also, what about FTP?

Enoch

[bigbigbob]

Any word back from Apple yet? I keep looking for iSilo everyday on the app store and still nothing. Have you guys received any updated info?

[varun]

The status of iSilo is that Apple still has it under review, so it is not yet on the iTunes App Store.

For those of you wanting to get a preview of what iSilo will look like on the iPhone/iPod touch, go to the iSilo website (http://www.iSilo.com), click information, click screen shots, then click iPod touch. Click here (http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/touch/index.htm) for the direct link to the screenshots.

Are you going to support following for iPhone version of iSilo:

- auto-rotate to landscape mode when iphone is turned sideways
- multi-touch to zoom in and out in the document (pinching etc)
- finger scroll through the document
- how would copy/paste work?

[FSRGuy]

Awesome! I'm excited about iSolo for iPhone. Any word from the App Store yet? :)

[iSilo]

Are you going to support following for iPhone version of iSilo:

- auto-rotate to landscape mode when iphone is turned sideways
- multi-touch to zoom in and out in the document (pinching etc)
- finger scroll through the document
- how would copy/paste work?

There will be auto-rotate and finger scroll.

There will not be multi-touch zoom in/out in the initial version, but we are looking into that for a future update.

The iPhone platform does not have a system clipboard, so there is no copy/paste. When Apple does add copy/paste functional to the iPhone OS, then we will look into supporting it.

[iSilo]

Awesome! I'm excited about iSolo for iPhone. Any word from the App Store yet? :)Unfortunately Apple is not providing any status feedback to developers and they are not responding to emails on the subject, so right now, there is no way to tell what is going on internally within Apple with regard to applications in review.

[Ismenio]

Just a thought. Apple does welcome feedback on products so I just left a note using their feedback page for the iPhone:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

I basically asked them to speed up the review/approval process since that is a very important app for me and I also mentioned that quite a number of current iSilo users are eagerly awaiting this release. Not sure if that will make a difference but since a lot of us want to see its release, I think that if they get a lot of request on a same application that could change things. After all, Apple will get 30% of the sales, right ;)

Ismenio

[priscbean]

i'm sooooo excited for isilo for iphone to come. i too sent a request to apple on expediting the approval process and will check back frequently to see if it's come out yet. YAY!! i also saw the link on the home page for the isilo for iphone manual and got prematurely excited thinking that meant it was available. I was wrong, the wait continues.

[justme]

Unfortunately Apple is not providing any status feedback to developers and they are not responding to emails on the subject, so right now, there is no way to tell what is going on internally within Apple with regard to applications in review.

I noticed this today:

"Please note that a WiFi network is required to transfer books between your device and you computer. No internet connection is required once books are transferred"

Direct link to iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284934036&mt=8

http://www.iphonebookshelf.com/

Since this is an approved (in the iTunes APP store) it appears like they have a solution that works for both Apple, the vendor and the user!

[Jlczl]

I just went to the Apple feedback site and requested expedited approval process as well. I'm really looking forward to iSilo on the iPhone!

[Magnizs]

sent my request to appple to expedite the release of isilo in the appstore now fingers crossed

[Pride Of Lions]

I just sent feedback. I hope they get it together on their end. The other options are not usable like iSilo is.

[justme]

I just went to the Apple feedback site and requested expedited approval process as well. I'm really looking forward to iSilo on the iPhone!

Where and how does this feedback work?

[Ismenio]

The idea is to "tell Apple what you think". Criticism, suggestions, request for features, etc. A suggestion box, if you will.

Since there's someone on that end, reading these, maybe, just maybe, if they get enough requests from people asking for iSilo on the iPhone, that will catch someone's attention.

We don't know if that will works or how the whole process (the review/approval of apps) works but I think it's best than just sitting and waiting ;)

Best regards,

Ismenio

[patrickwest]

We don't know if that will works or how the whole process (the review/approval of apps) works but I think it's best than just sitting and waiting ;)

Perhaps, unless they think you are iSilo staff.

Or their tracking system only sets up alert flags without content ratings. Automated systems tend to to that type of thing.

If that is the case it would bump iSilo from the review process to allow a human time to review the comments and time to assemble a list of concerns to be passed to the review team for inclusion in their testing of the software.

This could slow down the release of iSilo to the App Store.

[appstore1]

lots of apps appeared in appstore today..Unfortunately, Still no isilo. Did it get rejected by Apple? I got update on 2 applications. On the app website, developer indicated that the update was submitted on 7/15, and the other on 7/13.

If isilo was submitted on 7/7 as indicated, then it should have appeared!

Can't wait!

[iSilo]

The status still shows that iSilo is in review and there is no additional word from Apple.

[djones]

As I assume that iSilo for iPhone will not be a free application, has Apple even completed the setup of your paid application contract? A lot of developers have applications stuck in the pipe waiting for that step to complete before the application under review gets released to the store.

[Ryan]

Perhaps they have an issue with the way documents are loaded. I don't know how closely they look at it, but the webserver thing may not be a solution they like. Honestly it sounds beyond the average user. I haven't tried bookshelf yet but it only mentionsa wifi network as a requisite to download ebooks.

[iSilo]

As I assume that iSilo for iPhone will not be a free application, has Apple even completed the setup of your paid application contract? A lot of developers have applications stuck in the pipe waiting for that step to complete before the application under review gets released to the store.All necessary contracts were completely executed successfully long ago. iSilo is just stuck in Apple's review process.

[iSilo]

Perhaps they have an issue with the way documents are loaded. I don't know how closely they look at it, but the webserver thing may not be a solution they like. Honestly it sounds beyond the average user. I haven't tried bookshelf yet but it only mentionsa wifi network as a requisite to download ebooks.We doubt they would have an issue with the way documents are loaded if you compare it with bookshelf, which we haven't tried either. Downloading from a web server was the best and easiest solution for the initial version. Essentially the download utilizes the built-in capabilities of the iPhone OS Safari browser, so it minimized the amount of work we had to do to implement our own file transfer mechanism. But if Apple does have a problem with it, we are hoping they will let us know. We have not received any feedback (not even a quip) from them yet.

We won't argue the merits of one mechanism over another as we didn't have the time to implement a full scale file transfer solution in this initial version. But the bookshelf mechanism does not seem that much better if any, since it requires the additional installation of a JVM on your machine and their Java-based file transfer program. So if you take that into consideration, then with iSilo, all you need is wifi too.

Many users do not convert their own documents, but rather get them from publishers, so it makes it easier for publishers to just provide a direct download from their website. Those users can simply use iSilo to go directly to the publisher's website and download their .pdb files directly to their iPhone/iPod touch devices rather than have to transfer to a PC first and then to their device.

For users who have their own .pdb files to transfer to the device, they can upload them to a publicly available storage server on the web, such as Yahoo! Briefcase, and then download from there to their device. There is an article on the iSilo.com website demonstrating how to transfer files to iSilo for iPhone OS (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/TransferFileIP/TransferFileIP.htm), using the free Yahoo! Briefcase as the example server.

[anmldr]

Is copy/paste available in iSilo on the iPhone :-)

I can certainly do without it but if it IS available, this alone is something that you should advertise. It will sell a gazillion copies of iSilo for you since copy/paste is otherwise not available on the iPhone.

Linda

[appstore1]

they have already published 13 tips-calculating apps, 5 flashlight apps and even 1 girlfriend caller app - but still no isilo --

what kind idiots did apple hire to review the apps?

isilo - may be you should seriously consider CYDIA - if you do, I will be the first one to send in my donation.

[djones]

they have already published 13 tips-calculating apps, 5 flashlight apps and even 1 girlfriend caller app - but still no isilo --

what kind idiots did apple hire to review the apps?

I for one do not envy anyone on the team at Apple given this task. Reviewing a third-party developer's application is an excruciating process, and they'd have some serious legal trouble if they started playing favorites by fast-tracking certain companies. If you're going to be mad at anybody, be mad at the developers of the aforementioned "me too" apps, or the developer distributing tons of Project Guttenberg books as separate apps.

[iSilo]

Is copy/paste available in iSilo on the iPhone :-)

I can certainly do without it but if it IS available, this alone is something that you should advertise. It will sell a gazillion copies of iSilo for you since copy/paste is otherwise not available on the iPhone.

LindaThe current version of the iPhone OS does not have copy/paste functionality. In other words, there is no system clipboard and due to the tight sandboxing of applications, there is no way that a third party application could provide a system clipboard. But rumor is that copy and paste may be in a future update to the iPhone OS, at which point, we will look into supporting it.

[justme]

Funny how Apple is "taking their time" with the approval of iSilo when it appears someone was quick to the click the "green button" on this one...only to hit the red button later!

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/31/tether-your-iphone-wirelessly-maybe/

[appstore1]

by not having a download mechanism, may be and just may be, apple considers this to be "tethering".

otherwise, why would an app submitted on 7/7 is still not on app store???

[justme]

by not having a download mechanism, may be and just may be, apple considers this to be "tethering".

otherwise, why would an app submitted on 7/7 is still not on app store???

If you READ ALL (once more? :)) the info in the blog post you will notice that a) it WAS (suprisingly) in the APP store. B) Update states it was removed.

I too never saw it in the store but it surely was there!

[justme]

by not having a download mechanism, may be and just may be, apple considers this to be "tethering".

otherwise, why would an app submitted on 7/7 is still not on app store???


...or wait you're talking about the iSilo being considering by Apple as tethering? I believe there's another ebook reader(s?) on the app store already wonder how they do the transfer?

[flipperg]

If I was to guess, the delay probably has to do with security. From what isilo admin described, Apple probably has some concerns about the possible security hole that a website download implies. Someone could potentially post malicious code that would be downloaded and "ran" through isilo whether through a buffer overrun or some inherent properties of the prc/pdb file structure.

Not that there is any risk, but it probably got flagged for something along those lines and that's what's delaying the release.

The other apps "appear" to have a more controlled download mechanism (at least maybe from Apple's view).

Anyway it's all conjecture on my part, but since we're sharing...

Btw, I too wish there was a special # I could call to 'make it happen!'

My 2 cents,

Flipper

[justme]

If I was to guess, the delay probably has to do with security. From what isilo admin described, Apple probably has some concerns about the possible security hole that a website download implies. Someone could potentially post malicious code that would be downloaded and "ran" through isilo whether through a buffer overrun or some inherent properties of the prc/pdb file structure.

Not that there is any risk, but it probably got flagged for something along those lines and that's what's delaying the release.


Yes exactly why I posted the tethering APP, and how ironic it is that *it* made it into the APP store, as by Apple's (not to mention AT&T's) view on tethering with the iPhone should do nothing but raise flags around this tethering app :) but it made it into the store, even though only for a while :)

[smilryboy]

Its still there

[appstore1]

Hi, isilo,

If you have not heard from Apple, then what about upload a free demo version of iSilo to app store under a new name, something like isiloLite?? you can limit the number of book per device to say 2. You may be able to get this version on Appstore - incase Apple lost/screwed up your first version.

I bet you are frustrated as hell - seeing developers out there pulling down $3K a day for an app that sells for $5.

Just a thought...

[djones]

A free application will not make it through the screening any faster than a commercial app. And I seriously doubt that Apple "lost" or "screwed up" the submission.

[Jlczl]

Seems to me that it could be possible they "misplaced" or "messed up" this VERY important app to most of us. Afterall, the original deadline was the 7th, a mere 4 days before the app store was to open. That tells me they expected apps would only take a few days to approve, not a month (almost)!

[djones]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The app is VERY important to us...in this thread. Outside of this small and for the most part inactive community, there is zero clamor or even discussion of this application. I too have a need for a particular document only available to me in iSilo format, and was kind of surprised to find out that it was not the ubiquitous app and format that I thought it was. I led myself to believe this of course, because of wrongly extrapolating my needs as being indicative of most people.

Just the difficulty of finding any discussion of iSilo on the iPhone at all is testament to the fact that our need is niche. I mean, honestly, on the official site's forums for iPhone/iPod Touch there are a total of 4 threads that have had activity in the past 30 days. I love the iSilo team to death for filling this niche need that I have, and will happily drop the coin for it when it surfaces from the quagmire of submissions Apple is crawling through, but the world at large has no idea we exist.

[babyhemi]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The app is VERY important to us...in this thread. Outside of this small and for the most part inactive community, there is zero clamor or even discussion of this application. I too have a need for a particular document only available to me in iSilo format, and was kind of surprised to find out that it was not the ubiquitous app and format that I thought it was. I led myself to believe this of course, because of wrongly extrapolating my needs as being indicative of most people.

Just the difficulty of finding any discussion of iSilo on the iPhone at all is testament to the fact that our need is niche. I mean, honestly, on the official site's forums for iPhone/iPod Touch there are a total of 4 threads that have had activity in the past 30 days. I love the iSilo team to death for filling this niche need that I have, and will happily drop the coin for it when it surfaces from the quagmire of submissions Apple is crawling through, but the world at large has no idea we exist.

True this will not be an earth shaking release for the app's store, but there is much, much more interest than you may think for the this release. Once it comes out I know of many even personally that will buy iSilo for iPhone, and I know of still others that will not even buy an iPhone until iSilo is released. This I feel will do ok as to sales on the app's store. My 2 cents.

[justme]

Its still there

What is still where? :confused:

[Magnizs]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The app is VERY important to us...in this thread. Outside of this small and for the most part inactive community, there is zero clamor or even discussion of this application. I too have a need for a particular document only available to me in iSilo format, and was kind of surprised to find out that it was not the ubiquitous app and format that I thought it was. I led myself to believe this of course, because of wrongly extrapolating my needs as being indicative of most people.

Just the difficulty of finding any discussion of iSilo on the iPhone at all is testament to the fact that our need is niche. I mean, honestly, on the official site's forums for iPhone/iPod Touch there are a total of 4 threads that have had activity in the past 30 days. I love the iSilo team to death for filling this niche need that I have, and will happily drop the coin for it when it surfaces from the quagmire of submissions Apple is crawling through, but the world at large has no idea we exist.
There are several dumb apps there - light saber, alarm? c'mon, we may not be many but we are looking for something useful.

[justme]

There are several dumb apps there - light saber, alarm? c'mon, we may not be many but we are looking for something useful.

It would appear that Apple is mainly concerned about if the applications meet their requirements, and do not open up any "loop holes" in their policies.
Aside from that there seems to very little requirements to quality or usefulness of the applications.

[PartsGeek]

Once Isilo does show up in the App Store... does anyone know how larger files
(150mb or larger) could be loaded to the iphone? Yahoo breifcase only allows for smaller files.

[justme]

Once Isilo does show up in the App Store... does anyone know how larger files
(150mb or larger) could be loaded to the iphone? Yahoo breifcase only allows for smaller files.

I'd say iSilo's support of technical issues/questions have been great in the past on other platforms, so I'm sure iSilo will have the answer to this too once the app is available.

[justme]

I believe this was already posted in here but I for one had missed it so maybe someone else had too, the screenshots :)

http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/touch/index.htm

[justme]

Seems to be a lot of confusion on Apple's end around the app store!? :confused:

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/04/the-netshare-debacle-apple-explain-yourself/

[frankie4life]

Apple really does have some issues with the App Store but what did we expect with a new product? I would not want to be in Apple's shoes right now, I can just imagine the pressure they are under.

Anyway, it seems that many people are caught in this wait and see limbo not just iSilo users. All we really need to know is that the creators of iSilo are behind the iPhone platform and will get a version to us sometime.

I for one can wait even though it is killing me . . . :)

Frankie Wellman

[flipperg]

Based on the tuaw article linked above, the issue may be related to automated email systems. Could this have happened to isilo? Is there any other way the isilo team could attempt to communicate with Apple?

Flipper

[iSilo]

Yesterday, we attempted to contact Apple again through a different channel and this time we got a response through our voicemail. The preliminary information that we have from that voicemail is that on July 25, Apple apparently sent an email notifying us that iSilo was rejected for various reasons. Those reasons were not stated in the voicemail. We looked through our spam logs and did not find any email from Apple from July 25 or any other recent date, so it may be an issue related to their automated systems. We have returned their call and left a message because we got their voicemail, so we are playing a bit of phone tag. But when we have more information, we will let you all know here.

Thank you all for your patience as we try to get iSilo on the iPhone/iPod touch.

[appstore1]

cause of rejection is very likely to be "download File via URL" mechanism that you described. I installed an app from CYDIA will similar download mechanism on my jailbroken iphone, and I was able to navigate all over the iphone file system.

[Blackpanther]

Will isilo be coming to the iphone/touch? Im going into my third year of medical studies and I have touch and would like to use it. No better pda out there IMO other than being held under dictatorship by apple with software.

Im thinking about buying an ipaq 210, but it has issues. The touch would be much better.

There is a new program called files. Looks pretty good. Maybe you can transfer files like they do. Easier said than done by a noob!!

PLEASE BRING ISILO TO THE IPHONE. I lurk in this forum every day waiting and praying!!

[iSilo]

We now believe that it is possible that Apple simply lost iSilo in the ether all this time because on iTunes Connect, which is the portal through which developers submit their applications and check on status, the status of iSilo has been "In Review" all this time up until sometime within the last several hours, during which the status of iSilo on the portal changed to "Rejected".

We had not gotten a return call to our voicemail earlier today, so later in the day, we decided to call Apple again and left a voicemail asking them to resend the rejection email that was supposedly sent on July 25. A couple of hours later, we received an email message detailing the rejection of iSilo. The fact that we just received that message, which was presumably sent back on July 25, and the fact that the status of iSilo on the portal only just today changed from "In Review" to "Rejected" are the reasons that point to iSilo being lost at Apple.

The rejection email basically only lists issues related to the user interface. In particular, Apple did not like the Menu system and Toolbar implementation. We will need to rework how things work to be more in the "nature of iPhone applications", as they say. It will likely take one to two weeks to rework everything and then resubmit. We do not know how thoroughly Apple tested iSilo's functionality, but hopefully the user interface issues they mentioned are the only issues they are concerned about when we resubmit iSilo, and thus hopefully, the next submission will go through speedily without problems.

We apologize that all this is taking so long. Thank you all for hanging in there.

[Blackpanther]

Hi,

Will we be able to store many pdb files on the iphone/touch?

Would it be possible to get full screen of the pdb files (the menu bars can be hidden)?

Any thoughts if I should just give up on my ipod touch and get an ipaq 210? I dont feel like jailbreaking either.

[iSilo]

Will we be able to store many pdb files on the iphone/touch?As many as will fit in the storage memory of the device.

Would it be possible to get full screen of the pdb files (the menu bars can be hidden)?Yes.

Any thoughts if I should just give up on my ipod touch and get an ipaq 210? I dont feel like jailbreaking either.If you like the iPod touch, you should probably just keep it.

[since1984]

I must say that the wait is killing. I am checking this forum everyday for any development.

I appreciate the time iSilo administrators are taking to respond to our questions and to keep us up-to-date.

Thank you iSilo.

[justme]

The rejection email basically only lists issues related to the user interface. In particular, Apple did not like the Menu system and Toolbar implementation. We will need to rework how things work to be more in the "nature of iPhone applications", as they say. It will likely take one to two weeks to rework everything and then resubmit. We do not know how thoroughly Apple tested iSilo's functionality, but hopefully the user interface issues they mentioned are the only issues they are concerned about when we resubmit iSilo, and thus hopefully, the next submission will go through speedily without problems.

We apologize that all this is taking so long. Thank you all for hanging in there.


Let's hope that they *did* indeed look "beyond" the UI and did not see/find anything else they are not approving of. As such I'd say this actually sounds like "good news" as it doesn't sound at this point like if was rejected because of something that would be hard (impossible?) to change, such as the ability (need) to get files (.pdb) onto the device.

Either way thank you for all these updates and efforts, hopefully our continuos posting and following this thread has assisted in getting this thing resolved, at the same time as it is clearly indicating that we are all in great anticipation of iSilo for the Apple devices, yet waiting patiently :)

[justme]

Hi,
Any thoughts if I should just give up on my ipod touch and get an ipaq 210? I dont feel like jailbreaking either.

Depends upon what you got the iPod touch for? If you got it mainly for iSilo (and not going to use the other apps or iPod functions/features) you might be better off with the iPaq (is iSilo working fine on the new iPaqs?), as iSilo has been working just fine on several generations and versions of Windows mobile/CE platforms.

As for jailbreaking I'm not sure what you mean by that? These apps (including the upcoming iSilo for iPhone/iPod touch) are being installed over iTunes, without any jailbreaking needed! It's all 100% legit in accordance with the Apple rules and policies (hence the wait!! :))

[Blackpanther]

I do like the Ipod touch, but I dont like the restrictions that apple has. I want to be free to do as I please.

Apple likes to keep you by the b$%%&. I stopped using safari on my pc because of this. Im done with them I think. I put the touch on ebay!!

[Loyalty4Life]

Thanks for the updates, iSilo. Keep us informed.

[justme]

I do like the Ipod touch, but I dont like the restrictions that apple has. I want to be free to do as I please.

Apple likes to keep you by the b$%%&. I stopped using safari on my pc because of this. Im done with them I think. I put the touch on ebay!!

Ok well it's your choice, obviously there are ways one can free oneself from some of these strings. How much are you looking to get for it?

[Blackpanther]

Here is the ebay link.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Apple-iPod-touch-16-GB-Like-New-Look-Warranty_W0QQitemZ330259606102QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9 0964QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Magnizs]

We apologize that all this is taking so long. Thank you all for hanging in there.

No need for apologies. We understand.
I'm left speechless that important information to help you speed up the approvals was "lost in the ether" for a long time. If the second review process, takes the same amount of time - Apple needs to do some explaining. Some transparency is required. I think.
'nuff said

[since1984]

Hello everybody,

I have been reading in other websites of the nightmare some developers are going thru with their application being made available, then removed, then made available again that makes my question what kind of business is apple running with the apps.

This is surprising since they are the king on online ecommerce media.

Why are apps so different?

I do understand that they will require some level of consistency and make sure that the apps does not crash the phone, but how long does that take?

I am hoping iSilo goes thru their testing and we have an app that for sure will make happy a lot of people.

[geneyus]

Take note that eReader has already released an iPhone/iPod Touch version and is already available at Apple's App Store.

It uses what I feel is a similar "download via url" feature to get the ebooks into the device.

Check out: http://www.ereader.com/ereader/help/iphonefaq.htm

Since most of my original ebooks were actually iSiloXed from MSWord, HTML, or PDF files, which I still have, theoretically, I can convert them to eReader format so they would be readable in my iPhone. Problem is, eReader Studio, which is iSiloX's counterpart, is shareware & costs USD29.95.

Perhaps if the iSilo team looks at how eReader accomplished the feat, they can get an idea of ensuring Apple's approval. :eek:

[justme]

Perhaps if the iSilo team looks at how eReader accomplished the feat, they can get an idea of ensuring Apple's approval. :eek:

Perhaps "geneyus" would read through this thread to understand what is really going on :)

[mnitsch]

I wait because I have great respect for iSilo. I did leave my Palm device behind in favor of the iPhone and this is the product I miss the most. Hang in there and be patient.

[mnitsch]

I have spent the last couple of days reviewing apps for iPhone and none are "iSilo" like. Obviously, I don't know what the iSilo interface will look like but I trust it will be OK. Others are unacceptable.

[justme]

Obviously, I don't know what the iSilo interface will look like but I trust it will be OK. Others are unacceptable.

Obviously?
From pg 6 of this thread:

I believe this was already posted in here but I for one had missed it so maybe someone else had too, the screenshots :)

http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/touch/index.htm

[dvdmonster]

I'm getting an iPhone and iSilo for it when it comes out, no question about it.

But seriously, the icons on the buttom control bar on in the preliminary screenshots looks like crap. The magnifying glass, cross and arrows looks worse than 8 bit nintendo gfx.

Please spend 5 mins one some nice icons, and allow my iPhone to stay cool :cool:

:p

[justme]

I'm getting an iPhone and iSilo for it when it comes out, no question about it.

But seriously, the icons on the buttom control bar on in the preliminary screenshots looks like crap. The magnifying glass, cross and arrows looks worse than 8 bit nintendo gfx.

Please spend 5 mins one some nice icons, and allow my iPhone to stay cool :cool:

:p

I feel like I am the only one READING the posts on here :)
From Pg 8 of this thread:


The rejection email basically only lists issues related to the user interface. In particular, Apple did not like the Menu system and Toolbar implementation. We will need to rework how things work to be more in the "nature of iPhone applications", as they say. It will likely take one to two weeks to rework everything and then resubmit. We do not know how thoroughly Apple tested iSilo's functionality, but hopefully the user interface issues they mentioned are the only issues they are concerned about when we resubmit iSilo, and thus hopefully, the next submission will go through speedily without problems.

We apologize that all this is taking so long. Thank you all for hanging in there.

[dvdmonster]

So true. :o

Well, I did read the post, but I didnt get the part about Apple not liking the Menu system and Toolbar implementation because of the ugly graphics.

It's good to hear Apple is looking out for me :D

[flipperg]

We're all anxiously waiting.

If possible, just wanted an updated from the isilo team on development/submission. Maybe new screenshots?

Looking forward to it.

Flipper

[justme]

We're all anxiously waiting.



Indeed :)
This will be the only reason I will update my iPhone firmware ;)

[Magnizs]

Hello iSilo - sorry to be impatient but just need some updates on the progress.
I'm basically waiting to hear that you have submitted it to Apple for review and approval.

[djones]

Hello iSilo - sorry to be impatient but just need some updates on the progress.
I'm basically waiting to hear that you have submitted it to Apple for review and approval.

Will that somehow get it to you faster? :D

[iSilo]

We are still working on the revision, but hope to submit the revised version within a few days.

[flipperg]

Good News!

Keep us updated, please.

Thanks,

Flipper

[iSilo]

New screenshots of iSilo on iPhone (http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/iPhone/index.htm).

[djones]

Looks nice, though unless Apple provided specific feedback on changes, I'm worried that the navigation bar is going to result in another UI rejection, as it's not consistent with apps on the platform. It's typically used for navigating the application between views or drilling down into "breadcrumbs" so to speak. Document scope navigation is typically along the bottom (ala Safari). I certainly hope I'm wrong (perhaps this was based on something in the sample code library that I've not encountered?), but thought I would put it out there as food for thought.

[Magnizs]

New screenshots of iSilo on iPhone (http://www.isilo.com/info/screens/iPhone/index.htm).

Nice! Thanks for the appetizer. Now we wait for the main course.

[flipperg]

Appreciate you keeping us informed. Looking forward to it.

Keep up the good work.

Flipper

[gionny]

So if you have any documents you want to view, you would need to first place them on a web server. Then from iSilo on your iPhone/iPod touch, you would need to download them one by one to your device.

Ok thanks for information

can you inform us the PATH directory destination on iPhone ?
so .. where must we put on iPhone the iSilo PDB documents?

thanks

[iSilo]

can you inform us the PATH directory destination on iPhone ? so .. where must we put on iPhone the iSilo PDB documents?When the iPhone OS installs an application, it creates a Documents directory specifically for that application. So documents for iSilo must go in iSilo's Documents directory. The specific absolute path of the Documents directory for an application is not defined as it can vary from installation to installation.

[iSilo]

We submitted the revised version of iSilo to Apple for review late last evening. Hopefully the review process will go well.

[33scottie33]

I can hardly wait!!! :D:D:D:D

[Loyalty4Life]

When the iPhone OS installs an application, it creates a Documents directory specifically for that application. So documents for iSilo must go in iSilo's Documents directory. The specific absolute path of the Documents directory for an application is not defined as it can vary from installation to installation.

So how does one actually transfer the .pdb files onto the iPhone to view and access? Thank you for your help...

[jopacer]

cool!! Thanks

[iSilo]

So how does one actually transfer the .pdb files onto the iPhone to view and access?
The initial method available for doing so will be via upload/download from a web server. See how to transfer files to iSilo for iPhone OS (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/TransferFileIP/TransferFileIP.php) for an overview of the process. We are exploring additional methods of transferring files for future updates.

[jopacer]

When?. This week? This month?......

[anmldr]

Will iSilo documents for the iPhone also be able to have a registration process? Do you capture the serial number for the device or the phone number to generate the iSilo User Name and User ID?

Thanks,
Linda

[midas]

Any limits to the size of an upload? I regularly use a .pdb of 156MB with iSilo:eek:. I would like to use it on my iPhone, but that is going to be some serious download time and want to be sure it will download okay.

[justme]

Any limits to the size of an upload? I regularly use a .pdb of 156MB with iSilo:eek:. I would like to use it on my iPhone, but that is going to be some serious download time and want to be sure it will download okay.

156MB over WIFI is nothing big!?

Should at the max potential speed of slowest Wifi standard (802.11b) be around 2 mins if my calculations are correct so real life maybe 3-4mins thats on 802.11b (802.11g which the iPhone supports which would be around 5 times faster.

[justme]

When?. This week? This month?......

When what exactly?

[iSilo]

Will iSilo documents for the iPhone also be able to have a registration process? Do you capture the serial number for the device or the phone number to generate the iSilo User Name and User ID?Yes, support for documents that require registration codes or passwords will be in the initial release. The User ID is calculated based on the serial number of the device.

[iSilo]

Any limits to the size of an upload? I regularly use a .pdb of 156MB with iSilo:eek:. I would like to use it on my iPhone, but that is going to be some serious download time and want to be sure it will download okay.The only issue is that the device may go into sleep mode during the download if you don't keep it awake. If the device sleeps, you will lose the download connection and the download won't be successful. So if you are downloading anything that may take longer than the Auto-Lock time you set for your device, make sure you tap the screen periodically before the device goes into Auto-Lock mode.

[justme]

The only issue is that the device may go into sleep mode during the download if you don't keep it awake. If the device sleeps, you will lose the download connection and the download won't be successful. So if you are downloading anything that may take longer than the Auto-Lock time you set for your device, make sure you tap the screen periodically before the device goes into Auto-Lock mode.
.
.

SETTINGS -> GENERAL -> Auto-Lock -> [Never]

.
.



http://www.iclarified.com/images/tutorials/649/3118/3118.pnghttp://www.iclarified.com/images/tutorials/376/1405/1405.png

;)

[patrickwest]

We submitted the revised version of iSilo to Apple for review late last evening. Hopefully the review process will go well.


While you are waiting for the approval of iSilo for the iPhone and iPod Touch, are you thinking about an iSilo for the MAC?

Some have told me that if you have a working iPhone version that is very easy to turn that into a MAC version?

Others have told me that since MACs now sit on top of a Linux core that a Linux version of iSilo would be an easy port.

Any truth to these claims?

[iSilo]

While you are waiting for the approval of iSilo for the iPhone and iPod Touch, are you thinking about an iSilo for the MAC?Well, we're actually not twiddling our thumbs while we wait. iSilo for iPhone is the top priority now, and so while we wait for the approval, we are actually spending time working on the next update to iSilo for iPhone. But iSio for the Mac is on our list somewhere.

Some have told me that if you have a working iPhone version that is very easy to turn that into a MAC version?From our perspective, its pretty much just as easy or as difficult as porting from most any other platform to another.

[djones]

For the most part, yes, you can fluidly go from desktop (Mac, not caps, it's not an acronym ;)) to iPhone, since most of the code will still be reusable. There are certain libraries that are Cocoa Touch specific, and of course, all new interfaces would need to be built. Depending on the scale of the app, it's still potentially a very big job even if the goal is just to replicate. The reality though is that each platform has specific strengths that need to be used, and it's not likely that one will translate directly to the other as a clone.

Same for Linux <> Mac, only much more work unless the Linux app was written in GNUStep. A Linux app can work on OS X without any modification (via X11), but for it to take advantage of anything that the OS brings natively to the table, it would need to be rewritten as a Cocoa app with a native interface. This doesn't have anything to do with running Intel, incidentally, as OS X still runs Darwin as its core, even on the old Power PC architecture, and the same gcc compiler would be used.

[patrickwest]

Well, we're actually not twiddling our thumbs while we wait.
Sorry, did not mean to imply that. I am delighted to hear that iSilo for the MAC is on your list.

[Loyalty4Life]

Can documents be downloaded from FTP?

[iSilo]

Can documents be downloaded from FTP?In the version we recently submitted to Apple for review, downloading using FTP does not work, but it will in the next update.

[brahamt]

I can't wait.

By the way, the reason I am buying this program when it finally gets to the App store is because of how transparent the company has been with getting it on there.

Great job.

[Ismenio]

Thank you for keeping your consumers in the loop throughout this process!

I have another question, if I may. Will the price be comparable to what iSilo cost for the other platforms/devices?

Best regards,

Ismenio

[iSilo]

We can't say specifically yet what the price will be, but we do plan on debuting iSilo for iPhone with an introductory promotional price.

[Magnizs]

Just wondering - did Apple send something acknowledging receipt and giving you a possible timeline?

[iSilo]

No, Apple has not given us any acknowledgements or promises. Apple makes no estimates or guarantees to developers about the length of time it will take them to review an application.

[ROBBIE]

First of all, hello everybody. I´m a brand new user of this forum so forgive if i make some mistakes.

I would like to ask something to the administrators.
It´s about downloading files to isilo on iphone. Will we be able to do so from idisk (mobileme) or is it only possible by means of yahoo site?
Thank you for your answer and thank you for your applications.;)

[iSilo]

It´s about downloading files to isilo on iphone. Will we be able to do so from idisk (mobileme) or is it only possible by means of yahoo site?We just tried to do this and it does not appear possible. We uploaded some files to the Public folder of our MobileMe iDisk and attempted to access it from iSilo for iPhone's Download screen and got a message saying that the browser is unsupported. See the attached screenshot.

[flipperg]

Just "publish" the file to your MobileMe site (For that matter, to any Web Host) using iWeb or your favorite web publishing tool.

As long as its http addressable it should be fine.

I believe iDisk is using WebDav and the iPhone Safari browser does not support WebDav (AFAIK).

Flipper

[djones]

I believe iDisk is using WebDav and the iPhone Safari browser does not support WebDav (AFAIK).

I think that's right, Flipper. OmniFocus uses WebDAV for syncing though (both locally and with MobileMe), so it is possible.

[flipperg]

Exactly, but not through Safari. Omnifocus does it natively.

[Robotech_Master]

Another possibility is to find some kind of a webserver for a computer on your LAN. If you have a Linux box there's Apache. For windows, there are a number of free, personal web servers out there.

Set the server up on your box, set the port to some nonstandard number, set iSiloX to save its completed files into the web server's root directory, then point iSilo at the Windows box's IP:port number. You can even play firewall forwarding games to make that directory accessible anywhere, so you can snag any ebook you want out of that directory as long as you have net access.

[justme]

We just tried to do this and it does not appear possible. We uploaded some files to the Public folder of our MobileMe iDisk and attempted to access it from iSilo for iPhone's Download screen and got a message saying that the browser is unsupported. See the attached screenshot.

Correct you can *not* "direct" access mobileme or me.com unlike in the past when you could access mac.com from your iPhone!

Now to clarify the whole issue, iSilo is fully aware that there are a number of "hacked" and/or "jailbroken" solutions for file transfers, however iSilo's goal is to have everything in harmony with Apple's policies.

I'm personally convinced that these minor issues will be resolved in the near future, our main concern is to get iSilo for our iPhones.

Also wanted to point out that even though iSilo won't be giving you instructions or support on how to transfer files to your phone in a fashion that Apple hasn't approved such technical solutions do exsist out there and thebes no technical reasons for it not to work. However in respect of iSilo's standpoint on this issue I don't plan to go into any details either.

[No-Nonsense]

The initial method available for doing so will be via upload/download from a web server. See how to transfer files to iSilo for iPhone OS (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/TransferFileIP/TransferFileIP.php) for an overview of the process. We are exploring additional methods of transferring files for future updates.

I would like to point you to another possible solution for all Windows users that is only relying on the use of a local WIFI/WLAN connection and not external services (e.g. Yahoo!, Google, ...).

HTTP File Server (HFS) is an open-source lightweight portable HTTP server consisting only of one executable that does not need any installation. HFS can be downloaded from: http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/

You would just need to double click the HFS executable, drag and drop the iSilo files to transfer to the iPhone on the HFS window and connect to the windows machine running HFS from within iSilo running on the iPhone. No data would be transferred through the internet and you could use the maximum possible bandwith the iPhone can handle. The connection would need either a local WIFI/WLAN using an access point (router) or an ad-hoc WIFI/WLAN between the windows machine and the iPhone.

The only problem I see are firewalls on the windows machine or the access point that would prevent local communication.

Could you try if HFS is compatible with iSilo? This would be my preferred way to transfer files to the iPhone running iSilo.

-Jens

[Robotech_Master]

Setting up your own home HTTP server is really not that hard. (It might be against your ISP's terms of use policies to make it accessible outside your LAN, but most ISPs probably won't notice or care as long as you don't use up huge amounts of bandwidth with it.)

In fact, iSilo might even want to think about adding minimal webserver capability to iSiloX, in the form of serving its output directory up. Or it could even serve it via Bonjour, like the Bookshelf server does for the Bookshelf e-book app.

[iSilo]

Windows XP Pro/Vista and Mac OS X (and Mac OS 8/9) actually have web server capabilities. You just need to set it up if its not on by default on your system. When we get the chance, we may write up a couple of how-to articles on how to set it up, but there are plenty of articles on the Web on it already, just do a search.

[flipperg]

Are you trying to tell us something?

( Don't tease! )

Flipper

[iSilo]

The notice is simply an advertisement for the App Store. Nothing more.

[patmahaney]

What will be the mechanism for uploading books we already have that are in iSilo format to our iPhone?

Thanks and I am so excited to get my copy!

[justme]

I interrupt this thread to bring you this news from the thread linked to below:

:D:eek:

We are pleased to announce that Apple has notified us of the approval of iSilo™ for iPhone for sale on the App Store. Once Apple approves an application for sale, it generally appears on the App Store (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewGenre?id=36&mt=8) within 24 hours.

iSilo™ for iPhone will debut with an introductory promotional price, so purchasing early will get you the most favorable price. Please check the App Store for final pricing.

http://forum.isilo.com/showthread.php?t=4675

[Loyalty4Life]

I interrupt this thread to bring you this news from the thread linked to below:

:D:eek:



http://forum.isilo.com/showthread.php?t=4675

www.isilo.com

[justme]

www.isilo.com

There too :)
I just had a feeling that many as myself were turning all their "iSilo attention" to this thread :)

[Loyalty4Life]

iSilo (admin),

It is important for me and many of iSilo users that we download from FTP instead of a public server. Do you know when this will be possible?

Thanks.

[iSilo]

We have posted a new how-to article on how to transfer files to iSilo for iPhone OS using the built-in Mac OS X web server. Click how to transfer files to iSilo™ for iPhone OS on Mac OS X (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/WebServerMacOSX/WebServerMacOSX.php) for the article. Note that this new how-to article parallels the article how to transfer files to iSilo™ for iPhone OS using Yahoo! Briefcase (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/TransferFileIP/TransferFileIP.php).

[Loyalty4Life]

We have posted a new how-to article on how to transfer files to iSilo for iPhone OS using the built-in Mac OS X web server. Click how to transfer files to iSilo™ for iPhone OS on Mac OS X (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/WebServerMacOSX/WebServerMacOSX.php) for the article. Note that this new how-to article parallels the article how to transfer files to iSilo™ for iPhone OS using Yahoo! Briefcase (http://www.isilo.com/support/howto/TransferFileIP/TransferFileIP.php).

Thanks for the how-to. A VERY good job. Do you have any timeline of when FTP downloading will be an option?

[tagua2000]

muchas felicidades por la paciencia en el trabajo, y por el éxito en el producto.
Francisco José

[Jlczl]

Just downloaded! Awesome. Thank you!