iPad compatibility

[Tom Robinson]

Originally Posted by Bob White

Even if it is not customized for the iPad, the bigger screen should allow fields to display their full content and will be easier on the eyeballs.

Not quite. If an application hasn't been customised for the iPad it can either run in an iPhone sized window on the iPad or be enlarged. While enlarging will make it easier on the eyes and to hit buttons the amount of data shown won't change--if a field is too small to display all the data on an iPhone it will still be too small on the iPad.

Cheers

[Bob White]

Right, Tom! What was I thinking? Some further reading since then about the iPad elicited that there will be three classes of apps on the iPad. They are iPhone apps, iPad apps and Universal apps. Most iPhone apps will work on the iPad and do the 2X trick. iPad apps will only work on the iPad.

Universal apps will work on both. They will also be the most time consuming to develop because of the requirement throughout a given app to have a "do this if I'm on an iPhone or touch but do this other if I'm on an iPad" decision process. (Just in case any of the information turns out to be faulty, the source is the current issue of the iPhone Life magazine.) I'm rooting for Leister to go universal!

[raluke]

If I were given a choice (and I know I'm not), I would hope that development effort would be devoted to a version 10 of Reunion on OS X, versus an iPad version on the iPhone/iPad OS. I like my iPhone Reunion, but the heavy lifting is done with the OS X version.

My $0.02 worth.
Robert

[Tom Robinson]

Originally Posted by raluke

If I were given a choice (and I know I'm not), I would hope that development effort would be devoted to a version 10 of Reunion on OS X, versus an iPad version on the iPhone/iPad OS. I like my iPhone Reunion, but the heavy lifting is done with the OS X version.

You may not have a choice per se but Leister do read these forums and take note of what their users' wishes are.

Cheers

[n1mie]

Originally Posted by raluke

If I were given a choice (and I know I'm not), I would hope that development effort would be devoted to a version 10 of Reunion on OS X, versus an iPad version on the iPhone/iPad OS. I like my iPhone Reunion, but the heavy lifting is done with the OS X version.

Robert,

I can understand your thoughts. But I think things would be a lot different with an iPad. I have Reunion installed on my iPod Touch but have yet to do more than look at data there. On the other hand, the size and weight of an iPad gives it a huge advantage. It has a fairly large screen (compared to an iPhone/Touch) but is pretty small and light. That means when one goes to a research site you can readily bring the iPad. When I go to the NARA archives there is no place around the microfiche readers to put a laptop, and the screen on the iPhone/Touch is so small. But the iPad would be the best of both worlds (relatively small size, relatively large screen). So I am extremely hopeful that an iPad version is fast tracked. I imagine it should be relatively easy if you focus mainly on the port minus a lot of the candy (swiping, pinching, etc).

Wow, was that really only my second post since joining in early 2005?!?

[Kat Prawl]

Regarding the effort required to create an iPad app -- once an iPhone app is developed, porting it to the iPad, even with enhancements for the new device's capabilities, should require much less work. This is because the tools used to develop for both devices are identical. In fact, the SDK (Software Developers Kit) for the iPad IS the iPhone SDK! So I don't think it will detract horribly from Reunion version 10 to expect Leister to give us an iPad app, and it would really be nice to be able to show off one of the best apps around on what may turn out to be the best tablet available. I know I'll be using it to share genealogical information with family & friends, even if I have to make do with the iPhone version for awhile. I've even already written about doing that on my tech blog (http://newmediaonthego.com)!

[martha]

Originally Posted by Kat Prawl

Regarding the effort required to create an iPad app -- once an iPhone app is developed, porting it to the iPad, even with enhancements for the new device's capabilities, should require much less work. This is because the tools used to develop for both devices are identical. In fact, the SDK (Software Developers Kit) for the iPad IS the iPhone SDK! So I don't think it will detract horribly from Reunion version 10 to expect Leister to give us an iPad app, and it would really be nice to be able to show off one of the best apps around on what may turn out to be the best tablet available. I know I'll be using it to share genealogical information with family & friends, even if I have to make do with the iPhone version for awhile. I've even already written about doing that on my tech blog (http://newmediaonthego.com)!

Is it possible for the Leister people to let us know if they do intend to make the software for the iPad? I was thinking of purchasing an iPad when I shall be in the States this summer to give some lectures but I would like to purchase one only if I can run Reunion on it. If not, I suppose I will have to get an iPodTouch. I really prefer the size and weight of the iPad.

Many thanks in advance,

Martha

[Mark]

We've posted a FAQ answering many of the common questions, please see here:

http://www.leisterpro.com/iphone/ipad.php

If you have a question that isn't answered there, please let us know.

Thanks!

[martha]

Originally Posted by Mark

We've posted a FAQ answering many of the common questions, please see here:

http://www.leisterpro.com/iphone/ipad.php

If you have a question that isn't answered there, please let us know.

Thanks!

Terrific, thanks Mark. I had [mis]remembered from when the iPad question first was raised that you had said the application from iPhone would work on the iPad, but that it would not be able to take advantage of the larger sized image possible, which is the major reason I would purchase an iPad over an iPodTouch. So this dispels my doubts.

Many thanks again!

Martha

[Tom Robinson]

Originally Posted by martha

Terrific, thanks Mark. I had [mis]remembered from when the iPad question first was raised that you had said the application from iPhone would work on the iPad, but that it would not be able to take advantage of the larger sized image possible, which is the major reason I would purchase an iPad over an iPodTouch. So this dispels my doubts.

Hi Martha, just to be clear: the current Reunion iPhone/Touch app will run on an iPad at either its current size or double the size (dependant on user preference). Until Leister release an iPad-aware version (which they're investigating but not promising--as per their policy) you won't see any additional info on the screen--think enlarging something on a photocopier.

Cheers