I have two questions:
Is it possible to create an app that upload screenshots to a server when the user takes one? It should also upload screenshots when another app is active.
If an app like this is possible, will apple allow this to their appstore?
I want to create an app like this to provide remote support to users so that we know what the user see on their device.
You can detect when a screenshot is done: https://stackoverflow.com/a/18158483/1034126
And then programatically take another one and upload to the server: https://stackoverflow.com/a/2203293/1034126
But I don't think that's a good approach. You shouldn't need to take an screenshot to upload one, you can use a UIButtonto trigger the programatic screenshot and then upload it to the server.
Related
After publishing the app on appstore, is there a way to push the changes in the view/layout, also the underlying functionality of the settings screen(or any other screen) without having user to update the app from app store.
No , there is no way to accomplish this you have to create and upload a new build for every view/layout update , your issue is possible if you previously embed that logic inside the uploaded version and dynamically do this according to server responses which is not a recommended way
Think of it this way: There are many, many apps that download changing data and display it in a tableview or collection view. Different text, images, etc. That is, in effect, changing the app without submitting an update.
Depending on what exactly you want to do, it may be fairly straight-forward or it may be complex.
For example, you may have a section of code that lays out an "options" screen, and you decide to add a new option. Your app could connect to a server, download a "configuration" file, and then have your code re-layout the screen as needed.
So, sure, it's possible - you just need to plan ahead and code your app for that flexibility.
One note, however: if you're thinking of significant changes to your app's design and/or functionality, you may run into issues with Apple's guidelines. For example, don't use that idea to try and "get around" having your app rejected for inappropriate content (such as having a "hidden" gambling section that would only be revealed after the app has been published).
I'm working on an accessibility app for a client and he needs it to be able to have it on top of other apps. It takes a small area and can be moved easily.
Is there an app permission or config setting to do this?
UPDATE:
An iPad owner sent me a screenshot showing a chat app floating on top of another app.
No, its is not possible because apple does not even give you permission to show you wallpaper too... if it does have given that feature then any app could have a possible access to some some secure data situationally.
e.g: You are using payment gateway in an app now another app start running as an overlay over the existing app which means having a snap shot of the previous app as a background of your current app. Hence privacy breaching. Hence apple will not approve of something like that, hence no feature like that.
Hope this will help you to understand more clearly.
I'm looking for solution that will enable my app to get an event from the server while the phone is in lock mode, when the event occurs the app will open the camera and take a picture.
while the phone remains locked and send the picture to the server in the back ground.
is it possible?
will apple store allow this kind of application?
Clarification:: the idea is not to take a picture without the user knowledge, the goal is to have him take a quick picture without having to open the phone & the application in order for that picture to be taken. If there is a solution that allows me to add a button like the camera build in next to the lock that's a great solution too.
Short answers
No,
No.
This is a huge violation of privacy, and has a great potential for abuse, therefore, there is no way to sneak pictures away from the user's device on demand.
You could send a push notification and ask a user to take a photo and upload it to your server on the other hand.
I want to give to the user of my app the ability to share a photograph without having an internet connection. It is quite hard to explain but I'll do my best. Basically in my app a user can press on a plus button to take a shot using their iPhone. This image is then uploaded on the Internet (Dropbox) in a common folder that can be accessed by all app users. When other users open the app, the image that has been uploaded is downloaded on their device. Since there might be more than one image, the app refreshes itself once in a while, and downloads the new photographs. I want to do the same thing using the bluetooth (or airdrop). When one device takes a picture, this is saved on the device, and sent to all app users nearby. These users can edit it, send it back to the original device where it can be accessed by everyone. basically the original device acts as a server, and all other devices stream the information from that device. The whole purpose of this is to have, say 15 different iOS devices all in the same room in sync which display the same exact thing. When someone edits, all the other people will see it, as if they where in sync with "the cloud" (which now is Dropbox).
I understood that this might be possible with MultipeerConnectivity.framework as it permits more than one device to be connected at the same time. I also found an example app called beam it: http://arctouch.com/beamit/
What I'm asking here is not really for some code, rather some indications on how I could approach the problem.
I can't afford UrbanAirship so I'm trying to program the server side of a Newsstand app myself.
I plan on using the JavaPNS API.
The one thing I can't seem to figure out is how to find a list of users who have a subscription in my app.
Can I query this information from Apple some how?
If I can't then I guess that means that each time a user subscribes they send their device token directly to my server. I hope this is not the case because I was hopping to run the server on my laptop and send out pushes myself without having to keep the laptop running all day listening for new subscribers.
Thanks!
Looks like I do need to register each device with my server: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/mo-ios-push/index.html#resources
You kind of found your answer but just in case you really need a server for not only handling the push notification (for telling your app in Newsstand to check the new issue and download it in the background) but also for subscription and in-app purchasing.
Every time you launch the app you should check few things before you refresh the UI. You should check if the user is a subscriber or has user already bought the issue so you can show view/download button instead of Buy button.
Check out these tutorials if they help to understand these communications better but believe me you will end up with one of those services like Urban Airship (Which I think UA is the best option because it handles all in one not just push notification):
http://ios-blog.co.uk/tutorials/how-to-make-a-magazine-app-in-ios-part-i/
this one is more focus on server part:
http://ios-blog.co.uk/tutorials/how-to-make-a-magazine-app-in-ios-part-ii/
http://www.viggiosoft.com/blog/blog/2011/10/17/ios-newsstand-tutorial
http://www.raywenderlich.com/2797/introduction-to-in-app-purchases
And as always this is the best place for start (it has everything you need):
https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/newsstand/
These are some resources to help you in developing app for Newsstand but still there are not enough people out there to share their experience.
Best of luck.
Edit: Add these two links two this list:
http://www.marco.org/2012/10/11/the-magazine
http://www.marco.org/2012/12/12/the-magazine-future-of-publishing