As you probably know, before allowing anything into the App Store, Apple reviews not only new applications but also each update of existing ones. This process took quite some time for 1.0.1, but we are happy that it is finally available. The update brings important bug fixes and a German localization.
Syncing will be part of the next update. Coding of the desktop/iPhone sync feature is almost complete! Jürgen has successfully synced the 800 items in his library (not including the logbook). During the next few days we will apply final tweaks, ensure that the whole process is forgiving of network failures. And of course, we will be doing extensive testing.
Users of many other applications have reported data loss problems after installing updates, and sadly, Things is no exception. This is not a fault on our side, but rather a strange bug in iTunes/iPhone OS. From a quick survey on Twitter we can tell, that for most users the update went without a hitch. But a few users reportedly lost their data. As far as we know, no one has yet been able to reliably reproduce this bug, so we don’t know how long it will take Apple to fix it.
Once syncing between Things and Things touch is finished and available, the whole data loss issue will be much less of a threat. In the meantime, and for those of you who don’t use Things on the desktop, there is a procedure you can follow to prevent data losses until Apple has resolved the issue. Note that this procedure works equally well for all iPhone applications, not just Things.
Updating safely
- Back up your iPhone by syncing it with iTunes just before you install any update.
- Disconnect your iPhone and install the update on the device.
- If you didn’t lose your data, all is fine. If you did lose your data, you can restore it from the backup. But you have to be very careful. When you connect your iPhone to your computer, iTunes automatically overwrites the existing backup with a new one. Since you just lost your data on the device, this will effectively delete your previous backup from iTunes! To prevent this, you need to do the following:
- Disable automatic syncing for your iPhone in iTunes’ preferences before you connect the iPhone again (iTunes > Preferences > Syncing > Disable automatic syncing for all iPhones and iPods).
- Connect your iPhone and wait until it appears in iTunes’ sidebar. Since syncing is disabled, iTunes won’t back up your data automatically.
- Right-click (or control click) on the iPhone and select “Restore from backup”.
Pinging is currently not allowed.
Great! Can’t wait for syncing :)
Sounds great. Looking forward to the next update and thanks for all the hard work!
Looking forward to syncing as well. Will this require a new version of desktop software? How do you best back that up?
Would have loved to have this post a few days ago when I lost all my todo’s…
I know its not your fault, but I felt compelled to post.
I’m loving Things touch as a standalone app, once the synching works, I’ll be setting up Things on my mac.
I’m very much looking forward to syncing. I have macs at home and work so keeping things in touch between the two will be invaluable.
Keep up the good work, I’m looking forward to the official release of the desktop app.
I haven’t received the Things touch 1.0.1 update through the App Store yet. Is this normal or can I trigger the update in some way?
Looking forward to the syncing update. This update alone will make the iPhone app SO much more useful for me. I can hardly wait. :)
I am dying for the syncing to be ready… its been a long wait. I hope I can be a beta tester as soon as it is ready. Its the best “todo” app on the iPhone.
With the sync ability, will there also be tags included in the iPhone app so as to use contexts? Everything else is beautiful, baby.
Sync between the desktop and touch apps will be the deal-maker for me. It’s nice to use Things touch at the moment, but it will be SO much better when I don’t have to replicate relevant todo’s across each platform.
Keep up the great work!
@Daniel – I had to re-install it from app store to get the update. I was never notified of the update either…
Still waiting for syncing between two macs! Anyhow, this is good as well. Looking forward to it.
Wohooo. Can’t wait for the sync feature! :D
How will it work?
Something like 1Password or will it be automatically synced?
800 to-dos?! Wow, I thought I was busy!
Keep up the good work, folks :)
Oh yes!!!!!! That’s what I’m talking about: Sync! Sync! Sync!
The netosphere is abuzz with a recommendation to install all apps + updates through iTunes first, and then sync to your device. This has helped many to avoid data-loss and reduce/prevent device crashes.
Since I don’t have sync yet, I’ve started using the desktop version more intensively (hadn’t before) and getting a lot of my upcoming projects and tasks outlined there…
Now all I need is the sync part! :p And jeeze, I don’t have 800 (!!!) items there… :D
!!! My holy grail is almost available. Thanks, cultured code crew. !!!
Great work guys and – like all the rest – I’m really looking forward to syncing.
Although: there is one thing (! ;-) ) that I contemplate more and more as I thik about using Things in my professional environment, that you guys probably want to try and avoide like the plague, but I would definetly be interested in an answer:
What about a Windows version of Things?
I know, I know, why get into all the hassles involved with maintaining two codebases etc?
But experience tells us that many corporate users may use a Mac at home and maybe even have an iPhone as their business phone, they are usually forced by their IT department and rules and regulations to use a PC on the job.
Now, my (probably quite unwelcome) conlusion is that, if you want to own a piece of the (lucrative) business market, at least in the mid term, a windows compatible version of Things that can sync across the OS boundaries is sorely needed.
Have you ever discussed this internally (or most surely somewhere else in the wiki, blog, forum, etc) and if so, what is your official position on this?
Thanks for the hard work! Cheers,
Alex
@Alex:
Alex, your observation is a wise one. While I’m a Mac addict at heart and wouldn’t touch Windows with a twenty foot pole, I see your point and acknowledge that Windows users must be accommodated in some way or the other.
This doesn’t mean, however, that CC should develop a Windows version of their desktop app. I would recommend that CulturedCode look at the possibility of developing an online version of their app to which subscribers could sync their iPhone (and Things for Mac) to.
Both Mac and Windows users would have a place away from their main computer where they could view, add to and check off their Things.
Creating an OS agnostic version of Things is better done through a browser than via maintaining two different applications.
Yay! Thanks for all the hard work guys!
Just curious, how will the syncing handle features like Areas and recurring tasks?
And, I assume/hope the answer is yes, but you do plan to use the Push notification service when it comes out right?
Regarding Things for BSOD: I would personally really hate to see Cultured Code begin work on a Windows version. The Mac version isn’t even done yet and we’ve been looking forward to a gold master on that for a really, really long time.
Great!!! I just buy things in the appstore after read this!
Keep working on this excellent software, I can’t wait for the final release…
How is the sync going to work?
Do you have to plug your iphone in to your mac with a cable and run itunes or what exactly. If i have to plug the iphone in all the time to sync that would be not the best. I like the way evernote does it.
Keep up the great work love the app. Dektop client sure looks awesome too.
Thanks
Shane: iPhone doesn’t allow for wireless sync yet, I think they need the Push technology coming with the next iPhone OS update for that. And Evernote does it by storing all the info on their own servers; this means that if their server goes down you can’t access your data, and if their server crashes you lose your data. I don’t like the idea of not having control over my own data.
Ditto to Pedro Marques. An online version would be great for the poor, disenfranchised, sad, forlorn, and unfortunate Windows users like my wife. I’ve been trying to get her into GTD and I can’t find any software for PC that I can even stomach enough to download for her.
Can’t wait to sync so I can bring my external brain with me. Keep up the much-appreciated work. Blessings.
By the way, would you dare to give a timeline on when sync might be coming?
@Jt Hollister
From the post,
“Jürgen has successfully synced the 800 items in his library (not including the logbook). During the next few days we will apply final tweaks, ensure that the whole process is forgiving of network failures.”
Which would lead me to believe that the sync process is using the network if they are testing for forgiveness of network failures during the process.
Did I misinterpret that statement?
@Pedro & Frank
Surely a web version of Things would help, although the question would obviously be “What is harder / more expensive to develop and maintain?”
On the on hand you would have to develop a sophisticated web app that needs to constantly be updated and fixed especially concerning online security issues. Of course you would also need to build / buy and run the corresponding infrastructure – read: servers, network lines, backup systems, etc.
This would mean – from my point of view – a sizeable upfront investment and development effort – coupled with the responsibility you must take on once you hold the data of your customers in your hand!
I (for my part) would in such a situation tend to rather stay with the infrastructure and mechanisms that Apple can provide me with – at least to stay away from the liability issues and save a huge amount of money :-) Also it is a proven infrastructure (or will be in a few months ;-) ) that I can use right away without much development on my side.
Additionally the whole GTD approach (for me) works mostly because I can throw any to-do in the Things bucket as soon as it crosses my mind while I am working on something else that is more important. And – maybe my argument is heavily tinted by own consulting background – you don’t always have net access (e.g. when you’re working in trains, planes, and automobiles ;-) and don’t own an iPhone). And if you do, access to fancy web 2.0 sites might be prohibited (I often work in banking). By this the GTD approach, at least for me, breaks and I would stop me from using Things.
Thus, to be able to provide the accessability and consistent user experience of the GTD solution of choice, I will stick with my argument that a windows version might be the better solution IF CC want’s to capture the business market that (unfortunately) is windows PC dominated.
Any takers – or violent and reasonable objections? ;-)
Cheers,
Alex
P.S.: This window is too small to enter and edit such large posts :-D
As everybody else here, I am really happy that the new version will be available soon.
May be when I will return from my August vacation…?
On my side, I expect more from tags on Things Touch than from syncing. I hope both will be delivered in the the same version.
Having a PC at work and a Mac at home, I am even not sure I will need the desktop version… Excepted for safe backup !
There seems to be a better way to prevent data loss:
Every once in a while or when you need it (eg. before iffy Updates)
go to:
~Library/Application Support/MobileSync
& rename the current BackUp to your liking (date & time pops to mind).
iTunes will not recognize this file as its default Sync file & instead write a new one.
But: iTunes will still offer you to use any of these ‘extra’ BackUps in its iTunes>Preferences>Synchronize dialogue.
This way you can keep “automatic syncing”, which in your regular daily use is a handy feature.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766?viewlocale=en_US
@m.
This is good to know. It will also help to recover from a data loss , with a Time Machine backup of this file, I guess…
Ich hatte keinen Datenverlust!
How do I tell what version I have? I just tried the update and go some cryptic error, tried it again and then it looks like it updated.
And why does iTunes tell me I have x number of updates even after I do a backup and sync?
@Corby
In iTunes, in the Application panel, you have to get the information about Things. The old version is numbered 110, and the new version 122.
About persistant updates warning, I had the same symptom. Just wait and it should be gone soon…
@Zorglub Thanks!
I too lost all my iPhone data before reading this. Still like the app, however, and can’t wait for further updates to both versions!
The data loss bug happens if you update your app via the iPhone’s app store — it downloads a new copy, then deletes your existing app and its sandbox.
If you fetch the update via iTunes and install it via sync you should be fine.
Good to read Things-things are coming along!
I already bought Things Touch, but am still waiting for my iPhone… So sync can wait a couple of weeks for me ;)
Bought it in advance to support you guys in developing..
Apple’s really lost all control of the App Store – when I checked for application updates today, it said there were two updates availible, offered 6 (one for every app I have), whereas actually there were no updates…
I hope Apple dosn’t beat around the bush when it comes time for reviewing the next update!
Compliments to you guys on your great communication-skills!
I’m also looking forward to the syncing with the desktopversion, and to the easier and faster adding of new tasks, with less buttons need to be pressed. Also the number of Today-tasks appearing on the icon itself just like the desktopversion would a great improvement.
Keep up the good work!
The more I use Things, the more I like it. Its just brilliant!
OK, after all this reading, plus the posts and demo video I’m convinced… I’m heading to the App store right now to buy “Things”!
Thanks everyone for the advice/posts!
I’m sure someone else asked already, but will tags be in the update? I use them mostly for contexts, so they would me a huge help on the go! Thanks.
i bought the iphone app but I’ll use it if the sync will run.
i for one would be interested to see an “ALL” choice in desktop THINGS. Then i could see all items for one tag that are spread across many projects (E.g. calls to book a venue for many projects – i could see all those bookings i need to make rather than open many projects)
Not sure if this is the place to put this but I’d really like a way to immediately enter to-dos.
At the moment I have to tap at least three times before I can get to a typing in field.
Something similar to cmd-N but iPhoned.
I haven’t articulated this particularly well but you know what I mean.
to will:
you can view todos by tags in Next, which displays all organised todos… you probably shouldn’t be doing anything that’s still sitting in your inbox anyway.
Thanks guys for pushing it forward.
Could you please give us a rough estimation when the next release (sync) will be ready.
If it’s only a couple of days / weeks, a couple of people will probably wait for it instead of buying an alternative with sync capabilities.
Thanks
Danny
As an iPhone only user I am desperate for repeating tasks. I love Things!
Enjoying things on the Iphone. Well worth the money. My wishlist would include:
1. Being able to flags tasks as partially complete (that is started but not finished) and
2. A more immediate way to enter a new to do.
3. Syncing of course.
Will the next (or at least a future) version of the iPhone app have tags as well…?! At least for me that would be an important feature…
Must admit that without sync Things Touch is not of much use to me; I could, of course, copy my many Things (Desktop) items to the iPhone, but that would take a lot of time. Here’s hoping the developers have not run into big problems, and that the next version of Things Touch may be released soon!
I actually bought this app (Things for iPhone) for the sheer excitement of the new GTD paradigm – if I may call it that way – you have for Things. I like the Desktop version and syncing is my most needed feature now. I’m glad it’s close to being released. Looking forward to it :)
Am I a beta tester now? :D
I didn’t receive any e-mail until now…
Great news on the upcoming sync capability – really important for me as an iPhone user and also starting to use it on the desktop. I’m very confused as to where I am putting things at present, so sync will be wonderful.
It’s a great app, but you know that already – keep up the good work.
Please DO NOT do any Windows work until the Mac side desktop and iPhone are fully released !!! ;-)
Looking forward to the new releases for both iPhone and desktop.
I probably only echo the feelings of others, but I am absolutely burning to be able to even so much as SEE my tasks on the phone. I cannot wait, and I’ll finally be able to whittle away at my to-do list once again!
Hi it’s good! Good luck to your work. Busby Seo Challenge
I really hope/pray that you not only introduce syncing between the iPhone app and your desktop but you also introduce tags into the iPhone app.. Without syncing I feel like I have one hand tied behind my back, without tagging I can’t fully engage with GTD on the iPhone app.. I’ve actually gravitated to Remember The Milk that allows tagging and has Smart Lists capability. Their web-app iphone format is a pain to use but at least what I enter there mirrors the web version (because its the same). There are rumours of a proper iPhone RTM app that will sync to the online version which will be cool, but I honestly prefer THINGS GUI … just get that sync in place, introduce Tags into the iPhone version and allow smart lists based on tags!
From what I’ve heard, people have been beta testing for a few days now…!? Any word on when the new version will hit the App Store now…? ;)
And please do let us know what’s up with the tagging option as well…
Thanks!
I have the beta and everything works great. I had no problems with the beta, so i think it will be released pretty soon…
@c0heed: You have no idea how jealous I am right now….
Is there already more information on when we can expect the new version of Things in the App store? I’m eager to use the synchronisation function. I’m now manually using Things desktop and Things iPhone. Updating the two at the moment has it’s own project.
I see many questions here and very few answers. I am glad to hear that the sync function is in Beta, but still no word on the status of tags in the iPhone version. Also, is there going to be an ‘Areas’ function added to the iPhone version? Keep up the good work.
A month after the App Store release and still no sync. I know it’s probably tough to implement, but is it THAT tough?
I agree with Scott. Rather frustrating that Omni could get this right on time. The SDK was announced way back in February for a reason — so that developers would have ample time to make the official release in August.
The Touch app is pretty worthless as-is, and development on the desktop app is fairly stagnant. “Summer 2008″ is rapidly coming to a close.
Word from the developers would be appreciated.
I am one of the Beta-testers as well testing the new wifi syncing. I encounter just some minor problems wich I’m sure the developers will solve soon. The syncing with the desktopversion, and the iconbadge showing the number of Today-items on the Touch-version are really great!
Would be appreciated to get an update. I’m following the twitter channel daily as the topic’s in the Blog and Forum. No update from a developer seen in a couple of days. There on holiday?
Freek: Are you saying that the next version of the iPhone version (which I presume you are using now as a beta tester) will support badging of the icon for tasks that are due today? I hope I am reading your comment correctly, because it is something that is absolutely needed.
@ Kirk: yes, I can confirm that the Beta that – among 49 others – I am testing, an iconbadge on the ThingsTouch is shown, idicating the number of Todo-tasks.
Yes Kirk, that’s right. I have the beta, too. On the first day it was out, I reported a bug. I haven’t heard back from them, but just half an hour ago there was a Twitter update from Culturedcode and it seems they are busy fixing the reported bugs. :)
w000t the update is out!
Cultured Code: listen, I know you guys are really busy, and your work is very much appreciated, but would it hurt to pop in here and answer some of the questions?
You answered a lot of the questions on the last post and I was quite pleased to hear from you, this time however it has been very silent and many questions have gone unanswered.
We’d love to hear from you now that the “crucial update” is on its way to Apple.
Thanks!
I am guessing they were busy creating and testing and debugging this update, focussing on the syncing part. Some questions are still unanswered, but i am guessing they will post about the update soon to inform us of the features (and those to come).
Keep up the good work!
I hope Apple doesn’t take more than a few days to review this update!
Not that is says anything but some other apps that were released just before the weekend were already in the store on monday, so that would make it about 2 working days. But chances are that it again takes over a week.
BTW: I understand no tags and no areas? How will that work out with the syncing (a lot of my things are in areas)?
Congratulations! The update is out… finally there is time to work on the desktop version, please please pleeeeease!
I’m very nearly wetting myself with the anticipation.
No tags? That’s quite a bummer. I’m a GTD user, and I use tags to add contexts to my tasks. Projects are just for multiple-step tasks. Without tags, though I just have a big list of tasks with very little structure.
To anyone reading this also using GTD: any ideas on how to solve this issue? Using projects as contexts seems like the only solution, and it’s not very nice…
I think one other great feature to add could be Email support. either in things touch or desktop. or something with the chance to add a task from an email app.
Will there be a Things desktop update as well, or does the current beta have syncing in there already, just inert?
@ Corby: the 0.9.4 beta already provides the syncing, so only the Touch version needs to be updated for that specific feature. But offcourse the desktop is still a beta version so updates are most likely.
@Freek: Only 0.9.3 is the latest version you can download… Or did I miss something?
Love the desktop version and I am new to really using a task manager. Tried Omnifocus but it did not integrate with iCal as easily as Things. I am eagerly awaiting the iPhone sync. Guess i should but it now before the price jumps
@Freek I’m guessing that 0.9.4 in the hands of those 50 beta testers only?
Hum, do you think you will add the area part in te ipone apps, because i will like it to put inside too my grocery list…
@Ptinutz: A simple way to do so now would be to create a Project entitled “Grocery List” and just put the items you need to buy in that.
Am I the only one checking the update section of the App Store once every 3-4 hours? ;D
@ac – yes you are alone. I check every hour…
;^)
I can’t wait either…hope it’s not vapourware.
@Michael
Sometimes grocery lists get more complicated than that. Take a look at the different shopping list apps (which, by the way, have to be like the second kind of app in the store in number of different apps after all those nice tip calculators). Some of them come with pre-made lists that are reusable, some use the GPS to identify in which store you are at and show the relevant items,…
Which, by the way, brings the issue ‚Äì how about Things using GPS to set contexts? Of course, sync and tags have to come first ;) And pictures, and voicenotes… But it could be something to think about ;)
@AC I see what you mean. Maybe that can be implemented in a future update.
Speaking of such, Desktop 0.9.4 is out! Yipee! One more step towards sync…..
I just really hope sync works well. The OmniFocus sync is so laughably slow that I usually can’t even get it to complete. We really need a company that knows how to implement sync properly. I’m SURE that it’s probably an absolute nightmare, but look at BusySync. It syncs my Google Calendar and iCal in a matter of seconds, and those are FULL of information.
Crossing my fingers that the Things sync does better than OmniFocus.
I just wanted to chime in and also request that Areas be added to the iPhone version. “Areas” is the single feature that keeps my to-dos organized, and I find them very useful.
Now, let me just check the app store for the Sync version.
Nope. Not yet…
I agree, I really hope the iPhone version has areas. That’s one of the key features I use to keep all my tasks organised as well…
Can’t wait!
I’d put tags before areas – but please don’t start going down the road of GPS based contexts.
The really beauty of Things is the lack of bloat. OmniFocus is a real disappointment, largely because it’s been made so complicated – the location awareness is a gimmick, if you don’t know which of your contexts is relevant to your location then it’s your contexts that need work.
@James
Let us not mix things up… Of course there are features that would be much more important than, say, using GPS so that the Today list arranges itself so that the elements at the top are the ones you are more likely to do in the place where you are. For instance, media enriched items (voice recordings, pictures) would follow tags (and areas afterwards) in what would be my priority list.
My question is – is it really the number of features what makes an iPhone app complicated or maybe is it the way those features are arranged or the way they are developed? Because if someone would be able to pull it through simply those would be the guys from Cultured Code: they will keep the interface simple, and they are going to prioritize what they implement instead of throwing in any feature they can think of.
It’s “get it right first” and not “get it big fast” what makes you succeed in the long run.
I will buy the Mac version the first day that syncing is available.
Good work guys!
@AC
Your last comment is spot on! I rather wait a month and have a great working app than wait two days and struggle with it for months…
..
Apple is taking long again, i guess nobody knows why. Some apps seem to be available withing 2 working days of their release and others seem to take 2 weeks (like the last update). Are they discussing apps over coffee instead of pushing the big OK button (one would imagine…)?
I updated to iPhone version 1.1 about a half-hour ago. Syncing seems to work perfectly so far! Even though it’s only one Mac/ one iPhone pair for now, it appears to be much more useful than the excruciatingly long and disaster-prone OmniFocus sync.
Well done CC!
Woohoo 1.1 is out!
Thanks CC for getting sync into our hands quickly! This is going to be brilliant!
I too updated on the iPhone about 10 minutes back. How to Sync??.. I can’t see any options.
Yeah baby 1.1 is out!
Just here to chime in that THINGS 1.1 is also on the Japanese App Store.
Me = happiness having.
Wow, having Sync really makes this application truly useful now. It’s superfast sync over a wireless network too, which is even cooler.
@Vinod, you need to have 0.9.4 of the desktop version installed. Then go to Things Preferences and click iPhone to setup the sync (follow the instructions from there).
You guys should be making the big bucks from this app now. Well done!
Downloading now, but won’t be able to sync till i get home this evening (which in dutch time is in about 10 hours) But i am happy to read that sync is fast..
Is sync wifi only or does it support .mac/.me or webdav? I have it running and it did sync but it looks to be a wifi operation.
Can´t find my IPhone in the Mobile Device Setup. Both are in the same WLan.
Is there a special port to be opened, firewall setup or something?
Allow me to compliment you guys on this amazing package! Bought the iphone app and its the best one I bought! The sync works like a charm, I can’t thank you guys enough! One thing though ! The release was meant to have an icon badge ? The app does not seem to have this applied
Thanks so much, both the new task entry dialog and syncing work perfectly! Excellent job.
@Moe: you can activate the icon badge in the Settings app, it’s off by default.
There was a misconfiguration in the router. Now it works perfectly. Thanx very much.
Wow. Love it.
Nice job guys. Bravo.
You need to turn on the icon badge: iPhone > Settings > Things
Excellent work on sync, CC! Very very happy.
Things is a very nice app! But unfortunately I lost all my todos after updating (without reading this article before). I hope this will be fixed soon. Nevertheless thanks for your help and for working on updates…
[...] Ein weiterer Grund nicht immer einen Laptop mitzunehmen wenn es ein paar Tage weggeht. Gewohnt unspektakulär die Einrichtung, gewohnt wohlwollend die Stimmen in der Community. [...]
Took me ages and I feel really stupid. But I’ll share my learnings none the less.
I have Things on the Mac and Things on the iPhone but it would not sync. Both using WIFI. Then I disconnected the USB cable out of the Mac and iPhone. Now I can see the iPhone in the Things desktop application to connect/pair with. Doh!
All syncing now. Phewie!
@Moe
For the badge, go to Home, Settings, scroll down, Things and… voil√†… there’s an option for that (which is turned off by default).
All baggie now ! Thanks guys ! Left a 5 star review too ;)
Great update! I was afraid of complicated syncing with buttons and menus. But just open Thing on the iPhone and voila (Things on my desktop is always open). Nice update! Keep up the good work.