Ripe Apps Blog

iOSTO Talks

Thanks everyone for coming, great turnout! 

Speakers:

Benefits, costs, and difficulties in making iOS apps accessible. 
Ash Furrow is the Lead iOS Developer at 500px. He enjoys writing and has recently co-authored a book on Objective-C, available at http://amzn.to/UsOY0m or you can read his blog at http://ashfurrow.com/ .

Creating SoccerQUAD, from concept to the App Store, TAPQUAD methodology and our latest App.
Gus Pineda - tapquad.com

Building apps with RubyMotion.
Ilia Lobsanov is a freelance Ruby on Rails and iOS developer. He recently co-founded Quandl.com, PropertyCloud.ca and Disclosed.ca and is looking for the next startup adventure. Find out more at http://ilia.lobsanov.com

Interested in talking and presenting? Ping us with your idea talks@ripeapps.com

iOS Toronto Jobs Discussion Board / Forum

I wanted to share with you our latest - an iOS Toronto Jobs Discussion Board / Forum!  We knew there was a great need for a space like this - where those looking for opportunities can come and those who need great talent, can look.  So here it is!  Please, visit and share with the developers community.

http://www.meetup.com/iOSToronto/messages/boards/forum/3368302

iOSTO 4 - Demo Day!

It’s the morning after iOSTO 4 - Demo Day.  Lemon Drop shots and Champagne were involved.  Need I say more???

We had a roaring crowd last night at the Pilot again, with over 80 RSVPs!  The theme of the night was “Demo Day”.  Prior to the event, we asked if anyone wanted to demo their apps for us.  Last night, we had 4 fantastic demos slated (though there was a cancellation last minute - Dayton, you still owe us several rounds of beer and we won’t forget!).

You know what’s even better than a huge turn-out?  When your attendees bring guests or family!  Nick, attending his second iOSTO meetup, brought his dad along, also a developer.  It runs in the family!  Amazing, no?

Can’t wait till the next one in March - but everyone - eat more next time!  We ordered food to feed you!  You’re all so skinny; eat, eat!  *doing my best fake mom voice*

And yes, the night ended with a bottle of Champagne.  Non of that Prosecco stuff.  Real deal all the way ;)

Until next time!

CL

Mike Peyvandi - Take Your Marks

Mike is a C/C++ programmer; Java programmer for the last 15 yearrs and currently a Senior Solution Architect.

Twitter: @tymbuddy
Blog: takeyourmarks.tumblr.com
www.itunes.com/takeyourmarks

Pascal Vantrepote - Bookabi

Tamajii Inc is the brainchild of Laurent Domenech-Cabaud and Pascal Vantrepote.  Laurent and Pascal are longtime Apple fans.  They think the iPad is a revolution because it enables a direct connection between your ideas and the document. Plus it’s fun!
   
http://tamajii.com/
http://tamajii.com/bookabi/
http://itunes.apple.com/app/bookabi/id494391239

Rosano Coutinho - iLift

Rosano is a pianist and recent graduate of the University of Toronto. He loves music, design, and technology; beautiful integrations of any of these three always intrigue him.

Twitter:  @rosano
http://rosano.ca/ilift/
http://itunes.apple.com/artist/rcreativ/id356609408

Reminders!

So we have an amazing app called Reminders!  How did this app get made?  Our awesome Ripe Apps co-founder, Rodolfo was desperately in need of an app that would tell him what he needed to do and would do it for him.  So he went to our other co-founder, Peter, who does the web development, and thus, Reminders! was born.

Before I give you the spiel of why Reminders! is awesome, check it out here on the App Store first!  We’ve just put out an update for it!  http://itunes.apple.com/app/reminders/id389611206

Now onto the fun stuff….here’s why you NEED Reminders!

Who doesn’t need a reminder every now and then? Oh, you don’t? You’re one of those? The perfect type of person who can remember every single thing on your task list without even having a task list? If that’s you, then STOP READING THIS! Your photographic memory is of no use here to us, thank you very much.

But if you’re not an abnormal freak and are HUMAN like the rest of us, you probably forget things every now and then, right? Maybe it’s because you’re super busy and have a million things on the go. You probably don’t even have time to brush your hair (or shine your scalp, if that be the case). How can you possibly remember that you have a meeting at 4 am? Or that you have to eat your lunch at noon? We have a solution for that. It’s the best app in the UNIVERSE.  It’s called REMINDERS! Why? Because YOU NEED A REMINDER FOR STUFF!

How could our Reminders! app be different from all the other apps out there that create pop up notifications and create to-do lists? Because our Reminders! app is fool-proof.
Those other apps just create a reminder for you. But you know what I do with reminders like that? I forget about them.

Case and point:  My reminder says I have to email John Bob Smith. OK. Well, then I have to close my reminder pop up window. I have to go into my email app. Then I have to find John Bob’s name in my contact list. Then I have to actually email him. This is wasted time! Why do I have to do this? Maybe I have ADHD. Maybe I’m like a bird who likes pecking at shiny things. Was I supposed to email someone? Oh well, I guess it wasn’t important anyway. Except maybe it IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING EVER! Maybe it’s the important email I have to send. And now I’ve forgotten. Maybe John Bob was the guy I had to contact to collect on my lotto winnings? Either way, now I’m screwed. You see? This could have all been avoided if I just had a better REMINDERS! app.

Here’s how our REMINDERS! app kicks the behind of any other program. It actually executes the task when you tell it to. That email you had to send John Bob? All you had to do when you created that task was just enter in John Bob’s email and our app does the rest. When that notification pops up to remind you to email John Bob, there’s a simple button you can click on that will actually lead you to composing that email RIGHT AWAY. What happens if you procrastinate because you’re lazy? Well, you can also push back the reminder by a day or week with a simple click.

REMINDERS! does not rely on a push notification but instead builds itself in the iOS framework. Which means you get your reminder in real time, even if you’re in an area without network service And it’s not just emailing or calling people that you need REMINDERS for. Gotta go to the grocery store? Work out at the gym? Pet a dog? Rob a bank? (OK, not really. We do not condone illegal activity, especially if you get caught). We have a huge list of different tasks you can enter or choose from. It’s because WE CAN READ YOUR MIND!!

So download it. It’s called REMINDERS! For people who are busy, lazy or forgetful. Let us help you do the work you don’t want to do but need to.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/reminders/id389611206

Ripe App’s iOSTO Meetup #3 - Shazam!

Let me just say, the 3rd iOSTO meetup, sponsored by Ripe Apps, was absolutely incredible!  We decided to change up the formula this time, booked a proper private room with projector, screen and most importantly, BAR at the Pilot in Yorkville.  Why, you ask?  Because we had three fantastic presentations at the beginning of our get-together.  Short, 5 minute talks by Greg Heo, Tom Hoddes, and and our very own, Peter Gray.  Scroll down to the bottom of the post for speaker bios and links to these!

After each talk, there was a short Q & A. which showed true engagement - our main goal of these meetups!  It was a great moment to witness.  Sniff sniff.

Best way to celebrate?  DRINK!  So we did, with nacho platters and appetizer spreads on the Ripe Apps tab!  And the best way to wash those deep fried goodies down?  Lemon drop and Yager shots, naturally.

The night ended with us being full with food and drink.  Our turnout for this meetup was almost twice the size of our previous meetups!  Thanks to everyone for coming out and to those who couldn’t make it this time, we truly hope to see you at our next meetup!

You can see all of the photos from the informative and debaucherous night on our iOSTO meetup page.  Just join and see what the fuss is all about!

Now last but not least, here are the speaker bios and presentations from the evening.  Our next meetup will follow a similar format so if you’d like to be a speaker, please email us with a topic and bio, and we will chat!

Until next time!!!

-CL

Greg Heo - Profiling [http://www.slideshare.net/ripeapps/profiling-11024065]

Greg is a long-time programmer, medium-time Apple/iOS enthusiast, and the well-rounded freelancer/consultant you have always wanted to hire.

LinkedIn:  http://ca.linkedin.com/in/gregheo
twitter:  http://twitter.com/gregheo

Tom Hoddes - App Naming [http://www.slideshare.net/ripeapps/app-names] Tom is a Math and Music enthusiast who combines his two passions by writing iOS apps focused on music analysis. He also works full time as an Algorithms Developer for Avid Life Media and has a degree in Applied Mathematics and Engineering from Queen’s University. twitter: http://twitter.com/tomhoddes
blog: http://tomhoddes.com

Peter Gray - App Pirating [http://www.slideshare.net/ripeapps/pirates-copy]

Co-Founder at Ripe Apps, Peter has been programming all of his adult life, and a few years before that too. He thinks in C, programs in Objective C and plays in Python.

LinkedIn:  http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/peter-gray/11/638/40
twitter:  http://twitter.com/DocHex

New Ripe Apps Website Launch!

The time has come for us to unveil the new Ripe Apps website launch!!  And we’re so excited…  The new website has been in the works for months with our entire team of developers and designers working endlessly, toiling away in the dark hours of the night with only bread and water at hand.  Occasionally, there were short 5 minute breaks to allow for people to get some fresh air, see their loved ones or take a shower…

As a result of the hard work, we now have a snazzy new website that we’re all really proud of.  All of our apps are simply listed, with screenshots of the best features laid out.  We also have a page on our site for iOSTO, an exciting monthly meetup event that we sponsor.  And if you want news every now and then about our upcoming promotions and events, you can subscribe to our mailing list.  We promise we won’t send you emails often and we won’t share your info!  We’re all techies and we don’t believe in that kind of stuff.

And guess what?  We also do third party web development.  Pretty cool huh?

Please send us any feedback you have about the website, our apps or iOSTO - because we really want to hear from you!  Check it out here:  www.ripeapps.com

Seriously though, no team members were harmed in the making of this new website :)

Ripe App’s iOSTO Meetup - objectAtIndex:1

Community:  “a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.” (dictionary.com)

Where was the iOS community in Toronto?  The founders of Ripe Apps were asking themselves this question as they felt the desire to connect with others in the iOS development world.  Thus iOSTO was born, a community meetup designed for those interested in iOS development to connect, discuss and get to know one another.

Approximately a month ago, iOSTO held its first community meetup and was blown away by the surge in registrations and attendees.  The event was such a success that the need for another event in the coming month was evident. 

Last night, Ripe Apps hosted the second iOSTO community meetup, again at the Artful Dodger.  But due to the growing number of RSVPs, we booked a larger room in the back, in the upstairs space.  Despite the pouring rain, excited people slowly trickled in until the masses came in droves as the night went on.  In fact, someone even donned a helmet and biked over.  Now that’s dedication. 

The agenda was simple:  drink, talk, drink, talk, and talk some more.

Soon enough, the room was filled to the brink and the passion for iOS was clearly heard.  Voices carried across the room, enthusiastic hand gestures waving in the air, and laughter filling the space.

Thanks again to everyone who came; to those who couldn’t make it, we missed your presence and hope you can come next time.  Please spread the word!

With the third iOSTO meetup planned for early next year, make sure you register here to keep up to date with announcements or to meet others in the group:  http://www.meetup.com/iOSToronto/.

Cheers!

-CL

iOSTO Meetup - Huge Turnout!

Hi Everyone!

The power of the MEETUP is strong.  What’s better than an event that brings together groups of people with common interests?  iOSTO, sponsored by Ripe Apps, was about more than just networking with others in the iOS community (though it was certainly successful at that too), but it was really a prime opportunity to connect, discuss and learn.

Last night marked the inaugural iOSTO Meetup.  We all gathered together in a specially booked room at the Artful Dodger, ordered food and drink, and connected with each other.  We were more than blown away by number of people who could make it.  This little group quadrupled in size within weeks and as of now, almost 100 members have signed up.  

Thanks so much to those who came tonight and we look forward to welcoming to you to next month’s event!  This is just the first of MANY more to come.  With that, I leave you with a huge gallery of pics from the evening.  It was awesome meeting everyone!

Cheers,

CL

iOSTO Meetup - November 1, 2011!

Hello all!

The iOSTO Meetup has a first meeting scheduled for November 1, 2011! 

If you’re an iOS developer, game designer, marketeer, investor, UX/GUI Designer or active in the iOS community, we want to meet you!  So please sign up for more info here and SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.meetup.com/iOSToronto/

Cheers!

CL

iOSTO = iOS Toronto Meetup!

Ripe Apps is sponsoring iOSTO - an iOS Toronto Meetup!

The iOSTO meetup is the first of its kind in Toronto – where people who are interested in iOS development gather together to SHARE, LEARN, CHANGE, and ACT. If you’re an iOS developer, marketeer, investor, UX/GUI Designer or active in the iOS community, we want to MEETUP and CONNECT with you.

This will be an informal and casual event and will be held downtown (date/location TBA).

This meetup is an opportunity to share iOS projects, ideas, business insight, prototypes and development experiences.  Do you have an app store horror story?  Or successes to share?  What do you think Apple will do next?  Let’s talk about Objective C Programming and User Experience.

Let’s meet and connect in the world of iOS!  And use the hashtag “#iOSTO” on Twitter!

http://iosto.ca/

Updates Now Available for Download!

Hello all!

We’ve got a bunch of updates available for download now so here goes:

Tymoot

• New look for settings tab
• Minor bug fixes

Reminders

• Added “Auto Snooze” [Auto snooze will alert you each minute (hour/day) until you complete a task or explicitly reschedule it. Disabled by default.]
• New look for Settings menu
• Misc small bug fixes

Geo Alerts

• Using address book to find locations wasn’t functioning due to recent changes at Google. This bug has been fixed!

Enjoy folks!

-CL

Intros, ripeapps, and chess!

Hello world - I’m the newest member of the ripeapps team and I thought I’d introduce myself.  My name is Cindy and I’ll be working on developing the social media and online presence.  So delighted to join this fabulous and innovative company!

Now onto some news.  Of course, it’s back to school time, which can get pretty hectic.  Ripeapps currently has an app out there designed specifically for parents, called Tymoot.  How does it work?  Well, you can watch the demo here!  

There’s a cool article on the Examiner about it; check it out!

We’ve also got a new iPad app out, called Boardbox.  You can find it on iTunes and the best part is it’s free.

Over the Labor Day weekend, Ripeapps also sponsored the Annex Chess Club Tournament.  Lots of fun was had by everyone and we’ve got some pics to share….