FAQ for v 1.01

Does this work with ipod touch.

Yes. As long as you have an internet connection.


Where are the settings?

Settings are currently in the iphone/ipod setting application. Look for the sworim icon.

What authentication is supported right now?

Currently, it supports only SASL Plain. I am adding SASL MD5 and Plain text in the next release.

I am having SSL connection issues.

Try setting it to port 5223 instead of 5222 and see if that helps. Make sure your server uses SASL plain authentication or it will not be able to log in

Does it need iphone os3?
While it doesnt technically at the moment, there are database hooks (Core Data) that i want to use that isn't available in 2.0 and it will be 3.0 exclusive in the future. I will try to compile the next release with the 2.0 SDK and release that if it works.


What servers does it work with?

1.02 has been the most heavily tested with google talk. I have also connected to jabber.org's ejabberd server and the latest openfire server. I am currently heavily testing with openfire.

1.01 released, FAQ and reviews

1.01 has been released in the app store. This is a bug fix update that fixes sticky/slowdown issues experienced by some users in the first version.

I am working on making a FAQ page on this blog so that people can see quick answers to recurring problems. I am also working resolving SSL and authentication problems people are having for the next release. Keep an eye out on this page for updates on that.

Finally, there are a ton of 1 star reviews on itunes, some from people looking for the settings menu. I've decided to ditch the standard apple menu and make my own in application to reduce confusion. In the mean time, if you have used the application and find it useful, please consider giving a positive star rating in itunes. You do not have to write anything, just give it a star rating. There are 50 people who gave 1 star reviews and close to a thousand users, it would be unfortunate for the 50 to drown out the rest. Thanks!

1.01.. just sitting there..

1.01 still hasn't been approved. I have no idea why it is taking so long for approval. I'm going to have to see what the allowed frequency of releases in the store is.

v1.01 Sent for approval

Based on the feedback I've gotten for version 1. I've fixed a few things and pushed out v1.01 to the store for approval. I just noticed some people were having login issues. I'll fix it in 1.02. Below is a change log for 1.01. Thanks!

1. removed debug code that got left behind in the 1.0 release build that was causing massive slowdown for some users
2. Status messages update properly on buddylist
3. Fixed bug when loading buddy icons, speeding up scrolling on chats and reduced memory use
4. made the message input box more obvious and visible in a chat view
5. initial prompts ask for missing username explicitly says go to settings program
6. Misc bug fixes

Bugs and Issues

If you are having any problems connecting to servers or have experienced other issues. Post them in the comments below. I am aware of at least one case where someone wasn't able to connect to a jabber server using "old style SSL" i am looking into that. Everything else, comment away.

Dont forget to Digg

Digging this blog would be very helpful in spreading the word. Please Digg. I've left this permanently on the sidebar.

Approved.

SworIM 1.0 has been approved. Download it for free by clicking the image or the link below.

or

http://itunes.com/apps/sworim

Buddy Icons are in 1.0

I ended up having to resubmit it because of incompatibility with iPhone OS3. The new version I have submitted has buddy icon support. Hopefully third time is the charm for approval.

Buddy Icons

While I couldnt fix all the bugs in time for the 1.0 release, buddy icons are working in 1.1 and will definitely be in the next release. 

Submitted and Final Icon

Coming soon to your applications list: 

List of features in V1.0

Quick rundown of important features:

1. add/remove buddies

2. custom status messages

3. visible/invisible mode

4. vibration

5. SSL support

6. custom port and servers

7. VPN support

8. Unicode support for chatting in any language

9. Chat logs

What to expect in future releases:

Currently being tested:

1. buddy icons

2. groups

Future development:

1. Facebook support

2. AIM support

3. MSN (if I can get documentation on the protocol)

Submitted for review

1.0 has been submitted for review in the iTunes store. Hopefully this won't take long. Below are the screenshots that will appear in iTunes.

Version 1

Art assets are in, major memory leaks out, connection issues fixed and target features complete. We've now bumped it up to version 1.0 and are submitting it to the iTunes store.

Feature Complete

All the features intended for the first release in the app store are now in place. I need to test a little more (random connection issues sometimes) before i submit this for inclusion in the store. Hopefully I can iron out any glaring bugs soon.

iPhoneOS 3.0

One of the new requirements for all apps sent to the app store is that they be compatible with iPhone OS3, which is going to launch in under a month. This morning was spent testing SworIM with the OS and aside from some rather odd issues with the project file, the application runs just fine on the new OS.

When OS3 does launch, I'm going to try to add push notifications so it replicates the feel of running a background process.

Server Support

While google talk is the default settings on SworIM, it is also a standard XMPP (Jabber) client. It has been tested with two other very popular systems Openfire (aka wildfire), which is a popular open source XMPP server and eJabberD which power Jabber.org, one of the major XMPP servers on the internet. It is this flexibility that distinguishes SworIM from other clients on the store right now

vibration and buddies

The app is about a week away from initial release. We've just added the ability to add/remove buddies using the finger side on the row to remove and a plus button on the upper right to add. In addition there is an option to trigger vibration when a new message comes in.

The only things left to finish before final release are a alpha sort on the buddies, populating the chat log tab and final icons and art.

We can also confirm that SworIM has been tested with Wildfire/openfire servers and will connect to corporate servers through a VPN connection.

Below are screenshots from build .581, the latest build

Operating on the iPhone

We now have a version operating on the iPhone. Most of the launch target features are in place. I still need to add the ability to add/remove a buddy and test with some more non google xmpp servers.

So far, it has worked perfectly with the google talk servers. Some screenshots from the current build (.56) running on Iphone 2.2.1

Progress so far

 So far the client can connect to most Jabber (xmpp ) servers, including google talk. using either SSL or clear text. Since this is a native jabber client unlike all other iphone IM clients, you can use this to connect to you corporate jabber server over VPN. It will connect, download the list of buddies and let you chat with them.  The basic chat client is done.  I am currently working getting avatars to load in a way that will not overly tax the iphone.  Avatars do download but do not yet show up  in the buddy list.  That's my next major to do item.