Delayed!

A beta tester just found a rather serious bug that I need to check. I've pulled the binary and the release will be pushed into next week so I can look at this.

Monal 1.07 is now 2.0 and other updates

Monal has been submitted to the app store for approval. Don't be alarmed when you see Monal 2.0 show up on your application list.  It is what was 1.07. I had to increase the version number to 2.0 because for some reason the application loader couldn't tell that 1.07 was greater than 1.062 and refused to allow me to upload an "older" version.  It should be approved in a few days. While, this isn't how I wanted 2.0 to be released,  it is the biggest update to the software since it came out and it has been over a year since 1.0, so it's not that bad.

I have also added Monal to the business category in addition to social networking because of the cisco webex connect support.  The minimum iOS version has been changed to 3.1.2 from 3.1.3. Finally,  the application rating has been changed to 17+ since it includes a web browser.

Monal 1.07 feature complete

Monal 1.07 is feature complete and is about to complete testing. Release candidate 1 was sent out to testers today. If no issues arise this will be the build submitted to the app store.

This is the final changelog of what to expect. In addition to the graphical overhaul, the other major change that will affect many people is support for group chat.

1.07 changelog

This is a major update that significantly changes the front and backends of the program.

1. Stops crash on load on iphone 3g and fixed many other bugs

2. faster start up and much more efficient login code (3-4x faster)

3. fixed bug where chat input box was disabled after viewing logs

4. urls in chat are detected and can be tapped to bring up safari when there is multi tasking or in app when there isn't.

5. Added a logoff button for easy logoff without closing app

6. contacts listed in alphabetical order, own username not shown

7. support for xmpp tunes, option to set status as currently playing ipod song

8. New ipad UI autorotates to all orientations, supports landscape

9. new lighter, faster and more accurate XMPP parsing engine

10. xmpp uses JID for setup

11. UI improvements for consistency

12. new sliding notification when a message is received or song changes

13. status updates are immediately seen

14. added a simple web browser for non multi tasking OSes

15. Icons update correctly when buddy changes it

16. added an active chats tab to access current conversations easily

17. added DNS SRV record discovery. this enables cisco webexconnect support in addition to greater compatibility overall.

18. added support for group chat

19. added support for itunes file transfer

Cisco Webex connect support

 I can confirm that the next version of the client connects to cisco webex connect XMPP servers.  There are still a few quirks that I intend to iron out, but basic the functionality is working.

Edit 4/13/2011 :
 you can find instructions on the new monal site's  help page for webex

http://monal.im/help/cisco-webex/

DNS service discovery, priorities and Cisco Webex

It's not everyday I learn about something totally new. I learned today that XMPP uses SRV records in the DNS to correctly determine the highest priority server and port to use. I have now added XMPP DNS service discovery. This improves compatibility with servers across the board and in theory it should also enable connections to Cisco WebEx XMPP servers -- something several people have asked about. I will write back with confirmation.

See debug logs below:

Gtalk:

Cisco:

1.07 changelog so far

Development and testing on 1.07 is almost complete. This is the near final changelog. The one more addition to this will be multi user chat support.


1. Stops crash on load on iphone 3g.
2. faster start up and much more efficient login code (3-4x faster)
3. fixed  bug where chat input box was disabled after viewing logs
4. urls in chat are detected and can be tapped to bring up safari when there is multi tasking or in app when there isn't.
5. Added a logoff button for easy logoff without closing app
6. contacts listed in alphabetical order, own username not shown
7. support for xmpp tunes, option to set status as currently playing ipod song
8. New ipad UI autorotates to all orientations, supports landscape
9. new lighter, faster and more accurate XMPP parsing engine
10. xmpp uses JID for setup
11. UI improvements for consistency
12. new sliding notification when a message is received or  song changes
13. status updates are immediately seen
14. added a simple web browser for non multi tasking OSes
15. Icons update correctly when buddy changes it
16. added an active chats tab to access current conversations easily

Multi user chat

The next release will support joining multi user chats.

Monal 1.07 Private Beta

I am ready to begin beta testing the next release of Monal.   I am interested in making sure Monal works with as wide a range of XMPP servers as possible.  If you are interested in joining the beta please email monaltest@gmail.com  with the subject :  Monal 1.07 private beta . 


In your email please include the following information:


1. if are you  using gmail, facebook or some other server.
2. if you are using some other server do you know what it is (openfire, ejabberd etc)
3. what device (s) you use iPad, iphone 3g, ipod touch etc.
4. what ios version you use 
5. your device UDID ( http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/08/iphone-101-find-udid-with-a-single-click/ )
6. what country you are in

In App Browser

 For users of older iPhone and iPads that do not have multi tasking, I have added a simple in-app web browser.  This is under the more menu and takes up no additional resources since it uses the same message rendering engine. Its not safari  but it should let you do other stuff while still receiving messages