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Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:17 am
by Pete Eeles
Hi all,

This is a shameless plug to let you know that Chris Manley, Matt Rowlings, Guy Padfield and I have collaborated on a "Butterflies of Europe" app that is now available. More details at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/reports_ ... europe.php

The app is currently optimised for the iPhone, but the images are all high-res and work just fine on an iPad.

As UKB regulars, Guy and I would be particularly interested in any feedback. And if anyone is happy to provide a review I'd be happy to post it on UKB :)

Cheers,

- Pete

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:09 am
by Paul Wetton
Hi Pete

I presume it works with the iPod as well as iPhone as I have a 4th generation iPod.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:14 am
by Paul Wetton
Hi Pete

Answered my own question by looking at it on iTunes and it does work with my iPod Touch but now I have another question. Does this App require a WiFi or 3G connection to operate or is it possible to store the whole App to work offline ie when I head out to Bulgaria, thus avoiding high connection charges.
Many thanks.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:19 am
by Pete Eeles
Hi Paul - no internet connection is required for any aspect of the app. Everything is stored on the device.

Cheers,

- Pete

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:40 am
by Paul Wetton
Fantastic. Thanks Pete.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:05 pm
by dilettante
Looks impressive!

I wonder if you're planning a lite/demo version to allow people to try before they buy? £11.99 is good value compared to a specialist reference book, but beyond the 'impulse buy' price of most iDevice apps.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:16 pm
by FISHiEE
Looks an excellent resource and much more practical than reference books when travelling/out in the field.

Any plans for an Android version?

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:39 pm
by Pete Eeles
dilettante wrote:Looks impressive!

I wonder if you're planning a lite/demo version to allow people to try before they buy? £11.99 is good value compared to a specialist reference book, but beyond the 'impulse buy' price of most iDevice apps.
Not that I'm aware of - good idea though! I'll pass it on to Chris.

Cheers,

- Pete

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:39 pm
by Pete Eeles
FISHiEE wrote:Any plans for an Android version?
Not currently. If the iOS version does ok, I suspect Chris Manley would seriously consider it though.

Cheers,

- Pete

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:29 pm
by Wurzel
This looks great and it's my birthday next week so perfect timing as well! One problem - how can I get the authors to sign it? :wink:

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:10 pm
by Jack Harrison
... as I have a 4th generation iPod.
I have a 0th generation thingummy, Will it work on that?

Jack

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:13 pm
by Paul Wetton
Well it took me less than 3 hours from discovering the App was on sale to lining your pockets.

I've had a cursory look at it and all appears excellent. I only have an iPod touch but the photos look great and the information is sound. I especially like the fact that you can record whether you have seen the species on this App, great for all those who like to tick and even better the fact that you can add your own notes as well.

I presume regular updates will be available for this if better photos or more updated info becomes available.

In summary informative, will be highly useful in the field if books are not available, great photos. Well done gents.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:58 pm
by JohnR
All these apps seem to be designed for the iPod/Pad. This is outright discrimination against Android users, we may be in a minority but our needs for butterfly and wildlife apps are just the same as Apple users. There should be a law against such discrimination, I'll complain to Brussels. :evil:

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:27 pm
by NickB
Looks like an app of its time; the hi-res IPhone screens make this a particularly good platform...
As an Android user, ...... :roll:

Hope you managed to get a special "charity" rate for sales from Apple :lol:

(At (I hear 20% of the app to Apple) their usual rates, they could "give a little back" ......
I think they can afford it......)

Good luck and well-done!
N

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:33 pm
by NickB
Jack Harrison wrote:
... as I have a 4th generation iPod.
I have a 0th generation thingummy, Will it work on that?
Jack
I'll send you the semaphore codes over, when the fog clears; OK Jack?
:mrgreen:

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:43 pm
by Padfield
Paul Wetton wrote:Well it took me less than 3 hours from discovering the App was on sale to lining your pockets.
Thanks for that, Paul! I do hope you find it useful - and any feedback would be gratefully received so the updates can incorporate appropriate improvements.

I too hope that we can make this available for Android users too in due course.

For all the non-smartphone users... I have nothing but respect for you! Keep an open mind, though. I was a doubter until I bought my iPhone. Then I bought an iPad and finally I made a Faustian pact with the late Steve Jobs and sold my soul to the Cloud. I don't regret it, yet.

Guy

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:53 pm
by NickMorgan
By coincidence I came across this last night on the App Store. I am very tempted, but what puts me off is the 407MB file size. Obviously that points to it containing a lot of pictures and information, but on a 4GB iPod it is a big chunk of memory. I do have space, so I think I will take the plunge!! I may have to take off some photos and other apps.

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:01 am
by Wurzel
Guy and Pete I got this yesterday and it's brill, ace job! The photos are excellent and there's a good range of them, more than your average guide book. The "your notes" feature is a great idea and I'm itching to use it ( if only there were some butterflies about) and I really like the "similar species" feature which whisks you over to it's/their page for a direct comparison. Overall it's a brill app with easy and intuitive/user friendly design with the added bonus that it's stand alone so it can be used effectively in any field!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:13 am
by Jack Harrison
Guy said:
For all the non-smartphone users... I have nothing but respect for you! Keep an open mind, though.
I have two problems here.

Firstly I suspect that I would find it very difficult to use (I can't even send text messages - well, I can't be bothered to learn).

Secondly for personal reasons, cash is very tight at the moment (some of you will no doubt guess why). I hope this will be resolved before too long but until it is, I cannot begin to contemplate the expense of an albeit-marvellous piece of kit. One day.....

Jack

Re: Butterflies of Europe app

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:00 pm
by Paul Wetton
It's dead easy to use Jack. If you can use a PC and update on this forum you'll be a whizz with an App.

I get you with the cost though. The Apps are favourable in price but the piece of kit you need to put them on (iPhone, iPad or iPod) is expensive.

All the best.