Robosoul

Pedestrian Crossings

Neil Beaver — 2013-04-21T09:55:50+01:00

Pedestrian Crossings is the latest app in the Learn To Drive series.

The focus is on Zebra, Pelican and Puffin crossings. Once you know what you're doing with these three, you also know what to do at Toucan and Pegasus/Equestrian crossings.

The app emphasises the approach to the junction and the importance of starting the MSM routine early.

Top tip: in the Pelican and Puffin sections, turn on the "Anticipation" switch and pause the animation just after the pedestrian appears on screen. A little info button will appear. Tap the button to show a close-up image of the pedestrian reaching out to push the button.

Please note: There is an error in version 1.0 of the app. In the Puffin section, the light sequence shows an amber light where it should be showing red and amber together. An update which fixes this issue has been submitted to Apple and is awaiting approval.

Hit the button below to get it now on the iTunes App Store. Only 1.99!

New app: CPD

Neil Beaver — 2013-04-21T09:10:56+01:00

CPD helps you schedule and keep track of your CPD events.

When you have an event planned, add it to the app so you have a record of all the events you are going to attend. You can easily insert the event into your device's calendar and set a reminder.

Once you've attended the CPD event, mark it as completed. It will then be removed from your planned list and added to your completed list. The completed list maintains a tally of the number of CPD hours you have completed to date.

For each event, you can add your own notes and pinpoint it on a map so you can easily get directions if needed.

CPD is free to download and use. Small adverts may appear from time to time within the app. If you want to use it without any adverts, you can make an in-app purchase for 69p which will remove them permanently.

CPD is currently optimised for use on the iPhone. Native iPad integration is planned for the future. In the meantime the iPhone version of the app can be installed and run on an iPad.

Hit the button below to get it now on the iTunes App Store.

Give Way and Emergency Stop updated

Neil Beaver — 2013-04-01T12:01:51+01:00

An update to Give Way has gone live today. The update includes the following improvements:

• Pause: you can now pause the animations at any time.

• Rear wheel steering: steering has been greatly improved, giving a more realistic impression of how cars really move when turning corners.

• Stop junction: a stop junction has been added to the Emerging section of the app.

• Give Way & Stop signs: these have been added to the Emerging section of the app.

• Variable pen width & colour: these can be changed in your iPad's Settings app.

Emergency Stop received an update with some new features around a month ago. Here's what was included:

• Stopping distances chart.

• Image showing how to look for feet behind parked vehicles. This can be found in the planning section by pausing the animation when the pedestrians are passing behind the parked van. Once paused, tap the info button to show the image.

• In the skidding section, the car will now be shown skidding out of control if you steer the wrong way when trying to correct a skid.

Buying an iPad

Neil Beaver — 2013-03-26T19:24:16+00:00

A few months ago I wrote this post about how to choose the right iPad if you're an ADI or PDI looking to get one for use in driving lessons. Since then, Apple has released not one but two new iPads, so I wanted to revisit the subject and offer some more up-to-date advice.

Most (if not all) of what I wrote in the previous article is still relevant, especially if you're considering buying an older iPad. I'd recommend having a read over it if you want to have a fuller understanding of the differences between the various iPads.

In this article, I'm going to give brief summary of each of the different options currently available.

iPad with Retina display (4th generation)

This is the one iPad I've never actually owned or used. By all accounts it's a lovely piece of work which improves on some of the deficiencies of the 3rd generation iPad. Here's a short review from the Daily Telegraph. Recommended if you've got the dosh and you want the best iPad money can buy.

iPad with Retina display (3rd generation)

This is the iPad I currently use. I upgraded from the iPad 2 to get the Retina display, but was disappointed that my new device was thicker and heavier than the previous one. It also takes longer to charge than the iPad 2, and the battery goes down faster. The Retina display is lovely, but not enough to convince me that I wouldn't have been better off sticking with my iPad 2. Not recommended, unless you're getting a good deal on it.

iPad 2

The iPad 2 is still a great device. It doesn't have the crystal clear Retina display, but to be honest you don't really need it. What you get instead is a thin, lightweight device that charges quickly and lasts a long time once charged. Very handy when you're using it in the car all day! The iPad 2 is getting on a bit, but it still runs the latest iPad software and so shouldn't give you any compatibility problems for a while yet. Recommended if you want an iPad with a full size (9.7 inch) screen but don't want to part with a lot of lolly!

iPad

The original iPad was a great device when it was in its prime, a couple of years ago. However, it can no longer be considered a serious option as it's quite a bit less powerful than the newer models and it cannot run the latest iPad software. This means it's going to be harder and harder to get apps which are compatible. Avoid!

iPad mini

The iPad mini is a fantastic iPad and definitely worth considering, especially if you're on a tight budget. The biggest drawback is obviously the smaller (7.9 inch) screen, but according to ADIs who've used it in the car it's not too small for teaching (all my apps can be used on the iPad mini). Being small also has its advantages: the mini is very light, you can fit it in a large pocket (or a small glovebox), and the battery life is excellent. Recommended if you're on a budget and you have small fingers!

Wi-Fi & Cellular or Wi-Fi only?

A wi-fi only iPad will give you access to the internet on your home network and in public wi-fi 'hotspots'.

If you want to be online all the time, wherever you roam, you'll need a 'cellular' iPad. A cellular iPad is similar to a smart phone in that it will connect to the internet pretty much anywhere, but you'll need to pay for the privilege! Expect to part with around £50-£100 extra for a cellular iPad, and you'll need to pay for your data as well. As with mobile phones, there are various ways of paying and various price plans available. Cellular data on your iPad may cost anything from a few pounds per month to around £30 a month, depending on which carrier you're with and how much data you use (I tend to use less than 100MB per month, so it doesn't cost me much to stay connected).

Another possibility is to get a wi-fi only iPad and use the internet connection on your smart phone to connect to the internet. This could save you money as you’re probably already paying for a data connection on your phone, so why not share it with your iPad? Beware, however, that not all data connections can be shared, and the connection may not be as reliable as you would like. It's worth investigating this option and maybe testing it out before committing yourself.

Many instructors are happy with the wi-fi only option and just use the internet when it's available. It's certainly convenient to have an always-on connection to the world wide interwebs, but not essential.

16GB, 32GB or 64GB?

16GB is a fair amount of data for an iPad. Unless you're planning on storing a lot of video content, you'll probably find this is all you need. The 4th generation iPad also has a 128GB option, but it's hard to imagine why anyone would need all this space. My advice is to start with 16GB and see how you go. You can always upgrade to a bigger one if you need to.

Where to buy?

New iPad prices are pretty uniform wherever you go. You won't get much of a discount (if any) by buying from Amazon or Argos, so you might as well opt for whoever's going to give you the best service. You could do a lot worse than buy from an official Apple Store if there's one near you. Their service is second to none, and they'll also help you set up your new toy. John Lewis is another good option as they automatically include a 2 year guarantee with all new iPads.

If you prefer to buy online, Apple is always a good option. Here is their main iPad page. You can pick up a brand new iPad Mini from just £269, an iPad 2 from £329 or a 4th generation iPad with Retina display from just £399. Also, check out the refurbished section for the latest bargains.

When to buy?

Will Apple release a new iPad this year? Quite possibly. Should you wait for it? Probably not. You might have to wait six months, or they might just surprise us all and not release a new one this year. If you want an iPad, my advice is to just buy one. Take good care of it, and it'll retain most of its value. Then, whenever you decide it's time for an upgrade, you can sell your old one and replace it for only a little bit extra.

Records 2.2

Neil Beaver — 2013-03-14T10:21:34+00:00

Another major Records update has just gone live on the App Store. Here's what's included:

Show Me Tell Me options: Now you can view the full list of DSA vehicle safety questions and answers within the app. Just tap the info ("i") button on the main screen where your pupils are listed. You can also email the questions and answers to your pupil from the pupil's Details section. Once sent, Records will remember that you've sent them, although you can always send again at any time.

Keep others in the loop: In your pupil's Details section, you can add an additional email address. Scroll down and select the option to "Cc Emails". Now every time you send a progress update, a copy will automatically be sent to the additional email address. Perfect for keeping parents constantly informed about their child's progress.

Instructor Apps integration: If you use the Instructor Apps web service, you can tell Records to automatically send a copy of each progress update to Instructor Apps. Instructor Apps will identify which pupil the update is for and add it to their online record. To enable Instructor Apps integration, select Records in your device's Settings app.

Help & FAQ: When you tap the info ("i") button on the main screen there are a couple more options in addition to being able to view the the Show Me Tell Me questions. There also a Help page, which is basically a user manual for the app, and third page which lists some frequently asked questions and answers relating to the app.

Lesson Times: This is a major feature and something that a number of users have asked for. You can now use Records to maintain a list of each pupil's preferred lesson times. You can reorder the list to show the pupil's order of preference. When you want to add a lesson to your diary, all you need to do is tap it. The calendar interface will pop up on your screen, you can make any changes you wish, or just tap the Done button to proceed. The lesson will be added to your diary without you having to leave the Records app. The new lesson will then sync with iCloud or Google Calendar, depending on how you have your calendar set up. This makes adding the next lesson to your diary so fast and simple it's hard to believe.

Also: New fields for Progress and Country Roads have been added. The user interface has received various tweaks and performance enhancements.

I've got plenty more planned for this app and development work is ongoing as you read this. If you don't already use Records, it's a steal at £3.99 and is available on the App Store by tapping the button below. If you do already have the app, the update with all of the above features is absolutely free!

Add a Robosoul shortcut to your home screen

Neil Beaver — 2013-03-04T17:16:10+00:00

It's simple to add a shortcut to any webpage to the home screen of your iPad or iPhone. I've added some nice little Robosoul icons to my site, so when you bookmark one of my pages it'll look good on your device. Here's how to add a shortcut to the Robosoul home page:

1. Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to www.robosoul.co.uk

2. Tap the action button. This is at the top of the screen on an iPad and at the bottom of the screen on an iPhone. You will be presented with a menu that looks something like this:

3. Select "Add to Home Screen". You will be prompted to give the shortcut a name. Type an appropriate name into the box.

4. Tap "Add", then exit Safari and behold the lovely new icon on your home screen. Tapping this icon will open Safari and take you directly to the web page you have just bookmarked.

Book a driving test on your mobile

Neil Beaver — 2013-03-01T15:31:02+00:00

The DSA have been refining the driving test online booking service lately, and now it's optimised for use on mobile devices.

Go to gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test on your smart phone or tablet to give it a try. I gave it a wee test on my iPhone and it seems fast and easy to use.

The system will now only ask for a theory test pass certificate number if it can’t automatically find one on the system.

Emergency bug fixing

Neil Beaver — 2013-02-10T11:45:04+00:00

The Emergency Stop app has just been released and already I'm getting plenty of valuable feedback. Mostly it's very positive, but a few glitches have been picked up by users so I've been working on an update to fix the bugs. These are the ones that have been brought to my attention:

• In the Planning section, if you quit and then relaunch the app during one of the animations, strange things will happen.
• In the Planning section, if you pause the action and then reset while still paused, the blue car will be frozen in place and not move out the way of parked vehicles. Other weird things may also happen.
• In the Skidding section, if you turn the wheel right around while skidding, you can correct the skid by turning the wheel the wrong way.

All these bugs have been fixed and I've submitted an update to Apple for their approval. Hopefully they'll get it released with the minimum of delay.

If you come across any issues which are not listed above, please let me know as soon as you can. Include a list of steps to reproduce the bug and I'll get it fixed.

Fresh Start 2013

Neil Beaver — 2013-02-09T12:12:49+00:00

There are a few tickets still available for Fresh Start 2013, a king-size helping of CPD which should be an exciting addition to any ADI's calendar. The event is on Monday 25th February at Sixways Stadium, Worcester. Check out the website for more details.

Emergency Stop

Neil Beaver — 2013-02-07T22:04:01+00:00

It's here! The app you've all (well, some of you) have been waiting for!

You can read more about the new app here.

Go straight to App Store to check out some screenshots and grab yourself a copy buy hitting this here button:

Belkin releases Lightning car chargers

Neil Beaver — 2013-01-18T11:43:29+00:00

Belkin has released two new car charging accessories featuring Apple's Lightning connector. These are for use with the iPhone 5, iPad Mini and Retina iPad (4th Generation).

This one comes with a removable USB cable; handy if you have another device which uses a different connector: Belkin 2.1A Micro Car Charger with Removable Charge/Sync Lightning Cable for iPhone 5, iPad Mini, iPad 4th Generation

This one is slightly cheaper and has the cable permanently attached: Belkin Lightning Car Charger for iPhone 5/iPad Mini/iPod Touch 5G

Supplies of these are currently limited as production is being ramped up. The links above will take you directly to Amazon where you can check availability and order.

Routes 1.1

Neil Beaver — 2013-01-14T21:27:34+00:00

Routes has been updated to provide full iPad compatibility. I've also updated the app's description.

Get it now on the iTunes App Store:

Manoeuvres 1.3

Neil Beaver — 2013-01-14T10:30:25+00:00

An update to Manoeuvres is now available. The update includes the following enhancements:

• Pause button: tap to pause the animations while they are in progress
• Camber button: tap to show an image of the camber in Turn In The Road and Parallel Park
• Additional signalling options for communicating with ORUs in Parallel Park
• Variable turning position for Parallel Park
• Change pen width & colour via your iPad's Settings app
• Spelling corrections: I still manage to get "break" and "brake" confused sometimes!

Click here to see a video of the adjustable Parallel Park position in action.

Routes

Neil Beaver — 2012-12-29T18:39:11+00:00

A new app for driving instructors makes it's way onto the App Store today. It's called Routes, and as the name suggests it helps you keep a record of the routes you're covering in your lessons.

Most instructors have certain roads they like to cover with all pupils in order to ensure they gain the right range of experience in practice. The trouble is, after a few lessons it becomes very difficult to remember which roads have been covered and which have not. With Routes, you can record the route for each lesson, making it easy to check where you've been and where you have not.

The first version of Routes is optimised specifically for the iPhone. I'm still working on the interface for the iPad. The app can run on an iPad in its current form, but the interface will not be ideal as it's designed for the smaller screen of the iPhone. A 3G enabled iPad is required.

UPDATE 30/12/12: This version of Routes will not run on an iPad which unless iOS 6 or higher is installed. If you want to use this app on an iPad with iOS 5.1 or iOS 5.1.1 you will need to wait for the next version.

UPDATE 14/01/12: iPad optimisation has now been added to the app.

Hit the button below to get it now on the iTunes App Store.

Clutch demonstrator is here!

Neil Beaver — 2012-12-11T08:59:52+00:00

The Controls app has just been updated with a new section which contains a basic clutch demonstrator. What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Some recent updates

Neil Beaver — 2012-12-03T13:17:37+00:00

Traffic Lights has recently been updated to fix a bug that could cause the red car in the Crossroads/Filter animation to do something pretty daft. This update is available now.

I've recently sent updates to Apple for Records and Road Pad. These updates are still awaiting approval and release.

The changes to Records are as follows:
Option to set alternative prices (for student discount etc)
Option to include details of latest payment in email to pupil
Option to sort pupils alphabetically by surname

The Road Pad update fixes an bug that could cause an image to display incorrectly after changing the image's name.

The Rules

Neil Beaver — 2012-11-21T18:45:02+00:00

I recently took delivery of a shiny new iPhone 5. Strangely, the iPhone 5 is the sixth iteration of this marvellous device, and it’s the sixth one I’ve had the privilege to own.

I’m pleased to say I’ve never been in the unfortunate situation of having lost or broken my iPhone, nor have I ever had one stolen. I don’t put this down to good luck, I put it down to the fact that from the very beginning, when I got my first one, I laid down a few ground rules for myself which I’ve stuck to pretty rigidly over the years. I’d like to share those rules with you, in case they may be of help.

There are also a few other rules I have which are less concerned with the risk of losing or damaging the thing and more concerned with the risk of turning into some sort of iPhone zombie: somebody who rarely looks up from that tiny screen, and comes to see the virtual world in their hands as more real than the physical one around them.

The Rules: how to avoid breaking or losing your iPhone

• Never leave your iPhone unattended in a public place. Never. If for for some reason you leave it with someone else, tell them not to let it out of their sight.

• As much as possible, keep your iPhone in your pocket when in public. Don't have it clipped onto your belt for all to see. Don't put it on the table. Don't keep it in your hand unless you're using it. It's very pretty and nice to hold, but it's a lot less likely to get dropped or covered in liquid if it's in your pocket. It's also a lot less likely to get swiped if it isn't seen in the first place.

• Never put your iPhone in your breast pocket. It will fall out as soon as you bend over. You've got plenty of other pockets - use them!

• Never place your iPhone on top of your car, not even for a second. The chances of you driving away with it still sitting on top are fairly small, but the extent to which you will feel like a complete twat if you do is extremely great.

• Avoid becoming engrossed looking at your iPhone while walking along the street. Apart from being thoroughly embarrassing when you walk into a lamppost, you need to remember that a shiny new iPhone is a fantastic prize for a mugger. Be aware of who's around you and remember that you're carrying something worth hundreds of pounds. I don't know how many hits of heroin that amounts to, but I suspect it's a lot.

• Avoid leaving your iPhone in your car. If you do, always lock the car and don't be away for more than a minute or so, or let the car out of your sight. If you're leaving the car for more than a minute, just take the phone with you.

• If you're sitting in the car playing with your iPhone, lock the doors. This may be more appropriate in some areas than others, but wherever you are you've got nothing to lose by taking the precaution.

Some suggestions for looking after your iPhone

• Don't put your iPhone in he same pocket as your keys or change if you don't want it to get scratched.

• Get a decent case.

• Get a screen protector.

Suggestions for having a happy life with your iPhone

• Keep it off the dinner table. Insist that your partner/kids do the same.

• Don't jump up and run to it every time it beeps. Learn to ignore it.

• Remember to notice other people. Smile, make eye contact, speak to them occasionally.

• When walking your dog, walk your dog. Play with your dog. Don't just play with your iPhone while holding onto one end of the dog's lead.

• Remember that having a short attention span is not cool!

Most of these rules can and should also be applied to the iPad, although I hope you wouldn’t even consider playing with your iPad while sitting at the dinner table or walking your dog!

Better safe than sorry

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-28T08:33:06+00:00

I'm expecting the latest version of Records to become available any day now. Here's a tip: whenever you're about to download an update for an app that contains vital data, it's a good idea to do a full backup of your device immediately beforehand. If anything goes wrong, you can do a full restore to get back to normal. There's no reason why anything should go wrong when installing the update, but where data is concerned it's better to be safe than sorry!

Records 2.0 is on the way

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-22T10:15:18+01:00

Work has been completed on version 2.0 of Records. This is a major update which adds three important new features:

1. You can use the app to store payments for each pupil
2. You can make a backup copy of your database at any time via iTunes
3. You can add inactive pupils to an archive, which will keep their record for you but also keep it out of the way

Version 2.0 also fixes a bug which, in certain circumstances, could cause a pupil's date of birth to not be saved.

The update has been submitted to Apple for approval. It usually takes around a week for them to review an app before it can go live on the App Store.

Road Pad Mini 1.2

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-12T19:23:57+01:00

Version 1.2 of Road Pad Mini should now be available to download on your iPhone. This version allows the user to choose between Apple and Google maps. The default option is Apple Maps. If you prefer to use Google Maps, you can do this via a web interface which is enabled as follows (please note this process is different to the process for Road Pad on the iPad):

1. After installing the update, open your iPhone's Settings app
2. Scroll down the list of apps until you find Road Pad Mini and tap to select it
3. Enable the switch to Use Web Maps
4. Exit the Settings app and open Road Pad Mini to start using Google Maps

As with Road Pad, if you're using iOS 5, Apple's maps will not be available and you'll continue to use Google Maps regardless. In this case, performance is slightly improved with Use Web Maps switched off. However, enabling web maps allows access to Google Street View, which can be a very handy feature.

Road Pad 1.4

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-12T09:50:02+01:00

Version 1.4 of Road Pad goes live today. This version allows the user to choose between Apple and Google maps. The default option is Apple Maps. If you prefer to use Google Maps, you can do this via a web interface which is enabled as follows:

1. After installing the update and launching the app, select the Satellite view
2. Tap the settings button (represented by the cog icon)
3. Enable the switch to Use Web Maps
4. Start using Google Maps

If you are still using iOS 5, Apple's maps will not be available and you will continue to use Google Maps regardless. In this case, I think performance is slightly improved when Use Web Maps is switched off. However, enabling web maps allows access to Google Street View, which can be a very handy feature.

It is with this update that I now feel there's no reason to continue avoiding iOS 6.

The update also includes the ability to change the default pen size for drawing and a few other minor enhancements and bug fixes.

There should soon be a similar update for Road Pad Mini which will provide the same Use Web Maps option via the iPhone's Settings app. Again, this will need to be enabled to make use of Google Maps and Street View.

The Bird Stories

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-11T19:10:41+01:00

If you have an iPad and a child under 5, you might want to have a look at this.

The Bird Stories is an interactive storybook written and illustrated by the excellent Aimee Lockwood. Aimee is responsible for creating Otis the octopus (of Textopus fame) and also for the illustrations in Learn To Drive: Controls. You can read more about The Bird Stories on Aimee's blog.

Hit the button below to get it now:

Controls update and another bug

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-11T16:06:19+01:00

An update to the Controls app is now live on the App Store. This update addresses an issue with the handbrake that was introduced with the iOS 6 operating system. The update also improves the performance of turn signals and hazards lights when used together in the signals section.

Unfortunately, a new (iOS 6 only) bug has just come to light. This bug will only show itself if you exit the app and then relaunch it while it's still in your iPad's memory. In this case, you will not be able to swipe through the D.S.S.S.M routine. Force quitting and relaunching the app fixes the problem temporarily.

A further update with a fix for this bug has been submitted to Apple and should go live within the next few days.

Roundabouts released

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-05T23:08:26+01:00

I'm happy to announce that version 1.0 of Learn to Drive: Roundabouts is now available on the iTunes App Store. I emphasise that it's version 1.0 because I've got more planned for this app. I'm already working on a separate section for approaching, and I hope to app a section on spiral roundabouts at some point as well.

I've worked to provide the user with a lot more direct control over the cars in this app. You can start and stop each vehicle as it suits you, including the option to pause and reset the animations at any time. You can also take control of the signals given by other road users, allowing you to show them getting it wrong as well as right!

I think instructors are going to really appreciate being able to set up their own situations in this app by controlling each car individually.

Click the button below to get it now:

iOS 6 latest

Neil Beaver — 2012-10-03T12:32:49+01:00

A quick update on what's been happening with iOS app updates and bug fixes:

Road Pad & Road Pad Mini
Both these apps were affected by Apple's move away from Google Maps. I've made available temporary updates for users of iOS 6. These updates replace Apple's maps with Google Maps.

I've also completed work on further updates to both of these apps, which have been submitted to Apple for approval but are not yet live on the App Store. These latest updates support iOS 5 & 6. They allow the user to choose between using Apple's maps or Google Maps. Both updates also include other usability enhancements. They should be available to download in the next few days.

Controls
iOS 6 caused an issue in the Controls app which prevented the handbrake demonstrator from working. An updated version of the app which fixes this bug has been submitted to Apple and should be available to download in the next few days.

Records & Give Way
Both these apps have been updated to fix bugs caused by iOS 6. Both updates are available to download from the App Store now.

UPDATE: Controls update has gone live, but another bug has surfaced! See here for details. Road Pad 1.4 has also gone live. See here for details.

FURTHER UPDATE: Road Pad Mini 1.2 is now live as well. See here for details.

iOS 6 status update

Neil Beaver — 2012-09-27T12:29:40+01:00

I know some of you have been experiencing problems with my apps since the update to iOS 6. I've been working hard to get the issues resolved, and I'm pleased to report that things are well on the way to being back to normal. Here's a summary of what's been happening:

Records
Users of iOS 6 might have noticed some strange colours when using Records. This has been fixed and the update is available to download now. The update recommended for all users. It also includes a user interface improvement for iPad users.

Give Way
iOS 6 caused some major issues with Give Way. I've fixed the bug and submitted an updated version of the app to Apple. The update is awaiting their approval and should become available any day now. The update will not change anything for users running iOS 5.

Road Pad Mini (iPhone app)
Road Pad Mini lost access to Google Maps and satellite images with the iOS 6 update. I submitted a workaround which has been approved by Apple. The update is recommended for users running iOS 6 who want to return to using Google Maps. If you're happy with the Apple maps, you should not download the update to Road Pad Mini. Users still running iOS 5 will not be able to update for the time being as the latest version only supports iOS6. This is because the older version offers better performance optimised for iOS 5. Users of the new iPhone 5 will notice a bug that prevents drawing in the lower 1/5th of the screen. A fix for this bug has been submitted and is waiting for approval.

Road Pad (iPad app)
Road Pad also lost access to Google Maps and satellite images with the iOS 6 update. I've submitted a workaround which is still awaiting approval from Apple. If/when it becomes available, the update is recommended for users running iOS 6 who want to return to using Google Maps. Again, if you're happy with the Apple maps, you should not download the update. Users still running iOS 5 will not be able to install the update. Better performance will be achieved by sticking with the older version and sticking with iOS 5.

UPDATE: The Give Way update has now been approved. It should be available to download before the end of today (Thursday 27th).

How to buy an iPad

Neil Beaver — 2012-09-24T16:42:24+01:00

This is a driving instructor’s guide to buying an iPad. Read on to find out about the different types of iPad, how much storage space you need, and whether to go Wi-Fi or 3G...

First there was the iPad.
Then there was the iPad 2.
Now there is the “New iPad” (3rd Generation).

Lets make things easy for ourselves by calling them iPad 1, iPad 2 and iPad 3.

Some basic tips:

Don’t get an iPad 1. It’s getting a bit old, slow and forgetful. It doesn’t support the latest software.

Do get an iPad 2. It’s arguably the best iPad out there at the moment, and definitely a good choice for driving instructors.

Consider getting and iPad 3, but only if you really have to have the latest model, or you can’t live without the high resolution Retina display.

The iPad 2 is an excellent device. It’s thin, light, fast, has a good screen and great battery life.

The iPad 3 is better in some ways and worse in others. It packs more precessing power so should be faster. However, because the screen has four times as many pixels, things sometimes happen more slowly on the iPad 3, which can be a little frustrating. Lighting up all those extra pixels also takes a lot of juice, leaving the iPad 3 with a shorter battery life than the iPad 2, especially if used in bright surroundings.

The iPad 3 is slightly thicker and heavier due to the increase in battery size required to power the new screen. That new screen is gorgeous, however. It's what Apple calls the Retina display, meaning the individual pixels are so small your eyes cannot make them out at normal reading distance.

iPad 2 in a nutshell:

Thinner
Lighter
Faster than iPad 3 at loading some graphics, slower at most other things (but still pretty fast)
Great battery life
Battery charges quickly
Can see pixels on the screen if you look closely
Cheaper than iPad 3
May be obsolete sooner than iPad 3

iPad 3 in a nutshell:

Thicker
Heavier
Fast, but can be slow to load graphics such as when turning the page on a magazine
Battery life not so good (especially when screen brightness is turned up high)
Takes ages to charge battery
Gorgeous Retina display
Most expensive variety of iPad
Newest variety of iPad (and therefore won't be obsolete for a while yet)

If you’re a driving instructor, I would say that faster charging time and better battery life is going to be more useful to you than the Retina display. That’s why I would recommend the iPad 2. It’ll also cost you less. You can pick up a refurbished one from Apple for around £300, or buy a second hand one on eBay from someone who’s trading theirs for an iPad 3.

16GB, 32GB or 64GB?

Unless you’re going to store a lot of video files on your iPad, you’re unlikely to need 64GB of storage space. You might need 32GB if you’re going to be carrying plenty of music and/or photos around with you. Otherwise, 16GB should be just fine. That’ll be enough for all the apps you can eat, plus a bit of music, quite a few photos, and the odd video.

Wi-Fi only or 3G & Wi-Fi?

Many people will only use their iPad at home or in cafe which provides Wi-Fi access, so would not need to consider the 3G option. However, for a driving instructor, 3G is worth thinking about. It’s great to have internet access on your iPad wherever you are. You can bring up a screenful of maps anytime, plus it makes web browsing and email so convenient in the car. You can email mock test results and pupil progress sheets immediately at the end of a lesson. You can book a pupil’s test as you sit with them in the car. You can watch cute cat videos on YouTube whenever you have a few minutes to kill between lessons.

Another possible option is to get a Wi-Fi only iPad and use the internet connection on your phone to connect to the internet. This is usually done via Bluetooth or by using your phone to create a personal Wi-Fi hotspot which you then connect to with your iPad. It’s worth investigating such options as they could save you money. (You’re probably already paying for 3G internet access via your phone, yet you would have to pay extra for a separate iPad 3G connection.)

Black or white?

This, perhaps, is that hardest decision of all. You’re on your own with that one!

Where to buy?

Buying direct from Apple is usually a good idea. If you buy a 3G iPad from Apple, it will be unlocked so you can use it with any mobile network.

Apple also offers some great deals on refurbished iPads, which are as good as new and come with a full one year warranty.

If you buy from eBay, thoroughly check the description of the item and the seller’s feedback. Don’t buy unless you’re certain it’s the real deal!

UPDATE 26/03/13: I've posted an updated version of this article. Read it here.

Another reason to wait before getting iOS 6

Neil Beaver — 2012-09-21T10:17:03+01:00

If you've taken the plunge and updated to iOS 6 in the past couple of days, you might have noticed one of the backgrounds in Records turn a funny colour. This is one of the more bizarre bugs I've ever seen, but there's no need to be alarmed: the app still works fine.

This morning I posted an update which fixes the issue, as well as improving the way the app deals with adding notes on the iPad.

Now you have to specifically dismiss a notes field when you're editing it. This means you cannot accidentally dismiss it by tapping outside it on the screen, which could cause you to lose anything you've already typed into the box.

As usual, the update will take a week or so to go through Apple's approval process before it's available to download.

It's frustrating to have to do this update now, as I've almost finished implementing a whole new feature in the app: the ability to store payment information. Payments will be coming soon in another update. For now, I thought it more important to release the fix for the colour issue as soon as possible.

Is it a good idea to update to iOS 6?

Neil Beaver — 2012-09-20T15:45:13+01:00

In a word, no. At least not yet, and certainly not if you appreciate the excellence of Google Maps, with its impressively high-resolution satellite images and the incredible Street View.

In iOS 6, Apple has entirely replaced Google's map services with it's own mapping service. Apple's maps have a lot going for them, but good quality satellite images are not one of those things.

This is of particular concern if you're a driving instructor who regularly uses Road Pad or Road Pad Mini as a teaching aid. With iOS 6, Apple has unceremoniously dumped Google Maps out of the Road Pad apps and replaced it with their own half-baked offering.

From my point of view, this is by far the most annoying thing Apple has done for a long time.

Put simply: if you update your iPad/iPhone to iOS 6 you will temporarily lose a lot of the core functionality of Road Pad and/or Road Pad Mini.

By temporarily I mean a period of time that could be anything from around a week to a couple of years. Why the uncertainty? Read on...

Why it may be as little as a week:
I've already started implementing a fix that returns the Road Pad apps back to using Google Maps. However, assuming the fix works, it will have to be approved by Apple. There is no telling whether or not they will go quietly or kick up a fuss and try to prevent me from going back to the old ways. This is a political matter between Apple and Google and something us mere mortals can have no real understanding of.

Why it may be as much as a couple of years:
If the workaround can't get past Apple's App Store approval process, we will just have to sit tight and wait for the quality of Apple's satellite images to improve. How long this will take is anyone's guess, but I'd estimate at least a few months, maybe more, for good coverage across the UK.

Another reason not to update your software yet is that, with iOS 6, some problems have emerged (ha ha!) in my Give Way app. The cars have a tendency to disappear in the Emerging and Crossroads section. This kind of quirky bug is a fairly typical outcome of a major operating system update. It won't take long to rectify, but will take at least a week to pass through Apple's approval system. If you want to keep using Give Way as normal, please stay away from iOS 6 until the update is posted.

UPDATE 25-09-12: The updated version of Road Pad Mini is now live on the App Store. This version will only install if you're running iOS 6. It replaces the Apple Maps with Google Maps. You can use the satellite images and also Street View. The update to Road Pad is still awaiting review by Apple.

UPDATE 03-10-12: Click here to read the latest on iOS 6 app updates and bug fixes.

Records version 1.2

Neil Beaver — 2012-08-11T10:29:16+01:00

Records receives an update today, bringing many new features which have been requested by users...

Alphabetical sorting: You can now view your pupil list in alphabetical order or according to which record was most recently updated. You can set the default sorting option by selecting Records in your iPad's Settings app.

New fields: There are new fields for the following skills:
Angle Start
Uphill Start
Junctions - Turning Left
Junctions - Turning Right
Junctions - Emerging Left
Junctions - Emerging Right
Junctions - Crossroads
Junctions - Traffic Lights
Bay Parking

If you're wondering what happens to your old notes for Junctions, these will be moved to the new Traffic Lights category.

Custom skill levels: You can now define your own skill levels for grading performance, so you are not limited to using Introduced, Full Instruction, Prompted etc. Select Records in your iPad's Settings app to customise skill levels.

Other tweaks:
Other Traffic field becomes Meeting Other Traffic
Reversing field becomes Reversing Around A Corner
Parking field becomes Parallel Parking

As usual, the update is free and can be downloaded via the iTunes App Store.

Staying backed up

Neil Beaver — 2012-08-02T16:09:53+01:00

If you use your iPhone or iPad as much as I do, it probably holds a lot of important data you don't ever want to lose. It's a good idea to ensure you are making regular backups just in case anything bad happens.

You can do this the manual way, or the automatic way. This support document from Apple does a good job of explaining how it works.

Excellent protection for your iPad

Neil Beaver — 2012-07-22T10:44:55+01:00

A common dilemma that comes along with owning an iPad is how to protect it from scratches and bumps. Being incredibly thin and light are two of the best things about the iPad. Putting it inside a case only adds bulk and weight. A case also prevents you from using the handy iPad dock when charging.

I use the fantastic Miniot cover as a similar solution to Apple's Smart Cover for iPad 2. The Miniot offers the same functionality as the Smart Cover but is infinitely better looking and nicer to touch. However, this only protects the front of your device and leaves the back exposed.

A great solution I found recently is iCarbons. I bought their White Carbon Fiber skin for my iPad and I love it. It's a thin, tough coating that sticks onto the back of your iPad, giving plenty of protection without adding noticeable bulk or weight. Fitting it is simple when you follow the instructional video on their website. Now I can put my iPad down wherever I like without having to check for the presence of abrasive substances which will scrape and scratch my beautiful device.

I also like the look and feel of my iCarbons skin. The iPad's smooth aluminium finish is hard to beat, but I actually prefer the look and feel of my iPad with its new skin. Its appearance is more interesting and I like the feel of the textured surface and the fact that it is not so cold as the aluminium.

Importing from the US, including postage, my iCarbons skin for the back of my iPad (you can get them for the front as well) cost a mere $25.90, or around £16.56 of your English pounds. Excellent value!

Recent updates

Neil Beaver — 2012-07-19T08:37:24+01:00

I've been very busy the past few weeks writing updates for several of my apps:

Traffic Lights received a much needed bug fix and the addition of a yellow box option for the crossroads.

Mock Test now has the ability to take notes, as well as some user-configurable options which can be tweaked using your iPad's Settings app.

An update to Records has gone live today. It features a number of improvements, including the addition of some new fields, better support for storing pupils details, some user interface tweaks and some user-configurable options which can be tweaked using your iPad's Settings app.

Finally, I've just submitted an update to Road Board, which will take a week or two to go through the review process before it is ready to download. The update incorporates five new backgrounds and a number of new items such as traffic lights. A full list of changes will be available when the update goes live.

I've also updated the FAQ page with more details relating to the updates.

Contact form problems

Neil Beaver — 2012-07-18T11:25:43+01:00

Due to a problem with my website, for the past couple of weeks I have not been able to receive messages sent via the contact form. If you have tried to get in touch and not received a response, it's because I did not receive your message. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please submit your message again via the contact form, which has now been fixed. When I receive your message, I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Apple having trouble with updates

Neil Beaver — 2012-07-05T12:22:43+01:00

It seems some users are receiving corrupt updates from the iTunes App Store. I've just released an update to my Traffic Lights app. I don't know if this app has been affected by the problems. So far, I haven't heard of anyone having issues with it.

If you do have problems running any apps on your iPhone or iPad after updating them, you should delete the app and then reinstall it. This will fix the problem only if Apple has already put things right at their end. If it doesn't work straight away, try deleting and reinstalling again after a day or two.

I have an update to my Mock Test app currently pending for App Store approval. I might hold off on the final release for a few days while this is all sorted out.

UPDATE 06/07/12: According to Apple, this issue has now been fixed.

DSA Highway Code app

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-29T13:07:22+01:00

The DSA recently released the Highway Code in app form. At £3.99 it's more expensive than the paper version, but includes some extra learning resources such as quizzes and videos.

The main incentive for me to buy this app was the ability to search the Highway Code using keywords and quickly find the section you're looking for. This is a big improvement over both the paper and the PDF versions.

This is an essential app for any driving instructor and, along with the DSA's Theory Test Kit, ideal for learners too.

Both apps are available on the iTunes App Store:
Official Highway Code
The Official DSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers

Manoeuvres HALF PRICE for two weeks only!

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-20T11:29:06+01:00

Learn To Drive: Manoeuvres is now on sale at HALF PRICE for the next two weeks.

That's just £1.49 for all the manoeuvres, including reversing around a corner to the right.

If you haven't already got this app, now is the time!

Get it:

FAQ page now live

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-19T16:54:23+01:00

A dedicated page for FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) has now been added to the site.

Check it out!

Free Textopus!

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-18T10:49:41+01:00

Textopus is now free!

What is a Textopus?

Get it:

Controls update

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-13T18:15:40+01:00

I've been so busy lately I didn't even get around to writing blog posts for my latest app releases. Controls came out a couple of weeks ago. It's the latest in the Learn To Drive series of apps for instructors and learners. Instructors will find this particularly useful as a teaching aid for the Controls lesson.

I've tried to make this app more than just a series of images by adding interactive elements wherever possible. It's not easy to imitate the way car controls work - the way the indicators click on and off, the pedals spring back up when released and hands slide around the wheel when using the push/pull steering method.

The end result is, I think, the most useful resource currently available to a driving instructor for teaching the controls lesson.

Controls just got even better with the new update which adds a whole new section on vision and blindspots, as well as some enhancements to the steering section of the app. You can now add a clock face to the wheel to help in explaining where the hands should be and how they should move. You can also demonstrate how the wheels of the car turn in response to the turning of the steering wheel. This could be especially useful outside of the controls lesson, such as when teaching parallel park.

The other major enhancement in this update is the addition of more comprehensive briefings for each section. These briefings will be especially useful for learners using the app to brush up on their controls knowledge in between lessons. Just tap on the wee info buttons for a description of each control and how it should be used.

Two ways to force quit an app

Neil Beaver — 2012-06-11T12:09:39+01:00

In a perfect world, all software would work perfectly all the time. Unfortunately, bugs are a part of life, and every now and again you can find yourself needing to completely flush an app from memory so the next time you launch it, it starts up in its default state.

This is called "force quitting". Force quitting does not delete the app from your device, nor does it delete any saved data. It simply restarts your session with the app, which is exactly what you need if the app is in an inconsistent state.

One way to force quit a running app is to push and hold the power button (on the top of your device) until you see the "slide to power off" screen. Now release the power button and instead hold down the home button (on the front of your device). Keep holding the home button until the app quits. Now you can relaunch the app and start using it as normal again.

A second way to force quit an app is to use the multitasking bar. First you need to quit the app in the normal way by pressing the home button. To access the multitasking bar, press the home button twice in quick succession. The last app you were using should be at the far left of the multitasking bar. Now touch and hold on any of the icons until they start to wobble and a red circle with a minus sign appears at the top left corner of each icon. Tap the minus sign on the app you want to force quit. The icon should disappear. Now tap the home button again, and relaunch the app in the normal way.

You shouldn't have to do this kind of thing very often, and I hope you never have to do it with one of my apps. But it's a handy trick to know if ever you find yourself stuck with an app that's doing something you don't want. By force quitting, you can take control of the situation and return the app back to a familiar state.

iPad prices plummeting

Neil Beaver — 2012-05-14T08:34:35+01:00

Apple currently has refurbished iPads for sale on their online store for as little as £239 for a 1st generation 16GB Wi-Fi model, or £259 for an iPad 2 with the same spec.

£259 for an iPad 2 is an absolute bargain when you consider that Apple's refurbs are more or less as-new, and come with a one-year warranty.

You can also get a refurbished 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi and 3G for £359. This is a good option for a driving instructor, although you can get by easily enough without the 3G option.

Between the Wi-Fi only models, I would definitely pay the extra £20 to get the iPad 2. It's noticeably thinner, lighter and faster than the 1st generation iPad. It also has front and back cameras and is likely to support more advanced software upgrades in the future.

I've met plenty of people who would love to have an iPad but are convinced the price is out of their reach. I think many people don't realise just how affordable these things have become.

£259 for an iPad 2! Tell your friends!

Records

Neil Beaver — 2012-05-13T20:01:50+01:00

Records is the latest app release here at Robosoul, and it's another one that's tailor made for driving instructors in the UK.

Over the years, I've tried various paper-based systems for storing pupil records. All of them have suffered from the same fundamental flaw: either I have the record of the pupil's progress, or the pupil has it.

Probably the better of these two options is that the pupil takes it away with them, but this would cause two further problems: I would have to make some additional notes for my own reference, and the pupil could not be relied upon to bring their copy of the record to each lesson for updating.

This situation desperately needed fixing, and that's why I developed Records.

Records uses the official DSA syllabus for driver training. It enables you to record the pupil's current standard for each of the various driving skills, the date that level was achieved, and additional notes for each skill if required.

The real beauty of the app is that this record can be instantly emailed to the pupil as soon as it's completed at the end of each lesson. (Obviously an internet connection is required to send the email, so if you have an iPad with wi-fi only you might have to wait until you get home to send out your progress records.)

The Records app enables you to keep detailed records of your pupils' progress while also keeping your pupils in the loop, so they'll come to each lesson knowing what they're doing well and what needs more work. They should also gain a better overall picture of what they need to do before they're ready to pass their test.

When training is complete, you have a record of everything that was done and the date on which it was achieved. You can email this record to yourself and, if necessary, print it out for safe keeping.

Records is a universal app so you can use it on an iPhone or an iPad. It's available now on the iTunes App Store for only £2.99.

What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Requirements: Records requires iOS 5.1 or higher.

Shared space

Neil Beaver — 2012-04-27T16:29:26+01:00

The Economist reports on Britain's latest experiment with shared space:

In some ways the British version is half-hearted. To reach the South Kensington museums, visitors must still cross a busy four-lane road using traffic lights. In places, bollards have been erected to stop vehicles straying where the pavement would be. Ranks of bicycles available for hire and parked cars clutter the street. The road surface itself is not completely flat: following a legal challenge mounted by Guide Dogs, a charity for the blind, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was obliged to install ridges where the kerbs used to be. And the kerbs themselves reappear at bus stops, to enable step-free access.

Staying charged on the move

Neil Beaver — 2012-04-22T16:13:27+01:00

If you're an ADI who uses an iPad during lessons, you've probably already thought about how to make sure you've always got battery power when you need it. Here are some tips that might help:

Starting every day with a full charge is, of course, a good idea.

It also makes sense to have a charging device in the car to fall back on if you need it. There are a few of these out there, including the Griffin Powerjolt (which I use) and the the Belkin Micro Car Charger. Both of these are dependable brands and both devices are available from Amazon (links below). The Griffin Powerjolt is going for only £8.99 at the time of writing, which I think is a bargain.
Griffin GC23092 PowerJolt (2Ax1 USB) Charger for iPod / iPhone / iPad - Black
Belkin - Micro Car Charger adapter 2100 mAh + ChargeSync cable for iPhone/iPod/iPad (F8Z689cw)

Belkin also supply a USB Car Charger adapter, which is available on Amazon for only £2.70. You’ll have to supply your own cable, and it doesn’t specifically claim to support the iPad, but at that price maybe it’s worth a shot anyway...
Belkin USB Car Charger

Here's another tip for keeping your iPad going during lessons: don't get the new iPad (the one they're calling "3rd generation")! I just upgraded my iPad 2 for one of these and, although I'm happy with it, I'm noticing one major drawback: the battery really struggles when the screen brightness is turned up high. For lessons during the day, I usually have the brightness turned up to the max. Obviously, this is always going to tax the battery more than a lower setting, but the new iPad seems to be particularly power hungry when bright is what you need. Having said that, the Retina display is absolutely fantastic, and I always have my charger on hand in the car should I need it.

New Volvo airbag for pedestrians

Neil Beaver — 2012-03-21T23:40:29+00:00

Volvo has unveiled a new safety system involving an airbag which pops up from under the car's bonnet in the event of a collision with a pedestrian:

The car, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, features sensors in the front bumper that register physical contact between the car and the pedestrian. The rear end of the bonnet is released and elevated by the airbag as it inflates to cover the entire area under the raised bonnet as well as around a third of the windscreen. The raised, cushioned bonnet and airbag should help reduce the severity of pedestrian injuries.

This story has provoked the inevitable criticisms that the additional safety feature will encourage some to drive more recklessly on the basis that the consequences of an error would be reduced. This is exactly what was said by similarly pessimistic people about seat belts when they were first invented, and it has been the same for just about every other safety technology invented since.

Driver awareness of the safety of pedestrians is improving all the time. There are still way too many fatal collisions, however. Anything that can reduce the severity of those collisions has to be a good thing.

Road Board 1.1

Neil Beaver — 2012-03-03T20:59:59+00:00

Version 1.1 of Road Board is now available. This is a major update which includes the following additions:

Cars have indicators - use the contextual menu (double tap) to active and deactivate signals.

You can add the following routines to the view: POM, MSM, LADA, MSPSL. Position the letters anywhere you want on screen.

You can now choose from seven different colours when drawing.

You can now save your own backgrounds. Construct a custom "scene" using one of the standard backgrounds then tap the Save button. Give your scene a name, and you can retrieve it anytime by tapping on the Saved button. You can use three finger swipes to switch between your saved scenes.

The following five new road images have been added: Unmarked Crossroads, Roundabout Approach, Double Mini Roundabout, Traffic Lights Left Filter and Y-Junction.

Two new (bigger) pedestrians have been added.

You can add cones to the view for roadworks situations.

You can add a double hatched area for turning.

Three finger left/right swipe is now animated.

Selecting a new background from the menu clears all objects from the view. Three finger left/right swipe leaves the objects in place.

The horrible green car has been replaced with a nice yellow car.

New app: Give Way

Neil Beaver — 2012-02-26T18:59:43+00:00

Another new app from Robosoul has hit the App Store in the past few days. This one is called Give Way, or "Learn To Drive: Give Way" to give it its full title.

This app explains the basics of UK driving using a series of animations in different situations. The situations all involve Give Way junctions - the most common type of junction in Britain. This is usually the first junction a beginner driver learns to do, and as a result this is where many of the basics are picked up.

Click here for more details.

Give Way is available on the iTunes App Store for £2.99.

Manoeuvres updated

Neil Beaver — 2012-02-26T18:49:15+00:00

The Manoeuvres app for iPad has been updated to enable drawing on the view. This feature has been added for the benefit of instructors using the app in lessons.

Manoeuvres is ideal for anyone who wants to get to know UK driving manoeuvres inside-out. All manoeuvres are broken down into stages so you can work through them step by step. Each stage is animated, and you can skip forwards and backwards through the animations as needed.

The app also includes full briefings for each manoeuvre.

More details are here.

Road Pad Apps Updated

Neil Beaver — 2012-02-16T21:57:32+00:00

An update to Road Pad for iPad has just been approved and should now be available for download. This update brings two new features: the ability to change colour when drawing and the ability to change the name of a saved image.

I've also updated Road Pad Mini to allow drawing in different colours. This update has been submitted to Apple and should be available soon.

Miniot iPad Cover

Neil Beaver — 2012-01-10T19:58:52+00:00

One of the most fun things about the iPad 2 is the optional magnetic Smart Cover which snaps on and off with a satisfying click, automatically waking the device when you open it, then sending it to sleep again when closed.

I like the Smart Cover, but overall I find it unsatisfying because of the way it clings to your device even when you don't want it, flapping around and getting in the way. It's also not the most elegant looking piece of kit, especially when compared to the iPad itself.

I was extremely pleased, therefore, to receive for Christmas a Miniot Cover in smoked oak. This is a beautiful alternative to the Smart Cover, made from real wood and hand-crafted in the Netherlands.

I like the way the Miniot Cover is much less reluctant to let go of the iPad. For example, when using it as a stand, if you want to pick up the iPad and leave the Miniot behind, it is easily done with one hand - just give the Miniot a little nudge with one finger and it'll disconnect. If you're using an Apple Smart Cover as a stand and you want shot of it, you need to get both hands involved, pulling at it to get it to separate.

When rolled up, the Miniot stays in position. It doesn't flap about like the Smart Cover, which needs to be constantly adjusted if, for example, you're using it to prop the device against your knees.

Like the Smart Cover, the Miniot employs magnets to automatically wake and sleep your device when you open and close it, as well as to hold itself in place. When it's covering the screen, you simply lift it off and the display springs to life. You can then place the cover aside, or curl it back on itself to provide a stand. When curled, its internal magnets produce a very satisfying sound and feel as they lock into place.

The Miniot is by no means the cheapest cover you can buy for an iPad 2, but it is undoubtedly one of the finest. Such a beautiful, refined device deserves to be complemented by an equally beautiful and refined cover, so I feel these two are the perfect match for each other.

Miniot also make an all-over case for the iPad 2, as well as a couple of iPhone cases. You can find more information on their website: http://www.miniot.com

Introducing Road Board

Neil Beaver — 2012-01-10T16:43:35+00:00

Road Board is the latest creation here at Robosoul. Designed specifically for Driving Instructors in the UK, Road Board provides 31 different background images upon which you can add and remove various road users, objects and road markings. You can move and rotate these items to create different situations for demonstration to your pupil. You can also draw on top of the images.

More details on Road Board.

Textopus

Neil Beaver — 2011-12-07T20:12:43+00:00

Textopus is another exciting milestone for me as a developer. All my previous apps have been designed specifically for Driving Instructors. Textopus will definitely be very useful for instructors, but I think it'll also be useful for a lot of other people. Anyone who wants to be able to send off a quick, easy text message from a pre-written template will appreciate this app.

There are some basic text templates in the app to begin with, but you can easily replace them with your own ones if you like. Sending a message is as simple as firing up the app, tapping on a message and pressing the send button. Then you just select who you want the message to go to and off it goes. Simples!

You need to have an iPhone running iOS 5 for this app. iPad compatibility will be coming in the future if there's a demand. You can use Textopus with the iMessage service as well as ordinary SMS.

What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Road Pad for iPad Updated

Neil Beaver — 2011-11-29T20:58:44+00:00

An update to the original (iPad) version of Road Pad has just gone live on the App Store.

I've received a lot of suggestions for how to improve this app. To implement all of them would require a complete rewrite, something which I haven't been able to do this time. However, I've implemented the most essential (and most commonly requested) features: the ability to undo/redo while drawing, and the ability to open any image from the iPad's photo library.

The app is still limited to portrait mode for a variety of reasons, some to do with usage practicalities and some to do with technical issues. Suffice it to say, if you're opening an image from your photo library it'll be best if that image is portrait rather than landscape.

I've spruced up the interface a little and got rid of the unnecessary bottom toolbar, allowing more space for images and drawing. I've also improved error handling so you're less likely to lose or overwrite a file.

Road Pad has worked brilliantly for me as a teaching aid. It's never crashed or given me any problems of any sort. I hope you've had similarly good experiences with it, and I hope this version continues to work as seamlessly as the previous one.

If you like the app, please take a moment to write a glowing review on the App Store! Good reviews really help to inspire me to improve my apps and produce more.

I'm already thinking about what can be done in the next version of Road Pad. If you've already sent me your suggestions and I haven't been able to implement them this time, don't worry - I'll be trying to figure out how to implement them in the future.

Road Pad Mini

Neil Beaver — 2011-11-19T15:30:39+00:00

I've had a few enquiries from people asking if I could make Road Pad available for the iPhone as well as the iPad. At first I thought there would be no point in doing this as Road Pad really needs the large screen area that the iPad offers. However, I realised it wouldn't take long to put together a scaled down version with a simplified interface. A lot of driving instructors have an iPhone but not an iPad, and there's no reason why this shouldn't be useful in some situations.

I wouldn't expect anyone to pay £2.99 to have this on their phone, so I've created it as a separate app with a cheaper price, rather than make it a universal app. Get it now - only £0.69!

Road Pad for iPad is due an update and I've been thinking about what needs to be done. Writing Road Pad Mini has helped me come up with a few ideas regarding how to improve the interface. I've also figured out how to implement the undo/redo function, which is a much-needed feature. Look out for the Road Pad update coming to your iPad soon!

Who Wants a Stylus?

Neil Beaver — 2011-11-14T10:20:36+00:00

"Who wants a stylus?" That's what Steve Jobs said back in 2007 when he revealed the first iPhone to the world. He went on to say that the best pointing devices are the ones you're born with - your fingers, and I totally agree. You shouldn't need a stylus to operate a hand held device.

But I do want a stylus. When I use Road Pad to draw on an image of a junction, I use a stylus to help increase the accuracy of my lines. Fingers are fine for pushing buttons, scrolling, panning and zooming, but drawing is very hard to do accurately without a good stylus to help you.

I also use a stylus when using Mock Test. The boxes on the mock test form are just a little small for fingers and I find it much easier to hit the right ones with a stylus. Of course, I could have made the test sheet display larger on the screen but I wanted it to be the same width as the screen in landscape mode in order to minimise the amount of scrolling you need to do.

I'm writing this post because a good stylus is hard to find, and I want to point you towards a couple of my favourites.

The Acase Capacitive Stylus is a simple but good stylus which works well and doesn’t cost too much. Last time I checked, it was only £7.99 on Amazon. A bargain!

If you want something with a little more functionality, and are prepared to pay a little more, I’d recommend the BoxWave Capacitive iPad Styra. This has a stylus at one end and an ordinary pen at the other end. Again, it’s a good stylus and I find having the two items in one to be very useful.

Both these styluses work well with the iPad and iPhone. They also help to reduce the amount of fingerprints left behind on your screen.

TIP: When using a stylus with an iOS device, avoid using it to push the home button as this will shorten the life of the stylus.

Expert Shield

Neil Beaver — 2011-11-05T17:17:32+00:00

Having recently got myself an iPhone 4S, I wanted to get a good screen protector for it. For the last year and a bit, I used my iPhone 4 without screen protection and ended up regretting it after it picked up a few scratches front and back.

The Apple Retina display is a wonderful thing to behold, and I’m a big fan of the iPhone screen’s responsiveness when you’re tapping away on it. I wanted to make sure I got a screen protector that wouldn’t spoil the joy of using my phone, so I did a fair bit of research and read plenty of reviews before making a decision. There are a lot of screen protectors out there and they range in cost from a couple of quid to over £20! In the end I went for the Expert Shield Screen Protector. The price is good at only £7.95 (plus postage), it covers your iPhone front and back, and people online had nothing but good things to say about it.

Having used it for a couple of days now, I think I made the right choice. Like a good pair of shoes, you know you’ve got a good screen protector when you don’t even notice it’s there. As for the protection it offers: obviously it’s not going to save me from a broken phone if I drop the thing on concrete, but it’s clearly giving good protection against scratches, and probably more. Even though you should never do it, I did manage to drop my iPhone 4 a couple of times. Fortunately it survived, but I wish I’d had something like this over the screen to prevent the scratches.

These things can be tricky to attach, but I found the Expert Shield to be reasonably hassle free. There’s no fancy ointments involved, you just make sure the screen is clean, line it up, stick it on, and smooth out any bubbles. You can take a few goes at it if you don’t get it all lined up perfectly the first few times. Once you do get it lined up, though, it just disappears. I put mine on literally as I took the phone out of the box, so I didn’t even have to clean it or anything. Nice and simple!

Screenshots in iOS

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-30T07:57:28+00:00

Capturing an image of your iPhone or iPad screen is easy. Simply press the two buttons at the same time - that's the Sleep/Wake button on the top and the Home button on the front. Pressing these buttons together will capture an image of exactly what's on the screen of your device. The image is saved in your Photos app where you can access it anytime, email it, send it by SMS etc.

A screenshot can be made while using any app at any time, so if you want to send a pupil an image from Road Pad or Manoeuvres, it's very easy. You can also save and reuse your favourite independent driving routes.

Have fun!

Indy Drive - new app for iPhone and iPad

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-27T17:26:38+01:00

I very excited about the release of Indy Drive. This is my first universal app - it works on both iPhone and iPad.

I've been using the app in lessons to test it out and it's been extremely helpful to be able to put together a diagram for an independent route any time, any place.

This is a good way to ensure your pupils are not taken aback when asked during their test to follow a series of directions sketched out on a piece of paper being shown to them by the examiner. I've taken care to make the diagrams as similar as possible to the ones used by the DSA.

Indy Drive is available now on the iTunes App Store. Get it here.

Mock Test update - the details

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-24T19:47:56+01:00

It’s been a long wait, but I've finally got the Mock Test app updated so it can send test results by email. It felt like a big step forward when I got it updated to allow saving of test results. This is another big step in maximising the usefulness of the app along the lines of what I originally envisaged when I created it.

I'm still not 100% happy with the results. There are some trade-offs I've had to make in the latest version. The main one is image format. The driving test report form used in the app has been in PNG format from the beginning. This is generally the best and easiest image format to use in iOS, mainly because PNG file sizes are small and images load quickly. However, I would prefer to be sending the test result in PDF format as this is normally the easiest and best format to use on the desktop for viewing, printing etc.

Currently, Mock Test stores and sends the test results in PNG format. I had to settle for this because PDF format is not so suitable for the main interface of the app (in which the test is carried out), and to convert later from PNG to PDF is a little too complicated. I've done some experiments with PDF conversions and I'm not happy with the results so far. I also ran into complications with iOS 4.3 and iOS 5 giving different results during my experiments. Bearing in mind that I want the app to continue to be stable and reliable, the simplest thing to do for now is to stick with the PNG format from start to finish.

Another trade-off is printing functionality. I received a request to include this in the app and looked into ways it could be done. Although I would be unlikely to use a printing function myself, I wanted to include it in the app if possible. This is something that will have to wait, however, as it would require PDF functionality. Part of the joy of iPads and email is that we don't need to print things nearly as much as we used to, and we should be glad about the amount of paper and ink we can save as a result! Nevertheless, I will continue to consider options for including printing support in a future version of the app. In the meantime, if you really want to print out test results, you can email them to yourself and print out the PNG attachment to the email.

I chose to type out the entire text of "The Driving Test Explained" from the sheet that accompanies official driving test results. Initially I looked at including the original sheets in image format, but this would have increased the size of the email by too much. It's already a pretty large email with just the single sheet attached, so putting the explanation in text form made more sense. It occurred to me that some may prefer not to have this text included in the email but I decided it makes more sense to have it, and if you really don't want it you can delete it from the email before sending. Be careful though: if you "Select All" then delete, you'll delete the attachment as well!

Other points to note:

If you don’t send an email but instead choose to save it as a draft, the process will take a while. There is currently no progress notification in the app while this is happening.

If you try to email a test result and you don't have a network connection at the time, the app will tell you the email has been sent but in fact it will not send until your iPad is back online. You should not need to do anything else as the iPad’s Mail app will hang on to the message until it can be sent.

That’s it. I hope you enjoy the new functionality in the app, and that your pupils benefit from having the extra information about their mock tests!

MobileMount on Kickstarter

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-13T09:14:12+01:00

Kickstarter is a great way to help finance exciting new start-ups, while at the same time getting your hands on some cool stuff.

The MobileMount is a "suction cup mount & kickstand for mobiles/tablets". Looks like it'll be really handy in the car, where I still don't have a decent mounting system for my phone. This doesn't bother me most of the time, but when I'm trying to navigate with the TomTom app it's a pain. I've pledged $40 to the project, which means I'll be one of the first people to get a MobileMount when they start rolling off the production lines.

If the full amount of money required for the project isn't raised, the project will not be funded and no money will change hands. Read more here about how Kickstarter works.

Manoeuvres hits the App Store

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-07T09:23:31+01:00

I'm very excited to announce the release of my latest app for iPad, Manoeuvres.

The idea is very simple: As an instructor you want to give an engaging briefing that shows your pupil exactly what a manoeuvre entails. As a learner, you want to study the manoeuvres in between lessons, memorising the many details you're required to demonstrate in the driving test. If you're a trainee instructor, you need to know these manoeuvres inside out and back to front.

The Manoeuvres app is essential for all these groups. It's also pretty handy for full licence holders who'd like a quick and easy reminder of how things ought to be done.

Check it out...

Steve Jobs RIP

Neil Beaver — 2011-10-06T17:43:07+01:00

Once again, the internet is full of reports of Steve Jobs passing away. Unfortunately, this time the reports are true.

If you own an Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad or MacIntosh, Steve Jobs has changed your life. I can't think of a single company that generates so much satisfaction amongst its customers. It's a fact that once someone starts using an Apple device, they rarely ever want to switch to using something else. These products make our lives easier, and they make us smile.

It's also hard to think of a large company that so thoroughly embodies the spirit of its founder. Steve Jobs was passionate about Apple and its products. It's because of his perfectionism, his inexhaustible attention to detail, and his uncompromising pursuit of excellence that we Apple users get to enjoy such wonderful, awe-inspiring technology in our everyday lives.

Let's all keep alive the spirit of Steve Jobs by always doing our best, and striving to be different.

Robosoul update

Neil Beaver — 2011-09-16T19:59:32+01:00

Things must have seemed pretty quiet on the Robosoul front lately. Three months ago I posted updates for Mock Test and Road Pad, and nothing much has happened since then. Actually a lot has been happening and I've been kept busy pretty much non-stop!

First of all, after several years of working with a couple of different driving schools in Edinburgh, I've decided to become an independent instructor. In the past few years I've gained a lot of experience, learned a lot about the business, and established a solid base of satisfied customers. It's now time to go it alone.

The past week or so has been spent preparing this new website for Robosoul and transferring data from my old one. I've also been spending many long hours on a new app for the iPad which I hope to make available in the coming weeks. All I will say for now is that I'm very excited about this project and I look forward to sharing more news soon…

Mock Test and Road Pad updates go live

Neil Beaver — 2011-06-13T19:56:45+01:00

Updates to Mock Test and Road Pad have both been approved by Apple an are now live on the App Store.

Mock Test version 1.1 implements the ability to save test sheets and retrieve them later for review. The next version of the app will include the ability to send test results via email.

Road Pad version 1.1 addresses an issue which meant the default satellite view was always centred and zoomed on the British Isles. The update allows you to select your preferred view and then save it as the default. This means you can set a view of your local area as the default, so it will be quicker and easier for to find the exact view you want. You can, of course, use the ‘Show Location’ button at any time to identify and zoom in on your current position.

Mock Test update coming soon

Neil Beaver — 2011-05-24T19:44:11+01:00

A few people have been in touch lately to ask whether the Mock Test app will ever be able to save, email, or print test results. The answer is yes, it will... but it’s going to be a little longer before the update is ready to go. As things stand, it looks like there will be an initial update which will enable the option to save and retrieve test sheets within the app. A later update will bring in the option to email test sheets in PDF format. These can then be printed out if required.

The update will be done in two stages to minimise the likelihood of any bugs creeping in. It will also mean users can start taking advantage of the save and retrieve function while the email/PDF function is still being worked on.

Road Pad Unleashed!

Neil Beaver — 2011-05-23T19:40:54+01:00

Road Pad is the latest invention here at Robosoul. The idea behind this iPad app is simple: you can use it to easily demonstrate the details of how a particular road or junction ought to be tackled.

If your iPad is the 3G variety, and connected to the network, you can bring up a satellite view of pretty much any location. Even if your iPad is Wi-Fi only, you can still load up and save a selection of images which are useful to you, and retrieve them any time while you’re out on the road.

The only limitation to what you can view from above is the quality of satellite images available. In many cities, the quality is excellent, and you can provide for your pupil a detailed overview of any situation. If you don’t currently have high-definition images available for your area, don’t worry because you probably will soon. See below for how to check the image quality of satellite views in your area.

Also included with Road Pad is the ability to overlay a map onto the satellite image, just like the ‘Hybrid’ view in the Maps app. This is to make it easier for you to find a particular location if you’re struggling with the satellite image on its own.

If you can’t get the exact image you need from the satellite view, or if you want to explain something very specific to your pupil, you can switch to the blank view within the app and easily draw whatever you like.

Road Pad is designed to be flexible and easy to use. There’s no limit to the amount of situations in which it can help you to get your message across!

Click here to take a closer look.

How to check satellite image quality:

Open the Maps app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and tap the ‘page curl’ image in the bottom right corner. Select ‘Satellite’ from the view options. Tap the arrow icon to identify your current location, then zoom in as far as you can by either double-tapping the screen or pinching outwards with two fingers. The same gestures can be used to manipulate the satellite view inside the Road Pad app. You can also zoom out by tapping the screen with two fingers together or pinching two fingers towards each other. Pan around by dragging your finger across the screen.