StudyArcade AppStore Update

I've been going back-and-forth with Apple for a few weeks now regarding StudyArcade. About 36 hours ago I received an email stating that it was "taking longer than expected to review," and server logs from about the same time show a heavy degree of testing by the Apple crew. Hopefully we'll see some results soon :)

Version 0.0.8 of StudyArcade

Version 0.0.8; released on Saturday the 21st :)

• Improved ChinesePod synchronization to support pinyin characters properly
• When downloading or synchronizing facts, a new filter will now automatically be created for each package downloaded
• Tweaked the Flaschard settings page GUI to be a bit more intuitive
• Added internet connectivity detection for improved user interface

Version 0.0.7 of StudyArcade

Well, you all know the drill by now :) Version 0.0.7 should appear in Cydia shortly.

• Further improved memory management and speed when Sorting Facts
• Fixed a bug with the flipping of flashcards
• Fixed a crash bug when returning from the Flashcards screen
• Fixed a bug with some iPhones that did not have the Documents directory already created which caused the app to crash before it finished loading
  

What's in store for StudyArcade?

Happy Valentines Day and President's day!

I just wanted to take a moment to pause and tell everybody what is in store for StudyArcade in the coming days, weeks, and months - as well as address a few questions. Firstly, StudyArcade is not an open-source project - the source code will not be released. There are a number of reasons for this (some security related), but suffice to say that the project was not designed to be open-source. If you would like a more in-depth explanation as to why, please contact me directly. Secondly, a lot of people have been asking about the fact packages in the Discover section of the application and what needs to be done to continue expanding the facts which are available for download. Myself and others have been working to make different learning resources available (such as for the GRE, MCAT, SAT, HSK, TOEFL, etc.). Eventually, I'd like to see the Discover section expanded to include many more packages for a variety of different topics. If you'd like to contribute, please contact me directly using the email link on the right side of this page.

Regarding the AppStore, I've gone back and forth with Apple a few times now ironing out small quirks in the application that they requested fixed (mostly UI-related). The Apple staff has been very helpful so far, and based upon what I've seen so far I have every reason to believe that StudyArcade will be in the AppStore within the week.

In the coming weeks, a number of changes will be released to StudyArcade. Here's some of what is in store:

• A new game, called QuizMe, which generates multiple-choice style questions. Again, this isn't very game-like to be truthful, but StudyArcade will soon move in the direction of providing games for studying.
  
  
• A new smart fact selection technique, which will intelligently adjust to your needs.
  
  
• StudyArcade will soon have the ability to synchronize with the inZania server, allowing you to save and backup your progress remotely. This also sets up for the next feature...
  
  
• A web / desktop version of StudyArcade is in the works (developed using Adobe Flex/Air). It will look and operate exactly the same as StudyArcade for the iPhone. It will connect to the inZania server to retrieve all the facts saved from your iPhone, meaning you can continue your studies from any Mac/Windows/Linux computer, even if you don't have permissions to install applications. For example, you could sit down at a public computer in a library and be studying your StudyArcade content within seconds of opening an internet browser.

I hope that you have all enjoyed using StudyArcade so far. To everybody who has submitted feedback and suggestions, I appreciate your help getting this far. Hopefully these upcoming changes give something to look forward to :)

Version 0.0.6 of StudyArcade

I just pushed another update to Cydia, in attempts to fix all remaining synchronization bugs (it should appear in Cydia within 24 hours, as usual). Here's the only major change:

• Completely re-worked Anki synchronization; stress-tested it with many many users provided Anki accounts with thousands of facts each. If you still have trouble with synchronization, please contact me.

Version 0.0.5 of StudyArcade

Version 0.0.5 of StudyArcade is now in Cydia. This is a mid-week release, and contains some bug fixes and minor improvements. The next scheduled release (for this weekend) will contain more new features and larger improvements.

• Flashcards have been improved to allow up to 10 lines of text/definition
• The time spent 'Shuffling Facts' has been GREATLY decreased
• Crash Bug when synchronizing has been fixed
• Crash Bug (when adding new facts) has been fixed (hopefully!)
  

Version 0.0.4 of StudyArcade

I just sent version 0.0.4 off to Cydia; here's the changes you can expect from this version:

• Minimized the Flashcard GUI and made tweaks to improve readability and usability
• Added a loading/splash screen on startup
• Added Tools in the Settings page, which can clean up HTML from facts and batch-change information on facts
• Added a new system where every 500 flashcards studied earns another download from the Discover section.
• Improved the Discover section GUI and general usability.
• Fixed a bug where deleting a card would, instead, duplicate it.
• Fixed a crash bug after previewing a fact package in the Discover section.
• Fixed two crash bugs when scrolling through knowledge quickly.
• Improved the stability of synchronizing with Anki

**EDIT**
To answer some questions:
When synchronizing with Anki, StudyArcade downloads ALL Anki decks locally, using the name of the deck as the topic. Next version will include a tool to change the topics of facts, so you can change topics like "mydeck" to "Chinese."

As for the AppStore, the acceptance process was delayed by the fact that I decided to re-submit the latest version, since it is far more stable than the original versions and I do not want an unstable version to hit shelves. I'll let you all know as soon as we have word from Apple.

Version 0.0.3 of StudyArcade

Version 0.0.3 of StudyArcade was sent to Cydia this morning; it should appear therein within 24 hours. I released this version mid-week because I am rather confident that it will fix most (if not all) outstanding crash bugs, and generally provide a stable build for everybody to work with. Here is the change log:

• Improved GUI in the Discover section, which now allows for previewing fact packages before downloading
• Improved crash detection and logging
• Fixed a crash bug with flashcard settings
• Further memory improvements, bug fixes, stability improvements, etc.

Creating Facts in StudyArcade

Once you have StudyArcade up and running, the next thing you'll want to do is to make some facts in your Knowledge to study. There are three different options to do this:

• Create Your Own: Press the "Knowledge" (green) bubble on the main screen. Then use the + button next to the search field to add a new fact.
• Discover: Press the "Discover" (blue) bubble on the main screen to open up a list of fact packages available for download from inZania.com
• Sync: If you use other study services, like Anki or ChinesePod, you can use the synchronization features by opening up the "Settings" (brown) bubble on the main screen. After inputting your username and password for one or more of these services, pressing "Synchronize Now" will download facts from these services.
  

Getting Started with StudyArcade

Thist post is intended as a reference post for StudyArcade. Please consider the following links:

• Current Version Information
• Creating Facts in StudyArcade
  
• QuickStart Information (videos, screenshots, etc.)
  

StudyArcade is under constant part-time development.

StudyArcade relies on the feedback and contributions of users to help keep it going. Please consider donating (using the button to the upper right).

Once weekly (by Sunday of each week) a new version of the application will be published into Cydia. Major changes (such as 0.0.x -> 0.1.0 or 0.x.x -> 1.x.x, approx once every 1-2 months) will be published to the AppStore for approval. The intended result of this cycle is to provide more up-to-date (and consequently experimental) builds to users with Jailbroken hardware. Some updates will also include new videos or help sections on this blog, YouTube, and eventually StudyArcade.com

Trouble with StudyArcade? Here's how to file a Bug Report

If you're having any trouble with StudyArcade, please click on the "Help" bubble on the home screen and then use the "Contact the Developers" button. Doing so will provide me with not only an email address to get back to you at, but it also attaches your crash-log so that it is easier to debug the application. If you can't even start the application, use the "Email" link on the right side of this website.

If you only post a comment on this website, I have no way to respond to your question or otherwise follow up to help solve the problem!

Otherwise, enjoy using StudyArcade!

StudyArcade 0.0.2: Planned Release & Changelist

Even as StudyArcade version 0.0.1 is making its way to iPhones everywhere, I am already working on version 0.0.2. There are a number of features and topics I'd like to address with this latest version.

First, I'd just like to point out that if you have the application, you can use the "Contact" button in the "Help" section to contact me directly. Any suggestions submitted will be seriously considered. Of course, I also read all comments posted on this blog.

Next, some people have asked if synchronizing with Anki works both ways - that is, is progress made on the iPhone recorded on the Anki server? The answer with version 0.0.1 is no, but with 0.0.2 I expect full synchronization to be a reality.

Also high on the agenda:
* Media: pictures and sounds associated with facts (flashcards) are not currently fully implemented. This will be completed in version 0.0.2

* Importing Facts: There will be a number of options for importing facts from other sources, including a variety of "prepackaged" packs of facts to download. For example, if you're studying for the standard Chinese test (HSK), there will be packages of HSK flashcards available for download.

* Further integration with websites: I'm looking to integrate with more websites for synchronizing and downloading facts. I'm mainly looking at flashcard databases, such as FlashcardExchange.com

* Fact Selection Techniques: At least one more fact selection technique will be available; possibly two.

* Another game: StudyArcade will slowly grow with more and more games added. One more simple game will be added in the near future, if not in 0.0.2 then in version 0.0.3



If you have any other suggestions or requests for features, please leave a comment or contact me using the application.

The projected release date for version 0.0.2 is the 2nd weekend of February.

QuickStart Guide for StudyArcade

This QuickStart guide will help you get started using StudyArcade for the iPhone / iPod Touch. For release information, check out this entry.




StudyArcade, at its heart, is a Flashcard application; it is also much much more. Flashcards are referred to as "Facts." After opening the application, pressing the "Knowledge" bubble opens a list of facts.








Creating a new fact is accomplished by pressing the plus button or clicking any of the facts, which opens the Edit Fact page. Facts can contain a topic, phrase, definition, pronunciation, part of speech, tags. Additionally, you can select a picture or record a sound file.








Choosing the magnifying glass on the Knowledge page (instead of the plus button) opens the filter selection menu. Filters limit the facts which are shown in the knowledge. Choosing "Create New Filter" or the blue arrow next to any filter will open a page which allows you to customize which facts are shown. Clicking on a filter will apply it.







The settings page (accessed from the home page) allows you to enable one or more synchronization services. These are remote services (websites) which you may download facts from using StudyArcade. There are also a number of Fact Selection Techniques which are available. Selection Techniques determine how StudyArcade chooses which facts to study. In other words, "Test Cramming" is conceptually different than reviewing old words.






The play page (accessed from the home page) allows you to select from the available games (at present, only a simple Flashcard application is available). Clicking on the Flashcards game will first open the settings page. There are a number of options available, including customization opens (which side of the card the text is on vs. the definition). Also, you may select a filter to use, so that you only study facts of a certain type (just like the filters used in the Knowledge screen).




The flashcard (front and back) are depicted here. When on the back of the flashcard, you are prompted to to specify how hard you felt the fact to be. This data is used by the Selection Techniques in order to choose cards in the future.






There you have it - an easy approach to studying flashcards with the iPhone / iPod Touch.

Current Version & Info for StudyArcade

This page will be updated periodically; here is a static link for bookmarking purposes. This post will detail release information for StudyArcade for the iPhone / iPod Touch and link to useful resources.

Version

• Currently Available in the App Store: N/A
• Current Version Available in Cydia (MMi Repository): 0.0.7

StudyArcade is currently under review by Apple to be included in the AppStore.

Installation

There are two options for installation:

• Apple AppStore: Not yet available
• Cydia (for Jailbroken iPhones): search for "StudyArcade" or "inzania"

Help

• YouTube Help Video
• There is also this post which details using the application

Current Games

The games which are available in the current version include:

• Flashcards: a simple game reminiscent of flashcard studying.
  

Current Fact Selection Techniques

These fact selection techniques are used when playing any game. They choose how facts are selected to be used in the game.

• Random: Chooses a fact at random
  
• Test Cramming: Chooses the facts which have the lowest overall comprehension levels (as determined by the overall history / score)
  
• Review: Chooses the facts which have not been seen (tested) recently.