26 November 2018

More new versions of OIW

This is just a quick update, but a somehow important nonetheless.

Boring stuff: I moved to stable the beta version of the add-on, I don't see any errors and I'm confident this version fixes that particular crash a lot of people were reporting.

Not so boring stuff: I added a new stable version of the main app, without beta (there aren't any code-breaking changes, so nothing can break (now is when everything breaks)). The big change, as you probably noticed, is the change of the app name from 'Open in WhatsApp (click to chat)' to simply 'Click to chat'.
And why? Because WhatsApp suddenly thought that it would be a good idea to start reporting apps with 'WhatsApp' in their name (since the addition of WhatsApp stickers. The story is a bit longer and there are a lot of threads regarding this topic).
As I have nothing to gain (remember: free and no ads) and a lot to lose (the developer account) I don't mind changing the name. I just hope users doesn't get confused with the change...who I am kidding of course you are going to get confused, but I can do nothing (I'm not Jevil). The app is still the same, it just changed its name, and I plan to keep making updates for you to enjoy (and for me to learn).


Changelog "Addon for OIW":

V 1.1
- Fixed crash when force canceled
- Added button for manual cancel


Changelog "Click to Chat":

V 2.0.2
- Removed 'WhatsApp' from title
- Changed share link to new version
- Internal minor changes

23 November 2018

New versions of OIW

Fixes, cosmetic changes, and more!


So, since the previous version was published, around 1000 users tried the addon. It seem to be working fine and you seem to like it, so I published it as stable (V 1.0), and at the same time I published a new beta (V 1.1) with a fix for a crash when the task was force-canceled (by opening the recents apps menu for example). As it seems some of you don't like to wait, I added a cancel button to stop the task too. Will be on stable very soon, probably.

For the main app, I think the beta version is stable enough, so I published it as stable (V 2.0.1). I hope nothing breaks...I don't know...I'll keep a close look on the developer console just in case. This version just contains cosmetic changes, no code changes, so I don't think I'll get new errors (just angry comments).

And finally, some words about the donation link: In the previous version I included a link to the donation app, because some of you asked for donations even when I have the app for this purpose. As expected some wonderful users bought it, 2 to be exact (previously were 5), and although it may seem like nothing, it means that some people out there like my work, and that's a feeling and motivation only creative types understand. Thank you.




Ok, here are the changelogs of the versions:


Stable version of Open in WhatsApp:
V 2.0.1
- Added Somalia prefix (+252)
- Removed padding on big screens
- Fixed buttons on dialogs
- Fixed scrolling of about screen (hopefully)


Stable version of Addon for OIW:
V 1.0
- Initial release on Play Store


Beta version of Addon for OIW:
V 1.1
- Fixed crash when force canceled
- Added button for manual cancel

15 November 2018

New stable&beta version of Open in WhatsApp (V 2.0 & 2.0.1)

Those who tested the beta version, thank you. However no errors were reported on that version, and I know for a fact that some errors are always reported (not related to the app). At least I know that no important crashes are present (those are quickly reported, even with <100 testers). Unfortunately I don't want to wait weeks until more beta testers try the version, so I published it as stable using the rollout feature (yes, that one I don't like) because it allows me to check for errors with a reduced number of users, and that is an incredible feature that can be useful on situations like this one. Currently 20% of you have the update to the new version, and I'll increase the percentage progressively in the following days while nothing crashes. Hopefully in a week it should be already at 100%.

I also started preparing a new version, and I published it as beta (this way it will be on beta longer). The version has only cosmetic changes, but I want to have one ready if I need to quickly make a fix. This beta will take a while to be stable, also probably with translation updates.



Change logs below:

V 2.0.1
- Added Somalia prefix (+252)
- Removed padding on big screens
- Fixed buttons on dialogs
- Fixed scrolling of about screen (hopefully)

V 2.0
- Added compatibility with the new Addon (see details inside app)
- More info in 'about'
- Minor internal changes

11 November 2018

New beta version of Open in WhatsApp (V 2.0)

-This is a new beta version which...wait a minute. Version 2.0?
-Yes
-Does it add the ability to change themes?
-No
-Does it detects the prefix number automatically?
-Not yet
-Does it allows to retrieve the list of recent calls?
-Yes, sort of
-Does it...wait what? Really?

Yes, you hear it right! This new version may not be a big visual addition, in fact just by installing it the main dialog doesn't change. However internally it contains the code to show the list of recent unknown calls, and believe me, it wasn't easy.
I hate (really hate) apps with absurd size, absurd permissions, and absurd ads. That's why my apps are are small as possible, with only the necessary... [yea, yea, we get it, go on].
This app had no permissions at all, and adding some when it is already published not only betrays my principles, but also you need to manually accept the update from Play Store, it isn't automatic. And I didn't want that, and for this reason until now this highly requested feature was never implemented.

But then I found a very easy, funny, and interesting way for it to happen, without adding the permissions. By having a secondary app with them, that second app is able to 'transfer' the permissions to the first one (because I own both, it is not possible to transfer permissions between random apps).
I had everything set, all working, but then...problems. It doesn't work with apps already in the Play Store without an specific setting (sharedUserId). And I didn't have it. :(
But I wasn't going to stop, I choose to implement it the alternative (and not so easy) way of having a secondary app which provide the service. This is a lot more prone to errors, but still. I'll fix them while I can.

So, this is the new feature you will find. In the about tab a new button with a small description will be shown. Clicking the button will open the Play Store of the new Addon, and installing it will show a new button in the main dialog (of the original app) with a telephone symbol. Click it, and the list of unknown recent calls will be shown...hopefully.

Now, more than ever, I need the help of you beta testers. This is a BIG update, and I can't risk pushing it to stable without being sure it is usable. Thank you.


The changelog is:
V 2.0
- Added compatibility with the new Addon (see details inside app)
- More info in 'about'
- Minor internal changes