Handling iCal Files in iOS

The iCal format, first defined as a standard as RFC 2445 in 1998, is the universally accepted format for distributing calendar files, mainly used for distributing events.

As part of my QR code scanning app Scanula I added support for detecting events in scanned objects. Thanks to the fantastic libical and the Swift wrapper swift-ical it's fairly easy to parse an iCal feed, but adding it to iOS is a bit trickier.

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Scanula version 1.2.0

Release Notes

Version 1.2 of Scanula provides better integration with system features, improvements to existing feature, and a few bug fixes.

  • Support for system dark mode
  • Support long press to preview scans
  • Improved UI on iPads
  • Use system icons
  • Adding a scanned calendar to the system calendar will now add all fields from the iCal object
  • Improved handling of sms: URLs
  • Fix changing brightness when viewing a generated barcode
  • Fix action extensions sometimes not showing results
  • Various small bug fixes and UI improvements

The iPod touch Is My Favourite Device for iOS Development

It's important to test across various screen sizes, which the iOS simulator is good for, but it's also important to test on real devices where possible. I currently have an iPhone 11 Pro, an iPhone 6, and 2 iPod touches. Out of all these I find the iPod touch to be the best device for a lot of iOS development.

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Four Squares version 2.1

Release Notes

Four Squares 2.1 adds support for manually uploading completed games to iCloud, including games completed in Four Squares 1.0. Games completed in Four Squares 1.0 can also now be deleted.

Four Squares version 2.0

Release Notes

Four Squares 2.0 is a huge update bringing new modes, customisations, features, and an overhauled UI.

New Modes

In Time Attack mode you start with only 30 seconds on the clock. Every pattern you get right will add 3 more seconds to the clock. How long can keep going?

Speedrun mode gives you 3 lives to try and reach of sequence of 10 in the fastest time.

New Customisations

Old and new themes are available, along with brand new sound packs.

Existing themes have been updated to better support both light and dark mode.

Brand New UI

The UI has been reworked to make customisation easier and support more platforms. Look out for a macOS app in the near future!

Completed Games

Each game you play is now saved and can be viewed in the app.

You can even choose to play the same sequence to keep working on your high score!

App Clip

Four Squares now includes an App Clip, so you can share a completed game with a friend and they can try to beat your score without having to install the app.

My WWDC 2021 Wishlist

With WWDC 2021 just around the corner I've been thinking about what I'd like to see there.

A lot of the popular discourse around this time of year is focussed on features of the operating systems but I want to look at what I'd like to see as a developer for Apple platforms.

I love to develop for Apple platforms but it can often be a painful process. May is like a christmas for Apple developers.

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