Apple released iOS 13 in late September.
Here is a list of all of our apps and their compatibility with iOS 13. 


Daily Sage:

We are finishing work on our next, supplemental release version 1.6 (for both iPhone and iPad). It will include a host of bug fixes and compatibility with iOS 13’s “Dark Mode.” We hope to have it released and on your iOS devices by the end of this month. 

TimeCruncher:

We’re working on a major update to our popular TimeCruncher app. Until it’s ready, the current version (tho not optimized for the iPhone X series) is 64-bit and will run on any iOS13 compatible device. 

Knowtify:

Though not optimized for the iPhone X series, Knowtify is also 64-bit and will run on any iOS13 compatible device. 

Spam Alert:

After much debate, we have decided to retire our first “flagship” app: Spam Alert. Originally designed to quell the onslaught of telemarketing, political and other spam phone calls (to mobile), Spam Alert blocked more than 1,700 offensive numbers and has helped thousands of users avoid harassing phone calls, every day. 

Mobile carriers are getting more aggressive (thanks to government and FCC legislation in the USA) in preventing spam calls. Apple’s iOS 13 now has an option to “mute” unknown callers and there are now dozens of apps that promise to help you block or stop robo-callers, much like Spam Alert did. We believe that many of these apps are better positioned (with more money and resources) to effectively protect you from mobile spam and robo-callers. While it had a good run, we have officially decided to remove Spam Alert from sale and will no longer be offering support or updates. If you were a user/fan, thank you for your support!

POPtorious! & POP Jr!:

Unfortunately, POPtorious (our first app!) and its sister app, POP Jr!, both need adjustments before they will be ready to take advantage of iOS 13. We hope to make those adjustments soon, but have removed the apps from sale until that time. At this time, we do not have a timeline for when these apps will be updated & re-released.

As always, we thank you for your support and appreciate your patience as we update our existing app portfolio. 

We have lots of exciting updates and new apps on our roadmap and we look forward to sharing them ALL with you!

 

iOS 12 Compatibility

This morning, Apple formally announced the release date for iOS 12: September 17th.
Below is a list of all of our apps and their compatibility with iOS 12.


Effective 9/13/18:

 

Daily Sage:
We are finishing up work on v1.5 (a critical update). We hope to have it released and on your iOS devices by the end of this month. 🤞🏻

 

TimeCruncher:
Additionally, we’re working on a major update to our popular TimeCruncher app. Until it’s ready, the current version (tho not optimized for the iPhone X series) is 64-bit and will run on any iOS12 compatible device.

 

Knowtify:
Knowtify is also fully 64-bit and iOS12 compatible!
We’re working on a cosmetic update to make it shine on the iPhone X series.

 

Spam Alert:
Our original flagship app is not yet 64-bit compatible and therefore not available on iOS 12. Tho disappointing, anyone who previously installed the app (in iOS 10 or earlier) will STILL be able to take advantage of the app’s primary feature: warning when spam is calling.

Until we’re able to update the app, new numbers cannot be added to the system and therefore, new submissions cannot provide our advertised warning. All previously added numbers (more than 1,500) will continue to be blocked.

 

POPtorious! & POP Jr!:
Unfortunately, POPtorious (our first app!) and its sister app, POP Jr!, both need a few adjustments before they will be ready to take advantage of iOS 12. We hope to make those adjustments soon so that we can get them back in the app store for existing users to continue playing and for new users to discover.

 

As always, we thank you for your support and appreciate your patience as we update our existing apps. 

We have lots of exciting updates and new apps on our roadmap and we look forward to sharing them ALL with you!

 

 

iOS 11 Compatibility

Tuesday morning, Apple formally announced the release date for iOS 11: September 19th.

All iOS updates come with change, both good and bad. In most cases, Apple gives us the tools to push our ideas further and our apps improve as a result. Occasionally, they remind us that some apps need extra polish, while others may be ready to retire. iOS 11 is an exciting update, but one that is forcing such change. Below is a list of all of our apps and their compatibility with iOS 11.


Effective 9/19/17:

Knowtify & Daily Sage:
Our latest (and most popular) apps are fully 64-bit and iOS11 compatible! #phew
We’re working on cosmetic updates to make both shine on the iPhone X.

TimeCruncher:
We’re working on an update, but the current version is 64-bit and iOS11 compatible.

Spam Alert:
Our original flagship app is not yet 64-bit compatible and therefore not available on iOS 11. Tho disappointing, anyone who previously installed the app (in iOS 10 or earlier) will STILL be able to take advantage of the app’s primary feature: warning when spam is calling.

Until we’re able to update the app, new numbers cannot and will not be blocked, but any of the previous numbers (more than 1,500) will continue to be blocked. #highfive

POPtorious! & POP Jr!:
Unfortunately, POPtorious (our first app!) and its sister app, POP Jr!, both need a few adjustments before they will be ready to take advantage of iOS 11. We hope to make those adjustments soon so that we can get them back in the app store for existing users to continue playing and for new users to discover.

reFaced:
At this time, we have decided to retire reFaced. When reFaced debuted, it was a popular way to swap faces with your friends and family. But, as bigger, better apps (like Snap) hit the market, we have been unable to keep up. Instead of rebuilding reFaced (from the ground up), we’ve decided to pour our efforts into improving our existing library and creating new and exciting apps.

 

As always, we thank you for your support and appreciate your patience as we update our existing apps.
We have lots of exciting updates and new apps on our roadmap and we look forward to sharing them ALL with you!

 

 

facepalm

 

I’ve got some good news and bad news…

 

The bad news:

When Apple released the latest public build of iOS 9 (9.1) it inadvertently broke some functionality in our app SPAM Alert! At present, if you are running iOS 9.1, you will (likely) be unable to launch the app to report new numbers.

 

–face palm–

 

The good news:

Since the SPAM Alert! app doesn’t need to be running on your iPhone to work (it just needs to be installed), you are still actively protected from unsolicited calls. A visual warning will still appear if/when you receive a call from an offender on our master list.

We’re actively working to get the bug fixed and will let you know when an update is approved and available.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Happy Friday! Have a great wknd!

-Christian
Chief Software Architect, Brushmedia.com

November 13, 2015 Bug Report, iOS 9, iOS App, iPhone, SPAM Alert

SPAM Alert Incoming Call

 

When SPAM Alert debuted in January of 2014, we were committed to stopping mobile SPAM.
Since our launch, more than 400 (!) new numbers have been submitted to our database by SPAM Alert users!
We have painstakingly followed up with EACH entry, and have verified that 200 of those numbers are in fact SPAM callers.

In a continued effort to stop these unwanted calls, we’re releasing our first “service pack”:
it contains all of the numbers you’ve been protected from [for the last 6 months], as well as the 200 new entries we’ve vetted.

Our goal is to release Service Pack updates twice a year, continuously, to protect you and your family from mobile SPAM.
These packs will cost $0.99US, but are transferable to any personal phone, even if upgraded.

Some users have asked why SPAM Alert and its Service Packs aren’t FREE. Here’s why:

Creating SPAM Alert was tricky.
We wanted an app that could be installed easily, wouldn’t impact battery life and could protect a user for as long as they used an iPhone. The Brushmedia team met these goals, but not after months of brainstorming & development.
In addition, we must research and verify ALL newly submitted numbers, daily.

Maintaining SPAM Alert’s backend and functionality doesn’t come easily.

That being said, we think that SPAM Alert is well worth the small price to keep it up-to-date and keep your privacy intact.

These updates are NOT required. When you purchase SPAM Alert, you get the latest database protection for life.

Lastly, we’re pleased to announce that Apple’s upcoming iOS 8 release appears to be bringing back “full-screen” caller ID art.
For more information, check out our previous post, here.

 

hAPPy Friday!

 

-Christian
Chief Software Architect, Brushmedia.com

 

are you following us on twitter?

TimeCruncher
a few weeks ago, while doing some work [on-site] for a client, i needed to plug my hours into a timesheet.

*thinking*
Ok, i was there from 11:15a until 8:30p. that’s how many hours? well, it’s 45min until noon and 8.5hrs past that. so, 9hrs & 15min?

it’s a simple calculation, but it got all that more difficult when i realized that i needed to then add that value with several others.
there’s gotta be a better way.

so, much like SPAM Alert, the TimeCruncher app was born out of personal necessity.
after sharing the idea with a few friends, it sounded as tho others might be interested in using it too.

TimeCruncher has 2 main functions:

1) it will calculate the hours and minutes between two different times, and…

2) it will tabulate any number of hours and minutes.

we hope it helps those that frequently have to create and submit time sheets, as well as anyone who just needs to calculate time.

it’s now available, ad-free, on the Apple App Store.
go grab it!

Happy Wednesday!

 

-Christian
Chief Software Architect, Brushmedia.com

 

are you following us on twitter?

overview_mac_ios_hero

Hey friends!

Many of you may have heard that earlier this week, Apple announced big changes to both their desktop and mobile operating systems: OS X Yosemite and iOS 8.

This is exciting news for future app development and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.

A few months ago, we reported that iOS 7.1 ushered in a slew of interface changes.
One, in particular, altered the effectiveness of our app SPAM Alert.

While no official announcement has been made (from Apple), we’re digging deep into the new iOS 8 beta and hoping Apple will allow us to restore SPAM Alert’s functionality back to its intended glory.

The image above, on Apple’s official website, has us thinking optimistically.

Could this be their subtle way of telling us, full-screen contact images are coming back?!

 

Follow Us On Twitter

iOS Full-Screen Caller ID Change

 

hAPPy Friday everyone! (see what i did there?)

Earlier this week (Monday), Apple went ahead and dropped the much anticipated iOS 7.1 update for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad. This update is the first major release since the complete redesign of the iOS user interface. The update brought some interesting new features, like CarPlay, while refining other areas like Camera & Calendar.

There were also a few interface adjustments. Most notably, changes to the “phone” application & Caller ID.
Much to our dismay, Apple has adjusted the appearance of incoming calls. And, while this doesn’t change the effectiveness or the way that our SPAM Alert App works, it does make it slightly less clear when SPAM numbers are calling.

While we’ve filed an official request with Apple to restore full-screen “Caller ID art” to iOS 7.1+ (or at least allow us to override the default), we’re left trying to brainstorm a better solution until they do.

If you have a moment, please send your feedback to Apple: https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
Apple has always been very clear that they value feedback in numbers: the more people that complain or request a feature, the more likely they are to acquiesce.

Thank you again for your continued support.
We appreciate your business and look forward to creating more “Awesome Apps” for you and your friends.

Have a great wknd!

-Christian
Chief Software Architect, Brushmedia.com

 

 

March 14, 2014 Apple, iOS 7, iOS App, iPhone, SPAM Alert

iTunes App Store - 5 Stars

First and foremost, thank you to everyone for downloading and sharing our new app with others. Your support is greatly appreciated!

SPAM Alert has only been live on the App Store for a week and it is already generating lots of buzz.
Feedback for the app has been astonishing:

 

Richard Stapler described SPAM Alert as “how tech can really make our lives better.”
John Kinyo was thrilled that [when his phone rang] “like MAGIC, [he] could see it was SPAM and a waste of [his] time.”
GadgetReview.com said it is a great way “to destroy SPAM calls on your iPhone.”

 

With as a SOLID 5-Star rating on the iTunes App Store, we’re off to a great start. If you have downloaded, but not yet taken the time to review, please do. Reviews help us share the app with more users and continue to improve it!

It’s easy to review!:  launch SPAM Alert on your iPhone and head to Settings > About > Rate & Review.

Please keep sharing SPAM Alert with your family and friends and we’ll keep working to #StopMobileSpam !

January 21, 2014 Apple, iOS 7, iOS App, iPhone, SPAM Alert

Introducing SPAM Alert

hello world!

if you’re anything like me, you’re getting more and more unwanted mobile calls from political parties, telemarketers, debt collectors, etc.

as it turns out, signing up for “Do Not Call” lists is no longer an effective way to prevent or stop receiving these unwanted calls. after receiving as many as six (!) unwanted, unsolicited, calls in a single day, i decided to do something about it:

i created SPAM Alert.
it’s a clever app that visually notifies me anytime 900+ known solicitors attempt to call my iPhone.

i’ve been enjoying it since August, and I’ve decided to share it with the world.

the user interface was written from the ground up to provide not only a pleasant iOS 7 experience, but also an intuitive environment for novices and experts alike. As Ron Popeil famously said, “Set it and forget it.” The next time you get an unwanted call, like magic, you’ll be warned.

no one should have to deal with mobile spam…

I would appreciate it if you would take a minute to check it out and hopefully download.
If nothing else, please help spread the word!

 Tweet it, Like it, Share it, Text it, Blog about it! Anything you can do is APPRECIATED!

Together, we can put a stop to these unwanted calls!

learn more . . . or download from the App Store.

i’m looking forward to hearing what you think.

-Christian

January 12, 2014 Apple, iOS 7, iOS App, iPhone, SPAM Alert