IPhone 4 LED flash app?

[kwyn]

I have now beta tested two flashlight apps and there is one major problem with these apps that is not the developers fault.

Each of these apps are tied to the camera/camcorder app and the activation of the LED. If you are playing your iPod or any Pandora related app and activate the camera...the music continues to play. The minute that you switch it over to the camcorder, the music app shuts down. The same thing happens with all the flashlight apps I have beta tested so far. If I am listening to music, podcast or audio book and turn on one of the flashlight apps...the music app is shut down. The devs have sent a bug report into apple regarding this problem with the video camera so hopefully there is a fix which will in turn fix the flashlight/iPod issue that will generate many complaints if these apps are approved.

I post this so that those that are waiting for a LED flashlight app know and understand that this bug is not a developer bug, but an Apple one and should not be used to base your ratings decision in iTunes.

Good point. I expect that it wouldn't make that much of a difference to most. Not sure though, but I guess most people would only use it for a few seconds to walk up the stairs, down the hall, find a key, etc...

But it is good to warn others so that these developers don't get bad ratings...

Lookin forward to one of these coming out. First one to make the App Store will probably get my $$

 

[dagger55]

Good point. I expect that it wouldn't make that much of a difference to most. Not sure though, but I guess most people would only use it for a few seconds to walk up the stairs, down the hall, find a key, etc...

But it is good to warn others so that these developers don't get bad ratings...

Lookin forward to one of these coming out. First one to make the App Store will probably get my $$

Ya SFC has been beta testing my app. I've done some extensive digging, and it looks like the only public way to access the LED in the SDK does override the background audio as well. I have filed a bug to Apple on this, so hopefully in the future we can address it.

I was hoping my app would get out of review by this weekend, but it looks like it is still there. Guess we'll have to wait the long weekend before we see any LED flashlight apps on the store.

 

[ColdCoffee]

I have now beta tested two flashlight apps and there is one major problem with these apps that is not the developers fault.

Each of these apps are tied to the camera/camcorder app and the activation of the LED. If you are playing your iPod or any Pandora related app and activate the camera...the music continues to play. The minute that you switch it over to the camcorder, the music app shuts down. The same thing happens with all the flashlight apps I have beta tested so far. If I am listening to music, podcast or audio book and turn on one of the flashlight apps...the music app is shut down. The devs have sent a bug report into apple regarding this problem with the video camera so hopefully there is a fix which will in turn fix the flashlight/iPod issue that will generate many complaints if these apps are approved.

I post this so that those that are waiting for a LED flashlight app know and understand that this bug is not a developer bug, but an Apple one and should not be used to base your ratings decision in iTunes.

This does not happen with my LED-Torch app.

 

[SFC Archer]

This does not happen with my LED-Torch app. PM me with your UDID if you don't believe me.

Can't PM you...you are to new to the forum. Please click on my CP and send me an email with your info and I will use BetaHelper to send you my data.

 

[dagger55]

Wirelessly posted (IPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)

I have now beta tested two flashlight apps and there is one major problem with these apps that is not the developers fault.

Each of these apps are tied to the camera/camcorder app and the activation of the LED. If you are playing your iPod or any Pandora related app and activate the camera...the music continues to play. The minute that you switch it over to the camcorder, the music app shuts down. The same thing happens with all the flashlight apps I have beta tested so far. If I am listening to music, podcast or audio book and turn on one of the flashlight apps...the music app is shut down. The devs have sent a bug report into apple regarding this problem with the video camera so hopefully there is a fix which will in turn fix the flashlight/iPod issue that will generate many complaints if these apps are approved.

I post this so that those that are waiting for a LED flashlight app know and understand that this bug is not a developer bug, but an Apple one and should not be used to base your ratings decision in iTunes.

This does not happen with my LED-Torch app.

Are you using the UIImagePickerController to access the LED? I can't find any other public API's to get access to the LED.

 

[ColdCoffee]

Can't PM you...you are to new to the forum. Please click on my CP and send me an email with your info and I will use BetaHelper to send you my data.

I will do it later maybe. Thanks anyways.

I've put online a movie demoing the non-issue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYGtjvBo9RE&feature=youtube_gdata
(LED-Torch for iPhone 4 does not stop the music)

 

[anng12]

Does anyone want me to beta test their app?
If you want me to, just PM me. i have my UDID ready for you.

 

[SFC Archer]

I will do it later maybe. Thanks anyways.

I've put online a movie demoing the non-issue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYGtjvBo9RE&feature=youtube_gdata
(LED-Torch for iPhone 4 does not stop the music)

Looks good...the video tells it all. I am now hoping that the two developers that I beta for are able to fix this issue with their apps. Thanks for responding to my post.

 

[dagger55]

Wirelessly posted (IPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A293 Safari/6531.22.7)



Are you using the UIImagePickerController to access the LED? I can't find any other public API's to get access to the LED.

Ah ha! Figure it out....

Looks like there are two ways to access the LED... one stops the background audio, the other doesnt

 

[neuronsyndicate]

Led Api

Dagger what API are you using to handle the flash without altering the sound?

Ah ha! Figure it out....

Looks like there are two ways to access the LED... one stops the background audio, the other doesnt

 

[neuronsyndicate]

LED sound Altering

Coldcoffee, do you mind sharing the api for controlling the flash with out the sound issue cutting out. thanks!

This does not happen with my LED-Torch app.

 

[Hardsheller]

Cameralight (laan labs) was updated last night - it works great! There is an option to turn off the camera now, and the music keeps playing in the background! One click, and my light is on (bug worked out) - about 3-4 second wait after clicking on the app - and that's all I really needed and I keep it accessible on the home screen for a quick flashlight when I need it.

 

[RiceRacerDX]

Along with Cameralight, LED Switch ($0.99) and LED Torch Flashlight (FREE) are other newly approved apps in the app store. Unfortunately, both of them seem to activate the camera as well since they both turn on by displaying the start-up animation of a camera lens used in the camera app. I suppose the ones that got this concept right are the apps that can play music in the background, keep music on when the app is activated, and does not display the camera lens animation. As said before, there are two API's: one that uses the camera and one that does not.

 

[dagger55]

Along with Cameralight, LED Switch ($0.99) and LED Torch Flashlight (FREE) are other newly approved apps in the app store. Unfortunately, both of them seem to activate the camera as well since they both turn on by displaying the start-up animation of a camera lens used in the camera app. I suppose the ones that got this concept right are the apps that can play music in the background, keep music on when the app is activated, and does not display the camera lens animation. As said before, there are two API's: one that uses the camera and one that does not.

Thats right. My app (LED iLight) should be approved today, according to someone on the apple review team I spoke with last night. My 1.0 app is built on the API that uses the camera controller. (Camera Animation, No Background music). I have a 1.1 update ready to submit as soon as 1.0 is released that address all of those issues with the other API. Unfortunately, the App Review process makes it impossible to submit a new binary during review, unless you want to move the back of the 10 day wait long, which I can't really afford to do.

 

[Hardsheller]

I just found iFlash iPhone 4 in the app store. It utilizes the LED light and it also has the option for a strobe light. The developer is Squizzle Soft.

 

[Hardsheller]

Flashlight for iPhone 4 $.99 by SoftwareByEugene
Haven't tried.

Flashlight 4 $.99 xyster.net
Haven't tried.

Cameralight $.99 Laan Labs
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on.
Pros: Works with my music.

LED Torch Flashlight Free - Optimum Computer Games
Problem: Turns off my music.

LED Switch $.99 Casey Evanoff
Problem: Very buggy - works half the time for me.

Frontlight by Laan Labs - FREE - but was taken down
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on. Not available anymore.
Pros: Works with my music.

iFlash for iPhone 4 - $.99 - Squizzle Soft
Haven't tried. Has a strobe though!

So far I like Cameralight and Frontlight by Laan Labs the best.

 

[dagger55]

Flashlight for iPhone 4 $.99 by SoftwareByEugene
Flashlight 4 $.99 xyster.net
Cameralight $.99 Laan Labs
LED Torch Flashlight Free - Optimum Computer Games
LED Switch $.99 Casey Evanoff
Frontlight by Laan Labs - FREE - but was taken down
iFlash for iPhone 4 - $.99 - Squizzle Soft

Add LED iLight for $.99.... just got the approval letter from Apple about an hour ago.

 

[dagger55]

Flashlight for iPhone 4 $.99 by SoftwareByEugene
Haven't tried.

Flashlight 4 $.99 xyster.net
Haven't tried.

Cameralight $.99 Laan Labs
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on. Works with my music.

LED Torch Flashlight Free - Optimum Computer Games
Problem: Turns off my music.

LED Switch $.99 Casey Evanoff
Problem: Very buggy - works half the time for me.

Frontlight by Laan Labs - FREE - but was taken down
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on. Not available anymore. Works with music.

iFlash for iPhone 4 - $.99 - Squizzle Soft
Haven't tried. Has a strobe though!

So far I like Cameralight and Frontlight by Laan Labs the best.

Quick question... for your time to LED comes on comments... is that from a fresh start, or after clicking on the app from the multitasking bar?

 

[RiceRacerDX]

Still waiting for The Flashlight App by TIStudios.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQycOguvo_s

 

[Hardsheller]

Quick question... for your time to LED comes on comments... is that from a fresh start, or after clicking on the app from the multitasking bar?

Either.

 

[EmbraceNext]

What is the API that is being used to not interrupt the music?

 

[jon.tistudios]

Hey Everyone! The Flashlight App has been approved by apple today!

http://tinyurl.com/tfa-iphone

Start shedding a new light to your iPhone wielding life!

 

[Hardsheller]

FlashMaster by xyster.net - $.99

"Push the LED flash on your iPhone 4 to the limit with four fun functions.

- Flashlight. Use FlashMaster as a bright flashlight wherever you are.

- Strobe. Freeze water as it falls or start a disco in your room.

- Rave. Flash to the beat of your music (uses the microphone).

- Morse. Challenge your friends to decode your Morse code messages from across the room. Or signal SOS when in a pinch."

Available NOW

 

[akacaj]

Updated List:

Real LED Flashlight for iPhone 4 by Tingalin

Flashlight for iPhone 4 $.99 by SoftwareByEugene
Haven't tried.

Flashlight 4 $.99 xyster.net
Haven't tried.

Cameralight $.99 Laan Labs
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on.
Pros: Works with my music.

LED Torch Flashlight Free - Optimum Computer Games
Problem: Turns off my music.

LED Switch $.99 Casey Evanoff
Problem: Very buggy - works half the time for me.

Frontlight by Laan Labs - FREE - but was taken down
Problem: About 3-4 seconds for light to come on. Not available anymore.
Pros: Works with my music.

iFlash for iPhone 4 - $.99 - Squizzle Soft
Haven't tried. Has a strobe though!

 

[Hardsheller]

Just bought FlashMaster from xyster.net. It is awesome. Very fast - less than a second for light to come on. Music works with it! Morse Code and Strobe and rave! Wow.