TeamworkPM’s Engine Room

Hi Five

You just might have heard some whispers that Apple has released a new iPhone.  The big new feature ( apart from those gorgeous maps! :) was the larger screen.  Now, whether your managing a complex project or a weekend trip, every extra pixel is worth it's weight in gold. We downloaded the SDK straight away and went through every screen in the app to make sure that it could take advantage in every way possible.  That means extra room to read your messages, more space to edit your tasks and less scrolling to find out what has to be done.  It works wonderfully in the simulator and we're literally sitting in a cafe waiting to collect some iPhone 5's to give it a good test on the actual hardware.   For me it was the extra row of bookmarked Task Lists that I found most useful. 

Here in Ireland the iPhone 5 only came out today - a week behind the US, but we wanted to make sure everything's perfect before we hit submit.  Happily I have an iPhone 5 in my hand as I write this and it's all working well!  So check the App Store in little over a week ( it's takes Apple a few days to get through the 15,000 or so apps submitted every week! )

That's all very nice for those lucky few with new phones, but what about the rest of us older iPhone owners?  Don't fret, we took the opportunity to add in a few of the most requested features so that all iPhone owners can benefit from this update.

Where to start?

Top of those requested features has to be Start Dates.

With the addition of start dates to the web app you can now manage the tasks in your project with more control than ever before.  Dan has written a blog post covering it's genesis and extolling it's virtues.  Obviously, we now support start dates throughout the iPhone app.  On tasks list you'll see both start dates and due dates and if the room permits we expand them out to include day and month names.  The task editor, too, allows you to easily specify both the start date and the end date of a task.

On the subject of tasks and dates here's a couple of quick Power User Tips:

• Swipe right or left on a date in an editor for a quick way to move up or down through consecutive dates.  So when one of your tasks is moved by a couple of days - swipe, swipe, tap and the task is updated.  Fast.
• Dan also covered this one very well, but it's so useful I have to repeat it here : ever had the problem of optimistically marking a bunch of tasks as due today, then when they run late you have to keep changing each one so that it appears in your Due Today list?  Well, now just set a start date, then as long as the task has started and not finished it will appear on the My Tasks : Today screen.  Sorted.

New Links Section added

 Another big ticket item added in this update is support for the recently renamed and revamped Links section.  Links gives you an area to keep all of those handy links that you've found and that you think will be useful for your project as some stage.  Whether it's the link to a contract winning Architect for an upcoming build, some background research for a new project, or even an embedded survey for the office night out, Links is the place to store it.  

As you'd expect, the iPhone app can now list, view and create Links.  It also makes it easy to copy a URL from any app into TeamworkPM.  Now when you're out and about and you find a gem, keep track of it with Links.

There are a few other subtle changes as well as a bug fix for an Authentication problem which was affecting a small number of users ( where the app wouldn't save the password ).  In the meantime, let us know what you think.  As always, we love feedback, both the good kind and the harsh kind, so get in touch.  If there's something you'd like to see added, or if there's a tip or topic that you'd like us to write about then drop us a line or leave a comment.

Enjoy your updated iPhones, whether it's a 5 or earlier!

We've got a really nice update to the iOS app this month, we have added a few really nice new features to the App.

Search

First up, and the most obvious: full Search available right from the main screen.  Type in anything you waant and it will go search the server for the latest most up-to-date information possible. Tap on one of the results and if it's something that's not already on the phone the details will be instantly downloaded automatically for you - so no stale information here.  

The list of search results has been designed for quickly skimming through, however if you need more detail then tap the 'Expand' button and it will give you that extra bit of context. Hit it again to go back to the simple display.  And finally, to help you get around, start scrolling and a large index bar will fade in allowing you to jump straight to the section that you're most interested in.

Notebooks

The Project screen sports three new sections, one of which is Notebooks.  As you'd expect, this new Notebook section gives you the ability to read all of your Notebooks directly within the app.  So no more having to go out to Mobile safari and zooming around to fit the notebook to the display - the display fits the notebook. Exactly.

Files

Just like Notebook, the Files section gives you full access to all of the files available in your Project. Plus, as you can see from the screenshot, you can easily send the file to your favourite App.  So if you like reading PDF's in iBook or presentations in Keynote, no problem

Contacts

Finally, Contacts.  A full listing of everyone associated with the project, this screen has a couple of nice touches.  Each detail of the person's information can be used - so, for example, tapping on a Skype address gives you the option of starting a Skype call, a chat or simply copying the account name.  Same goes for GTalk, Email and, of course, Phone Numbers.

We hope you like it and as usual, let us know what you think!

Download the app from the App store today.

Today we are happy to announce the launch of Teamwork Mobile. This optimized version of TeamworkPM will work on most modern smart phones and tablets directly within the devices web browser. There are no prerequisites; no apps are required and nothing needs to be installed.

What is Teamwork Mobile?

Teamwork Mobile is a touch-optimised web app which utilises the latest in web technologies (HTML5, CSS3 & JS). These allow for smooth transitions, quicker page loads, data caching and much more. These technologies allowed us to make one app that works on most modern phones and devices.

For all of you that have been asking us for a BlackBerry app, this version will work very well on the latest BlackBerry phones.

The app features a responsive layout which allows it to adapt to screens of different sizes. So whether you are using it on a tablet, in your PCs web browser or on a touch device, the interface will automatically change to allow for optimal use (so it works great on an iPad for example).

This version of Teamwork will work across a wide range of devices. Though we do not have the means to test TWM on every platform, we expect that it will work so long as your device fits any of the specifications listed below.

So what can Teamwork Mobile do?

If you are familliar with either of our current native apps (Android & iOS) you will be happy to see that we have used a very similar layout and the feature set is much the same; so getting to know the new app should be a piece of cake.

Some of the features included in this version are as follows:

• All Tasks Page
• All Milestones Page
• Search
• Statuses - View / Add
• Activity Views
• Notebooks - View
• Messaging - New / Reply
• Tasks - View / Add / Edi t/ Complete
• Task Lists - View / Add / Edit
• Milestones - View / Add / Edit / Complete
• Contacts

We also have a few updates planned already so make sure you keep an eye on the blog to remain updated on what we are working on.

How do I access the mobile version?

TeamworkPM should detect that you are accessing your account from a mobile device and should change across to the mobile version automatically. If it doesn't just put /m after your TeamworkPM url to access the mobile site. eg. http://yourcompanyname.teamworkpm.net/m

I'll leave you with a fun video showing Teamwork Mobile running on different devices.

One of the most requested features, for the iPhone app, was to have some way to track and log time.  And to be fair, the phone is a perfect device for this kind of thing.  Whether you're in a meeting with a client or working at your desk, the chances are that you'll have your phone near by.  As I write this post, in a café in Blarney, the phone is serving me some Hotspot goodness while displaying a full screen TeamworkPM timer - reminding me to stay on the straight and narrow.  Time is money after all.

So what have we done?  Well, as you'd expect you can quickly start a timer from any task or project. (Sorry Martin not from a Milestone!).  When you do, a big, easy to read, timer is displayed. Stick the phone in the dock and the screen won't dim.  So while you work, a single glance towards the phone will remind you what you're working on, and how long you've been doing it.

But you don't have to stay on the big timer screen. You can continue moving around the iPhone app as normal.  To remind you that you're working on something a small timer will appear at the bottom of both the Task List and the Dashboard.  Clicking on the small timer brings you straight into the full screen timer.

Now, when it comes to tracking time it seems people fall into one of two camps: some like to set out what they are going to do at the start, while others prefer to wait until the end when they say what they've been working on. You can work either with TeamworkPM.  For example, if a call comes in and you want to know how much time it sucks up - just hit the project timer and press play.  You don't have type anything until after the call. But if you want to set out what you're going to do, tap the edit button, enter a description and hit continue instead of upload.  That way you can work away and have the timer remind you what you're working on.

As with the previous post, seeing this stuff is better than reading it.  So I've recorded another screen cast.  When you're watching it, just try to imagine that your finger is the little arrow moving around :)

That's it.  Version 1.5 of the TeamworkPM iPhone app should start showing up in the App Store at some stage today, so keep an eye out for it and as usual, let us know what you think!

      Mike.

The Task Editor

I was going to write a long post describing the new Task Editor.  But I figured a picture, or maybe two and a half thousand brief pictures, would make it all a whole lot easier.  So, I put together some screencasts instead.

Screencast 1 : Editing a Task

We'll the start the 'casts by looking at tasks, and in particular, editing. With the new layout, our goal was that after getting to the task screen, you shouldn't be forced to leave task screen.  So you get all of the information that you might need, but when you want to change something you simply do it right there, in place, and not on a separate edit screen.  

We didn't want to have a lot of clutter either.  So when you hit 'Edit', the things that should be edited get bigger and things that shouldn't be edited, disappear.  Just as it should be really.

We followed that up by allowing attributes of the task such as dates, priority and assignment, to be set not just with the normal tap, but also by swiping left or right. Now, a gesture like swipe is one of those things that you're better off seeing rather than reading - so take a look at the screencast to better understand just how quick it is to move the due date on a few days, or assign the task to yourself. Try it a few times and you'll soon find the new gestures becoming second nature. 

Screencast 2 : Creating a Task

All of the goodies from the Task Editor screen have been brought over to the Task Creator screen as well. So when you're hit by inspiration and you want to give yourself a task to complete today it becomes as simple as:

1. Enter the title, 
2. Swipe once on "Assigned To" 
3. Swipe once on "Due Date" 
4. … and 4? there is no Step 4! :)

Also in the second screencast you'll notice that the new layout displays any comments attached to the task.  New comments can be added and individuals in the company notified.  Judging by the feedback we've had, this alone is something that will make quite a few of you happy!

That's it, hope you like it, and as usual let us know what you think about the changes.

      Mike.

If you've talked to us via the feedback page you'll know that we've been working hard on the latest version of the TeamworkPM iOS app.  You'll also know that we've put blood, sweat, tears and a lot of love into this one.  Prototypes were built and thrown away.  Finer points were argued and sometimes even agreed.  A bucket load of Costa coffee was consumed.  But that doesn't matter any more.  What matters is that TeamworkPM 1.5 is queued up, ready to roll, and will be hitting the App Store in a few days.

And we think you'll like it...

Background

The first releases of the TeamworkPM iOS app focused on giving you the necessities - the basic features you had to have to be able to work with TeamworkPM in a mobile world. But now we want to take the creativity and spark from TeamworkPM on the web and distill it for iOS. That's what we've started to do in 1.5.

So what did we work on?  Well, Tasks, Statuses and Timers were our main focus.  But the challenge that we set ourselves was to find a way to add these extra features without adding clutter. We think we've done a pretty good job at meeting those goals and over the course of the next few posts we'll walk you through some of the changes.  So check back regularly and let us know if you agree.

       Mike.

[this wouldn't be much of a sneak peek without a few teaser screenshots now would it?]

We it's been a very busy time here in TeamworkPM HQ over the last weeks as we have been working on some nice new features and improvments to the application which we hope to release over the next few months.

One feature we added recently to the web App was the ability to quickly switch between Teamwork accounts you had. Since we released that we have been working on adding this functionality into the iPhone App as well. Below is a short video I shot video this morning of the new switcher feature running on our developers iPhone.

Let us know you throughts on this new feature and other's you would like to see in iPhone App.

A little over two weeks ago, Sam said in a post that we’d be bringing out lots of updates to the iPhone app and he wasn’t Kidding (that pun wasn’t intentional Sam honest! :)

The latest update has been approved by Apple and is already in the App Store. If you haven’t tried the iPhone app yet, go get it now. If you have the first version go check your updates as normal – we think you won’t be disappointed!

This release adds two new features to get you guys working faster.

Quick Add

First up we’ve changed the way you create tasks. If you’re anything like me you get your ideas in bursts. And nothing kills a good flow of ideas like having to Stop. And Wait. To Upload. Every. Single. Task. Individually. With this latest release of the app, you can enter as many tasks as you like and then upload them all in one go. No waiting around between ideas.

It goes a little further than that though – we’ve worked hard on getting out of your way. So when you start adding a task the keyboard will be there waiting for you – no tap required. To enter multiple tasks just keep on typing. There’s no need to hit an edit button just to delete or re-arrange. And when you’re ready, you can tap on the Drop-Down-Triangle-Dohickey to apply details like ‘Due Date’ and ‘Who’s Responsible’, across all of the new tasks in just one step. Finally, to change details of just one task? Just tap that task and edit as normal.

We already have a few more refinements lined up for this screen, but we think you’ll find adding multiple tasks a much more enjoyable experience.

Today

The second feature is here by popular demand. As well as ‘Pending’ and ‘Overdue’ there’s now a ‘Today’ view. It shows all of the tasks that are due today – without the clutter of the 7-day ‘Due Soon’ ( We actually have big plans for a novel overhaul of Today/DueSoon/Overdue – but we’ll keep that under wraps for a bit longer :)

There’s plenty of other smaller changes and bug fixes which I’ll tag on end of this post, but this is more or less how we see it going – regular updates with one or two main features and a host of smaller changes. Hopefully this way will ensure that your feedback and suggestions will have a direct impact on the development process.

And that ends my very first blog post to be found anywhere on the interwebs.

Mike

Other Features

• Use a custom date picker for the quick add…
• Add a Due Today action on the home screen
• A-Z bar on projects : Not a biggie but would be an awesome help
• case insensitive project index
• Only show index for starred projects if there’s a whole bundle of them.
• Show beveled activity spinner while updating milestones
• link on settings screen to api key instructions
• Add a “Today” button to date chooser in milestone editor
• Pre-set the date chooser to the date of the task
• Completed Milestones text should be green
• Disable “Update” button while updating milestones
• Pre-set the date chooser to the date of the milestone

Bug Fixes

• Edit Task: Person is not remembered so when you save it sets to
• some comments cut off the last line of the message
• Mark task as complete in “All Milestones” refresh bug
• Due Soon table needs to be refresh on next load if something has changed
• Over due table needs to be refreshed on next load if something has changed
• Remove bookmarks from dashboard when changing account
• File Comment in Activity log has no icon
• Add Task : Choose person : Throws a 400 error
• projects title doesn’t take into account the index bar

I thought a few of you may be very happy to see this quick video I made. I stole the iPhone off Mike, our App developer, on Friday just to quickly show you how the iPhone App for TeamworkPM is turning out.