Mobile App 2.0.2

podster

December 31, 2010 at 01:36 PM posted in ChinesePod Mobile Apps

I downloaded the latest set of fixes to the Chinese Pod App. I call them fixes because they are just restorning some of the most obviously useful features of the app that it replaced, which were lacking in versions 2.0 and 2.0.1. Since I had joined the chorus of critics I wanted to compliment the developers for making progress on replicating all the great features in the now-extinct first app. The update from 2.0.1 to 2.0.2 restores slider function to the flash cards and also has it for each word in the dialog. You can drill down lesson > dialogue > touch a sentence > breakdown > word and finally (most importantly to me) get a very large font highly readable screen of the individual word with pinyin and translation. You don't have to navigate back upstream either. You can slide forward to the next word in the sentence and move through word by word. Well done, CPod. I hope you will continue to add features that mimic the first mobile apps that you produced, especially the "connectedness" feature that allowed one to look up sample sentences for words, and then samples sentences for words in the sample sentences, etc. etc.

razzzz

January 20, 2011 at 03:50 AM

Hi,

one question to the developers since I dont get answers via email:

Is there a chance that you implement an SRS-functionality???

For me, the only thing I really miss is a review mode that automatically tests the learned vocab by how good I remembered it the last time.

So far I use Pleco but I hate the import thing and my vocab list is really long.

Is it too hard to implement SRS or what is the reason it is still not there?

podster

February 06, 2011 at 02:37 PM

razzzz,

I started making separate labels for individual CPod lessons and tagging the cards for the words from that lesson in the CPod Tools / vocabulary section. Maybe this would solve your "my vocab list is really long problem." What I do next is export the list to Pleco from my desktop computer to my mobile device. (Regarding "I hate the import thing", I feel your pain. It is a bit cumbersome and counter-intuitive. ) I also set up a list in Skritter for that lesson, but since CPod and Skritter are partners the lesson is already there waiting for me without me having to export it across applications. (brilliant!). But as of now I suppose Skritter won't help you with having mobile SRS flash cards to use on the go. The way things are going in terms of the focus of developers at Skritter I think versions for Android tablets and iPhone / iPad may be coming soon though. Maybe CPod could work with Skritter to integrate an SRS flashcard function into the CPod mobile app, since Skritter already has the CPod database and already has an SRS algorithm at the core of its own product

HongKongNik

January 20, 2011 at 07:22 AM

Don't want to sound grumpy. But in my humble opinion there is a lot more missing in the current app. It still doesn't come close to the old app in terms of functionality and usability. As I'm traveling almost constantly, I really need to be able to rely on the mobile CPod app....

Is there anything underway regarding the next update?

HongKongNik

January 18, 2011 at 09:40 PM

Any news on the next update regarding the iphone app? Would be great to get a quick status update on this.

Cheers!

martijn819

January 05, 2011 at 06:30 PM

I am keeping the "old" iPhone app flying by simply refusing to upgrade, but its very much becoming a duct tape thing to keep it going right now.

I have just installed Pleco on my iPhone as the Chinesepod flashcardsynchronizationis no longer working.

Still no sign of Traditional Chinese support in the new iPhone app I guess?

martijn819

January 07, 2011 at 07:37 PM

Actually Pleco is indeed very, very nice. I should have installed it way earlier.

Flashcard reviewing is so much better this way.

podster

January 06, 2011 at 01:51 PM

I tried to use my CPod mobile app flash cards yesterday and was told "sorry, no Internet connection is available." I realize that you need an Internet connection to synch or download information, but surely they did not intend for us to not be able to review unless we are on line!?!

I think you will be very pleased with Pleco, and you should be able to export your vocab lists from the CPod web site to Pleco for making flash cards.