#iOS mobile app testing

[hats-off-solutions]

Mobile Apps Development: Transforming the Digital Landscape

In today’s fast-paced digital world, mobile applications have become a cornerstone of communication, business, entertainment, and productivity. From ordering food and booking a cab to managing finances and staying connected with loved ones, mobile apps touch nearly every aspect of our daily lives. As smartphone usage continues to rise globally, mobile app development has emerged as one of the most dynamic and innovative fields in the tech industry.

What is Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These applications are typically developed for two major platforms: iOS (Apple devices) and Android (Google devices). The development process includes idea conceptualization, designing, coding, testing, and deployment, followed by maintenance and updates.

There are three main types of mobile apps:

Native Apps — Built specifically for one platform (iOS or Android) using platform-specific languages like Swift or Kotlin.

Hybrid Apps — Created using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and wrapped in a native container.

Cross-Platform Apps — Developed using frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin, allowing a single codebase to run on multiple platforms.

Why Mobile Apps Matter

The growing reliance on mobile devices has made mobile apps essential tools for businesses and individuals alike. Here’s why mobile apps are so influential:

Convenience: Mobile apps provide easy access to services and information from anywhere at any time.

User Engagement: With features like push notifications, mobile apps help businesses stay connected with their customers.

Revenue Generation: Many businesses use mobile apps to monetize through ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.

Brand Loyalty: Apps enable personalized experiences that build stronger relationships with users.

The Mobile App Development Process

Developing a successful mobile app requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a breakdown of the key stages:

1. Idea and Market Research

Every app begins with an idea. Conducting thorough market research helps identify target audiences, analyze competitors, and determine the app’s unique value proposition.

2. Planning and Strategy

Once the idea is validated, developers and stakeholders plan the app’s features, design, platform, and technology stack. This stage also involves setting timelines and budgets.

3. UI/UX Design

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design are crucial for making the app intuitive and visually appealing. Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are commonly used to design user-friendly interfaces.

4. Development

Depending on the chosen platform and approach (native, hybrid, or cross-platform), developers begin coding the front-end and back-end components of the app. Integration with APIs, databases, and third-party services is also done here.

5. Testing

Before launch, the app goes through rigorous testing to identify bugs, security issues, and performance bottlenecks. Quality assurance ensures that the app functions correctly across various devices and operating systems.

6. Deployment and Launch

After successful testing, the app is submitted to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for review and release. This stage includes preparing app store listings with descriptions, screenshots, and promotional materials.

7. Maintenance and Updates

Post-launch, developers monitor the app for issues, user feedback, and performance metrics. Regular updates are essential to add new features, fix bugs, and ensure compatibility with the latest OS versions.

Get Started with a Free Trial

Popular Tools and Technologies

Mobile app developers leverage various tools to streamline development:

Android Studio and Xcode for native app development.

Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin for cross-platform development.

Firebase, AWS Mobile Hub, and Google Cloud for backend and hosting services.

Appium and TestFlight for app testing.

Trends Shaping the Future of Mobile App Development

Mobile app development is continuously evolving with emerging technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are powering smarter apps with personalized experiences.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming gaming, retail, and real estate apps.

5G technology is enhancing app performance with faster data transfer speeds.

Wearable devices and IoT integration are creating new opportunities for health, fitness, and smart home apps.

[dreamdevtechnologies]

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[highnesssss142]

The user experience design process is evolving at an unprecedented rate, largely driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). As businesses strive to enhance digital interactions, AI's role in UX design has become more crucial than ever, offering a sophisticated blend of efficiency and insight. This integration streamlines the design process to ensure that digital platforms are more intuitive, responsive, and tailored to user needs. This post explores how AI is revolutionizing the UX design process, from initial user research to the final stages of implementation, providing practical insights for those considering its adoption.

[adelllseo]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?

[yethiconsulting]

Exploring Key Challenges in Mobile Automation Testing and How to Overcome Them

Mobile automation testing presents several challenges due to the wide variety of devices, operating systems, and configurations in the mobile ecosystem. One primary challenge is device fragmentation—with numerous models, screen sizes, and OS versions, ensuring consistent test results across devices can be complex. Overcoming this requires using device farms or cloud-based testing solutions, such as BrowserStack or AWS Device Farm, to cover a broader range of devices and environments.

Another challenge is handling mobile-specific conditions like varying network speeds, device orientation, and battery constraints, which can affect app performance. Simulating these conditions in test environments ensures the app behaves reliably for real-world users.

Test script instability can also occur, often due to UI changes across app versions. Using stable locators and adopting practices like modular test design can help prevent frequent test failures due to minor UI updates.

Automation tool selection is crucial too, as not all mobile test automation tools support every platform or app type. Frameworks like Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest are popular for handling different needs.

Addressing these challenges with robust strategies and reliable tools enables teams to maintain high-quality, reliable mobile apps that perform well across various devices and conditions.

[iosappdevelopmenttools]

Leverage the power of Flutter to create stunning, high-performance mobile applications with Quokka Labs. Our Flutter app development services provide scalable, cross-platform solutions for both iOS and Android, ensuring seamless functionality and an engaging user experience. Whether you're building a new app or enhancing an existing one, our team delivers Flutter mobile app development that accelerates time-to-market and reduces costs without compromising quality.

[crossdevverse]

Why SwiftUI Should Be Your First Choice for iOS Apps in 2024 | Elite Iphone Devs

Learn about the reasons why SwiftUI stands out as the premier framework for iOS app development in 2024. Compare its simplicity in design and layout, superior performance, capabilities in user interaction and animation, cross-platform compatibility, robust testing tools, anticipated future trends, strong community support, and proven real-world successes. Make an educated choice to adopt SwiftUI and streamline the development of your apps while ensuring they are future-proof.

[hsdigitalmedia]

HS Digital Media Crafting Compelling Narratives through Ad Films

The Power of Ad Films

Why Choose HS Digital Media

Showcase your company’s unique selling characteristics. Highlight any awards, recognition, or successful case studies.

The Creative Process

Provide insights into how HS Digital Media approaches ad film creation. Discuss the collaboration between your team and clients. Emphasize the importance of tailoring each project to the client’s brand and goals.

Technological Edge

Detail the cutting-edge technology and equipment used by HS Digital Media. Discuss any innovative techniques or trends in the ad film industry.

The Team Behind the Magic

Introduce key members of your team and their expertise. Share any success stories or challenges overcome during previous projects.

Client Success Stories

Include testimonials from satisfied clients. Highlight specific projects and their impact on the client’s brand.

Industry Trends and Insights

Discuss current trends in ad film production. Share insights into the evolving landscape of digital media.

Challenges and Solutions

Address common challenges in ad film production. Showcase how HS Digital Media overcomes these challenges to deliver exceptional results.

Social Impact Through Ad Films

Discuss any projects that have contributed to social causes. Highlight the potential for ad films to create positive change.

The Future of Ad Films

Share your vision for the future of ad film production. Discuss emerging technologies and their potential impact on the industry.

[quiet-admirer]

People should really consider using Tumblr mobile web instead of the app. It means your Tumblr account isn't directly beholden to app store companies, ie Apple and Google, so it hasn't experienced the automatic user settings changes to suppress mature content that ios and android users have both now experienced.

You're also taking your business away from app stores by using mobile web, especially if you pay for a tumblr subscription via an app store (I mean, idk who does lol but just saying). You'd still be using a browser app of course but you can choose which browser fits your needs & privacy level preferences (including choosing not to use Chrome), and deleting the Tumblr app is one less app downloaded, one less app scraping your personal information. It obviously doesn't impact what content is labeled as mature, but it's a drop in the bucket as far as making your Tumblr account one extra step removed from app store control.

Mobile web is the neglected stepchild of Tumblr updates, too, and that's a great thing lmao. The updates we do get are the ones that are more solid quality-of-life improvements and better tested before they get released, in my experience anyway.

Mobile web usually doesn't get all the flashy new updates right away or frequent UI changes that the apps get (I hate that kind of stuff so it's a plus for me lol), I find the UI much more straightforward and simple from my brief flings with the app, and experiences less bugginess from what I read on the @/changes official account.

So, app store is making it more difficult to access adult content? Don't use the app!

[highnesssss142]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?

[adelllseo]

Graphic designer

Graphic Design for Websites: Enhancing User Experience Through Visual StorytellingIn today’s digital age, websites serve as the primary touchpoint for many brands and businesses. To stand out in a crowded online space, effective graphic design is crucial. Beyond just looking good, it plays a vital role in enhancing user experience (UX) and telling a brand’s story. Here's how graphic design can elevate a website's impact:---1. Creating a Strong First ImpressionVisual Appeal: The first few seconds on a website determine whether users stay or leave. A well-designed homepage grabs attention and encourages exploration.Brand Identity: Consistent use of colors, typography, and visuals strengthens brand recognition and trust.---2. Guiding User NavigationVisual Hierarchy: Through the strategic placement of elements, graphic design helps guide users to key sections of a website, ensuring a seamless journey.Intuitive Interfaces: Clear icons, buttons, and menus simplify navigation and enhance usability.---3. Conveying Brand StoryIllustrations and Imagery: Customized graphics and images can narrate a brand’s story, evoke emotions, and create a deeper connection with the audience.Animations and Interactions: Subtle animations can add personality and make the storytelling more dynamic.---4. Enhancing Content ReadabilityTypography: The right font choices and spacing improve readability and complement the overall design.Infographics: Visual data representation helps in conveying complex information quickly and effectively.---5. Boosting ConversionsCall-to-Action (CTA): Eye-catching CTAs designed with persuasive graphics lead to higher engagement and conversions.Trust Signals: Design elements like testimonials, trust badges, and certifications provide assurance to visitors.---6. Optimizing for Mobile ExperiencesResponsive Design: Graphic design ensures that visuals adapt seamlessly across devices, providing a consistent and enjoyable user experience.---Key Trends in Graphic Design for Websites1. Minimalist Design: Clean and simple layouts with ample white space for better focus.2. Dark Mode: Aesthetic and energy-saving, dark mode has become a popular choice.3. Micro-Animations: Small, interactive animations that improve UX subtly.4. 3D Elements: Adding depth and realism to web design for a modern look.5. Custom Illustrations: Unique illustrations that reflect a brand’s personality.---Conclusion: Graphic design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an engaging, user-centric experience. By incorporating visual storytelling into web design, businesses can communicate their message effectively, build trust, and achieve their goals. Investing in high-quality graphic design is essential for any brand aiming to leave a lasting impression.Would you like tailored suggestions or examples for your websites?

[iosappdevelopmenttools]

Quokka Labs offers world-class mobile app development services tailored for businesses across industries, including real estate, healthcare, and e-commerce. From mobile app testing services to cross-platform mobile app development, we deliver custom solutions with exceptional performance and scalability. As one of the top mobile app development companies, we bring your app idea to life with a focus on innovation and seamless user experience.

[maryellencarter]

YouTube Downloads through VLC: Step by Step

[EDIT: I've been receiving reports for some time now that this method no longer works. I suspect something about the switch to YouTube Music as a separate app, and/or YouTube's ongoing attempts to force Chrome use, broke the compatibility with the Github version of youtube.luac -- I haven't managed to look into whether there's an updated working version out there yet. Sorry!]

So this guide to easily downloading off YouTube is super helpful, but there's enough important information hidden in the reblogs that (with the permission of OP @queriesntheories ) I'm doing a more step-by-step version.

Please note: these downloads will be in YouTube quality. My test video download is coming through at 360p, even though the video I'm starting from is set to 720p. They're legible, but they won't look great on a TV. For high visual quality, you'll want to seek out other methods.

This guide is written for Windows 10, since that's what I can test on. It's been tested on Firefox, Chrome, and Edge (which is a Chromium browser, so the method should work in other Chromium browsers too). So far, I haven't tracked down a way to use this download method on mobile.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

I'll try to make this pretty beginner-friendly, but I am going to assume that you know how to right-click, double-click, navigate right-click menus, click-and-drag, use keyboard shortcuts that are given to you (for example, how to use Ctrl+A), and get the URL for any YouTube video you want to download.

You'll also need to download and install one or more programs off the internet using .exe files, if you don't have these programs already. Please make sure you know how to use your firewall and antivirus to keep your computer safe, and google any names you don't recognize before allowing permission for each file. You can also hover your mouse over each link in this post to make sure it goes where I'm saying it will go.

YOU WILL NEED:

A computer where you have admin permissions. This is usually a computer you own or have the main login on. Sadly, a shared computer like the ones at universities and libraries will not work for this.

Enough space on your computer to install the programs listed below, if you don't have them already, and some space to save your downloaded files to. The files are pretty small because of the low video quality.

A simple text editing program. Notepad is the one that usually comes with Windows. If it lets you change fonts, it's too fancy. A notepad designed specifically to edit program code without messing it up is Notepad++, which you can download here.

A web browser. I use Firefox, which you can get here. Chrome or other Chrome-based browsers should also work. I haven't tested in Safari.

An Internet connection fast enough to load YouTube. A little buffering is fine. The downloads will happen much faster than streaming the entire video, unless your internet is very slow.

VLC Media Player, which you can get here. It's a free player for music and videos, available on Windows, Android, and iOS, and it can play almost any format of video or audio file that exists. We'll be using it for one of the central steps in this process.

If you want just the audio from a YouTube video, you'll need to download the video and then use a different program to copy the audio into its own file. At the end of this post, I'll have instructions for that, using a free sound editor called Audacity.

SETUP TO DOWNLOAD:

The first time you do this, you'll need to set VLC up so it can do what you want. This is where we need Notepad and admin permissions. You shouldn't need to repeat this process unless you're reinstalling VLC.

If VLC is open, close it.

In your computer's file system (File Explorer on Windows), go to C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist

If you're not familiar with File Explorer, you'll start by clicking where the left side shows (C:). Then in the big main window, you'll double-click each folder that you see in the file path, in order - so in this case, when you're in C: you need to look for Program Files. (There will be two of them. You want the one without the x86 at the end.) Then inside Program Files you're looking for VideoLAN, and so forth through the whole path.

Once you're inside the "playlist" folder, you'll see a lot of files ending in .luac - they're in alphabetical order. The one you want to edit is youtube.luac which is probably at the bottom.

You can't edit youtube.luac while it's in this folder. Click and drag it out of the playlist folder to somewhere else you can find it - your desktop, for instance. Your computer will ask for admin permission to move the file. Click the "Continue" button with the blue and yellow shield.

Now that the file is moved, double-click on it. The Microsoft Store will want you to search for a program to open the .luac file type with. Don't go to the Microsoft Store, just click on the blue "More apps" below that option, and you'll get a list that should include your notepad program. Click on it and click OK.

The file that opens up will be absolutely full of gibberish-looking code. That's fine. Use Ctrl+A to select everything inside the file, then Backspace or Delete to delete it. Don't close the file yet.

In your web browser, go to https://github.com/videolan/vlc/blob/master/share/lua/playlist/youtube.lua

Click in the part of the Github page that has a bunch of mostly blue code in it. Use Ctrl+A to select all of that code, Ctrl+C to copy it, then come back into your empty youtube.luac file and use Ctrl+P to paste the whole chunk of code into the file.

Save the youtube.luac file (Ctrl+S or File > Save in the upper left corner of the notepad program), then close the notepad program.

Drag youtube.luac back into the folder it came from. The computer will ask for admin permission again. Give it permission.

Now you can close Github and Notepad. You're ready to start downloading!

HOW TO DOWNLOAD:

First, get your YouTube link. It should look something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123DEF45 If it's longer, you can delete any extra stuff after that first set of letters and numbers, but you don't have to.

Now open VLC. Go to Media > Open Network Stream and paste your YouTube link into the box that comes up. Click Play. Wait until the video starts to play, then you can pause it if you want so it's not distracting you during the next part.

(If nothing happens, you probably forgot to put youtube.luac back. coughs)

In VLC, go to Tools > Codec Information. At the bottom of the pop-up box you'll see a long string of gibberish in a box labeled Location. Click in the Location box. It won't look like it clicked properly, but when you press Ctrl+A, it should select all. Use Ctrl+C to copy it.

In your web browser, paste the entire string of gibberish and hit Enter. Your same YouTube video should come up, but without any of the YouTube interface around it. This is where the video actually lives on YouTube's servers. YouTube really, really doesn't like to show this address to humans, which is why we needed VLC to be like "hi I'm just a little video player" and get it for us.

Because, if you're looking at the place where the video actually lives, you can just right-click-download it, and YouTube can't stop you.

Right-click on your video. Choose "Save Video As". Choose where to save it to - I use my computer's built-in Music or Videos folders.

Give it a name other than "videoplayback" so you can tell it apart from your other downloads.

The "Save As Type" dropdown under the Name field will probably default to MP4. This is a good versatile video format that most video players can read. If you need a different format, you can convert the download later. (That's a whole other post topic.)

Click Save, and your video will start downloading! It may take a few minutes to fully download, depending on your video length and internet speed. Once the download finishes, congratulations! You have successfully downloaded a YouTube video!

If you'd like to convert your video into a (usually smaller) audio file, so you can put it on a music player, it's time to install and set up Audacity.

INSTALLING AUDACITY (first time setup for audio file conversion):

You can get Audacity here. If you're following along on Windows 10, choose the "64-bit installer (recommended)". Run the installer, but don't open Audacity at the end, or if it does open, close it again.

On that same Audacity download page, scroll down past the installers to the "Additional resources". You'll see a box with a "Link to FFmpeg library". This is where you'll get the add-on program that will let Audacity open your downloaded YouTube video, so you can tell it to make an audio-only file. The link will take you to this page on the Audacity support wiki, which will always have the most up-to-date information on how to install the file you need here.

From that wiki page, follow the link to the actual FFmpeg library. If you're not using an adblocker, be careful not to click on any of the ads showing you download buttons. The link you want is bold blue text under "FFmpeg Installer for Audacity 3.2 and later", and looks something like this: "FFmpeg_5.0.0_for_Audacity_on_Windows_x86.exe". Download and install it. Without this, Audacity won't be able to open MP4 files downloaded from YouTube.

CONVERTING TO AUDIO:

Make sure you know where to find your downloaded MP4 video file. This file won't go away when you "convert" it - you'll just be copying the audio into a different file.

Open up Audacity.

Go to File > Open and choose your video file.

You'll get one of those soundwave file displays you see in recording booths and so forth. Audacity is a good solid choice if you want to teach yourself to edit soundwave files, but that's not what we're here for right now.

Go to File > Export Audio. The File Name will populate to match the video's filename, but you can edit it if you want.

Click the Browse button next to the Folder box, and choose where to save your new audio file to. I use my computer's Music folder.

You can click on the Format dropdown and choose an audio file type. If you're not sure which one you want, MP3 is the most common and versatile.

If you'd like your music player to know the artist, album, and so forth for your audio track, you can edit that later in File Manager, or you can put the information in with the Edit Metadata button here. You can leave any of the slots blank, for instance if you don't have a track number because it's a YouTube video.

Once everything is set up, click Export, and your new audio file will be created. Go forth and listen!

[changes]

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023

🌟 New

We’re running a new experiment in activity on web with more visual design updates.

We’ve rolled out a new top navigation bar in the iOS app. (This was already rolled out in the Android app.)

In the post editor on web, you can now reorder where an existing poll is in the post content when editing a post with a poll.

🛠 Fixed

We’ve fixed a bug in blogs’ RSS feeds that could prevent a title from being set on individual items in the feed.

On web, we fixed an issue that was causing the reblog icon at the bottom of posts to be misaligned by a couple of pixels.

We’ve fixed a bug across all platforms that was showing the “Mutuals” label for privately answered asks in activity when you aren’t mutuals with the answering blog.

We’ve fixed a bug on web that was preventing “retired” themes from appearing on their creators’ theme management page.

🚧 Ongoing

The new navigation layout experiment on desktop web is still going, and we’re still collecting feedback, making iterative improvements based on that feedback, and fixing bugs that people have pointed out to us.

We’re also fixing issues that are being reported to us about the direct messaging redesign experiment on web.

🌱 Upcoming

We’re working to fix a wide range of scroll performance issues on web, which has helped dramatically conserve memory usage and CPU in our tests so far, especially for folks using Tumblr in a mobile browser.

Experiencing an issue? File a Support Request and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Want to share your feedback about something? Check out our Work in Progress blog and start a discussion with the community.

[forty40love]

Hi! I'm autistic, and Discord's latest mobile update is total and utter dogshit. They made it objectively less usable for no discernible reason. I'm here to help you fix that, and revert to the last update.

Disclaimer: I'm on Android, so these instructions are for Android only. If you're on IOS, I know there is a way to do it, but I'm not going to post instructions I haven't tested.

1. **UNINSTALL DISCORD.** This will not work if any user on your phone (probably only one unless you're into more technical stuff than even I am) has a more recent version installed.

2. Disable automatic app updates. If you're doing this, I expect you to already know how this works.

3. Download the APKMirror Installer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apkmirror.helper.prod&hl=en_US). It will require you to watch an ad when you install the APK, but you can uninstall it after you're done.

4. Download this APK, it's the latest pre-update Discord distribution: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SSWdpi0Ms7wyHgDSSRqZgY4_G6r_wA0X/view?usp=drivesdk).

5. Use the APKMirror app to install the APK.

6. You're done! Launch it and log in. Feel free to uninstall APKMirror Installer and delete the APK file from your storage at this point, as you will not need them.

If you want to re-enable auto-updates for other things, follow these instructions in the app store:

- Enable aeroplane mode.

- Re-enable auto-updates of your choice (usually WiFi only).

- Navigate to the Discord app's settings in the app store.

- Disable Discord app's auto-update check box.

- Turn off aeroplane mode.

That's about it! Don't forget to leave them a negative review. If we can get a reversion of this update, that's the best outcome. Stay beautiful people.

[acafe-official]

A-Café (Update #25) - Community Discussion

Good morning everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I'm finally back with another community update. In the first part, I'll be giving a brief overview of where we're at in terms of project progress. Then, in the second half, we'll discuss a new development in app accessibility.

Without further ado, let's begin!

1) Where are we at in the project currently?

A similar question was asked in the A-Café discord recently, so I figured I'd include my response here as well:

Right now we’re reworking the design of A-Café, both visually and architecturally. The initial planning and design phase of the project wasn’t done very thoroughly due to my inexperience, so now that I’m jumping back into things I want to ensure we have a solid prototype for usability testing. For us that means we’ve recently done/are doing a few things:

analyzing results from the old 2022 user survey (done)

discussing new ideas for features A-Café users might want, based on the 2022 user survey

reevaluating old ideas from the previous app design

making a new mock-up for usability testing

Once the mock-up is finished, I plan on doing internal testing first before asking for volunteer testers publicly (the process for which will be detailed in an upcoming community update).

2) Will A-Café be available for iOS and Android devices?

Yes! In fact, the first downloadable version of A-Café may no longer be so device-specific.

What do I mean by that? Well, in the beginning, the plan for A-Café was to make two different versions of the same app (iOS and Android). I initially chose to do this because device-specific apps are made with that device's unique hardware/software in mind--thus, they have the potential to provide a fully optimized user experience.

However, I've since realized that focusing on device-specific development too soon may not be the right choice for our project.

Yes, top-notch app performance would be a big bonus. But by purely focusing on iOS and Android devices for the initial launch, we'd be limiting our audience testing to specific mobile-users only. Laptop and desktop users for example, would have to wait until a different version of the app was released (which is not ideal in terms of accessibility).

Therefore, I've recently decided to explore Progressive Web App development instead.

[What is a Progressive Web App?]

A Progressive Web App (or PWA) is "a type of web app that can operate both as a web page and mobile app on any device" (alokai.com)

Much like a regular mobile app, a PWA can be found through the internet and added to your phone's home screen as a clickable icon. They can also have the ability to work offline and use device-specific features such as push-notifications.

Additionally, due to being web-based applications, PWAs can be accessed by nearly any device with a web browser. That means regardless of whether you have an iOS or Android device, you'd be able to access the same app from the same codebase.

In the end, a PWA version of A-Café should look and act similarly to an iOS/Android app, while also being accessible to various devices. And, due to having only one codebase, development of PWAs tends to be faster and be more cost-effective than making different versions of the same app.

To be clear, I haven't abandoned the idea of device-specific development entirely. We could launch iOS/Android versions of A-Café in the future if demand or revenue end up being high enough. But as of right now, I don't believe doing so is wise.

[What Does this Mean for me as a User?]

In terms of app installation and user experience, not much should hopefully change. I'd like to have A-Café available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

There will also be the option of searching for A-Café via your device's web browser, and then installing it on your home screen (iOS devices can only do so using Safari). We will likely rely on this method until we can comfortably ensure user access to A-Café on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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And that's it for now! Thank you for reading this latest community update. For more insight into the development process, consider joining the A-Café discord. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this post, we would love to hear your input in the comments below. See you later!