Upgrading to RN

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Hi! Now that Instant Updates™ and some major server updates are completed, we have one more server upgrade to finish and then we’re going full blast with our plan to upgrade to the React Native platform! RN is what Facebook and many other world-class apps are built upon.

Some reasons for this are, it loads extremely fast, not just on iOS like our current app but also on Android. It makes it much easier to create a comprehensive widget which is a big priority. It allows us to use Apple Maps on iOS as well as a more stable version of Google Maps on both platforms. It allows us to mix with other unique mapping platforms down the road which would allow us to bring back cool features like 3D radar. And last but certainly not least, a few of the remaining device-specific bugs would likely be solved by simply switching platforms.

Thankfully, we built the current app using React JS (through Cordova) and this means, half the work of switching platforms is already done! Another huge benefit to originally building the app in Cordova is that we can launch the website version very soon! 🙂

Exciting times! Thank you so much for making this possible!! ❤

Adam

Feels like temperature

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We often get questions about the ‘feels like’ temperature on our free app Instant Weather and why it’s lower compared to other popular apps.

To clarify, our app takes several factors into account including humidity, wind, and cloud cover. Most apps only use humidex but that’s likely over-estimating the ‘feels like’, big time.

Eg. Temp: 29c - Humidex..37c... yeah... no.

It does make sense that if you’re used to seeing over-estimated humidex ‘feels like’ temperatures, it may seem odd that ours is a lot closer to the actual temperature.

Realistically though, our ‘feels like’ is likely a lot more inline with reality. 🙂

Hope that makes sense! ❤

- Adam

Huge App Update version 480

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HUGE APP UPDATE!
Version 480 is available to download on the App Stores! Woohoo!

iOS: http://apple.instantweatherapp.com

Android: http://android.instantweatherapp.com

1. No more missing radar imagery. Yes!!!

2. Improved severe weather notification system (custom Instant Updates for severe weather now included)!

3. When the app is minimized and opened, it stays where you were. Only when the app is completely closed does it open back to your top location

4. Alert pop-up box for all notifications that can be dismissed or take you to the new alert by pressing "Display"

5. Fixed UV colours

6. Several bug and performances tweaks

Woohoo! Thank you!! - Adam

Version 480 coming soon

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Version 480 has been submitted and we're waiting for approval!!!

Our internal testing looks good! I've submitted 480 for approval on both iOS and Android!

Here's what 480 brings:

1. No more missing radar imagery. Yes!!!

2. Improved severe weather notification system (custom Instant Updates for severe weather. See image for example)

3. When the app is minimized and opened, it stays where you were. Only when the app is completely closed does it open back to your top location

4. Alert pop-up box for all notifications that can be dismissed or take you to the new alert by pressing "Display"

5. Several bug and performances tweaks

Woohoo! Thank you!!

- Adam

IMG_5156.jpeg

Next release

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I can't wait to release the next version! (Coming soon!)

We'll be introducing and testing our new InstantUpdates™ feature for personalized severe weather updates.

Additionally, no more missing radar images! That was a tricky one to fix but I'm currently using 476 and have yet to see one missing.

There will also be a few important tweaks and bug fixes. Woohoo! :)

We have a bit still to finish with InstantUpdates™ and with the current approval process, it is possible that it could take upwards of a week. Nevertheless, very exciting!!


Adam

Widget update

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A frequently asked question is when will the app have a widget. Unfortunately it isn’t something that we can quickly do.

“Upgrading the app to a different platform called React Native is in the works and that will allow us to create a comprehensive widget. However, it’ll take some time to convert and there are other important items that are pressing as we approach storm season. More details ASAP! - Adam”

Custom Severe Weather Updates - Coming Soon

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We’re VERY close to launching 🚀 Severe Weather Updates inside of the app! What this means is, when you receive an update created by our team for tornado activity, damaging winds, etc., it will no longer say DETAILS ON FACEBOOK. Instead, it’ll take you to the app with all the details! 🙂 Woohoo!

Adam

Update - internal testing is going well

Text Message Alerts and app alerts

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Several have asked this question and I wanted to clarify the answer:

Question: "Do we still need to subscribe to Text Message Alerts if your free app is able to send out alerts?"

Answer: Text Message Alerts remain our most reliable option for alerts as they do not require internet access in order to work. Our free app InstantWeather always requires internet access to work and therefore, if your internet gets interrupted for whatever reason, you could potentially miss important notifications for tornado activity, etc.

During a violent tornado, the power often goes out which means Wi-Fi will go down for most. What happens then is, everyone tries to use cell tower data at the same time and unfortunately, it gets so bogged down that almost zero alerts come through from any option. The Ottawa tornadoes from 2018 are a perfect example of this as 10's of thousands complained that they did not receive any Tornado Warnings from any system, even though they were issued in advance. This was likely due to so many using the cell tower at the same time that most did not have the require LTE signal strength to receive automated government alerts. The only method that had a hope of getting through during those clogged times was a basic Text Message Alert (SMS) as it still works on weaker signal strengths such as Edge, 2G, and 3G.

I hope that makes sense and if you have any further questions regarding this, feel free to send us a private message or an email at help@InstantWeather.ca A huge thank you to those who continue to subscribe to our Text Message Alerts and to those who use our free app InstantWeather! Ultimately, the combination of the two is the best option as no single system is perfect. We also recommend downloading Environment Canada's mobile app WeatherCAN for alerts.

You can never be too redundant when it comes to critical alerts during tornado season. <3

- Adam