• Beta

  • Beta version 2.10.0 feedback

Finally beta testing for version 2.10 can start 😃 👍

Version 2.10 features screen sharing between multiple iPads via WiFi or Bluetooth. You can find this feature under Settings. The bandleader can host a network session by enabling the Host Session setting. Now other band members may join this session by opening Settings and selecting the Join session option. The join session dialog will display all currently running sessions. You can tap on one session to join it. The bandleader will see a popup dialog where he needs to confirm the connection. Once this is done, the band member will see the currently selected song with lyrics and also the next selected song.

If you have 2 iPads available, please take a detailed look on the screen sharing functionality. In order to implement this functionality I had to do some heavy refactoring of the state management code. This means that there might have been some bugs introduced into anything related to starting / stopping playback and selecting songs / playlists. So even if you don't have 2 iPads, please take a good look at the stability during a typical performance.

Finally, this is the first beta version where I want to move communication away from emails into this forum. I am convinced that an open exchange between all beta testers will be a benefit for the app.

The first beta version is build 3811. I would be very much interested in how you like the general workflow of the networking feature.

We are off to a good start. I just AirDropped a backup from my 2nd Ipad and restored to Beta version without any issues. I also linked in Dropbox and beta sees the backup there, then created a backup on Beta and successfully shared it to Dropbox.

In order to test Hosted session I need to install Beta on my primary Ipad that I use for gigging. I am assuming this will not interfere with the main as it seems to install a completely new instance. However, when I clicked Start Testing from email in order to install the beta on second Ipad it tells me that the "Invitation has already been redeemed. Please request a new invite from developer"

    JDSMUSIC Correct, beta versions never mess with the current stable version. It is a seperate app.

    Regarding testing with a second iPad: I believe it should work by installing the testflight app on the second iPad. You should be able to download the app on that iPad if it is running with the same Apple account as your main iPad. You can install the beta on up to 10 devices running with your Apple account.

      I was trying to install it by clicking on the Start Testing from your email. That's the only way I can see the Beta App. It doesn't show up in App Store.
      Thanks,
      JD

        JDSMUSIC It will not show up in the App Store, but it will show up in the Testflight app. Install Testflight from the App Store and you should be able to install the beta app from within Testflight.

          Got it. Ok, started a Hosted Session on ipad1, selected Join Session on iPad2. Got popup on 1 and Allowed. Screen on 2 showed Connecting but timed out after 30 secs. Both ARE connected to my local LAN. Your intro says it can connect via Bluetooth or LAN. Where do you configure that?

            JDSMUSIC You can't configure that. iOS automatically chooses the better option. Just make sure both WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices.

            The timeout shouldn't happen. In my tests on my network the connection is usually established after a couple of seconds.

            You could maybe force the Bluetooth connection by disabling WiFi on both devices.

              I exited ST on both iPads and restarted. Screen Sharing is now working as expected. I cannot explain why the restart did the trick. I will work with this some more later.

                JDSMUSIC Great, I'm glad it is working. I hope that the connection issues will not reoccur.

                  new build 3815

                  Thanks for the feedback so far. A new version will be available in the next few hours with following crashes fixed:

                  • Possible crash after restoring a backup
                  • Crash when starting the app without a playlist selected
                  • Crash when a song no longer is found in the iTunes library
                  • Crash on the client when bandleader selects a song without the artist tag

                  Hi Peter have installed the new beta build on both my IPADS but have only managed to connect them for screen sharing once in about six attempts! Both IPADS are enabled for Bluetooth and Wifi. I'm unable to carry out any further testing until this issue is solved. Regards Richard H

                  Have just disabled wifi on both IPADS but leaving Bluetooth on both devices - connection problem still exists.

                  How long do you wait for the connect? Do you always see the connect dialog on the hosting iPad when the other iPad tries to connect? Which iOS versions are you using on your iPads?

                  There are some bugs reported to Apple which prevent connectivity between iOS10 and iOS9. Connecting iOS10 with iOS10. Also iOS 10.0 had issues with Bluetooth connectivity.

                  I am running iOS 9.3.5 on my min IPAD and ios 10.2 on my second IPAD. I always see the connect dialogue on the hosting IPAD and after accepting I wait until a message is displayed saying that connectivity cannot be achieved. Similar apps that allow screen sharing connect ok.

                  OK, I installed iOS9.3 in a simulator and I think I can reproduce this problem. I will play around with it and I hope I can release a fixed version tomorrow.

                  New build 3827

                  OK, I think I could get rid of the connection problems. At least for me, connecting an iOS10 host to an iOS9 client running in a simulator is working fine now. Also connecting iOS10 via bluetooth with another iOS10 device works just fine (I can not test this with an iOS9 device as the simulator has no bluetooth).

                  I did also fix another issue where switching to another playlist while playback is running did not send song selection updates to connected clients.

                  I am currently uploading this update to Testflight.

                  Just tried it - worked great! Well done. I can see the use of this for jam sessions, karaoke shows, teaching and so on. There was a slight delay on the timecoded lyrics on the slave iPad on one song but when I started another session everything worked fine.

                  I just noticed that as the lyrics on the slave ipad scroll they don't come to the center of the screen like the master. Not a big issue but thought you should know

                    There was a delay again on the "non host" ipad. just enough to throw an inexperienced backup singer or drunk karaokier off!i