A quick update on how things are going for the next release. We’ve been working super hard to get photo support working, and syncing well with iCloud and Dropbox. It’s been a major undertaking to do it correctly, but we’re happy to report it’s working very well. I think you will really enjoy these new features.

In addition to Photos, the next update (version Day One 1.8 for Mac, iPhone and iPad, a free update to existing users) includes Location Data, a vastly improved sync speed, reliability and process, and several other nifty surprises!

Unfortunately, we’ve got a handful of additional tasks before this release is ready, largely because we feel it’s necessary to dual-launch the iOS apps with an updated Mac app, so it’s looking like a few more weeks until the apps on both platforms will be available for download. Also, it’s likely Tags and Search will not be included in this update, but soon after in a follow-up release.

Sorry it’s not sooner, but this update required a lot of unexpected work related to sync and data storage. We are doing everything we can to have it ready as soon as possible.

Thanks for your support. This project is my passion and I’m very excited to work on it for you.

Paul

iCloud

iCloud is the native sync solution for Mac and iOS platforms. It syncs automatically in the background which makes it faster than Dropbox. It’s also included with your Apple account and is automatically enabled if you’ve setup iCloud Documents and Data on your device. Bonus: there’s no need to create a new account. 

That being said, iCloud is still very new and we’re currently working to improve integration with Day One. For example, the initial load of large libraries using iCloud can make it seem like the app is frozen. We plan to make this an even more seamless experience very soon. 

Dropbox

Dropbox is still an excellent alternative and also offers some benefits that are not available on iCloud. It’s a proven platform, but since it’s not a native solution, we must perform the syncs on specified intervals. It also requires you to create an account, which isn’t convent for new users. 

Dropbox does offer a great backup solution in that all data posted to Dropbox is saved with a history of up to a month (in addition to the auto-backups created in the Day One Mac app). So even if you delete all your entries, they can be recovered on dropbox.com. 

Conclusion

Both options offer a great advantage to not syncing at all. Even if you’re only using Day One on a single device, your data can be saved in the cloud so you can regain access if your device is lost or broken. 

You can’t go wrong with either option.

Day One is honored to be named App of the Week on both the iPhone and iPad App Stores for the week of January 19-26 2012. Plus a showcase banner on the Mac App Store for the second week in a row!

All the hard work that went into integrating iCloud has paid off in seeing so many new users try and love the app. 

There have been lots of great comments from users talking about how Day One has given them the ability to stick with a regular journal. And about how much they have always wanted to keep a journal, but struggled to stick with it due to various reasons.

It’s so exciting to see all the promotion and praise the app is receiving. Yet I know there’s still a lot to be done and improved upon. iCloud is great and amazing, but can and will be so much better as we continue to work on and refine it.

Version 1.5 for Mac and iPhone / iPad has been available for a couple weeks now and very well received. This update brings the Mac app and the iOS apps together on the same version number as they both add a major new feature, iCloud. 

iCloud becomes an alternative sync option to Dropbox. Since it’s integrated with the system, it becomes a very simple and easy solution that requires no setup or login. In fact, is a user has iCLoud enabled on the device with Documents and Data enabled, iCloud will be auto enabled on first use. 

In addition to iCloud on the Mac, there’s a long list of new features I am very proud of including:

• Auto Save
• Auto Backup
• Markdown / MultiMarkdown (in Read and Edit Modes)
• Lion Full Screen mode
• Font Size preference
• Font / Styles (Sans, Serif, Monospaced)
• Auto Bold First Lines (Titles)
• UI Transitions
• Improved Day / Read layouts
• Entry preview on hover (Days & Starred View)
• Live sync UI updates
• Command S to Save
• Improved Export Format (with Markdown)
• Improved Dropbox sync
• Printing
• On Startup Preference
• Journal Merging
• Settings cog on Main Menu
• Spelling and Grammar Preferences
• Keyboard Navigation and Controls

While the iPhone and iPad update adds:

• iCloud
• Custom List UI
• Read Mode Pull to Reveal Background
• Prev / Next Navigation Animation with bounce
• Auto Bold First Line Titles

It would be an honor if you could quickly click this link to vote for your favorite journal app for a Crunchie in the Best Bootstrapped Startup category. 

Vote Day One App

You can vote once per day until Thursday Night, Dec 13th. 

Thank you!!!

We encountered a bug with the Menu Bar quick-entry / reminder system on the Day One Mac app conflicting with Daylight Savings Time change. 

You may have noticed your reminders or menu bar entry not closing and acting strange. Here is the quick fix:

• Adjust your reminder slider in any way. 
• Move it, then move back to original position. 

We have fixed this and plan to submit an update this week that will prevent this in future DST time changes. Thanks!

iCloud became a top priority for Day One over the past couple months as we worked very hard to integrate and make it work seamlessly as an alternative solution to Dropbox. We actually have it working and it’s very nice. It’s fast, easy and a perfect fit for Day One.

We’re currently 97% there, but our tests have proven that iCloud is not fully ready yet. Two particular bugs are out of our control at this point, and we can’t risk users losing data.

Hoping Apple posts an iCloud update (fix) soon.

Those of you who have kept a regular journal already know how great the benefits of writing about your own life can be, no matter how insignificant it may seem. 

I really enjoyed this post by Robin Chung titled The Importance of keeping a journal:

There’s no golden rule and you must do what ticks your boxes, however, I like to include at least the following: what happened? How did it make me feel? What does this mean? An example: went to the Green Hornet, loved it, maybe I should go to movies more often with my dear friend Tina. That’s it, an easy entry that contains all it needs. Feel free to go much more detailed than that – effort does pay off in the long run.