We’ve taken a close look to the issue and it appeared that in iOS 4 the time zone support is not working the same way it used to in iOS 3.1.2. It is not what you call a nice surprise, but we can deal with it.

We assume doing this way will fix the issue.

Meanwhile we’are submiting a quick fix to the App Store.
ALSO, the fix will solve the problem for those who use iPhone 3G and experience crashes after the update. Crashes are caused by local push notifications option which eats more memory (but save your traffic actually).

iOS 4 compatibility:

• Retina display. This was quite an effort, we should say, especially taking into account that Michael had to re-draw ALL of the art of the app in order to make it look sexy with Retina display. So basically all icons, buttons, textures, everything you see was resized (we wonder whether we’ll survive when Retina display comes to iPad, but that’s another story…)
• Multitasking support comes with something that many of you asked for a long time, iStudiez Pro now opens where you left it, on the last viewed screen. Wasn’t that hard, really…
• Integration with Calendar app on iPhone (turned on by default, but can be turned off via internal settings in the app). From now on you will be able to manage (add, edit, delete etc) in iStudiez Pro all events that are entered in the Calendar app. As soon as Apple allows it now, we are happy to present this option to you in this update.
• And you no longer need to always stay connected to the Internet to be notified of your upcoming classes and pending assignments. Local push notifications are available in iStudiez Pro for those who use iOS 4.

We’ve also made some improvements which are universal for iPhone/iPod and iPad versions of the app. When you’ll be making a backup of your data, all the cancelled classes and notes will be saved, no more lost. ..oh yes, and exams will now show up during your holidays period

We also fixed grades calculation, updated some localizations (Dutch, Italian and Russian) and improved general stability and performance of iStudiez Pro.

P.S. To answer before you ask: yes, we are still working on desktop version

• Jailbreak contradicts EULA
• Jailbreak is dangerous in terms of viruses and worms (it affects jailbroken iPhones running the SSH app with the default password)
• Jailbreaking you device voids your warranty and you cannot expect any help from Apple if you start experiencing any hardware problems with your jailbroken device.

The above mentioned is not something that we as developers should be worried about as it is your decision and your responsibility. What’s most important is that jailbreak destabilizes your OS and leads to unpredictable performance problems.

Let us put it this way: we really messed it up with 1.3 and 1.3.1, but luckily 1.3.2 which got through approval very fast is stable and secure update. But despite it being stable and secure we still received hundreds of letters to our support with complaints about losing of data and crashes on launch of the app.

We were really surprised as we successfully managed to load on our devices the data backups that were sent to us with such complaints. And then it occurred to us that a jailbreak might not be something that we can just silently disapprove of (our devices are NOT jailbroken, you got it right).

You see, when we hear you lose your data, it makes us really worried about you as we understand how much you rely on iStudiez Pro and how much efforts you put into your studies.

Ok, so we found a buddy with a jailbroken iPod and tried loading one of the backups that we received. Yep, it crashed, all data deleted. Yep, a shock.

It took us a sleepless night to dig out the reason and when we turned the multitask app off, backups started to load normally.

So our solution to users who happen to have jailbroken devices and can’t load backup: restart your device in safe mode and load your data backup (it will load successfully).

That’s it guys. One simple app unapproved by Apple caused such problems for hundreds of people that we care about. Why don’t you just think it over taking into account that OS 4.0 will support native multitasking?

What upsets us the most is a number of negative reviews that were most likely written by users with jailbroken devices and may mislead the others and lower our motivation (which is not happening, but it might have and we are sure you don’t want that )…

Wow, finally we let it out, now getting back to finalizing sync feature….

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of you may see a message stating that your database is upgrading each time you launch iStudiez Pro. In this case please make data backup and then restore your data after you updated to version 1.3.1. We are now submitting the update where we’ve fixed this minor issue.

Now it is in review and hopefully it will not take too long for Apple to approve it.

We would like to address you with apologies regarding the latest update of iStudiez Pro (version 1.3. with grades/GPA option). The matter is that the update has been approved, but immediately after approval we encountered a critical bug that made the app crash and all data disappear.

Some of you unfortunately have already updated by that time and felt this on their own back.

We stopped sales of the app temporarily not to let other users down as well.

By now, we have already located the problem in the app that caused your data disappear and/or crash. Please be informed that your data is not lost.

It is just not showing in this update.

So to all who have already updated to version 1.3. please DO NOT launch or reinstall iStudiez Pro until we release the update soon. Do not do anything in the app right now (as your newly entered data may not be saved). When you update next time all your data will remain untouched in the app.

We bear full responsibility for what happened and we are now doing everything possible to submit update with critical fix of this problem during this weekend. The only excuse is that we really wanted to give you grades as soon as possible.

Foreseeing your questions we would like to highlight the following:

• Grades option is based on assignments (support of weighted/non-weighted assignments)
• GPA calculator is available for current and past semesters
• Grades option supports grade scales most used worldwide (letter grades, percents, points)

Grades option has even more of tasty things for you to try, just wait for it to come

We have also improved iPad version stability as well as fixed bug causing crash on calendar and  made corrections in localizations (Korean in particular).

During the weekend we’ll complete the user guide with detailed explanation of how grades option works and how it can be adjusted to the education system in your school, college or university.

P.S. We have also update iStudiez Lite with grades option, so those of you who waited for grades option to purchase the app, can try It with lite version first.

We’ve successfully fixed this and just submitted critical update 1.2.2 to the App Store.

We thank you for your patience, crash logs that you sent to us and we also appreciate very much all your support.

Our most heartfelt thanks to Apple!

Of course, you’ll be able to lay your hands on iPad version later, for very obvious reasons.

But we really hope that in the meanwhile it will be a pleasure for you to explore novelties in the update of the app for iPhone/iPod Touch.

Go for it

P.S. We’ve received huge of requests to reveal screenshots for the iPad version.

So you got us. Here is the screenshot from the iPad version, enjoy

Now, read and rock: for all of you guys who have already bought iStudiez Pro for iPhone/iPod Touch, iPad version goes for free!

Additional bonuses pack for version 1.2 includes:
• Palette range to mark your courses is expanded with 5 additional colors
• Current semester now shown on top when creating an assignment
• Option to manage assignments inside each course is added
• Option to customize texts on Today screen added
• Option to save your preferences within your data backup
• Option to customize default due time push time for assignments
• Option to alter multiple dots in the Calendar with one single dot
• Loading data backup improved
• Some new icons added

We also fixed:
• Crash while turning off notification for assignment
• Bug when scrolling the list of assignments
• Crash while importing data from Exchange Server

Now, where are grades? That’s what we are sure you’ll ask once you launch the app.
But let us tell you that grades are coming immediately after our beta testers and translators give us green light.

So sleep well and dream of version 1.2. to play with on iPad