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

Must say, we are really pleased with being recommended by Apple, especially with the nice description that they’ve posted below the screenshot:
“The award-winning iStudiez Pro lets you manage every type of school schedule, keep track of all your assignments, and stay on course for the next big exam. And you’ll always make it to class on time with multiple alarms and push notifications that display on your iPhone no matter what app you’re using.”

That what makes you feel there’s always space to do more…
“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” – remember?

We would like to share our joy with you guys, as the news gives us motivation to go further.

iPad sales started in Western Europe on the 28th of May and we are lucky with iStudiez Pro to be featured as app of the week in App Store in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, UK, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Portugal (and hopefully in more countries, we couldn’t track all).

Such a nice surprise energized us this weekend and we would like to say that we are thankful to Apple for the support and promotion of our app.

P.S. Now working like mad on desktop and sync…

• 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….

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.

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

Many-many thanks to all of you who voted our app both in Education and Productivity category! It is owing to your support that we are eager to deliver to you even more now on. We’re full of inspiration and ideas and will very soon reveal the special features of our nearest update.

Stay with us and spread the word, iStudiez Pro is worth your trust!

iStudiez Lite limits you to managing:
1 semester
3 courses
5 classes per course
7 assignments
5 instructors
2 holiday periods

NOTE: Push notifications and backup options are not included in iStudiez Lite.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the app and (of course!) found it absolutely indispensable to survive your academic epoch, you can upgrade to iStudiez Pro with all your data safely transferred to the pro version from the lite one.