iCloud sync missing in version 5 ?

+1

I was kind of excited when I read about the new version and its features, some of which I could use. Fortunately I read through the forums and FAQs before updating my current version, because that completely changed my mind.

I am disappointed that the Dropbox and iCloud syncs were removed and replaced by some obscure, potentially chargeable, cloud service hardly anybody has ever heard of and even fewer people actually use. Even though IBM might not be exactly be obscure, but like someone else mentioned in another post… As a Mac/iPhone user I already have iCloud. I also have Dropbox. And I have no interest in adding yet another cloud service for the sole purpose of syncing my Tapforms databases.

I hope you will revise your decision and add the iCloud/Dropbox sync feature again. Until then I will stick with the current version, which fulfils most of my needs and does not require any additional registrations, including disclosing credit card information to yet another website.

From watching the screencast I had the impression that iCloud was used. Bought right away for Mac and iOS. And as I didn’t find the iCloud setting looked here. Stupid me!!!!
Everybody has Dropbox. IBM???? Give me a break!
Requesting refund from Apple.

Here another opinion (5ct).

iCloud was continuously giving problems with setting up sync and syncing over the time.
Dropbox is stable but you still need to give it a initiated sync.

The peer to peer sync does the same as the above.

The clouding sync fives me what I want, instant sync with no worry’s everything is going wrong.

Have a Database over 500 MB and no charges has been made yet (in the beta stage)

Just a simple setup and you can forget about the service. (except the login)

Leo

Yeah, I don’t need another cloud service either – especially one that could rack up costs without you knowing about it until it’s too late.
Sure, make it an *option* but not at the removal of what was available in the old Tap Forms as those of us who used it had it all set up already.

Makes me wonder if there was some sort of “deal” going on with IBM to push users to their cloud service since everything else was removed…

Sorry, not going for it.

My Database is > 700 MB and the sync with iCloud worked fine for my iPhone, iPad and iMac.
Now i should sign up for a new, unknown Sync-Service and give them my Credit Card Data?

I really want the iCloud Sync back!!!

For me the local sync works fine. I only use my database on my mac, iPad and iPhone. I don’t need remote syncing when away from home, it syncs before I leave home, and syncs when I get back.

It seems a cloud account would only be necessary if multiple people use the same database in different locations.

Shoot. I’m afraid that the Cloudant-only option is a deal-killer for me. I don’t want/need another, not-very-well-documented cloud syncing service to keep track of, with the admin overhead, potential costs, and security risks that this brings. A one-stop only, effectively mandatory cloud requirement is the key reason I left TextExpander for Typinator, which has turned out to be a far better option in every respect. I wish there were a comparable path forward for my TF uses.

Tap Forms is a nifty application and I’ve found very good uses for it. TF 5 looks like a promising update in every other respect, probably the best overall in its category. But without DropBox sync, it’s no-go for me. I understand that the developer’s hands may be tied – the Cloudant sync solution is not a shoot-yourself-in-the-foot choice as TextExpander’s mandatory cloud solution was – but TF is no longer the right application for my workflow. If DB syncing can be added I may be back, but for now I can only wish the developer good luck.

As far as i can see the decision of killing iCloud and Dropbox is correct.

Two other apps has been killed because of the developers where not able to build a reliable sync with iCloud: Realmacs Ember and Clear, both databases. Circusponies Notebook (a database, too) has never worked with iCloud-Sync. Devonthinks developer has tested iCloud with their Devonthink to go and failed (AFAIR) and use now something completely different.

iCloud is good for those who create a doc or make a photo on the iPad and sync the whole document to iCloud and sync back to the Mac. For collaborative working even Apple does´t relay on iCloud. They use something different for the iWork-documents. Only the storage is on iCloud.
It is not intended for instant sync of databases or even work with some pals on the same database at the same time.

Here it is where Cloudant comes in (as far as i understand). iCloud is a quite simple fileserver. Cloudant is a database server-service. The server just syncs the changes in the database and is able to do this with a small amount of datatraffic (and is really fast, changes are made within seconds). But even this sync feature is not intended for collaborative work. As mentioned in the manual, you have to share the database with your partner for there comes other functionalites that prevent the db from getting corrupted.
There are some reasons why i.E. filemaker server is so expensive.

So when Brendan says he has never exceeded the 50$-line and he has probably done some excessive testing (hope so ;-) ), it is for free.

just my 2 cent

Best regards

The new sync method is brilliant. It took all of 2 minutes to sign up to and yes its another service but it is so much better than before.

I have now linked 2 macs and 2 iOS devices and all syncing lightening fast and without a glitch.

If that continues then it is well worth the extra device sigh up.

Try the 30 day trial and see if it works?

Another vote for CLOUDANT, INSTANT uber fast sync, no problems encountered at all, thumbs up!

Update:

So after being thoroughly confused and disillusioned with the lack of iCloud support in v5 I broke down and bought the iPhone, iPad, and OS X v5 apps… because Tap Forms is in fact indispensable and Brandon deserves to be paid for his exceptional work.

I tested nearby sync, sending files, and Cloudant sync. All worked well regardless of the buggy initial release. The great thing is now I can setup tap forms on my wife’s devices and she to will be syncing all the same data with me, using a single cloudant account. Sharing between users is not possible over iCloud at the moment.

I still do not change my position that NOBODY wants to be forced to sign up for yet another paid cloud service, ESPECIALLY one that charges money, ESPECIALLY in that we already have iCloud for FREE, and ESPECIALLY when we’re likely already paying for more then one redundant, cloud service…

Regardless, Cloudant seems to be working although quite overly technical for most users for this relatively “simple” tap forms app… hence the point of iCloud.

Brandon, thanks for your efforts again, tap forms is indispensable! BUT PLEASE add back iCloud support when the dust settles. I’m sure in the future iCloud will become easier to implement. I can’t imagine somebody would choose to pay for a complicated third party cloud product rather then use iCloud for FREE.

FYI, if anyone wants to know why Peter’s comments were deleted, it’s because he wanted me to. I don’t censor comments unless of course they’re inappropriate. But he corrected the problem he was having by switching to a different Cloudant server. It seems Tap Forms was unable to find the Amsterdam server for some reason but switching to the London server worked fine.