WHS Mobile v1.5.3.4 Wednesday, February 17 2010 - Releases

What started out as a minor update for iPhone turned into a more substantial update. With three major changes, push notifications; being able to create shares from the device; and video streaming, this version is worth the update.

In addition to the changes below, I am also half way done implementing (just need to add it to the iPhone UI): creation of users and their shares, editing share name and description, and changing user permissions on existing shares.

Alerts from push notification will show the title and body of the alert. However, I have not yet implemented the health/notification viewer so the “View” button will only launch the application. If you have any problems with push notifications, please let me know (bug [at] compugeeksoftware [dot] com) so I can fix any problems that arise. I was unable to test the distribution build of the push notifications due to the required change in certificates. Although, it worked just fine in the development certificate and build.

In this version, you cannot edit the share permissions after creation so make sure to add any needed accounts with the proper none/read/write access right after creation (permission dialog will automatically pop-up right after you create the share).

Change Log


Fixed: If you enable or disable a user, the image would not update to show the changes (e.g.: gray to show disabled)
Fixed: Image downloading would throw a strange error.
Fixed: "Download" button would show up when you tapped a file.
Fixed: Some problems with symbols and streaming.
Fixed: Problems with commonly used symbols in file and folder names.
Fixed: Some other minor things.
Added: Push notifications of server alerts.
Added: Ability to create new shares and set the permissions.
Added: Ability to play unprotected .mp4, .mov, .m4v,  and.3gp video files.
Added: Ability to play unprotected .m4a audio files (untested).
Added: Ability to create folders.
Added: Ability to delete folders.
Added: Ability to view .txt files.
Added: Ability to set the port to connect on.
Changed: The thumbnail now stretches to fit the 64x64 pixel block instead of aspect ratio resizing.
Changed: Redesigned the users tab to be more aesthetically pleasing - the first tab to be redone in that fashion.

Check www.whsmobile.com for the add-in.

Screen Shots

LoadingDocument viewing 

Mp3 streaming Music album

 Photos Users

IMG_0001 IMG_0003 

IMG_0004 IMG_0006 

IMG_0007 IMG_0008

IMG_0009 IMG_0010

Comments

Dennis Laney on 2.15.2010 at 12:24 PM

Hopefully they approve this quick. This looks great!


Dennis Laney on 2.15.2010 at 12:27 PM

also, your blog date is a few days into the future, not sure if that was intentional or not.


Brent Friedman on 2.15.2010 at 8:47 PM

Dennis,

Thanks and I have it set to automatically "publish" on the 17th. I'll push the date up if it isn't approved by then.


Dan Mastro on 2.16.2010 at 12:03 AM

Just purchased the iphone app. Pretty impressed with the app so far and now video streaming. Your a genius because video streaming is the one thing i just finished saying this app needed. Cant wait for the update. So we should expect it on the 17th at the moment?


Brent Friedman on 2.16.2010 at 1:21 AM

Dan,

I have a feeling it will be after the 17th, I noticed a bug with push a few hours ago so I had to resubmit it. I originally thought the problem was my development iPhone since it isn't activated (nor unlocked), turns out I was wrong. Luckily I tested it on an iPhone that had service. I couldn't let a new feature be added that didn't work. :-)

I've been trying to get this version to be bug free, and I believe that now, I have. Here is the log of myself rejecting and reuploading it: compugeeksoftware.com/.../iTunes_Connect_

Note, that isn't Apple rejecting it, I am.


Brent Friedman on 2.16.2010 at 1:28 AM

Real world example of the push notifications at work: http://www.compugeeksoftware.com/screens/Eek!.png


Masahiko Sada on 2.16.2010 at 3:38 AM

Hi,Brent

Does this release contains about Japanese double byte issue ?


Brent Friedman on 2.16.2010 at 5:16 AM

Masahiko Sada,

I am unsure if I got it working, can you email the address I list on the "Support" page (in this pages navigation bar)? I am unable to test it myself, so hopefully you are willing to help me out. It might be as simple as changing the service from using UTF8 to Unicode. When you tried the older version and said that it wasn't working, did the "Files" tab show the list of shares or was that part blank? Was the files tab the only tab that wasn't working (did Users or UPnP work?)?


Masahiko Sada on 2.16.2010 at 7:30 AM

Hi,Brent

Thanks for your reply.

I'll email you later.

In older version, "Files" tab was shown and "Users" and "UPnP" tab were worked.

In "Files" tab, folders which have single byte name were worked well.


JesterEE on 2.16.2010 at 4:07 PM

As a new Android owner, this makes me a little jealous! But if the design team (aka. Brent) is interesting in a port .... I'm your beta testing guy :).


Brent Friedman on 2.17.2010 at 10:39 AM

It is now available and will be in the AppStore as in a few hours. You can find the add-in at www.whsmobile.com


Bill Stebbins on 2.17.2010 at 5:21 PM

I'm not able to get the video streaming working. Is there any configuration I need to do? It goes to the play window but never starts streaming even over wifi.


lynn on 2.17.2010 at 7:49 PM

can this be used to administrate more than 1 home server?


Todd on 2.17.2010 at 7:49 PM

Attempting to view a text file that's currently being written by another process returns a server error about not being able to access the file while something else is using it. Unfortunately that's the main need I have for reading txt files off of my WHS, keeping track of log files from processes as they're being written. Other apps (notepad, etc) don't have issues opening the file while it's in use.


Dennis Laney on 2.17.2010 at 8:14 PM

How does the video stream actually work? I tried streaming a large video but nothing happened. Does the video come all the way down to the phone and then play? Or does it start after a small buffer is created? I waited for about ten minutes for something to happen and it never did? I only have large files so I can't test any small files. All my files are 700MB or greater. Let me know.


Dennis Laney on 2.17.2010 at 8:14 PM

otherwise, so far so good, and it looks great. thanks.


Brent Friedman on 2.17.2010 at 8:17 PM

Bill Stebbins,

Are the videos playable if you try and sync the file to the iPhone? The files have to be compatible with the iPhone for them to be streamed. The iPhone SDK's player is really strict on formats. You can download a sample m4v from here: support.apple.com/.../HT1425

You can find the formats the iPhone will support on the Apple Develioper site: developer.apple.com/.../MPMoviePlayerCo

Lynn,

You can change the port in WHS Mobile settings but I've yet to write instructions on how to change the port on the WHS.

Todd,

I'll have to change it for the next version. This is due to the way ASP.NET's Response.WriteFile() method was written. I'll have to manually load and read the file's bytes. Sorry, I didn't know it would do that.


Brent Friedman on 2.17.2010 at 8:27 PM

Dennis Laney,

The player (I didn't write this part, Apple did) waits until enough data has been recieved (to create a buffer) before it starts to play. Did it show the player with "Loading movie..." and then a shot of the first frame but never play? Or did it show the player but the player closed without playing? Were you using cellular or Wi-Fi? I have only been able to test it on Wi-Fi as my only iPhone does not have service. I'll have to borrow a family member's iPhone and see how well it works over 3G.


Thorsten on 2.18.2010 at 2:24 AM

Hi Brent,

unfortunately I don't have any folder icon in the "Files" view, just blank spaces. Any hint what's wrong? I' have latest v1.5.3.4 installed on iPhone 3GS with OS3.1.2

Thanks, Thorsten


Dennis Laney on 2.18.2010 at 5:34 AM

Brent,

I sent an email to support showing the issue. It's wifi only. thanks.


Mike on 2.18.2010 at 5:48 AM

HELP! In previous versions on my iPhone, I could select a file and have the option to Save, that seems to have disappeared with this update? I can View, Rename, Delete or Cancel. I would save and then use a file manager to email the file. This was the main reason that I use the application to get files while I am out and send them to people. Any thoughts!


Mike on 2.18.2010 at 5:54 AM

Also, the option for push was on the install on the iPhone only. I went to settings and nothing but the connection info?


Mike on 2.18.2010 at 5:58 AM

Never mind on the push - found it under notifications.


Brent Friedman on 2.18.2010 at 10:28 AM

Thorsten,

I have to embed a folder image in the next update, it's not a bug or a problem. I just haven't added one yet (wasn't at the top of my to do list really).

Mike,

That "Download" button was only there by mistake and was a bug. It confused users and would only work on jailbroken phones. In fact, I didn't even say where the file would be downloaded to, so I am quite surprised that you figured it out. Due to that, I didn't think anyone was using the bug as a "feature".

I will be adding an email feature for all users. If you can't wait and want that feature back, send me an email (its on the support page) and I can give you a copy with that re-enabled.


dan mastro on 2.18.2010 at 11:59 AM

Tried video player as well and it wont work. Opens the loading video window for 1 sec and then goes to the default streaming window. Do i have to download a new addin for my WHS? I downloaded the latest one as of 4 days ago. Is there a newer one available? all it says is whs mobile (latest).msi


dan mastro on 2.18.2010 at 11:59 AM

Tried video player as well and it wont work. Opens the loading video window for 1 sec and then goes to the default streaming window. Do i have to download a new addin for my WHS? I downloaded the latest one as of 4 days ago. Is there a newer one available? all it says is whs mobile (latest).msi


dan mastro on 2.18.2010 at 12:25 PM

Updated the WHS addin and now its working flawlessly on a mp4 125MB file. Impressive. Thanks for this app!


Ron on 2.18.2010 at 10:37 PM

Downloaded the new update to my iPhone, but now i can't download any photos.

Error: "Image Failed to Download", "Failed to encode image for saved photo."

I didn't have that problem before. I also installed the update to the console.


Lyndon on 2.19.2010 at 5:24 AM

Is there any way to remove the notification badge from the icon? Two people logged into their local machines while I was sleeping with MSE installed and the notifications would have been sent saying no spyware protection (really hope MSFT fixes that eventually).


Adam on 2.19.2010 at 7:40 AM

Loving the latest version. Only issue I'm having is that if I plug a USB drive into a machine then it fires out a notification which as with Lyndon's comment doesn't seem to clear itself. But thanks for continued good work Brent.

Regards,

Adam.


fishbone on 2.19.2010 at 9:10 AM

Hello - I just got the latest plugin. The name is something like WHS Mobile (latest).msi.

Could we please stick with versioned names so it is easier to manage?

Otherwise great job. Thanks!


fishbone on 2.19.2010 at 9:23 AM

While playing with the new version I noticed a few things and thought of giving feedback (this is for iphone...)

1. Is it possible to have the quick-scroll like for Contacts to browse large lists? I have some folders with tons of files... Otherwise I have to swipe and swipe and swipe forever.

2. Sorting is a bit funky. I have some folders named along the line of '_blah1', '_blah2'. The underscore pops them to the top of the list in explorer. Here symbol characters appear below the others.

Thanks :)


fishbone on 2.19.2010 at 9:27 AM

Another one (sorry if this is the wrong place)

I am browsing to a folder named 'Books & Education'. On WHS mobile it seems to miss the spaces around the &. What's worse it crashes to the SpringBoard when I try to open the folder.


mobilisk on 2.19.2010 at 11:00 AM

One question... where is the Windows Mobile Version gone???


dan mastro on 2.19.2010 at 11:22 AM

Yeh just commenting that im having an issue with the notifications too. I get a badge on my WHS Mobile icon and no matter what i do i cant clear it. It was regarding my server not being accessible from the web but i just checked the server and there is no warnings or issues so i know its resolved now. Badge wont come off.


mike2nl on 2.19.2010 at 11:42 AM

Hi Brent,

question: what is with us the windows phone users (Pocket PC User). Will we have also a version? Or was the last version the last one for us?


Vin on 2.19.2010 at 12:20 PM

Hi Brent.

Like the addin & App. A quick question if I may. I received a notification on my iPhone that I had a disk failure. The icon on my phone shows a number 7 (as in 7 messages?) but I can't find any way of viewing these messages. When I got home & checked hte server, there are no reported isues. How can I view these "7" messages on from within the app?

Thanks in advance, Vin.


Vin on 2.19.2010 at 12:22 PM

Sorry for the typos above!! One too many "Spitfires". Vin


Eli on 2.19.2010 at 4:06 PM

Is it posivle to turn off The server from the app? Im trying to find a way of doing this but cant find it.


chris on 2.20.2010 at 5:09 AM

Hmm, iPhone app crashes when browsing folders with German umlauts (äüßö) ...


James on 2.20.2010 at 1:15 PM

Hi all, where is the latest WinMo version? I've installed the only one I could find but it only lets me preview MP3's not stream them.

Nice program, the last plugin wouldnt work so the update is appreciated.


Eric on 2.20.2010 at 2:01 PM

just installed it last night and this morning got a notification on my iPhone that one of my machines had a backup error...great, things are working. However, now I received the same notification 3 times and can't find a way to acknowledge the notification in the WHS Mobile program so it stops with the repeats. Checked all the tabs and the settings in the program and setup tab in settings and see no way to simply acknowledge a notification so it stops pinging me.


Bichon on 2.21.2010 at 4:29 AM

Thanks for this update Brent.

Are you planning to include Power management (wake-on-lan/wan , hibernate) ?

Thanks,

B.


scott on 2.21.2010 at 4:21 PM

I have had the app WHS Mobile for a couple months and I have received all the updates, but every time I try to use the app it says "WHS Mobile domain is incorrect, or the domain cannot be contacted" , I have tried various configurations with no help, even though I can connect without any problem from any PC, is there any things I can possibly try or have overlooked, it is very frustrating, especially reading other people using the app with no problems...thank you


Dan Mastro on 2.21.2010 at 4:48 PM

Verify the version of you WHS addin is the latest. Go into ur whs console and remove the old one and the go to whsmobile.com and download the latest one and install. Try again.


T-bone on 2.21.2010 at 5:35 PM

I was hoping for streaming over 3g. Took me a little while to get this up and running for some reason it will only take my IP not my domain. I would like to see Some orb or air video features or remote desktop so i could launch itunes, for my apple tv. I hate having to rely on ORB's servers and I hate it cataloguing my content. its a privacy thing for me its irritating


Dan Mastro on 2.21.2010 at 6:47 PM

I stream over 3g all the time. Your remote access settings aren't working properly. Go to the remote access tab in the whs console and it should fix it automatically. Setup your domain again and check port forwarding settings.


Carlos on 2.22.2010 at 2:14 PM

The browser jump aalso when getting into folders with spanish special characters (like accents) same as the german guy... The thing is most of the standard folders do have them (vídeos, música, and so on...).

Also got the same issue as others not being able to clear the push notifications...


James on 2.22.2010 at 2:33 PM

Would love to give it a try on WM. I have a TP2 with WM6.5. Is there a beta client for this?


mattyyg on 2.22.2010 at 8:41 PM

Hi there,

Can anyone please help. I've yet to get this app to work at all for me. I just dl'd all the updates, but all I get when trying to launch the app is "oops, The system has failed to login. Are you sure you have the right password?

Is there some other login credentials other than what's built into WHS?

Please help, I'd love to be able to use this app.


Dan Mastro on 2.22.2010 at 9:54 PM

Sorry but when i had that issue it was because the app on my WHS wasnt updated fully. If you are fully updated then not sure what it could be. Maybe you typed your password in wrong. Even the best techs type passwords in worng sometimes.


Lars on 2.23.2010 at 1:20 AM

Hi Brent - liking the new release. The push stuff is a nice touch and seems to work very well.

Might I suggest that the app is expanded with a page for server notifications where they can be viewed and marked 'read' (much like rss apps do)? This would solve the issue of not being able to clear the notification counter building up on the app icon.

Occasionally, I get a push notification but I sometimes don't get a chance to read the text on the notification before it disappears (maybe f I unlock the phone too fast as a reflex). I don't think there is any way to read the notification text once this has happened.


Mario on 2.23.2010 at 11:34 AM

Like Eli asked before me, is there any way of getting WHS shut down from within WHS Mobile(i.e. ipod) it will save me a lot of time for one particular reason...thanks!


Tom on 2.23.2010 at 12:15 PM

I'm finding this app pretty much useless. It's a nice idea but its just so painfully slow to the point where its unusable. I have 672kb up and 8mb down. Does the app require better? I'm connecting via 3G iPhone.

If I could at least connect internally and use it within the home I'd be happy, but it doesn't even allow that.

Overall, extremely disappointing.


JDoe on 2.23.2010 at 12:57 PM

mattyyg - I suspect youve made the mistake I made.. have you donwloaded and installed the WHS Mobile addin for your server.. took me a while to see anything about it!!!


dan mastro on 2.23.2010 at 5:05 PM

haha Tom you must not be using the application right or maybe its an issue with your WHS. My connection is alot slower then yours and everything flies. Loads videos with no issues and the shares load even faster. Mine works internally so obviously your blaming the application for a lack of know how on your part. Dont try and make this application seem useless when in fact its the person sitting between the keyboard and the chair that is useless.


June on 2.23.2010 at 5:39 PM

i do want to say that this add-in i installed flawlessly following instructions and i made it connect to my server perfect,but i do want to say that this WHS Mobile v.1.5.3.4 has bugs,when i enter into some folders the items inside that folder does not show at all, exsample: Picture Folder 1 = everything shows inside this, Picture Folder 2 = nothing shows inside this..some folders show and some doesnt,i really hope this can be fixed,and only 1 time did this WHS Mobile program crash my phone but that has not happen anymore.


David on 2.23.2010 at 6:18 PM

Hi, I have the same problem as Ron, I have followed the instructions to the letter and still cant connect. I am using the lastest iPhone update, the latest WHS mobile add in and iPhone app. Ive port forwarded my router as well.

I have a number of port forwards set up i nmy router and all of them work, except this one.

I love the concept, but is there any advice you can give me please?

Dave.


Tom on 2.24.2010 at 1:52 AM

@Dan: can you tell me how to connect internally? What do you enter in for domain name? Can I make asuggestion that this get added to the instrctions manual?

If my line is fast enough them I'm really at a loss as to why it's so slow. Everything flies when I connect via web interface and VPN.


Vaylein on 2.24.2010 at 4:45 AM

Hi, I've just installed the iPhone app along with the latest version of the addon (v1.5.3.4) and I'm not actually able to do anything with it. I can connect and browse folders fine however i'm not able to actually see content. .txt files come up blank, cannot stream audio.. nothing :(

Would anyone be able to offer any insight as to how I can get this to work?

Cheers,

Vaylein


Vaylein on 2.24.2010 at 5:21 AM

Update on this one..

It would seem that logging into WHS Mobile with a 2-word username ("firstname lastname") results in the app failing to display content.

Now that i'm using the administrator account instead of my own (also tested with other single word usernames) I can access all content.

Kinda strange but as long as it works :)

Thanks anyway, hope this comes in handy for y'all!

Vaylein


diehard on 2.24.2010 at 10:16 PM

hi Brent,

Is there a way to view the alerts ? I see a small white number in a red circle, how do I view this ? what does this indicate ?


Brent Friedman on 2.25.2010 at 10:55 PM

Windows Mobile version can be found in the 1.5.3 post (use the search feature on the blog).

I submitted an update that fixes the alert numbers. It will also have embedded icons for shares, files, and folders. I just have to wait for Apple to approve it before it will be available.

@Tom,

To connect internally, just replace your domain with your WHS's IP in the App's settings.

@David,

Try using your router's internet IP (find it by going to http://www.whatsmyip.org/ using your home internet connection) instead of the domain. It could be the way the domain works. Another thing to try is via 3G instead of Wi-Fi (your router might not support loopback).


Lyndon on 2.26.2010 at 4:32 PM

Thanks for the great continued work Brent. This is the first iPhone app that I app that I bought and still consider it the best couple of bucks I've ever spent. Can't wait to try the WM version after 7 series comes out.


Brent Friedman on 2.26.2010 at 5:39 PM

Lyndon,

I'll probably have to re-write WHS Mobile for Windows Phone 7 Series. From what I've read, it looks like Phone 7 will not work with existing applications.


vanco on 2.26.2010 at 7:26 PM

This version can not use Traditional Chinese ??my homeserver is acer h340 traditional Chinese,i have to download whs mobile 1.53 for iphone 3GS,File is not in English will be out of ,How can we solve


tRUbLoOd on 3.16.2010 at 11:55 PM

I want to say positive thing but this software still doesn't work. on my Iphone.

Error - domain is incorrect or can't be contacted. Some one please help.

i'm upset but not pissed

I paid for this app in the app store


Johnson on 6.28.2010 at 10:52 PM

Hi, I was wondering whether it be possible in the next version to include support for DOCX documents created in Word 2007 and up?

Cheers,

Johnson


briab on 7.04.2010 at 9:35 AM

Is anyone having problems getting this to work with IOS4 on 3GS?


dru on 7.07.2010 at 8:17 AM

good idea, not enough dev on Windows Mobile client.

I think brent gave up on this. was a good idea that people probalby would've paid for - but i can't even get to shared folders on my Windows Mobile TP2. I think ORB is a better solution. and push the proper ports to forward on router to access console via internet for other admin functions. sorry Brent.


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