yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Lol, backgrounds? People use those things pfffft. J/p I see it, one is wider.

CMX
[Android Apps and Games] Jettubby:
What's going on with recast? I'm using the paid 104 version and it stopped working today I'm just getting a big ? Mark For weather? :confused:
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Jettubby, what locations and with what weather service is this happening? We have seen an increase in weather data failures since the beginning of August when using Google Weather as a result of them starting the shutdown of the iGoogle service. We are continuing to search for alternatives to that service and hope to have some more news to share on that in the near future.

For now, all we can say is to try swapping to World Weather Online or keep trying to update the weather manually until we have a better solution. Thanks for letting us know about this.
[Android Apps and Games] Jettubby:
That was it my location is Pineville (Charlotte area) North Carolina and changing it to worldwide weather worked thanks
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Works for me also, thanks

CMX
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Thanks for letting us know. We have shifted the search and replacement for the Google Weather provider to a higher priority given all of the reports of failure this month. We're not going to be able to fix this in the 1.0.5 release, but hopefully the next release after that we will be able to track something down.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Well it seems that Google shut down weather for everyone. That's a major bummer and it is impacting many other weather apps outside of Recast. This will certainly push us to find another solution sooner rather than later.

For now, everyone who wants weather data should manually switch to World Weather Online in Settings > Locations > "Location Name" > Weather source. We'll let everyone know once a better solution is available.
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Roger that

CMX
[Android Apps and Games] Jettubby:
what's wrong with Google? the are getting draconian like Apple
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Jettubby, we always felt that this day would come, it just arrived far sooner than we anticipated.

Google made it known that they will be shutting down iGoogle within a year (http://support.google.com/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2664197). The weather API they exposed is run off of the iGoogle service, so when it started to shutdown, so went the weather services, impacting Recast and many other weather and widget apps. Now we are all searching for another similar service, which we're sad to say is neither easy to find nor free.

We aren't yet sure of all the outcomes that will be created from this shutdown, but we do know that the developer community has lost a valuable and widely used resource that Google appears not to want to share any longer.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Just a quick note for everyone:

We made Recast version 1.0.5 Free/Beta available this morning. The big change is the removal of all Google Weather service hooks, since that service is now permanently disabled (as far as we can tell). Several other fixes were also included. We had to remove translated languages from this version, but we hope to put them back into the next release.

The Paid version of Recast 1.0.5 has been pushed to the Google Play Store and we will update everyone when it makes it into a fully working state. Amazon, as usual, will lag behind all of these releases by at least a week.

Release notes can be found here. Let us know if there are any questions, issues or comments. Thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] NaabKing:
Thank you :)
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Working well
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Thanks for the feedback. We're here to help. :good:

If it isn't too much of an imposition, and because the developers don't believe me that you guys really use and like Recast, could I ask you to show your support by doing any or all of the following? It would go a long ways towards motivating the devs who work on Recast all the time and show your love of the product team at the same time:

Visit our company page on Facebook and like us

Visit our company page on Google+ and add us to your circles or +1 us

Follow us on Twitter

Write a review on the Google Play Store

None of this stuff is mandatory, but it will allow the developers to see that you guys and gals like Recast and support the team working on the product. Don't worry, we won't be spamming you with ads or offers or anything like that. In fact, I tend to use those social networks much less often than XDA, so you won't be getting more messages from us than you already see here.
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
All of the above done.
[Android Apps and Games] NaabKing:
I did it too, i just hope more people would realise how good you guys are =/ Cuz i have a feeling you won't survive in a long run, i don't have a feeling you'r actually making any profit out of this.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
NaabKing, don't give up on us just yet. Recast isn't nearly done and once we have the key features all worked out and ready we'll go on a full court press of the web sites, review sites, and influential tech sites to get reviews and try to drive more interest at Recast. At the same time we have other things we're working on to keep the lights on and the servers paid for. Even though the Play Store stats look less than friendly, that isn't the total sum of our work, thankfully.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
The 1.0.5 Paid Recast version now appears to be live in the Google Play Store, at least here in the USA. We have to make some changes on the server to enable new settings in this version, so it is possible that widgets will disappear from the Catalog permanently for anyone not running 1.0.5. Don't worry, once you move up to the new Recast release all of them will return.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Just a quick update on the search for another weather service provider... we have been working with a new one over the holiday weekend and so far it looks to be much more accurate and provides similar data to what Google once offered. That's the good news. Of course, there are differences between the way they provide weather information and the way World Weather Online and Google supplied that data, so we will have to do some additional work to wire it all in and get things working well.

Hopefully we can find a way to get things hooked together for this new weather provider and make it available in the next release.
[Android Apps and Games] badams1:
The ONLY thing i'm missing is a 2x1 weather widget. Ive been using Fancy Widgets forever and ive always liked their 2x1 widget. That being said...this is a great app and I gladly paid for it. A perfect 2x1 imo would be the top half of the 2x2 widget that shows current weather on top and two days at the bottom.

Thanks for the great work.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
badams1, thanks for the comments and complements. We'll have to look at the 2x1 layout option as a future request, since it isn't something we have templates ready or built for. Hopefully you can still get lots of use out of Recast as it is today while we make other improvements to the app.
[Android Apps and Games] badams1:
Found a solution for a 2x1 widget!

You have to be using a launcher that will allow resizing of any widget like Nova or Apex.

Take the 4x2 weather only template which is the same size ratio as 2x1...only bigger...and size it back down.

Works perfectly. ;)
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
badams1, good to know that you have a solution to get you going for now. Is there something those other clock widgets do that Recast doesn't, since you have two of them in addition to our app? We'd love to find a way to be your primary, go-to desktop info provider :)
[Android Apps and Games] NaabKing:
I think the other widget he's using is default "Digital Clock" widget from Samsung, i think i have the same one on my SGS3
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
That's good to know. Hopefully we can convince some folks to try our version instead... or they can make suggestions for us to make a similar one, if that matters. Every other OEM widget we've seen takes substantially more system resources than Recast... and of course it isn't nearly as configurable :)

Sorry about the shameless self-promotion here, I have to post it out there when and where I can.
[Android Apps and Games] LifeInAnalog:
.. you guys make a great product. Once you get it out to be reviewed by the sites and blogs.. word of mouth, or text of finger, will spread the word far and wide. Maybe even farther.. :D
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
LifeInAnalog, thanks for the kind words. We'll keep working on Recast for and hopefully will get enough features in where it is competitive with the other similar apps on the market.... then go try to get a few reviews and some recognition for the efforts.
[Android Apps and Games] ll8689:
Nice!

Very comprehensive weather widget with lots of customisation ! Good job ! :good:
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
ll8689, thanks for that. We have more options coming. We just need time to finish them all :)
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
In our effort to keep everyone up-to-date on Recast... here's an example of what weather data will look like from a new weather provider in the next release.
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Is there something going on with world weather? I'm getting the infamous?

I love my note!
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
World Weather Online evidently suffered some sort of service failure earlier today. When we checked it again a few minutes ago (2pm PST) it seemed to have resolved itself and come back online. This is yet another reason why we will have more than one source for weather data in the next release.
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
And as fast as I complain, it's back up.

I love my note!
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
So now, without further delay, we have released Recast version 1.0.6. The highlights for this release are...

MSN Weather added and is the default weather service

Backgrounds are now downloadable, and there are new backgrounds available in the Catalog

Fixed some issues with drawing backgrounds

New special icon for Free Update notifications

Other optimizations and tweaks

It should be showing up as a Google Play Store update in an hour or so. The free version has been posted to the Recast web site. Check it out and let us know what you think about this update!
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Update went smoothly, appreciate your hard work.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Thanks for letting us know. It is always good to hear from folks that the update/upgrade process works as well in the real world as it does in our test one. :laugh:
[Android Apps and Games] Bloodlust:
The paid version 1.06 seems to have a bug. I can't download backgrounds like "Halloween". When I tap on it nothing happens..
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Try going into system settings > apps > recast and clearing cache and see if that helps. If not try clearing data.
[Android Apps and Games] 21productionz:
Double post
[Android Apps and Games] Bloodlust:
Nope doesn't work. I think it's a bug. Look at the screenshot.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Bloodlust, that is very odd. We tested this feature very extensively, since it is brand new. Can you provide us with more information to help?

What version of Recast was installed previously, if any?

Was this a clean (First time download from Play Store) or update (Google Play Store notified you)?

Which way are you adding backgrounds: via the Catalog icon or from inside of a widget background dialog?

Can you provide details about your device: OS, manufacturer, model, etc.

The only time we recall seeing things like this happen in testing was when the database that Recast uses became corrupted. This was solved by completely uninstalling Recast and then installing the new version cleanly. Is that something we can ask you to try? In the meantime I will pass this along to the development team for their input while we wait on your details.

Thanks for letting us know about this.
[Android Apps and Games] Bloodlust:
From the catalog. My phone's the S3 using v2.1 of wanam's ics rom. In the meantime I have requested a refund from the play store. :o
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Bloodlust, thanks for that. Can we ask you to try something for us???

Go to the Recast beta download page, install it, and then try to download a background I made just for you to test: "A Test Background". It should work on the free version on the forecast or any widget background. Also, can you see if you can download any color sets, widgets or anything else? It would be very helpful to have that information to troubleshoot.

Thanks for your help.
[Android Apps and Games] Bloodlust:
Sorry for the late reply. "A test background" works but the others don't because when I try to download, there is no description after the ""

---------- Post added at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:53 PM ----------

The test background works
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
This is puzzling... we cannot figure out here what is going on with your install. From your information, this isn't something we can reproduce. Our best suggestion is:

1. Completely uninstall Recast

2. Reboot your device

3. Re-download and re-run Recast after a fresh install

Can you please try these steps and get back to us on your results?
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
And for the sake of completeness, can you provide the following information and screenshots:

1. Can you successfully download Fonts from the catalog?

2. Do you have a screenshot of the Background Catalog view so we can see what you see before-and-after you attempt a download?

3. Is it possible to capture a log of the behavior while you are trying to download the Background? This will require a specialized log capture app (available free on the Play Store) and a test version of Recast?

Let us know when you can. We would really like to solve this issue.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
We have noticed a lot of sites popping up in search on Google and Bing recently, claiming to offer Recast for download. Those sites are not authorized to distribute Recast and our testing shows that virtually all of them have altered, un-safe versions of Recast that Phase 2 Industries did not create!

So please consider this a friendly reminder: there are some fake web sites out there showing download links for Recast, but they are not legitimate or safe. The only places to get Recast are the Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore, XDA and Recast web site.

So if you see text like this, run away! "Recast preowneds modern Frozen yogurt Sandwich Holo interface appeal, no matter what Android Operating System"

That's all for now :)
[Android Apps and Games] sdotmouse:
Well you must be something right for people to bother cracking your app. ****ty behaviour, but a backhanded compliment. Always look on the brught side and all that. And where can I get a frozen yoghurt sandwich? Sounds...interesting.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
As nice as it would be to consider this behavior as "we must be really popular, that's why people are sharing it" it is an issue that is impacting our very low store/purchase numbers.

We're hoping to see less of this as we move toward a full feature complete version of Recast, getting some professional reviews, and sending more notices to other sites that they are not allowed to post these links. We'll keep folks posted on how this process progresses.
[Android Apps and Games] sdotmouse:
Didn't mean to trivialise it.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
That's OK, I'm not taking it personally. I just wanted to let everyone know that we are concerned about it.

We want more folks to know about and want to have Recast running on their devices. It is just a major downer and a support and security nightmare that people are asking for help and reporting bugs on apps that we have no control over, can't fix and didn't get paid for.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Even though we've been silent lately, we are working on some new stuff for the next Recast release. Here's a preview of some of those neat, new features in a single image. We're keeping the "simple and clean" theme for this update, so tell us what you think.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Just a reminder: we're working on various translations for Recast and could really use your assistance. If you or someone you know can read and write English plus any other language, we need those services! Contact us for more details: http://recast.phase2i.com/translate/

Our current translation target languages are:

English (default/native)

French

Spanish

Italian

Russian

Portuguese

German

Dutch

Let us know how we're doing on the translations and volunteer at the link posted above. We appreciate it!
[Android Apps and Games] Moore74:
Translation

I have completely translated the app in Italian. I'd like to try the app to see if the translation is correct in its every before you release a final version. is it possible?

I've noticed that when I add two locations hidding the corrent one, I see the two locations alternate in the same page (the first), while I see the second page completely black. Instead I think that it should be correct to see the firts location in the first page and the second location in the second page.

I'm using a SGS1 smartphone.

Sorry for my poor english.

Regards,

Moore (Italy)

---------- Post added at 04:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:48 PM ----------

I ask you if you can add in Date Widget (widget 1x1) the month. Thank you.

Moore

---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 PM ----------

Very beautiful
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Moore74, thanks for the update. We are working on a new build of Recast today that will have both French and Italian translations included, so I will let you know as soon as it is available for you to look at. It is a Free version only, since there isn't a way to do the full, Paid version outside of the app stores, but hopefully that won't impact your review too much.

I will see what I can do on the 1x1 widget. Stay tuned and I'll let you know when I have something to look at.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
OK, I have posted a new widget. Take a look at the new 1x1 widget you requested in the catalog and let me know if it is to your liking: "Date, Day, Month Widget".

See how it looks here, created with the Recast built-in sharing function :)

http://recast.phase2i.com/shared/view?s=506dc543-dcec-4411-bb42-26beb8acbb5f
[Android Apps and Games] Moore74:
Perfect. Just like I wanted.

I have another request. Is it possible add to 'weather forecast widget' 4x1 the name of location?
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
I'm glad you liked the 1x1, that was an easy change.

I looked at that 4x1 layout, and the reason I didn't put the location name in there to start with is because I honestly don't have any space to include it into. Just about everything will have to become smaller to attempt to fit in a place name, which would make things tough to read on most device displays.

Did you have some idea or suggestion on how you thought it should look where things wouldn't be so small?
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
We now have an early version of Recast 1.0.7 available to check if you can read and speak French or Italian and can give us translation feedback. If you are one of those lucky people, PM me and I will let you know how to grab a copy for review!
[Android Apps and Games] Quiksilver78:
I haven't visited in a while but one thing that turns me off is the size of the clock, it could be a tad smaller and the size of the weather icon, it should be WAY bigger
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
Quiksilver78, interesting feedback. We have created many different widget layouts, including many where the weather is the largest portion of the widget space. Did you have a specific size and/or example of a widget that isn't sized as you expect? We certainly do try to have a variety of sizes and layouts available, so if you feel we don't have the one you are looking for and can tell us what you want to see, we can probably make it.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
It looks like we may have our final French and Italian translations in and we are hoping that, fingers crossed, we don't run into any more issues so that we can release Recast 1.0.7 to everyone. Hopefully we'll know more as soon as the translation volunteers get back to us, but from what we can see it all looks good.
[Android Apps and Games] LifeInAnalog:
... If I may ask mstroud, what weather icon set is that?

.. sent via carrier pigeon
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
LifeInAnalog, the two icon sets shown in that image are the "Pretty Weather" icons that come default with Recast (the bottom widget) and one of the new 1.0.7 release sets, called "Merlin Plain". It is currently my favorite. Barring any more last minute issues, everyone should have access to it, as a Catalog download, very soon.
[Android Apps and Games] LifeInAnalog:
.. ya, it's that Merlin Plain that really caught my eye.. can't wait to use it!

I hope you give us the heads up when it's available..

.. sent via carrier pigeon
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
After the Google Play Store and the Recast web site, XDA Forum members will be the first to know. Then again, maybe I'll tell the Google+ folks first :)
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
We have pushed Recast 1.0.7 to the Google Play Store, and the free version is now on the Recast web site. It could be a few hours before it rolls out for everyone to get an update.

Lots of new stuff and fixes in this version, including downloadable weather and utility icons, a new forecast screen layout, localized strings for French and Italian (thanks guys!) and many fixes. It is possible that people upgrading over-the-top of an existing Recast install may not see all of these changes, so if you don't, please uninstall and install a fresh, 1.0.7 version of Recast.

Here's an image of my current favorite look, using the new weather layout, new Merlin Plain weather icon set and new Ice Cream utility set. Good stuff!
[Android Apps and Games] LifeInAnalog:
Merlin Plain here I come!

.. sent via carrier pigeon
[Android Apps and Games] dmb219:
Awesome job with the update, it is a great app. I like the new icon set, very nice. You've done a great job with making the widgets customizable and attractive. It's a formidable job making a widget that people will want to put at the top of their home page but I believe you nailed it.
[Android Apps and Games] mstroud:
dmb219, thanks for the kind feedback. I will make sure to pass it along to the developers tomorrow morning.

It is really the ongoing process of using Recast every day and listening to customer requests that makes it what it is. If you ever have any suggestions, requests, issues, etc., do let us know. We always try to incorporate feedback whenever we can.

And if you really like us be sure to tell others about Recast. You may not have noticed but we still have only a handful of downloads at this point in both the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore. We haven't gone after the larger web site reviews because we are trying to get enough customization and unique features in the app so it will really stand out when it gets written up. In the meantime, we rely on word-of-mouth referrals to alert others to the goodness of Recast.