MobileFamilyTree 2.5 – Native iPad Support

A few weeks ago, it was mentioned in an update of MacFamilyTree (a Mac OS X genealogy application) that there would be upcoming support for Synium’s iPhone OS version of MacFamilyTree, MobileFamilyTree.

That day has arrived. With version 2.5 of MobileFamilyTree, we now have native/full support for the iPad’s higher resolution and hardware. Along with it, French localization was added, as were other improvements, along with a few bug fixes. It joins GedView as the only other mobile application that has both GEDCOM support, and native iPad support.

Updates:
* First Version to fully support the iPad
* Sorting in list views improved
* Performance enhancements
* French localization added
* Bug fixes

MobileFamilyTree at the Apple App Store ($4.99 USD)

(Note: Requires that you own MacFamilyTree, version 5.7.5 or later)

GedView 2.12

It’s been right around a month, but GedView, a iPhone/iPod touch/iPad stand-alone genealogy application, has received another major update. This one appears to be focused around mapping and location support as well as updates to the native iPad app.

It includes some updates/additions for the iPad version (iPad support was added in GedView 2.10), along with supporting latitude/longitude data in the RootsMagic Windows genealogy application, as well as Lifelines, which is available for several OSes.

Changes/Updates:
* Support for reading latitude/longitude from _PLAC as used by RootsMagic.
* Support for reading latitude/longitude from PLDF as used by Lifelines.
* Searches can now be cancelled if they are taking too long.
* Reports (Family Group Sheet, Descendants, Pedigree) can now be cancelled if they are taking too long.
* If the text entered for a place is really latitude/longitude the correct location will be displayed on the map rather than doing a search.
* Popovers used for event type / citation quality selection on iPad.
* Popover now used for exporting GEDCOM files on iPad.
* Improved date parsing for various common styles of entry.
* Fix UI problems on iPad.
* Various bug fixes.

GedView is currently available for $3.99 USD through Apple’s iTunes Music Store

Upcoming Version of MobileFamilyTree for iPad

With the update to MacFamilyTree version 5.7.5(MacGenealogy.org) there is a very important mention of iPad-related news:

* MobileFamilyTree Sync improved (Support for the upcoming MobileFamilyTree iPad Version)

Obviously MobileFamilyTree currently works on the iPad in the upscaled/2x resolution, however this is a good sign that Synium Software will be supporting the iPad’s native resolution.

Right now, GedView is the only GEDCOM-based or supported mobile genealogy application running with the iPad’s native resolution/support. There is iHeritage, but it does not appear to support GEDCOM files or importing family genealogy information.

You will need to be a MacFamilyTree user to take advantage of MobileFamilyTree – it imports/syncs its date to Macs running MacFamilyTree over the network.

MobileFamilyTree at the Apple App Store

Traces of the Past 1.0 Released for iPhone

There is a new genealogy-related App out for the iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, called Traces of the Past. It’s in the vein of Ancestry.com Tree-to-Go or MobileTree. It differs from those two applications in that unlike Tree-to-Go it’s not limited to Ancestry.com, and unlike MobileTree, it’s not confined to a membership-only website/database. It also doesn’t have family tree functionality, similar to say GedView.

Basically it acts as a front-end to genealogy databases/collections. It’s something you would use “on the go” if you needed to do a quick lookup or if you had some time to spare and wanted to be productive.

This puts it in its own class and I hesitate to lump it in with the other genealogy applications. I’m hoping to find the time to test it out at some point, as I think it does have a place on your iPhone, assuming you have memberships for the genealogy databases that it accesses, that require it. The fact that it’s not tied to any specific websites is a huge bonus in my view. Ancestry.com Tree-to-Go and MobileTree are both useful if you qualify or are paid up for their respective services, but if you don’t qualify or don’t pay for a membership, they are useless, and that’s where Traces to Go has the potential to shine.

Traces of the Past supports the following databases/collections (some may require payment/registration) and it looks like it can be updated to access other databases in the future:
* FamilySearch
* Footnote.com
* Findmypast.com
* EllisIsland.org
* Others

Screenshots can be found on the Traces of the Past page here at MobileGenealogy.com.

From a comment on their website, it looks like they are working on native iPad support, rather than just the 2x upscaling currently available.

It’s available for $3.99 in the Apple iTunes Store

Genealogy Gems Podcast App 1.5.2

The iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app for Genealogy Gems Podcast has been updated to version 1.5.2. The app provides an easy way to access the Genealogy Gems Podcast (Your Family History Show) by Lisa Louise Cooke, along with additional content such as:
* PDFs of tips and ideas from the show
* Genealogy Gems Wallpaper
* Bonus audio/video content
* Easily follow the show on Twitter
* Call-in audio comment feature (iPhone only)

Version 1.5.2 Changes:
* Bug Fixes
* Episode Search

Genealogy Gems Podcast App at iTunes Store ($2.99)

If you want to access the regular podcast for free, you can access it through the iTunes Store or through the Genealogy Gems Podcast website.