That was fast, a lot faster than I would have ever imagined.

It was only 4 weeks ago when I announced that the newest version of my Daily Maui Photo App (v2.1) had been upgraded to include native iPad support, and already we have seen over 1,000 downloads or upgrades to the latest and greatest release. Four weeks!

I don’t have stats or anything to tell me how many of those 1,000 downloads were on iPads, iPhones, or iPods, but the fact that so many people have given this app a shot fills my heart with Aloha!

Big Mahalo!

If you’ve downloaded the app and enjoy it everyday, I have to say a big Mahalo Nui Loa to you.

For those that have shared these photos through the Facebook, Twitter, or Email options, another mahalo to you as well. I’m happy that it’s so happy to spread a little Aloha with all your friends and family with these devices today. It might not seem like much to some, but just that little glimpse of paradise in the morning can take you away, even if for just a moment.

Talk Story

We love hearing from all of you, especially for these daily photos and the iPhone/iPad app. There are a handful of reviews already in the App Store, and if you’d like to leave one yourself, it would be much appreciated. I purposely chose not to include those annoying “Rate Me” reminders within the app (I hate those, too) but I made it easier with a Rate The App option in the Menu for both the iPad and iPhone versions if you had a minute to leave a comment.

There is also a dedicated Facebook page for the Daily Maui Photo App for iOS, if you’d like to show your support there, or leave questions, comments, or suggestions for new features.

And for the blog-savvy folks in the room, you can find more details about the app (features, screenshots, etc.) over at the Daily Maui Photo website here if you thought your readers would enjoy adding a little Maui to their iOS devices.

Many Mahalos to everyone for all the support! Here’s to another 1,000 downloads.

– Kris

Since relaunching the iPhone version of my Daily Maui Photo App earlier this year, I received some nice feedback from folks that downloaded it and enjoy their Daily Dose of Aloha everyday.

But the work didn’t stop there, since I began development on the full iPad version of the app shortly after that relaunch. And while it took about a month longer than I had hoped, the Daily Maui Photo App now fully supports the iPad, too!

iPad Version Details

So, besides viewing these Maui photos on a much larger screen, what else is new in the iPad version?

Here’s a quick rundown:

Home Screen

The iPhone version gave you access to the last 7 days worth of photos from the Daily Maui Photo website. Well, in the iPad version, you’re now able to browse through the latest 18 photos – yes, 18 photos – from our website.

Island Map View

The iPhone version let you view a map for each daily photo to see where it was taken, browse around nearby, or view a satellite view. New in the iPad version, we take advantage of the larger screen and give you an entire view of the island and all 18 photos displayed on it.

You can browse through to your favorite coast or towns, or you can use the list in the toolbar to jump to a specific photo as well.

New Photo Screen

Of course, we want to show larger versions of these photos on the iPad, right?

Many of our daily photos are now optimized to display brilliantly on the iPad, including the new iPad with the Retina display (for you lucky folks with one now). I’m working to get all the remaining photos up to snuff for the super high-res display as soon as I can.

Photo Sharing Options

Just like on the iPhone, the iPad version includes all the same ways to share your favorite photos to anyone in your social networks or via email. And with the higher resolution photos on the iPad, the Save to Camera Roll feature means you can download a version of any photo and throw it in your favorite iPad apps to create anything you can imagine.

Talk Story

If you’re here because you love Maui like we do, then chances are you like to talk story about the Valley Isle as well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the App, our photos, or anything else you’d like to share. Feel free to leave a comment here, or if you have a suggestion or idea for the App, check out the App Facebook Page to post it there, too.

Spread the Aloha

If you really enjoy the App, we’d love it if you could help spread the Aloha and let others know about it. You can use the Twitter and Facebook links here to share this post, you could blog about it, or even just show it to your friends on your iPad.

It’d be really great if you wanted to leave a rating or review in the App Store, too. We made it very easy, just go to the Menu button in the iPhone or iPad version and check tap, Rate this App.

Many Mahalos for all your support!

– Kris

Happy Aloha Friday!

This time three years ago today, my wife and I were unwinding on one of our two week visits to Maui: enjoying malasadas at Lulu’s, Maui Gold pineapple pizza at Nikki’s, and taking in yet another gorgeous West Maui sunset from our balcony at the Sheraton.

Boy, how times change.

Announcement: Launch of Daily Maui Photo App, Version 2.0

13 months ago, I was spending many sleepless nights as a brand new father working on the first version of my Daily Maui Photo App for the iPhone.

Today, I am very excited to announce the long overdue, completely re-written from the group up, Version 2.0.

It’s available right now in the App Store, and just like before, it’s completely FREE!

New Features

You can read about all the new features in the App Store or over at the App Page at Daily Maui Photo, but here’s a quick recap of what’s new in this version.

• Completely rebuilt to support iOS 5.
• Higher quality images to support Retina Displays.
• Tweet with built-in iOS Twitter integration.
• Customized notifications using the Notification Center in iOS.
• Improved scrolling and UI features.
• New full screen mode for viewing photos and captions.
• New Menu with links to More Maui resources.
• Option for Rating the App in the App Store.

There’s are also new ways to Spread the Aloha by sharing the App with your friends and social media fans.

After all, sharing these photos with as many Maui fans as we can is one of the main reasons I created the App in the first place.

More to Come

While a lot went into making this new version what it is, I’m not done quite yet. I’m already planning to include iPad support for version 2.1 and also thinking of adding a Favorites feature that lets you save and revisit your favorite photos within the App itself.

Better yet, have an idea or suggestion on what should be in the next version? You can leave a comment below, or you could head over to the App Page on Facebook and leave your thoughts there.

Mahalo

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to read this announcement, and hopefully try out the App. The geek in me truly loves this type of stuff, but it’s not until it’s in the hands of people that love Maui as much as we do that it truly becomes rewarding.

And you get bet, as long as the Aloha Spirit and this love for Maui remains in our hearts, I’ll keep finding new ways to share it with all of you.

– Kris