Category: Electronic Toolbox News

Today, a new Electronic Toolbox data update has been released.

This updates contains the following changes:

• Arduino Uni Rev 3 Pinout added
• New Category in the ICs Tool with Solid State Relays (SSR)
• Raspberry Pi Model B+ additions
• Constants were updated
• A few ICs were added as requested
• A few German language corrections were included

And finally, this update also contains some preparations for the next app update I am currently working on.

Thanks again for your support.

Best regards,
Marcus…

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Fortunately, it doesn’t took too long for Apple to release this bug fix update.

This update fixes a few bugs that unfortunately slipped in to the last major update:

■ Device rotation will now work correctly
■ German “Zurück” button fixed
■ Few issues with 3.5″ iPhones fixed (e.g. second slider in Oscilloscope)
■ Capacitor charge calculation fixed
■ Open image in other… app bug fixed
■ Duty cycle calculation in NE555 tool fixed
■ An issue that cause the app to crash when swiping back was fixed
■ White-on-white buttons in print screen was fixed

Along with this, the update contains the following improvements:

■ The 4-20mA tool now also shows Hexadecimal values for SPS development
■ Calculation results can now be transferred better to projects (no longer just screenshots)
■ Some speed improvements (e.g. esp. for iPad 2)
■ Oscilloscope image can now be added to a project

LIKE ALWAYS, PLEASE NOTE: Don’t forget to install the new data update as well

Again, many thanks for your feedback and help to improve this app further.

Many many thanks also for your updated and new app reviews.

Unfortunately, with every update I sent out, your previous reviews disappear. But you just need to slightly update your previous review to let it appear again. Many thanks again for this.

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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Finally, as announced yesterday, the new version of Electronic Toolbox Pro is now available on the AppStore.

I have re-coded huge parts of the app. Basically, this release changes many things under the hood, adds many general features you have asked for, offers a completely revised and freshen up user interface and fixes many small or even a few larger bugs. Finally, it adds a new cool tool: an oscilloscope. Also, this app is now already compatible to the recently announced iOS 8.

Here are some changes to the previous version:

■ UI Improvements

The user interface has been freshened up and now uses some remaining iOS 7 features such as special animations, list swiping, popover selections, the new keyboard and some more. To implement those features, unfortunately I had to drop IOS 5 support but the app still supports iOS 6.

However, don’t worry if you don’t want or can’t update to iOS 6 or 7, you can still use the existing Version 6 of the app as it will still be available on the AppStore for downloading and best of all, it will still get improvements via Data updates.

On the special keyboard, you can now double-tap on the X button to clear all input field of the whole screen (Thanks Hal for this suggestion).

Amongst this, every single tool has been revised. They not just look and behave now more consistently.

■ Parametric search improvements

When looking for a certain Transistor, FET or even Tube with certain characteristics / parameters, filters can be used. These filters have been improved in Version 7. It is now even possible to create multiple filters which can be stored and recalled at a later time.

■ iCloud and improved DropBox and iTunes support

DropBox and iTunes have already been supported to import and export projects. Now, Project import and export has been improved in many ways and iCloud has been added as another option for importing and exporting.

In Addition, app settings and your Organizer app customizations can also be saved and restored to and from iCloud. This way, you can save your work after rearranging all icons to your individual requirements. Moreover, you can use iCloud to transfer these settings to another i-Device if you own more than one device. This way, you can use your settings and organizer view consistently on all your devices.

■ Improved action button

The action button now has a new icon and will now act as a real action button. Now, it always opens a popup menu with several options based on the current situation.

■ Grouped Tool view

For those of you, who got lost in the numerous tools (now 72) the app now provides a new grouping option. By selecting this option, tools will now be grouped by the following subjects:

• General Tools
• Tools dealing with passive components
• Tools dealing with active components
• Conversion tools
• Circuit tools
• RF related tools

You can still group and arrange tools based on your own preferences and even mix the grouped view with your own groups by using the included organizer.

■ An Oscilloscope was added

Now, with this new tool, the app contains 72 tools in total. Several more are already under development. This Oscilloscope behaves almost like a real Oscilloscope but of course limited to audio signals and microphone input.

■ Bug fixes and minor improvements

While working on each tool, I did also fix some bugs of course.

 

While almost 70% of the code has been re-coded, I already apologize for any possible new bug which is not unlikely due to this amount of new code, even though I and a couple of Beta Testers have tested this release (many thanks to you at this point).

As always, please let me know about any bug, ideally using the support button inside the app and I promise to fix any bug real quick.

Again, many thanks for your feedback.

Please please don’t forget to rate the app or update your review. Unfortunately, with every update I sent out, your previous reviews disappear. But you just need to slightly update your previous review to let it appear again. Many thanks for this.

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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Finally, the promised update has been released.

This update includes the following changes and additions:

■ Trace-With tool

This tool was moved over from the RF-Toolbox app and helps to calculate width of internal or external PCB striplines based on the IPC-2221 charts.

■ Resistor/Capacitor/Inductor combinations tool

This tool helps to create a certain value by calculating various combinations of serial or parallel connected components. This is especially useful if you can’t find a component with a certain value in your shack or if you need to create a value outside the E-Series standard. So if you are looking for a 10k resistor but have none available, you can just use this tool to find out how to build this value with a certain combination of other resistors.

■ 4-20mA conversion tool

This new tool converts values based on the instrumentation systems 4-20mA DC standard. This was a user request from some users and I was hoping to implement it sooner but finally, here it is.

■ support for oz/ft² (Copper Plating Weight in oz)

Especially for the newly added PCB trace calculation (see above), thickness can be entered in oz/ft² .

■ calculator degree / radian support

The trigonometric functions like sin() and cos() can now calculate in radians and degrees and there is a new button which can be used to switch between these two. However, the degree button ° can still be used to convert values from degree to radians, thus when set to radians and calculating sin(45°) results in the same value as if the calculation is set to degree and entering sin(45) .

■ unit tool improvements

The unit tool received some more improvements and now remembers previously selected unit types and units.

■ New Transistor tool added

A new Transistor tool replaces the former BJT tool. This tool adds bias point calculations and circuit calculation of the three common Transistor circuit types.

■ New FET tool added

Similar to the Transistor tool, a new tool to calculate FET bias point and basic FET circuits has been added.

■ NE555 tool improvement

In the NE555 tool, it is now possible to calculate the duty cycle.

■ NTC/PTC tool improvement

It is now possible to calculate in both directions. You can either enter temperature or resistance and the other value will be calculated.

■ Disable sleep mode

Some users told me that they use my app in the lab all the day and leave their device switched on all the time to quickly perform some calculations. They asked me for the possibility to let the App prevent the device from entering the sleep mode to speed up their access to this app. For this reason, there is now a new setting under Miscellaneous. Please note that, once this setting is on, the device will no longer save battery time. Once you exit the app, everything is back to normal. You may also want to disable the splash screen along with this setting.

■ Additional Types and datasheets

Included in the data update which is required for this app update, several new types and datasheets have been added. For instance about 300+ new datasheets and types in the 40xxx/45xxx cmos IC section. Also, some corrections for the AVR JTAG Socket, 3N140 and 4073 are included.

■ Additional minor improvements

Now, in the calculator, it is no longer necessary to hit the ANS key when entering an operator after the previous calculation has been finished.

PLEASE NOTE: A new major release will also be available soon. It has now been sent to Apple and is waiting for being released. This major release contains some other user requests and improvements so please don’t worry if your request is not included in this release.

In case you find an error or have some questions, please contact me using the Support button inside the app or the support form on the website.

Many thanks for your feedback and your support.

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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Thank Goodness it’s Friday! as the new Electronic Toolbox update 6.07.01 is now available.

This update fixes some issues that have been reported such as the not working “Add to project” buttons in some areas of the app and the inability to add folders in the organizer. Sorry for that.

Now, in the unit conversion tool, it is again possible to see all other conversions at a glance like in the older version. All possible conversions can now be observed by tapping on the selection below “Convert to:”. Thanks for this suggestion!

There is now a consistent way to decide which value should be calculated and which are the “given” values.

As an example, in the Ohm’s law tool, let’s say you like to calculate Current and Power based on Voltage and Resistance. You can tap on the small button in front of the Current and Power fields. These buttons will then turn to have a small arrow indicating that these values will be calculated.

Now, it is also possible to tap at the location where you expect an input field in order to get the white input field for entering a value.

You will also notice a change in the user interface. I have changed several areas throughout the whole app so that it fits better to iOS 7. There are new Icons, new fonts, less 3D buttons and headers and less rounded rectangles. I personally like it much better and hopefully you do too.

Also, the News section has been completely re-coded. It is now also possible to delete news entries.

Finally, I found that the review button was no longer working in the previous version and that was probably why there were just a few review updates with the last version.

So now, it should again be possible to write or update reviews.

The data update I sent out on Wednesday is mandatory for this app update so please also check if you have not yet installed it. Here is a short summary of the contents of the data update:

• LM34 (Precision Fahrenheit Temperature Sensors) added to the ICs tool
• 2N6027 and 6028 (Programmable Unijunction Transistor) added to the ICs tool
• The upcoming Arduino Tre and the older Arduino Duemilanove were added
• An update to the Italian translation was added (thanks Massimo!)
• Several changes to the Info texts in German and English.

The two added chips LM34 and 2N6027/8 are both quite interesting. I never heard about them before until two users asked me to add them (thank you!).

Like alway, many thanks to you all who helped me to continuously improve my app.

Please don’t hesitate to write me if you find an issue or ask me to add new features or components.

Many thanks and kind regards and have a great weekend!

Marcus…

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Fortunately, the new Windows version of Electronic Toolbox was just released by Microsoft and the iOS Update will be available this Friday.

Lately Microsoft gave me a hard time to fulfill all requirements for the naming of screen shots on the Windows Store and several additional minor requirements. The good thing is though, that Microsoft takes Store approving serious – which is good, for you as customer as well as for me as developer and customer. I hate the lax or even not existing Google approvement procedure which causes many rubbish, non-working, faking and Trojan apps on the Android play store.

However, back to the Windows version, which includes many changes such as:

[su_list icon=”icon: windows”]

• New NTC / PTC tool – New Raspberry Pi tool
• New Constant current source tool
• New AC Ohms Law tool
• New ASCII Table tool
• New Zener Diode tool
• Instrumentaion OpAmp calculation
• New languages for the User Interface: German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
• Updated Databases
• Some changes for Windows 8.1
• Some Bug fixes and many additional minor changes

[/su_list]

The Windows version is available here.

iOS update

The iOS Update, as mentioned, will be available this Friday. It contains quite some fixes and internal improvements. I will talk about that on Friday so please stay tuned.

In addition to the app update, I will create another data update which will be available either today or tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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A new data update is available for Electronic Toolbox.

This data update includes some changes in the transistor database (which is why this update is a big bigger than usual) and will correct the Avagadro’s number.

For the German users, there are also some added translations included.

Finally, it includes some new ICs as requested such as the OPAx134, LME497x0 and LM4562.

A new app update will also come soon. I expect to send it to Apple next week. The next app update will mainly correct a few mistakes that have been slipped in with the last update like the inability to add components to a project in some of the tools and some other minor fixes. It will also come with a slightly changed design which fits better to the new flat iOS 7 design.

Thanks again for your support,

kind regards,

Marcus…

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The new Electronic Toolbox version 6.06.01 is finally out

This updates adds iOS 7 compatibility as well as a lot of changes and additions:

The following nine tools have been added:

■ Raspberry Pi Tool
■ Passive cooling calculator
■ PTC / NTC Temperature Resistance conversion
■ AC Ohms law tool
■ Zener diode circuit calculation
■ Constant current source tool
■ ASCII Table
■ Battery charge calculator
■ Finally, a desktop calculator

So there are now 67 tools included (all for free by the way for everybody who already purchased my App before). No extra costs, no InApp Purchase.

Some existing tools have been extended such as:

■ The OpAmp Tool now can also calculate an Instrumentation OpAmp circuit
■ The number system tool now also supports IEEE floating point numbers
■ The Measurements tool is now renamed to Units and has been completely revised (again)

Now, it is also possible to copy output results (regardless if this is text or a number) by long-tapping the value. This way, you can copy values easier from one tool to another or even to and from the new desktop calculator or other Apps.

■ iOS 5, 6 and 7 support

Electronic Toolbox is now compatible to iOS 5, 6 and 7 and it will run on all of these iOSes and all devices available from Apple, including the new iPhone 5S and 5C. However, iOS 6 or 7 is recommended in order to benefit from the additional features of the OS.

Finally, as usual, many other things have been changed and corrected under the hood.

For instance Circuit symbols can now easier be found as the symbol is already displayed at the overview level (thanks for this suggestion!) and the same now applies to other areas throughout this app.

■ More copy and paste

Now, it is also possible to copy output results (regardless if this is text or a number) by long-tapping the value. This way, you can copy values easier from one tool to another or even to and from the new desktop calculator or other Apps.

■ Tool Icons

The default color scheme is now the single colored blue scheme. But don’t worry if you like the colored scheme better where the tools will have different colors depending on the type of tool. Just go to settings, Appearance and switch the Icon color to ‘Classic color’.

Due to the additional tools, all tools have been rearranged a bit so that tools that belong together are side by side. If you have previously installed Electronic Toolbox and maybe arranged the icons by yourself, this update will not mess up your icons. Instead, the new Icons will be added at the end. So if you like to get the icons rearranged in the way I would suggest it, just go to the organizer and press the red Reset button.

■ Important Data update

Please note, along with this update, also a data update has been released. Please don’t forget to install the data update by using the “Check for data update” button in the settings screen of the app. The order of the installation (data update or app update) does not matter.

If you find an issue, have a new idea or if you are missing something, just let me know. Please just use the Support button in my App or on the AppStore.

I have still a lot of your ideas and requests on my to-do list and I am already working on the next update to include more of your ideas in the next update.

If you like to support me, please don’t forget to write or update your review as it is only valid for the current version.

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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The new App Version 6.05 will be available on Friday!!

I am excited to announce that finally, the new App Version of Electronic Toolbox will be available this week on Friday the 27th of September.

There are nine additional tools but also many changes under the hood. I trust you will love the new version.

I will keep you updated here, once the version is available.

Please also note, along with the App version, there will be a new data update as well which is required for the new App version.

Kind regards,

Marcus

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Dear users of Electronic Toolbox,

I just like to keep you updated about my current development activities. I have already a lot of data prapared for a data update (based on your requests and some own additions) which would be ready to be sent out. However, I would like to send it out along with the next App update. This App update contains – like always – some great enhancements and new Tools.

As you know, Apple has sent out Beta versions of iOS 7. The good news is, that the current version of Electronic Toolbox already runs on iOS 7 without problems.

On the other hand, I like to implement some changes for the next update so that Electronic Toolbox can benefit from iOS 7 and so it can also be officially maked as iOS 7 compatible. I am corrently working on that but have to wait releasing this update until iOS 7 has been officially released by Apple, which should not take too long anymore.

Please be assured that I will keep backward compatibility as best as possible even though this takes often much more development effort than beeing forward compatible.

So far, it looks as I can keep Electronic Toolbox running from iOS 5 up to iOS 7.

I will keep you updated,

Kind regards,

Marcus…

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A new data update V 1.20 is now available

This data update V 1.20 is basically a preparation for the next app Version 6 of Electronic Toolbox.

However, it also contains some amendments and additions for the current version such as:

• A new section “Physical constants” for the Tables tool
• Some amendments for the AWG tool
• Several Displays have been added to the ICs Tool and the Displays section such as the LKC-1602 16×2 Character LCD Display and others
• The LM35has been added to the analog ICs section
• The missing Serial ATA 15 Pin power plug has been added to the Sockets tool
• The LM107has been added to the OpAmp ICs section
• Some amendments to the Toroids database
• A new section “Cable connections” has been added to the Sockets Tool for cables such as serial null-modem and spy cable layouts and some more
• In addition, there were some text changes and minor data corrections.

 

Again, to all of you, many many thanks for all your support and you kind app store reviews and your encouraging E-Mails. This really helps me to keep up my work on my app.

I trust you will like the next app version 6 which will basically add several enhancements that you have been asking for. I hope it will be released soon.

Thanks again and kind regards,
Marcus

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Version 6 development status update

Just to keep you updated as you might be wondering about the availability of the next update.

I am currently working hard on the next update but it took me a bit longer than expected but mainly because I decided to add a few things that required some changes in all areas of the app.

First of all, the new version will contain a global search mechanism. With this feature, you will be able to search for e.g. “0402” and will get results for diodes of the type 0402 as well as the SMD code 0402. Or if you search for “Ethernet” you will get all Ethernet socket types or the Ethernet conversion rates. It is also possible to quickly find specific conversions or content that is hidden in the table tool. This search function replaces the search bar in the tool list view and is now also available for the tool icon view.

As many users already asked for such a global search function and as there are now almost 50 tools included in my app which sometimes makes it difficult to find a certain calculation or database, I found it’s about time to add such a global search function. As you can imagine, this required a lot of changes throughout the whole app.

The same is the case for the changes for iOS 6 and the new iPhone 5. I was able to replace several functions that are no longer necessary as they are now included in iOS 6. This speeds up the app in many areas. Especially the “check-for-update” function benefits from this quite enormous. It also resulted in many minor tweaks and improvements. However, most of them are only available on iOS 6.

But most importantly, I was able to keep the app backward compatible back to iOS 4.3 and back to the iPhone 3GS. (However, I would not recommend running the app on a 3GS as my app runs too slow on those devices). Also, I have only one Test Device for iOS 4.3 available and only three test users (if still available). iOS 6 is now the preferred iOS for my app as the app can then take advantage of the new features. Even if you say you don’t use any of the features that have been introduced by iOS 6, the app will run better and faster on iOS 6.

The survey also speaks a clear voice (Thank you all for participating). Most of the users have updated to iOS 6. For the few users still working with a previous iOS version after and including 4.3, the app will still run on your device but I would recommend updating as mentioned before.

For the few devices that run older iOS versions (prior to 4.3) and for those with an iPhone 3G, I am not able to provide updates anymore. Again, this is not because I am not willing (I would if I could) but because Apple discontinued supporting the armv6 CPU. I have no chance to send an update to apple that still supports this CPU.

I have now still some work to do with the next update as I wanted to complete the implementation of a few changes and additions but most of the work, especially most of the heavy work, has been done.

So please stay tuned and many thanks again for your great support!

Kind regards,

Marcus

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As I am currently working on the next update for Electronic Toolbox pro, I would like to add and use some features of the upcoming iOS 6 and I also like to support the new larger screen of the iPhone 5.

In order to do so, I may have to drop backward compatibility.

Please help to understand you better for my decision by using the survey on the following page:

survey

Thank you in advance.

Marcus

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A new data update V 1.16 is available

This new data update includes the following changes:

• SI-Unitsadded to tables
• SMD Metric and Imperial Size codes(such as 0402,0805 etc) added
• About 60 different Toroid types added including specification and Al value (Soon, there will also be a separate tool to calculate coils with Toroids)
• Glossarywas updated
• Displayport and Mini-DisplayportSocket added
• Thunderboldadded
• 28 Fiber Adapters and Connectors with their specifications added
• Some translations corrected
• Some wrong terms corrected

I have some more data available to update but that requires the new app version I am currently working on. Hopefully I will get my iPhone 5 next week so I can perform final tests with the new app version. It is already working on the simulator but I like to perform a physical test.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you have difficulties to update (either the app on the app store or the data update from inside the app), please contact me. I promise to help as there is no reason why one of those updates should not work. I can’t repeat often enough, if you just write a review, I can’t help.

 

PLEASE ALSO NOTE:

As it was complained that my app contains too many European traits, I would love to know where this is the case. I tried my best to create an international app but my main focus is and will be the US. So if there is something contained that is not feasible for the US, please somebody let me know and I promise to change that.

 

Thanks again for your support.

Kind regards, Marcus

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