I'm currently looking for beta testers for the iPad version of Decked Builder. If you are interested, just send the UDID of your iPad to deckedbuilder@gmail.com. 

While the iPad version of Decked Builder does not have any new features compared to the iPhone version, much time and effort has been taken to optimize a single search/deck screen on the iPad. This means with the iPad version, you only need to work with a single screen to build a deck, instead of moving between multiple different views on the iPhone version. You can find screenshots, as well as further details of joining the beta test at

http://deckedbuilder.weebly.com/ipad.html

Hi all,


For power users of Decked Builder, I have published the .dec file format that it uses to import and export decks. It's a really simple file format originally designed to allow easy copy and pasting of deck listings on the Internet.

You can check it out here.

Decked Builder Lite launched at the beginning of October 2010 without much fanfare or advertising. Thanks to your support, we have crossed over 4500 downloads today, and are still growing faster every day.

You can look forward to more additions to this app in the coming new year (more card art, and new versions for the Mac and iPad are just the start). 

For those who have contributed their time in helping to beta test the app, or with your invaluable feedback, suggestions and requests for additions, I only have this to say: Decked Builder as a product would not be in it's state today without you. Keep those suggestions coming!

And remember, if you like the app, do tell your friends about it :)

It has been my privilege to serve the awesome iPhone MTG community. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all! 

- Tan Thor Jen

Hi all,

I think we have nailed down the long startup times for v1.4. If you have existing image caches from v1.3, the app will try to migrate them to a new format for downloading HD card art on starting the app. As such, you may see a blank screen for a longer than usual time. 

Please be patient, and it should eventually start up. This will only happen the first time you start Decked Builder after the upgrade.

If you continue to experience problems, please send an email to deckedbuilder@gmail.com. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Hi all,

If you are having trouble starting up v1.4 for the first time (seeing a blank screen), just wait for a bit. It seems to take a little longer starting it up the first time after updating for some reason. 

Rebooting sometimes helps as well, from what I have heard. Sorry for the incovenience.

Hi all,

I had submitted both the Lite and full version of Decked Builder 1.4 for Apple's approval at the same time. The Lite version was approved in record time over the weekend, kudos to Apple! The full version has not been approved yet, please wait for it -- it should be out soon.

Please note that I'm still reviewing the bandwidth utilization of HD card art (each card is almost 200k in size at the moment), and as such, it is only available for Magic 2011, Zendikar and Scars of Mirrodin block for now -- will add the rest once I get more data.

Thanks for the support, and keep those feedback and suggestions coming to deckedbuilder@gmail.com.

Note: I've been getting reports that the apps require iOS 4.2. I'll see if it's possible to support iOS 4.1 in the upcoming days.

Hi all,

v1.4 is now undergoing beta testing for release, thanks to all beta testers who have signed up! If no new issues are found, I hope to release it to Apple, and it should be available in time for the new year. Here is the final change list:

• All new multi-threaded card art download engine: card art is now downloaded in the background with multiple threads, leading to quicker and more responsive downloads
• Initial support for high-definition card art is available, for Magic 2011, Scars of Mirrodin and Zendikar block cards only. Marvel at the clarity! Card scans are courtesy of the CCGHQ team at slightlymagic.net.
• Zoom in on a card by pinching the card with both fingers outwards
  
• View card text by rotating the card with both fingers in opposite directions (takes a little practice)
  
• Search cards by "And" mana type, e.g. Red And Black mana
  
• Search by Standard or Extended card sets
  
• Internal deck format has changed to Apprentice format
  
• Import decks from email, or by dragging/dropping from iTunes
  
• Simple deck statistics can now be accessed from the deck card count view
  

One of the most requested features I get is support for the Retina display. The next release of Decked Builder, version 1.4, will be adding preliminary support for HD card images. Unfortunately, I do not have an iPhone 4 for testing (stuck with a 3GS). 


If anyone is willing to help beta test the next version of the app, just send an email to deckedbuilder@gmail.com. Thanks!

One of the requests I get most often is support for the iPhone 4 retina display and higher quality card art. In order to do so, a source for high quality card art had to be found. The artwork are courtesy of the CCGHQ team at slightlymagic.net (great job guys!). 

See for yourself the differences below. If you are viewing this blog entry in Decked Builder, you will need to click on the link at the top of the page to view the original article in Safari, which will display the images belows.

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