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Moving entries from one device to another in Chronicle

It's possible to move entries written on one device in Chronicle to another device using the backup and import feature.  This lets you write things on your iPhone and later transfer them to your iPad, for example.

There are two ways to move the entries: one is by using iTunes File Sharing, and the other is by using Dropbox.

One way: Using iTunes File Sharing

When you connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer you can open the iTunes application on your computer and browse the contents of the Chronicle folder.  If you've created any .backup files, you can see them (and save them to your computer).

Here's how you would move some entries from your iPhone to your iPad using iTunes File Sharing:

• Create a .backup file on your iPhone by tapping the settings gear and tapping "Backup and Import"
• Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes
• Browse Chronicle's folder on your iPhone using these steps (click to see steps)
• Save the .backup file to your PC or Mac
• Next, connect your iPad to your computer (you can disconnect your iPhone)
• Browse your iPad and view the Chronicle folder
• Drag-and-drop or add the .backup you saved in the step above to your iPad
• Next, open Chronicle on your iPad and tap the settings gear
• Tap "Backup and Import" and select the .backup you copied
• Tap the Import button

Put simply, you're copying the .backup file from your iPhone to your iPad and then importing it.

 

Another way: Using Dropbox

If you have Chronicle on your iPhone and iPad configured to use your Dropbox account you can easily move .backup files from one device to the other.  It's important to configure each app to use the same sub-folder of your Dropbox account (so both copies of the app "see" the same folder).  For example, you might have a Dropbox folder named 'chronicle' that both copies of the app are configured to use and store backups in.

• Create a .backup on your iPhone by tapping settings > "backup and import" > "backup"
• Grab your iPad and tap settings > "backup and import" > "import"
• The .backup file you created in the first step (from the iPhone) should appear in the listing on your iPad
• Tap to select the appropriate .backup file and then tap "Import"

 

This is much easier to do because the app can handle moving the .backup to and from each device via Dropbox.  When your copy of Chronicle is configured to use Dropbox, every .backup file you create is automatically uploaded to Dropbox.  Likewise, when you browse for .backup files to import on your device, you see ones that are present physically on your device as well as any that are in your Dropbox folder.  The app is able to download the files from Dropbox without you having to do anything.

Chronicle in the Sunday Times 500 Best Apps

I can't actually see the list the Sunday Times compiled, but I've
heard from a couple customers that found Chronicle while browsing the listing.

Subscribers received a large pull-out section of apps spread across a couple weeks.

Thanks for letting me know, Bev!

Chronicle for iPad - Top 10 apps

I check App Store rankings far less than I used to, but it was nice to
find Chronicle for iPad in the Top 10 Paid Apps list today. In recent
weeks many household names have been showing up in the store. It's
neat to be up there with Oprah, The Food Network, Martha Stewart, and
Esquire!

Thanks for your help.

Create backups of your writing

Apple recently approved the latest updates to Chapters and Chronicle for iPad.  These releases have a few noticeable improvements and fixes but the focus of my efforts was on letting you create backups of everything you've written.

After you create a backup file within the app, you can copy it to your computer and keep it as safe as you want.

If you ever lose your iPad or experience some data loss you can simply import the backup file.  Your photos will be there, in the same spot you last saw them, along with everything you wrote.

This same feature will be available for the iPhone version in a few days (most likely).

The three apps were designed to play well with each other, so there's no reason you couldn't write on your iPhone and import those backup files onto your iPad (or do the reverse).  

You could also import your entire Chronicle journal into Chapters.    

I'm curious to hear any feedback you have regarding this feature.  It was a substantial effort.

Update 9/21/10 - All updates approved; you can move your writing around between your devices.

iPhone journal writing prompts

My iPhone journal app, Chronicle, will be available at the App Store within the next few hours.  It's a great way to write, wherever you may be.  You can always export your journal to Google Docs (then print it, save it as a PDF, share it, etc). 

Some may opt to fill the pages with events as they happen.  If your days aren't as eventful as you might hope, you can still practice writing by using writing prompts.  A prompt is suggestion.  Pick from a list of topics and write. 

Some to think about:

• A superpower I'd like to have is...
• The thing I liked most about my childhood...
• One thing I'd like to change about the place I work is...
• The thing I want to improve about myself is...
• In five years I want to be ...
• The proudest day of my life was when ...
• The best date I ever had was ...
• The most embarrassing moment in my life...
• In an apocalyptic future I'd run off to the woods (or city) because...
• The best way to study something is to ...
• If you could live in another century, it'd be ...
• The next place I'll travel will be...
• A time people admired me was ...
• Have you seen a ghost or alien?  Tell me about it...
• You have one year to live.  What do you do?
• You sold your business for $5M.  What would you do next?
• What's your favorite movie?  What do you like about it?
• A historical event you'd like to witness is...
• Your favorite memory of your parents
• Your favorite experience with your spouse

Feel free to leave more in the comments.  Try writing with Chronicle on your iPhone or iPod Touch.