iOS Archaeology - A Platform Study
Purpose
Bloom and Bloom HD (to-date) have strictly been developed for iOS and can only be obtained via iTunes and the App Store. The original Bloom app debuted in late 2008 on the first generation iPhone and has been updated for every subsequent generation of iPhone and iPod Touch.The Bloom app for iPhone/iPod Touch received an upgrade in 2010 as a Bloom 2.0 version. When the first generation of iPad was released, Bloom HD for iPad was developed and has recently been optimized for iPad Pro.
Below are a set of version history records that can provide insight into the platform-specific dependencies which had bearing on the app's development and evolution. Screenshots of the app on various generations of iOS devices are provided.
Early versions of the Bloom app are no longer available in the App Store but would still be usable on relevant generations of devices so long as they were not upgraded to a more recent version of iOS--the app itself does not require a remote database connection. All graphics, sounds and app data are device-contained.
"I've been a huge fan of Apple products for a long time, and their timing in releasing the iPhone couldn't have been better. Bloom actually existed in some form before the iPhone SDK was announced - possibly before even the iPhone itself was announced. From the second we tried running the prototype, it was obvious that it really suited a touch screen. And Apple provided one!
The difficulty developers have faced with generative music to date has been the platform. Generative music typically requires a computer, and it's just not that enjoyable to sit at a computer and listen to music. The iPhone changed that - it was portable, powerful and designed to play music." ~ Peter Chilvers (Bloom App Developer)
Bloom Version History
The Bloom iOS app was released by Opal Limited in October 2008 and has received support on all iOS versions beginning with 2.1 This covers support for all iPhone (beginning with iPhone 1 (2G)) and iPod Touch (beginning with 2nd generation) devices. As of June 16th, 2017, the app requires iOS 9.0 or later.Version Examples
Bloom HD Version History
The Bloom HD iOS app was released by Opal Limited in May 2010 and has received support on all iOS versions beginning with 3.2. The app was optimized strictly for use with iPad (beginning with 1st generation). As of June 16th, 2017, the app requires iOS 8.0 or later.Version Examples
Recent & Future Developments
In early 2016, Peter Chilvers embarked on giving Bloom an interface overhaul (with the help of Brett J. Gilbert.) for iOS 8. Bloom HD on the iPad was given improved graphics.
As of Summer 2017, developments are still underway for porting Bloom to the Android platform. The developers encourage interested parties to sign up for news alerts at their Connect site.
Next >>
