Deliveries app pivots; adds subscription model and Dark Mode

Yesterday, the developers at Junecloud updated its Deliveries app on iOS and iPadOS.

The newly updated app is now in version 9.0 and comes with the following new features, according to the notes from Junecloud:

• A fresh look: We’ve touched up every detail to make it easier to keep track of your shipments. Dark mode is included, and support for all text sizes is improved.
• Subscriptions: Try Deliveries for a month to see if it works for you, or subscribe yearly for a significant discount. One subscription gives you access to Deliveries on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. If you previously purchased the app, you’ll still get most features for no extra charge. Learn more at juncld.com/subs
• Tracking history: For most services, the full history is shown in the app, and it’s archived with the delivery if you ever need to look it up.
• Easier to add deliveries: It’s faster to add new shipments, with improved suggestions, and an “import” option to add multiple shipments from popular sites.
• Drag and drop: Rest your finger then drag to reorder deliveries. On iPad, drop emails, links, or text onto the app to add shipments. You can also drag deliveries to other apps, like Files or Safari.
• Multiple selection: Tap and drag with two fingers to select, then archive or share several items at once. You can also use the select button to select items one at a time. If you accidentally delete something, swipe left with three fingers to undo, shake your device, or press ⌘Z on an external keyboard.
• Sync: Both iCloud and Junecloud are faster and more reliable. You can also use both, for the benefits of iCloud without missing out on Junecloud features like “Mail to Deliveries” and web access.
• Export: Save a complete backup of your active and archived items. Tap the gear icon, tap “Manage Your Data”, then “Export Deliveries”. You’ll get a single file with everything, so it’s easy to share or re-import later.
• Placeholders: Previously labeled “Other”, placeholders now include buttons to quickly edit them or mark them as delivered.
• Dates: The year is now shown for dates further away. On the details screen, tap on a countdown like “delivered in 5 days” to see the actual date.
• Item name suggestions: Type a few letters and Deliveries will suggest previous item names.
• Help with mistakes: As you enter information, small mistakes like extra spaces are cleaned up automatically. If you try to save a delivery with an invalid tracking number, the app will let you know, so you can fix the typo or choose a different service.
• Archived items: They’re no longer dimmed out, so they’re easier to read. You can also edit item names without restoring.
• Source details: Deliveries added through email or Safari now include information about where they came from. Tap to open the email or web page.
• Sorting: Your manual sort order now syncs with iCloud.
• Siri Shortcuts: The “check on a delivery” shortcut can now be used conversationally to check any of your active deliveries. In the Shortcuts app, the “Add a Delivery” action now accepts input, and most actions output information about your packages.
• Improved keyboard support: Use the arrow keys to select a delivery, or to select a suggestion when adding a new delivery.
• Quick Look: Exported files can be previewed in Spotlight or the Files app.
• Clipboard detection: Like before, Deliveries can automatically detect tracking numbers on your clipboard so you can add them easily. If you prefer, there is now an option to turn this feature off.
• The “Add to Deliveries” extension has moved””look for the color icon in the Share sheet.
• Data Matrix barcodes are now supported. These are sometimes used for Amazon return codes, for example.
• Many other improvements to performance and reliability.
• Note: iOS 13 or later is required.

Although the app did receive a lot of new features in its update, one feature missing is widget support for iOS 14.

The Mac version of the app was also updated with most of the same new features from the iPhone and iPad apps, but designed for macOS computers.

There are new features in its Apple Watch app too:

• A fresh look: See more information at a glance.
• The Siri watch face will remind you of upcoming deliveries.
• iCloud sync keeps your deliveries up to date even if you’re away from your phone.
• Syncing with iPhone is faster and more reliable.
• Note: watchOS 6 or later is required.

After a one-month free trial of the app, users will have to pay either 99 cents a month or $4.99 per year.

Those who have already purchased the app within the last 18 months are getting a complimentary subscription to the app that will last until February 1, 2021.

However, there have already been people on Twitter who have voiced their discontent with the new subscription-based model, including Appleosophy’s very own Brahm Shank.

Subscription fatigue is real pic.twitter.com/n9AytHFiV6

— Brahm Shank (@brahmshank) September 30, 2020

Another Twitter user said this:

I'm actually a little sad Deliveries is going to a subscription model.

— (da)kota//Kæt – a Consolidated Bobcat ⏺️ (@dakotathekat) September 30, 2020

To view the rest of the release notes from Junecloud on the newest version of Deliveries, click here.

What are your thoughts on the updated Deliveries app? Will you be subscribing to its new subscription-based model? Let us know on Twitter at @appleosophy.