Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the current release status of BrewTinker? When will it be on the App Store?
A: BrewTinker is currently preparing for its second App Store review submission and is not yet publicly live on the App Store. This site provides details on core workflows, data schemas, and design philosophy. Once approved, it will be available on the iOS App Store for devices running iOS 17+.
Q: Why is there no cloud sync or user account system?
A: Coffee brewing data is personal, experimental craft data. A local-first architecture offers unmatched benefits:
- Instant Performance: Opens immediately with zero spinner wheels or network latency.
- Absolute Privacy: All logs, recipes, and notes reside solely in your on-device Core Data store.
- Perpetual Resilience: Works seamlessly in off-grid cabins or airplane mode; your data is never at risk of server sunsetting.
Q: How do I backup, migrate, and restore my data?
A: From the Log tab, you can export anytime:
- JSON Backup: Full lossless structured backup preserving recipes, timings, and time-series points, which can be re-imported anytime.
- CSV Export: Clean spreadsheet format (one row per cup) ready for Excel, Numbers, R, or Python data science pipelines.
- Plain TXT: Legible text summary for quick notes or messaging.
(Note: Inconsistent and fragile PDF export has been removed to guarantee data integrity.)
Q: Which Bluetooth devices are supported? Can I use the app without Bluetooth?
A:
- Supported Hardware: Compatible standard BLE scales (live weight) and thermometers (water temperature).
- Algorithm Boundary: Flow-rate curves are derived locally from timestamped weight sequences; we never falsely claim direct sensor flow streams.
- Bluetooth is Optional: Manual logging is deeply optimized with fast pickers and presets, offering an equally fluid experience.
Q: Where is the Settings menu?
A: To keep the primary brewing surface focused, Settings is not a bottom tab. It is conveniently placed in the top-right corner of the Home screen, housing grinder/dripper profiles, BLE pairing, Pro status, and legal disclosures.
Q: What is the pricing model for BrewTinker Pro?
A: BrewTinker is designed with a sustainable, non-coercive monetization model:
- Core brewing, timer, logging, experiments, Brew Again diffs, and all export formats are 100% free with zero ads.
- BrewTinker Pro is an optional one-time lifetime purchase (no subscriptions) handled via Apple StoreKit, unlocking Home Screen Widgets, Shortcuts, and multiple grinder/dripper profiles.
Q: What languages and iOS versions are supported?
A:
- Requirements: iOS 17.0 or later.
- Localizations: Fully localized in English, 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 日本語 (Japanese), 한국어 (Korean), and Deutsch (German).
Q: How can I reach developer support?
A: Please email [email protected] for inquiries or feedback.