Roadside America App for iPhone
Frequently Asked Questions
Update to App v1.6. New capabilities and bug fixes!
- Application Purchase
- Initial Set-Up
- Network Connection
- Regions
- Entire US Access
- Near Me
- Finding and Exploring Attractions: Maps, Research Places
- Been There
- Saving Attractions
- History View
- Missing Attractions
- Tourist Interruptus
- Sunset Alert
- Submitting Tips About Places
- Sharing, Facebook & Twitter
- iPod touch
- Troubleshooting:
1. APPLICATION PURCHASE
Q. What does the App cost cover?
A. The basic app as purchased in the iTunes App Store includes the purchase of ONE region that you choose (out of 7 regions) when first launching the app. You will continue to have access to that region.
Q. How do I unlock more than one region?
A. You can buy and unlock up to 6 more regions as in-app purchases (tap More, then tap All Access). If you anticipate unlocking more than 3 regions, it's economical to buy All Access, which unlocks all regions.
Q. What is the All Access upgrade?
A. By selecting this additional in-app purchase, you unlock the contents for the remaining regions, which includes all 50 States (+ DC) and Canada. The additional cost is $5.99.
Note: We eliminated subscriptions for access in November 2011.
Q. How do I give the App to a friend as gift? Can I gift a Region or All Access?
A. In iTunes, you can buy the basic app as a gift (in the App Store, select the arrow next to the App price and select "Gift This App."). If your gift recipient already has the App, don't gift it to them again. iTunes as it currently works will simply download any gift app again, even if already owned (we've described the problem to Apple and hope it is resolved soon). iTunes also can't gift in-app purchases, such as Regions or All Access. To gift additional regions or All Access, send the gift recipient an iTunes gift card with equivalent cash -- then the recipient adds it to his/her account before making the in-app purchase.
2. INITIAL SET-UP
Q. Do I need a network connection when I first run the app?
A. Yes, so that the application can retrieve information from RoadsideAmerica.com. The app needs at least WiFi access to locate you.
Q. Why am I choosing one (1) Region?
A. As described in the iTunes App Store, the app you purchased comes with access to any one of seven regions in the United States and Canada. You choose which region. Most users choose the region they live in or travel in most frequently. You can purchase additional regions, or all regions. First choose your 1-Region on the Welcome screen. You can purchase more regions or All Access at any time by tapping the More tab, then US Access. (Note: You must have a network connection.)
Q. I have an iPad and an iPhone. Will the App run on both simultaneously?
A. Yes. The basic 1-region version of the App easily transfers when you sync with iTunes with the same account.
Q. When I launch the App on a new or second device, it asks me to register a region again. Is this okay to do?
A. Yes. You can register a region on the second device. The region is permanent, so we strongly recommend choosing the same region as on your original device to avoid syncing conflicts. Please make sure all of your devices are running the latest version of iOS and the latest version of the Roadside America App.
3. NETWORK CONNECTION
Q. Do I always need a network connection to run the app?
A. The app will perform best, with all functionality, when you are in 3G or wifi network range. It should work on the EDGE network as well, though might be slower in retrieving data. The app retrieves attraction text and images live from the RoadsideAmerica.com servers, to ensure you have the most up-to-date info. If you SAVE attractions while connected to a network, that info will stay in the app when you're offline or in a dead zone.
Q. Do the maps work without a network connection?
A. The maps are provided via Google Maps, so they won't work without a connection to the Google map server. With this in mind, we've included text addresses and directions (where available) to most attractions. In a pinch you can simply follow these, just like the good old 1990s!
4. REGIONS
Q. Can I buy more than one Region?
Yes, you can make a la carte purchases of additional regions. To see your choices, tap More, then tap All Access. With the App 1.5 (and later) update, users need a free RoadsideAmerica.com User account to purchase additional regions. To get a free user account, tap More, then tap Account.
Q. Can I change from 1-Region access to another Region?
A. If you've already locked in a "home" Region on your device, you can't change it. Reinstalling won't change the Region you selected on your device. You can purchase an additional region. To see your choices, tap More, then tap All Access.
Q. Does my original 1-region access expire?
A. No. The original region you selected will continue to work and retrieve the attraction data for that region from RoadsideAmerica.com. We'll keep updating that data for at least a year (we've been updating our info online since 1996).
5. ALL ACCESS
Q. How do I change my access from 1-Region to All Access?
A. In the lower right corner of the screen, tap More, then All Access.
Q. Do I need a RoadsideAmerica.com User Account for All Access?
A. With the App 1.5 (and later), users need a free RoadsideAmerica.com User account to purchase and unlock All Access. To get a free user account, tap More, then tap Account.
6. NEAR ME
Q. Why is "Near Me" not showing an updated list of places near where I am now?
A. To conserve battery power, we ping for location only when the user requests it, usually in Near Me and map views. However, you can get a fix on position and nearby attractions in the Near Me list view by reloading in any of 3 ways: 1) In Near Me, tap the arrowhead button at top left; 2) in list view, pull down the list, 3) shake the device gently until you see the reload wheel.
In App v1.6, we added the ability for a user to set a location in Near Me temporarily, that is... not-near-me. It's useful to explore ahead by tap-and-holding on the map, or by searching for a specific distant city, address or postal code. Tapping the arrowhead will get you back to a list and map centered on your actual location.
If that doesn't do the trick -- and places from a distant trip still linger on the Near Me view -- try completely quitting the App. Exit the App, then double-tap the iPhone Home button. Find the App icon along the bottom of the screen and hold down on it with your thumb -- a red minus symbol appears. Tap on that to quit the App. Now relaunch the App and shake-reload the Near Me view.
Q: Why is Near Me only showing attractions that are far away, in another region?
A: If you are outside of your original 1-region you selected and have not unlocked the region you are in, you're seeing places that are closest in your selected region, probably clumped along the region border. This will also occur if you are outside of the United States and Canada.
Q: On my device, why is Near Me showing incorrect distances for attractions I know are really closer?
A: This is a rare issue, and is not caused by the app. It might happen if you recently moved your wifi router from another town/state, etc., or bought or received a router from someone far away. Apple™ uses a service called SkyHook which provides them with a database of WiFi locations around the country (they drive by your house and sniff the router ID). If you moved and SkyHook hasn't driven by your new location, they may still have your router listed in the old place.
You can verify this is the issue one more way: If you have a neighbor whose WiFi you can use with your touch -- (restart your device, enter the app, then shake and reload in the Near Me tab) -- and suddenly you see attractions close by, it's the router info in SkyHook, which you can easily fix by requesting the change:
http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php
7. FINDING AND EXPLORING ATTRACTIONS
Q. How do I find attractions and oddities in the app?
A. Depending on what info you already know, you can:
- In Near Me map view, tap-and-hold on the map to temporarily drop a pin and see what attractions are near it.
- Use Search and search by name of the attraction;
- Browse via the "Cities" tab to drill down from states to cities with attractions near them.
- Search for specific attractions near a city (Cities > state > city). Place your thumb on the list and gently pull down to reveal a search field.
- Browse via the "Themes" tab, about 70 categories for the entire US created by RoadsideAmerica.com editors of both expected and unexpected groupings of attractions (Animals, Crime, Utopia, Wild West, Weather....)
Q. Where are the Maps showing attractions?
A. With App 1.5 (and later), you can easily flip to a map view of any list by tapping the map icon in the upper right corner. From the map view you can tap on other nearby attraction pins, or step through them with the up/down arrows. Note: from the List View, the topmost item visible in the list view is the pin that displays with a callout on the map.
Q. What are Research Attractions?
A. They're offbeat places we think have potential. But we may not have visited in person yet, or haven't received a coherent tip. You may be the first! It's an exciting chance to explore and find nuggets of comedy and wonder before the stampede. Please write at least 3-4 descriptive sentences on the place (we won't convert Research attractions to Active attractions with only photos).
Research Attractions display a "RESEARCH" background watermark in the Detail View.
8. BEEN THERE
Q. How does Been There work?
A. On any Detail page about a particular attraction, there's a check box labeled "Been There." Mark if it's a place you've visited in person on any trip in the past -- as a kid, recently, etc. The list of places marked is available by tapping the More tab, then tapping Been There. You can also see Been There places marked with a green-check pushpin in map views.
Q. What can I do with the Been There once I've checked off a bunch of places?
A. If you go to the More tab then tap Been There, you'll see that all your places can be viewed in an "All" list in the order you checked them, or broken out into state-by-state lists. We'll have more organizing capabilities in the future.
9. SAVING ATTRACTIONS
Q. Why should I "Save" attractions?
A. On a Detail page about an attraction, there's a Save button. If you save an attraction, info about it will be kept in your device instead of just on the network. So if you're taking a trip where connections might be spotty, you should save a bunch of places in advance. Save up to 300 attractions. You can always review what you've saved in the More view, under Saved.
Q. How do I remove attractions from my Save view?
A. You can remove places when you're done with them: in the Detail view, by tapping to un-highlight the Save icon; in the Saved view, by clicking EDIT, or by swiping your thumb right-to-left on the item to reveal the red DELETE button. Active attractions will continue to be available from our servers, and you can always save it again.
10. HISTORY VIEW
Q. Does the History view save everything I've looked at in the app?
A. The History view keeps a list of any attraction Detail views you have looked at recently. This can be helpful if you forgot to save a place for offline use -- it may still be in the History. History is a rolling list, so older stuff will be eventually deleted to minimize the buildup of data on your device. To see the History list, tap More, tap History.
11. MISSING ATTRACTIONS
Q. Why can't I find an attraction I know I've read about on RoadsideAmerica.com?
A. A few possibilities:
- The attraction has not been mapped because it is mediocre in our opinion, moves around, or the location info is too vague.
- The attraction is closed or gone, and has been removed from the mobile attractions.
- The attraction name or town it's listed under has changed -- so it might be in the app but harder to find.
For the mobile app, we've cleaned out the dead wood and places that didn't merit inclusion. Check the website if you really want to dive into a vague lead, and let us know what you discover.
12. TOURIST INTERRUPTUS
Q. I set a Tourist Interruptus, so why didn't it alert me?
A. In version 1.3 and earlier, this feature relies on having a network connection so that it can appear on your phone even when you're not in the app. It's called a Push Notification. If you're out of range at the chosen alert time, the alert may come in when you regain a network connection. If the network is available, then it's possible you have opted to not allow Notifications. Go into the Settings App, tap, Notifications (this should be ON). In Notifications, tap "Roadside" make sure Sounds and Alerts are both set to ON. Go back to the App and try a 1 minute Interruptus alert (it should occur in 1-2 minutes).
In version 1.5 and later, a network connection in no longer needed.
Q. The Tourist Interruptus I set didn't "interrupt" me out loud, just a message on screen. What gives?
A. You must remember to have your phone set to ring out loud, or you won't hear the signature ring tone of your chosen Interrupter.
13. SUNSET ALERT
Q. Will this warn me when the sun is going down?
A. Yes! And you can set it to warn you in advance, and it will calculate the local sunset time based on your location. We found this useful when we plan to see outdoor sights at the end of the day, and want to arrive while it is still light enough. If it's cloudy, though, it's not as useful.
In version 1.5 and later, a network connection in no longer needed.
Q. The Sunset Alert didn't alert me out loud, just a message on screen. What gives?
A. You must remember to have your phone set to ring out loud, or you won't hear the orchestral doom sting of approaching night.
14. SUBMITTING TIPS ABOUT PLACES
Q. Can I suggest adding a new attraction or oddity I discover?
A. Yes! Submit oddball places for consideration. Tap More, and then tap Submit Tip. First make sure we don't already have it, by doing a search or checking in the Cities tab. We don't add everything submitted -- you can get a sense of what might qualify by looking at Themes and what we already cover. Think: unusual, weird, funny, over-the-top, or inexplicable! Here are more detailed tip guidelines.
Q. What if I want to suggest a place that's not in my 1-Region, and I don't have All Access?
A. C'mon, sign up for All Access! Yes, with 1-Region Access you can submit a tip about anywhere. Tap More, and then tap Submit Tip. We may already have it listed. You can check the RoadsideAmerica.com web site.
Q. Can I snap a photo directly within the app?
A. Yes! Just select "Submit Tip," then "Add Photo," then "Take Photo." The app will open a camera view and you can snap away. Send us the best shot or two.
Q. I shot some good photos earlier, and I also have some from my other digital camera. Can I submit those?
A. Yes! Photos you shot earlier on the iPhone should still be in your Photo app. Just select "Submit Tip," then "Add Photo," then "Choose Existing Photo." Photos from other cameras need to first be placed in your iTunes or iPhoto on your home computer, and synced onto your iPhone. Then you can get to them by tapping "Choose Existing Photo." Make sure they are your photos, and please don't submit photos taken by others or from websites you don't own.
Q: How many photos can I submit?
A. You can submit up to five (5) per tip for us to consider for adding to RoadsideAmerica.com (and the App). Keep in mind that if you have a slow connection, the photos may take a while to upload, but the progress bar will show you how long it's taking. Don't exit the app before the upload bar is complete!
Q. How come the tip I just sent about an Attraction isn't displaying in the App yet?
A. A RoadsideAmerica.com editor reviews any tip to determine whether it will be added to the Attraction database. If the information and/or images you submit meet our criteria, the tip may be added. Tips that provide new info on a place are more likely to be added than those repeating prior postings, or just checking in.
15. SHARING VIA E-MAIL, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Q. How can I tell a friend about an tourist attraction discovered in the app?
A. The easiest way is via the Share button on the lower navigation bar of any attraction Detail View. You can "Send an Email," or "Post to Twitter" or "Post to Facebook."
- Send an Email - A simple email with a photo thumbnail and a link to a web page about the attraction. You can add your own message.
- Post to Twitter - You can log in to your Twitter account and send a link to a web page about the attraction.
- Post to Facebook - You can log in to your Facebook account and send a link to a web page about the attraction.
16. IPOD TOUCH
Q. What doesn't work on an iPod touch that works on an iPhone?
A. The app is compatible with any iOS device running OS 4.1 or higher. The app was tested extensively to assure it would be useful on the iPod touch. Depending on your particular device, certain app features, certain app features designed for the iPhone are not available. Also be aware that the iPod touch is not going to be able to search our database when it's out of its permitted wifi range. iPod touch users on the road tell us they Save places in advance of a trip or each night, and refer to that info when not connected. When in a new wifi area, pull-to-refresh the Near Me view to see what is nearby.
17. TROUBLESHOOTING
First Time Opening Application
Q. When I try to open the app the first time, it says: "Connecting to iTunes Store" but it never connects..
Make sure you first open the app while you have an active internet connection that is not behind a proxy/firewall (such as might be in place at a school or company). If that isn't the problem, then you might try the following:
Go into the Settings App, tap Store, and sign out of your iTunes account. Shut down the device (press and hold the power button). Turn on the device (press and hold). Re-run the app.
More: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1368
Purchasing a single Region or All Access
Q. I tried to purchase a new region or All Access to unlock everything, but still only see what I already had.
A. There are two possibilities, both easily addressed:
1. Didn't Complete Purchasing: You created and activated a new RoadsideAmerica user account but didn't complete the entire purchase process. Once you have an account, return to the App to make the purchase (go to More, then All Access, then Unlock Selected or Unlock All, from there log in to your RoadsideAmerica.com account if you haven't yet. Log into your iTunes account to confirm so the actual payment transaction will occur.).
2. App Needs an Invigorating Complete Quit: You succeeded in the purchase and iTunes confirmation, but the App is still only listing the regions you already had. To flush out the old settings, try completely quitting the App. Exit the App, then double-tap the iPhone Home button. Find the App along the bottom of the screen and hold down on it with your thumb -- a red minus symbol appears. Tap on that to quit the App. Now relaunch the App and you should see all the states listed under Cities.
Q. I tried to purchase a new region or All Access and I get a message that says it can't connect to the App Store.
First, make sure you attempt the purchase while you have an active internet connection that is not behind a proxy/firewall (such as might be in place at a school or company). If that isn't the problem, then you might try the following:
Go into the Settings App, tap Store, and sign out of your iTunes account. Shut down the device (press and hold the power button). Turn on the device (press and hold). Re-run the app and try the purchase again. Login with the same iTunes account used to purchase the app.
More: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1368
Q. When I try to purchase a region or All Access and confirm, the screen mentions I must own the App and won't purchase.
A. If you have more than one iTunes account, you may have switched between them since when you bought the App and when you tried to purchase to US Access. Go into the Settings App, tap Store, and see what account is logged in. Sign out, then sign back in with the account that was used to purchase the App.
If you are trying to purchase or restore a region or All Access, and see this alert: "You Can't Purchase This - You must purchase the app that this item is for before you can purchase this item" -- it's the same issue. You bought the App with a different iTunes account, and at some point you changed to a different iTunes account. You can verify this by looking at your iTunes purchase history and you won't find the App purchase. If you sign into iTunes (via Settings, then Store) using the original, correct account you will see it listed in the Purchase History for that account. Now you can make the US Access purchase in the App. After you make the purchase, you can sign out of the iTunes account.
Q. When I try to purchase a region or All Access and confirm, the screen mentions a "test account" and "Sandbox" and won't upgrade.
A. This issue has occurred on jail-broken phones, and is not a bug in the App -- it's an issue with Apple's in-app purchasing on a device modified outside of what Apple supports. We can't condone workarounds, but we understand there are a couple of web videos you might find offering guidance on the sandbox error for in-app purchase.
Q. When I try to purchase a region or All Access it won't let me.
A. If your parents or significant other have implemented Restrictions or Parental Controls on your device, they have prevented you from making any in-app purchase. Don't blame us -- talk to Mom and/or Dad! If you're using an employer-owned phone with Restrictions on in-app purchases, then you will not be able to buy regions or All Access -- talk to your employer about allowing you to make the in app purchase.
User Account
Q. I signed up for an account, but never received the account activation email. What do I do now?
A. The account activation mail should reach you within a few minutes. First, check your spam folder to see if the Activation mail ended up there. If not, then it is possible you mistyped the email address in the sign-up form, or your ISP is not recognizing it as a valid email. Use our mobile support web contact, provide your username and a working email address. We'll activate your account and let you know.
You might not hear from us if: 1) your ISP responds that your mailbox is full; or 2) your ISP (example: aol.com) blocked our mail, and doesn't send us bounces. Please email us a phone number and alternate email address. If all else fails and you need to hit the road, create a new account with a different user name and different email. Let us know and we'll delete the unused account.
Q. I have an account, but can't remember my password. How can I reset the password?
A. You can request a password reset. Go to http://www.roadsideamerica.com/forgot and provide your username and email address used to sign up for the account. A confirmation for password reset will be sent to that email address for you to approve.
If you purchased US Access before July 17, 2010, there's a good chance you don't remember your user name because you don't have an account! We didn't require user accounts until that date. It's not a problem -- you can sign up for a free account now (tap More, Account).
Version 1.2 to 1.3: US Access - Lost, Restoration
Q. I paid for US Access, recently switched to an upgraded phone or got a replacement phone, and iTunes didn't transfer my US Access.
A. The original device with which you purchased US Access is where that Access resides, and In-App Purchases like this may not all be transferred by iTunes when you upgrade to a new phone.
First, on your devices, update to the latest version of the App (1.5.1 and higher). Launch the App. If you don't get prompted that US Access is upgraded to All Access, tap More, then All Access, tap the red Restore button, and login to your RoadsideAmerica.com Account.
US Access purchased over 1 year ago has expired. If you would like to purchase All Access, tap More, then All Access, then Unlock All.
Here is more detail on the procedure for restoring US Access.
Version 1.2 to 1.3: US Access - Use on Multiple Devices
Q. I paid for US Access on my iPhone, but I want it to work on my iPad too. How do I make it work?
A. Your original device where US Access was purchased is where the US Access is still available, and In-App Purchases are not all transferred by iTunes. In Roadside America App 1.2 through 1.3, you can restore your Access (and also share that access with other qualified Apple devices on your account).
In iTunes, update your original device to the latest App version (1.5.1 or higher), and then go to More, then Account and sign up for a free RoadsideAmerica.com Account (if you don't already have one). Follow the instructions for linking your US Access purchase to your RoadsideAmerica.com account. Upgrade your other device to the latest App version (1.5.1 or higher), launch the App, tap More, then All Access, tap the red Restore button, and login to that same RoadsideAmerica.com account (you should only have ONE account even if you have multiple devices). This will enable All Access.
Version 1.2 to 1.3: Notification Services
Q. What is a Notification Service? I am getting the prompt: "No Notification Services / [Sunset Alert | Tourist Interruptus] requires Notification support."
A. The "Notification Service" is how Apple allows us to send a message to an iPhone that will appear "outside" our App. When you first launched the Roadside America App, it asked you to allow Notifications. If you declined at that time, then you might get the message you describe. You can easily change that by going into the iPhone's Settings App (gray icon with gears) and choosing Notifications and setting it to "On" overall, and also "On" for Roadside America Alerts and Sounds.
If you upgrade the App to the latest version (1.5 or higher), Sunset Alert and Tourist Interruptus work without Notification Services.
Location Services
Q. When I first got the App, I said "No" when it asked to locate me. Now I can't get the App to show me places or ask me for location again. Error message reads: "Sorry! location permission needed here for the app to do its thing."
A. On iOS 4 (or higher), first double-tap the Home button, find the Roadside app, and tap-and-hold it. When it wiggles, tap the minus sign. (It doesn't delete it from there. It just force quits it.) After that, tap Home once. Go to the iPhone's Settings App (gray icon with gears), then Location Services, then Roadside, and change it to ON.
For iPhones using the older OS 3, go to Settings, then Reset, then Reset Location Warnings. That resets 'em for all iPhone apps, unfortunately, but it does the job. The app should then ask again.
If you have additional questions about the Roadside America App for iPhone, send us a note. We can't promise an individual response but will continue to add to the FAQs to help users!
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