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Tasks screen - Keep track of downloading, processing and sharing

  • Dec 6, 2018
  • 2 min read

Brief explanation:

Tasks panel allows you to see progress in your downloads, time estimation for active actions, and completed requests, such as Save to Camera Roll, Share (so as Stitch Panorama, Create Quickshot video and so on).


Tasks (items in the queue) are PAUSING whenever you pull the USB cable or turn off DJI drone or Osmo. However, items are automatically resuming once the connection is re-established with the same device and the same micro SD.


Illustration 1. Tasks Panel in the action

Let's get deep into Tasks:


Download and processing of media from DJI device is not ultra-fast. Also, we allow downloading while you are continuing to organize footage or while an app is working in the background. That's why we developed a special panel where you can keep track of all your requests. As soon as you start downloading photos or videos - the app immediately creates the task and places it on this screen.


You can access panel with the Tasks at any time just pulling Tasks tag, located on the right side of the screen. The tag itself displays current progress and estimation of the remaining tasks.


Tasks are divided into sections presenting DJI device or devices (if you link multiple). Each section contains device name, connection status, battery level and actual progress with the estimation. Also, you can open a context menu for the section and cancel tasks (or remove completed tasks).


Note: "Storage" section is used when you perform Share actions for media items already transferred to App Storage.


Tasks are auto resumable and if you want to finish download later or swap battery, or connect another DJI device - once you establish link again - Tasks will resume from the point they've been stopped (at this point, we hope you are impressed :)). Moreover, they are running even if you minimize Sync for DJI - the app maintains the connection with the drone/Osmo while there are things to download. You'll be guided with push notifications about milestones or changes in the downloading queue. For the best asynchronous results, we use Location service (read more about it here).

Protip: download multiple media items from DJI device using Multiselect Mode. In this case, selected files will be combined into one task.


Each task has context actions once it is completed. Use swipe to the left on item row (iOS) or long tap on a row (Android). You can Share to other apps or hide task.


Note: Successful tasks (if they do not require further action) will be erased from the list after the next launch of an app.


Estimation of the remaining time:


Starting with iOS 12.1 - we use prediction algorithms altogether with machine learning to estimate how much time is required for pending Tasks. We also calculate how much battery will be drained. You'll see a warning icon on Tasks tag in case of such a situation. Estimation is unique to each DJI device and mobile device you use for synchronization and requires some time for the calibration.


iOS 12 - Beta issues

  • Jul 16, 2018
  • 1 min read

Updated: Jul 17, 2018

[For those who as we installed latest Apple's OS this summer]

The iOS 12 beta is live for developers and the general public via the Beta Software Program. The first three betas deliver a suite of new features and enhancements, but they’re also causing problems for those testing the software ahead of the official release in the fall.


The fact that iOS 12 beta is causing problems should come as no surprise. This is pre-release software, and the point of the beta is to weed out these problems before the software is released to millions of iPhone and iPad users around the world.


As developers of Sync for DJI, we observe that one of the declared improvements – better battery and background management – are not smooth now. Moreover, wast of complains around the world are linked with this reform. At the time of writing this article(iOS 12 Beta 2 - mid of July 2018), we experience more often crashes of underneath low-level framework that implements connection with your DJI device. This happens mainly when you often switch between apps in the background. However, when you restart the application – all pending downloads are resuming from the same position automatically, as always in Sync for DJI. Sorry, for the inconvenience it might cause.


Workaround: Please, do not overuse multitasking in iOS 12 while it's in beta stage.

As we approach the update’s release in the fall, we expect the beta to become more stable than it is right now and background work of Sync for DJI becomes same or better as on iOS 11.


[This article is a subject to change later]


Sync for DJI is using your location services while tasks are in progress

  • Jun 8, 2018
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 16, 2018


Illustrative 3D map

Why iOS restricts app work in the background?

As we know, iOS is more restricted OS than Android. And when the user is not actively using some app, the system moves it to the background state. For many apps, the background state is just a brief stop on the way to the app being suspended. Suspending apps is a way of improving battery life it also allows the system to devote important system resources to the new foreground app that has drawn the user’s attention.


I know few apps which work in the background. How they do that?

In iOS 7 Apple introduces the new feature «Background App Refresh» that allows third-party apps go out and pull new messages, status updates, and more from the Internet or other sources, even while they’re not actively running on the screen.

When iOS app developers it necessary to keep their apps running in the background, iOS helps do so efficiently and without draining system resources or the user’s battery. It is allowed for apps which use such features as:

– Background app refresh - takes up very little battery and CPU, and is used primarily by news/weather/social media/mail apps to update your feed so that when you open the app it won't be entirely out of date.

– Audio, Voice over IP, Bluetooth Communications - for apps like What’s app for calls or for Pebble to deliver notifications on smartwatches even if the main app is in the background

– Newsstand downloads, remote notifications - any app (like The New York Times app) that needs to display notifications generated outside the app (for example, breaking news notifications), can stay awake in the background to receive such "remote" notifications

– Location Updates - apps like Facebook, Find Friends, and others use this to update location-related information, though other apps can use it to surreptitiously use it to do tasks in the background (but only if you specifically allow them to access your location).



Sync for DJI indicates you that the app use Location Service


So why Sync for DJI uses Location Updates?

Since the first version of Sync for DJI, we were positioning the app with Background support. But our first customers know that up to v1.2 Sync for DJI was allowed work in the background just up to 3 minutes. We know, such time is not enough to download 4 minutes HD footage. So we were starting looking for other ways to increase this time. From the fourth options above - most stable way to keep app active is using Location service. So we started using it. And since v1.2 Sync for DJI uses your Location Services when you minimize the app. Don’t worry. We don’t save or keep your location info. Sync for DJI just asks the system and open something like a channel for the app to be active even in the background. Afer all tasks are finished Sync for DJI automatically stop using location services and the blue strip above disappears.



Sync for DJI using your Location services only while you using the app.


If you still don't allow Sync for DJI use your location services - enable this option immediately from app Main Menu → Settings → Location Service and you will be able to work or use other apps while your beautiful sunsets photos are downloading in the background.



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