We are proud to announce a new big release of "Alloy - Launcher and Automator". This release introduces unique Breakpoint task and powerful Data Inspector, which can drastically simplify workflow's debugging. Other major new features include support of Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, location bound actions, Spotlight Search, improved 3D Touch Quick Actions, Apple Music etc.

 

Here is detailed list of new features, improvements and fixes:


Breakpoints

Alloy now includes a new kind of Task - Breakpoint task. This task suspends execution of a workflow and allows to check and inspect some data for debugging purposes. When hitting a breakpoint it is possible to inspect some data, show informative message or log data of interest. By default, this task inspects input contents. A Breakpoint can be added as any other task; there is also a  dedicated button in the New Task Chooser. To make debugging even more convenient it is possible to mute some breakpoints having no data to inspect or use conditional breakpoints to suspend workflow only when conditions of interest are met.


      


Workflow Editor now includes new breakpoint-related buttons:  button to remove all breakpoints and  button to mute all breakpoints.




Data Inspector

Alloy now includes powerful ability to inspect any data using Data Inspector. It supports inspecting all kinds of data used in Alloy including ability to dig in to arrays and dictionaries. Data Inspector is usually shown when hitting a breakpoint to inspect certain data of interest. It is also possible to inspect workflow result and action output arguments right in the Workflow Editor by taping the  button.


    


Data Inspector allows changing how the data to inspect should be previewed by taping the  button. When Data Inspector is called from a breakpoint it also includes two more buttons:  button to mute a breakpoint till the end of workflow (when the breakpoint is inside of a loop) and  button to resume workflow.


  


Apple Music

Alloy now includes greatly enhanced tasks that works with Apple Music. Now it is possible to query for artists, albums and songs, get currently playing song, control playback etc. There are also two new actions: 

 ∙ "Media Shortcut" action to allow making shortcuts to artist, album, playlist etc.

 ∙ "Control Playback" action

    


Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive

Alloy now supports Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive for Cloud Upload and Download tasks. It is also possible to use any available Cloud services for backup/restore.


  



Spotlight Search

Alloy now fully supports Spotlight search to simplify actions discovery.



Location Bound Actions

Alloy now supports geofencing by allowing to launch some actions when entering/leaving certain locations.

    


Improved 3D Touch Quick Actions

Quick Actions now are rendered with proper icons for actions having Custom Action Icons and App Action Icons for apps supported by Alloy out-of-the-box.


Improved "Action Editor | Options"

 Alloy now includes better organized "Action Editor | Options" view. It includes new "Version and Author" view; "Action Icon Decorations" moved to its own dedicated view. The "Action Icon Decorations" view is now accessible via the  button in the "Action Icon Editor".

    


Improved Editor

Alloy introduces new and more convenient list editor for Action's "Output Arguments", "Variables" for "Set Variables" task and "Arguments" for "Launch Action" task.



Other New Features and Improvements

- Improved "Edit List" task to better support different data types

- Added "Shuffle Mode" to "Play Media Items" task

- Added ability to turn OFF prompt to launch scheduled actions

- Added @anyObject property to Array

- Added ability to copy, disable/enable tasks using swipe gesture

- Minor features and fixes



Here are Some Helpful Links:

- App Preview Video: https://youtu.be/VVrWK93qiq8
- How to Design Action Video: https://youtu.be/BmWhLdnCSzw
- Alloy Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/1IeGBy0
- Alloy Integration Guide: http://bit.ly/1RRrrt7