delleps

The iPhone app got a major 4.5 release on Tuesday, July 5. It was followed up by another minor release on Monday, July 11. The WP7 app is getting is assurances that they are working on something and promise to communicate better. Progress? Hmm... I'd like to hear some genuine communications with remediation details, dates (even if they're estimates). Just saying...

<rant> I used the previous version of the app on my Samsung Focus and it was dead-on accurate until I upgraded thru Marketplace to the current version. Its accuracy took a nose dive and has gradually become more and more unusable. The map on the initial Quick Search jumps all over the region and has become useless for "quick" search. The app now issues a message that there was an error processing my request and try again later. Groundspeak needs to issue a refund or some sort of compensation for a release disaster to everyone who has paid for this app. Also, more communication other than "we're working on it" is in order. Groundspeak needs to get a maintenance release out to get this app back up and running NOW and work on the feature list afterwards. I'm extremely disappointed in Groundspeak at this time. </rant>

There are a couple of issues I have found with this latest release (2.2). First, the initial location from which to search when powering up the app no longer is accurate. In the previous version, it was dead-on accurate and tapping the overhead view produced accurate close-proximity caches. It now requires me to wait until the location updates with a more accurate bead or I manually reset the search coordinates. This is a real usability drag. Second, I noticed this today when I logged two finds from the field. Upon my return home I went to Search with Google Maps on the Hide or seek a geocache page and noticed the two recent finds showed as regular cache icons instead of smileys. My Pocket Query, however shows the two caches as "found" but some tag isn't getting set properly until I edit the log from my PC browser. Immediately after resubmitting the log the smiley icon correctly shows for the two caches. How's that for an edge case? The WP7 I'm using is the Samsung Focus.