Geocaching iPhone App Wishlist

April 23, 2016

As someone who exclusively uses her iPhone to geocache, I have to say that there have been some great improvements to the app lately, and I appreciate that Groundspeak is working on making the experience better.

During all of the changes, I've been thinking about the features that would make the app PERFECT (at least for me), and I'd welcome any additions to my "Iphone App Wishlist". This is not me whining, I know the app is a work in progress.

1. Add/remove caches to lists - love the recent addition enabling looking at lists, but its a pain that I can't edit the list in the field.

2. Map lists - I'd love to be able to see all of the caches on my list in map form.

3. Needs Maintenance log - right now I can only log a found, dnf, or note - but a needs maintenance would be super handy!

4. Favorite points - I know others have said this as well, but I hate having to remember to come back to the site to award favorite points.

5. Attributes - another well-voiced frustration on these forums. It's worth repeating!

6. You're getting close - can we disable it? Disable the sound? Nothing like trying to be in "stealth mode" and having that loud sound announce your presence to everyone around you

This is by no means an exhaustive list - but these features would give us less dependency on the website while out in the field, which would be incredibly helpful. Thanks Groundspeak!

April 26, 2016

Every single one of these.

April 28, 2016

Everything you've mentioned, plus...

7) Field Notes - I use these for every single log, so without having them available I still can't even use the app for my regular day-to-day caching

8) Archived/Disabled Caches - There needs to at least be a way to search for these on the app. I understand keeping them off the default search and map, but you should still be able to bring them up by searching the GC Code like you could in the old app.

4.1k · April 30, 2016

If I were to switch to the Groundspeak app, I would want to see these features as well:

1. Import gpx files from other sources.

2. Export cache list as a gpx file - very handy if I want to transfer files to my dedicated gpsr while in the field.

3. Link to offline routing apps, such as Navigon, Here, or Pocket Earth directly from the cache page.

4. In-app ignore function (in case I want to temporarily hide a cache to or change my mind and want to stop ignoring in the field)

5. Edit cache page, including description or coordinates.

6. View page source.

7. Coordinate projection.

8. Ability to merge, filter, and edit lists

May 6, 2016

I agree with all of jens985 ideas plus adding coordinate projection and deleting Messages in the app.

#Allie

May 19, 2016

I'd like to see the maps in the new app improved. The maps in the old PAID geocaching were infinitely superior especially for urban caching. For example, if you look to navigate to a cache in Central Park, NYC in the paid app, you see the trails that lead through the park. But they aren't on the map to the new geocaching app. This is going to be devastating when Groundspeak stops supporting the paid app. In addition, you can't zoom in as close on the new app. I don't understand how something as basic as the maps took such a huge regressive step as Groundspeak is seeking to evolve the app.

June 11, 2016

Where are my Souvenirs?

I miss being able to view the souvenirs I have earned. This was possible in the older app -

@Groundspeak: Is this in your backlog of pending enhancements to the new app?

July 25, 2016

For all the reasons above and all the reasons in many other threads, I have to say that I'm deeply disappointed in Groundspeak.

The new app is terrible. It's flat-out terrible. It was released "not ready for prime time." With so many features obviously missing and so many features implemented poorly, Groundspeak's pushing us to migrate to the new app is unconscionable.

On top of that, closing access to the API to prevent third parties from building better applications makes it clear that Groundspeak wants strangle-hold control over the game. This is the absolute opposite of the "open" movement common in the software industry today. Instead, this is proprietary, protectionist, and anti-competetive.

TL;DR: Groundspeak pushing members onto a terrible application and preventing anyone else from making better ones is dirty pool.

7.7k · July 25, 2016

On top of that, closing access to the API to prevent third parties from building better applications makes it clear that Groundspeak wants strangle-hold control over the game. This is the absolute opposite of the "open" movement common in the software industry today. Instead, this is proprietary, protectionist, and anti-competetive.

1. While they aren't currently accepting new API partners, that hasn't always been the case. There are quite a number of apps on both the iOS and Android platforms that are using the API, and some are very highly-regarded and widely preferred over the official apps.

2. Groundspeak is under no obligation to follow the "open" movement. If they feel it's in their best interest to keep the API proprietary and closed to new partners, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to.

As for the rest of your post, I wholeheartedly agree. I think there must have been some technical or legal reason that forced Groundspeak to prematurely kill off the old app and roll out this unfinished one, and they aren't at liberty to tell us the reason why.

July 25, 2016

Field notes

field notes

field notes.

If I do a drive by.

If I do a series of 60.

I want to log these when I have time at home.

Field notes encourage thought and care.

Lack of them encourage 'found it' 'tftc' or even forgotten finds.

July 27, 2016

On top of that, closing access to the API to prevent third parties from building better applications makes it clear that Groundspeak wants strangle-hold control over the game. This is the absolute opposite of the "open" movement common in the software industry today. Instead, this is proprietary, protectionist, and anti-competetive.

1. While they aren't currently accepting new API partners, that hasn't always been the case. There are quite a number of apps on both the iOS and Android platforms that are using the API, and some are very highly-regarded and widely preferred over the official apps.

2. Groundspeak is under no obligation to follow the "open" movement. If they feel it's in their best interest to keep the API proprietary and closed to new partners, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to.

As for the rest of your post, I wholeheartedly agree. I think there must have been some technical or legal reason that forced Groundspeak to prematurely kill off the old app and roll out this unfinished one, and they aren't at liberty to tell us the reason why.

While I think you're irrationally forgiving with them as to "why," I agree there's no law requiring Groundspeak to be anything other that closed, proprietary, and anti-competetive.

At this they excel.

July 27, 2016

On top of that, closing access to the API to prevent third parties from building better applications makes it clear that Groundspeak wants strangle-hold control over the game. This is the absolute opposite of the "open" movement common in the software industry today. Instead, this is proprietary, protectionist, and anti-competetive.

1. While they aren't currently accepting new API partners, that hasn't always been the case. There are quite a number of apps on both the iOS and Android platforms that are using the API, and some are very highly-regarded and widely preferred over the official apps.

2. Groundspeak is under no obligation to follow the "open" movement. If they feel it's in their best interest to keep the API proprietary and closed to new partners, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to.

As for the rest of your post, I wholeheartedly agree. I think there must have been some technical or legal reason that forced Groundspeak to prematurely kill off the old app and roll out this unfinished one, and they aren't at liberty to tell us the reason why.

While I think you're irrationally forgiving with them as to "why," I agree there's no law requiring Groundspeak to be anything other that closed, proprietary, and anti-competetive.

At this they excel.

What's anti competitive about them not allowing other businesses access to their system? Is their data on their equipment.

I'd consist being anti competitive as actively discouraging or harming other geocaching services.

7.7k · July 27, 2016

I think there must have been some technical or legal reason that forced Groundspeak to prematurely kill off the old app and roll out this unfinished one, and they aren't at liberty to tell us the reason why.

While I think you're irrationally forgiving with them as to "why,"...

I don't think I'm being irrational at all. I just don't see how anyone in any universe could consider the way they did things to be a good business move. Unless something has gotten into the water (or maybe the air?) at GSHQ, I believe the Lackeys are intelligent enough to understand this and that there must be some other reason why they had to do things in such an illogical fashion. An embarrassing technical reason (e.g. they lost the source code due to poor backups) or a legal reason (e.g. some kind of lawsuit that they aren't allowed to publically discuss) could explain why not a single peep has made it out to the public about why things went down the way they did.

August 2, 2016

Apple CarPlay is my wish.

August 7, 2016

Hi all, first post to this forum...

I've just upgraded from an iPod to my nephew's "old" iPhone 4, which runs iOS7. Both have the 30-pin plug and I use a Bad Elf GPSr, which is brilliant.

Is there a way of getting the old Groundspeak classic app? The new Groundspeak app won't download, as it says I need iOS8, but it doesn't offer old versions like other apps do in the App Store.

At this point I'm thinking I'm screwed - I can't go geocaching at all. Surely other people run iOS7 still?

Skogpingvin (Bill)

September 19, 2016

- Field Notes

- Route to Arrow/Icon -> Apple Maps, Google Maps, Navigon

2.8k · September 19, 2016

- Field Notes

- Route to Arrow/Icon -> Apple Maps, Google Maps, Navigon

Not to sound like a broken record and there certainly can be supported added to the free GC.com app, you get what you want and more in the current Cachly app. I was frustrated with the free app in a few areas including how it displayed the original coords for a solved puzzle cache and Cachly handles it well. I wouldn't pay for something that I could get for free, but if you cache enough, the rather insignificant $5 is well worth it.

You can see some highlights from a recent presentation -

Again - no problem waiting and hoping but at the velocity we're all currently seeing change with the GC.com app, it might be a very long while.

September 22, 2016

Thanks so much for pointing out the Cachly app. When I recently got a new iPhone, for some reason it wouldn't run the classic app when I transferred it from my old one. I couldn't find updates for it so I downloaded the new app. When I tried to use it I wanted to cry. It is virtually useless for the type of high terrain caching I like to do. So I was stuck using my old iPhone 4. Cachly seems to address just about every deficiency in the new Groundspeak app and it's very easy to use. The map support alone is well worth the $5.

September 26, 2016

Did anyone from Groundspeak reply to this? Try riding a bike and have the " getting close" pop up at every cache on a 365 cache trail..

jens985

Premium Member

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Joined:01-January 11

Posted 23 April 2016 - 05:19 AM