OpenCPN for Android Beta test 4.1.818

[bdbcat]

Hello testers...

The 4.1.818 Beta Test release of OpenCPN for Android is available for download now.

http://bit.ly/1DZBqXl

Changelog:
38. Implement sound support, as per OCPN desktop.
39. Improve Bluetooth connection state machine reliability.
40. Various platform specific display problems resolved.
41. Various Dialog layouts improved.
42. Chart Downloader PlugIn is integrated and available.
43. Adjust Action Bar layout to eliminate persistent MOB icon.
44. Minimize default expert toolbar icon layout.

Release Notes:

The focus here is more tweaking and refinement of the UI.
Also, some platform specific display and operational bugs have been addressed.

The bigger news is the inclusion of Pavel's chart downloader PlugIn in OA.
Please exercise this feature aggressively. It is important to the new-user experience that this works, and works well. You will find it under Expert Settings->Charts.

There are still troubles with some platforms on file access permissions, especially with recent Android releases. Android security policies are generally the culprit. OA runs in clean user-space, and can do nothing beyond that which the system O/S will allow. Sometimes even rooting of the device is ineffective at fully opening the file system to user-space applications.

And then there are the seemingly arbitrary naming differences for accessible file system locations, differing by device and memory card configuration. OA uses the generic Android recommended methods to identify these locations, which is supposed to eliminate the platform dependencies at the application level. But sometimes they don't produce the expected results.

Specifically, when it comes to interfaces like GPS import/export and chart file locations, you may find that some experimentation may be necessary on your device to find some directory paths that will work reliably. OA does no filtering on this type of path specification, but simply passes your selection on to the underlying O/S. So if your selection does not work, try to find one that does, and let us know the details.

All this is not exactly an OA "problem" per-se. We could simply blame the device manufacturer, or the Google API. However, this is not exactly a satisfying response to frustrated users. But that is what we have to work with. Ultimately, we do need to develop some knowledge base of what works on which devices, and what does not, as we go forward.

FWIW, I have always found a workable solution on each of my zoo members, so I think it can always be configured to work properly with a little bit of thought.

As always, feedback is appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[Ptizef]

Hi Dave

Thanks For this new version

Unfortunately AO don't work at all.
Each time I start O I get this message "Unfortunately opencpn has stopped" and nothing else.
I can't find any folder named opencpn. The only one comes from 718 version and is dated from last time I used 718.

My device is Sony Z3 compact A 5.1.1

Jean Pierre

[rooiedirk]

Same here. "Unfortunally , OpenCPN has stopped"
device: medion lifetab with A4.2

An uninstall and install again, did help. And my charts are still visible.

[P_Walkabout]

Same message here: "Unfortunally , OpenCPN has stopped". But after erasing the OpenCPN folder which was left from the previous version 4.1.718 which I had desinstalled, this new version installed and started without problem.

[Ptizef]

OK
I had to :
First cancel the opencpn folder
Then uninstall
Then install
Then set the chart folders and parameters

Now seams to work fine. Tests can continue...

Thanks

Jean Pierre


Sent from my D5803 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[bcn]

Would be interesting to see somebody to test this Android 5.0 device:
http://download.p4c.philips.com/file...00_12_pss_.pdf

49" UHD (=4x HD resolution) screen, WiFi, RJ45 Ethernet, Storage expandable via USB....
Well, not really portable.

[SMOX]

The appli crashes ! (LENOVO A5500F)

Maybe I do not install it correctly ?

I copied on the external SD the 4.1.8 apk (in same directory as OA.4.1.7.apk)
I launched OA.4.1.8 and it asked me to "install" it : OK
then : [OPEN]
then : upside bar with only OA's icon
then: kaput ! scratch ! crash !
"The appli has quit"

[bdbcat]

Good morning testers...

The Beta upgrade crash issue relates to cache coherency on the Android libraries. We upgraded to Qt Version 5.5 for this Beta, and I think this is the problem.

Workaround: Uninstall any previous version before installing 4.1.818.
Your charts/configs will be retained.

This is not a serious problem, since it affects the highly resourceful Beta testers only.

Thanks
Dave

[rooiedirk]

Playing around a bit, and noticed that the virtual AtoN symbol is not drawn on screen. The associated text does show up however.
BaseStation also shows up.

[bcn]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

This is not a serious problem, since it affects the highly resourceful Beta testers only.

Thanks
Dave

AO 4.1.718 has been downloaded just 14.100 times...

[barnakiel]

a) Any chance wpts and / or routes upload via TCP on the horizon?

b) Any chance instruments data window to get implemented?

c) Google tiles from cache maybe, any chance next 12 months?

wireless mobility wireless mobility ;-)

Big THX!

b.

[bcn]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

a) Any chance wpts and / or routes upload via TCP on the horizon?

b.

Which APs have an Ethernet protocol (TCP) for uploading waypoints or routes?
Real question....

[bdbcat]

barnakeil...

Indeed. Is there any defined standard for this? Thinking out-loud, I suppose we could UDP broadcast NMEA sentences on demand. This would be one way to share W/Ps and Routes on a local net.

But are there TCP devices that are waiting for a connection over which NMEA waypoint sentences are expected?

Real questions...

Dave

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

barnakeil...

Indeed. Is there any defined standard for this? Thinking out-loud, I suppose we could UDP broadcast NMEA sentences on demand. This would be one way to share W/Ps and Routes on a local net.

But are there TCP devices that are waiting for a connection over which NMEA waypoint sentences are expected?

Real questions...

Dave

Yes. I only have questions, unfortunately.

Simrad GoFree seems to offer wpt upload from iThings: "... When using an iPad, you can view and control your Simrad NSS to change lighting levels, mark waypoints, set radar guard zones ..."

I do not know how it is done by Simrad.

I am working with an interface that multiplexes serial and network data. So my assumption was that if I could send wpts over the network part, this data would be forwarded to the serial ports. I assumed since e.g. AIS data is but a set of mobile waypoints, information from the mobile device could be sent using the same methods, in the opposite direction.

I could still upload wpts by wire (USB otg) BUT not on this specific device I have right now as it does not have otg. Hence my idea that the ability to wirelessly upload wpts would be a good thing to have.

PS TCP or UDP I can't say. I only said TCP as I am on TCP link right now. I can switch over to UDP probably quite easily.

b.

[HappySeagull]

Works for me on three devices/android versions.
Improvements Noted!
Still,
I am making a list,
So that nothing shall be missed...