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Release Notes (Message Center) - August 19, 2015


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Read previous Release Notes

 

Release Notes - August 19, 2015

 

When we launched Message Center, we promised we’d keep improving it based on your feedback… So here’s the first step:

 


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  • Raised character count limit to 4000 characters
  • Added validation to TB and GC codes in messages (meaning random codes will no longer automatically hyperlink)
  • TB names now pre-populate when contacting trackable owners

Don’t see your request in this list? Don’t worry! This is just the first of many improvements we’ll be making to the Message Center. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.

 

And of course, this is all in addition to the usual bug extermination, which included fixing a particularly ornery bug that had previously caused geocachers to submit logs with incorrect dates.

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When will the Mess. Center become a part of the Paid App?
According to previous announcements, it won't. Instead, they're adding functionality to the free app (some of it available only to premium members) until the paid app is completely obsolete.
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From the Help Center: Why is Message Center Not Available in the Paid Geocaching App?

We've made the decision to direct our app development resources toward the Geocaching Intro app to create an introductory geocaching experience on mobile that can be unlocked into a full geocaching experience with Premium membership. This decision was made in response to the many requests from our players to include a full geocaching mobile experience with Premium membership.
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From the Help Center: Why is Message Center Not Available in the Paid Geocaching App?

We've made the decision to direct our app development resources toward the Geocaching Intro app to create an introductory geocaching experience on mobile that can be unlocked into a full geocaching experience with Premium membership. This decision was made in response to the many requests from our players to include a full geocaching mobile experience with Premium membership.

Isn't it strange that since a couple of updates the (Android-)Free App now prominently invites the user to buy the "full-featured" app? Nice strategy to build solid trust in Groundspeak :rolleyes:

Edited by Hynz
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it's also annoying that, as a premium member, it still puts the "intro" orange banner across the app icon.

nice that Groundspeak are still happy to take money for the paid app even though it's "end of life" and is not longer treated as "current".

classic bait and switch me thinks.

 

I'm not sure you know what "bait and switch" means.

 

The paid app still has features that are not available in the Intro app - chiefly offline lists and trackables. Until very recently, the cache types were also extremely limited in the Intro app.

 

I have the Intro and the paid apps on my phone, but rarely open the Intro app since it doesn't offer offline caching or trackables. Therefore, the $10 I paid for the "full-featured" app is still very worth it to me.

 

I agree it can be confusing to have them both out there at once. Especially when we're promoting Message Center, which is only available in the Intro. But until the Intro app is truly full-featured (and then loses the Intro label), it's the situation we're in.

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you're getting people (and directing them to do so) to pay for an app that Groundspeak have openly admitted that is no longer in development and it being replaced by a free app with premium member add-ons.

 

The fact that it's no longer in development does not change the fact that the paid app still has features that the Intro app does not have. Don't want those features? Then don't pay for the paid app.

 

I could see your point if we were selling a paid app alongside a full-featured free app. But that's not what's happening.

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We've made the decision to direct our app development resources toward the Geocaching Intro app to create an introductory geocaching experience on mobile that can be unlocked into a full geocaching experience with Premium membership. This decision was made in response to the many requests from our players to include a full geocaching mobile experience with Premium membership.

 

How do we interpret this "full geocaching experience" then? Will it continue to be not as full an experience as the paid app?

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How do we interpret this "full geocaching experience" then? Will it continue to be not as full an experience as the paid app?

 

When it's all said and done, what is now the Intro app will be the only Geocaching app. With all cache types, Message Center, offline caching, trackables, etc. Therefore, it will be a more full experience than the current paid app.

 

But the free app isn't to that point yet, which is why they will both continue to be available for the time being.

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How do we interpret this "full geocaching experience" then? Will it continue to be not as full an experience as the paid app?

 

When it's all said and done, what is now the Intro app will be the only Geocaching app. With all cache types, Message Center, offline caching, trackables, etc. Therefore, it will be a more full experience than the current paid app.

 

But the free app isn't to that point yet, which is why they will both continue to be available for the time being.

 

Thank you for a succinct response.

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Going from 2 Groundspeak apps to 1 app that provides bonus content to Premium Members will get rid of a great deal of confusion for app users.

 

However, if the paid app is no longer being updated and will be phased out yet is still on the market for a fee that seems very questionable business ethics unless those buying the paid app are going to be compensated ($10 worth of premium membership?)

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Going from 2 Groundspeak apps to 1 app that provides bonus content to Premium Members will get rid of a great deal of confusion for app users.

 

However, if the paid app is no longer being updated and will be phased out yet is still on the market for a fee that seems very questionable business ethics unless those buying the paid app are going to be compensated ($10 worth of premium membership?)

Those 10$ worth of premium membership seem to be a dream to me.

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How do we interpret this "full geocaching experience" then? Will it continue to be not as full an experience as the paid app?

 

When it's all said and done, what is now the Intro app will be the only Geocaching app. With all cache types, Message Center, offline caching, trackables, etc. Therefore, it will be a more full experience than the current paid app.

 

But the free app isn't to that point yet, which is why they will both continue to be available for the time being.

Does that mean that the current paid app will still be able to be used - i.e. for searches and the like - but just won't be updated? Or will it be effectively taken off line in terms of connecting to any databases?

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