* We now have a new set of beautiful Topo maps available directly in the app.
* You can queue [...]]]> Just in time for the New Year, we managed to get an update in before Apple shut things down for the year. This update includes several fixes and a couple of new goodies:

* We now have a new set of beautiful Topo maps available directly in the app.
* You can queue up multiple downloads at one time (this is great if you’re looking to batch a bunch of chart areas for a long trip or multiple trips).
* Map download progress is now indicated by a % complete and progress on the saved screen
* The app now makes sure you have all of your downloaded map tiles – this triggers whenever the app is updated, and you can also manually activate it via Settings
* The location blue dot will now show on the Satellite Map, even without activating Locate Me
* Map data will no longer sync to iCloud (a big savings) – we implemented Apple’s no-backup feature that went live in iOS 5.01
* Fixed the bug where the map would zoom improperly when you activated Details view fro a POI on the map

And that should hold us for the next few weeks. As always, please keep your comments and suggestions coming by visiting our UserVoice page.

http://www.boats.com/blog/2011/12/earthnc-31-cell-phone-or-chart-plotter/

To do this, fire [...]]]> A little known feature in Marine Charts app is the ability to quickly share a route or a waypoint with a friend. We know this works when sending it to friends that have the EarthNC Marine Charts app, but it should work for any app that can ingest GPX files.

To do this, fire up your EarthNC Marine Charts app and go into “Saved” and click on any of your saved routes and waypoints. Once there, click on the action button (the square in the top right) and select “Export Track” and you’ll be brought to the iPhone Mail app. Once there, put in “upload@earthnc.com” in the “To field and then add your friend’s email address (the one they use on their iPhone / iPad).

When your friend receives the email, they simply click on the attachment and that will bring up the waypoint or route. Presto. We’ve attached some of the operative screen shots below:

For reasons so far unknown, with their iOS 5.0 update, Apple has changed how app data is stored and its important to know how to manage this process. The long story short is that Apple will now start deleting the “cache” when the dynamic storage area is full (this is where we, and dozens [...]]]> Folks,

For reasons so far unknown, with their iOS 5.0 update, Apple has changed how app data is stored and its important to know how to manage this process. The long story short is that Apple will now start deleting the “cache” when the dynamic storage area is full (this is where we, and dozens of other app vendors, store data such as downloaded maps). What Apple recommends / insists on is that App vendors now store data in the “Documents” folder – and this is what we’ve done in our latest update (now available via iTunes).

So far, so good…right? Well, yes and no. The problem with storing data in the Documents folder is that because Documents is backed up automatically if you use their iCloud storage service, it could really slow down the back up process via iTunes.

So here is what we recommend: IF you’ve upgraded to iOS 5.0 and IF you’re using the iCould storage service, “deactivate” EarthNC’s Marine Charts from the list of data sources to be backed up. By doing this, your iTunes back-up will not suffer due to backing up large chart files, but you do run the risk of having to re-download chart areas if for some reason, you lose your documents (in which case, while rare, you have a much larger problem on your hands).

Below are some screen shots showing you the step-by-step process for doing this.

Good luck and please let us know if you have any questions by sending us a note here.

- The EarthNC Team

1. Go to Settings and select “iCloud”

1

2. Select “Storage and Back-up”

3. Select “Manage Storage”

4. Select your iPhone (in the example, the iPhone name is “EFB’s iPad”

5. Scroll to “Charts” and make sure “”Off” is selected.

…and that’s it. That should ensure that you’re not backing up the large Marine charts files.

- Tap on Waypoints/POI’s – More Options for direct ‘Guide To’ option right from the map
- Memory/performance fixes for all versions – even faster than v2.6!
- Distance Measuring Tool with support for multiple legs
- [...]]]> We just posted the latest Android update to the Android Market. The update includes:

- Tap on Waypoints/POI’s – More Options for direct ‘Guide To’ option right from the map
- Memory/performance fixes for all versions – even faster than v2.6!
- Distance Measuring Tool with support for multiple legs
- Built-in file viewer for Track Import
- Import Waypoints via GPX
- Increased tile limit for chart downloads to 30K
- Save to SD Card fix

We’re always looking for feedback. Click here to let us know about a product idea or to submit a support request.

- The EarthNC Team