Any word on new Android version of Sky Safari?

[MortonH]

Previous posts indicated that a new version may be released this month, hopefully with introductory pricing as they did with the iOS version.

Anyone heard anything?

[mithrandir]

There's a Yahoo group for Southern Stars. I haven't seen anything about the Android version for a couple of weeks, but IIRC they were still saying March-ish.

[mithrandir]

From SS Yahoo group this morning.

[multiweb]

If I bought SkySafari Plus on iPod can I transfer the licence to a Samsung Galaxy Tab3 android tablet or is it totally different?

[glend]

If you have purchased the Android version of Skysafari Plus it will be upgraded automatically via Google Store when released. The current Android release version is 1.8.5. The Android and Apple IOS version numbers are very different due to it being released first on IOS but from an operational point of view there is no difference.

[chappo]

No, not transferable.
Licencing is handled by Apple and Google, not Southern Stars.

[chappo]

Not quite correct.
Free updates are for minor upgrades.
The new V2 (?) for Android is a totally new program and will require a new licence.
Incidentally, the new version has just gone into public beta and Southern Stars are hoping for full release in about two weeks.

[coldknights]

They have on the yahoo users group that they want the first 20 respondents to beta test there new version For Android SKYSAFARI V 4

Hoping it will be on Google play within the next few weeks.

[MortonH]

Cool!!!!

[mithrandir]

From Bill this morning:

[coldknights]

Hi Andrew just downloading it now got the email this morning from the yahoo users group !
All 1.18 GB :eyepop:

[Amaranthus]

It's so big because it's got 25 million stars, down to mag 15! I like to have a little game at the eyepiece, trying to find stars in my FOV that aren't showing up in my simulated Skysafari view. Most are there...

[mithrandir]

We iOS users are used to SSPro being huge. :)

[MortonH]

Got it! Thanks.

[Shano592]

Do we need to remove v1.8.5 first?

[mithrandir]

No. They can co-exist if space is no problem.
You might hang out for a few days. There is an acknowledged problem with the '-' key not working.

[glend]

They should extend the pricing offer if it still has bugs. I think I will wait for some user reports before considering an upgrade, I find nothing wrong with 1.8.6 (or was it 5).
Will the old version continue to be supported?

[cookie1]

Thanks for the heads up. New version is great, works awesome on my nexus 7. I'm sure they will find bugs but that is to be expected. :thumbsup:

[mithrandir]

Glen, if you don't mind possibly having to downloading it twice, as long as you buy before April 21 you get the price. The bugs in the initial iOS version of v4 didn't get the intro extended. The '-' bug is more of an issue "down under" with most of the sky having negative declination.

[Shano592]

I doubt it would be a full download for each update ... only the base apk.

Wouldn't be more than 30MB or so.

Anyway, I bought the Pro version, and let it download overnight. Looks great, and seems a bit smoother than 1.8.5.

[mithrandir]

The Android version makes the app and the data two separate downloads. For iOS it is one, so every fix of Pro is another ~1GB download.

[MortonH]

I'm pretty happy with the new version. Some of the animations (e.g. zooming) seem to tax my Galaxy Tab 3 a bit, though!

[04Stefan07]

Bought it about an hour ago.

Thought I might as well get the Pro version since it's half price!

Pretty good, wish there was an upgrade option to owners of the previous version to get some sort of discount.

Thanks for the heads up!

[mithrandir]

Neither the Apple nor Google stores have any way to offer upgrade prices. Half price for everyone until April 21 seems a reasonable compromise.

[glend]

Of course they do, Google sends out version upgrades when they are released so they know exactly who has what. It would be very simple for them. But these guys are the new owners so maybe they don't care about upgraders on the old software - its a good way to get eveyone on their code and phase out the old version.

[mithrandir]

You might not care if programmers can afford food, clothing, transport and housing, but having been one for close to 40 years I found those necessary.
Upgrades are free if the author says the new release is to be made available as a free upgrade for an existing licensed version. Apple and Google have the very similar rules.
SS4 is not an upgrade of SS3 (iOS) or SS1.8.5 (Android). It is a new version.
There is no immediate plan to remove SS3 for iOS because that is the last version that will run on iOS 5. There will be no further work done on SS3.
IIRC Southern Stars was bought by Simulation Curriculum after SS4 for iOS was released.

[Shano592]

Glad I'm not a fanboi then!

It seems to be a really nice update. I note that the Android version is already 4.0.1.

If Simulation Curriculum keep updating as necessary, then I don't mind large updates ... that's what unlimited broadband is for!

Also, I was wondering what SC were up to. Starry Night has been dormant for a while.

[mithrandir]

SN7 is in beta testing

[Shano592]

Right, cool!

The only problem now, is that I have everything running off the Android, there may be no need for me to look that way.

Mind you, seeing the night sky on a 17" laptop screen beats a 10.1" screen any day of the week.

Still, this Android offering is very nice, and well worth the money that I dropped on it.

[julianh72]

I dunno - for controlling your telescope out in the field, I think using something like Sky Safari 4 Plus / Pro on an Android phone or tablet (or an iPhone or iPad), with a Bluetooth or WiFi controller to your telescope, beats lugging around a full-blown laptop / notebook!

[Shano592]

It certainly makes things quicker to setup!

Is there a way to set up a sky tour in SS4? Because that would be great for introducing newcomers to sights and wonders in the heavens.

[mithrandir]

You could make up an observing list. There are quite a few examples in the Y! Southern Stars files section, but most NH centric. Whether thy will import directly into the Android version I don't know.
I'll attach the Texas Star Party's skylist archive. (The version on their web site is not compatible with SS4.) Many of the objects are visible this far south.

[Shano592]

Hi Andrew.

Yes, I transferred my list from 1.8.5 to 4.0.1.

What I was suggesting was an actual tour, where you just Press NEXT onscreen, to go to the next item on the list.

I notice that the new version shows everything in my list as a blue circle on the map of the sky, so I can just click on it and goto. I was just thinking of something more orderly, for sidewalk astronomy, or an intro to newcomers.

[julianh72]

Create an "Observing List" of objects that you wish to see, and add as many targets as you want. On the observing night, hook up your Bluetooth / WiFi controller and connect to your tablet / phone, open the chosen Observing List, and then "GoTo" each item in turn.

I don't think there is the equivalent of a single "Next Target" button (nice idea - why not suggest it to the developers?), but the actual keystroke tap sequence (after you have connected to your telescope) is pretty simple:

1. "Search"
2. Choose Observing List
3. Choose next target
4. "Show Info"
5. "GoTo" (app changes to Sky View, and telescope should slew to the target)
6. "Info" (takes you back a screen so you can read about it on your device)
7. Repeat Steps 1. to 6. (Yes, a single "Next Target" button on the Sky View screen would be nice!)

You can also edit and share Observing Lists with other users, by emailing them, and then you can copy observing lists into or out of the SkySafari/Observing Lists folder on the root level of your SD card - see Item 20 on this FAQ link:
http://www.southernstars.com/support/faq/skysafari_android.html

Magic! :thumbsup:

[julianh72]

The Observing Lists you posted seem to be 100% compatible with the Android version 4.0.1.

[pmrid]

I downloaded it onto my 7" Tablet, got it set up the way I like it and then dropped the tablet face-down on the floor, smashing the glass and of course, rendering the darned thing useless. That lasted all of 20 minutes. Wow that was quick. I wonder if I can load it onto another Tablet.
Peter

[julianh72]

Bad luck with your tablet!

The good news is that you will be able to re-install it onto any Android phone or tablet which you can log into with your Google account. E.g. I have SkySafari 4 Plus installed on both my Nexus 4 phone, and my Nexus 7 tablet, with only a single purchase required. (Google app purchases are tied to your account, rather than to the device, and I think iOS purchases work similarly, but you can't transfer an Android purchase to an iOS device, or vice versa.)

If you suffer from "butter-fingers syndrome" (it can happen to anyone, especially at night, in cold weather, etc), you might consider buying a cheap Android tablet for outdoors use at night with your telescope, and keep your good phone / tablet safe and sound indoors - you'll be able to load SkySafari onto both devices.

(If you have a compatible GoTo telescope, you might also want to look at getting a Bluetooth telescope controller, so you can drive your scope from SkySafari on your tablet. :thumbsup: )

[julianh72]

I took my own advice, and sent an email to the developers suggesting exactly this! :)

They just responded:

Bill Tschumy, Mar 26 11:11:
Julian, thanks for the suggestion. A few others have made the same request. We will consider how to work this into a future release.

Bill Tschumy
SkySafari Developer

Maybe if a few more people make the same suggestion, we might see it in a future version?

[Shano592]

That would certainly be a great fixture.

[Amaranthus]

If you create an Observing List for your tour, and then select 'highlight objects' for that list, it will show up as an icon above your telescope control in the main planetarium screen (it looks like a little notepad). Click on this and it will instantly bring up your list. Then you can just select the next object, hit 'goto', and you basically get what you wanted.

[mithrandir]

I haven't tried it, but it looks like if you have an observing list highlighted you can tap on the circled objects and tap goto in the scope menu.

[julianh72]

I'm not seeing anything like that in my copy of SkySafari 4 Plus (Android).

See attached screenshot - I have sought a target from an Observation List, and set "Highlight Objects" from the List, but there is no icon for direct access of the list that I can see. However, with all of the List targets highlighted, I can tap on any target, get "Info", or choose "GoTo", so it's good enough for me!

I could be doing something wrong - or maybe that's a feature in the iOS version but not implemented in Android yet? (Or maybe it's in Pro but not Plus?)

I just got my Bluetooth telescope controller today (thanks Cathy!) - can't wait to try it out with my Dad's 8" LX90 next chance we get.

[mithrandir]

It could be that it isn't in Plus. I've only ever owned Pro. The iOS and Android versions are supposed to have the same features, except where the different hardware does not allow it.

[coldknights]

Hi Julian,


Glad to see our Bluetooth Adaptor is up and running on your Meade LX90
Can't wait to hear your short review on it in our for sale forum!
Cathy
:thumbsup:

[julianh72]

No, wait a minute - it's there after all!

There's a little blue "Notebook" icon which takes you straight to the List if one is selected with "Highlight Objects" , but it's hiding under the yellow "slider bar" for "Rate" when a telescope is connected - so it can't be accessed when you have a scope connected. :( (You can just make it out in my screen capture, if you know what you're looking for.)

Bug fix request sent to the developers.

[coldknights]

I can just see the little notebook you are talking about just above the rate slider near the middle in your screen capture !:thumbsup:

[mithrandir]

Can't you just tap on a circled object and goto it? If you tap the scope menu bar entry it should hide the scope controls without disconnecting. On iOS the rate bar is next to the Unlock button, not above that button bar, and does not hide the observing list icon.

[Amaranthus]

The Android interface does look different. (I'm using Pro iOS).

Okay, I can definitely see the notepad icon on your screenshot (it is light blue) - it is being mostly hidden by the yellow bar (my scope-speed slider is next to the lock button on scope control, so I don't have this issue). Perhaps try it again by minimizing the scope control pop up?

But if you can do it by clicking on the objects in the sky view, then that's a decent compromise.

[julianh72]

Now that I know the Observing List icon is there, hiding under the "Rate" slider bar, yes, I can work around it. However, it's a UI bug that should be fixed, so I've reported it to the developers.

Yes, you can tap on any target and "GoTo" it, as long as the Scope toolbar is visible, but you lose the quick access icon to the Observing List to browse through all the targets, with a bit of information on each to help you decide which one to choose next.

If you hide the Scope toolbar, so that you can access the Observing List icon, the telescope stays connected, but you lose the "GoTo" button. :(

It's a minor irritation, rather than a deal-breaker.

[AG Hybrid]

Just downloaded and installed SS 4. Beast!

I like the new UI. And the night mode correctly hides the home/back icons of the phone.

[mithrandir]

SS said an update for v4 will be out in a few days to fix the known Android issues. At least one of them applies to iOS so there will be an update for that too.

[Amaranthus]

Yep, I reported a problem with the comets search list that they are fixing for iOS too. Looks like we get both patches at once.

[julianh72]

I just got the 4.0.5 update - I'm not sure what changes were implemented, because there doesn't seem to be a change log that I can find, but the UI bug where the "Rate" slider bar overlies the Observation List icon when the Scope tools are active is still there.

:(

Maybe in 4.1?

[noeyedeer]

hi peoples,
just wondering if there is an option to turn on telrad circles for star hopping. I don't have a computerised scope but when you click on scope control it gives you circles.

is there a way to have them for normal viewing .. like skeye and mobile observatory?

I have the old version of sky safari pro, but I'm not going to upgrade if this feature is unavailable.

thanks
matt

[julianh72]

Yes, in SkySafari 4 Plus for Android (I'm not sure about the Basic version, or the iOS versions), you can customise the number and size of the FoV circles, and there is an option to "Show Even if Not Connected to Telescope" - if you check this option, you see the FoV and / or "Telrad" circles all the time in Sky View.

[noeyedeer]

oh sweet .. thanks Julian! Maybe an upgrade is on the charts then. yeah I'm using the android version so many thanks.

ah found the setting in my version .. thanks again!!

matt

[MrB]

Does anyone know how to deselect an object?
I had somehow got an animation of meteor showers but while scrolling accidentally selected a star and the meteor shower disappeared.
I'm assuming if I can somehow deselect, the animation will return.
I tried tapping an 'empty' region which only selected the whole constellation.
I found and turned off the 'tap to select' option for constellations but now the 'empty' regions do nothing, the last star/object stays selected.

I'm sure the help section is probably very good, but you can't do a search for keywords.

The app is very good, but I don't find the menu system very intuitive.
Anyone got any ideas?

[julianh72]

I'm not sure how to "deselect" an object (other than picking a new object), but if you tap on "Search | History", you will have a list of your recent selections (newest at the top) - and your previous selection will be on the second line. Just tap on that, and hit "Centre", and you should be back on your animated meteor shower.

Hope this helps!

[Amaranthus]

Interestingly, the 4.0.5 update INTRODUCED this bug into the iOS version. It wasn't there in the previous version. I get around this by deselecting the telescope control (not disconnecting), to view my list, then reselecting it to move the telescope. But it is annoying!

[MrB]

Cheers.
I had managed to get the shower to show again by selecting it directly from the list.
Still not sure how I managed to get it to show originally, as I never selected it directly that first time.
Still haven't found out how to deselect anything, and upon doing a google search it seems to be something other users have been requesting for a while.
I still haven't worked out how I can sort showers by currently active or next-active showers.
Seems you have to go thru the object list, check info on the peak dates and then 'center'.
Sorting by peak dates would be awesome.

[pmrid]

Hey guys, can anyone help me out here? As I mentioned in an earlier post, I dropped my Android tablet within minutes of downloading this app and it is a write-off. So I have bought a replacement thinking that if it had enough RAM and ran Android 4.0 or above it would be compatible. But I keep getting messages from Google Play's site saying this App is not compatible with your device.

The device of the day is a Mini PC/TV Dongle device that plugs straight into the HDMI plug on my TV/Monitor and that says it has 8 GB of RAm and is running Android 4.2. I'm stumped.

Peter

[julianh72]

I don't know for sure, but could it be that the "TV dongle" doesn't have GPS and / or accelerometers and / or gyroscopes and / or compass, etc? The GPS and position sensors are used in "Compass" mode in SkySafari, so if your device doesn't have those sensors, it may not be able to load the App?

[pmrid]

Nice point. The sensors are in the associated Bluetooth Mouse/Keyboard. They call it an Air-Mouse. Cute. Perhaps the system detect routine on the app isn't seeing them. Bugger. Back to EBay.
Peter

[julianh72]

Wouldn't a simple Android tablet (with GPS) be the best option? (And a whole lot easier to use outdoors with your telescope than being "tethered" to your TV!)

I use the Nexus 7 2013, and it works great, but I would have thought pretty well any recent Android tablet should work, although your experience shows that some Android devices aren't up to the job. The Google Play store certainly won't detect any external sensors etc as being part of the target Android device, so I assume it will have denied access for download because your Android device has no sensors, and these are probably required for SkySafari to install. In any case, the "Air Mouse" devices I have seen have accelerometers but no GPS, and GPS may also be an absolute requirement to be able to install SkySafari?

Maybe it's worth contacting the developers to make sure exactly what the hardware requirements are before you buy?

[pmrid]

It's a valid enough point except that this is being used in the warm room attached to my observatory. I control two piers/scopes from there and have a separate wall-screen onto which I had planned to run the planetarium program and do basic internet stuff while the other computers were busy with imaging. I have the IPad version of this App already and am a convert to SkySafari but wanted to be able to leave the IPad at home. The Android dongle seemed an ideal choice.
Peter

[julianh72]

Okay, fair enough, but I doubt that you'll find a TV Dongle with the necessary sensors, as they are meant to be used in a fixed location (plugged into your TV), so there isn't really any point in installing the motion and location sensors that you get on tablets and phones.

Your cheapest option would probably be some sort of generic Chinese Android tablet - but make sure it has access to Google Play market (to download SkySafari), and make sure it has all the sensors.

SkySafari can be quite processor-intensive, so can use quite a bit of processing power, and also benefits from a nice HD screen. I would suggest getting something with Android 4.2 or higher, and at least 1 GB RAM, and preferably better than 1024x768 resolution. The Nexus 7 2013 is a great choice, but there are many cheaper options to choose from, but cheaper tablets often skimp on RAM and / or screen resolution, so check the specs carefully before buying. However, many Chinese tablets have HDMI output, so you could potentially use one with your TV, as you planned to do with the dongle. (The Nexus 7 doesn't have HDMI output.)

If you're not averse to buying direct from China, take a look at ChinaVasion's offerings:
http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Tablets/
(I've bought a few things from them, including a couple of Android phones, and they've been exceptionally good value, but I have never bought a tablet from them.)

Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable going to a bricks-and-mortar store like OfficeWorks, Dick Smith or Harvey Norman - you'll have a smaller choice of products, but you'll be able to test it in-store - you could even load up your Google account temporarily, and download SkySafari to make sure it works before you buy.

[pmrid]

Well, I have found a solution of sorts - plugging a USB mouse into the OTG port on the damaged tablet gives me back most of the functionality I need to run the App in question - no touchscreen control of course but better than nothing.
Peter

[uwahl]

Downloaded it to my galaxy Note 10.1 last night. Very smooth and easy to use. Now to get it driving the EQ8!

[coldknights]

Hi everyone SkySafari 4 plus is half price till 7th may $8.62
On special for iOS iPads as well$9.99

Also SkySafari 4 pro version are half price !

[julianh72]

SkySafari 4 for Android is on special right now at the Google Play store - e.g. $21.56 for the Pro version. (I'll make do with my 4 Plus version, which is also on special, as I don't really need the extra features of Pro, but I thought I would share, in case anyone has been contemplating buying.)

EDIT: Just realised that Cathy beat me to the news a couple of days ago - but I guess it doesn't hurt to “bump“ the news! :-)

[MrB]

Yup, worth bumping as they have extended the offer, the sale was supposed to be for 1 month ending on the 21st of April. I doubt it will get extended again, so get in while you can!

[mithrandir]

IIRC this extension was for some US show or star party.

[coldknights]

Hi everyone here is a new App Virtuoso below is the link !

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.armazemdotelescopio. virtuosoapp

For Skywatcher mounts !!!!!!


Took the plunge and got the App !

Great little App works with the New 4Way Bluetooth Adaptor we make connected straight to the skywatcher EQ8 Mount !(No Hand Controller) With SkySafari 4 Pro

When you start the app up you would have Allready scanned for a Bluetooth with your Android Tablet and paired it.

You have to connect the App to the Bluetooth first then tell it what mount you have then select type as well then start SkySafari 4pro up and configure it.

The App virtuoso runs in the background then you tell SkySafari you want to connect to the wifi network ?????? Well this is fake you don't need wifi at all I put in 127.0.0.1 port 4030 in SkySafari "Scope setup settings" as the App emulates wifi you only need a Bluetooth Adaptor connected to the mount. Then put in the

Mount Skywatcher Synscan Mount type ..German Equatorial

Went back to the main screen in SkySafari 4 pro hit connect using the directions keys could move the mount so I moved it near were Canopus would be then hit align in SkySafari then clicked on Achernar hit goto and away it went .

This ApP has a alignment function as well !

All so works with our Orion Teletrack (skywatcher Merlin) and the panorama Bluetooth adaptors we make plugged straight into the mount (no handcontroller) have to buy a small scope to mount on the Orion to give it a try but testing it still and will let you know the outcome ...
The APP seems to have some problems still ! Will try and sort them out it has some strange behaviour will try some different setting in SkySafari and hope to sort it out.

The App may need to be sorted out a bit more testing to be done by the maker..

UPDATE they are working on the problems and should have Another release soon to fix a few Bugs in the APP...... Fixed the gps now they are working on a slowmo problem once they sent a new update I will update this !

Also they are working on a IPhone /iPad version

[coldknights]

Update Virtuoso has been updated on Google play and seems to work a lot better now !
Has anybody else used this App ?
This App only works for Bluetooth that are plugged into the mount directly !