Updates

Beta Release

The ViewRanger beta release has been updated to version 2.7.18. Details of the changes in the beta are in the wiki.

Touch screen phones

There are now 3 touch screen phones available for use with ViewRanger - the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music, the Samsung i8910 Omnia HD and the Nokia N97, which has .

The 5800 has been available for a few months now and has been really popular. It is currently available unlocked from nokia.co.uk for £229 or free on many contracts.

The i8910 has been shipping for a month or two now, the N97 is just starting to ship.

Isle of Man 1:25,000 Map

We now have 1:25,000 mapping of the Isle of Man. The whole island is available as a download for £10.

ViewRanger beta updated

The ViewRanger beta has been updated to version 2.7.16. Details of the changes in the beta are in the wiki.

If you have already registered to use the beta then you can download it immediately from www.viewranger.com/mobibeta. If you visit that link using a mobile web browser on your phone it will show the correct version to install.

If you have not registered and would like to try the beta, please email your phone's model name (e.g. N96) and IMEI number (dial *#06#) to support, we'll then email you when the beta is ready for your phone.

ViewRanger beta release

We have released a new beta release, version 2.7.12.

It contains a number of small improvements and fixes, there are details in the wiki.

For the Nokia 5800 there are significant improvements to route creation.

To install the beta you first need to email support with your phone's model name (e.g. N95) and IMEI number (dial *#06# to see this), we will then let you know when the software is ready for your phone.

If you have previously taken part in a beta and have not changed your phone, then either go to the beta page or, if using a mobile web browser on your phone, go to www.viewranger.com/mobibeta.

UK Government OK's South Downs National Park

UK Government ministers have announced the creation of a South Downs national park - almost 60 years to the day since it was recommended.

The South Downs, covering parts of Sussex and Hampshire, was among 12 areas identified for national parks in the 1940s. Environment Minister Hilary Benn has said the area will become England's 10th national park. Further consultation will be carried out on six additions to the boundary.

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7973417.stm for more.

UK Outdoors Show

This weekend sees the Outdoors Show return to Birmingham's NEC with its mix of 'have-a-go' sports exhibits, trade stands selling outdoor gear, and travel stands with information on inspirational destinations.

Both Mike and I will be at the show on Friday. Mike is likely to be found on the GPSTraining booth (OU425), and I will be around a number of different areas. On Saturday, we'll be at the GPSTraining booth again.

So do come by and say hello, ask us any questions, or if you want to see the latest version of ViewRanger in action on the touchscreen Nokia 5800.

If you're looking to add some mapping to your existing ViewRanger installation - or indeed to get started with the ViewRanger phenomenon - then GPSTraining have a few "Show Offers" to tempt you.

We're Tweeting

You can now follow ViewRanger on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/viewranger

We'll be using Twitter to keep you updated on what we're doing, how we're doing it - and we hope to hear from you too.

GPS Daily Rates Outdoor GPS Units

GPSDaily.co.uk, Imagine Publishing's new web site, has published reviews of ViewRanger, the Garmin Oregon 300, and the Magellan Triton 300 devices.

We're pleased to say that ViewRanger outscores both of the dedicated GPS units in almost every category of Performance, Design, Features, and Value.

ViewRanger : Performance 9, Design 8, Features 9, Value 9, Overall: 9
Garmin Oregon: Performance 7, Design 9, Features 8, Value 8, Overall: 7
Magellan Triton: Performance 7, Design 8, Features 5, Value 6, Overall: 6

Commenting on ViewRanger, GPSDaily.co.uk says: "As you’d expect with a mature GPS application, all the usual features are here, along with a few extras that make the program unique. Using either an external Bluetooth or integrated internal GPS receiver, the application delivers quick and accurate positioning, highlighting both your location and direction of travel clearly on 1:25k or 1:50k OS maps."

"It’s the interactive features that really set ViewRanger apart from the competition, and the area where most of the new developments have been made."

In summing up GPSDaily.co.uk says "Overall, the new features, along with worldwide GPS location in data format and an ever-expanding map, would make this an application of interest to any smartphone user; but as the sole S60-based application compatible with a high proportion of the most popular mobiles, it becomes almost essential for the outdoor user. And besides its serious uses, the interactive and shared features make ViewRanger fun at the same time."