Hello Locusers,

almost five weeks of work and testing, brings another bunch of very interesting news. Don't waste your time, here it is:

Online maps accessible from Locus Store

In Locus are available two new maps - Statkart ( very nice nautical charts for Norway) and Stamen (interesting world-wide maps based on OpenStreetmap project)

Do you have feeling, that amount of online maps in Locus is ... too huge? We too. But because we like possibilities and ability to choose, list of online maps is now little bit updated.

• Widely used, global maps will be available in list of Online maps by default.
• Regional maps or new or not so much used maps, are now available in Locus Store. Simple check available online maps in Locus Store and add only those, you want, simple.

Ability to post images when you log a cache

Do you want to share foto with friends or others during logging a cache? It's finally possible now.

If you use 'Log your visit' (online log) during logging a cache, you may now attach/pick photo. Enjoy.

New manager for a field notes

In previous Locus versions, were two places for work with field notes. Thanks to cooperation with independent developer called Ormoru, we created united place for work with logs/field notes in a separate add-on. We really believe you will love this nice tool. And trust me, Ormoru is planning really nice improvements.

Improvements in Locus navigation

In whole navigation system in Locus were made minor imporovements, like

• Better recompute.
• More precise calculate of time to target.
• Correct handling of 'Navigate to' feature, when track is not correctly compute (you now return back to 'Navigate to' screen) instead of need to set up all again.
• better visibility for navigation line on map (you may see part you already pass).

Advanced users interested in offline navigation in Locus, may try (except already existing solution using BRouter) another alternative - GraphHopper

Common pack of fixes and improvements

• Fixed issues with OSRM routing service.
• Fixed graphical issues in the Track charts, where charts were not correctly rendered during a scroll.
• Problem with UTM coordinates on south hemisphere.
• And more...

Článek News in version 3.2.0 se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Dear Locusers,

New month is here and also Locus comes with new version.
The list of news is probably short but the most changes were made in core with goal to improve performance and solve some issues.

You can see the most significant change when you open Locus for the first time. Locus asks you for downloading additional data – it’s a new library which helps us to implement offline POIs in next two months.

We are also glad that Locus store is successful project. Minor issues were solved and it seems that you like the welcome gift (three vector maps for free). Purchasing of LoCoins is more stable and secure.

As usual we’ve improved some parts of Locus core - for example reading offline elevation data (HGT files) is more quicker an also lot of solved minor issues.
Enjoy

Článek News in version 3.1.0 se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Dear Locus-maniacs,

we are really glad to announce new Locus version. It will be available on Google Play and AndroidPIT during today.

What this version brings after more then month? Let"s see

Audio/Video attachments to points

Current ability to attach photos to points is now extended. Since new version, you may directly record audio notes, take and attach video and also one more possibility - attach any generic file you want to have "close" to your point of interest.

Keep in mind, that we still work on this feature and in next version, we will introduce improved design experience.

Better support for sport activities

We are glad to add more support to sport activities. For this, new Locus version may connect to Bluetooth 4.0 Heart rate monitors. Keep in mind, that your device have to support this feature.

We also added another nice web service called EveryTrail as another possibility where you may export and share your recorded tracks.

Small improvements

Because every user has different needs, we also added huge amount of small improvements on various places

• Calibration of pitch/roll values - are you riding with 4x4 car? Then you may find useful ability to tap on pitch/roll view and calibrate it"s value.
• If you import GPX files with tracks, that has defined color, Locus now correctly use this color
• Are you importing GPX files previously exported from atoledo Garmin Basecamp? Then all point icons will looks same also after import to Locus
• Are you using Text-to-spech for navigation? You may now receive improved notifications. Text-to-speech may be now also used for POI Alert feature notifications
• Do you want to close Locus, but some running services do not quickly allow it? For this we prepared completely new "Close dialog" hidden under back button
• We also spend time on improving of drawing a maps, so you may feel difference - it"s faster now.

Fixed issues

As each program, also Locus 2.18.0 contains a problem. We hope, that most of them is solved in new version, like

• problems with charts during track record
• not working Google Places
• export to GPX files, version 1.1 (problem with compatibility with some PC programs)
• problem with export to Google Earth on your device (mainly missing icons on Google Earth map)
• incorrectly computed magnetic azimuth on compass screen

Článek News in version 2.19.0 se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Shading, vector world map and bunch of improvements

It's been more then month since previous Locus version. I'm anyway very very glad to introduce a new version that brings many interesting features. I'm sure you'll like it. And what are the most interesting features?

Map shading (feature of Locus PRO)

The most interesting news are ability to enable shading for all Online (since Android 3.0+) and Vector maps. Shading is completely without the need of an internet and it's based on downloaded elevation files.

Currently you have to download them (HGT files) manually (or thanks to Fill altitude feature at specific place). Later, these files will be available for download in Locus Store.

Support for Personal maps is also planned, don't worry.

Speed of vector maps & world map

[caption id="attachment_7363" align="alignright" width="216"] Vector world map[/caption]

We're also aware of speed of vector maps. In a new version will be another improvements in vector maps speed mainly between levels 10 - 14. Hope these critical levels will be now much more usable.

Also, because levels 1 - 8 are usually very empty and mainly very slow, we prepared a small surprise. In Locus Store > Maps is now for Free download, overview map of whole world. The map has around 15 MB, so we really suggest to download it. This map will cover really whole World and will be automatically used without the need to do anything from you. Everytime you zoom out to level 8 and below, the World map will appear to give you a nice and fast overview of mother Earth.

Satellite and Compass screen

How often you search with compass and need to check what the he** is wrong with GPS? Or just need to enable GPS in Locus and also check an orientation etc? It will be very easy now.

We took both screens, and placed them into the screen with two tabs. Simple right? There is of course more improvements on both screens, but point is simple. You may work with Compass screen and also with Satellite screen at once, without need to crazy tapping ...

Automatic turn On of the screen (feature of Locus PRO)

Saving battery is our highest priority. Battery is crucial when hiking in the wild. For this purpose we prepared a new feature that allows automatically turn On screen, when you're near waypoint you guide on or during navigation when some turn come closer. This is especially useful on bike during a ride.

As a small bonus, we created ability to turn On/Off screen by two swipes gesture before top proximity sensor of your device.

Improved Text-to-speech system

Using Text-to-speech for navigation is very useful. It gives freedom to say whatever is needed and usually exists TTS Engines for every language. Problem is that they usually do not speak correctly.

Because of this, we prepared a new system that will be automatically used when you'll use TTS for navigation. The system is actually available only for English, German, Czech and Japan TTS. If you want to know more, follow this link . Same if you want to contribute another language.

Is that all?

Sure not, there is much more ...

• points that change at zoom level 12 and below to small dots are now much better visible
• switching of vector maps is now more simple (mainly for external themes)
• login over OAuth is now directly in Locus (to prevent problems on various web browsers)
• you may enable low or high contrast style on maps
• added support to choose what value will be visible above and below of guiding line
• fixed many problems like incorrect sorting of vector maps in Quick map switch, export of whole track folder, incorrect hiding points from folder after import, thanks to hard work of a few users, improved translation in whole application and much more
• and yes, one small sad news on the end. Since this version, Locus do not support Android version 2.1

Článek News in version 2.14.0 se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Hello Locusers,

We’re very happy that we can introduce new version of Locus. It comes with lots of improvements. The most significant is… the speed. Last month we’ve focused mainly on optimization loading points and tracks.

Speed of points and tracks

Do you have large data set of POIs or geocaches? Locus reads and shows your points almost three times faster in new version! Great, isn't it? With this speed improvement is related new function: quick select or deselect of entire folder with points and tracks. Click on the icon of folder and Locus select or deselect all points or tracks in this folder.
But there is even quicker solution. Do you want to hide all points and track on the map? Long click on Data button provide function “Hide all” which simple make all items temporary invisible.

Focused on Geocaching

Sometimes can be difficult to find the correct cache in huge list of your points. Locus has better tools for filtering and sorting cache in your data folders. You can filter caches based on their difficulty, terrain and also based on their type.

OSM notes coming into Locus

Openstreetmap service has changed their bugs system to the new one – Notes. New Locus version reflects these changes and now you can create and show notes directly in your android device.

Even more

There are other improvements which make Locus more helpful for your outdoor activities. Rendering offline vector maps is again little bit faster than in old version. Better support of lines and areas in KML files and of course lots of small changes, fixed bugs and memory optimizations.

Článek News in version 2.13.0 se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.