Bugfix release

There is a new release focusing on stability issues. It takes up to 5 business days when it gets through Store process. Happy Christmas!

A bugfix

There is a bug when switching between phone languages and regions. Xatcher writes date and time in a wrong format so it can start when switching back to the original language.

The fix is on the way and will be available soon.

A workaround: if you have this bug and desperately need to use xatcher, you have to uninstall and install it back while losing your offline data.

Finally, the new version 1.6.1.0 is out. There is an additional change - trackable can now log visit in the cache.

November update is on the way

There is the new update on the in coming days. It includes a couple of bug fixes and the new functionality.

- improved performance
- improved caching of data, minimizes online data connection
- bugfixes in navigation and offline caches
- GUI improvements, more straightforward multi-select etc.

Backpack feature displays offline caches in groups, so you can delete the whole group or you can display all caches in the same group on the map/list at once.

Custom waypoints function allows you to add new stages with coordinates which helps you with solving multi/mystery caches. You can also change coordinates of cache itself. There is, of course, possibility to navigate and switch between these custom waypoints. For now they are only local, but in the next release they will be synced with the server.

Update 1.3.0.0

Hello there is a new version coming soon. There are several interesting improvements:

My finds

List of caches you've recently found.

UI facelift

Slightly improved look of the app.

Search in offline caches

You can search by GC code or name of the cache. The list is sorted by distance to your position. Just click the search button.

Improved offline mode

Offline mode detection and data caching has been improved.

Added "note" possibility to trackable log

Note is now possible, of course, trackable secret code is not required.

This version also brings more power saving and performance features.

Hot news - access token problem

Hot news - if you're experiencing problems using xatcher, it might be because of the access token to geocaching.com services has expired. Unfortunately it is not handled in the code, so you have two options: wait for a hotfix or uninstall / install back the application (but losing offline caches).
Sorry for that, hotfix is on the way, but it might take few days to go through WP Store certification.
Anyway, as a reward, I added some interesting features to the next version.

Version 1.2.0 is out

Download from Windows Phone Store.
Remember that ALL users will get another 20 days of trial.

Version 1.2

The new version 1.2 is now undergoing the certification at WP store, so it will be out within a couple of days.
There is a lot of changes and new features such as trackable items management (Full changelog).

The good thing is that it works fully offline, so logs are waiting until the internet connection is restored. Just check the icon on the start page. The new page now displays list of logs waiting in the queue for the upload and a list of errors. The errors may occur when you submit wrong tracking code of the item.

Another big thing is that everybody will be able to try the new version for 20 day regardless of previously expired trials.

Next version

Hello, I am already planning the feature scope for the next release. What would be the highest priority feature for you? - True offline OSM maps - GPX import - Multicache and mystery hunting support (changing stage locations etc.) Anything else?

The new update 20-07-2013 is out

There are two new features:

xatcher is now available and compatible with low-end devices that don't sport a magnetometer (compass) sensor such as Nokia Lumia 520.

Anyway I managed to create a solution that provides a navigation to the cache or an additional waypoint. It calculates heading from recent movement so it can calculate bearing to the taget.

You just need to keep your phone in the direction you are walking. The heading is updated every 5 meters if the accuracy of your gps-based position is higher that +/- 15 meters.

The bearing is not as accurate as it is using real compass sensor but I hope it helps anyway.

The second feature allows you to create named groups of offline caches (favourites). You can now download multiple caches at once and group them with a common name.

The new version is out (get from Store).
I plan to make xatcher compatible with low-end devices without compass sensor in the next release.

Update - new version is currently undergoing the certification process

After a couple of months I decided to release the update of xatcher. There will be a bunch of bugfixes and one new feature - list and navigation to additional waypoints. You would be able to switch between additional wayopints and geocache to navigate to the specific target.

Changelog

Version 1.6.0.0

- improved performance
- improved caching of data, minimizes online data connection
- bugfixes in navigation and offline caches
- GUI improvements, more straightforward multi-select etc.

Backpack feature displays offline caches in groups, so you can delete the whole group or you can display all caches in the same group on the map/list at once.

Custom waypoints function allows you to add new stages with coordinates which helps you with solving multi/mystery caches. You can also change coordinates of cache itself. There is, of course, possibility to navigate and switch between these custom waypoints. For now they are only local, but in the next release they will be synced with the server.

Version 1.3.0.0

• List of caches you've recently found.
• Another performance improvements
• Slightly improved look of the app.
• You can search by GC code or name of the cache. The list is sorted by distance to your position. Just click the search button.
• Offline mode detection and data caching has been improved.
• Note for trackable log is now possible, of course, trackable secret code is not required.

Tips and Tricks

Move starting point

You can easily move the point where is the distance to caches calculated from. Just tap and hold your finger in the map - short vibration lets you know it has been established.

Gray circle in map is a starting point

Initial start position

New start position

Notice that after changing your starting point the list of caches is resorted so you se the closest one on top.

See two distance

Cache detail now displays two disances:
- from your actual position
- from starting point

Center cache on map from list

If you tap and hold your fingler on cache description in the list, it moves the maps so the cache is now in the centre.

xatcher is out!

You can grab it here in Windows Phone Store

OpenStreet Maps

Recently, I've managed to implement OpenStreet Maps, there will be an alternative to use them. The good thing is the oflfline street map is always displayed and the OpenStreet map tiles are drawn on top of it, so you don't need to switch back in case you have no data connection.

Today I started final testing of xatcher. It goes through the approval process at Groundspeak. As soon as it is approved I will publish it on Windows Phone Store.
The app will cost about 2 USD and there will be 21-day functionally unlimited trial available.

Main features:
- strict Metro design
- fast, fluent and intuitive GUI
- support for both light and dark theme
- offline maps
- fully functional navigation even without data connection (with saved offline caches)
- log writing possible in offline (will be sent to server once you reconnect back)
- more advanced functionality will be implementd on demand

Almost done. Here come some screens from the latest beta:

Start

Just started with development of the new Windows Phone 8 geocaching application. Thanks to the geocaching.com API, it is possible to develop 3rd party applications on any platform.

You can see my first sketches here. :)