"This is an old beta version, it is near to stop working...."
Oruxmaps beta 11.0.10. (latest beta version) suddenly started to warning me with this message ... what is going on? there is no new betas for download ... any advice, please?
@orux I would also like to know if there will be a new beta-release before the previous one will expire. Or will the Google Play version be updated to v11 before the beta expires? If that's the case, can I simply install the GP-version over the beta, and all settings, brouter, DEM-files and downloaded maps will keep working like in the beta before?
Hello, beta versions are a product to test, they are not definitive versions.
The correct thing to use as a user is the GP version.
Currently the GP and beta versions have a big difference in the use of the terminal's memory, the installation of both versions will be for parallel use the app does not overwrite the apk (it never did)
Files between beta and GP have to be manually copied/moved by the user.
I always recommend buying OruxMaps GP from Google play.
Best regards
:Please GP version UPDATE
Quote from: haksung kim on April 28, 2025, 05:35:49 AM:Please GP version UPDATE
It is a long-awaited update, those of us who use the beta version to test are prepared for the change, but the rest of OruxMaps GP users who are unaware of Google's restrictions will possibly face many problems.
That is why it is very important to use beta versions for what they are, to test and report bugs, in this way it helps our developer to release definitive versions with greater guarantees.
We can see in this forum how there are very few testers ... which seriously harms future updates.
This is my personal opinion
Best regards
If the beta version is ending soon, shouldn't the GP version be released? It means that users of the beta version have to go down to a lower version, but I don't understand.
I think they updated the GP version sometime in September last year, but there's still no news!
Shouldn't they introduce new features in the beta version and finish testing them before upgrading them to the GP version?
Quote from: haksung kim on April 28, 2025, 10:07:12 AMIf the beta version is ending soon, shouldn't the GP version be released? It means that users of the beta version have to go down to a lower version, but I don't understand.
I think they updated the GP version sometime in September last year, but there's still no news!
Shouldn't they introduce new features in the beta version and finish testing them before upgrading them to the GP version?
The beta version has an expiration of about 3 months, which is expired does not mean that the tests are over.
In my opinion, GP should not be updated until the operation of the new functions is assured.
In this case the most important change affecting the update is the memory usage, due to Google restrictions oruxmaps can no longer use and manage all files.
The memory of the app will be limited to Android / media, this means problems in the migration of the files, depending on the models of the terminals and the versions of Android there have been various problems.
For all users unaware of this change, the update can generate chaos and loss of their files.
If the current version of GP is stable why anticipate an update that can give more problems to a large number of users?
I repeat that this is simply my opinion.
Some users may only use oruxmaps or Locus maps, but I use both for different purposes. If you enter the Android data folder, there is a serious problem, but the media folder does not cause any particular problems. This is because Locus has already done the preliminary work and puts it in the data folder, the media folder, and the root folder, allowing users to choose between three methods. I use Locus 4 in the media folder and Locus Classic in the root folder. I also use BlueStacks to install Locus and Orux on my computer and perform special track inspection work. In Orux GP, the only transportation options in the route designer are walking, driving, and cycling, so I mainly worked on the beta version that allows Alpine selection, but I am worried because it will be terminated soon. Of course, on the Galaxy Fold 6 that I use, both Oruxmaps GP and BETA versions allow Alpine selection. I recognize this as a BlueStacks issue, not an Orux issue. I'm waiting for the GP version update every day because I think this problem will be solved when the GP version is updated, but I know this is purely my personal problem.
I've been using the 11.X beta version for the past several months without any problems, so I'm waiting for the GP version of the 11.X version.
The problem of having to put it in the Android folder is an unavoidable issue due to Google's policy in the future, so I thought it would be a good idea to follow it as soon as possible, so I wrote this long article.
Thank you for reading to the end.
I also use locus occasionally to make behavioral and data comparisons.
For example in this case, if you use the Google play versions of both apps, we will no longer be able to share files between the two apps, this means that for users like you and me who use more than one app we will have to duplicate files.
From your comments about locus I think you use the apk version that is free of Google's restrictions (I'm the one I use).
For me the route planner is a very important tool and the improvements regarding the routing profiles are also expected for me, however you can also use the alpine profile in the GP version currently, but for this you have to do the configuration in the brouter app, modify the profiles that come by default.
You can see how here.
https://tronpoonpo.blogspot.com/2024/11/brouter.html
I also wish for a GP update.
Best regards
Thank you very much. I followed the link and adjusted the browser settings, and although it is not visible in the 10 menus, I was able to pass the rope section and the dangerous section that I could not pass before (Oruxmaps GP). Even if there is no update that I have been waiting for, I can now process it with the GP version. Thank you.
Since I am used to the 11.x beta version, I am somewhat uncomfortable with point management in the 10.7.4 GP version. So I would like to make a suggestion. Could you extend the usage period of the 11.X Beta version until the official 11.X GP version is updated?
It works well now, but I cannot proceed with the work because I do not know when the app will not run, so I work with 10.7.4 GP. After entering points in 10.7.4 GP, I cannot export them directly to the external GPX file, so I have to find the saved points and export them. The 11.x Beta version is very convenient because the function of clicking on points and sending them directly to the external is activated.
Thank you for your opinion.
although I have the GP version, I test the beta version in real situations because I am doing activities in familiar environments. this seems to me to be the only realistic testing. using the GP version is basically a regression once you get to know the beta version. if the GP version is not yet ready for use, it would be wise to extend the operation of the last beta version.
Quote from: kkolesar on May 02, 2025, 09:21:15 PMalthough I have the GP version, I test the beta version in real situations because I am doing activities in familiar environments. this seems to me to be the only realistic testing. using the GP version is basically a regression once you get to know the beta version. if the GP version is not yet ready for use, it would be wise to extend the operation of the last beta version.
Hello, just like you do the beta tests in real activities and compare the results with the GP version recording in parallel.
As long as the use of the beta is this, it is something positive, but unfortunately not all of us are testers, the betas can be an alternative to not move to the paid version.
For those of us who are testers and need new functions such as in my case the climber sections, I think the developer could add an option in the apk to enter the Google play account with which the GP version was purchased, in this way the beta testers who have bought GP could use the beta version without expiration limits in the stable betas, thus being able to wait for a GP update without losing the advantages of the new functions.
In this way, the beta does not become a way to have free oruxmaps.
It's just my opinion, to protect our beloved app and its beta testers
Best regards
Quote from: Tronpo on May 03, 2025, 10:40:30 AMHello, just like you do the beta tests in real activities and compare the results with the GP version recording in parallel.
As long as the use of the beta is this, it is something positive, but unfortunately not all of us are testers, the betas can be an alternative to not move to the paid version.
For those of us who are testers and need new functions such as in my case the climber sections, I think the developer could add an option in the apk to enter the Google play account with which the GP version was purchased, in this way the beta testers who have bought GP could use the beta version without expiration limits in the stable betas, thus being able to wait for a GP update without losing the advantages of the new functions.
In this way, the beta does not become a way to have free oruxmaps.
It's just my opinion, to protect our beloved app and its beta testers
Best regards
I completely agree but until those changes are implemented I would appreciate if orux extend this beta or upload new version.
btw ... one question about brouter - is this project dead?
Quote from: kkolesar on May 04, 2025, 06:59:32 PMI completely agree but until those changes are implemented I would appreciate if orux extend this beta or upload new version.
btw ... one question about brouter - is this project dead?
I agree. What I'm wondering is, I think they stopped developing the GP version that is currently in development because they thought it was the most perfect. It seems like the project is going through the process of being scrapped since there hasn't been an upgrade in 8 months.
The fact that GP has not been updated does not mean that the project is discarded, There is a reason why release betas ?
In my opinion the delay is due to incidents with Google policy and Android updates.
In other times back the GP version has also taken a long time to resivir update.
As users we are impatient, but developers They will have reasons for this., I think.
Regarding brouter you can see in github.com the news and proposals for improvement.
Quote from: Tronpo on May 05, 2025, 04:24:32 AMThe fact that GP has not been updated does not mean that the project is discarded, There is a reason why release betas ?
In my opinion the delay is due to incidents with Google policy and Android updates.
In other times back the GP version has also taken a long time to resivir update.
As users we are impatient, but developers They will have reasons for this., I think.
Regarding brouter you can see in github.com the news and proposals for improvement.
with 'dead' I was meaning Brouter not OM since there is also no news. regarding OM GP version - I personaly don't like any software has no update for months, it just doesn't feel good. let's hope someone is reading these posts 8)
Has anyone heard from orux recently? not about the app, i mean in general.
Correlating to odin's post above, I have to say I really start to get worried about @orux - since there is no reply from him in this forum anymore, no information about the expiring Beta und also no update of the Google Play version since September 2024. Is he ok?
this is getting really weird. no sign of orux. last time he was on this forum was 12 april. is the project finished? does anyone have any information or know what is going on with Jose Vazquez aka orux?
or do we need to start looking for another application?
It's not the first time that betas expire, nor the first time that Jose disappears for a while but he always came back. He's got a life, and he always stated that this app is made in his free time which is less and less since he got a family that needs attention. Of course not seeing him around for months may rise some concern but let's be positive, hope everything is ok and wait. As for the app, the GP version works well, just use that; betas are only for testing new features.
Is Jose the only person who develops and maintains OruxMaps? In my opionion there should always be a TEAM that is in control of the source-code, the forum and the servers - relying on just one person is very dangerous. And if there's no official communication about when exactly the BETA will stop to work or when the GP-version will be updated to V11, it's hard to convince other people using / buying OruxMaps. The old unlimited free version, that was offered for download on the official website for many years, also just was taken down without a notice. I can understand if a developer needs to generate money-inflow and therefore stops the free offer, but then there also needs to be better communication. Or if this project can't be handled anymore, it could be made open source, so that the work is split to many people...
My personal situation: I used the free 7.4 version in the past sporadic on some holidays, now that I got a new smartphone this year I wanted to take a look if I can arrange with the changes / new UI in the new versions (and if there are new features worth spending time to learn - using software just a few days per year every change is "difficult"). So I installed the BETA, whithout knowing that it will expire (it's not written anywhere, no end-date mentioned?). Now I would be ready to buy OruxMaps for me and also my parents - but don't want to buy on older version than I just tested. There really should be an update of the GP-version to V11 before the BETA expires - or a new BETA as long as the GP-version is not updated. Not knowing when the BETA will stop working or when to expect an update to the GP-version (and if it will still be maintained in the future) is bad...
Sandy, yes, Jose is basically the only developer. He gets help from others, for translations for sure, maybe for interface design too, but mostly he manages the app alone.
Of course not anybody is using OM from the beginning and cannot know the history of the app. In brief, it started when things were simple, and the author had a lot of freedom. On Google Play you did find a free and a "Donate" version that allowed people to show appreciation but the two version were identical. You could download from the oruxmaps website, Amazon and other sources I cannot remember. Back then Jose always said that he didn't care about reaching millions of users and/or making a business out of it, it was a side project and he was happy with a few thousand happy devoted users. I remember we asked for an option inside the Donate version to make further donations but he declined.
But time passes and things get more complicated, managing half a dozen versions scattered around various stores, each with its own rules becomes impossible. Just to make an example the free version was removed not by Jose but by Google itself because it was in violation of some unspecified payment rule (we suppose it was the link to Paypal donations, but it's only speculation because they never justify their decisions). Plus each new Android version creates additional restrictions and challenges.
Also, the more users you have the more support you are asked for. I've been the translator for the Italian version and I know the amount of help request you get just because your email is listed in the credits. And believe me some people can be very arrogant in their requests.
Meanwhile Jose got a family which is a wonderful thing in itself but as you can read in this post it came with some challenges that I think we all agree are more important than our beloved app being free or not.
https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=40163.msg52315#msg52315 (https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=40163.msg52315#msg52315)
To be clear, I'm not implying Jose's silence is related to this, and I hope not of course.
In the end Jose had to trim the free stuff but that doesn't mean the app is going fully commercial. It still is a side project and he does what he can which is a lot; if you compare what he accomplished working alone vs big software companies I think you'll agree. Betas always expire for obvious reasons, no need to state it, it's been the case for every software I tested in the last 30 years. It's not a free version, it's a test version and should be used as such, if anything because of the probable bugs.
All this to say you are not facing yet another greedy big company, but a single very nice person that stands behind his product as much as he can for very little compensation. The regular version 10 from the Play Store works well, is very similar to the Beta and is very affordable both in itself and compared to the competitors. You can be sure it will be maintained for as long as possible, but even if were to be abandoned all you have lost is 5€.
Quote from: Maki on May 14, 2025, 10:46:27 AMSandy, yes, Jose is basically the only developer. He gets help from others, for translations for sure, maybe for interface design too, but mostly he manages the app alone.
Of course not anybody is using OM from the beginning and cannot know the history of the app. In brief, it started when things were simple, and the author had a lot of freedom. On Google Play you did find a free and a "Donate" version that allowed people to show appreciation but the two version were identical. You could download from the oruxmaps website, Amazon and other sources I cannot remember. Back then Jose always said that he didn't care about reaching millions of users and/or making a business out of it, it was a side project and he was happy with a few thousand happy devoted users. I remember we asked for an option inside the Donate version to make further donations but he declined.
But time passes and things get more complicated, managing half a dozen versions scattered around various stores, each with its own rules becomes impossible. Just to make an example the free version was removed not by Jose but by Google itself because it was in violation of some unspecified payment rule (we suppose it was the link to Paypal donations, but it's only speculation because they never justify their decisions). Plus each new Android version creates additional restrictions and challenges.
Also, the more users you have the more support you are asked for. I've been the translator for the Italian version and I know the amount of help request you get just because your email is listed in the credits. And believe me some people can be very arrogant in their requests.
Meanwhile Jose got a family which is a wonderful thing in itself but as you can read in this post it came with some challenges that I think we all agree are more important than our beloved app being free or not.
https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=40163.msg52315#msg52315 (https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=40163.msg52315#msg52315)
To be clear, I'm not implying Jose's silence is related to this, and I hope not of course.
In the end Jose had to trim the free stuff but that doesn't mean the app is going fully commercial. It still is a side project and he does what he can which is a lot; if you compare what he accomplished working alone vs big software companies I think you'll agree. Betas always expire for obvious reasons, no need to state it, it's been the case for every software I tested in the last 30 years. It's not a free version, it's a test version and should be used as such, if anything because of the probable bugs.
All this to say you are not facing yet another greedy big company, but a single very nice person that stands behind his product as much as he can for very little compensation. The regular version 10 from the Play Store works well, is very similar to the Beta and is very affordable both in itself and compared to the competitors. You can be sure it will be maintained for as long as possible, but even if were to be abandoned all you have lost is 5€.
Great explanation.
Just add that there has been a version 11.0.1 of OruxMaps in the Amazon store for months.
With the pros and cons that this store offers.
I am very clear that the OruxMaps project has not come to an end.
Greetings and a little patience.
PS: without more updates in the future Oruxmaps GP would be more than enough to continue performing at the highest level.
That's my opinion.
hi, my little 2 cents. I've been an avid user of Orux since years, and in the past I've been a single-developer of a large application used by thousands people here in Italy. I can relate with Jose, I can understand it's overwhelming doing the app, bugfixes, releases, documentation ecc. ecc.
I also can relate with Jose since I have two children and one of them has special needs, which I need to care for (and that is the reasons why I always refuse offers from people "you're good at developing, why don't you develop this and that app...". No, I want my 'free time' for me and family).
Unfortunately for example Orux (10 and 11 beta) does not work well on my device (does not load map themes) but I do understand that my use case is so marginal that it won't be prioritized.
But since Jose is rightfully busy and Orux is large and complex and used A LOT, I'm asking to Jose if he had ever considered moving to opensource? He can still keep donations, but any developer could join in and support. Even myself, maybe