NOTAM: Upcoming changes to Avare supported devices

[Peter A. Gustafson]

NOTAM to Avare users:
The Apps4Av development team is deprecating support for very old Android devices.  The transition will occur over several chart cycles, and should be transparent to  modern Android hardware.

Justification:
Avare with updated Android will be improvement for almost all users. The most notable improvements for the user will be more efficient image formats (for smaller storage and downloads), more sensor options, and improved download management.  Further, the chart creation process will be simplified for the volunteer development team.

Affected users:
Avare will support Android 4.1+. Google estimates 99.6% of active devices will be supported after the transition.  Devices using 4.0.4 and below will lose support.

Impact:
Affected devices will not be able to use Avare.  Deferring the app update will not help after the transition period.  The device will not connect to the Apps4Av servers and will not be able to decode updated charts.

Required Action:
Affected users must update their Android OS or hardware to continue to use the app.
(Users with supported hardware must update the app as new versions are released.)

Timeline:
A beta test will become available during the 1812 chart cycle (the cycle starts Nov 8th, 2018). Complete phase out of affected devices is anticipated for April 2019.

Pete
Apps4Av

PS: I'm announcing this so that affected users can take advantage of black Friday sales and the holidays to replace their old hardware!

[John W SBA]

> The Apps4Av development team is deprecating support for /_very old_/

Thanks for the heads up of course, and more importantly thank you Peter
and the Dev Team for supporting older devices for so much longer than
most apps. Many of us are very frugal with our "fly bucks" and your
extra work to squeeze every last ounce out of "antiques" like my 1st
gen.Nexus 7 surely contributed to many more hours aloft. I hope that
everyone's able to acquire at least a less antique device that runs 4.1+
and maybe as you suggest, many can score a deal on something new.

Mostly though, I'm writing to thank the team for all the volunteer hours
that have gone into this major update (with many more hours surely ahead
for you). I'm glad the ongoing chart updates will be easier for you,
and look forward to checking out the new features and capabilities this
upgrade will enable.

Congratulations and Thanks! :D

Happy Flying -j

[Chip Davis]

On 11/5/2018 8:40 PM, Peter A. Gustafson wrote:

NOTAM to Avare users:
The Apps4Av development team is deprecating support for very old Android devices. 

For those considering a device upgrade, one of the more popular Avare platforms, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0
  https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/tablets/galaxy-tab-a/galaxy-tab-a-8-inch-32gb-silver-sm-t380nzsexar/
will be going on sale at Costco starting Nov. 16 for only $130.

This is an updated version of the tablet I bought for the same price two years ago, on the recommendation of SBA John, Chartmaster Peter, and other Avarators, and with which I've been very pleased.  It has the optimum aspect ratio to display Avare charts, is just the right size to be useful in a yoke mount yet not block the instrument panel, works seamlessly with Stratux, and (with an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard) completely sufficient to serve as a laptop surrogate when on a trip.

For the last two years I've used it to maintain all my professional communication when on the road, and in the worst case (due to abysmal wi-fi) for two weeks camping at Oshkosh.  (I recommend a Starbucks Gold card. ;-)

The Tab A8 is available from a number of sources for less than the Samsung MSRP of $200 but I figured this sale allowed me to get the tablet and a Costco membership and still save money.

Just my 3.1µB,

-Chip-

[John W SBA]

> Tab A 8.0 ... on sale at Costco starting Nov. 16 for only $130.

Thanks for sharing that. I'm copying this to Santa. ;)

> Chartmaster Peter, and other Avarators

I very much like the term "Avarator." Could you please provide the
correct pronunciation? :D

> I've been very pleased

Same here, and my old version is still working fine and is plenty fast
running Avare. Another thing I'd add to your list of likes is the SD
port. I take lots of aerial pix (http://ja4u.net) and on long trips I
like to back them up every night, especially if the 64GB camera chip
starts to fill up. It's quick and easy on the Tab with a cheapo dongle
in the OTG (USB) port and a chip in the SD slot. I usually carry two or
more tiny micro-SD chips (also from Costco), in a tiny case in my pocket.

> in the worst case (due to abysmal wi-fi)

I dislike hotel wifi, so use BluTooth tethering from the 4G on my S7 phone.

> tablet and a Costco membership and still save money

It's usually very near or a twitch better than the best price, and their
excellent return policy does it for me.

[Jeffrey Ross]

On 11/6/18 1:42 PM, Chip Davis wrote:

On 11/5/2018 8:40 PM, Peter A. Gustafson wrote:

NOTAM to Avare users:
The Apps4Av development team is deprecating support for very old Android devices. 

For those considering a device upgrade, one of the more popular Avare platforms, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0
  https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/tablets/galaxy-tab-a/galaxy-tab-a-8-inch-32gb-silver-sm-t380nzsexar/
will be going on sale at Costco starting Nov. 16 for only $130.

This is an updated version of the tablet I bought for the same price two years ago, on the recommendation of SBA John, Chartmaster Peter, and other Avarators, and with which I've been very pleased.  It has the optimum aspect ratio to display Avare charts, is just the right size to be useful in a yoke mount yet not block the instrument panel, works seamlessly with Stratux, and (with an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard) completely sufficient to serve as a laptop surrogate when on a trip.

I also vote for the Galaxy Tab A 8.0, keep in mind, Samsung has two tablets called "Tab A 8.0" one is model SM-T350 (aka 2015 version), the other is the SM-T380 (aka 2017 model).  If you use a RAM mount note the mount is different for the two different units!  I picked up the SM-T350 used a year ago for $75 and have been very happy with it, and since it was so cheap I don't use for for anything else but aviation and have only installed a few aviation applications.  I have put an SD card in the tablet and direct all the charts to be stored there.

The SM-T350 runs Android version 7.1.1, and I'm pretty sure there are custom builds out there with a newer Android OS, but considering the mission this unit is used for I haven't even given any thought to "rooting" the device.

I had a larger Samsung tablet (Galaxy S2 - SM-T813 - 9.7 inch) thought it would be good in the cockpit but quickly found it to be too large, I still carry it with me as a backup in the event the Tab A were to fail, although I probably should just consider another Tab A for the price.

Jeff

[Peter A. Gustafson]

NOTAM to Avare users:

In a small modification to the previous announcement of end-of-life, Avare will now support only Android devices 4.3+.  This will go into effect upon release of cycle 1909 (August 15, 2019).  Devices up to Android 4.2 will not be able to view charts after that date.  [Android 4.3 was released in 2014.  96.7% of active devices are on 4.3+ according to google.]

Deferring the app update will not help unsupported devices.  Newly downloaded charts are only be compatible with Android 4.3+.  If you download current charts for cycle 1909+ on an unsupported device, you will not be able to view charts. There will be no supported path to restoring expired charts.

Timeline:
Loss of function for these older devices will occur immediately upon download of any new cycle 1909+.

Justification:
Avare with updated Android will be improvement for almost all users. The 1909+ cycles will include a new image format which decreases disk usage (approximately 27% on average across all charts) and increases chart load speed.  Future enhancements will be announced separately.  Further, the chart creation process will be simplified for the volunteer development team.

Feature and supported Android version planning:
An additional set of features is planned for a future app upgrade.  It is anticipated that apps4av will only support devices on Android 5.0+ starting January 2, 2020.  While we strive to support old hardware as long as practical, we must balance that support against new features which enhance the experience for the vast majority of our users.

Pete
Apps4Av

[John W SBA]

> Avare will now support only Android devices 4.3+.

Many thanks to Pete and everyone else in the all-volunteer Dev Team for
the massive amount of work involved in the many improvements this will
bring.

> This will go into effect upon release of cycle 1909 (August 15, 2019).

I'm also glad you're able to give us this 2 weeks second notice (first
was 11/5/18 8:40pm) so that users have the option of upgrading their
hardware (new, inexpensive newer used, root for OS update, etc.), or for
un-updated charts (not legal for navigation) simply staying with the old
version of Avare.

> An additional set of features is planned for a future app upgrade.

It will be great for users to have access to new features, and
presumably much easier for the Dev Team to implement them with more
current OS versions.

Congratulations on the successful update and beta testing. :)

Happy Flying -j