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Beta Testing SkySafari 8 (Android Only) - Read EVERYTHING To Participate!

Invitation To Android Users:

Everyone here in the Community Forums (with an Android device) is invited to participate in the beta-testing cycle :) 

Your beta-testing feedback, whatever you can contribute, will be invaluable to the success of SkySafari 8 for Android!

IMPORTANT: Beta Test User Requirements:

  • Email requirements: Users need a Google Account (@gmail.com) or a G Suite account to join in the beta test (see below).
  • Support Account requirements: Users must have Simulation Curriculum Support Account and must reply to this post; i.e. you are logged in to this website (see below).

How To Apply: 

  • Please reply to this post (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time. 
  • Please outline your experience with SkySafari, including what versions of SkySafari you have run previously, what telescopes you are controlling, what kind of astronomy you are involved in, if you are a power user, etc.

When Accepted To Beta Test:

When you are accepted, you will be notified via an email (sent to your Google Play Store @Gmail/G Suite email address) that you are able to download the SS8 Android beta app from Google Play.

Accessing The SS8 Android Beta Testing Forum: When you are accepted you will see and have access to the SS8 Android Beta Testing forum.  The SS8 Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are accepted.

Please note, not all applicants will be immediately included in the beta-testing.  So, if you apply and do not hear back please be patient.

*** If accepted to the SS8 beta-testing forum please do NOT report bug/issues on this post.  See below for workflow ***

The Process: 

As you find bugs/issues in SkySafari 8 please first review the current discussions in this beta-testing forum (which is hidden until you are invited).  If your bug/issue has already been identified please comment on the existing post.  If your bug/issue has not been identified please create a NEW post in the SS8 Android Beta Testing forum. 

For clarity regarding this bug reporting process please see the Example Bug Report (hidden until you are officially invited)

Please do not submit tickets with bugs/issues.

How To Follow The SS8 Beta Forum: 

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the SS8 Android Beta Testing forum.  Following a forum means you will receive email updates when anyone creates a NEW post or comments/replies to one of the existing posts. This is important for two reasons.

  1. Following the forum ensures you receive email updates regarding all admin communications to the beta testers.  If admins make a post asking for assistance you will get an email update with that post.
  2. Following is also very important so that you have an on-going status report regarding bugs/issues identified, confirmed, requiring further testing, or have been resolved, etc.  This will help you stay on top of the overall process, and ensure you are not duplicating efforts where issues are already known and resolved.

 

To FOLLOW the SkySafari 8 Beta Testing community forum please see here.  Note, you must have been invited first, and have access to the forum before you can follow it.

Note: the screenshots below reference an SS7 forum, but you will be using an SS8 forum - so don't get confused

 

 

  

Replying to Email Updates: 

When you follow the SS8 Beta Testing forum you will receive email updates regarding new posts (and comments, if opted for).  Please do not reply to email updates using the "Reply" function.  Please first use the "View the comment" link to open the community forum post, then reply to the post.  

This point is crucially important - so please understand the image below (this an example of an SS8 Beta Testing email update as seen using my web browser Yahoo email account).

If you use the email update "Reply" function your reply will not be added to the community forum discussion.

 

 

 

How to Use the Community Forums:

For clarity regarding how to use the Community Forums (posting/replying/following) please see here:

 

How To Sign Into The Community Forums (Required For Posting And Replying To Topics)

Browsers Supported by Simulation Curriculum Community Forums (Cookies Must Be Enabled)

How To Use Your New Community Support Forums

  

Beta Testing Summarized:

Please...

  1. SIGN IN or create account on this Simulation Curriculum support website.
  2. REPLY to this post (in a comment below) in order to apply to the SS8 Beta Testing group.
  3. When invited to join the beta testing visit the one of the Google Play URL(s) that we share with you.  See X marks the spot (above).
  4. FOLLOW the main SS8 Android beta forum to be kept up-to-date of any new posts (bug reports) and discussions thereafter (you get email updates).
  5. REVIEW previous beta testing discussions before posting your bug report.
  6. COMMENT on bugs already reported.
  7. Create NEW posts for bugs not yet reported.
  8. Follow the bug reporting GUIDELINES when reporting or commenting on bugs.
  9. Do NOT reply/comment to email updates.  Instead, VIEW the post first, then comment.
  10. Post any questions, about anything to do with the beta testing, in the SS8 Android beta testing forum.  We will reply to you there. 

 

THANK YOU!

We are very excited about the long-awaited up and coming release of SS8 for Android and we're looking forward to working closely with everyone involved in the beta testing.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Date Votes

49 comments

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    William, you now have access to the beta and the beta testing forums, thanks!

  • 0
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    Skyraidersrc1

    I have start e d following the forum. Is there a link that I'm supposed to receive.

  • 0
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    Skyraidersrc1

    I found the link. Thank you

  • 0
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    Sheldon West

    Hello, I'd love to be included in the beta for this app

    I've been using skysafari for a while now (13 years plus I believe!)

    I've used this casually across my mobile devices and I'm currently using an S24 Ultra

    My email is - sheldadon05@gmail.com

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Sheldon, you are in - thanks for joining!

  • 0
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    Marek Přichystal

    Hello to all everyone at Simulation Curriculum!

    I would love to be invited to beta test SkySafari 8 for Android!

    I started use SS6 vesrion. Currentyl I use SkySafari7 Pro togehther with SN8ProPlus. I use both softaware for my astronomy observation, making educational content and videos. I use it too for live demonstration in my astronomy presentation in classes.

    I will be pleased to participate beta testing Android version.

    Thnaks a lot.

    Marek

     

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Beta-Testers!  

    8.0.0.8 is now available.  We are cooking, and cooking FAST!

    We are going to ship soon to production as well, so please, if you're interested in contribution to the beta, check it out asap.

    The latest release of SS8Pro for Android is available on the internal test track.
     
    We've fixed some bugs and added/improved the following features:
     
    #4148: Wrong drawable for the edit list deletion mark.
    #4160: [Android] Viewing Lunar Feature Density Menu While Orbiting The Moon Changes FOV
    #4159: [Android] Lunar Surface Features Missing From Moon Object Info More Menu
    Fixed bug where when filtering an observing list, if the filtering hides all the object in the list, the filter icon no longer hide
    Better name for the Observing List context menu
    SmartEye now able to save images to the gallery


    To join, if you haven't yet: https://play.google.com/apps/internaltest/4700789962214613007

    SkySafari - Android - 8.0.0 (First Release - Android Pro Only) Tickets

    Tickets Completed

    #4148: Wrong drawable for the edit list deletion mark.
    #4160: [Android] Viewing Lunar Feature Density Menu While Orbiting The Moon Changes FOV
    #4159: [Android] Lunar Surface Features Missing From Moon Object Info More Menu

    Previously completed:

    #4143: Add "Show Lunar Feature Outlines" to Solar System Settings [Android]
    #4144: [Android] Some Search Submenu Items Return No Data
    #4120: Apply new styles to Object Info [Android]
    #4134: Image Import Class Rename [Android]
    #4114: Update Object Selection [Android]

    #4138: Advanced Planet Rendering [Android]
    #4139: Apply new styles to Subscriptions, add 'Get Premium' button [Android]
    #4140: Update Help Menu [Android]
    #4128: ImportSequence Activity refactor [Android]
    #4118: Planner range bars [Android]
    #4117: Update Help Button Availability [Android]
    #4094: Lunar Surface Outlines Feature - outlines not visible [Android]
    #4129: Make sure Help is themed [Android]
    #3784: Ensure Parse Data automatically imported 7 -> 8 [Android]

    #4109: Add Subscription Support [Android]
    #4051: Update RevenueCat support [Android]
    #4052: Import new UI icons [Android]
    #4050: Add OneSignal support [Android]
    #4074: Set Correct Link for SME Settings Page
    #3225: [Android] Augmented Reality
    #4115: Update DateTime Picker [Android]
    #4114: Update Object Selection [Android]
    #4116: Update Observe Menu Icons [Android]
    #4119: Style Search/search edit box [Android]
    #3817: Ability to rotate the FOV [Android]
    #4047: Plate Solving - On-Demand Index File Downloads [Android]
    #4058: Add default configuration for Reginato Encoder System [Android]
    #4059: Add Default configuration for ZWO [Android]
    #3954: Import Images to Gallery [Android]
    #3811: User Selected Theme [Android]
    #4107: Per App Lanuage Setting [Android]
    #4053: New colors and icons [Android]
    #4054: New Menu Structure [Android]
    #4080: New OBB files for v8 [Android]
    #3850: Convert Checkboxes to switches in Settings [Android]
    #4043: Satellite Events - JNI Configuration and UI Implementation [Android]
    #4049: cfitsio Integration - FITS Import with WCS Metadata [Android]
    #4048: Appulse Events - JNI Configuration and UI Implementation [Android] 

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Marek, you are in - thanks for joining!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Beta-Testers!

    We've received reports about issues plate-solving images.

    Please take the opportunity to try plate-solving some images, and displaying them in the sky, and giving us feedback so we can iron out any wrinkles.

    Try Astrobin, images from the web, your own images if you have any.

    If you discover any images that fail to plate-solve please create a NEW post in the beta-testing forum with links to or copies of the image in question.

    SkySafari 8 | Beta Testing (Android)

    SkySafari - Android - 8.0.0 (First Release - Android Pro Only) Tickets

    Tickets Completed

    #4186: Plate Solve Failures [Android]
    #4185: Announcement Checker is reading the v7 pro file [Android]

    Previously Completed

    #4121: Update Coordinates and FOV panels on home screen [Android]
    #4161: [Android] Inverse Monochrome Chart Hard To Read
    #4168: [Android] Add To List Text Not Visible In Object Info When Adding to List
    #4133: Image Import UI Polish [Android]
    #4157: [Android] Observing List Not Autofilled When Using Create Observation Button From 'Show Observations' Menu
    #4163: [Android] Cannot Add Object to Newly Created List
    #4164: [Android] Observe > Planner: Search Results Issue
    #4169: [Android] Object Info > Description Stutters When Scrolling
    #4167: [Android] Physical Parameters Data Hidden
    #4155: Appulse Events Not finding [Android]
    #4154: Satellite Events Config is not saving [Android]
    #4135: Fix Settings Main screen weirdness when setting Theme and then going back to main screen [Android]
    #4160: [Android] Viewing Lunar Feature Density Menu While Orbiting The Moon Changes FOV
    #4044: StarPx Remote Plate Solving - Cloud Fallback Integration [Android]

    #4148: Wrong drawable for the edit list deletion mark.
    #4160: [Android] Viewing Lunar Feature Density Menu While Orbiting The Moon Changes FOV
    #4159: [Android] Lunar Surface Features Missing From Moon Object Info More Menu

    #4143: Add "Show Lunar Feature Outlines" to Solar System Settings [Android]
    #4144: [Android] Some Search Submenu Items Return No Data
    #4120: Apply new styles to Object Info [Android]
    #4134: Image Import Class Rename [Android]
    #4114: Update Object Selection [Android]

    #4138: Advanced Planet Rendering [Android]
    #4139: Apply new styles to Subscriptions, add 'Get Premium' button [Android]
    #4140: Update Help Menu [Android]
    #4128: ImportSequence Activity refactor [Android]
    #4118: Planner range bars [Android]
    #4117: Update Help Button Availability [Android]
    #4094: Lunar Surface Outlines Feature - outlines not visible [Android]
    #4129: Make sure Help is themed [Android]
    #3784: Ensure Parse Data automatically imported 7 -> 8 [Android]
    #4109: Add Subscription Support [Android]

    #4051: Update RevenueCat support [Android]
    #4052: Import new UI icons [Android]
    #4050: Add OneSignal support [Android]
    #4074: Set Correct Link for SME Settings Page
    #3225: [Android] Augmented Reality
    #4115: Update DateTime Picker [Android]
    #4114: Update Object Selection [Android]
    #4116: Update Observe Menu Icons [Android]
    #4119: Style Search/search edit box [Android]
    #3817: Ability to rotate the FOV [Android]
    #4047: Plate Solving - On-Demand Index File Downloads [Android]
    #4058: Add default configuration for Reginato Encoder System [Android]
    #4059: Add Default configuration for ZWO [Android]
    #3954: Import Images to Gallery [Android]
    #3811: User Selected Theme [Android]
    #4107: Per App Lanuage Setting [Android]
    #4053: New colors and icons [Android]
    #4054: New Menu Structure [Android]
    #4080: New OBB files for v8 [Android]
    #3850: Convert Checkboxes to switches in Settings [Android]
    #4043: Satellite Events - JNI Configuration and UI Implementation [Android]
    #4049: cfitsio Integration - FITS Import with WCS Metadata [Android]
    #4048: Appulse Events - JNI Configuration and UI Implementation [Android]
     
    ^^^ Thanks for all your contributions so far - we are looking UP!
     
  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    We have a new release, 8.0.0.14 with a lot more polish on the Image Display feature.

    User Images can now be turned off.  "Display In Sky" in the Image Meta Data screen, and "Center in Chart" in the context menu of the photo gallery now correctly display the images.

    Please help us out - please take the opportunity to try plate-solving some images, and displaying them in the sky, and giving us feedback so we can iron out any wrinkles.

    There are definitely a few issues we need to pin down.

    To join, if you haven't yet: https://play.google.com/apps/internaltest/4700789962214613007

    SkySafari - Android - 8.0.0 (First Release - Android Pro Only) Tickets

    Tickets Completed

    #4190: "Show in Sky" only works if there are no images currently displayed [Android]
    #4142: Reintegrate SkySafariActivityUserImages [Android]

    Previously Completed

    #4192: The 'On Demand Data' prompt also doesn't show when plate solve results show [Android]
    #4191: Plate Solve results don't show in ImageDetail and MetaData, only PhotoGallery [Android]
    #4172: [Android] Deleted Sessions Delay
    #4189: Resetting Toolbar to Default View Is Not Visible Until Exit and Restart of SkySafari [Android]
    #4122: Chart Coordinates & FOV On Status Bar Interfere With Object Info
    #4187: Add setting to Show User Images [Android]

    Thanks sooooo much to everyone!

  • 0
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    Alister Ling

    Hi Keiron and SS users! I would also like to join. I joined in SS6, snd now use SS7 Pro on a Samsung tablet. I am particularly keen on attaching sketches to my obs. I drive Nexstar scopes for outreach and for our beginner stargazer group through the Celestron WiFi, and a Skywatcher EQ6 Pro through a SkyFi dongle. Used SS7 Pro to log 1100+ objects last year in Namibia, and am monthly contributor to Astronomy magazine.

  • 0
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    Andrea Petrone

    I'd like to participate in the SkySafari 8 beta testing (Android Only).
    Andrea Petrone
    petrone.andrea89@gmail.com

    I use SkySafari 6 Pro and 7 Pro (I participated in the 7 beta program, you may remember me!).
    I use a Samsung A04S (Android 14).
    I observe mostly visually, but I also use an Svbony 305 webcam.

    Thanks, clear skies.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hello Beta-Testers!

    SS8 Pro for Android has been released!  

    Your troubleshooting and app enhancement suggestions have been invaluable to our development team.

    But, more importantly, you have ensured a solid app release for thousands of SkySafari Android users around the world.

    MASSIVE THANK YOU from SimCur and the global Android SkySafari community!

    If you want to exit the beta at this time, and purchase SS8 Pro while it is on sale please use the link below:

    https://play.google.com/apps/internaltest/4700789962214613007

    Visit the same page used to join the beta, except choose to "Leave the program" instead.

    If you want to continue beta-testing, you are welcome to re-join using the same link at any time.

    Beta-testing gets you continued access to, and testing of, the newest features first, and the opportunity to continue helping our developers shape the future of the app.

  • 1
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    Jeremiah Burton

    Keiron, 

    I left the beta, so I could buy Sky Safari 8 Pro, but when I look it up in the play store, I couldn't buy it.  All it had was an instal option, as if I had already paid for it.  Am I missing something?

     

    I do plan to rejoin the beta after buying it.  

  • 0
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    Chris

    I'm experiencing the same thing

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Jeremiah, Chris, 

    Please try again.  I think I figured it out.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Jeremiah Burton

    Your link says I'm not invited to the beta anymore.  The play store no longer says I'm in the beat program.  But the Play store is still set to let me install it without paying for it.  

    I love your app, and want to help support development and support, to keep it going far into the future.  

  • 0
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    Chris

    Same, install is only option, can't purchase.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Jeremiah, Chris, 

    Your email addresses have been removed from the Google Play internal test track.

    And you have used the official Google-provided link to remove yourself from the Google Play beta testing channel(s).

    At this point, I don't see what I can do.  It appears to be an issue with Google Play's backend propogation.

    While you are not officially listed as still "in the beta", you are not required to buy the app either - Google Play is still honoring, caching, or otherwise retaining your free internal-test install eligibility/state after beta removal.

    Since you still have access to the app, I think the concern here is purchasing the app at a discount.  But, let us not worry about that.

    Just keep using the app as-is for now, without purchasing it.

    If the sale ends, and you are at some point required to buy the app, send me a direct email.

    Thanks!

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