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Beta Testing SkySafari 7 (iOS Only) - Read This To Participate!

Invitation to iOS Users:

Everyone here in the Community Forums (with an Apple iOS 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 7!

 

How to Apply:

Please reply here (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.  Please do not post requests to join the SS7 beta in other forums, as they will not be accepted.  If you're reading this you can reply here.

When you are officially invited to participate you will see and have access to the SN7 Beta Testing forum.  The SS7 Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are invited to participate.  When you are accepted, you will be notified via a TestFlight email and then you will be able to both view the SS7 beta forum and download the SS7 beta app.

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 SS7 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 7 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 SS7 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 SS7 Beta Forum:

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the SS7 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 7 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.

 

 

Replying to Email Updates:

When you follow the SS7 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 SS7 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.

 

TestFlight:

In order to participate you will need to have TestFlight installed on your iOS device(s).  You can download and install TestFlight from this link here:

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/testflight/id899247664?mt=8

 

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 SS7 Beta Testing group.
  3. When invited to join the beta testing, download and install the iOS TESTFLIGHT app.
  4. FOLLOW the main SS7 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 beta forum.  We will reply to you there. 

Thank YOU! 

We are very excited about the up and coming release of SS7 and we're looking forward to working closely with everyone involved in the beta testing.

Again, this is only for Apple iOS devices, at this time.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 
Date Votes

243 comments

  • 0
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    Chris

    I'm in for iOS beta testing on my iPhone Pro with 14.7.1 and my 5th gen iPad Pro with 14.7.1. Not controlling any scopes but am an SS power user since SS4. Can't wait!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Excellent, and THANK YOU Chris, you are #1!

  • 0
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    Jamie

    im in for testing on my iPhone14.8 with EZEQ6 and synscanWifi dongle - looking forward to it. Been using SS for a number of iterations and helped test last time thanks Jamie

  • 0
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    Dmlounsbury

    I would like to participate in the beta program. I use an iPad Pro 11 controlling a Celestron 6, as well as with various binoculars.

  • 0
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    Leighton Powell

    Hi there Simulation Corp.

    I would love to test your new version of skysafari, I have been testing since version 4. I use it on iphone and ipad frequently with my Celestron SLT130. I have recently moved to a new location with better access to night skies and this would be a better opportunity to test the app

  • 0
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    Willy Le Roy

    Count me in as well - I'll be glad to help !

    Keep up the good work

  • 0
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    Send2mesvp

    Please add me to the iOS testing. I have tested the previous versions, and use SkySafari extensively for all my imaging plans.

  • 0
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    Dan J

    I'm in for iOS beta testing - I use SkySafari Pro every dark sky chance I get, on two devices iPhone 12 pro max w/ iOS 15 RC, and iPhone X w/ iOS 14.8.  Scopes are a new Celestron Nexstar 6se w/ Starsense and Wifi skyportal, a dob with a DobsonDream8 push-to kit, and an Orion Starblast 6i (push-to) with an IntelliFi wi-fi adapter.  I'm also a Control Systems engineer for a semiconductor company in my day job, so I kinda get how the product development process works.  Glad to help!

     

  • 0
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    Bhuvaneshbhatt

    I have used SkySafari 5 and 6. I'm a hobbyist and I do binocular astronomy for the most part, although my group has a Celestron NexStar (I don't remember the model number). I'm thinking of buying a telescope and doing astrophotography. I have a 2018 iPad with iPadOS 14.7.1.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi SS7 Beta Testers!

    A little update.  We are presently waiting for Apple to approve the first beta testing build.  Once approved everyone here will get an email and/or notification from TestFlight to install SS7.

    You should all now see and have access to the SS7 Beta Testing community forum here:

    SkySafari 7 | Beta Testing (iOS)

    Please have a peak inside and make yourself familiar with the first 3 posts.

    Once SS7 is available that forum is where all the action should take place.

     

     

     

    If you can't find or access the SS7 Beta Testing community forum please let me know in a comment here.

    Thanks, and get ready for lift-off!

  • 0
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    JayCee B

    Please, thanks to add me to the iOS tests (on 14.7.1 for now). I am a SkySafari 6 Pro user and would be happy to help.

  • 0
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    Bob Denny

    Focusing on testing ASCOM Alpaca compatibility. I have the Alpaca “omni simulator” running on the Raspberry Pi, as well as the Windows ASCOM COM Telescope simulator with which I will test via the ASCOM Remote middleware. I’ll review not only functionality and error handling, but also Alpaca JSON/REST structure. This is great!!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    JayCee, 

    You have been added to the SS7 beta testing.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Bob, 

    You have been added to the SS7 beta testing.

    Thanks!

  • 1
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    Pedro Braganca

    Just a quick reminder that we haven't optimized the app for iPad yet and there will likely be a number of UI and stability issues encountered.  If you have an iPad and iPhone, focus on iPhone for now.  We'll be spending time next week on iPad and you should have a much cleaner build soon.  Thank you for sending us your feedback!

  • 0
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    Brett Greenleaf

    Hi - Been using SkySafari since version 3, currently on SkySari 6 Pro on iPhone 12, and 2019 iPad (can't remember which version off the top of my head) (Also use PC version, but that's not applicable here!) - used it to push-to with an Apertura AD10 with AstroDevices Nexus II.  Observe at least a few times a month.

    Would love to get into the SS7 Beta.


    Thanks!

  • 0
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    steve wright

    I love SkySafari 6 and I love iPhone iOS. I have a celestron and a ioptron mount. I'd be happy to be a tester

     

  • 0
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    Eduardo Ponsdomenech

    I’d like to beta test. I’ve been using the past two versions of the app. I currently use it in conjunction with the ASI air pro.

  • 1
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    August Miller (August's Astrophotography)

    I would like to beta test. I use SkySafari Pro v6 nearly every day and would consider myself a power user.

    -iPhone Xr

    -IoS 15.0

    -Celestron 11" HD Edge on a CGEMii mount

    -Astrophotography and visual

     

  • 1
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    Bob Coats

    I would like to join Beta programme for SS7. I am currently using SS6 Pro and have done so for about 1 year. Love it. 
    I have Test pilot and use SS6pro on iPad Pro and iPhone 11 Pro and all software is up to date. 

    I am also on Beta programme for AsiAir Plus which I use with AZGTI mount in eq mode. 
    Scope generally wide and very wide field rigs. 14mm-200mm on 2 setups. 

  • 1
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    Chris Watson

    I'd like to apply in order to further test and add to the broadest range of supported hardware.

    Ive been using sky safari pro since version 5. Including and up to pro 6.

    My current visual setup is:

    Celestron 1100 Edge HD

    CGX mount

    Starsense auto align

    Celestron SkyPortal wifi module

     iPhone X / iOS 14.7.1

    SkySafari 6.8.5.2

  • 0
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    Maureen Salmi

    I would love to beta test Sky Safari 7! I have been using SkySafari Pro for many years and was a beta tester for SkySafari 4. I used to used SkyWire and Sky Safari with an iPad 2. Now I have a 12” Dob, a 9.25 SCT with CGEMmount, an 8” CPC and a 6” Celestron NexStar Evolution. I currently use SkySafari 6 Pro on an iPhone 11 Pro Max and IPad Pro.  Both have the latest software updates.

  • 0
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    Owen Brazell

    Hi I would like to be includd in the beta test. I have used SkySafari since SkySafari 4 and currently run two iOS devices an iPhone 7 and an iPad Mini 4, both on iOS 15 (or iPadOS 15) I currently use the Pro version on both for work looking for comets. I was on the SkySafari 6 beta test program although I understand you may no longer be interested in people who don't use SkySafari to control scope. I currently control my observing lists through LiveSky premium and generate them form other programs though | do use the planning features in SkySafari as well

  • 0
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    Tamás Fehér

    Hi, I'd like to join for beta testing. I have an iPhone 12 Mini with iOS 15. I'm using SkySafari 6 Pro since 2018, I have a SkyWatcher AZGTi mount and sometimes I control it with SkySafari. I'm planning to buy an iOptron mount in the next year. I know Skysafari quite well, however I'd not consider myself as a power user (some of my friends do not agree with it :) ). The best feature I like the most is the observing list creation with filters. I also use other planetarium apps.

  • 0
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    Tom Polakis

    I would like to b a Beta tester for SkySafari 7.  I use SS6 on iOS pretty much daily for my hobby interests and for professional work that I do at Lowell Observatory. There are probably very few people who have promoted SkySafari in the amateur and professional communities as much as I have, so I'm looking forward to what v7 has in store.  So please, let me in the group!

    Apologies if I haven't yet found it, but is there a list of new features and changes from 6 to 7?

  • 0
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    Richard and Lauren

    Hello, I would love to be able to help. I have been using SkySafari 6 to control my Nexstar Evolution 8 as well as countless hours sifting through the database whenever I have time.

  • 0
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    cliffs.mr2

    I would like to Beta test Skysafari 7 have used SS since my iphone6 using Skysafari 6pro now with my Vixen Starbook10 and iphone10s
    Already beta test a couple of apps in Testflight

  • 0
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    Bill Kocken

    I would like to participate. I use SF6 for planning purposes  and controlling an Ioptron mount and a 16” dob. I am a visual observer. I would love to see improvements in observation logging. I use a SkyFi and a homemade version of a SkyFi

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Bill, Cliffs, Richard, Lauren, Tom, Tamás, Owen, Maureen, Chris, Bob, August, Eduardo, Steve & Brett,

    You are all approved for SS7 beta testing!  

    Thank you for joining, we look forward to your feedback this week!

    Everyone is GO for LIFT-OFF!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    You should all now see and have access to the SS7 Beta Testing community forum here:

    SkySafari 7 | Beta Testing (iOS)

    Please have a peak inside and make yourself familiar with the first 4 posts.

     

     

    If you can't find or access the SS7 Beta Testing community forum please let me know in a comment here.

    Thanks!

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