With the update to version 2.1.1 the convert of the database works by most of the users. But by some users the database file itself is corrupted and so also the new version did not help.

When the App does not start even if version 2.1.1 is installed, only the deletion of the database or a reinstall of L4C will help. For this I wrote a FAQ entry: FAQ: App does not start after the update

Sorry that the Update to 2.1 brings such problems to some of you!

The cause why this happened I have found and fixed, so I am confident that this will be no problem on the next update containing a database migration. To be on the save side I will add a backup function in a following release.

This weekend I released a new version of Looking4Cache. In this version the from many users long awaited Live Map was added.

Unfortunately the pleasure about the new functions was clouded by crashes after the update by a lot of users. Meanwhile I found the cause and will send a corrected version to apple today.

If your interested in the background: It is because for some of the new functions a database migration is needed. This takes to long by some installations and the App crashes. By my devices and my beta testers this worked well, but there is a difference between 30 test devices and thousands of installations out there.

As soon as you installed the new version (2.1.1) the database will be converted. Depending on the size of the database this can take up to several minutes. While this the App will “freeze” in the splash screen. Please do not stop L4C while this – just let it run.

On this point I will refer to the option “Maintain Database” in the configuration. If you use this function regular L4C will run faster because the database will be compacted.

Exactly two years ago the first version of Looking4Cache was released. Because of this I reduced the price for all my apps for one week.

• Looking4Cache Pro is over 50% cheaper.
• GPS Averaging is the whole week for Free!
• In mAPP I´ve reduced the big map-packs (Continents and the World-Wide-Flatrate) and some country maps over 50%.

Now after finished my work on AMAZE I will spend more time on Looking4Cache. First clear the neglected support and then developing a small update.

Since yesterday night a new Geocaching App called AMAZE is available on the AppStore. For Android it´s available since about one month. I´ve developed the iOS app in cooperation with DEMCOM-Networks, how already released other geocaching apps for Android.

AMAZE is not a app to search and find Geocaches like in the official app or Looking4Cache. It´s for finding the best Geocaches that matches the Geocachers needs.

With AMAZE you can search for the best Geocaches categorized. We created categories like Family Geocaches, Hiking Geocaches, Climbing Geocaches, Night Geocaches or Geocache-ToGo. Each Geocache can belong to one or several categories. The categorization is done by other AMAZE users who already found the Geocache. Or by the owner who knows best that he intent when placing the Geocache. If no user categorization is available for a Geocache (what is normal in this early stage) the app processes the attributes of the Geocache and tries to add it to a category.

The second part of AMAZE is a detailed rating system. It´s nearly like GCVote, where you can give a cache up to five stars. In AMAZE we added also a five star rating system, broken down to characteristics of the Geocache: Area, Manufacture, Puzzle Quality, Stations and Final. In the app the details ratings will be shown, but also a calculated overall rating (based on the AMAZE ratings, GCVote and FP´s).

The motivation for this App was the liking of us developers. I like short Hiking Geocaches, best with technical stages. Or short before I have a appointment out of office I need a Geocache-ToGo doable in a suit (like a traditional with a small terrain rating). Normally I have to search for my Geocache lists, with AMAZE this should change.

Here are some links:
AMAZE PRO iOS
AMAZE Pro Android
AMAZE Lite Android

AMAZE Lite for iOS is in review by Apple and will follow soon.

And some infos about DEVCOM-Networks ( Facebook | Google+ ) :
There are three other apps for Android released by Paul and Tom.

• TJ.Hooker manages your Geocaching contacts and offers you the search who already found a specific Geocache. Telephone Jokers..
• GeoFormel helps you by solving the math from multi Geocaches.
• With Watch GEOFriends you get a overview about your geocaching friends.

Have you ever tried to get exact coordinates with your iPhone, like for placing your next tupper? If yes, you may know how hard this is without a averaging function.

Today my third app was released! With it you can record coordinates every second, jumps will be filtered out automatically. For each station you can make several measures which will be averaged.

One of my beta testers compared it to his GPSr and get nearly the same locations. I wish you pleasure by placing your next Geocache.

Here is a link to the AppStore: GPS Averaging

Also the version 2.0.2 of Looking4Cache is in review by Apple. In this version the current known bugs will (hopefully) been solved. Also there will be a surprise function that was frequently requested in the last weeks.