The next major version of EasyRoute is in the late stages of beta. (Contact me if you want to test!)
Compatibility Warning
The next release of EasyRoute uses Mapbox v10. If you currently have offline data, it is not compatible with the new Mapbox. Hold off on updating or re-download the offline data after the update if you still need it.
New Maps
As I said with EasyRoute 4 (three years ago already!) a major new feature merits a major version change, so the next version is EasyRoute 5.
EasyRoute 5 will feature Apple Maps, Mapbox and Google Maps. When using Google Maps, you can use Street View in the app rather than launch it externally.
This change necessitates a change to EasyRoute’s revenue model. A subscription is required to use maps other than Apple Maps. If you are an existing Premium user, you will continue to have access to everything you have access to now, including Mapbox maps.
While I’m not crazy about the subscription model, EasyRoute will be set up as a free app where features that don’t cost me anything don’t cost you anything.
The Breakdown
Existing Premium Users
You continue to get everything you paid the one-time price for. Apple Maps is the default, but Mapbox is still available since that is the default map with the Premium in-app purchase.
New and Free Users
Apple Maps will be the default map. It’s free to me so it’s free to you.
Subscribers
Subscribers will get all features and all maps. Offline usage is tied to Mapbox so that feature will only be available with a subscription (or if you are an existing premium user). Integrated Street View is tied to Google Maps, so that will only be available through a subscription too.
More Stuff
There are some other odds and ends I will announce when it’s released, but I wanted to put the information about incompatibility the subscription out there now. While existing Premium users will continue to get everything they had before, I was hoping to address any concerns before the release. Please reach out through Twitter or my contact form.
When is it coming out? I think it’s about ready now. It’s been in beta for about a month and I’ve been testing it myself, putting builds in TestFlight for my various devices since about April. I’m thinking another week or two.
