Birdguides app does not work with IOS8 (1 Viewer)

[bluesinlondon]

Think twice about updating to IOS8, or renewing your Birdguides anywhere subscription because the app doesn't work with IOS8...

Apparently it's in their newsletter dated today, but that doesn't help me who took out a subscription (in-app) yesterday

The app just returns the result 'No News Items. Tap Refresh to reload' - but refreshing has no effect.

Birdguides have told me...

"Progress is being made and a new version of the app is currently being tested. As soon as this has been completed and Apple has approved the update, a new version of the app will become available for download. We will announce its release as soon as we can on Twitter, our Facebook page and www.birdguides.com, as well as in the next available Weekly Newsletter. Until that point, we are also providing regular updates on the presence of any 'megas', such as the Masked Shrike at Kilnsea, via Twitter."

 

[toby]

Think twice about updating to IOS8, or renewing your Birdguides anywhere subscription because the app doesn't work with IOS8...

Apparently it's in their newsletter dated today, but that doesn't help me who took out a subscription (in-app) yesterday

The app just returns the result 'No News Items. Tap Refresh to reload' - but refreshing has no effect.

Birdguides have told me...

"Progress is being made and a new version of the app is currently being tested. As soon as this has been completed and Apple has approved the update, a new version of the app will become available for download. We will announce its release as soon as we can on Twitter, our Facebook page and www.birdguides.com, as well as in the next available Weekly Newsletter. Until that point, we are also providing regular updates on the presence of any 'megas', such as the Masked Shrike at Kilnsea, via Twitter."

Yep, pretty poor in my opinion, and something that will certainly make me think before I next renew. iOS8 should hardly have been a surprise to them. Apple (as do Microsoft and Google with their releases) always provide developers with the preview tools to sort out issues *before* any OS upgrade is released to the general public. Seems BirdGuides didn't bother. Progress has "been made" for days it seems (how difficult a fix is it!?) but if they haven't even submitted it for approval yet, then that will add a few days to it. All other apps on my phone worked fine with iOS8, due to a whole load of updates from developers in the week or so prior to the release of iOS8. As I say, seems Birdguides decided not to bother. - Toby

 

[NAB]

Yep not happy (RBA have the same issue, which they communicated well), so whilst RBA was down, I took out a month’s subscription to the Birdguides App (first checked the website and no issues stated) only to find that it’s not working and no offer of a refund!

Problems appear to be widespread, as even my Natwest Banking App isn’t working properly. I’m hoping RBA will be back in the next few days, based on their last communication?

 

[bluesinlondon]

Hmm yes...

I was told... "In the meantime, we apologise for the inconvenience caused, and thank you for your patience."

I responded that it was not so much a case of "inconvenience", more a case of "taking my money for a service that they are not able to provide", and could I have a refund please, or at least allow me access to the same information on their website...

I have yet to receive a reply...

 

[lewis20126]

Don't these services (also) have a text service? Surely that would be the best default. I've never had these things or a pager so not sure how it all works tbh.

cheers, alan

 

[bluesinlondon]

Don't these services (also) have a text service? Surely that would be the best default. I've never had these things or a pager so not sure how it all works tbh.

cheers, alan

Well any kind of alternative offer would be welcome, but so far none has been forthcoming, just thanks for my 'patience'...

 

[NAB]

RBA are offering the text service until it's fixed.

 

[NAB]

Apparently Apple released the test version of IOS8 to developers and then changed things just before it's main release, so Apple may be the bad boys here and not the App developers/bird info providers?

 

[toby]

I'm loathe to defend Apple, but I don't think that's the case.

 

[bluesinlondon]

I discovered a way to get the news without having to go through the app... If you go to 'My Services' on the website, then 'Bird News Anywhere', 'settings', there is a link which gives access to a simple, text only, list of sightings. It's better than nothing... Would've thought Birdguides themselves might have suggested it..

 

[birdieboy123]

Though the Birdguides app itself isn't working for me either, I'm still getting push notifications

 

[bluesinlondon]

This morning have had an email from Birdguides telling me the new version of the app will be available 'imminently'.

They have also given me a 'Bird News Extra' subscription to cover the period I bought in-app, so I can use the full website.

 

[SiG]

All a bit pants.

At the very least I expect my subscription renewal to be delayed by the equivalent period of iOS8 being launched and Birdguides' eventual fix.

Ho hum.

 

[Rare Bird Alert]

Hi folks just to update you on the RBA app and iOS8 problems.

We are very pleased to inform you that our updated App, which has fixes for iOS8, and was submitted to Apple on 18 Sept, has just been approved by Apple is now available in the App store. It is v1.6

This release has fixes for iOS8, but has no new features. The last new features were added in v1.4 in August

On any device already running iOS8:
You need to download the latest version of our app (v1.6) from the app store. If you have any problems - please let us know asap by reply. If you have missed out on paid time on your App, please contact us and we will be very pleased to check your account and add time for your lost time and more as a goodwill gesture.

On devices NOT running iOS8:
We STRONGLY suggest that you do NOT update your iOS to iOS8 at this stage, unless otherwise advised. There is no need to update to run the Rare Bird Alert app. Other apps from other companies are still having problems with iOS8, and iOS8 has other problems too.

As ever, if you have any queries or problems about any Rare Bird Alert services, please get in touch with us through out website, asap.

Obviously we will be compensating users who lost time on their subscription as well as adding some extra time as goodwill.

Many thanks for your patience whilst Apple approved the fix. We hope that you can get out birding this weekend and enjoy the app.

 

[jpoyner]

Though the Birdguides app itself isn't working for me either, I'm still getting push notifications

Same here with push notifications, which is the main reason I use the App (just unable to change them till it's fixed). I've just bookmarked the Birdnews Anywhere webpage which I still tend to use more than the App anyway so not really a major inconvenience. Loads of other Apps have been caught out by IOS8 so don't think it's totally Birdguides fault, though I do think the App could do with an update perhaps.

 

[robby1961]

still not working

On any device already running iOS8: [/B]
You need to download the latest version of our app (v1.6) from the app store. If you have any problems - please let us know asap by reply. If you have missed out on paid time on your App, please contact us and we will be very pleased to check your account and add time for your lost time and more as a goodwill gesture.

QUOTE]

So I deleted the app from my Ipad and downloaded the only version available and reinstalled, it was still version 1.1.
What am I missing?

 

[toby]

Anyone got the BirdGuides app working? It worked for me yesterday, but not today! Not sure whether it's meant to be fixed yet or not.

No messages from BirdGuides. Nothing (obvious) on website. Nothing recent on twitter. Not responding to technical support emails. Hello BirdGuides anyone there?

I suppose I could call them and hope someone answers. Maybe I'll write a letter instead. Not really "Better Birding Through Technology" as the website slogan suggests though is it?

Toby

 

[McMadd]

Seriously? First world problems eh..?

 

[toby]

Seriously? First world problems eh..?

Wasn't trying to suggest it was one of the biggest problems facing the planet. But hey, thanks for the input. Presumably you're bored.

 

[McMadd]

But hey, thanks for the input. Presumably you're bored.

Not bored just trolling...it is possible to go out without pagers or phones and look for your own birds...

cheers and a long and fruitful rarity following career to you all :t:
McM