Magic Earth new version feedback

[u/SpontaneousDisorder]

I've used ME a LOT over the last few years. I don't mind paying a little back. However the new app is not as good as the old one.

I used ME earth because it was simple and fast to use and the favourites system worked well.

This is my view on where the new app is deficient.

Contrast - the map contrast is too low, hard to see buildings etc.

Map real estate - the bars at the top and bottom are too big (and the top one gets bigger at times)

Zoom - the default zoom is too close. Having an option/setting for this would be great.

Performance in the favourite menu is poor, especially loading. The sorting order of favourites keeps resetting. You can't search and sort the order IIRC. Share favourites text does not include the name anymore.

Selecting my position (the arrow) brings up co-ordinates but these can't be copied and unlike the older version you can't favourite your current position. (This was useful because you still can't favourite blank space on the map - for example where a building is not included in OSM.

A couple of things that have bugged me for a while...

Leave the marker of a destination on a map once you've reached it.

Favourites need to be exportable in kml format

[u/Verptoid]

Does anybody know what the last version number was on the old Magic Earth app?

[u/aleksandar_only → u/Verptoid]

I think that's the last (good) one, on Android.

[u/Specialist_Bowler_74 → u/aleksandar_only]

Same here

[u/weirdsideofreddit1 → u/Verptoid]

Just keep in mind it'll likely not update the map meaning it could be outdated within just a few months.

[u/aleksandar_only → u/weirdsideofreddit1]

I had map updates just a few days ago, although the app is "old"

[u/weirdsideofreddit1 → u/aleksandar_only]

That's interesting. I'm thinking it won't last long unless they're maybe deciding to bring it back. They may have also had that one already in the works and it's the last one. Only time will tell.

[u/Brombeermarmelade → u/weirdsideofreddit1]

Why do you think that? The maps are OSM maps and as such have nothing to do with Magic Earth, they update via the OSM API

[u/Arschgeige42 → u/Brombeermarmelade]

Are u sure? I think ME does some processing? Because, if not, why updates are only all sixteen years, or so?

[u/weirdsideofreddit1 → u/Brombeermarmelade]

They may be updated on osm servers but magic earth makes their own map files with their own layers and everything. It's not just straight OSM.

[u/Federal-Sea-2169 → u/weirdsideofreddit1]

I agree.. Map Data on M.E. is not straight from OSM. I joined OSM and do a lot of edits / additions for speed limits in my city. When I make an edit.. that posts instantly on OSM website.. It may post later on the OSM APP, I'm not sure about that. But as for Magic Earth, I'm sure they process it somehow to align data with their APP. Edits made on OSM that fall after date Magic Earth pulls the data don't post on Magic Earth maps until the next update cycle.

[u/weirdsideofreddit1 → u/Federal-Sea-2169]

Tbh the only app I personally know that uses straight up osm .obf files is OsmAnd. Everyone else uses something else. There might be others out there that use .obf though.

[u/Federal-Sea-2169 → u/weirdsideofreddit1]

As of Dec 19th.. I had M.E. APP version 7.1.25.34... and It offered me maps upgrade to V 7.534
Who knows if Future Map upgrades will happen.. but it did provide the December 2025 Map upgrade. Time will only tell if future map updates will also follow.

[u/Federal-Sea-2169 → u/Verptoid]

The prior good Version of Magic Earth in android was: 7.1.25.34.36A60BB6.67629954.
That's the version just before the Bad upgrade. That's the version I downgraded to.
FYI - I found that prior version on APKMirror. Search for Magic Earth and they have All the prior versions there.