It's Released - DishPointer Augmented Reality App!

[Claude Greiner]

I just released on the app store, its $20.

Not bad but it is a little different than I expected

[AlanSH]

Yep, it's out now. DP compass got converted into DP AR Pro and DP LoS into DP AR. Free updates for all existing users.

DP AR Pro cost $19.99 and DP AR $9.99

iTunes still shows the old screenshots and logos as by the looks of it all iTunes upload servers are down, so can't update any of the images at the moment.

@Claude: Which bit is different than what you expected? I've done a lot of work on the lens distortion and arc projection so that has changed from the video, if that's what you mean?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Downloading now.

Cant wait to try it out!

Downloaded...

I love it, and like the selectable satellite lists.

Thanks Alan!

[Stargazer]

I wonder if there is a new YouTube video demonstrating the released app?

[Claude Greiner]

Yep, it's out now. DP compass got converted into DP AR Pro and DP LoS into DP AR. Free updates for all existing users.

DP AR Pro cost $19.99 and DP AR $9.99

iTunes still shows the old screenshots and logos as by the looks of it all iTunes upload servers are down, so can't update any of the images at the moment.

@Claude: Which bit is different than what you expected? I've done a lot of work on the lens distortion and arc projection so that has changed from the video, if that's what you mean?

Yes, its different than in the initial video is what I ment.

I downloaded it earlier this afternoon and its an awesome application.

Is there compansation built in for the differences in magnetic north? I have walked under a few Dishes and im kind of questioning the accuracy. Im going to go on the roof tomorrow and stand behind the Dishes on my flat roof, just to double check.

[AlanSH]

Is there compansation built in for the differences in magnetic north? I have walked under a few Dishes and im kind of questioning the accuracy. Im going to go on the roof tomorrow and stand behind the Dishes on my flat roof, just to double check.

You mean the accuracy of the compass or the app?

The accuracy of the compass can be greatly affected by magnetic interferences. The app takes those internal readings and converts them to satellite positions. The internal readings (magnetic and true) are displayed on the screen so you can double check with a manual compass. The accuracy of the app you can check by comparing it with the results from DishPointer.com -> satellite name must match bearing. If that's the case it all comes down to the accuracy of the internal compass. To overcome the limitations of the compass I put 3 measures in place:

1. The compass seems to work more precisely when iPhone is held flat. So, you move the device around until you get the right reading at the bottom (sat pos). The press the compass lock button and lift the iPhone up to see the arc. Now you must not move the iPhone laterally, the arc is fixed and should cover around 30 degrees of the arc which should be for practical purposes sufficient but the next update will let you put the iPhone in landscape mode so it would cover 60 degrees. You can also hold the iPhone flat again, unlock the compass and do it again. This is only if you have trouble with the compass readings - apparently some devices are very sensitive and some not.

2. You can enter a manual compass reading. Select the manual compass from the settings page and put in your true readings (i.e. compass readings adjusted by magnetic declination - further updates will do this automatically). Then point the iPhone in the direction of the compass and lift it up. You cannot move the phone laterally.

3. If you have already a fixed dish you can use the satellite as a reference point. Remember, the app needs to know the in which global direction you are holding the device. A satellite is a good reference point, so if you can tell the app that you are holding it towards satellite e.g. 110.W and you know that it's true because you're standing under a dish and do so, the app will calculate all other satellite positions based on this information.

[SatelliteAV]

First, I must thank you for releasing the app as an upgrade to current users! Very much appreciated! I fully expected some amount of upgrade fee when I saw the new app price and compared to the $1.99 that I had paid for the original app! It is rare to have such a gift for being an early adopter!

This app is fantastic! I only could play with the upgrade for a few minutes and all I can say is WOW! This tool has the potential to change the installation industry! Love the selectable satellite list!

I used the app as suggested by first holding the iPhone flat to obtain a compass bearing then tilted the iPhone towards the sky. The birds were displayed inline with the reference dish heading. Today, I hope to have a little more time to test the app for accuracy.

Have I overlooked the ability to take a photo? For documentation purposes, a screen shot displaying the location coordinates and aiming would be an ideal.

[AlanSH]

Brian: I thought it would be a good thing to do a free upgrade, nonetheless the apps are very much related.

There is the ability to take a picture: Just press the power home button at the same time. An inbuilt app photo button is not possible as the camera chip never sees the arc, that's just on the display plus the chip is 2MP whereas the arc on the display is only 320*480px. Afaik, the API does not have image manipulation capabilites, so that I can not upscale the arc and merge with the chip recording. But the method above works, you'll find the picture in the camera roll, albeit it will be of low resolution.

[AlanSH]

Stargazer: No, no new video yet but they are pretty much the same. Here are the differences, new features:

- Arc takes into acount lens mapping and distortions
- Lat, Lng, heading true, heading mag, sat pos, elevation and skew are displayed for the center satellite (and get updated when you move the phone laterally)
- Option to select the satellites to be displayed from a list
- Pro version: You can add and delete satellites from the list
- Satellite list can be updated from server when new lists are available
- You can choose from three modes: internal compass, manual compass, or existing satellite
- Option to lock the compass before lifting the iPhone as it seems that the compass works better when iPhone is held flat.

I'll try to get a video up soon but not before the weekend.

[cditty]

Thanks for updating the existing users. This version is absolutely wonderful. I now have DP AR Pro and DP AR.

Can I delete DP AR? Is it the same as the other one now?