Possible warning - Navionics on Android

For me, the issue has now been resolved.

We exclusively send you the apk files to reinstall the three apps you purchased.

I feel that is 100% reasonable - thank you, Navionics!

I must say, having used the new app for a week so far, the new one's landscape and pinch zoom features are very useful. I'm glad I bought that as well.

To conclude:

- if you have the non-latest (pre Nov 2011) Navionics application and find that you cannot re-install it after a device refresh, Navionics appears willing to send you the application directly. E-mail them on mobile@navionics.com.

- the latest (2012) version has nice features e.g. pinch zoom, landscape mode, expanded coverage, etc which makes a lot of sense if you don't mind spending the extra £20-something quid. (And I'm not just saying this because they managed to resolve this for me...)
 
Have you pinted the Navionics people to this thread and suggested that they have a potential PR issue on their hands?

This forum has always had good things to say about their products, but that can change quite quickly, and perhaps remind them that these forum get spidered quickly and often appear very high in google search results. For example the search term "Navionics yacht android" currently has this thread at no 6 - click
I emailed mobile (italy) waste of time. Emailed sales(uk) no answer, phoned uk yesterday, no answer, phoned again today, a girl at the show answered, v nice, slightly harassed, hasnt had emails cause "internet not working" Am going to forward all the Italy ****e to her, as she asked, and also pointed out that a thread is running with a link to it!
Stu
 
Android Market

Reading this thread has been very enlightening. I'll get on the Navionics in the UK.

The problem I have is that I cannot purchase their product. They sell through the Android Market - I only have access to free products - theirs costs £xx.xx - I cannot see it - I cannot purchase it - etc. etc.

Mad.
 
Dialogue since 16th Dec - not much progress

No very happy with Navionics response... very poor

On Dec 16, 2011 11:00 AM, "
Dear Emma,

Thank you for your time today. As discussed I am most upset that having purchase the android app this summer at a cost of about £20 as it has now been upgraded with no fair upgrade path available to users of the original. All other android apps I own including the co-pilot sat nav, have permitted free upgrade as part of the development process or if a significant change have allowed original owners a period of discounted upgrade made clear in an email.

I am now stuck, whilst I would like to use the most current app for my RYA Coastal skipper course this winter, I am unwilling to invest further as by spring you may choose to upgrade again, and again expect full further payment. Put simply an appalling way to treat customers. It would appear I am not the only one getting upset about this:

http://www.yachtequipmentreview.com/?p=305

I would be grateful if you could please research a solution to my problem. As more people turn to this sort of device I'm feeling a warning to prospective customer may be helpful in something like PBO.

Many thanks,
Ian
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On 22 December 2011 22:23,

Dear Emma et al.,
Somewhat disappointed not to have had a response.... In hope, Ian

------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: martedì 3 gennaio 2012 13.22
To: Navionics Mobile; emma@navionics.co.uk
Subject: Re: Android app upgrade path

With no response I went ahead and bought it - and google issued a refund as a result of exceptional circumstances- great. Then navionics cancelled the licence! I've now bought again and again seek a refund, please!
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On 10 January 2012 10:16, Navionics Mobile <mobile@navionics.com> wrote:
Dear customer,
Thank you for your mail and sorry for the delay of our reply.
Reading your emails, we are missing which apps you bought this summer: Mediterranean, UK&Holland or USA?

You have already discussed with Navionics UK, but we first we need to know which app you had (could you kindly he tell us the exact date of purchase? Do you have a copy of his digital receipt?).

Are you asking for an update or do you want to have back the old app? Which model and Ios inside your device do you have?
We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.
Best Regards

Navionics Mobile Team
---------------------------------------------------
Sent: martedì 10 gennaio 2012 16.05
To: Navionics Mobile; emma@navionics.co.uk
Subject: Re: Android app upgrade path

Dear Navionics,
Please find attached pdfs showing original purchase of UK and Holland version 1 in August, and subsequent further purchase of UK & Holland V2 this January. You removed version 1 from the market offering no upgrade path to version 2. Hence I benefited from my original purchase for a period of only 4 months. My request is therefore for refund of either cost.

The version is clearly for Android, and is being used on HTC Desire HD

Thank you, Ian
------------------------------------------------
On Jan 11, 2012 3:58 PM, "Navionics Mobile" <mobile@navionics.com> wrote:
Dear Ian,
Thank you for your details.
The first UK&Holland App of August 2011 has been removed from the Android Market, due to the release of the new Navionics Mobile single app (that you bought in January).

Please, be advised that the original apps are no longer being supported, and will no longer receive updates.

The new Navionics Mobile single app is not an update to the previous regional apps, but an entirely new app product. This app will feature a much larger coverage area, updated chart data, as well as many new features.

If you decide to reinstall your previously purchased app, please, let us know, we can assist you providing with a special procedure. On the contrary, if you need to reinstall the new one, it is enough to repeat the procedure through the market, using the same account you created at the time of your purchase. In case you have some problem in downloading the new app, let us know which error message shows up.

At your disposal for further assistance.

Best Regards
Navionics Mobile Team

--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Navionics,

I quite understand every aspect of the situation as you describe it. Unfortunately, however I can only believe you are being deliberately obtuse in relation to my previous request, which remains. I ask again that you please respond properly to my request for a refund. Naturally I am unhappy having paid for the application twice and entirely dispute the suggestion that there is no developmental relationship between the two products purchased. Please be aware I see this as a matter of principle and will not simply let this be. From this point this correspondence will also be made public in order to alert other potential customers of your conduct.

Regards Ian
PS. Emma, you may perhaps help your Italian colleagues to understand?
 
Have you pinted the Navionics people to this thread and suggested that they have a potential PR issue on their hands?

This forum has always had good things to say about their products, but that can change quite quickly, and perhaps remind them that these forum get spidered quickly and often appear very high in google search results. For example the search term "Navionics yacht android" currently has this thread at no 6 - click

It's number two now...
 
There seems to be two areas of concern, here.

People with OLD app can no longer use what they paid for

This is the issue that I originally raised. Navionics recognised the issue and will provide customers with a backup copy of the OLD app so that it can be re-installed.

To get your backup copy, simply e-mail mobile@navionics.com, provide them with your receipt and copy the file they send you to the right place on your device.

Problem sorted.

People with the OLD app no longer getting updates

I agree, this sounds unfair - until you realise that the new version is quite a lot different e.g. you don't download all charts onto your card during installation but you select what you want at any given time and it only downloads that. The coverage is vastly bigger, etc.

More obviously, though - did we really expect to get free chart updates forever? This, in my view, remains a challenge for Navionics. One solution could be to make the app free - including updates - but to charge for chart downloads e.g. "Navionics UK - 2012 edition" through a key locked to your address. This way, you can always re-download the app and any charts you own.
 
Geoff

I did a factory reset to the original firmware so the device should be supported. I'm not after ongoing upgrades - I'd be happy if they call it Navionics UK 2011 and not update it after 2011.

Instead of removing it from the market, Google should keep the app but not show it in future search results. That way, people can re-install for example the 2011 version if they've bought it previously, or they can buy the 2012 version.

Ian

Welcome to the forum. I've spoken to Emma who pointed me to the mobile team in Italy - but I have not heard anything from that team yet. I'll update here when I do.

Perhaps they should send out the APK to paid-up users who ask for it - after all, one can get it on peer to peer already however I'd rather have a "clean" copy.

I'd certainly agree with that and I think it's what they did on the App Store. Haven't Navionics offered to send you the apk files for the 2011 version? You're not the only person confused/unhappy about it though - http://www.panbo.com/archives/2010/12/navionics_mobile_5010_sorting_it_out.html. In fact I've bought the Navionics app twice now but I got a good deal of use out of the old one so I don't really mind, especially as I wanted the pinch and zoom on the tablet.
 
Just got my head around this and don't like what I found!

Having a similar issue on this as I have Europe loaded on to my Samsumg Tab 7 and wanted to add UK charts as well. Not so simple now. Figure that I'll need to reload Navionics Europe at some point, which the easiest way is to login to Google Play on a PC go through the list of Apps you've paid for and force it on to one of you're registered devices. This seems pretty successful.

You'd have thought I could have just purchased additional UK maps to go on the Europe App. I don't mind paying! Oh no, Navionics have now produced a new App which won't go on my device, apparently requires Android 3 and above. A**e!

Can't think of a way around this so will now need to buy a new sacrificial Android 4 Tablet to load on the NEW UK Holland APP plus pay £40+ for the privilage. Don't mind the money, but there has to be a lot of people out there who are running Android 2.2 who can't get this APP now even if they wanted to pay!:mad:

All like hard work! Might have to get the paper charts and dividers out again!
 
Google Play

I upgraded my Android device and discovered the Navionics applications I purchased 13 months ago could not be reinstalled.

Following advice I found in this thread, I emailed Navionics to request the files for re-installation. They didn't provide me with any help, just the same response to each of my (many) emails - we've removed the old apps, you can't reinstall them, you'll have to purchase the new ones.

So I contacted Google Play, who immediately agreed to refund my purchase. The refund took several days to arrive.

Since then I notice the old apps have reappeared in the Android Market.

So for anyone who had given up or is currently facing this issue:
- Check the Android Market again.
- Contact Google Play.

Good luck.

John
 
Seems as though problem solved.

Yep from what I can see it all looks as though it's sorted out. There now seem to be two versions of the software - HD and non HD. So Androiders like myself running Gingerbread can once again download the really useful software, which I have done for my £20 ish pounds. So now have UK & Holland plus Europe on my Galaxy Tab 7 and HTC Desire.

It's great for using in places like the Med where you generally have good visibility to keep an eye on where you are. I use it all the time, with a check of the paper charts- cross check with the chart plotter then sit on deck running off the tablet with the occassional X-check to make sure we're not sailing over a mountain (have found this with some Greek charts on a chartplotter even when adjusted for WGS84)!

Wouldn't mind have the option of a chart update every 12 months (which I'd be fine paying for).
 
Just changed to a 10.1 samsung note. Guess what, none of the navionics products ported across.

Emailed them.

Got a non-response.

Emailed again.

Got a response that quite bluntly said their app is a one time purchase.

Now in touch with a human in the UK office - will see what happens.

Shame, because I have been a big supporter of their products, but the attituide leaves a sour taste.

It's not like I am trying to get upgraded software or updates - I just want the products I bought 3 & 2 years ago.
 
I bought Navionics UK & Holland for my HTC Desire S phone in January. I August I got a Nexus 7 tablet which I linked to the same Google account. All of the apps that I had installed on my phone also became available on the tablet except for Navionics.

On investigating, I established that this was because there are different versions of the Navionics app for the different screen sizes, UK & Holland for the phone and UK & Holland HD for tablets. According the Google Play, only the standard version is compatible with my phone but neither version is compatible with my tablet.

However, I have successfully installed Navionics standard version on my tablet by backing it up from my phone and transferring the files to my tablet. To do this you need to install Astro File Manager. Since the licensing is linked to my Google account, I did not need to purchase a second licence. In fact, because Navionics is not offered by Google Play for my tablet I could not pay even if I wanted to!
 
<snip>

However, I have successfully installed Navionics standard version on my tablet by backing it up from my phone and transferring the files to my tablet. To do this you need to install Astro File Manager. Since the licensing is linked to my Google account, I did not need to purchase a second licence. In fact, because Navionics is not offered by Google Play for my tablet I could not pay even if I wanted to!

So did you install astro on both devices? It's not an app I know so thought I would ask a bit more before going for it.
 
I have both the newer Navionics Europe and the old style Navionics Norway. Navionics Norway can still be downloaded from Play to compatible devices (phones) if you have bought it previously. Just go to Play, My Apps and then choose the All tab instead of Installed, then you will find all apps ever installed on any of your Android devices. If you have ever bought Navionics UK you will find it there, I was not able to download Navionics Norway to my Galaxy Tab 10.1, but with my Galaxy S3 it worked fine (I just did it) . This was as expected, I was not able to install Navionics Norway on the GT 10.1 originally either, I had to wait for the release of the Europe version and then buy that.
 
Honestly this post isn't an anti Andoid - it's just that we've had a sucession of four iPads all of which have ported over both the original Navionics HD and the newer HD version. You can delete them from the iPad and reinstall anytime and use them on two or more iPads provided they're all on the same Apple ID.
 
Astro File Manager

I think that you only need Astro on the device from which you are taking the app. You can use the free version. There is a facility to back up apps which gives you the files used to install them. You then need to transfer the files to your second device. You could do this by various means but an email attachment sent to yourself is probably easiest. I cannot remember how I installed the second copy. You may be able to do it directly. If not, just install Astro again.
 
I think that you only need Astro on the device from which you are taking the app. You can use the free version. There is a facility to back up apps which gives you the files used to install them. You then need to transfer the files to your second device. You could do this by various means but an email attachment sent to yourself is probably easiest. I cannot remember how I installed the second copy. You may be able to do it directly. If not, just install Astro again.

sadly it doesn't work - the navionics apps come up with "(private)" where the check box should be on app backup. I tried a few other app backup app but none worked. Looks like I'm gonna have to root unless Navionics change their mind about customer service. damn!
 
The Frogs closed the company down before they thought about any possible need for compensation so there is legal entity to claim from otherwise you could claim. From experience Froggy consumer law is pretty good, so perhaps your rant is misdirected.

No rant against the French is ever misdirected! :D As the toast goes on Traflagar night " death to the French!". :D
 
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I think that you only need Astro on the device from which you are taking the app. You can use the free version. There is a facility to back up apps which gives you the files used to install them. You then need to transfer the files to your second device. You could do this by various means but an email attachment sent to yourself is probably easiest. I cannot remember how I installed the second copy. You may be able to do it directly. If not, just install Astro again.

Thanks Dave,

Installed Astro swiped left to get back up. Backed it up tried sending it direct, tablet would not receive the file type (even after installing Astro), so I Zipped it and sent it (using Astro) :cool:.

Tablet received zip file, then I opened it using Astro, which realized what it was doing and gave me the option to install it... So I did and it did and then I just had to down load the charts :D:D

Comrade I hope this helps...
 
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I bought Navionics UK & Holland for my HTC Desire S phone in January. I August I got a Nexus 7 tablet which I linked to the same Google account. All of the apps that I had installed on my phone also became available on the tablet except for Navionics.

On investigating, I established that this was because there are different versions of the Navionics app for the different screen sizes, UK & Holland for the phone and UK & Holland HD for tablets. According the Google Play, only the standard version is compatible with my phone but neither version is compatible with my tablet.

However, I have successfully installed Navionics standard version on my tablet by backing it up from my phone and transferring the files to my tablet. To do this you need to install Astro File Manager. Since the licensing is linked to my Google account, I did not need to purchase a second licence. In fact, because Navionics is not offered by Google Play for my tablet I could not pay even if I wanted to!

If past experience is anything to go by, ask them to send you the installation package for the standard definition one you bought.
 
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