Hello everyone,
We are excited to share CoMapeo’s latest mobile update (v3) with new features, updates to the UI and bug fixes! It has been a privilege to field test CoMapeo with our partners and collaborators to help us codesign new features and prioritize improvements in this and upcoming releases.
CoMapeo v3 includes...
🆕 New features
Carry over observations to a new project
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This update allows you to launch the app for the first time, collect observations, and when you are ready to map with others, simply name the project. Once the project is named, you can see the observations already collected, invite collaborators and exchange data. All your observations will be shared with teammates
How is this different from prior versions?
On the previous versions of CoMapeo (v2), you can launch the app for the first time and create observations. However, if you want to map with others, and exchange data, you have to create a project before collecting team observations. This is because when you create a project, CoMapeo (v2, and prior releases) will delete data you have previously collected.
How will this look like on CoMapeo v3?
A seamless experience from collecting data on your own to inviting teammates, and to experience the project using updated menu, and project and role visibility.
Exposing Observation Metadata
The digital and physical threats faced by CoMapeo users while protecting their territory has been increasing. We have therefore implemented measures to verify the metadata's source and ensure its integrity. This feature allows you to view and share the metadata of individual Observations.
First, there are 2 states to Observation Metadata, depending on if the data is validated or not.
- Validated Observations have data collected by creating an Observation with CoMapeo while the GPS signal is on, automatically linking GPS metadata with the description, details and media added by the user
- If the GPS Coordinates are manually entered, CoMapeo will display that data is un-validated.
To view the metadata of an Observation:
- Tap the grey bar that has the date and shield , or
- Tap the GPS coordinates bubble
The following Observation Metadata is displayedDate and time
- GPS coordinates
- Latitude
- Longitude
- Accuracy
- Altitude
- Altitude accuracy
- Speed
Tapping Share will open the Android share module to send data using a different app. CoMapeo is designed to send this metadata via Email or What’sApp. In an upcoming release of CoMapeo, a link will display information about our validation process.
✅ Updates
Menu Updates
The updated Menu UI is now full-screen with improved navigation.
- Device Name clearly displayed for easy identification
- Current Project card provides quick access to settings and collaboration
Menu Options streamlined for faster adjustments
- Exchange now grouped with other key functions in Menu
- App Settings centralizes all customization options
- Data & Privacy controls data sharing with Awana Digital
- About CoMapeo displays current version information
Project and role visibility improvements
The CoMapeo UI is now reflecting three possible experiences; mapping on your own, mapping as a Coordinator, or mapping as a Participant.
- At the top of the app, the header can either display 'My Solo Project’ or the custom project name as created by the Coordinator.
- At the top of the main menu, under the Project Name, the subtitle can display 'You are mapping on your own’, ‘You are a coordinator on this project’ or ‘You are a participant on this project’
- On the top of the Observation list, the header can either display 'You are mapping on your own’, ‘You are a coordinator on this project’ or ‘You are a participant on this project’
Other Improvements
Projects : We have identified inconsistent behaviors when a user accepts the invitation to a project. Some devices have not been able to join a project, whereas others have noticed the app to crash. We have been gradually improving this issue and have decreased the amount of app crashes and errors. The inconsistent behaviors have not 100% disappeared, we therefore continue to investigate, gather feedback and will be integrating improvements in upcoming releases.
Exchange : When exchanging data, received Observations appear with a blue line on the side in the Observation list. For exchanged Tracks, it was not the case, so it was not known which Track came from another device. Exchanged Tracks now appear with a blue line.
Tracks : When viewing an observation, and the device is offline, the detail view of that observation doesn't display the default map and the Tracks detail on it. The improvement allows for the default map and tracks detail to be displayed while offline.
Remote Archive: Remote Archive data exchange over the internet without needing to be on the same wifi and location as another user. This version of the feature is designed to run on a local server with no UI for editing or viewing the data — it is just for exchange and storage of data. An upcoming release of CoMapeo will introduce the improvement of allowing the user to remove the server.
App Passcode + Obscure Passcode : The App Passcode protects CoMapeo data from casual prying eyes (such as somebody picking up someone's phone and browsing the app). Whereas, Obscure Mode hides the actual data and displays an empty version of CoMapeo when activated.
❌ Known Issues
Issues when Editing an Observation
- Deleting added photo attachment while editing causes all photo attachments to disappear https://github.com/digidem/comapeo-mobile/issues/1172
- Deleting added audio recording while editing causes an error and inability to save the edit https://github.com/digidem/comapeo-mobile/issues/1161
Multiple improvements to Tracks will be released in the near future. Feedback from our partners reported that the feature lacked clarity and ease of use. For example, when recording a track, a certain distance needs to be walked for the track to be saved. If a user doesn't walk that distance and taps on “Stop Tracks”, the feature closes without a warning. Also, the distance required to be able to save a track varies per device. We will be introducing design and copy to make this clearer, setting a 1 meter distance required to be covered by all devices, as well as displaying a warning to inform the user when they haven't moved (and therefore nothing has been recorded yet.).
Audio - https://github.com/digidem/comapeo-mobile/issues?q=is%3Aissue state%3Aopen label%3Aaudio
As a new feature to CoMapeo, a few different issues have been identified to make capturing audio with confidence. For example, adding audio while editing an observation is slightly confusing. Most issues are overcome by becoming familiar with the current feature controls, or if in the odd case an error message appears, by restarting the app. For capturing audio with confidence, preventing a device from going to sleep while recording audio will guarantee best results.
Maps - https://github.com/digidem/comapeo-mobile/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3Amaps
🚀 What’s Next
Here is a sneak peek of what we have been working on and will be releasing in the coming weeks!
Multi-projects: CoMapeo v3 only supports a single project on a device. This is a limitation for users who want to participate in multiple projects, including users who want to collect personal data separately from a project they participate in. Soon, users will be able to create multiple projects and switch between them.
Data Export : Many users need to use data collected with CoMapeo outside the app, for further analysis or for generating visualizations or reports from the data. In a future release, users will be able to export Observations and Tracks of a project as a GeoJson or Zip file.
Over the coming weeks and months we are excited to share more details about the next iterations of CoMapeo. Stay tuned!
Email us at help@comapeo.app / ayuda@comapeo.app
You can also find us on Discord!
You can download and read more about CoMapeo on comapeo.app