paddyluke
Well-known member
its discounted because you have to buy the previous versions
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Collins bird guide 3rd edition in an App (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter markm
- Start date
Yes, but still a one time purchase ( in two parts that is), you can choose to go for te newest and more expensive version or stick with the older version for less money.
In my country the version two books are a lot cheaper now than the version three. In that matter there isn’t that much of a difference.
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I have the iOS version of the app, upgraded to v3 content. The app is in english and you can configure both your primary language (which changes what name is displayed first and which names are searchable), your secondary language (which will be displayed below the primary language name but won’t be searchable) and your additional languages. The descriptive text remains in english no matter what I do. You can search for birds in the primary language and by scientific names and by english common names (no matter your language configuration). The additional language configuration makes the other language names visible when you click the little flag icon.
So if I put english as my primary language it shows me english common names. I can search by english names or scientific names but not in the other languages I have configured.
But if I put spanish as my primary language it shows me spanish common names and I can then search by spanish common names, english common names, or scientific names.
If I configure spanish primary and german secondary it shows me both on the screen but I cannot search by german names.
I currently have it configured as English/German and a few additional languages but there is no configuration that lets me search in more than one non-english language for common names.
I hope that made sense.
Andy Lakin
Well-known member
One thing I found out yesterday was that there was an update available to fix some issues. It might be me but nowhere did it alert me to this until I went onto the play store to purchase the revised edition. Obviously the vast majority of apps alert you to the fact that there is an update available and gives you the option wether to update or not.
As others have said how difficult would it be to be able to compare two species on the same screen. It probably wouldn't work well with more than two species due to screen sizes on a mobile.
As others have said how difficult would it be to be able to compare two species on the same screen. It probably wouldn't work well with more than two species due to screen sizes on a mobile.
Ditto. One of many many bugs and quirks you discover within 20 minutes of using it. But (I think) you don't need to restart the phone: instead, just force-stop the app (eg swipe up on it in the running-apps list) and open it again; much easier/quicker.
Altogether it gives the impression of being a really rushed and minimal job that's had very little testing. Most disappointing - indeed, shoddy - in a paid-for app of major importance.
I've already paid about €35 for the new book, put about the same amount in the app earlier and now I'd have to pay another €10 for the few marginal changes while for the rest usability of the app (leaving through birds for instance..., and still no Dutch translation) hasn't changed a bit? No, that puts me off. I'll just get the book. For on the road the app suffices still. When there are real functional changes in the app features, I'd happily pay the tenner.
WRL
Well-known member
The German version book, issue 3, is 38 €, the app is 17.99 € and the app upgrade is 9.99 €. I have them both (book and upgrade), and, frankly, I haven't noticed any problems with the app (on an iphone, much utilised in the field). Maybe there are certain differences between the language versions of the app.
Werner
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
Agreed the changes are minimal but for me I decided I’d rather spend 7 EU to update the app than buy a new book. Works for me.
As it is I rarely use the book or almost any field guide in Europe or the new world any more. A few apps and Merlin and I’m good. Going to Africa or Asia where I have less experience then books are still heavily used.
Apple goes back a long ways with Collins. It was one of their first apps and afaik Apple even had an investment in the publisher.
So no surprise that the Iphone version is less hassle.
That said, I looked for the update on the Google store, paid US $9.99 and it downloaded nearly 800 megabytes to my aging Samsung Note without a murmur. The new version is actually mostly an update, it is visually identical to the old, just incorporates more recent knowledge.
One more datapoint: I purchased my first apple product because I wanted a birding app that only arrived for android after my trip was finished. I have since purchased also the Collin’s app and have had none of the described failures. I do agree that a more direct way to compare two species would be a clear improvement.
My only experience with android was a cheap phone my employer provided at one time. Functionality was rubbish. My friends keep trying to convince me that other models are better but for my money I don’t want to repeat the experiment. If someone were to provide one for free, then maybe😎
Niels
My only experience with android was a cheap phone my employer provided at one time. Functionality was rubbish. My friends keep trying to convince me that other models are better but for my money I don’t want to repeat the experiment. If someone were to provide one for free, then maybe😎
Niels
I must admit I was expecting better from NatureGuides in regards to reliability...my ancient iPod Touch has several of their apps, Birds of Northern Europe, Dragonflies & Damselflies, Moths and one for Butterflies and all have worked flawlessly, but then NatureGuides have been producing apps for the Apple platform for a very long time.
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I don’t have broader experience with more Natureguides apps or recent Android bird apps. My two driving factors in moving to apple many years ago were my inability at the time to find an Android music app that wouldn’t crash if I put 10,000+ bird recordings on my phone, and the availability of the Peru app. I am ok with iOS overall but really hate the limitation of needing a Mac computer to add music to your music library.
As an aside, the Birds of Ecuador app based on the Ridgely Greenfield book is basically useless for me on iOS, it barely worled and was a battle to try to use. I requested and received a refund for it. Shame as it would have been a nice addition to the set of digital references.
As an aside, the Birds of Ecuador app based on the Ridgely Greenfield book is basically useless for me on iOS, it barely worled and was a battle to try to use. I requested and received a refund for it. Shame as it would have been a nice addition to the set of digital references.
Not something that is important for me, but a google search claims there are several ways to do this, even without downloading itunes to your PC ...
Niels
pbjosh
missing the neotropics
I’ve not looked at in a year or so admittedly but it wasn’t possible, last I looked, to download something (ie from XC) and get it into the iOS music player natively on just your phone. But I’ll look again as it’s an annoying hindrance!
petemorris
Well-known member
Does anyone use the Android app in their family library? If so, have you updated and managed to update any of the other phones without paying for each phone/account to upgrade? Surely the upgrade should be available to use in the family library in the same way as the App is?
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