Version 1.5 Release

Version 1.5 of Backseat Geologist is now available on the App Store. This version includes the new Overlook Mode feature.

New Features

Overlook Mode

I am very excited that Overlook Mode is now available. This feature takes Backseat Geologist to the next level by taking it from what is below you to what is in front of you. Now you can get a summary of the geology that you can see ahead of you. Whether you are standing at an overlook or looking up at a mountain peak, you can now get a geological overview of what you are looking at.

The feature works similarly to how it was outlined in the app roadmap. Your device heading is used to draw a ray straight out from your location. The ray distance is based on the subscription tier and ranges from 10 to 50 kilometers. I then use the Google Maps Elevation API to get the elevation profile along the ray. Using some geometry, I try to determine how far you can see along the ray and shorten the ray to that point. With this shortened ray, I sample along the ray and check the geology at each point. The geology data is then used to create the summary description that is displayed in Overlook Mode sheet. Overlooks can be saved just like routes so you can read or replay them later.

Give the Overlook Mode a try and let me know what you think. I would love to hear your feedback.