Android Release 0.19.1 (January, 26th)

Yes!  It is here.  OK.  For all of you who haven’t had a release since our mid-December version, here is one with many, many improvements that you have been asking for.  In descending order the big things are:

• you can now have ON as an application + widget that will install into any homescreen of your choice
• much more speed and stability
• keep ON and Google contacts in Sync (not yet the case with Exchange, but soon)
• much faster sync with a progress bar that shows you what is going on
• possibility to call and message people directly from the lists in “my worlds”
• easier changing of status across all worlds by pressing on the “me” button at the centre of your circle
• search box always available at top of A-Z list
• a whole bunch of bug fixes

The new ON app allows you to insert the ON widget into the home-screen of your choice

How to install the latest version?

As this is a completely new version, you will have to uninstall and login again (rather than the normal simple replace mechanism).  This is how.  Once you have received your SMS with the new download link:

• If you are still using a homescreen version of ON, you will need to uninstall it.  This is done by going to settings>applications>manage applications>ON>uninstall
• Then click on the download link of the SMS
• Select the new ON application among the downloads and choose “install”

You are now up and running.  Launch ON (no longer behind “home” button, but as a normal app).  It will import your contacts (do not worry, these will not duplicate those ON knew already).  You can then slide right to the login screen, and put in your old credentials.

Once you are all logged in, you can simply go back to the homescreen and press and hold a blank area of the screen.  Choose “Android Widgets” and select ON.  Simple as that.

Know limitations

• Creates duplicate contacts if Exchange Sync is simultaneously activates
• Avatars can still not be broadcast to all contacts
• MyCircle automatic tidy up, had been much expected for this release, but didn’t quite make the mark, so was removed.
• An irritating bug in the conversation screen whites out the top part of the conversation list.  If this is really too irritating, we may issue an intermediate release before the next version.

What’s next?

• The next Android version is due mid Feb.  I will update this post in the next few days with more details on this.
• Before then… we will be releasing a new web version with proper management of your duplicated contacts and linking with social networks.