FAQ
ForumThe BlackBerry Dilemma
Howdy fellow golfer,
Over the past year, Swing by Swing has been busy upgrading the iPhone and Android operating systems. But, we’ve left the BB version pretty much untouched. To say the least, this has irked a lot of folks.
Today, I’d like to make our BlackBerry position public, and apologize to all Swing by Swing users on the BB platform.
As I’ve explained before, the BB operating system is a nightmare to program for. When they only had 4 versions of the OS, we had basically 48 different systems to account for. Now they have 6 different OS versions! And they keep changing the damn thing with each release and have no backward compatibility.
Basically, it’s like trying to code for 72 different operating environments…
We are just a small 3 person coding team over here, and we’re trying to compete with larger companies, with more funding, and more developers. We’re good, but we have to focus our development effort where it will give the most bang-for-the-buck.
The combination of a difficult coding environment and BlackBerry losing market share has dealt a killer blow to our BB ambitions. We are currently trying to roll out an updated version of SbS for BB which will include Scorecard updates and work with the latest operating systems. It will not include Club Tracker and it will not include Stableford or Handicaps.
When this version is in-the-wild, we will not be releasing an updated version again. We will remove the BB logo and download links from our website. We will make it very difficult for new BB users to find us.
We will continue to support the existing BB software, and you’ll have access to the latest course information and Scorecard and Statistics upgrades.
I understand this will not make a lot of people happy, and I’m sorry for that. I wish BB would get their stuff together and help folks like me help folks like you.
If you want to vent, this is the place to do it. I’ll be around to answer any questions.
Thanks,
Travis
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Half way through a round of golf i keep receiving an error message which says Holeloading View Controller method: service error did occur.Is there any way i can resolve this as it is so annoying to lose my GPS in the middle of a round & does not help with my golf & i need all the help i can get! LOL. Still a great app when it’s working & all the best to the team.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
What phone and OS are you running?
Understand the BB comments. BB is simply not helping themselves out and every day produces a new bad decision. I am a BB person and will have to remain so until their demise unfortunately…but then that is probably not too far off anyway.
i am a blackberry user and have been loyal for circa 10 years, BUT the iphone apps are tempting on both iphone and ipad. i have a 9700 and a playbook the later is very short of apps and your experience as a developer may well be the reason.
Very sorry to hear this.
Was really looking forward to a full version for the BB torch.
Unfortunately not able to change from a BB.
Very disappointing.
Alex,
We do plan to release full rangefinder and scorecard support for the BB torch. Unfortunately, due to the crazy coding environment, even this simple task has taken us a few months to get right. We are working on it as I speak, but there is no known timeline for release. (Hopefully not too much longer)
Travis
Travis,thanks to you & your team,doing a great job,next year when my contract with BB finish will move on to Samsung G2,hope that will be a better phone to use on the courses I play,Do enjoy SBS on BB ,but lots of times don’t get the yardage,it comes n goes on even on the usual course I play,gets frustrating when don’t get the distances even on a beaut sunny day,score cards are fine.Thank you all.was thinking of latest BB next yr, but love my golf,iphone or Samsung for golf app’s.
Felix
Thanks Travis
Very pleased to hear that.
Been using the limited version for a couple of months now and although it can be a bit frustrating at times I’m sure it will be well worth the wait.
Cancel my subscription, I will return when I get rid of my bb phone.
I have a love-hate relationship with your BB app…but then I also have a love-hate relationship with my BB-Bold. When both are working, they work well and I’m happy but when they aren’t…I don’t know whether to throw my phone or my clubs into the drink. Though I’ve had problems with freezes, inaccurate yardage information, slow processing, etc., I’ve really enjoyed using the app. It has helped me to improve my game, cut strokes and be more accurate in selecting the right club for the job. I am sorry to hear that you won’t be furthering your programming efforts for the BB but I’m not surprised. I’m thinkin’ strongly about skipping my BB across the pond on the 18th hole and headin’ to the iPhone store. Thanks for doing a great job overall.
James – We are cancelling your subscription immediately. Will send you a private email when it is done.
Brett – I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry! Hopefully this upcoming BB update will help on the SbS side of things… not much I can do about the BB! Although, I’d pay good money to be there when you skip it across the pond.
Now all this going on, will I be still able to use SBS on my BB as normal?Got to put up with it till next for android’s phone,as for BB it was free for data downloads SBS, will it cost lots on data on android?
Yes, you’ll still be able to use SbS just like always. And, hopefully, with the pending release, you’ll even see a little improvement.
As far as the cost, it just depends on what kind of data plan you have with your phone provider. If you have the same data plan, the cost will be the same.
next year release of bberry new Os will run android apps. end of the issue!
Sure, end of issue for anybody who upgrades to the new android-based OS. Everybody else is left out…
Oh yeah, AND that means no developer will continue to support the apps they already have on their device.
Oh yeah, AND I’m sure RIM will do something to screw it up royally, like requiring some kind of RIM-specific flavor of Java that’s not compatible with other Android phones…
Maybe they’ll prove me wrong, but the track record has not been a good one the last two years.
T
Hope BB developer’s reads this too,as I am for sure moving out of BB
I’m sure BB will come up with the same or even better version for there customers
VHS or Betamax
BSB or Sky
Vodaphone or o2
Blackberry or I phone
blackberry bold or blackberry curve
To name but a few choices in life
I was so pleased to replace my 8520 curve (the only bb without gps)with the torch and download sbs, the envy of my fellow golfer with such technology in my pocket.
please keep it going untill my contract runs out in 18 months time and hopefully the I phone will still be available.
Thank you for a fantastic product I sing your praises at every opertunity
Heard Google is pulling out from BB
I made the switch from a bold 9780 and playbook to a iPhone and iPad, fortunately my work allows me to play with gadgets all day long but I can tell you it’s worth the switch. To break free of the RIM control and put yourself in the drivers seat. I can’t wait to try out the new updates this weekend, keep up the awesome work SBS team!
Hi Travis,
that’s bad news after all the effort you put into the BB Beta testing, however I am happy to read above: “We are currently trying to roll out an updated version of SbS for BB which will include Scorecard updates and work with the latest operating systems. It will not include Club Tracker and it will not include Stableford or Handicaps.”
But in one of your answers above your wrote “We do plan to release full rangefinder and scorecard support for the BB torch” …. which confused me a bit.
Does “full rangefinder and scorecard support” mean the BB release will support Stableford and/or Handicaps? Is is “full” something else? …. thanks for clarifying!
Best regards,
Dieter
Hey Dieter,
The updated version of SbS for BB WILL work on your Torch. It will update the scorecard to include a few of the things it lacks now like bunker hit and penalty strokes.
It will NOT include Stableford or Club Tracker. Those two pieces of functionality are complex and we just don’t have the time or resources available to include them.
Understand where you are coming from but it doesn’t make it easier for those of us stuck with a BB. Please persevere with the Torch version and let your existing BB users know when its available. Thanks.
re BB Dilemma
I appreciate the clear explanation; time and resources always have limits. Unfortunately, Blackberry can be comparatively underwhelming and progressively lagging. I still value the functionality that I can obtain out on the course with my BB, and consider the device and the app a helpful tool in the tool-bag!
When I read the email I was really excited… this is a great app, even on the blackberry… I was gutted to then see the BB will not be getting the handicap or stapleford, the two things that it is missing and could realy do with. I have read you explanation and in your shoes would do the same…
However there is something you could do for us BB users… How about allowing the handicap and stapleford to work on the web so when we look at our scores after the round we see our stapleford score! This should be fairly straight forward??? and only one platform to program!
Heres hoping… John
Hi Travis. I sent you a few emails about the app not working with the BB OS6 on my Bold 9780. I was a beta tester for sbs when I had my BB Bold 9700 with OS5 and it worked perfectly then I switched to the 9780. Anyway, I think I solved the problem. The solution was very simple. So simple that I was surprised I didn’t figure it out a lot sooner. Are you ready? Are you sitting down? Here goes…………I got an Android phone. See told you it was simple. I haven’t had the chance to use it yet but after reading this blog I’m sure I’ll love it. Thanks for letting me be a beta tester and thanks for doing a great job on the app. Nickp1168.
John – Great suggestion. We are doing that this week. By next week you’ll be able to modify your scorecard round to use the Stableford and Handicap scorecards on the website.
Nick – funny stuff. I’m sure you’ll love the Android version. Compared to the BB experience, it’s incredible to see the screen resolution. And with your Scorecard and Looper access… you’ll definitely be happy.
Would you please send me a link to the BB Torch beta version.
Hi Travis,
I am wondering if you had a chance to change the web site so we BB users can modify our scorecard round to use the Stableford and Handicap scorecards on the website?
Best regards,
Dieter
Hi Dieter,
Yes, the functionality is complete. It is all tested and ready to go in our development environment. But we had some mods in other areas which are not quite ready yet. Everything should be pushed to production in the next week or two. I’ll be sure to update this thread when it’s ready for you.
Travis