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Android 4.8 (beta)

Android 4.8 is the latest release that introduces many new features and improvements to the OsmAnd app. This article describes all the key updates that represent meaningful changes for our users.

Join Beta

OsmAnd releases several Ready-To-Use builds daily, allowing you to track new features and participate in the OsmAnd translation process. You can take part in testing the beta version of OsmAnd using Google Play.


What's new

Altitude Color Scheme for Terrain​

The new color scheme Altitude has been added for Terrain.

Color palette

Color Palettes​

New color palette schemes have been added.

  • For routes: Speed, Slope, and Elevation (Altitude).
  • For terrain: Hillshade, Slope, and Altitude.
  • For weather: All weather layers.

Color Palettes data is available on Maps & Resources menu:

Menu β†’ Maps & Resources β†’ Local β†’ Colors

Palettes

Custom Color Palettes​

You can add your custom color palettes to OsmAnd. To do this, create a TXT file with the required name:

  • Routes: route_speed_name.txt, route_slope_default.txt, route_elevation_default.txt.
  • Terrain: height_altitude_name.txt, hillshade_color_name.txt, slope_name.txt.
  • Weather: weather_name.txt.

For example:

TXT file named *height_altitude_0-200.txt*

# 0 - 90 degree RGBA
0,46,185,0,191
# yellow
100,255,222,2,227
# red
200,255,1,1,255
# violet
220,130,1,255,255

After moving this TXT file to ..Android/data/net.osmand/files/color-palete/height_altitude_0-200.txt, a new palette will appear in the Color Scheme menu.

Palettes

Quick Action to Change the Color Scheme of the Terrain​

In this release, we have added the ability to switch between terrain color schemes, similar to switching between layers. This can be done using the Quick Actions tool.

Menu β†’ Configure screen β†’ Custom buttons β†’ + β†’ Add button β†’ Add action β†’ Topography β†’ Change Terrain color scheme

Color Scheme

Color Palettes Legend​

The legend provides an easy way to view and understand the different markings on the map. New color palettes have been added to display speed for tracks, line type for routes, altitude and slope for terrain, and all weather layer color palettes.

AAAAAA

Profile Appearance Redesign​

The appearance of profiles has been improved to make them more interesting, recognizable, and usable.

The update includes:

  • New icon and color selection components.
  • Redesign of the location icon selection map.
  • Default 3D icons in OpenGL (Version 2) - Map rendering engine.
  • Added Options menu of icon:
    • "View angle": Off, Resting position, Navigation position, Rest & navigation position - displays the cone-shaped area you're currently facing.
    • "Location radius": Off, Resting position, Navigation position, Rest & navigation position - shows the circular area representing your current location accuracy.

3D icon

3D My Location Icons​

A new 3D view has been added for My Location icons, which improves their visualization on the map. These changes bring the appearance of the icons in alignment with the 3D tilt of the map.

3D icons are available only in OpenGL (Version 2) - Map rendering engine.

3D icon

Quick Actions Tool Update​

The updated Add Action screen makes it easier to customize and add Quick actions, improving access to important features. You can now find groups of actions, use the search function, and apply other actions to customize the Quick Actions tool, contributing to a better user experience.

External Buttons External Buttons

Show / Hide Routes on the map​

Added new Quick action: to Show / Hide Routes on the map. Now you can on or off Routes on the map by one tap.

Quick Actions to External Keyboard​

You can now assign all Quick Actions to external keyboard buttons. This is especially useful if you often work with the application using external input devices and need quick access to basic functions. The ability to customize quick actions in this way makes working with OsmAnd more flexible and efficient.
External Buttons External Buttons

Weather Tool Improvements​

Layer animations and improved labels make the weather interface more visual and informative. These changes help you better understand current weather conditions and forecasts. Improved label visibility makes navigating weather data much easier.

Improvements:

  • New weather panel with an updated user interface.
  • Weather animation.
    • After making sure the weather layers are selected, tap the Play button on the Weather screen.
  • A Wind animation layer has been added.

weather

3D Track Improvements​

Updated 3D track visualizations provide a more detailed view of routes. In this release, we have added the following improvements to the 3D track appearance.

  1. Visualization options.

    • If Visualized by is set to Fixed height,
      β†’ change Vertical exaggeration to Wall height.
  2. Wall color options.

    • You can choose from:
      Solid, Downward gradient, Upward gradient, Altitude, Slope, or Speed.

3D track

Update Attach to the roads​

Added new option for Attach to the roads - Detailed track guidance:

Navigation settings β†’ Other β†’ Detailed track guidance:

  • "Ask every time" – empty state should be always visible in Navigation if Follow track is active.
  • "Always" – Attach to the road should be applied automatically for the selected track while in Navigation.

Guidance for track

Login to OpenStreetMap​

To improve security, the option to authorize via login and password has been removed. As of June 1, 2024, only the new secure OAuth 2.0 method will be supported. This authorization method provides a higher level of information security to help protect your data and prevent unauthorized access.

The Use username and password button has been removed from:

  • Login to screen in the OSM Editing plugin menu.
  • Benefits for active OSM contributors.
  • Upload OSM Note dialog.

OSM Oath

More Favorite Icons​

A complete list of icons for Favorites has been added, which helps to organize and visualize them better. This allows you to search and select an icon for a favorite in a Π‘ustom POI search from the icon library, making the use of favorites more convenient and efficient.

Favorite icons

Water Category of POIs​

The new POI Water (Man made) category includes objects with drinking water sources. Searching this сategories will help you easily find water on the map when traveling.

Water

Compass Button Updates​

The compass button has received updates that improve its functionality. These changes make the compass more accurate and easier to use, and help you navigate better.

Compass button:

  • Single tap. Rotates the map orientation to the North in all orientations. Even if it rotates back in a second, such as in compass mode.
  • Double tap. Switches map orientations. This previously worked with a single tap.
  • Long tap. Opens a bottom sheet with a list of available orientations. This function remains unchanged.

Processed accessibility actions:

  • Single tap. Rotates the map to the North in main mode.
    β†’ This action corresponds to a Double tap in TalkBack.
  • Long tap. Opens the bottom sheet with orientations in main mode.
    β†’ This action corresponds to a Double tap and hold in TalkBack.
  • Double tap to switch map orientation is not available in Accessibility mode.

Optional Updates​