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GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

I'm using a Wi-Fi only iPad with remote GPS connected via bluetooth (Bad Elf GPS Pro). Following update to 8.3, the GPS position data from the Bad Elf receiver is not available to other apps on the iPad that require it (in particular, Seattle Avionics FlyQ efb). Bad Elf bluetooth connection is good, and the GPS position data is displayed on the iPad using the Bad Elf accessory app, but it appears to not be available to the FlyQ app. Spent hours with tech support and other paths trying to fix this problem, including reloading iOS 8.3 update and applications, and even bought a new Bad Elf GPS receiver. I think this is a fairly common hardware/software combination (Wi-Fi only iPad, Bad Elf GPS, FlyQ app) for private aircraft pilots, so would expect others to be seeing the same problem (unless they were smarter than I was, and delayed updating their OS). Have others experienced this problem or found a solution? Quite frustrating, as navigation is the primary use for my iPad.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:31 PM

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Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:57 PM

Actually, it's a bug on all bluetooth GPS devices since iOS 8.3 !

I personally use Garmin Glo and Dual Electronics 150 & 160 and the trouble remains the same.


Bad Elf blog suggest that Apple is aware of the problem and will correct it very soon.

I will believe it when i'll see it...

249 replies

May 15, 2015 2:25 PM in response to Mark72658

Yes, same thing with iPad 2 XGPS from DUAL on Foreflight and Air Nav Pro and other Navionics software: As of advice from this forum updated the firmware, which was a pain...... because needs a recent Wndows OS which I have not installed on my Mac.............


Result: nothing works, just as before seems to be an IOS 8.3 problem and that cannot be solved by any of us. We cannot even "downdate" to 8.2 which worked just fineGGRR

Who saus if I buy a top ntch receiver for 1000$ which might work with IOS 8.3 this might not happen with the nex IOS "improvement" 😀

May 25, 2015 7:35 PM in response to deggie

While the success of a lawsuit might be doubtful, it is hardly good PR.

The marketers of GPS devices that depend on Apple not releasing defective software have suffered an actual financial injury and will continue to suffer for some time to come. But, they could never take on a behemoth the size and power of Apple.

lets just hop Apple have learned something from this and amended their checking processes.


meanwhile we all continue to suffer and 9th April will remain in our memory for a long time to come. I will never forget this betrayal nor the excessive time it is taking to be fixed. They have turned me from a committed fan to an angry dissenter over the last 6 weeks of frustration.

May 25, 2015 7:40 PM in response to PilotDon

Then vote with your wallet. My understanding is there are devices available from some of the vendors listed in this thread that do not require an iPad. Buy one of those devices and cut out the middleman. That will also send a message to Apple but if EVERY general aviation pilot who is using an iPad did that what percentage of iPads do you think that would be?


Have you signed up for the public beta for iOS 8.4? You can test yourself whether it is fixed and then sign up for 8.5, etc. to be sure this doesn't happen in the future. But I also would question why none of the vendors of these products are included in beta testing.

May 25, 2015 8:33 PM in response to deggie

Have you signed up for the public beta for iOS 8.4? You can test yourself whether it is fixed and then sign up for 8.5, etc. to be sure this doesn't happen in the future. But I also would question why none of the vendors of these products are included in beta testing.

Maybe they did. Results are proprietary, aren't they.


The simple thing would be to let users select what version of ios they want to use. It's laziness on Apples parts. I know of lots of manufactures who have forced the latest and greatest on the customers. Some have relented and to great appreciation to the users. The bad showing of 8.x would have been a minor annoyance.


What do you think Cook's pilot is using? Apple let 8.2 available for a long time. Maybe until Cook's pilot got a chance to downgrade.


Robert

May 25, 2015 8:57 PM in response to rccharles

Following me around Robert?


It was a rhetorical question. If you have read through this entire thread you would know that PilotDon was the one who posted the link that included the information that one of the builds of 8.4 resolved this bug. As far as the hardware makers after 8.3 was released if the change that caused the problem was included after the last build (or even during it) they would not be precluded from stating this.


No, it isn't near as simple as you make it. Not signing and supporting previous versions is all part and parcel of Apples security system for iOS, along with sandboxing, no accessible filing system, etc. If you do not agree with the way approaches this (and they are not going to change it) Android does provide some of the means you prefer so I guess you should go that route.


If Mr. Cook used private aircraft I'm certain that a pilot of a Gulfstream would not be relying on an iPad and a GPS unit to fly with. Maybe for Jeppesen charts like airline pilots do but certainly not for navigation. And as far as I know the iPad version of 8.2 is still signed.

May 25, 2015 10:38 PM in response to deggie

I'm kinda on the Pilot's side here, being a frequent flyer and not being able to see inside the cockpit. But I do think it is a matter of the GPS producers working more closely with Apple re their updates and working these out through the development betas. My favourite part of flying is landing, and preferably at my selected destination!! 😮


Cheers


Pete

May 26, 2015 1:52 PM in response to petermac87

I'm on his side too, others have posted here blaming the firmware of the GPS devices but this was definitely an Apple error. But Apple really isn't a part of this market (and this is for General Aviation, not the commercial flights you are taking) which is vertical and extremely small. If it was an error that affected 10% of users Apple might have gone for an 8.3.1 update but as you well know updates can be disruptive and end up with new problems. Or some people thinking they have a new problem. But I would guess this percentage to be less than .01% of all iPad users.

May 26, 2015 1:55 PM in response to PilotDon

Dumb analogy but to play along is Mr. Cook had a pilot flying his small aircraft, or he was a pilot, he would either have them roll back to 8.2 or use the beta. Did you actually use the Beta 2?


Good idea with the Garmin glass and in the future I would check with your GPS manufacturer before updating your iPad. Let them discover the bug which they should have done in this case.

GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

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