We have been receiving a lot of queries about a version of MetrO for Android in the last few months and it may be time we elaborate on the "under evaluation" status that appears on our website.First, don't worry, not only have we heard your (loud) message but I have been using an Android phone (for about one year) and I strongly believe in its future: we will port MetrO to the Google platform!
Unfortunately, there is only the two of us (with daytime jobs) to maintain our existing versions of the program AND to keep our city data up to date. The latter takes me more than 3/4 of my free time, since there are so few people helping us with the task, and what would be the use of the program with obsolete information?
As some of you may know, our iPhone version is far from beeing complete and I struggle to find some time to bring it to the same level as our other versions. As a direct consequence, I have tried to focus as much as possible on the iPhone first and keep Android for a later time.
Given the rising success of Android phones in the market and the demand you generate, I will try to adjust my focus in the near future: I expect to deliver a new iPhone version soon (now under testing) and I will begin working on Android right after that, maybe before the end of the month, if everything goes fine.
But, please, don't get too excited, there is a lot to do before you see MetrO on the Android Market and it may take a few months, even for a "raw" version!
I think that's all we can tell on the subject today, now please stop sending us mails about it (you may comment here instead).
And help us updating our city data so we have more time for the development!
Update (July 31st, 2011): a preview version is now available. See details here.
Remember: if you need help translating the application to Spanish, contact me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't, and will not, email you persoanlly, but I would also like to add myself to the list of people who are interested in seeig Metro on Android.
ReplyDeleteI have used it on the palm for many years - indeed it's the only reason I still keep my palm charged and with me at all times.
I would like to say that when developing it a feature that I would like to see more easy to use would be (de)selecting tube lines, since the biggest headache I have is trying to find my way aroud when lines are taken out of use by some event or another.
I also did not appreciate that it was just two guys doing this - well done and thank you for your efforts over the years, and please hurry :-)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for making this very useful application, I've been using it for a LONG time, first in my Palm Treo which died on me last week, so now I've got an Android phone and it feels incomplete without MetrO, luckily I carry an iPod touch with me too so at least I have that version of MetrO.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you need (or accept) help, I'm a programmer too.
Thanks for the update Patrice, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMetro was my favourite programm on palm and windwos Mobile! I would love it on the android! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHow can I contribute as developer?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I would like to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for this incredibly useful application. As a traveler to places with complex metro systems, like Tokyo, Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, etc, Metro is my savior. I've been using it since the Palm Vx days, then to Palm Tungsten, Dell x50v, and many iterations of Windows Mobile since.
Part of the reason I have resisted the move to Android is the lack of metro on that platform, but recently I finally moved to Android, but the lack of Metro was most disturbing. I'm very happy to hear that an Android version is coming up. THANK YOU !!!
Unfortunately, I am not a developer and cannot contribute any programming assistance or knowledge. However, money always helps so I have donated to the cause just now and will donate again once the Android version becomes available.
ReplyDeleteYou created an invaluable application for a world traveler and you have my frequent attention to add to my Android device for the next trip I take abroad.
Keep up the good work!
Oops. I was one of those people who e-mailed Patrice. But I am glad to hear that an Android version is in the works. I got started with MetrO on Palm about 10 years ago and MetrO has made travel in many cities so much easier.
ReplyDeleteGoing through Palm-Windows Mobile-Palm-Blackberry-Android I, like many other Android users, miss having MetrO. But I can also understand the pressure to support the large user base of a platform like the iPhone first.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the explanation. And we will wait for the Android version!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations ans many thanks for your program, it is really good.
Regards,
This is a great service you offer! Thanks so much. I am teaching an adult course this fall called "The Digital Traveler," and Metro is a part of the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI am off to China in September with my new Android phone, so I guess I will have to bring my Windows Mobile phone with me as well.
Thanks again for a great product.
been using MetrO Mobile on the work Blackberry for a long time now and love it - I was even using it on my Palm way back :) - if and when you get the Android version working in Beta and beyond, I'll be there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the good work!
rich
MetrO Mobile is a must have for any smartphone or PDA. Forget the iPhone - the future is Android, please can you expedite the port. I'm sure that if you charged for the app everyone would be happy to pay.
ReplyDeleteJust donated some money too. Hope the android dev can be helped with that. would love to see it!
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that this is one of the best projects out there. I only know PHP, if there is something I can help, please let me know.
I really hope you get soon some time to work on the Android version. I am lost without Metro. Cannot carry my old WinMo around just for Metro. Need it on my HTC Desire!
ReplyDeleteHi! I've just discover you guys!
ReplyDeleteI have android. I was using Layar and I see there is a MetrO layer, but my city isn't available.
How come in your site there is no mention of Layar?
Can I collaborate with you giving data for my city (Cagliari,Italy)?
One more vote for the port to Android! I've only had mine 12 hours & Metro was in the first group of applications I looked for!
ReplyDeleteAt this time I known one good application on Android with metro routing, aMetro. But they have a very outdated maps for all but ex-USSR cities. May be you could contact they and join forces?
ReplyDeleteHi, I've used metro on my PPC. Now I moved to android and would like to see Metro for Android. Metro is a great product and don't want to miss it on Android. I'm available fro any help. I'm from Sacramento, USA.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI would like to chime in to the congratulations to your awesome application. I've used Métro for years, first on Palm, then on Symbian UIQ, then on Symbian S60. Now I moved to Android and would love to see their as well.
You mentioned that you could use help in providing updates to the city databases. Is there a guide available describing how to do that? I would be happy to contribute not only financially but also by content and I can understand that you may not want a whole crowd of developers working on your code.
So: How can I contribute with updates to city databases?
Thanks,
Ragnar
If I can help you with a Dutch translation I would be happy to help you.
ReplyDeleteI always used your program on a Windows Mobile phone and changed my phone for Android, so I'm really waiting for this release.
Thank you so much for all the work you've been doing!
ReplyDeleteI really like your app, it is indeed a very helpful one!
I've been using MetrO in my two PalmOS devices, although I'm planning to upgrade to an Android smartphone in the near future - and your app, when it is ready, will be a nice addition to the already excellent Android app ecosystem! ;)
Keep up the good work!
I'd like to add my vote for android availability. I was an iphone user who just switched to Evo 4g phone and so far none of the train apps compare to MetrO. I also used it overseas when I was too drunk to find my way back. My favorite feature is the transit time approximation. Hopefully you can make one soon! :)
ReplyDeletegreat app ! best feature is the transit time approximation. I was an Iphone user who just bought an Evo and none of subway apps compare thus far.
ReplyDeletePlease make An Android app soon ! :)
MetrO is the most useful app for me as a traveler. I started using it on a Palm, then a Windows phone and finally a blackberry and each of those phones had outdated technology when they were first released! Today I have the latest, an Android phone, but alas there in no MetrO for it. Please bring it out soon. There are a number of "metro" apps for android but none is as complete or useful as MetrO
ReplyDelete+1 for Android
ReplyDeleteI can help in french translation
About your last sentence: "and help us updating our city data so we have more time for the development!" Do you mean providing the raw information in text format or converting it into the actual format that the programme uses? I've been doing the first regularly for Oporto, Portugal, and I'm willing to help with the second. I guess you still have my e-mail, so you can get in touch with me.
ReplyDeleteMetrO is the application I use the most on my phone. I started using it on a Pocket PC (Windows Mobile). After that I use it on a Symbian phone. Now I want to replace my Symbian phone by an Android phone. But because there is no Android version for MetrO, I will wait to buy the Android phone until the Android version of MetrO will be available.
ReplyDeleteSince 1997, i use a palm... I also used the V1.0 of MetrO and more now.... Thank you very much for your job.
ReplyDeleteNow, i just get an android (Galaxy S), so yes I look forward for a release of MetrO on it !
Instead of crying and shouting at you, I just send a paypal donation to you, hope that's help ;-)
First I will say "Thank you for this unbelieveable programm", too.
ReplyDeleteI used Metro with my PDA under Windows Mobile 2003 and it works fine. Today I have a HTC Desire with Android 2.2.
If a version for Android is available, I hope that this is an offline version that can be installed on a SD - Card.
You make a good work, keep going on.
Metro for Android!!! Please!!
ReplyDeleteI'm coming from Symbian, and I really miss MetrO!!!! :)
Is anything happening with MetrO for Android?
ReplyDeleteI used MetrO on the Palm platform for at least 8 years and I really miss it on my Galaxy! The Layar version doesn't work where I live so no joy there either...
MetrO is an application that I would gladly pay for by the way.
On May 7 you stated you would be working on an Android app soon after one for the Iphone one is done. Well it is done and the future is now almost 8.5 months since you said one would be available
ReplyDeleteIs there any news on a launch date for MetrO for Android.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I never got the time to seriously begin development on Android in 2010 and I cannot predict a launch date at this time.
ReplyDeleteDear MetrO developers,
ReplyDeletethanks for all this superb work, I am with you since Palm Vx as well :) and I am also looking forward to the Android version.
Charge some money for it in the market, the people know your application and will definitely pay for it. Good software is worth its money - and so is yours :)
Thanks again, well done and keep us updated!
At this point Android has become the dominant medium for smart phones. I still carry a blackberry or a Apple Touch with me so I can use this program as i wont always have roaming data in japan. Can you kindly make it for the android? Makes it easier to carry 1 less device ;)
ReplyDeleteNice job
ReplyDeleteJ'ai depuis longtemps utilisé Metro sur mon 1er palm (1997)....
Puis symbian
Je l'attend de "pied ferme" pour mon galaxy S !
Merci encore
The "MetrO for Android" website is off! Please... don't live us without this wounderfull app!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping for an update on the possible android version of the software.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost one year from your last message......did you leave the project for android?
ReplyDeleteWhy are you going on with Iphone and not for Android?
I think u can also ask for money to help development for android.....why dont't? We are waiting for you ;-)
I really, really like Métro (especially the part about no need to be online) - having used it for ages (a decade?).
ReplyDeleteBut...
The message on the blog is now almost a year old.
Time waits for no one. Others are developing for the android platform.
Not wanting to bring my Windows Mobile on travels anymore just for this one program (having done that for the past year), I've moved on to Öffi. :-(
According to the New York Times April 3 2011 quoting the research firm IDC today Android phones are 39.5% of the market, Nokia Symbian 20.9, Apple 15.7, Windows 5.5. By 2015 Windows moves to second place and Blackberry will be in 4th place. Android remains number 1. It is time for a Metro app for Android - I am willing to pay for it. If you don't come out with an Android app soon, someone else will have a similar program and no one will remember Metro
ReplyDeleteDo you want to translate it in italian language, please let me know that. In Android market there is nothing to compete with your Métro !
ReplyDeleteSince the original comment on a possible Android product (see above) was made almost a year ago, is their any chance of getting a more recent blog entry?
ReplyDeleteThanks
i'm tired.. goodbye
ReplyDelete:(, i find other aplication for android
ReplyDeleteTry AMetro. It's freeware and working well.
ReplyDeleteAMetro for Android ... Tnks
ReplyDeleteTried aMetro on my DroidX. It works great! Thanks
ReplyDeleteaMetro is ok for the London Underground, but it doesn't include the mainline stations around London, so for me it's not so useful.
ReplyDeleteSuper travail, je utilise votre logiciel depuis très longtemps (depuis le palm Vx)et dernièrement, je suis passé d'un HTC HD2 sous windows mobile 6.5 vers un galaxy S2 sous Android... Là je pleure, pas de Métro sous Android.
ReplyDeleteje n'ai pas mon petit logiciel pour mes déplacement... vivement sa dispo... Bravo encore à l'équipe
Signé : un Fan
You guys are heros, as far as I'm concerned. The job you do with this service is wonderful. I will look forward to an Android app, as soon as you have time to make one. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to make donations!
ReplyDeleteDo you need help in porting Metro to Android?
ReplyDeleteIf you opened up some of your formats (under NDA) whatnot to say XDA, you can get a lot of help getting an Android port out.
Metro is great!
ReplyDeleteI am ready to contribute in:
-Spanish translation
-German translation
-City Bogotá if you explain how to prepare/update the data
Saludos,
GAP
Hello all! Some recent news are available here
ReplyDeleteThis is the only program I miss from my PPC.
ReplyDeleteI have many apps for the London Underground available for me on my Android phone as I did on my iPhone before it. What I don't have is the excellent app that helped me find my way around the German Metro system when I visited the country on my own with only a sketchy knowledge of the language.
I think you should consider asking for official volunteers to do what you are currently doing already in terms of updating and/or to help work on the iPhone and Android platforms. So far you've asked for help from individuals in the different metro locations but if there was someone you could train to do what you are doing in terms of gathering, collating and updating the information from various sources including these volunteers then you could focus on the coding and, with the right coders also coming alongside you, release a little sooner on Android and iPhone platforms.
You might also consider approaching some of the networks themselves for information as I feel it would definitely be in their interest to help you out in this.