Quick History of the world: Bit Map was first released in 2009. It was rewritten from scratch and released as Maps n Trax a couple of years later. Maps n Trax was sold off to another developer several years after that. It was then on-sold through several other developers, none of whom did any significant maintenance, and now it will not run on recent iOS versions at all.
Once my non-compete clause in the sale contract expired, and it was becoming clear that Maps n Trax was not going to be useable soon, I began work on a brand new app. I have re-used the Bit Map name that I originally started with because I no longer own the name Maps n Trax. I also re-trained in Geographic Information Systems several years ago, and have been working as a GIS professional for a few years now, so I have a much better idea of how these kinds of apps should work than I did the first time around.
Bit Map and Maps n Trax were the first apps on iOS to provide on-device georeferencing of arbitrary, user-supplied maps. Ie, scan a map (or take a photo of a map in a tourism brochure), or procure a map in digital form, then install it in the app. You can then navigate by your own custom map offline, and are not limited to offline maps supplied by the app vendor, nor required to have a network connection to view maps or navigate by them.
The new version of Bit Map (version 7... not released just yet) can now georeference your custom map images by 4 different methods. It can also use online map services such as WMTS, TMS, XYZ (inc OSM), etc. It can also download portions of these online services and save them for offline use.
There is the beginnings of a web site for the new Bit Map here: https://nixanz.com/bitmap/user-guide/
I've been using the new Bit Map as my sole mapping and navigation app while out bushwalking for about 3 years now (yes, I also carry a paper map and compass and occasionally practice using them). But it's taken me a while to find the time and motivation to get Bit Map 7 up to a state that it would be acceptable to other users.
At last, it is now feature complete and I'm starting to work through the bugs. By "feature complete", I mean that it has reached my initial goal of replicating all the functionality of my previous mapping apps, plus a few more features (such as very highly customisable symbology).
BETA TESTERS NEEDED
If you are interested in beta testing the new Bit Map 7, I would welcome your feedback. To participate in the beta testing, you will need to do two things:
- Download the "TestFlight" app from the App Store. This is a free App from Apple that is used to manage apps that have been made available to your for testing.
- Send me a private message with you first name, last name and email address. I need these to configure your Test Flight access.