LCARS 47 for Android Coming to a Device Near You

Work on the Android port (codename: Project Expeditus) is moving forward at a wonderful pace. We're currently still in the research and development stage. We expect to have beta versions ready soon. The application will be available from Google Play soon and of course (like every part of LCARS 47), will be completely free.

There will be two versions, one for mobile phones and smaller devices that will take the visual form and inherit the features of the tricorder seen in Star Trek: Nemesis, and a PADD style version intended for larger screens and tablets.

There's a development photo below showing the planned PADD variant, which (for now) runs smothly. However, due to hardware limitations of mobile devices, we will have to hold back on some of the fancy animations you've become accustomed to with LCARS 47—sadly, there's nothing we can do to avoid this without compromising quality. We're also looking for closed alpha testers. If you're up for that, contact Shaun via our Facebook page.

EDIT: September 27 2013
We are no longer accepting submissions for alpha testing. 

We will also take this opportunity to let you all know that LCARS 47 will only be available for Android as we currently have no plans to develop for iOS. This may disappoint some of you, but unfortunately, LCARS 47 will not be ported to iOS (or Windows Mobile) at this time.

In other news, LCARS 47 version 6.3 is still in development and we now have a 14 strong development team backing our efforts. We are also still accepting late submissions for ideas regarding 6.3.

Anticuus Release

The Power of LCARS 47 and the Power of RGB

More awesome stuff to come in following updates. 6.3 is almost ready and will feature even more awesomeness than promised.

Delayed 6.3 News and Minor Update

As you've probably guessed, there's been another delay with 6.3. However, Shaun has been working on two new apps for 6.3 which we are releasing ahead of time because we feel that we shouldn't make you wait for the eventual release.

In this minor update, we're giving you two new apps, the Master Control Panel and our shiney new VoiceCommand app.

The Master Control Panel removes the need to laboriously edit config files in the Program Files directory which some users had difficulty doing so, either due to Windows UAC issues or because the files are not exacltly the most user-friendly things to edit.

The VoiceCommand app removes the need for GameCommander 2, as most of you had issues obtaining a copy due to the publisher of GameCommander no longer operating. Simply launch VoiceCommand and click "ACTV" and you're good to go—the Bridge, once again, is yours to command—by voice... Just remember to use the voice training tool in the Windows Control Panel.

—    VI.III    —

XV - VI - MMXIII

—    EVENTUS DIMITTAM    —

Master Control Panel Announcement

Sick of having to edit text files? Well, that's no longer a problem, thanks to our shiny new programmer, Shaun Overton. He's currently working on a program that will completely remove the need for tedious (and repetitive) configuration file editing. Simply click the field you want to edit, click save and you're done.

This in mind, this removes the need for the LaunchCenter to run batch files that open directories and configuration files. With that, the role that the the LaunchCenter will play in version 6.3 onwards will be reduced to simply launching LCARS 47 applications only. The LaunchCenter will also be further streamlined and the ambient sound control removed.

Project Duplex Carbasa

We get millions of requests every week about doing a Cardassian style app. And after a lengthy and constructive email conversation, I decided to actually get some work done and start working on it. The project is of yet unnamed (beyond it's codename Duplex Carbasa (Latin: "double canvas") and very basic with regards to functionality. However, it will give me an awesome chance to use up some of those lovely Cardassian computer sounds in my library.

Personally, I love the design of Cardassian monitors. So alien and completely original. However, throughout Star Trek, they've never been used for input. The only input that has been seen was accomplished either by voice or using those intriguing button controls that Mike Okuda and Doug Drexler affectionatley called 'vertebrae', 'horseshoe crab' and so on.

Until then, here's our Facebook gallery for the project that will be updated as the project begins to pick up speed.

Who Said Compassion is Irrelevant?

..It certainly wasn't these two Drones.

Here at the LCARS 47 Dev Project, it's not just about LCARS and fancy software—we love a bit of charity fun too. And this post is dedicated to just that.

Two close friends of Stefan's, Angie and M of the USS Isaac, Starfleet International, Region 20, are suiting up as Borg drones with a few other fellow Trekkers (and possibly a Klingon) in aid of Red Nose Day, this coming March 15.

They'll be walking the 'old walls of Newcastle', a trek of about 5 kilometers in aid of disadvantaged children in the UK and Africa. It's a fantastic event and we'd love it if you guys could rally together in support of the fundraiser. 

Click here to visit the donation page and help them hit their £1,000 target! Resistance is futile.

LCARS 47 Hacking Ripping and Exploiting

Recently, there's been a ton of ripping from LCARS 47 and people either recompiling duplicates, adding adverts and even trying to sell LCARS 47 (or lightweight copies) either as a pay-to-download, or as mobile applications.

Whatever the method, they are merely unoriginal, stolen content—use at your own risk, as we offer no warranty.

The problem is, thus far, CBS have left us alone. Why? Probably because we ain't doing this to get rich. Hell, we ain't doing this to get anything. Anyways... When people start ripping content and passing it off as LCARS 47 for profit, CBS might be lead to believe we're responsible. That could mean that my inbox becomes the target for a DMCA notice.

To those of you that are decompiling, reverse engineering and ultimately stealing from the Star Trek community: please don't, because it makes us look bad, it's malicious, and makes you look like a thief.

To this end, I remind you that LCARS 47 should only be downloaded (free) from:

• LCARS47.com, or 
• theBluPrint.org

In short, if you get it from somewhere else, you're on your own—we can't help you if something goes wrong.

Things Getting Heavy with the New Database

A huge overhaul is underway with the Federation Database. The new module will consist of everything we can think of... That's a lot of stuff. It truely is a monumental but highly rewarding task.

The first image to the left is a very famous cartograph of the Alpha Quadrant, the home of the United Federation of Planets.

The image to the right is a database file containing information pertaining to the Akira class starship, one of my favorite classes. There will be a file on every single starship class ever seen in Star Trek, every shuttle type, every escape pod design. Needless to say, it's gonna be huge. We won't be adding fan made stuff though but we may add selected noncanon ships like the Valiant class as well as ships from certain games like Activision's Falcon class (Romulan). We'll also use commonly accepted noncanon names for ships with no official name (where no tech manual gives it a name), like the Venture class scout seen in Star Trek: Insurrection.

The third image is something Stefan and I both worked on. He wanted to add this image since it has a ton of details.

Now, onto the really cool part...

A new, bigger Federation musical database. I know that you've all Googled a particular tune you heard in Star Trek, from Vivaldi to Sousa (pictured, right). Why not have it all in one app—available whenever? This will also include timeless Trek-unique pieces such as the already included Inner Light (but improved score). Federation Anthem? You got it!

There's only one minor problem... all the music (and the recording) must be either in the public domain or fall under a Creative Commons license. It's a minor problem, but it's one we have to respect. Having said that, I've found a ton of public domain works and I, myself, play the piano... so you'll probably be hearing more of my hammering on the black and whites.

On a quick side note, yes this database will be big. So it will not come with the main installer, but as an addon installer (much like the ever delayed Drydock plugins).

LCARS 47 on Mobile Devices and Tablets

There's been a lot of hype lately about the Windows Store and neat little apps that you can buy and run on your Windows 8 device. People often ask us about our plans regarding app development for the mobile market and we always say the same thing: "LCARS 47 is too hefty for mobile devices."

The other big thing is cost. Apple likes developers to pay a fee to sell apps in their AppStore. We simply will not get involved in the politics of money. Why? Unlike most other LCARS inspired apps, LCARS 47 is freeware. It's never gonna cost a damned penny, and that's a fact. Everything here is funded out of the pockets of those working on it. We don't even accept donations.

You wanna donate? Sure please do, but donate to an awesome charity like Amnesty International or something—they really can make better use out of donations than we ever could.

Anyways, in the meantime, you can run LCARS 47 on Windows 8 (hardware specs depending), as you can see below after Stefan co-opted his friend's laptop.

And if you're more of an Android type, then Daniel Carley has just the solution for you.

See? All of it's still free.

Peace

Emails Everywhere

Hi guys. Just a quick note regarding my inbox. I'm currently trying to get through a backlog of emails so if you've sent an email into us, please don't be disheartened if you haven't received a response yet—I will get to you as soon as I can.

Eleanor