OpenScape (Soundscape clone!)

By mr grieves, 10 June, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS Gaming

I just found this app mentioned on twitter. It's a version of Soundscape. I don't know much about it, but I installed it on TestFlight and from a quick play it looks pretty much the same. Lots of references to Soundscape even. I've not had a chance to go out wandering with it, but it looks very promising.

No Bose Frames support, sadly, but I guess that's not unexpected. But otherwise it's showing me places near by, allowing me to set beacons and so on.

It can be installed from here: https://testflight.apple.com/join/Y6Cj2cLk

I will confess that I know almost nothing about it but it's exciting to see something that feels like a credible alternative.

Has anyone else tried it?

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Comments

By serrebi on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I would love to join the beta, but it’s full. I wish that it would have been implemented in something by now, but I’m glad there is a project trying to give it to us again. I have friends who are really missing it.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I am interested to test this app, but the beta is full. I am hoping that test flight for a future update has the option to notify you when a beta will be open for the next round for people to sign up.

By Peter Holdstock on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

Does it have spatial audio like Soundscape does, So that you can hear when the beacon is in front or behind etc

By Chamomile on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I hope this comes out officially and not as a beta. I'm so sad Soundscape shut down, it was such a good app.

By DeamonDavid on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

As the beta already is full, which means there are already 1000 testers, I assume this is a welcome initsiative.

And, by the name, I also hope this app is free.

The interesting part is which POI-database is used for this one.
If it's Google Maps and/or Foursquare, I'm happy.
If one can choose from what works best in the area, I'm also happy.

By mr grieves on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I feel a bit bad about taking a beta spot now - I hadn't realised it was limited. I could have done with this a few weeks ago when I was on holiday as I would have used it a lot. I will have to try to get myself out and give it a proper go.

From my home in the UK it seemed to pick up things near by. I can't remember what Soundscape gave me from there, so I can't say if it was identical or not.

I'm so just so happy to see what looks like a viable option. The Open in OpenScape sounds free, but who knows.

I think I also heard that Blindsquare might be adding in some features from Soundscape like intersection announcements. But I've never tried it as I'm a bit put off by the price.

By Cordelia on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

Is it, or will it be, available in continental Europe? I was sorely disappointed I could never test SoundScape, and if Open were finally an option I would give it a try.

By mr grieves on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I was listening to Double Tap today. Firstly, they have a brief demo of this (but it's pretty much Soundscape...). They said they have been in contact with the developers and they are going to open up more beta spaces in the next couple of days, so it's worth keeping an eye out.

Also they said they are hoping to get an interview with the devs maybe this week, so hopefully we will find out what the plan is.

I'm really excited about this.

By Jo Billard on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I could not believe how it sounded just like Soundscape. I am beyond hopeful now. I like how Soundscape will tell you if there are stairs and I hope this app will as well. The way it sounded, it wouldn't surprise me.

By mr grieves on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I've always been very dubious of hearing things like stairs in Soundscape. I don't think the gps is accurate enough for that to be useful, although I suppose if you hear it you can be on the lookout.
But this app really is Soundscape. It mentions Soundscape in the terms and conditions and various other screens where it's not been search/replaced out. It has all the same options, like the different sounds you can choose etc. Just Bose Frames don't appear in the head tracking option any more. So all I'm not sure about is the cloud bit, so would be really interested if Double Tap can follow it up with an interview and find out.

Certainly from a very quick play, Openscape is giving me the same results as Soundscape, but I live in the middle of nowhere so need to try somewhere a bit more exciting!

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

How would I know if I am able to test this app sometime in the future? Is there a way to get in touch with the developer?

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

I just joined the Discord community, thank you for your help.

By Dustin on Friday, June 23, 2023 - 10:53

Hi, just curious how to get on the beta list.

By mr grieves on Sunday, July 23, 2023 - 10:53

I noticed in the recent beta they have added the option to import routes and markers from Soundscape. I suspect this will be pretty useful for some on here.

From the release notes:

1. Open soundscape, and navigate to "markers and routes"
2. If you already have routes you'd like to import into Openscape, go ahead and share them (from the Rotor action, or from the share button on the route screen). If not, keep reading.
3. To export all your markers, choose the routes tab, then create marker. Enter a name, like "soundscape marker export", then choose all the markers you'd like to include.
4. When finished, press done and share that route.
5. Finally, in the share sheet, look for Openscape. If you don't see it, choose the "more" button and pick it from there.
Repeat for any other routes you'd like to move over.

By mr grieves on Sunday, July 23, 2023 - 10:53

Well, I'd not even heard of Voice Vista before, so I've downloaded that too.

They are both very much Soundscape forks. Openscape is pretty identical - it has the menu in the top left and all the same settings and everything else as Soundscape. Voice Vista has a more IOS-like settings tab but without much in it yet, but maybe that will come.

I'm guessing the most important difference will be in the back-ends that they use and how good the information is. So would be good to hear from anyone who has tried them both out in the real world and can properly comment?

It's great to see that Voice Vista is free, though, as we don't know what Openscape will be when it's out of beta.

By Bruno Prieto on Sunday, July 23, 2023 - 10:53

I don't see anyone looking to charge for Openscape. It's all being developed in community and is open source. That's not the case with Voice Vista

By MarkSarch on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 10:53

hello just wondering
This app has been release to the public yet?
Or anybody knows if Open scape its something to do with SoundScape community?

Thanks and advance!

By Brad on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 10:53

I have it on my phone, unless you know it's going to be paid for?

By Cobbler on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 10:53

OpenScape has indeed be renamed to SoundScape Community, and is available from the App Store.