Developer TFDi Design has announced their plans to release smartCARS 3.
With a complete code rewrite, the new version of smartCARS 3 will allow flexibility to developers, offering a platform to build on. The platform will offer better support of mobile services, as well as enhanced flight tracking – allowing pilots to see a variety of flight data at any point in the flight, including during playback after the flight.
The new version of the tracking software will also offer better API support for using maps. A recent change in Google’s API licensing model has meant that TFDi has resorted to using a resource-intensive mapping model that has offered them limited flexibility. This has meant that they have had to remove maps from the server, and hope to release an updated version along with smartCARS 3.
Used by a variety of Virtual Airlines, the new version of the software will allow users to see which VA’s are using smartCARS and users will be able to use a single installation of the software with all of their virtual airlines, eliminating the need to install multiple instances of the same software. This consolidation will also allow users to track their hours across all of their virtual airlines in one central location.
Developers are currently working on the user interface, and it is expected that a new version of the software will be revealed in the next several months. With TFDi focusing on the recent release of their PACX software, developers are busy with multiple projects.
A pricing model for the software will be determined before release, and developers expect pricing to fall in line with the current smartCARS 2 pricing model.
