Is There a Future ArcGIS Explorer Desktop Application?

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02-18-2015 01:47 PM
JoeFlannery
Occasional Contributor III

The last major, new build of ArcGIS Explorer Desktop (AGX) was February of 2013, two years ago.  AGX 2500/2505 has been limping along now for way too long and continue to fall farther and farther behind with each new release of ArcGIS for Desktop and updates of ArcGIS Online.  In its day, AGX was considered a wonderful desktop solution for end-users of GIS data and services.  Today, it barely functions.

At the 2014 Esri User Conference (seven months ago), a new product, Explorer for Windows Desktop or ArcGIS Viewer, whatever the name is today, was available for viewing (beta version) at an Esri Showcase island.  It looked very promising.

I think it is poor business for Esri to not be sharing with its multitude of users the plan for new AGX builds or a new AGX replacement application.  There are many loyal and ardent users of AGX who have been left hanging for well over a year for an updated AGX product. Frankly, I feel disrespected.

In the mean-time, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS for Desktop and Server, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Runtime SDKs, iOS and Android Apps, Community Maps, Open Data, etc., continue to be updated and upgraded, regularly and frequently.

Esri – do you really have nothing to tell us about the next version of AGX?  Is there no beta program for the next version of AGX?  Are you even working on a new version of AGX?  Should your users be looking for a Windows desktop alternative to AGX (Google Earth Pro just went to Free)?

Your army of struggling AGX users have been patiently waiting for any hint of news regarding the future of AGX.  Please tell us what’s going on.

Viewer.JPG

44 Replies
JohnNowlin
Occasional Contributor II

Jeff,

Thanks for that, but I can take no credit ☺.

Mark and his team are the ones doing all of the work, I am just letting them know what our company thinks.

Best Regards,

John

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JoeFlannery
Occasional Contributor III

Mark:

Any news on a release date for build 3400?  It's nearing two months since you mentioned that it would be "...available soon".

CharlesRobbins
New Contributor II

Here it is almost the end of July and still no update..... My sincere hope is that ArcGIS Earth will not sidetrack the continued support of AGX.

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JoeFlannery
Occasional Contributor III

Charles:

I was at the Esri UC last week where I saw Mark Bockenhauer demo build 3400 of AGX.  Mark stated that it should be released within a month.

Hope that helps.

Joe

Rhoel_EnricoOlivar1
New Contributor II

There's a post in another ESRI blog from ESRI's Bern Szukalski that says:

"ArcGIS Explorer Desktop is no longer actively developed. We recently published an update, and there may be additional updates, but those are intended as minor engineering efforts that don’t add new capabilities, and rather just continue support “as-is” for those still using Explorer Desktop..."

Would appreciate if  somebody can clarify on this.

I found the post in the comments section of the article in this link: What’s new in ArcGIS Explorer Desktop 2500 | ArcGIS Blog

Thanks!

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JoeZuckerbraun
New Contributor II

Considering ESRI has a page for AGX 3400 system requirements, ArcGIS Explorer Desktop build 3400 System Requirements—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop it seems that they have a product ready...

Rhoel_EnricoOlivar1
New Contributor II

That is great to hear.

Looking forward to its launch.

Thanks!

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JohnNowlin
Occasional Contributor II

Has this released yet? The release notes for the upcoming build 3400 release don't mention Windows 10?

MarkBockenhauer
Esri Regular Contributor

Not released yet, getting closer.  I am using it with windows 10 and it is working.

Mark

by Anonymous User
Not applicable

Mark

Could you expand a bit on "getting closer". From the looks of this thread, it was close in May. it's almost October. Can we plan on seeing a release this fall? Winter? Q4 FY15? Thanks.