Tag Linden Lab

New UI Changes & UI Fixes For Second Life Mobile Private Alpha – May 2024 Update

Daniel Voyager 1 Comment

New Android Alpha builds and iOS builds are now available as of 10th May 2024 bringing a more clearer organized Settings menu, displaying the latest version numbers/licensing info along with many user inferface fixes.

In the latest builds it is no longer possible to visit Adult-rated regions using Second Life mobile app. Favourites are now marked visually to indicate if the chosen location cannot be visited.

New Settings menu
General Settings
Developer Tools
Feedback
About – New version numbers

Public Beta Coming Soon

The lab are now planning the big transition of the Second Life mobile app from Private Alpha phrase to the Public Beta phrase very soon. It’s not clear on if Public Beta will launch before or after SL21B. I think Public Beta will most likely start end of Q2 2024.

The Public Beta phrase would include Premium members and Basis members I would guess and then more developments/new features will be rolled out later in 2024/2025+. There is a lot to still look forward to with Second Life mobile.

  • Q1 2024 – 1st January – 31st March
  • Q2 2024 – 1st April – 30th June – 98% chance
  • Q3 2024 – 1st July – 30th September – 95% chance
  • Q4 2024 – 1st October – 31st December – 80% chance

The lab have said that “expanding the audience for the app means that we must comply with app store requirements, including limits on the types of content that can be displayed in apps”. The lab are working on finer controls for content maturity in order to allow maximum freedom while complying with app store requirements

What’s New ?

UI changes

  • Menu > Settings is more clearly organized
  • Menu > About Second Life displays version number and licensing info

UI fixes

  • Timestamps no longer display while typing messages
  • Text in the title bar no longer wraps, so you can close groups with very long names
  • Automatic login when app is opened
  • Display “Unnamed parcel” when parcel name is empty
  • Keyboard no longer obscures text fields (Android only)
  • Sorbon Beach (The Lost Gardens of Apollo) removed from Mobile

Early Days Of Alpha Testing

Overall good progress has been made since the lab first announced (5 months ago) for Private Alpha on 13th December 2023. It’s good the lab have been informing the Second Life on a regular basis on the progress it’s making.

I have been currently testing out the early access versions of the Second Life Mobile Private Alpha since late January 2024. So far the mobile experience has been getting better since the start of 2024 with really useful improvements and fixes.

The UI changes recently have improved the mobile experience a lot but there is a ton of things missing (not yet rolled out) like add the SLT time, Linden balance, group notices, mini-map/world map, option to take snapshots, inventory much more. The lab are working hard through the roadmap for Second Life mobile and soon everyone will be able to use it.

I am looking forward for when new improvements are made to the Second Life mobile app and when the wider audience can start using it.

New SL21B Multiple Areas On The Map

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Since the start of May 2024 there has been good progress made for the upcoming SL21B event scheduled for 21st June through until 21st July 2024. There are now new multiple areas that new development is taking place for SL21B. It appears there are stages in progress. some water regions and that there is a new template for general exhibit regions. One of the regions is called “SLB Spicy” which is interesting as this was mentioned on the SL blog at the end of last year.

The first batch of SL21B regions arrived back on the grid back in mid March 2024 with two build regions along with a group of planning regions and since then it’s been steadily progressing. There are now 31 “SLB” regions in total on the grid. This overall number here may be lower at the grand opening due to the planning regions etc which may or not be used for the public.

There is now roughly 40 days remaining until the grand opening day of SL21B. As we get closer to the opening day the big merge will take place where all the “SLB” will come together in one big land mass. More region map transformation and more build development is to be expected within the next five weeks.

Here are the latest SL21B map previews as of Monday 13th May 2024….

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Applications For SL21B

Stay tuned for more SL21B news and developments very soon.

New Developments In The North East Of The Ranch Continent

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Swell Waves – 13th May 2024

Last week six new Ranch regions were added on the grid in the north east part of the Ranch continent in Second Life. The new six regions are called Urchin Sea, SSPNeva Missbehavin, Starboard Drift, SSPCedar Bluff, Swell Waves, Swill. The Moles are working to finish these new regions for the Second Life community to enjoy and explore.

It will be great once the Ranch sub continent joins with the Sansara continent in the north west corner. Everyone is still watching this area and waiting for new regions to be addd to finally connect both the continents up together.

Six new regions added north east corner – May 2024

There is now a new railway bridge and double railway tracks that has recently been built along the coastline. Loads of new Ranch Linden Homes will be built in the days/weeks ahead with new interesting areas to explore.

Starboard Drift – 13th May 2024

More development updates soon on my blog. Stay tuned for that.

Linden Lab Updates Second Life Terms & Conditions

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On Thursday 2nd May Linden Lab updated the Second Life Terms and Conditions. The lab have updated the Child Avatar Policy, internal policies/procedures, implemented personal changes, initiated management improvement programs. The lab are committed to Community Roundtables and they are committed to increasing transparency and accountability.

Since the announcement on the Second Life Forums there is a forum thread named So what changed in the Terms of Service? which now has discussion over 130+ pages. Most by now have accepted the new agreement popup when logging into Second Life. There has been a lot of blog coverage recently on the new changes. It’s important everyone reads the new updated Second Life terms and conditions.

What’s New ?

Submit questions for the upcoming Community Roundtable here. “Here’s your chance to ask questions or provide feedback directly to the Second Life Leadership team. All feedback and submissions will be reviewed by executives for consideration and discussion”.

I’m sure we will hear more information about the recent changes at the community roundtable meeting. More updates will be posted soon.

New Regions Arrive For SL21B

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SL21B regions as of 29th April 2024

Four new SL21B regions have arrived recently on the grid shown in black in the south east corner. It’s expected that more SLB regions will be added on the grid in the weeks ahead. When we get closer to mid June 2024 the regions will probably all merge into one big land mass.

The SLB Planning regions have changed slightly within the past week. This could be start of the new birthday stage or birthday cake or something else in the central area.

SLB Planning regions as of 29th April 2024
New SLB area on 5th April 2024

I’m keeping watch of new changes for SLB regions and I will blog again with new updates very soon.

SL21B is scheduled for 21st June through until 21st July 2024 in Second Life. I can’t wait.