Apple's Acquisition of Dark Sky and implications for Garmin Inreach weather reports

[alsg]

Apple has acquired the popular Dark Sky weather app and intends to make it exclusive to Apple devices as of July 1. As part of this, Dark Sky is giving notice that it is terminating its programming interface that allows developers to access and use Dark Sky weather reports. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/tech/apple-dark-sky/index.html


One such use is in the Garmin Inreach satellite messenger devices, whose non-marine weather reports have been powered by Dark Sky. https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=y82JG5z3rt8cg21ARUw0N8

It will be interesting to see how Garmin adapts. While I have been fence-sitting on 2 way satellite messengers, the ability to get accurate weather reports has been a big selling point, as far as I am concerned.

 

[duNord]

As an alternative to the built in weather forecast application on the InReach, I sometimes use the free WX2InReach service instead. I have a preset message on my InReach that texts "wx now" (without the parentheses) to wx2inreach@gmail.com. The service then texts back a multi-day weather forecast for my current location. You can also get forecasts for other locations. You can learn more about the WX2InReach service on their website: https://wx2inreach.weebly.com

I was hoping using this would be a way around Apple's acquisition of Dark Sky. But alas it appears it may be only a partial solution. Per WX2InReach's website, they say they get their US forecasts from the National Weather Service, but for non-US locations, they use Dark Sky.

Per a recent Dark Sky blog post, they say the following: "Our API service for existing customers is not changing today, but we will no longer accept new signups. The API will continue to function through the end of 2021." I'm hoping Garmin will come up with an alternative solution by then.

 

[recped]

Sure hope Garmin can find a comparable solution. I've used my InRreach for an evacuation but the ability to get high quality weather info has dramatically changed my tripping style (for the better).

 

[RickR]

I hope so too. The ability to access weather reports was important in my decision to buy an InReach.