Rationale for Switching to the Beta Timeline

[r01k]

Why is everyone being switched to the Beta timeline with release 1.142.0? A few points:

• I don't want to be a Beta tester (sorry, don't have the time to deal with the problems).
• I don't need my wife and daughter bugging me with app issues (so far it's about flawless on the old timeline).
• The switchover seems half-baked and is poorly explained in the release notes. I experienced several of the issues and nuisances reported.

The good thing is that there's on option in the app to switch to old timeline. But for how long will it be supported?

[alextran1502]

Yeah the switch over part is not the smoothest due to possible mangle of data flow when doing the development of both versions, with different database on the same app

It is stable enough to be used for most users and resolve long time outstanding problems from the old timeline, even though the name is still called beta timeline. It is technically the new timeline

We will likely remove the old timeline implementation in the coming weeks as the database that powered that version will make upload app to the PlayStore impossible after November 1st

[xuehuihui]

Is there any documentation explaining the advantages of the new timeline? I’d like to learn more.

[alextran1502]

It is basically the same app with the same functionalities, the differences are in the data structure and data flow, as well as making heavy computational tasks to run in the background, so that it does not interfere with the user's operation.

The new upload mechanism is also reworked so that it is more reliable

You can read about the performance impacted of the old timeline here

#19370

[kevincox]

The reason I switched is because the app is unusably slow without it. I was regularly using the mobile site because it actually worked. For example scrolling was so hitchy it was very hard to see what I want, albums search was bugged, watching videos would stutter and ruin the video. So I barely had a choice. The app is now usable, which is nice. There are definitely some missing features but at least I can look at my photos and the UX of the mobile app is better than the mobile website for me.