Database Info

Text-to-image utility for WM?

Anyone know of a utility that will take a text file as input and spit out a simple GIF/JPG/PNG/BMP?
If there are none, plan B would be text-to-speech. Anyone know of a good one that sounds reasonably natural?
Thanks in advance!

if there are such options this is the search which will lead you to them
http://www.google.dk/search?hl=da&q=ocr+pocketpc&btnG=Søg&meta=lr=lang_da|lang_en
you can replace ocr with text to speach if you wanna search for that

One of us is misunderstanding...
As I understand Optical Character Recognition, it takes an image (which contains text) and extracts the text. I'm trying to do the opposite - take a text file as INPUT and OUTPUT to an image. (See attachment.)
BTW- I Googled this heavily before posting. Tons of Text2Image links, but everything I found was made for a desktop PC - not Pocket PC. And including "pocket pc" in the search criteria didn't help... lots of pages with Wintel Text2Image software that mention "Pocket PC" somewhere on the page.

Have you thought of using a fullscreen doc viewer (picsel comes to mind...) and a screen-capture mapped to a hardware button? It isn't automated, but it would get the job done.

larsuck said:
It isn't automated, but it would get the job done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With mortscript, you can automate pretty much anything, right? Problem is, that really wouldn't get the job done.
Let me explain the application a bit better...
I use Wisbar Advanced Desktop extensively and I have a pretty sophisticated UI set up. I have a special page for weather, but I'm really not happy with *any* of the weather today plug-ins (and I think I've tried pretty much all of them!) So what I want to do is pass 2 or 3 URLs to mortscript, have it read the file in, parse out the stuff I don't want, leaving me with text that gives me the precise details I do want. I then convert the text to an image file, saving it with the same name ands size every time (e.g. currentconditions.gif - which is already set as a positioned element on the WAD virtual page.) I do the same with extended forecast and surf report (I live at the beach in SoCal) and tell mortscript to go out and update this once per hour. Then, when I go to my weather page, I get exactly the info I want (including sunset time, water temp, UV index, etc.) and my info is no older than 59 minutes.
I'm starting to think that I should just do this server-side... maybe I can find a text-to-image script using php. Hmmmm...

Interest for WisBar Advance Desktop

I'm interested to know how many people would like to see a WisBar Advance Desktop build for Android. Just let me know. Thanks!

+1
I think WAD was a very cool launcher in WMobile

Fantastic loved it on win mob
Sent from my Pulse Mini using Tapatalk

I loved wisbar!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Well, so far it's looking like there's at least a little interest. I'll get started.

Count me in a interested. Never ran wm without it!
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Its funny that you mention it. I just visited the wisbar forums thinking there may be something about it coming to android. Before switching to android I had purchased and used Wisbar and WAD. As good as WAD for WM was, it just never really worked perfectly. And thats only because of the limitation of WM and the hardware not WAD itself.
I think android is the perfect platform that would be ready to embrace WAD. I will be looking forward to using it in the future I think WAD for android will be what the long term goals of WAD for WM had striven for.

I'm glad that you finally decide to make an android version of WAD2(I've ask for that a long time ago in your forum).
I hope that this best wm UI will come on android devices very soon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I use WAD (now 2) since a long time. I could not do without it. It is the only reason to stay at WM6.x.
If there would bei WAD2 for Android, it would be great and I think I would change over to Android too

Interestng...I also used WAD when I had a PPC device. I would be interested too.

I would be interested too... On WinMo Wisbar Advanced Desktop was amazing!

Thank you everyone for your interest. I've been doing some thinking about this as it will be a major step for me as I've been a long-time supporter of Windows Mobile (I've been around since PPC2000).
Given how powerful Android is, I can only think of one UI limitation at the moment: since there's no taskbar with an ever-present start menu, I'll have to make the app-drawer/launcher available on every page. At least, that's probably the best way to go right now unless someone has a different opinion/preference.
Another thing I was thinkg about: do you want a variable number of pages (being added through Menu > Add Page) or should I add a preference like some other launchers have to specify the number of pages?

These are very good news.
I can't wait to be able to use WAD again. I just hope that HTC Tattoo will be supported.
As for pages, I prefer the way of wm WAD2(pages added via menu).

So, I'm thinking about approaching this from a different direction than I did with Windows Mobile.
The first major change is I'm thinking about using a scripting language to describe how things are laid out and how they behave rather than just dragging and dropping items. The reason is two-fold:
1) This will give the script designer more control about how things look and how they work.
2) We won't run into the problem of shortcuts that open apps and widgets that are not installed on someone else's device (a major shortcoming of WAD2's).
So, the language would say something like: create a folder at x, y. This "button" will open it and this button will close it. You would also be able to specify an area where shortcuts could be added, such as "create a shortcut grid at x, y", but you would not be able to specify the shortcuts (this would be left up to the user who is using your theme).
One downside of this is that the layouts would have to be created on the desktop and then uploaded to your phone.
The other downside is that this would severely hamper the ability to launch specific apps using scripts. But, this is really a limitation of Android itself as, unlike Windows Mobile, not every device comes with the same core set of apps. And, for the apps that are included in most devices (such as the calendar), the intents to launch them may vary depending on the OS version (i.e. the calendar changed in between Eclair and Froyo).
I'm just brainstorming here. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to let me know. Right now I'm in the planning stages to see how close I can keep it to Windows Mobile, but at the same time implement new technologies in order to make it the most robust launcher around.

hells yeah man!!! i used it on my tilt for a while.....i think its ironic how similar android really is to winmo...just more refined but very similar in the idea

I found this thread quite late but i can just say +1. =)
I would really like to see Wisbar Adv Desktop on Android. Hope you are making good progress

I just finished asking your to offer support for android on your forums.
Feel free to plus one over too, guys.
http://forum.lakeridgesoftware.com/showthread.php?p=106717#post106717

See it for the first time. +100000
I used to love making themes!!
Sent from my X10i

Awesome. Back in the days WAD was one of the best applications for WM, I've always been impressed by how much one could do with it.
I like the idea of creating themes on the desktop and then uploading them to the phone, because creating themes has always been kind of difficult and work-intensive.
You can map the app drawer to the home button or you might even be able to implement the ability to create shortcuts that open the app drawer.
Concerning the number of homescreens, I think Menu > Add Page is a bit more convenient and less likely to mess things up (since removing non-empty home screens could create issues, as it did with some launchers).
chmckay said:
Thank you everyone for your interest. I've been doing some thinking about this as it will be a major step for me as I've been a long-time supporter of Windows Mobile (I've been around since PPC2000).
Given how powerful Android is, I can only think of one UI limitation at the moment: since there's no taskbar with an ever-present start menu, I'll have to make the app-drawer/launcher available on every page. At least, that's probably the best way to go right now unless someone has a different opinion/preference.
Another thing I was thinkg about: do you want a variable number of pages (being added through Menu > Add Page) or should I add a preference like some other launchers have to specify the number of pages?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I just stumbled over this.... is it for real?
WAS with all the functionality will be ported over to Android? This will be the killer app taking all other launchers / home screen apps out of biz.
I am here to betatest!
chmckay said:
So, I'm thinking about approaching this from a different direction than I did with Windows Mobile.
The first major change is I'm thinking about using a scripting language to describe how things are laid out and how they behave rather than just dragging and dropping items. The reason is two-fold:
1) This will give the script designer more control about how things look and how they work.
2) We won't run into the problem of shortcuts that open apps and widgets that are not installed on someone else's device (a major shortcoming of WAD2's).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you can get the HTC Sense Widgets to work as well at least on HTC devices where this should not be a violation of copyright laws. I will gladly offer to borrow you a european HTC Desire for testing purposes if that is of any help.
I second your notiong of requiring a script language, but of course it would take one that is not laid out for programmers but also still understandable for regular designers. Search around here in the Forum for SlickUI and KiteUI, both which are still deep in the "maybe wel will do this stage" for some decent ideas on how people imagine their ideal design, and therefore gfgiving you an idea how much flexibility your framework needs.
Things that should really be in the to-do-list: radial icon menus. That means you assign say 6-8 icons to a WAD icon placed on the homescreen, upon tapping this the home screen blurs and the assigned icons circle around the pushed icon. This is a terrific way to organize similar apps IMO, much better looking than the folder blocks we have gotten used to.
WAD actually was one reason I found it very hard to aprt with my WM phone. Thie level of adustability had not been reached before. People who do not know what the heck I am creaming my pants about should use google image search for "wisbar advance desktop". It was a pure naked framework, allowing beasically every freedom any designer could wish / hope for.
Anotherr important thing to note is the touch features which have come quite a long way since WM6.5. You would need to extend the framework in order to allow rotating dials for menu control, swipe movements for changing screen left to right and vice versa.
If you could actually manage to pull the old stunt where you made an app run constantly on a "homescreen" it would be awesome. Imagine 3-5-7-whatnot screen with widgets laid out side by side, but a simple upward stroke brings you into the already preloaded browser (from which you return with the back key into the regular homescreen).
God, I am bursting with ideas.
As I said, I will beat test all days long if you need someone.
So, the language would say something like: create a folder at x, y. This "button" will open it and this button will close it. You would also be able to specify an area where shortcuts could be added, such as "create a shortcut grid at x, y", but you would not be able to specify the shortcuts (this would be left up to the user who is using your theme).
One downside of this is that the layouts would have to be created on the desktop and then uploaded to your phone.
The other downside is that this would severely hamper the ability to launch specific apps using scripts. But, this is really a limitation of Android itself as, unlike Windows Mobile, not every device comes with the same core set of apps. And, for the apps that are included in most devices (such as the calendar), the intents to launch them may vary depending on the OS version (i.e. the calendar changed in between Eclair and Froyo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just brainstorming here. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to let me know. Right now I'm in the planning stages to see how close I can keep it to Windows Mobile, but at the same time implement new technologies in order to make it the most robust launcher around.[/QUOTE]
#Pinch to zoom and similar gestures will go a long way in allowing to extend the possibilites and ways the users can interact with the interface. Instead of an always visible appdrawer you could just use a gesture predefined that will launch the app drawer
Should we make a thread where all former WAD users and upcoming UI design freaks post their wishlists?

[Q] What Android database apps exist?

I currently use a WinMo phone but might move over to Android. I have several large databases (1200+ records) so I use Handbase. I was wondering what database apps exist for Android. From what I'm told the iPhone version of Handbase is rubbish, is the Android version any good?
I've had a quick google search and didn't find anything and it looks like I can only search Android market via an Android phone which I don't own yet.
What I need from a database is to be able to import my existing databases (probably as a .cvs file) then easily filter the records. The simplest and best database program I've ever used was on my Psion 5, handbase (winMo) is a close second. Other than Handbase are there any other decent database apps out there and is Android Handbase any good?

I don't know of a good database app, but you can browse the market with Cyrket:
http://www.cyrket.com/search?q=database&market=android&sort=
There you also see HanDBase and others

Or search with Appbrain's website.. http://www.appbrain.com/

That was quick, I'm at work and a bit busy to have a proper look at the links, I'll look later.
Thanks for the quick replies.

Just to be clear, are you looking for an app that can read your current database files? Or just any database application (do you have any requirements E.G. GUI, Sql console, RDBMS transactionality?) For example, are you looking for "A database" in the same way that MS Access is "a database" (Hint: it isn't it's just a GUI) or "a database" in the way MySQL is.
Android has binaries for SQLite built in and searching for sqlite in appbrain should give you a number of front-ends for that.

Bouncypete said:
What I need from a database is to be able to import my existing databases (probably as a .cvs file) then easily filter the records.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm developing this kind of application, but i'v just started on it
Here it is
SQLator beta 0.1
Hope that give me more feedbacks
HouWWari.

[Q] Remote Administration of Multiple Android Handsets

My situation:
In my company we have about 30+ handsets currently running Android (standard and custom ROMs from XDA). The handsets include HTC Desire HD, HD2, Desire S and Desire Z. The users cannot be trusted not to brick the phones if they are allowed to download apps and modify them in anyway (not to mention they are business phones so shouldn't have facebook etc on them any way).
I've heard about admin tools which allow control of handsets remotely.
Requirements:
So, if possible, what i would like does something along the lines of...:
1: Blocks further apps from being added to the handset without a password
2: A lock to keep as many of the settings as is originally provided (wallpaper etc)
3: A master admin tool which i can remotely manage all the handsets from (download requested and approved apps, wipe, lock, locate and reset the phones if lost...etc)
What i have done before to stop the users adding further apps is register my email address to Android Market on all the phones, then changed the password using my desktop). While this stops new apps from being downloaded from the market, it does mean i cannot remotely roll out approved apps as they are no longer signed in to the account.
Is there anything out there which does any/all/some of the above?
Is there one tool which can manage all these tasks? Or will it have to be seperate apps like Norton Mobile Security (such as) etc?
Can anyone get their heads around this?
Thanks!

The market lets you download apps to a phone.
Lookout Security does all of the security tasks you want.

Thanks, that would take care of the remote wiping, locating and locking.
Does Android provide any corporate setup for administration of lots of handsets? Surely this is a niche in the market for some devs to jump on if there isn't something like that already.
And i know Android Market allows you to remotely download apps to multiple phones but i want to make it impossible to download through the phone itself. (so i can add apps but the user can't)

Something that performs like MFormation Enterprise Manager but avoiding the $20k price tag! (a tall order i know)

Sonic_Sonar said:
Something that performs like MFormation Enterprise Manager but avoiding the $20k price tag! (a tall order i know)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Have you found any apps that fit your needs? Do you use them? If no, is your organization still interesting in mobile device management service?
I'm asking because I'm working for http://bloove.com (personal phone management service) and we're going to expand our offer to small and medium companies.
This new service will combine existing contact, sms, phone log and bookmark backup for personal phone with MDM features like centralized app management, location and wipe service etc.
We're looking for early adopters who will have a chance to add their custom requirements to the service and get this service for free for up to six months.
Please let me know if you're interested and want to discuss this further.
Thank you,
Rostislav
[email protected]

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

I did something like this ...
I first installed openssh server, plus a script that checks a specific URL for remote access needs (had to do it that way since my carrier blocks connections on all ports).
The server side is a simple php script that you call like this: check.php?deviceid=[ID]. The script checks a DB to see if there is anything new for that device ID and acts accordingly. I implemented three features: Tunnel, Script, Install APK. So, If I want to install an APK to all devices, I just upload it on our webserver, and on the MySQL DB I add devices id = all, action=install, file=/apks/whatever.apk. If, for instance, I want to do something more complex on certain devices, I add: id = all, action=script, file=/apks/whatever.sh. I write the script, then all phones check for updates on this check.php every 5 minutes, if they find a script, they'll download and execute. If it's an APK, they'll download and install. If I insert a line with deviceID=[deviceid], action=tunnel, file=[PORT NUMBER], then the phone will SSH into a remote server and do a reverse port forward, on [PORT NUMBER]. Then I can just SSH into localhost:[PORTNUMBER] on the server, and I'll have a terminal inside the phone to do whatever I need.
This doesn't address the restrictions issue, but it does allow you to control the phones however you want.
Regards,
Almafuerte.

Just bought first windows phone

I acquired a Samsung Focus and am completely new to this platform (android before) and I am wondering what can I do to it if anything and how complex it is compared to android
What apps should I go for etc!
Thanks!
Kulch

Kulch said:
I acquired a Samsung Focus and am completely new to this platform (android before) and I am wondering what can I do to it if anything and how complex it is compared to android
What apps should I go for etc!
Thanks!
Kulch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are some good sites with reviews on apps for WP7. I typically use WPCentral to get educated about useful and new apps. I am only familiar with Android from my HP Touchpad, but I believe the WP7 platform is more manageable or overseeable. I get easily lost in all the functions and apps with Android. You might say WP7 is limited in that way (e.g. customization) but I actually like it (ymmv).
good apps (all relative, depends on your needs) on my list are:
Thumba photo editor, BBC News Mobile, RSS Central, USA Today, RAD Now!, Weather Live, Pageonce, WhatsApp, ...I'm a WP7!, XDA Developers, easyRing, Network Dashboard, Tasks...........................
Of course you should know how to unlock your phone to be able to sideload homebrew and apps to customize your WP7 device. Here is a good start.

Awesome. Thankyou for the link and suggestions for apps! appreciate it

53 days to go (days countdown untill an event)
accuweather
appFlow (app discovery)
bing wallpaper (great wallpapers)
freda (free ebook reader)
lists & things
lyrics & info
notes
simple dropbox viewer
soccer livescores
stopwatch
stormgalss (weather app with nice live tile)
toshl (expenses tracker)
xMaps