Open sourcing my app (Arm Launcher) - Android General

Hi everybody,
I have this app, called Arm Launcher. I think it is a great app and has great potential, unfortunately I do not have much time to develop on it actively and decided it might be a good choice to open source it to continue development.
Arm launcher on Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nickm.enlaunch.launcher
Arm Launcher is, as the name suggests, a launcher. It is pretty fast compared to most others nova, launcher pro etc. It was initially based on the android 2.1 launcher but practically every part has been rewritten, and several parts completely from scratch.
There are several widgets included mostly inspired by those in launcher pro (including facebook, twitter, contacts and bookmarks), and several others. Support for several widget and icon themes (e.g. lpp+ and golaucher).
It would be cool if there are developers (and designers) who would like to help me to redefine what an android launcher is and can do. There are only two things important for Arm Launcher, these are performance and usability. From a programmers perspective code correctness and maintainability are the most important. And the goal is also not to make another stock launcher (or ios/windows style launcher), so creativity and ideas are also very welcome. One more thing, my code is not holy to me, so if there are better ways by all means let's to it like that!
I guess all of us together should be able to make this an unique an beautiful launcher.
If enough people are interested in getting this going, I'll create a google+ group or google group to discuss this. There we will start the discussion on code hosting, artwork hosting and so on.
If you are interested please let me know.

nickmartens1980 said:
Hi everybody,
I have this app, called Arm Launcher. I think it is a great app and has great potential, unfortunately I do not have much time to develop on it actively and decided it might be a good choice to open source it to continue development.
Arm launcher on Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nickm.enlaunch.launcher
Arm Launcher is, as the name suggests, a launcher. It is pretty fast compared to most others nova, launcher pro etc. It was initially based on the android 2.1 launcher but practically every part has been rewritten, and several parts completely from scratch.
There are several widgets included mostly inspired by those in launcher pro (including facebook, twitter, contacts and bookmarks), and several others. Support for several widget and icon themes (e.g. lpp+ and golaucher).
It would be cool if there are developers (and designers) who would like to help me to redefine what an android launcher is and can do. There are only two things important for Arm Launcher, these are performance and usability. From a programmers perspective code correctness and maintainability are the most important. And the goal is also not to make another stock launcher (or ios/windows style launcher), so creativity and ideas are also very welcome. One more thing, my code is not holy to me, so if there are better ways by all means let's to it like that!
I guess all of us together should be able to make this an unique an beautiful launcher.
If enough people are interested in getting this going, I'll create a google+ group or google group to discuss this. There we will start the discussion on code hosting, artwork hosting and so on.
If you are interested please let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks great, and I would really like to see this open sourced. There aren't any open source launchers out there, and this looks really promising. I can't code in java, but I surely can contribute artwork and/or uesign resources/mockups/wireframes etc. Looking forward to this, good luck

grvrulz said:
Looks great, and I would really like to see this open sourced. There aren't any open source launchers out there, and this looks really promising. I can't code in java, but I surely can contribute artwork and/or uesign resources/mockups/wireframes etc. Looking forward to this, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, I'll start setting up a repository on github or something this weekend (if I get the time). I'll get back to you. Thanks!

Related

RockOn - call for devs

Hi everyone!!
RockOn is a music player for Android and its main goal is to innovate on the UI side. To those of you who don't know it you can check it at http://abrantix.org/rockon.php.
Now comes the time where I'd like to expand the dev team, as I cannot do it all by myself . There's a lot of things to improve or fix and to make RockOn the best player I need help. In a first phase im planning to open the code to a small number of devs that will help me clean up the code and fix some of the most important bugs (right now the code is pretty ugly in some parts, and there are all sorts of architectural problems in the app structure). In a second phase RockOn would be completely open sourced to the whole community.
Also, RockOn currently has a 'donate' version, which I will make free as soon as this kicks-off. This will be a community project on the long run, thus not-for-profit.
So, if there are devs around interested in contributing please drop me an email (filipe.abrantes _at; gmail.com).
twitter for updates:
http://twitter.com/fabrantes
Cheers,
Filipe
Nice apps, really like the design and the album art, hope somebody will be interest to be part of this dev.
Wow I really do like the interface. I would be willing to help out, but it looks like you want really active developers for the first phase and I don't think I can commit for that. But of course if you don't mind having people making small fixes and passing them in sporadically I can help there.
I did notice a bug while searching for mp3s using non-ascii characters (specifically Chinese). I'm wondering if the like search in the sql database is even unicode aware.
Code:
07-23 04:36:44.897: INFO/SEARCH(2319): title LIKE '%我 %' OR artist LIKE '%我 %'
Regardless, hopefully you find some people who can push your app along quickly!
love your app, can only get better...
... and xda is the place to find developers who will make it happen. RockOn! is my default fall back app when HTCMusic doesn't work. I've had some issues with lag and FCs occasionally but I must admit, running RockOn on cyanogen's experimental build 3.9 with compcache and a backing_swap partition seems rock-solid. I used it all night and it was really smooth, only one hiccup and it passed NP. So great work fabrantes, I look forward to seeing what this community can do to make your app even better.
i was thinking it was weird that there is a lack of development of open source apps... especially essential stuffs like music and video players..... group development etc.... instead of relying on htc apps (closed sourced).
Unless i am not aware of such stuff
overpower said:
Wow I really do like the interface. I would be willing to help out, but it looks like you want really active developers for the first phase and I don't think I can commit for that. But of course if you don't mind having people making small fixes and passing them in sporadically I can help there.
I did notice a bug while searching for mp3s using non-ascii characters (specifically Chinese). I'm wondering if the like search in the sql database is even unicode aware.
Code:
07-23 04:36:44.897: INFO/SEARCH(2319): title LIKE '%我 %' OR artist LIKE '%我 %'
Regardless, hopefully you find some people who can push your app along quickly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi overpower, yes for this first phase I'd prefer to get a smaller group of people that are willing to commit to the project, deadlines and such. But we'll see how this evolves. I did not state this before, but this call also applies to designers.
i would be willing to help with design work, especially if you plan on adding widgets.
RaiderX303 said:
i would be willing to help with design work, especially if you plan on adding widgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, right now it has one widget but it is really a knock-off of the standard player's widget. Would be very nice to have a more advanced one. Drop me an email.
Where do I sign up?
Was thinking about building my own mp3 but your player pretty much rocks.
I use it all the time on my g1. I rather contribute and help to improve it.
I can help in the design & coding.
cool! send me an email (filipe.abrantes / gmail.com). ill be setting up a google project in the next couple of days.
fabrantes said:
Yep, right now it has one widget but it is really a knock-off of the standard player's widget. Would be very nice to have a more advanced one. Drop me an email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd strongly suggest making your widget take up the whole screen and provide a lot of function. That way you could slide over to your music player and then slide back.
bought this on the market earlier, and got a refund saying item discontinued
its free now , re-download it
ah ok, that sorted that, now would there be a reason that im not getting the transparent background?
Good luck man! I see your point of view. It's really weird that essential apps aren't being made and improved open source style on Android. I salute you!
RaiderX303 said:
ah ok, that sorted that, now would there be a reason that im not getting the transparent background?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Translucent background was removed back somewhere in v1.2.x for performance reasons. The UI would get really laggish. I thought of making it an option, but never got the time to really put it in place.
Really hoping that RockOn evolves...it has alot of potential, but at the moment I use TuneWiki... smooth interface (although not as flashy), integrated lyric search, community interaction, etc... TuneWiki would be a good template for features to integrate into RO.
Wii60 said:
I'd strongly suggest making your widget take up the whole screen and provide a lot of function. That way you could slide over to your music player and then slide back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fine for most of us since we have 5 screens (or however if using rogros launcher) so we have extras screens. Everyone else out there has only 3 screens and probably using it atleast alittle big. So if you would really want a full screen widget then you'd also need a smaller one as a second option.
a full screen widget would be really nice. Would be great if you could get it to play similar music like mixzing does or the itunes genius playlist.
fabrantes - Really like your music player. Awesome creativity and functionality with your app.
I use an HTC adapter to plug in my headphones and it has a button I can press twice to skip to the next song
On the default music player I can press the button once and it pauses the song.
It would be cool if you might add that to your app as well.
Thanks again awesome app.

[Apps] The choice

Hi,
I own a Nexus One and.. I love it. Though, I'd like more control; I don't like the regular home, widgets, apps and icons. So while I'm typing this I thought; why not create a list of the best apps/home/widgets/icons, except games, out there on the market.
If you like the idea, please send me a pm with a list of the apps/home/themes etc you think are good.
- Please send either a link with it or the complete name so I can find it and link it.
If this idea gets shot down, close the thread. If it doesn't, I think we can create a good list of apps for people that can't filter out the better apps on the market.
As you can see, I have put the focus on Home; it's where everything starts.
......Queue Crickets
I too would like to see a compiled list of the best-
Touchdown
Doplhin browser
Gdocs
Goggles
MixZing lite
Spare parts
Ultrasound (for driving my teenagers insane)
search for android network awards on google

[Assistance] The Application Design Movement

This thread has been generated off of the idea by AbsoluteDesignz, found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=712525&page=9.
It has been brought to my attention, and to many others, that the average Android application, has a lack in design and the ability to present its self as an application of great use, because of it's looks.
The point of this thread is to list and assist those developers in need.
We will start by creating a list of current applications that are useful, but lack in the design area, we will then contact the developer asking if they would like assistance. If so, we assign a graphic designer to the application and they work with the developer to recreate the applications design until the developer is happy.
We will also reach out to new developers looking for assistance, if you are looking for a graphic designer, do not be afraid to ask!
--------------------------------
Graphic Designers:
1. Wisefire - Private Message or [email protected]
2. AbsoluteDesignz - Private Message or [email protected]
Application List:
1.
2.
--------------------------------
If you are a graphic designer and would like to join this movement, please PM me with you contact details.
I would also like users to start posting in this thread with useful applications that they feel need a "make-over."
Thanks to everyone willing to help, and a special thanks to AbsoluteDesignz for inspiring me to start this.
If this is truly a movement as opposed to a service offering might I suggest that you get together with the developers and come up with a standardized API for skinning or allowing user customization as well?
We are hoping to create a base of designers that several app devs can reach out to if they feel their apps are subpar in the design department. Get apps to shy away from the very basic black BG w/ grey buttons or iPhone style interfaces.
We want Android apps to reach their true potential and no longer be bombarded with all of these horrible looking apps or apps that do not match the stock Android experience (good icons that simply do not match, iPhone UI, etc)
Android does allow a lot of room for app varience, but there has to be some consistency when it comes to icon, UI, and UX design. even widget appearance.
I hate seeing screenshots where it looks like a bunch of first graders grabbed any kind of crayon and wrote all over a wall with no rhyme or reason.
Check out these apps to see good design:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.threebanana.notes
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tvshowfavs
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote
But those are just basic designs...you can get non-standard but still be visually appealing. Android lacks that in some of the most useful apps. that shouldn't be.

[discussion] THINK DIFFERENTLY

Hello everyone and thank you for your attention in the meantime!
We already notice that I am using Google Translate to communicate a bit 'better with you ... unfortunately my English is bad ...
With this question I would ask some of your impressions about the development of new ROM for Android.
I unfortunately delivery a bit 'at a disadvantage because I'm not a developer but just a noob playing with phones and test the different solutions that you offer through your releases.
Indeed, from this point of view I can say that I have tried almost all the main ROM and hybrid versions with kernel taken here and there.
But I've always noticed that the experiences of use, graphically speaking (UI), always remain similar, because the part of louncher is never developed, but the aim is to create a very user interface customization through changes color and background or placement of the elements.
For me it is not easy to explain, because I know that the topic is vast and Android is famous for it to be customizable, but my question is this: why do not you propose something really different and complete? A new ROM and can express a different concept of "personalization" ..
I think to some Louncher, type Listener (which I'm using now and I must say I really like it despite some bugs), or Splay (as a concept that I liked very much!), Or other similar but are not always reflected among users .. .
You may think that they are not customizable as it is for example Paranoid ROM that allows you to change many aspects of the UI are different ... but .. I do not know how to explain it .. try to focus on each other and to give news!
So I would suggest to you that you created ROM and the main team: why do not you join to create something new that is stable, fast and creative?
You have very capable graphics, you are the masters of code, so why not go beyond what is android now and try to find the best that each of you has to offer to create something extraordinary?
I'm sure each of you has at least once thought, "how I wish that notifications appear in a different way" (as the team made ​​it through Holo Paranoid ..!).
So .. create something .. UbuntuPhone style but also beyond .. looking for a concept to follow .. for example the samsung has developed its own theme focusing it on the nature .. but then: why not develop a UI based on a tree ? Or on a leaf! Do you understand?
I know it's a giant work but you are the best community of developers for mobile phones and I am sure that if you join forces, you can do a job never seen before ... because you can have a continuous feedback with millions of Android users who can help you in your work on ideas, tips, feedback, etc.!
What do you think?
Thank you for your attention!
I will to try to give to you (how much "to" :silly an idea about my theard:
so I will image the UI like an Infograph or a white pepper. And image in this space something as an virtual ambient thet will be familiar to "costumers" (sorry for the word but I don't know which one to use) and it's can be something of real live, like a desk with paper, pens and so on, that each one of them rappresents a category of apps. For exemple, the calculator rappresents the calculator'app!
So, if you like to change subject you can image a small city as "desktop" of the phone where the apps are graphites on the wall and ther's a person that walks in differents ways for change the differents views!
Or you can image the apps like "animals" that they grow older if the app will not use for a long time! (image the game "poo") and you can have all this animals in different fences divided into different category...
I can go on for years to give some ideas...but the concept is: create a new way of UI!
Something of different that can change the way of we use the phone! A new way that make older the other louncher! A new way that allow the developers to create differents wolrds!.. And integrate each of this ecosystem with utilities like weather (the weather can change in the "desktop" if change in real life...or can change the time with sun and moon! and so on..)!
Or you can think about a something of more easier, like a real infograph where the apps are in a white space and the user can choose the way to connect them and he can move in this space with different effect or with different way (like drag the screen or using some arrows that indicate the ways to move)...
So...something of new! The only problem can be define a commons libraries that allow to create this UI.
I think about HTML 5 and it's ability to be flexible...I know that java is more complicated but maybe can be a way to streamline the code!
Let me know what do you think about and if it can be possible, on your opinion! :highfive:

Open source app development

Hi guys.. first of all i'm new to android dev and this forum. so excuse me for any mistake.. The reason im posting here is i had an idea for an app i always felt need about and couldnt find on play store. I call it irevise.
Its a simple notes making app for students(yes there are many) but with a change. A homescreen widget with additional features to make it easy and convenient to revise/memorise the study material. am studying myself and so had started this project.. have got it into a decent app as of now for my use but there are many additional features to be added, and due to lack of time/expertise/funds i may never complete them all.. so came up with the idea of opensource. Ive released it under Apache license 2.0 on sourceforge. sourceforge.net/projects/irevise/
Invite you all to come and develop together to make this into a cool app
Am providing brief info below for anyone intrested..
Description
Well we all sweat trying to learn those nasty chemical formulae, or the weird biological names or maybe some antonyms and synonyms.Whatever it is anything which can make us learn our books better is just a boon. And when it happens automatically, its just amazing. This little appdoes exactly that. Now quickly make your own small notes for things you feel are difficult to learn.Save in the tiny I revise app,and add the widget. And it makes the notes available on your home screen so they cross your eyes every time you unlock your phone. And they get changed automatically so you get them all... Simple huh? Yes but very effective!! And with so many exciting features lined up it could end up as a really awesum tool.. So why waiting, lets code it !!
Features
Quick Revision Tool For students
Supports android 2.3+
Homescreen Widget (Auto Updating)
Backup/Restore Notes (to be added )
Share Notes (to be added)
Study Circle (to Be added)
Inviting everyone to work on the features mentioned and any extras which may be useful.. Also haven't been able to publish on play store as my old account was suspended by google(dunno why) and i dont have an additional card.. so apk also available there only...
its a nice oppurtunity especially for newbies like me to improve our sills, work as a team and get a useful app built in the process.. the biggies can always practice and show off their skills too

Categories

Resources