Database Info

Realtime GPS Tracking

Hi,
My wife is running the London Marathon this weekend. I'm not. But... I am going to see her off and meet her at the finishing line. Herein lies my problem. SWMBO has got a Desire, I need her to be running with Android app that will allow realtime GPS tracking, so myself (HD2 NAND) and family at home (internet browser) can follow her progress.
Options so far:
Latitude
Gylmpse
RunKeeper w/ elite subscription ($4.99 pm)
The problem with Latitude is that it doesnt seem to perform realtime updates. 15-30 minutes have passed without updating when testing; this isnt acceptable.
Glympse's only shortfall is that the max time is 4hrs. The wifes fit and will probably finish a little while after 4hrs. I dont want her to have to mess about reconfiguring settings at such a late stage into the race though.
Not yet signed upto RunKeeper Elite; not able to comment on it.
Does anyone else have any reccomendations?
Thank you

You can try OruxMaps to see if that suits your needs. It can upload live tracking to MapMyTracks.com.
OruxMaps can use live maps (e.g. Google Maps) as well as offline maps. However, it was not obvious how to do live tracking. You must first start "normal" tracking. Then, press MENU and select the "hidden" LIVE TRACKING in TOOLS menu. (The Live Tracking option does NOT appear unless you're already in tracking mode.)

Thanks - will try out!

You can always use seekdroid! it hasn't real time tracking but everytime you press locate it will give you the other phone's location based on GPS on that device.
Try it out

[GUIDE] Update 20/02/14: HTC Desire S Guide (V1.04) For Newcomers to Android

As the title says, this is something I’ve done for newcomers to Android. It covers only the basics. Experienced Android users will already know this stuff.
I did it as I was always forwarding the same help/advice e-mails to my friends when they bought their HTC Android phones, so I made this to save me fishing out the same e-mails. It was originally for the Desire but I have brought it up to date for the Desire S.
I’ve seen a lot of the same questions being asked here on this Desire S forum. This should help some of you. As this phone currently has a locked up bootloader, the experienced ROM-flashing hardcore Android crowd will probably not pick up this phone. It’s more likely that it will be Android newcomers that buy the Desire S.
If this helps you out, great.
Updated 1st June 2011. Changelog;
Miscellaneous spelling errors and syntax adjusted and tweaked.
Incorporated your comments (e.g. adjusting Timeriffic capabilities)
Added a tutorial for getting started with Tasker!
Added a quick fix for the creaking battery cover issue.
Added clarification on some permissions on free ad-supported apps.
Added advice on dealing with App problems and using the marketplace feedback feature.
Added warning about Fastboot mode issues.
Updated 28th June 2011. Changelog;
Added Index
Added Ultimate Charging Tip - Get 24 hours instead of 12!
Updated 21st February 2014. Changelog;
Made some tweaks to allow for maturation of Android since 2011
Adjusted recommended Apps list to allow for changes since 2011
Disclaimer: I no longer have the Desire S or have any knowledge of the current ROMS available for it. For those reasons some of the info in this guide migt be outdated. Follow with caution, and perhaps feed back where it is wrong?
Download from my Dropbox (in .pdf format) here;
Edit: This dropbox link below will occasionally expire and stop working. Please let me know when it does and I'll refresh it ASAP. I'm subscribed to this thread with e-mail notification so (unless I'm mid ROM-flashing) I'll get your posts replied to quickly.
Link updated 23rd Jul 2014: https://www.dropbox.com/s/601j4ayswkzk9o0/HTC Desire S Owners Guide V1.04.pdf

Many Thanks, found that really useful...Tasker now on my must buy list.
Moderator....possibly make this a sticky, as it will be useful for new comers.

Thank you very much for the manual. Just three comments:
1) Many apps require web access to download adds. Thus, it's unavoidable for them to have the redundant permissions.
2) "Timeriffic" has not the option to tougle the sync, unfortunately.
3) Free "AutomateIt" (https://market.android.com/details?id=AutomateIt.mainPackage&feature=search_result ) has all the options you described for the paid "Tasker".

Great guide! I'm sure alot of new android users will benefit from this. I agree with those methods to maximise battery life.
Thanks for your time and effort +1 for sticky

This is indeed very very very useful... I agreed, need to make this one sticky and updated! Thanks for your hard work man!

igoivo said:
3) Free "AutomateIt" (https://market.android.com/details?id=AutomateIt.mainPackage&feature=search_result ) has all the options you described for the paid "Tasker".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AutomateIT starts GPS ervery time you set an location based trigger. Contraprodactive for battery saving - and not necessary (weather and other location based apps do it by a-gps)
Don't know if Tasker do start gps, but for me Automateit isn't a good choice..

Glad it is of some help to people and thank you for the positive feedback everyone. I will get the guide updated when I get a few minutes. I'm away this weekend. I think I may add a Tasker guide!
Tasker can use GPS as a way of determining location, but you can use other ways. You can even control how often Tasker turns GPS on to get a location fix if you use it in a profile. For the most part, GPS is unnecessary as it is too accurate for most profile requirements. The best way Tasker does approximate location is using a state called, "Cell Near".
What this does is look at your nearest cell tower ID number and signal strength. When it see the right cell tower with the right signal strength, Tasker knows I'm at home. This is economical because it is only using 2G radio info which is on all the time anyway. Obviously it would also think I was home if I was on the same radius around the cell tower, but it's as accurate as I need for my "Home Mode" profile. Typically I see it activate as I am driving onto my estate where I live.
Tasker also knows which parameters in a profile use the least power, and will monitor those first and wait until they are satisfied before moving onto monitor the next parameter in a profile. For example, if you needed to use GPS for a very accurate location-based profile, you can keep power usage down by adding a "Time" context. Say you need your phone to send your wife a text message when you reach a certain point on your journey home after work each day. ("Get my dinner ready!" ) If you add a time context of "Between 5pm and 7pm" and "Monday to Friday" Tasker will wait until those are met before turning GPS on every X seconds to check where you are.
This way it doesn't hog battery power and my wife has time to get dressed and kick the postman out before I get back.

Nice guide!

Thanks for the guide ! I find it very useful: I've discovered some interesting applications ( I love TuneIt radio) and the tips to save battery are already really working for me
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

dont know said:
AutomateIT starts GPS ervery time you set an location based trigger. Contraprodactive for battery saving - and not necessary (weather and other location based apps do it by a-gps)
Don't know if Tasker do start gps, but for me Automateit isn't a good choice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry, but it's not right. In particular, "AutomateIt" has "Enable/Disable GPS" action, which you can use with either the location (home/office) or any location based application events.
An example: "Entering proximity region ... - disable GPS"
When GPS is disabled, "AutomateIt" can use the available networks only to detect the location. To this end, use the flag "Allow Coarse Accurasy", see the manual at http://muzikant-android.blogspot.com/2011/02/automateit-automate-your-android.html

Thanks a lot

wnp_79 said:
Obviously it would also think I was home if I was on the same radius around the cell tower, but it's as accurate as I need for my "Home Mode" profile. Typically I see it activate as I am driving onto my estate where I live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use another app called Llama. It's also a profile manager, doing basically the same thing as AutomateIT and Tasker, except that it can use not just gps and cell towers, but also wifi networks to recognise my location, so i don't have to keep gps turned on (which is a drain). But it tends to be quite a bit more accurate since wifi networks have a smaller radius. I set the app to recognise my "home" location not just by the cell towers in my area, but also my home wifi. So if i step outside to buy something, my phone would probably still connect to the same cell tower but as long as my phone loses the wifi connection (which happens about 10m away) it knows i'm not "home" anymore. It's pretty useful 'cause sometimes even when i'm a kilometer away, i'm already connected to the cell tower near my home.
But it works for me because i live in an apartment and my wifi network covers the whole house. For those of you who have lawns or backyards, i'm guessing your wifi might not cover those areas so it might not work for you.
But the best part of the app, which is mainly why i use it, is that its FREE. Oh, and the dev has a certain sense of humour.. it's less an app and more of a pet or assistant. You've gotta "train" your Llama to recognise the location. Cute, in a way.

slightowl said:
I use another app called Llama. It's also a profile manager, doing basically the same thing as AutomateIT and Tasker, except that it can use not just gps and cell towers, but also wifi networks to recognise my location, so i don't have to keep gps turned on (which is a drain). But it tends to be quite a bit more accurate since wifi networks have a smaller radius.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
AutomateIt does exactly the same thing with wifi networks. Checking the "Allow coarse location" checkbox uses both cell location and wifi networks.
Also, if GPS is disabled, AutomateIt will not use it (but than you'll get less accurate location...). AutomateIt tries to minimize usage of GPS by allowing the user to define a sampling rate and timeout for getting a location fix so it will not continuously use the GPS. It also stops using the GPS as soon as it gets a location fix.
for more details see the post on location trigger tips & tricks on the developer's website.

Thank you for the guide, it's a very good guide
Also, about battery drain, I checked the usage info, it seems Zenonia is at the top of my list, I was playing it earlier, but I can't even see the settings anywhere near HTC Sense, what should I do?

I seem not to be able to open the file. Could you possibly upload it on an other client?

Seriously, don't know which of the tips did it, but somehow my battery lasts 50% longer. Thinking it might be the fact that I turned of the "call louder when in pocket"-thingy as you suggested.
Awesome noob guide.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

stevennekens said:
I seem not to be able to open the file. Could you possibly upload it on an other client?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had also problem opening it directly (in Firefox), so I right-clicked on link and saved the file directly to my computer.
Will go through guide today, when I receive my Desire S.

Should have clarified in my first post (sorry); The link is to download the file from my dropbox in .pdf format. If your browser doesn't have the appropriate plugin to directly view pdf files, use adobe 8+ reader.
It opens and reads well with the pdf reader included with the Desire S (sim free, unlocked).
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

Updated to V1.02! See original post for new download link and change-log.

thanks for the awesome noob guide, worked wonders for me, with this being my first android smart phone. thanks again

[APP] WebSharing 2.0: view/transfer files/media via browser/WiFi

WebSharing is an app that lets you view/transfer files and media between your Android device and a computer using a Web browser over a Wi-Fi network. The 1.x version line has been out for an age (since '09), this thread is about 2.0 and future development.
The 2.0 beta is currently available, I'd greatly appreciate any help testing it. See next post for info on obtaining it via Google Play Store beta channel and/or direct download.
The most significant improvements in 2.0 (vs 1.x) are:
Drag-and-drop file/folder uploading (included in the free version, without any limitations).
Holo UI in the Android app, and in the web browser.
Flash is no longer required for advanced features (they're all implemented in HTML5 with Flash fallback).
Still no ads.
To start using WebSharing, make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi, then open the app and tap the "Start" button. You'll see a screen like the one below:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Follow the directions on the screen, pointing your computer's Web browser at the address shown. You'll then see a WebSharing welcome screen that looks like this:
Enter the random generated password and click "Continue". (You can set a permanent custom password in the settings, if you prefer.)
Once you're logged in, you can browse around the filesystem. Double-click to open or download items. Single click to select them. Ctrl+Click to select multiple items. Use the pulldown menu in the upper left corner perform file operations, or just right-click on files.
WebSharing 2 has an all-new HTML5-based file upload system:
Files can be uploaded by dragging them into the browser window.
You can drag multiple files in at once.
If you use Google Chrome, you can upload entire folder hierarchies by dragging them into the browser.
You can drag in more files while files are uploading, they'll be added to the queue.
You can navigate to other folders while files are uploading, and then drag files into those locations. They'll be added to the queue as well.
You can also use the "File" menu to upload files if you'd prefer not to use drag-and-drop.
Older browsers can still use legacy file upload controls.
You can click anywhere in the upload progress area to see a detailed view of upload progress.
In 2.0, the multiple file upload system is now a free feature (in 1.x, only the paid version allowed multiple file upload via a Flash-based control).
All of this is provided in the free version, without any limitations.
When files are dragged in (or uploaded using the File menu), the progress bar will appear at the bottom of the screen:
All the features shown up to this point are completely free. Like FX File Explorer and WebSharing 1.x, the paid version of WebSharing adds media support, i.e., direct access to music, photos, and videos.
In the full version, you can click the music tab to browse/play music. Double-click on a track to start streaming music from the phone to the web browser. You can listen to streamed music while performing other tasks.
You can browse music by track, artist, album, or playlist. The screenshot below shows the by-album view. Music can be directly uploaded by dragging files into the music view. Files uploaded here will be placed in a folder that you configure in the app's settings (the default is the "Music" folder on your device's primary storage/SD Card).
Clicking the photos tab allows you to browse all images stored on the device. The new "Thumbnail Size" slider can be used to zoom in/out.
WebSharing uses my usual free/paid model:
* Free version is free, paid version is cheaper than dirt.
* No ads in either version.
* Free version is not a watered down trial with a bunch of limitations. It's very usable and many users will only need it.
* The paid version adds more stuff.
* Neither version phones home, collects personal information, or does any other "doubleplusungood" things.

Getting WebSharing 2.0 BETA
2.0 beta can be downloaded by joining this Google+ community:
https://plus.google.com/communities/117280636679203185116
Then visit one of the following links to "opt-in" to the beta program:
For WebSharing Lite (the free version):
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/nextapp.websharing
For WebSharing (the paid version):
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/nextapp.websharing.r1
Once you've opted in, visit the Play Store and install it, you'll get 2.0 beta.
DIRECT DOWNLOAD: Alternatively you can download the Lite version APK directly here: http://android.nextapp.com/websharing/r2014/WebSharingLite_r2014.apk

WebSharing 2 is looking awesome.

Tod, I installed the Lite version which works fine with my phone (N4). But I can't get a Wi-Fi connection with my tablet (N10). Restarted my router, toggled Wi-Fi, but still unable. Diagnostics shows it's unable to ping, yet it's able to make an internet connection. Both devices are running 4.3 AOKP. What should I check?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

bruce7373 said:
Tod, I installed the Lite version which works fine with my phone (N4). But I can't get a Wi-Fi connection with my tablet (N10). Restarted my router, toggled Wi-Fi, but still unable. Diagnostics shows it's unable to ping, yet it's able to make an internet connection. Both devices are running 4.3 AOKP. What should I check?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reporting this!
In the diagnostics, does it show a "wlan0" item (or similar) with a valid IP address?
And WiFi is the only means this thing could get to the internet, correct?

tliebeck said:
Thanks for reporting this!
In the diagnostics, does it show a "wlan0" item (or similar) with a valid IP address?
And WiFi is the only means this thing could get to the internet, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, IP is valid. Right, the N10 is Wi-Fi only. I did try using my N4 as a hotspot and got the same results, so I guess that takes my router out of the equation. Here are a couple of screenshots of the diagnostics window:
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

Spelling mistake: Iamges Folder Count

bruce7373 said:
Yes, IP is valid. Right, the N10 is Wi-Fi only. I did try using my N4 as a hotspot and got the same results, so I guess that takes my router out of the equation. Here are a couple of screenshots of the diagnostics window:
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question that I forgot to ask...is it accessible if you just enter the address anyway, or is it just the diagnostics that are failing?
I have seen a lot of issues with the ping command on custom ROMs on the N10. I forget if you were one of the reporters of this, but with FX, the feature where it checks if network hosts are available was causing N10s with certain ROMs to spontaneously reboot. The exact same code ping library is being used in FX and WebSharing (which in turn just calls /system/bin/ping).

tliebeck said:
One more question that I forgot to ask...is it accessible if you just enter the address anyway, or is it just the diagnostics that are failing?
I have seen a lot of issues with the ping command on custom ROMs on the N10. I forget if you were one of the reporters of this, but with FX, the feature where it checks if network hosts are available was causing N10s with certain ROMs to spontaneously reboot. The exact same code ping library is being used in FX and WebSharing (which in turn just calls /system/bin/ping).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, it is accessible on my PC (but I don't have the password to enter).
Yes, I remember that ping issue with FX (even remember which ROM it was). But both my N4 and N10 are currently on the same ROM (4.3 AOKP official). Are different libraries used anyway? If you like, I could try another ROM and see if that makes a difference.
Edit: Curiously got the best of me, . I flashed a different ROM (Purity 4.3, which is JWR based, as opposed to AOKP which is JSL), and, sure enough, no problem with ping. So I guess it is specific to certain manta ROMs. Is it possible to have similar settings as in FX to disable the ping command, or is that essential to the app's function?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

bruce7373 said:
Aha, it is accessible on my PC (but I don't have the password to enter).
Yes, I remember that ping issue with FX (even remember which ROM it was). But both my N4 and N10 are currently on the same ROM (4.3 AOKP official). Are different libraries used anyway? If you like, I could try another ROM and see if that makes a difference.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ping bug I've seen was pretty specific to the Nexus 10 (but might have seen one other device do it too). I still find the general ping problem the oddest bugs I've seen. I have at least three reports of it from N10 users on three different ROMs.. I want to say AOKP, CM10.1, and maybe Paranoid Android as well. I think some have fixed it, but I have no idea what the underlying problem was.
You can disable the connectivity monitor altogether, go into Settings->Network Settings and then uncheck "Connectivity Monitor". That might completely fix this problem.
I think I'm going to disable this feature by default in the next version. It was initially implemented to work around issues with certain devices that would shut WiFi off or otherwise put it into a lower power mode that would often cause it to drop connectivity. Devices would enter this mode when the screen was turned off. The Nexus One was particularly offensive in this case. There's now a far better workaround in WebSharing (and FX) for this issue, i.e., using a "high performance" WiFi lock. This API flag to use the "high performance" lock was documented in Android 2.3 or 3.0, but was undocumented in 2.1, 2.2., and possibly 2.3 (though it's existed since 2.1 I believe). On these devices, a "normal" WiFi Lock wasn't adequate, so WebSharing would alert the user if it saw connectivity drop out, and more importantly, briefly turn the screen on and off. The connectivity monitor itself was left in as it still can be a useful feature.

Works fine with my phone (LT26i, CM10)!

tliebeck said:
The ping bug I've seen was pretty specific to the Nexus 10 (but might have seen one other device do it too). I still find the general ping problem the oddest bugs I've seen. I have at least three reports of it from N10 users on three different ROMs.. I want to say AOKP, CM10.1, and maybe Paranoid Android as well. I think some have fixed it, but I have no idea what the underlying problem was.
You can disable the connectivity monitor altogether, go into Settings->Network Settings and then uncheck "Connectivity Monitor". That might completely fix this problem.
I think I'm going to disable this feature by default in the next version. It was initially implemented to work around issues with certain devices that would shut WiFi off or otherwise put it into a lower power mode that would often cause it to drop connectivity. Devices would enter this mode when the screen was turned off. The Nexus One was particularly offensive in this case. There's now a far better workaround in WebSharing (and FX) for this issue, i.e., using a "high performance" WiFi lock. This API flag to use the "high performance" lock was documented in Android 2.3 or 3.0, but was undocumented in 2.1, 2.2., and possibly 2.3 (though it's existed since 2.1 I believe). On these devices, a "normal" WiFi Lock wasn't adequate, so WebSharing would alert the user if it saw connectivity drop out, and more importantly, briefly turn the screen on and off. The connectivity monitor itself was left in as it still can be a useful feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was Mr. Robinson's Buttered AOKP 4.2.2 that had the problem. This is how you explained it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40751452
I passed along the info to them and it was fixed in a subsequent release, but re-emerged later, so I stopped using that ROM. I've seen it once in 4.3, but I forget which ROM.
Disabling connectivity monitor in Settings does fix things. The curious thing, though, is that it is enabled in FX and there are no problems. Aren't both apps using the same mechanism to ping?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

bruce7373 said:
It was Mr. Robinson's Buttered AOKP 4.2.2 that had the problem. This is how you explained it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40751452
I passed along the info to them and it was fixed in a subsequent release, but re-emerged later, so I stopped using that ROM. I've seen it once in 4.3, but I forget which ROM.
Disabling connectivity monitor in Settings does fix things. The curious thing, though, is that it is enabled in FX and there are no problems. Aren't both apps using the same mechanism to ping?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ping command does appear to be the same between FX and WebSharing. It could also be that everything's working fine and the router just isn't set up to respond to pings.

working on my phone ... locally branded chinese phone with MTK6577 chipset, ICS rom ... :good:

very cool, good work man!

Awesome app :good:
Also Webdav works good.
There's a translation error in the advanced settings (paid beta version):

What is the advantage over Airdroid?

Just purchased the full version.
Have used it for 5 Minutes and already loving it.
5 Stars Dev. :good::good::good::good::good:

ccab said:
What is the advantage over Airdroid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are similar, both good.
This one is simple, doesn't require account, has webdav support (so you can add the phone as a web folder in Windows).
I usually use ES to share files between PC and phone, but a desktop browser interface with integrated viewer/player is a good alternative.

ezio84 said:
They are similar, both good.
This one is simple, doesn't require account, has webdev support (so you can add the phone as a web folder in Windows).
I usually use ES to share files between PC and phone, but a desktop browser interface with integrated viewer/player is a good alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the second time you said "webdev", when what I think you mean is "webdav". Maybe you have some auto correct on, but if not I just thought it would help those that may not know what it is.

[APP/13 Jan/2.4] CarHud - Heads Up Display for Speed and Music Info

PRIVACY POLICY:
I don't collect or do anything with any of your data, any data used by the app is kept within the app.
UPDATE: BIG THANKS TO AMDPhenomX4 WHO HAS PROVIDED SOME UPDATES TO THE CODE, HIS UPDATES CAN BE FOUND HERE https://github.com/jaredkaczynski/CarHud_2.4_Update2
I missed the HUD in my corvette when in my daily driver, so I decided to throw this app together. I'm using the AppRadio 3 so my "sender" device is the one playing music, but I wanted the track info on the HUD so the result is this app. It's very much a work in progress, but I thought I'd throw it out there for anyone else to try to see if anyone has any ideas on how to make it cooler or wants to help with development. I figure most of us here probably have an old, unused android phone sitting in a drawer that might be of better use as a HUD.
SETUP:
STANDALONE:
- Works as a standalone HUD. Uses GPS for speed data and displays track information.
SENDER:
- You must pair the bluetooth device you want to connect to before hand, then select that device in settings.
- This device simply listens for media changes and text messages and relays them via bluetooth to the receiver.
RECEIVER:
- This method listens for an incoming bluetooth connection, and once connected, listens for track information and incoming text messages.
PLANS:
- Cobra aura database
- plugins for google play, pandora; (if available)
- revamp display for different screen sizes
I still haven't gotten around to making a video of my setup... its been to cold here in IL to do much work to the car!
##### SOURCE CODE
I've had some requests to modify my files and make changes and updates. As I have had no time to do so, I'm releasing the source code for anyone to use and tweak as they see fit.
If you use any of my source code, I ask that you not charge anyone for your resulting project and please make your updates available here for us all to enjoy!
#####
CHANGELOG:
2.4: (in play store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.carhud.app
- Bug fixes.
2.3:
- Sender GPS enabled and temp bug fix
- Adaptive layout sizing
2.2: - Mock GPS locations
- GPS data from sender option
- Fix gps time bug
- GPS local temp option added (requires data)
2.1:
- Now using action bar for settings (fix for tablets)
- Revamped settings to dynamic list
- Can now enable/disable certain displays
- Added GPS elevation and time
2.0:
- bug fixes
1.4
- Color picker for HUD display
- Google maps navigation can now be sent from the sender to receiver. This requires at least android 4.3 on the sender and you must enable carhud under android Settings -> Security -> Notification Access.
1.3
- New Layout (icons, tachometer bar, etc)
- Fixed cobra connection bug
- Fixed bluetooth < 4.2 bug
- Fixed settings bug
1.2:
- Metric values option
- Preferences separated based on type
- Connection status icons
- Full screen brightness option
- Keep display on option
- Popup message for incoming calls
- Cobra iradar integration (still need aura database, but battery is reading and alerts will popup)
- Added border to popups for easier viewing
- Poweramp API integration (gets current track without having to wait for metadata)
- OBD2 speed option (also shows coolant temp and rpm)
- Various bug fixes.
1.1:
- Media data now scrolls if it won't fit on screen
- Incoming SMS messages are displayed in a popup and automatically disappear after 8 seconds
- Numerous bug fixes.
1.0
- Initial release
SCREENSHOTS:
(1.2)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
(1.4)

Hi, I get a statement saying there is a problem parsing the package. Any ideas?
Sent from my Android using Tapatalk 4

texbuck said:
Hi, I get a statement saying there is a problem parsing the package. Any ideas?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you getting that from both apks, or just one or the other? Also, what version of android are you running?

I'm getting it from both and I'm using Eclipse 4.1
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texbuck said:
I'm getting it from both and I'm using Eclipse 4.1
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll rebuild the apks when I get back to my office on Monday... I've made a couple changes since then too.. working on adding auto scrolling to the media text. Sorry it's not currently working.

No worries, I was just curious about it and liked the idea.
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Update released.

Update released.

Update released.

Update released.

jhanson said:
Update released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, that's pretty sick! I'm a bit confused though.
This is for a second device to act as HUD (that perhaps stays with the car) and maintains a connection to the car's bluetooth A2DP to stream music to the car; bluetooth OBDII dongle for rpm; bluetooth Iradar?
So, Ideally, this HUD device might be a tablet?
Where does the HUD device get internet? from my daily driver phone in my pocket? or it doesn't need it?
Got anymore screenshots?
Looks really coool man. Thanks for the hard work!
Is this in the play store?

willfck4beer said:
Dude, that's pretty sick! I'm a bit confused though.
This is for a second device to act as HUD (that perhaps stays with the car) and maintains a connection to the car's bluetooth A2DP to stream music to the car; bluetooth OBDII dongle for rpm; bluetooth Iradar?
So, Ideally, this HUD device might be a tablet?
Where does the HUD device get internet? from my daily driver phone in my pocket? or it doesn't need it?
Got anymore screenshots?
Looks really coool man. Thanks for the hard work!
Is this in the play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it! I haven't heard too much feedback from anyone, so I was curious is anyone had any interest in it.
Anyway, while carhud can work as a standalone, I designed it for my needs which would be for two devices. I've got an appradio 3 in the car that basically makes your android phone your headunit for playing music, navigation, etc etc. So my main android phone (galaxy s4) is always the device playing music in my car. So carhud is running as a sender on it and sending pertinent info over to the receiver device (my old phone, a samsung galaxy s2). The s2 makes its own connections to obd2 and the cobra and then just waits for info from my main phone. So, even if my main phone wasn't connected, I would still get speed, rpm, temp, battery and radar alerts.
The connection between the two phones is just a simple bluetooth serial port for sending data, so the a2dp conneciton is still between my gs4 and the headunit. The sender simple reads the current playing track and sends that data via serial over to the gs2. It does the same thing for incoming calls, texts, navigation commands, etc. So this setup would work perfect for people using any type of audio connection(wired, a2dp, or hdmi/mhl like the appradio) to their car headunit.
The HUD device could be any android app you wanted it to be. I figured a lot of people probably had old android phones laying around their house, no longer in use, that they wouldn't mind dedicating for this... and wouldn't be concerned about leaving them in their car. But, you could definately use a tablet too. Although, I think the smaller screen of an old phone might be more reasonable to have in the dash. :laugh:
Carhud doesn't use any data on the hud once installed, but I do have bluetooth tethering enabled on mine for any data the s2 might want. I'm then using tasker to automate that connection.
Also, I'm using tasker to handle auto starting carhud on boot and auto shutdown once power is lost. I then put a modified playlpm on the gs2 to enable auto turn on once it sees power.. giving me a fully automated system.
As far as screenshots, I'm working on making a video of it in action once I figure out a good hud film. Right now I've just got the phone in mirror mode bouncing off some light tint in the windshield. It looks great at night but during the day the HUD is barely visible. I'm going to try to find some darker tint to put on the front windshield to see if that resolves the issue. Once I get that going I'll focus on getting a demo video up.
Thanks again! Feel free to hit me up with any other questions, or suggestions, or anything. I'm always looking for ways to make it better.
-John

ah, gotcha. cool! This would work really well with a tablet!!! There's that $200 13.3" Archos tablet that would be perfect for a wide-angle heads-up display!!!

Hey, I didn't realize you had updated right before Thanksgiving for maps access. I'll definitely be using for Christmas. Can't wait to try it out. Now I just have to upgrade my s4 to 4.3 finally. Also, do you have a donate link? And have you put it on play?
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1454 said:
Hey, I didn't realize you had updated right before Thanksgiving for maps access. I'll definitely be using for Christmas. Can't wait to try it out. Now I just have to upgrade my s4 to 4.3 finally. Also, do you have a donate link? And have you put it on play?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I added a simple step by step direction display to the hud... it only works from the sender and only on 4.3 devices (since it grabs the info from the notification and 4.3 added that ability). Hopefully that works out for you. I still would like to throw in a full fledged navigation with map display, but it'll take some time because of the new google maps api and the dropped features. I am planning on throwing it on google play here pretty soon, I've made a couple more bug fixes that I want to integrate. I'll probably just throw an ad in the settings page to try to make a few bucks for further hardware purchases (I'm really hoping to try out a pico projector setup for the hud!!) But as far as donations, I really really appreciate it but I just want to throw this out there for now, open to all for free in hopes that I'll get some good feedback and ideas to come up with something really cool in the end.

jhanson said:
Yeah, I added a simple step by step direction display to the hud... it only works from the sender and only on 4.3 devices (since it grabs the info from the notification and 4.3 added that ability). Hopefully that works out for you. I still would like to throw in a full fledged navigation with map display, but it'll take some time because of the new google maps api and the dropped features. I am planning on throwing it on google play here pretty soon, I've made a couple more bug fixes that I want to integrate. I'll probably just throw an ad in the settings page to try to make a few bucks for further hardware purchases (I'm really hoping to try out a pico projector setup for the hud!!) But as far as donations, I really really appreciate it but I just want to throw this out there for now, open to all for free in hopes that I'll get some good feedback and ideas to come up with something really cool in the end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get the builtin maps support working, if possible with the new api, that would be awesome. The only other suggestion I would like is a couple things like elevation and temp. I have the temp always in my notification from beautiful widgets. But that might be pretty specific to just me.
Anyway, from what I've seen so far it looks great. It'll be tomorrow before I can jump to 4.3 and test. And if you go the pico projector route post up some pics, if you don't mind. Lastly, for daytime usage, the one thing I have found that works great is a 7 in mirrored tablet screen protector. The only thing I'm afraid of with using it is the reflection also seems to go the other way a little bit, and I don't want to get pulled over.
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One small problem and one small request.
The problem is I can't access the menu on my Galaxy Nexus to set it up from the start. I had no problem with the s4, but it has hardware buttons.
Next, could I request full screen support on devices that have onscreen buttons. I was going to use the nexus as my receiver and s4 as my sender.
Thanks regardless of the answer.
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New update released to google play. Now using action bar for settings, which should resolve any tablet issues. Also added elevation for ya... still working out a good method for temperature. It's definitely going to require data usage, so trying to figure out the best method. Let me know how it goes please!
-John

Great idea
How much does it affect other drivers from the front
And any tips for material for reflecting

jim80b said:
Great idea
How much does it affect other drivers from the front
And any tips for material for reflecting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used a mirrored tablet screen protector before and that works great. But it reflects off the front of the car, so I made me nervous about getting pulled over.
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[CLOSED][APP][4.1+] BackPackTrack II [NOT SUPPORTED ANYMORE]

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BackPackTrack II is an open source utility application meant to continuously record your location, without draining your battery and without requiring an internet connection.
The GPS will be switched on every 3 minutes for a maximum of 60 seconds (both configurable) to acquire a location, but only if you are moving. If there is not at least one satellite visible after 30 seconds (configurable), the GPS will be turned off. When the GPS cannot get a fix, a network location will be used as backup.
BackPackTrack II will also passively use locations requested by other applications, for example mapping applications. Passive locations will be recorded if the bearing changes by more than 30 degrees or if the altitude changes by more than 20 meter (both configurable).
Locations will be filtered based on distance from your last location and based on location accuracy. The default is to filter locations within 100 meter of the last location and locations with an accuracy of worse than 100 meter.
The altitude of GPS locations will be corrected using the EGM96 model, which can make a significant difference in some areas.
From the status bar notification you can make an extra trackpoint or a new waypoint. Waypoints will be automatically reverse geocoded if there is an internet connection, otherwise this can be done later using the waypoint editor.
You can export your location history as a GPX or KML file for visualization in another application. You could use OsmAnd or Google Earth for this purpose.
You can upload your location history to a WordPress weblog using a small WordPress plugin. You could use the Google Maps GPX Viewer plugin for visualization.
If you want to see the status of the GPS, you could use the application GPS Status & Toolbox.
As a bonus BackPackTrack includes:
an activity history, so you can see when you were doing what
a step counter which doesn't count false steps, because activity recognition will be used to count steps only while you are walking (your device needs to have a hardware step counter for this to work)
tabular and graphical actual and historical weather information, including weather notification and rain warning
hourly and daily weather forecasting for the last or a selected location
search for Wikipedia articles around waypoints
search for geonames around waypoints
fetch elevation data from Google
BackPackTrack II is a complete rewrite of BackPackTrack, the first Android application I wrote in 2011.
You can download the latest version of the application here.
You can find more information, including frequently asked questions, on GitHub.
Works on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and later.
Questions and remarks are very welcome.
If you like BackPackTrack II, you can let me know through a small PayPal donation.
XDA:DevDB Information
BackPackTrack II, App for the Apps & Games
Contributors
M66B
Version Information
Status: Beta
Current Stable Version: 1.35
Stable Release Date: 2016-04-27
Created 2015-05-31
Last Updated 2017-06-20

BackPackTrack II will also register locations acquired by FineGeotag.

Looks interesting
Will you release this on F-Droid?
I tried GPS Logger before, but I found it too complicated to use and very non-transparent (I wouldn't have an idea when it would record data and when not).

daniel_m said:
Looks interesting
Will you release this on F-Droid?
I tried GPS Logger before, but I found it too complicated to use and very non-transparent (I wouldn't have an idea when it would record data and when not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will see this application is very easy to use. There is no question if or when it records locations: always, when moving. You can turn off tracking with a check box. If you don't have Play services installed, the application will not crash, but will acquire locations when you are still (not moving) as well.
Depending on the interest, I will publish this application in the Play store and maybe on F-Droid after testing. For now releases will be available on GitHub only.

Hmmm, this may be exactly what i needed
BUT i have a question:
If you don't have Play services installed, the application will not crash, but will acquire locations when you are still (not moving) as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..w..why's that??
I do not understand...no gapps=continous tracking?
Is there any way to avoid this?

xo.en said:
Hmmm, this may be exactly what i needed
BUT i have a question:
..w..why's that??
I do not understand...no gapps=continous tracking?
Is there any way to avoid this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there isn't a way, since activity recognition (what you are doing) is being used. As far as I know there is no open source library to do something similar

M66B said:
No, there isn't a way, since activity recognition (what you are doing) is being used. As far as I know there is no open source library to do something similar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, damn, what a shame...

xo.en said:
Ah, damn, what a shame...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could reduce the frequency of acquiring locations (default 3 minutes) and the maximum wait time (default 60 second) for a location to keep battery usage acceptable without activity recognition.

M66B said:
You could reduce the frequency of acquiring locations (default 3 minutes) and the maximum wait time (default 60 second) for a location to keep battery usage acceptable without activity recognition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for answers and ideas, good luck and stay safe (on track, that is).
upd: i wonder - so, what exactly is needed to have it working as it should - only some libs that i can add manually, or rather whole subsystem with services(=gapps)?
I am curious how it is working, generally.

xo.en said:
Thank you for answers and ideas, good luck and stay safe (on track, that is).
upd: i wonder - so, what exactly is needed to have it working as it should - only some libs that i can add manually, or rather whole subsystem with services(=gapps)?
I am curious how it is working, generally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know which components are needed to make it work, but this is what is needed for activity recognition:
https://developers.google.com/android/reference/com/google/android/gms/location/ActivityRecognition
My best guess is you need all of the Play services for this, because of dependencies.

M66B said:
I don't know which components are needed to make it work, but this is what is needed for activity recognition:
https://developers.google.com/android/reference/com/google/android/gms/location/ActivityRecognition
My best guess is you need all of the Play services for this, because of dependencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm, f google then.
Allright, Sir, thanks for your time...i'll stay with locus gps track saving then....unfortunately - it is continous.
I appreciate your responses, you are good man
btw - did you know? Even calendar/scheduler is not working if you have no google account and gapps...even with external freeware, hmmm..android became monopolly game...everything works on google monopol.
Windows mobile was last logical mobile system...if you ask me. Now it's dead...

xo.en said:
Hm, f google then.
Allright, Sir, thanks for your time...i'll stay with locus gps track saving then....unfortunately - it is continous.
I appreciate your responses, you are good man
btw - did you know? Even calendar/scheduler is not working if you have no google account and gapps...even with external freeware, hmmm..android became monopolly game...everything works on google monopol.
Windows mobile was last logical mobile system...if you ask me. Now it's dead...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am the author of XPrivacy as well, so I am quite aware of this. Unfortunately there is no open source alternative to recognize user activity, else I had used it. The best I can do, which I already did, is not making a hard dependency. What also needs to be said: Google's activity recognition works pretty well, like most of their stuff, which maybe explains why they can do what they are doing.

M66B said:
I am the author of XPrivacy as well, so I am quite aware of this. Unfortunately there is no open source alternative to recognize user activity, else I had used it. The best I can do, which I already did, is not making a hard dependency. What also needs to be said: Google's activity recognition works pretty well, like most of their stuff, which maybe explains why they can do what they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy damn, so you made xprivacy?
This is impressive, good job, mate.
Google's activity recognition works pretty well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah 9/11 works well...innocents activities works well....****ing calendar works not without gapps..man. Now i know that even gps cannot work without gapps...dammit.
hey, i am talking about overall misery and shady google politics then.....ok?

I have just made available beta version 0.2
Download:
https://github.com/M66B/BackPackTrackII/releases/tag/0.2
Besides small improvements and minor bug fixes, this version will use passive location updates when the bearing changes by more than 30 degrees or the altitude changes more than 20 meters (both configurable). This means that if you have other software running which turns on the GPS, like mapping software, BackPackTrack II will take a free ride on the location updates.
Please let me hear what you think of BackPackTrack II, also if you don't have questions or remarks, so I can get an idea about how useful it is to publish future updates.

I have just made available beta version 0.3, which will be available in the Play store too after Google has approved the application.

I have just released beta version 0.11 to the Play store.
This version fixes some small bugs, improves some minor things and adds a few new features, like optionally filtering some activity types.
It can take a few hours before Google makes this version available.

I have just released beta version 0.14 to the Play store.
This version adds registering/viewing recognized activities and a new flat notification icon.
It can take a few hours before Google makes this version available.

Just installed. Everything works properly (Maybe). 3 comments:
1. There is no option to exit the app. Or am I missing something?
2. Shouldn't the notification also show the last location instead of "unknown"? See attached screenshot.
3. (OT) The Github repo has option to create issues.

an0n981 said:
Just installed. Everything works properly (Maybe). 3 comments:
1. There is no option to exit the app. Or am I missing something?
2. Shouldn't the notification also show the last location instead of "unknown"? See attached screenshot.
3. (OT) The Github repo has option to create issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback!
The application is meant to run continuously, so there is no exit/quit option. The closest is to disabled tracking using the appropriate check box.
"Unknown" refers to your current activity (still, on foot, in vehicle, etc), not your current location (this will not work without Play services).
The GitHub issues are deliberately disabled, so I have to look for issues here only. I don't expect a high volume of issues, like with XPrivacy.

2 more things:
1. The babkpack man looks cool. He should also become the app icon in my opinion.
2. It would be a nice feature to be able to clear the DB after a gpx export.