Develop Bugs

iRail app on Touch HD

Hi all,
My friend has an iPhone with an app called iRail. It looked really cool as i could view train times in realtime (I only saw Liverpool Street Station on London) and thought that was very cool...is their anything like that for the our Touch HD?
(I guess i could bookmark a website that has the large screen train times at Liverpool St..)
Thx...

If you are in the K try these links in opera
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ldb/?livedepartures.asp
example:
http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/ldb/sumdep.aspx?T=LDS&S=KGX

I agree, would be a killer app for commuting. The problem with the website is that this information is of most use when dashing for a train, or near a unfamiliar station.
Just thinking about how to make this happen- needs to be a finger friendly app for ease of use when running up the escalator with bags in the other hand, and needs to bring through all the data including live train status and platform information. Fortunately Network Rail have actually helped us - details on the SOAP API they have into the information can be found here http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/ldbws/ . Also getting the app to know your location via cell tower triangulation (as per iPh*ne, not GPS - takes too long) and auto populate with the nearest station would be good.
Sadly I'm not a developer (at least not for the last ten years) but was thinking about dusting of these code writing fingers and having a go.
Would appreciate some guidance from others on what tools/language to use, how to integrate data from the API into an app and how to keep performance good.
Another site of interest, as it tries to integrate all the bus, tube, ferry, road and any other info is transportdirect.info. Only recently discovered this one, but it occurred to me that an app on top of this could in theory give you access to some extremely useful information.

metro?
http://nanika.net/Metro/fvc/MetroWM-en.html

[PRJ] longest battery power for each rom/radio/hardspl

Hi,
I read a lot about different hardspls and radios together with different roms result in faster or slower battery drain... But nobody really knows which is the best hardspl or radio combination for any rom.
that's why I set up a little website which could help with this..
http://www.smartwebdesign.ch/ppcbatt/
It's only very simple by now.. I don't want to put real work in it until I know what you think about!
If it's beeing used I will add a search interface for sure.. but for now I just want to know what you think and if people are willing to enter data...
Suggestions are highly welcome!
Greets Chaelli

nice intention
i think you should have a required field for the location where the phone is usedand the provider(some combinations work good in some regions/orivuders)
and the first fields should be drop down ones, to be able to select previously created entries, or create a new one(to be able to sort and filter data )
le:
it would be a good ideea , for all users to use the same tool to measure battery drain in standby, and with the screen turned on at maximum brightness
this would be an emphiric way of measuring battery drainage.

if you want accurate data, then only certified people can enter data into the site.
as mentioned, there are many variables, network, age of phone, how warm it is even.
dont think its possible personally, but a good idea.

Is there any software that can do a battery of tests on WinMo? Perhaps all chefs can cook them into their Roms so that it would launch right after the initial setup before any cabs are installed and perform the tests and at the end a summary will be displayed.

thx for the feedback!
@ravest: I will add these fields but not groub by them yet (useless until there is more data) - but I will add a possibility to show the details for every device/rom/radio where you can see these things (including the comments)
@others: I also thought about measuring.. but I don't think people will take the time to measure this exactely - that's why I've chosen to use a subjective measurement - usually one has a pretty good idea how one configuration works compared to another one (with the same usage pattern - which is usally not depending on the configuration but on the person...
I know that this is not good science.. but IF we get a lot of data I think the results would be usefull...

The only way to confirm battery life is in a laboratory, with the handset linked directly to certified test equipment and kept at constant transmitter/receiver levels.
Any public database of random opinions will be much less useful than individuals trying out all the different radio/ROM's for themselves.
As others have mentioned before there are too many variables on the way people use their phones, and different networks etc etc.

@optimiser: of course you are right - but I never intended to get an exact value - but an average user-feeling. People can compare different configurations on their personal phones !usually with other variables (like usage pattern, location, provider) staying stable! - and this is what's important.. one can compare the different configurations against each other

chaelli said:
@optimiser: of course you are right - but I never intended to get an exact value - but an average user-feeling.
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Click to collapse
And therefore it is useless, as us humans, can't properly judge battery drain (which is measurable in mAmps) by "user feeling".
In order to measure battery drain you would need to set up a test procedure, which must include (beside the others) the following:
the same phone
the same period of time
same usage
and WORKING measurement tool. Not a software (because they tend to swtich of on standby mode) but plugged external measurement.
THEN you could approach some kind of fair measurement. Otherwise it's "how you feel", and as long as you are happy with your feelings, it's perfectly OK.
Cheers.

[App Request] - Medication Mangement

What I am looking for is something I can fill in with all the medications that need to be taken during the course of a 24hr period and have the system prompt me with a pop-up at the appropriate time to do just that. It would also be nice if it could keep track of the quantity of each medication and remind me to re-order in sufficient time.
Spent ages searching online for some software and while I have found this OnTimeRx, it is not pretty and personally is lacking a function or two, not to mention it is very Americanised.
The missing functions for me are:
The reminder function for re-order is hard coded at 5 days, need this to be editable.
It is incapable of coping with the situation where you take one of a tablet at breakfast and then two of the same tablet at tea time. It will allow you to take 2 tablets, twice a day and set a reminder for each but not differing quantities.
Generally not finger friendly.
Anyone up for the challenge or able to suggest something else?

Hi Deedee
Isn't it something that calendar can handle, with recurrence functions and notifications. As for order reminder, after you have calculated once how many pills or whatever you need in a month or week, you can also set a recurrence and reminder.
Correct me if I'm wrong or missed something.
Anyhow, good health and good luck

Thanks for the concern over my health.
While it is something that could be managed by careful manipulation of calendar, reminders and recurrence, the solution being sought is something that would have all the medical details in one place. Ideally something that can also manage emergency contact details as well.

A-to-B (GPS turn by turn Navigation - FREE!!!)[MOD EDIT: READ MY POST!]

Just found this on the marketplace and I have to say... pretty awesome. This is what WP7 was missing. Although its clearly in the beta stage it is pretty good for a V 1.0.
A-to-B is a Turn-by-Turn application built to demonstrate some of the capabilities of the ArcGIS API for Windows Phone. Warning: The application is meant for demonstration purposes only! Do not rely solely on the suggested routes or instructions given by this application. Features: - Turn-by-turn routing. Sound notification when a turn is coming up. - Add often used destinations as favorites. - List of recent destinations. - "3D view" when in navigation mode with easy accessible "zoom in/out" buttons. - 2D Map for browsing the map supporting pinching, panning etc, and pick new destination by touch'n'hold on the map. - Easy accessible "Recalculate" button if you go off the route and need a new route from your current location (because of service restrictions, the app is not allowed to do this automatically). - Routes all over US (support for Europe coming in a future version). - Worldwide map (detail may vary).
You can read more about and get the marketplace download link here

Nice find I'll have to check it out.

And so I just did. I've been playing with this for an hour not bad, not bad at all I'm going to have it set up in the car on the way into work. I'll post how it does on the highway. But it gave the correct route that I take. But I want to see how it does when I'm actually driving.

Morton you made one very nice app wit a few minor tweeks this thing will rock well done dir well worth the effort
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express

Sorry about typos walking and texting-bad
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express

Here's hoping for a UK map!

finally...very good

awesome find I can almost retire my Tilt2
Keep it coming guys, honestly I don't research the app market because I can get all reviews and such here at XDA

This indeed looks fantastic. One question though:
Which map is it actually using? This one has the outlines of every single house or building in my neighborhood and it is VERY accurate. I really like it.
Will it support pinch to zoom?

Partial support in the UK
Hi all
I have installed this on my phone in the UK as a trial. It works and in map mode I reasonable moving 3D map like any normal Sat-Nav. There is no car/arrow on the road to indicate precisely where I am, but the basic mechanics. It can't find any addresses in the UK so I guess that's not yet supported on the server side, but this application clearly has huge potential.
I think whoever gets there first with a fully functioning turn-by-turn sat nav in the marketplace is clearly on to a massive winner.
Cheers
andrew-in-woking

On US 95 in MA I, had an arrow up showing my car. it had all the off ramps and had my destination pegged down perfect. Also there is a speed indicator I was doing 70 mph, it had me doing 71 I can handle that. Like said before, it could use a few tweaks here and there. But overall this Nav app is darn good.

It was pretty nice and accurate getting me to work this morning, but it couldn't figure out my home address. Kept on sending me to weird parts of town.

jabtano said:
...I was doing 70 mph, it had me doing 71 I can handle that.
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Click to collapse
Maybe this sounds stupid, but how do you know you were doing 70mph? Using your car's speedometer? In which case, have you had it manually recalibrated? Usually a car's speedometer is not accurate (though it normally shows that you're going faster than you actually are).
I'm going to download this now, though I'd be interested in maps of UK and Australia, so I'm not sure how useful it will be to me yet.
Casey

Please release this for the UK - awesome stuff!!!!!

Casey_boy said:
Maybe this sounds stupid, but how do you know you were doing 70mph? Using your car's speedometer? In which case, have you had it manually recalibrated? Usually a car's speedometer is not accurate (though it normally shows that you're going faster than you actually are).
I'm going to download this now, though I'd be interested in maps of UK and Australia, so I'm not sure how useful it will be to me yet.
Casey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes using my cars speedometer, and no I have not had it calibrated.

Hi all, it really looks amazing.. Is there any way I can see how it works when i am in Europe? I just want to see something like preview - e. g. select two destinations in USA and than see how it goes. Thanks

Fact of the day! - Generally, Sat-Nav's register a more accurate Speed than the average Car's Speedometer. Speedometer's are configured at manufacturing to register a faster speed than what the car is actually going, this is to compensate for Tyre wear and other wear-and-tear happenings that all cars suffer from over time.

What I have noticed about this so far as that if I'm zoomed in relatively close.. not SUPER close mind you, but maybe 2 or 3 zoom levels back from the closest zoom, that it doesnt actually register the map, says map data not yet available... shows the route the of the road... the path but not the surround streets, weird. This only happens in certain area's of the city I live in too, not all over. Its like the map data just isnt there which I find odd. Its not like its loading a satelite photo so I dont know why it would do this. I tried xmaps from the marketplace the other day and it didnt have this problem. Id understand if it was a satelite image as you cant zoom in close to those sometimes, I used to have that issue in google maps where you would zoom in and it would just say you were too close.
Otherwise I LOVE this thing and am so happy I found it in the market the other day. Just an awesome APP

andrew-in-woking said:
There is no car/arrow on the road to indicate precisely where I am, but the basic mechanics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed the Arrow is there, but hidden by the info at the bottom of the screen. Hopefully, an adjustment will fix that.
Also, Morten Nielsen's other App 'GuidePost' is pretty cool too!

Finally! Free TbT voice nav on WP7!
Guys, WP7 looks to become the leader of smartphones. The system is the best there is and now the features are appearing...albeit slowly.

Silver Navigator

Appears to be the first WP7 app with voice navigation (just included in the new update). Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
I'm also wondering if anyone knows what kind of approximate rate charges are involved with the use of this or other similar GPS apps (ex. 10Mb per hour).

cgibsong002 said:
Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can't be good by default: it uses your 3G data connection and Bing maps so it slow, inaccurate and pricey (if you exceed your data plan).
BTW, any (including most wanted to hack Navigon) currently existing WP7 gps apps a complete BS even compared with cheapest $30 standalone auto gps. My suggestion: don't try to use any of 'em in big city (like a Boston), all of 'em bad and can cost you a troubles.
So, WP7 still doesn't have gps solution at all Damn MS with closed sources & API's...

Closed Sources have nothing to do with this, and the APIs aren't closed. They just either don't exist or are hidden so deeply that developers cannot access them (Microsoft does use Native Code for much of WP7, even though 3rd party developers can not).
Also, Bing is fine in a big city like Chicago. I know because I went there with my WM6.5 device a while back and the voice nav was very much on point. Stop spreading FUD. Bing has holes in other countries, but in the US is quite good...

FYI, I'm not flooding but just publish my own impressions based on my own real experience. I've especially tried all existing solutions working in Boston (last attempt was yesterday, riding to Somerville). All these applications working very bad: no construction info at all, wrong routes, bad accuracy, awful UI. Navigon shows a little better result but still no comparison with my TomTom XL 335SE (costs me a $29.99 + tax on huge local sale) at all!
I don't know which criteria is "fine" for you (may be it's just "Oh my God, it works and showing something on map!") but it's absolutely not affordable for me (I do have an experience and example to compare).

sensboston said:
It can't be good by default: it uses your 3G data connection and Bing maps so it slow, inaccurate and pricey (if you exceed your data plan).
BTW, any (including most wanted to hack Navigon) currently existing WP7 gps apps a complete BS even compared with cheapest $30 standalone auto gps. My suggestion: don't try to use any of 'em in big city (like a Boston), all of 'em bad and can cost you a troubles.
So, WP7 still doesn't have gps solution at all Damn MS with closed sources & API's...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You haven't even tried the app suggested by OP. Please don't pass judgement. I am sure developer is doing his best. Try it... if you still don't like it.. fair enough.
2) I will beg to differ about bing being inaccurate than likes of google. Navteq maps have always worked much better than teleatlas in US.
3) APIs are there and more are APIs are coming with Mango. Open or closed source has nothing to do with it.

I use A&B . But I did give this nav app a try. On the trial it only sets routes within a 4 mile radious but thats because it's the trial. Now indicators for speed and sistance sits on the top on map and it's rather small and hard to see at a glance. Where as on A&B it's on the side and much larger and easyer to see at the glance.
The maps about the same. as A&B overall the interface UI on A&B is much better. it's really a shame that WP7 does not have a full blown Nav app. I would much rather be able to download the maps and have it always on route even when I'm out of range of towers.

cgibsong002 said:
Appears to be the first WP7 app with voice navigation (just included in the new update). Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget it. It's based on Bing Maps, so totally crap and inaccurate anyway (except if you live in the US).

arkavat said:
1) You haven't even tried the app suggested by OP. Please don't pass judgement. I am sure developer is doing his best. Try it... if you still don't like it.. fair enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read my post above? Seems like not. I don't judge anyone either, just posted my own opinion.

Nothing wrong with this application. No mapping software has 100% map accuracy, always takes time to update maps. Within the trial limitations I found the journey I planned was accurate with routing and location, but could improve the featureset.
Not sure there's too much to complain about for $3 and obviously anyone not on an unlimited data plan shouldnt be looking at offline navigation applications.

Thanks guys. I agree and I have a Garmin. I'm very upset that there's no map based GPS's out as of now, since I'm on a limited data plan. I was just curious. If it was a really good app, it might be worth to use in the event that I need it in an emergency. If it's no better than A-B though, why bother. Thanks for the input guys.

Message from the developer
Hi guys,
I´m the developer of Silver Navigator. Thanks a lot for your comments.
Any question or suggestion is really welcome.
SN do not pretend to be a perfect replacement for full GPS navigation devices like TomTom, etc, but I think for the price it´s a very useful option, when no TomTom is available.
In addition to that, it´s able to calculate your aprox. position from cell tower triangulation, pretty useful when no GPS reception is available. I´m also already adapting it to Mango (next release of Windows Phone), which will include digital compass and a much more precise calculation of position and orientation. It works perfectly, and it´s particularly useful for navigation when walking, as you don´t need to move to know what direction you are headed.
Later this week, I´m releasing v 1.2, which includes many more improvements. Among others:
Local Searches (business, shops, etc), improved user interface, "clear route" function included, improved GPS accuracy, voices volume increased, etc.
You can follow SN progress at Facebook. Just search for "Silver Navigator".
Thanks !!!!

Needs orientation via the compass, ie like tomtom, google nav, in order to be useful while driving.
As it is its unusable while in a car unfortunately.

GraphicDNA said:
In addition to that, it´s able to calculate your aprox. position from cell tower triangulation, pretty useful when no GPS reception is available.
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Click to collapse
How about "no cell tower reception" (for me it's happened much more frequently; GPS signal is available everywhere except downtowns with skyscrapers)? And did you tested your app with cell tower triangulation in places like a downtowns of big cities?

I just tried it this morning (Birmingham UK)
I have a good data connection but the map downloading is way too slow to be used for driving. All I had was a yellow arrow against a blurry background.
It could really do with being able to cache map data possibly via WiFi before you set off to avoid these issues.
Also the screen was North up instead of being track up and the unfortunately the quality of the speech/instructions was very poor.
But it does work and apart from buying Navigon this is the only other real sat nav application for WP7. I have seen posts for A-to-B but you cant download from the marketplace so hopefully it will improve.

It seems that when mango is released that more turn-by-turn apps will come out.

Nice
I have used this for a month now and like it. I suggest that the triangle indicating the cars position point in the direction and orientation of the phone, and that there be an option for the display to point either north or in the direction of travel. Just a suggestion to improve an already good application.

This really does look to be one of the better nav programs available right now. I'd by this if it had support for 3d view much like tomtom, navigon, magellen etc. A - B had this and it was by far the best angle to get directions in when driving.
Any plans on adding this feature and if so is there a timeline?

Can I be really picky and ask for a slicker looking tile?

@ GraphicDNA
Very nice work..!
will do you a view 3D with this program of style A to B..?
maybe a multilanguage too..?

Just heard from the developers of Drive on.... they arent implementing the 3D driving mode for at least 4 months... here's hoping Silver Nav gets it WAY sooner!