Universal App

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rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Universal App

Post by rimai »

Hi everyone,

I started to develop a universal app that can be compiled in multiple platforms, including iOS, Android and Windows.
The goal is to create a functional app that will work on iOS7, and the other platforms just got a bonus :)
Codename: U-App
Open to suggestions for a better name.

Android users don't require any special method to install APK files, except just allow your phone to install apps from unknown sources.
Unsigned Android APK: http://forum.reefangel.com/download/ReefAngelUApp.apk
Android UApp.png
Android UApp.png (463 Bytes) Viewed 25191 times
This version may be necessary for Blackberry users instead of unsigned.
Singed Android APK: http://forum.reefangel.com/download/Ree ... _1.0.2.apk
ReefAngel_Uapp_1.0.2.png
ReefAngel_Uapp_1.0.2.png (652 Bytes) Viewed 24758 times
iOS users can download directly from the Apple App Store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reef-an ... ?ls=1&mt=8

Please let me know what you think.

Update Log:
1.0.1
* Initial release

1.0.2
* Fixed labels when multiple controllers are added
* Fixed the web charts not drawing the correct numbers
* Fixed bug that prevented the app from working when PWM was disabled
Roberto.
pandimus
Posts: 213
Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:58 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by pandimus »

It cannot connect for me, also once I've set the ip etc, now I'm in limbo because it cannot connect.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

Make sure you type the ip address only without http:// or : at the end.
You can always change it on the settings page. Click the far right icon.
Roberto.
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cosmith71
Posts: 1437
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:51 pm
Location: Oklahoma City

Re: Universal App

Post by cosmith71 »

Got it up and working. Galaxy Note 3, Android 4.4.2

Couple of things. I have to scroll down to see the last relay on each relay page. Would be nice if they all fit on a screen with no scrolling.

On the Custom Variable page, the numbers don't line up with the labels if any of the labels are longer than one line.

Maybe the "History" page would be better as a "Graphs" page, with a graph icon instead of a clock?

In the history page, the labels for the temperature probes don't show. They still say "Temperature 1", "Temperature 2", "Temperature 3".

The "Internal Memory" page under settings is empty.

Every time the app starts, it asks me to pick which controller from a list of one controller. ;) Maybe skip this screen if there is only one controller defined?

--Colin
howaboutme
Posts: 245
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:10 am
Location: Northern VA

Re: Universal App

Post by howaboutme »

Got it to work on my Nook hd+ rooted running cyanomodgen.

I only just ran through it quickly and cosmith has already stated some issues. The only thing I would add is the pop ups under DC pump are finicky and you have to click the screen just right for them to show up.

Also would be nice to have the screen adjust for tablets as the texts are kind of small. [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

Good job!
Jack
pandimus
Posts: 213
Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:58 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by pandimus »

I still can't get this to work. I'm using same settings as curts app and no go. If I keep pressing the controller name button I eventually get to the pages but no info. The one thing I can say is I think the ability to increase font size would be needed. I can't see much. What is the purpose of this app considering there are apps on the individual devices already? I am guessing it is going to be like a Java program. You can program once and port it to all devices?

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binder
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Location: Illinois
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Re: Universal App

Post by binder »

pandimus wrote:I still can't get this to work. I'm using same settings as curts app and no go. If I keep pressing the controller name button I eventually get to the pages but no info. The one thing I can say is I think the ability to increase font size would be needed. I can't see much. What is the purpose of this app considering there are apps on the individual devices already? I am guessing it is going to be like a Java program. You can program once and port it to all devices?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
The purpose of this app is to have a more universal app. It's actually going to be geared more towards / for iOS since we are having trouble getting somebody to develop an iOS app. I will say this, my app will continue to be updated and maintained. So this will just be another option for people to install and use on Android and iOS.
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

Ok, I've made some changes to the design and a few adjustments to the comments posted above.
I still haven't fixed the "label too long" bug though.
Let me know if it works better now.
Roberto.
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cosmith71
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Location: Oklahoma City

Re: Universal App

Post by cosmith71 »

I like it. The relay box symbol is kinda weird, though. ;)

--Colin
howaboutme
Posts: 245
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Location: Northern VA

Re: Universal App

Post by howaboutme »

Looks good! The text and symbols have scaled up nicely for larger, tablet screens.
Jack
Seedlessone
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Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:20 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by Seedlessone »

Any ETA on iOS testing?
rimai
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Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

I'm going to compile today to see how it looks.
Unfortunately, there is no way to install apps on iphone without going through the apple store.
I think if you have jailbroken iphone you may, but I can't say for sure. I don't have one :(
Roberto.
Seedlessone
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Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:20 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by Seedlessone »

Would love to test. I'm jailbroken and can install unsigned apps.
binder
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Re: Universal App

Post by binder »

I think you can setup multiple devices linked to your account that are allowed to test the app. I thought about doing that myself but didn't. I will have to look into it further or you could check as well.

Sent from my Moto X
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

I'm still very new to this. What file should I send you to test?
In Android, we just need to distribute the APK file, but I have no clue about iOS :(
In any case, the app has been submitted for approval. Let's see what they say.
Roberto.
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

Great news on the submission!! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
binder
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Re: Universal App

Post by binder »

if this works well, then i will just not renew my subscription and not continue to keep my app in the app store.
Seedlessone
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Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:20 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by Seedlessone »

rimai wrote:I'm still very new to this. What file should I send you to test?
In Android, we just need to distribute the APK file, but I have no clue about iOS :(
In any case, the app has been submitted for approval. Let's see what they say.
Can you generate an IPA?


Looks like you submitted the app to apple. Awesome. Any screenshots of the look?
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

I've been reading and I think I need to register your iphone into my account in order to export the IPA and it would work on your iphone.
That's what Curt mentioned above.
Roberto.
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

To whoever wants to be included as beta testers, follow the instructions here:
https://developer.apple.com/library/ios ... -CH30-SW46
Go to the step "Locating iOS Device IDs Using iTunes"
Follow the steps and PM me the Identifier UDID.
Roberto.
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

WOW!!!

In the setup section, Name is misleading as I wasn't sure if this was the forum username or the name I wanted to call the tank... figured this out quickly :) Also IP address should say Hostname or IP Address as many are using some dynamic DNS.

The relay box icon is a little strange but I guess I'd get used to that.

Would love to see more of the variables that can be mapped added to the graphing page.

Overall, this is much more features than we ever had. Is the source on github? Do you need Xcode to compile the iOS app?
rimai
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Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

Yes, source code is on github and you do need xcode to compile it.
Does it work somewhat responsive?
I don't have a iphone to test, so I don't know how it responds.
The app is basically a HTML5 with jquery wrapped around a webview component.
I know the render of the HTML5/Jquery objects slow down the app, but that's the compromise over a native app.
In Android it is a little slow, but I can live with the half a second it takes to render the page :)
Roberto.
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

Very responsive. I really like it.

One thing I just tested and we can probably do to help the whole development process. Since you said this is an HTML 5 webapp essentially is you can just host it on www.reefangel.com. I don't think you need to keep it compiled. I was able to clone the repo and browse to the www folder and it works great (although something is off and it's not connecting properly... :)

But if you do this, it's pretty close to what I do with my custom portal. We can even add the little popup to say save to the home screen :) Then you can completely bypass the apple store... but if you're compiling the app through Xcode you probably are getting some optimizations there. Anyway something to consider at least for dev options..
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

Ok, found a bug. I have two controllers defined and the labels do not seem to be unique. So when I update the labels it shows on both controllers.
Seedlessone
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:20 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by Seedlessone »

Hmm cant install from the device itself. Will download once I get home.

And anyone with a jail broken device and appsync anyone can install the ipa. No need to register the UDID.

Cant wait to give it a go. Thanks for the hard work.
pandimus
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Re: Universal App

Post by pandimus »

Image
This is what it looks like on my s3
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

Here's some iOS shots...

Also just noticed, there's nowhere to put a portal key...

ImageImageImage
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

I have to look at the S3 screen size.
I'm using screen size to find out when to scale up for the big tablets.
Roberto.
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lnevo
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Re: Universal App

Post by lnevo »

Do you need an ipad tester, i can send the udid if so
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Universal App

Post by rimai »

Sure. I can add up to 100 UDIDs :)
Roberto.
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