2011.04.29, 08:38 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 913
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Flip Side iPhone control interest?
So after my clubs last race night I came to the conclusion that I really want a way to remotely start and stop races without having to go to the computer. Whenever I am part of the race I end up starting the race and then have to sprint over to where everyone is standing and get positioned to race. I could obviously extend the countdown time but the geek in me wants a more challenging approach.
So I am wondering how many other people would be interested in an iPhone/iPod app that would let you do the basics, start/stop a race and select a race profile? Because the app store requires me to become part of the developer program I would want to charge for this app to help cover the cost, maybe something like 5$.
I already have the app about halfway done but before jumping in all the way and paying to become a developer I wanted to see if there is any interest.
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2011.04.29, 09:15 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Stafford, England, UK
Posts: 333
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Count me in please.
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2011.04.30, 12:15 AM
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 35,480
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i'm in for $5 easy. i think you could get more.
i would be interested in formatting for an ipad as well. i am finding my ipad a great tool to take to events. would be even better if i could run the race from it as well vs. scrambling to run the computer, run the race and at times participate as well.
want to make an rc calculator as well? calculate scale speeds, gear ratio's, etc...
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2011.04.30, 09:19 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 913
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arch2b
i'm in for $5 easy. i think you could get more.
i would be interested in formatting for an ipad as well. i am finding my ipad a great tool to take to events. would be even better if i could run the race from it as well vs. scrambling to run the computer, run the race and at times participate as well.
want to make an rc calculator as well? calculate scale speeds, gear ratio's, etc...
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I am not sure I could justify charging more, at least at first this is going to be a fairly basic app. Plus I am more looking to just cover my own direct costs.
As for the iPad, yes I was doing an interface for it as well. Though with how big the screen is the interface will be sparse as it does not need nearly that much space.
I though there already was a couple rc calculators out there but at the moment I am having trouble finding any on the app store. It might be worth considering later but for now I want to focus on this app.
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2011.04.30, 09:54 AM
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 35,480
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or an app for setup sheets where you can make changes and save them to a profile.
is it at all possible to make an app for ics changes?
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2011.04.30, 11:37 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 913
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arch2b
or an app for setup sheets where you can make changes and save them to a profile.
is it at all possible to make an app for ics changes?
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I have considered doing one for setup sheets as the only one I found on the app store was for the AWD.
An ICS program for the iPhone was the first thing I wanted to make, around the same time I started making my own ICS adapters. Unfortunately Apple restricts how you can communicate with other hardware. I would either have to become part of the made for iPod program which is a lot of $$$ and requires you to have a real business established or build a wifi ICS adapter. Unfortunately a wifi adapter would be expensive to build and sell and from the software side complicated (all sorts of different wifi configurations to handle). If I ever come up with some way to simplify it and lower the cost I would definitely pursue it.
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2011.04.30, 12:59 PM
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#7
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 35,480
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what about andriod or windows phones? do they have the same hurdles?
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2011.04.30, 09:31 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 913
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arch2b
what about andriod or windows phones? do they have the same hurdles?
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The Windows 7 phones have hurdles as well. Microsoft has not released the bluetooth programming API last I looked, so it is more limited than the iPhone.
If you were to try to make an ICS application for a mobile device Android is probably the best choice. The functionality for a programmer is there, at least for versions of the phone that have a full bluetooth stack and are running at least 2.0 or 2.1 (I forget exactly where RFCOMM was introduced into the SDK). Most people are running at least 2.1 so the API to program for it is there. The main concern would be the variety of hardware that may or may not have a useful bluetooth chipset. Plus I do not have one to work with......
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2011.05.01, 05:31 PM
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#9
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The Galliant Dude
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinwc4
The Windows 7 phones have hurdles as well. Microsoft has not released the bluetooth programming API last I looked, so it is more limited than the iPhone.
If you were to try to make an ICS application for a mobile device Android is probably the best choice. The functionality for a programmer is there, at least for versions of the phone that have a full bluetooth stack and are running at least 2.0 or 2.1 (I forget exactly where RFCOMM was introduced into the SDK). Most people are running at least 2.1 so the API to program for it is there. The main concern would be the variety of hardware that may or may not have a useful bluetooth chipset. Plus I do not have one to work with......
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Android app would be awesome! Wish I had one to loan you I kind of need my phone lol.
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2011.07.23, 12:21 PM
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#10
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epic procrastinator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Whistler, B.C.
Posts: 2,216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinwc4
So after my clubs last race night I came to the conclusion that I really want a way to remotely start and stop races without having to go to the computer. Whenever I am part of the race I end up starting the race and then have to sprint over to where everyone is standing and get positioned to race. I could obviously extend the countdown time but the geek in me wants a more challenging approach.
So I am wondering how many other people would be interested in an iPhone/iPod app that would let you do the basics, start/stop a race and select a race profile? Because the app store requires me to become part of the developer program I would want to charge for this app to help cover the cost, maybe something like 5$.
I already have the app about halfway done but before jumping in all the way and paying to become a developer I wanted to see if there is any interest.
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Any further word?
I have a trackmate system and would love to be able to get set on the drivers stand and start my system with my iPhone 3GS. (I'm not special enough to own the 4)
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2011.07.23, 12:33 PM
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 35,480
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add to this request... very much interested in remote control functionality.
fyi, there are other app timing systems available and the features sound awsome! http://www.dirtchampdesign.com/newsite/?page_id=54
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2011.07.23, 01:28 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pinwc4
I have considered doing one for setup sheets as the only one I found on the app store was for the AWD.
An ICS program for the iPhone was the first thing I wanted to make, around the same time I started making my own ICS adapters. Unfortunately Apple restricts how you can communicate with other hardware. I would either have to become part of the made for iPod program which is a lot of $$$ and requires you to have a real business established or build a wifi ICS adapter. Unfortunately a wifi adapter would be expensive to build and sell and from the software side complicated (all sorts of different wifi configurations to handle). If I ever come up with some way to simplify it and lower the cost I would definitely pursue it.
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how about an android version ?
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2011.07.23, 08:13 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 913
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I have been slowly privately working on this. I am close to my own basic version, with starting a race, stopping a race and a rank announcement button. I still need some security added and I will need to make the application look OK as I have no graphics yet.
It will require that the lap counting computer has some sort of network connection. It does not have to have internet access but the iPhone must be able to communicate with the lap counting computer. On the iPhone you specify the IP address of the lap counting computer to communicate.
Arch2b, that was an interesting link. I had planned on creating a second iPhone app with some similar functionality for individual racers. Someone beat me to it. In fact I had never heard of that app anyways and it is interesting to see another lap counting program that is cross platform.
Making a basic app for the race managers was to help me learn about the platform first before tackling a more challenging application phone application.
As for Android for the short term I do not have plans for it. If someone else want to jump in and do that they will be welcome to as I publish my source code and will publish the communication protocol I am making.
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2011.08.19, 01:17 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 50
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I think this app would be invaluable for the exact reason you mentioned wanting to create it. Sounds very promising, with a lot of opportunity to expand.
Good luck and let me know if you need any beta testers.
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2011.09.08, 12:20 PM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
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Is this app any closer to being done?
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