[APP] PaceOn v5.4 - Keep Pace/Stratos screen on, Lock Screen, Quick Switches & more - Amazfit

[APP] PaceOn v5.4 - Keep Pace/Stratos screen on, Lock Screen, Quick Switches & more
PaceOn v5.4
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Sometimes, I just want my Aamzfit Pace to stay awake a bit longer, so I make this app.
PaceOn is designed specifically for Amazfit Pace to keep its screen on and unlocked as long as I want. It also works on Amazfit Stratos.
Surely, keeping the screen on affects the device's battery, but for whatever reason you may want it.
For me, it's quite useful when transferring files via wifi, needing to see some app screen details for a period of time or just always showing off that beautiful watchface.
This is the first app of my Pace(X) series (On, Off, Up & Down).
Disclaimer:
I am not responsible for any bad things caused by using this app, and blah, blah, blah.
Instruction:
Just sideload the app. Root is not required.
This can be done using ADB.
Here is how.
To uninstall:
adb uninstall com.anox.paceon
Features:
On/Off = PaceOn service keeping the watch awake and unlocked
The service can be automatically turned off on a selectable schedule.
Dim = Allow the screen to dim
Launcher = Launcher Service
Once activated, a small triangle area at the bottom left of the screen becomes a launcher area. The area is only visible on PaceOn screen, but active on any screen.
- Swipe up from the area (on any screen) launches PaceOn app.
- Double tap toggles PaceOn service on/off without opening the app.
- Swipe right to lock the screen.
- Swipe diagonally (roughly 45 degrees upward to the right) to bring up Quick Switch panel
Please see the last attached image for the instruction. The service will automatically turn on after booting, if the option was previously on before the boot.
Lock screen
The idea here is to have a transparent lock screen to protect the screen on from touches or taps. When this lock screen is on, the watch is still fully awake.
- To activate the lock screen, swipe right on Launcher area.
- To unlock, just double tap anywhere on the lock screen.
Return Home option
This is a workaround to the notification issue (raised by a few people). When receiving a new notification, the notification screen won't automatically be dismissed and another notification won't trigger a vibration. This can only be turned on, when both PaceOn & Launcher services are selected.
When this option is selected, it will have an effect only when the lock screen is on. After activating the lock screen, the watch will return to the home screen (from any screen) in every 30 seconds.
Bear in mind "this is supposed to consume more battery power."
Auto On... = Auto On When Charging option (off by default)
When turned on, PaceOn service is automatically activated when the watch is plugged into a power source, and deactivated when unplugging it. This option always keeps the screen fully on (not dim) to get rid of the system charging animation. This is designed to work only if PaceOn service is NOT already on.
How about a Pace as a desk clock
Quick Switch panel
- Swipe roughly 45 degrees upward to the right from Launcher area to bring up Quick Switch panel which contains:
1) Brightness Seekbar
Quickly set the screen brightness to any value from 0 to 255 or to Auto Mode.
2) Bluetooth switch
Now, the Bluetooth can be turned on/off at will.
3) WiFi switch
Yes, the wifi too can be turned on/off at will.
- To dismiss Quick Switch panel, just tap on the brightness number or swipe the panel away to the right.
These switches work independently of the system settings. They can even turn on when Airplane mode is on.
How about a quick glance to check if your bluetooth/wifi is on (just like your phone Status bar)
CXN svc. = Connection service
The Connection service improves the bluetooth/wifi connection visibility. It lets us know when bluetooth/wifi is connected/disconnected with a toast message and vibration (only vibration, when screen off). It also tells us what device/AP the watch is connected to/disconnected from.
The service will automatically turn on after booting, if the option was previously on before the boot.
Now, we always know what the bluetooth/wifi on our watch is up to.
Usage:
To enable PaceOn service (to keep the screen awake and unlocked)
- Open the app
- Tick []On/Off (Optionally, tick []Dim)
- To activate Launcher service, tick []Launcher
- Click OK. PaceOn service will start with a confirmation message.
- The app will then be put into the background.
- Then, do whatever you want. The screen will stay unlocked as long as PaceOn service is active.
While PaceOn service is active, the watch can be forced to sleep by pressing the power button from Home screen. Waking up the watch will also reactivate PaceOn service.
To turn PaceOn service off
If Launcher service is active, just Double tap on Launcher area.
If not, Open the app, de-select []On/Off and click OK. PaceOn service will stop with a confirmation message and the app exits.
To turn Launcher service on/off
- Open the app, toggle []Launcher and click OK. Launcher service will start/stop and the app exits.
Note:
- While the app's UI is in the foreground, the screen stays on.
- The app (any app for that matter) can be killed by Android system if the resources are needed. If killed, the "Keep Screen Unlocked" effect will also be lost.
- The app is free for personal use.
Changelog:
Version 1.0
Initial release
Version 1.5
UI changes
- Theme change
- Some wording changes (hopefully clearer)
- New icon
Toast notifications added
- confirmation messages when starting/stopping the PaceOn service
Internal Improvement
- Better app instance handling
- More persistent, less likely to be killed by system
- Lower resource usage
- Optimised and smaller apk
Version 2.0
UI changes
- Launcher option added
- Lockscreen option added, but disabled in this version
- Bigger OK button for your convenience
Launcher Service added
Launcher Service puts a triangle area located at the bottom left of the screen. Once activated, the area becomes visible only on PaceOn screen, but it is active on any screen.
- Swipe up from the area (on any screen) launches PaceOn app.
- Double tap on the area (on any screen) turns PaceOn service on/off without opening the app.
After boot autostart Launcher service added
After installation, open the app once, then Launcher service will start automatically after every boot.
Version 2.3
- Fix few crashes that sometimes occurred when launching the app from Launcher area
- Deactivate Launcher service temporarily on PaceOn screen
- Change the UI a bit
- Improve swipe detection
- Make the services harder to kill
- Use a bit less RAM to run
Version 3.0
GUI changed
- Battery level percentage added to the OK button
Lock screen added
The idea here is to have a transparent lock screen to protect the screen on from touches or taps. When this lock screen is on, the watch is still fully awake.
- To activate the lock screen, swipe right on Launcher area.
- To unlock, just double tap anywhere on the lock screen.
Return Home option added
This is a workaround to the notification issue (raised by a few people). When receiving a new notification, the notification screen won't automatically be dismissed and another notification won't trigger a vibration. This can only be turned on, when both PaceOn & Launcher services are selected.
When this option is selected, it will have an effect only when the lock screen is on. After activating the lock screen, the watch will return to the home screen (from any screen) in every 30 seconds.
Bear in mind "this is supposed to consume more battery power."
Version 3.4
GUI changed
PaceOn now has many options, but I still want to have only one single screen, without scrolling. So, buttons are used to maximise the space. A button represents a service, while a checkbox represents an option in a service. The bottom part of the screen also has a new design.
Auto On When Charging option added (off by default)
When turned on, PaceOn service is automatically activated when the watch is plugged into a power source, and deactivated when unplugging it. This option always keeps the screen fully on (not dim) to get rid of the system charging animation.
How about a Pace as a desk clock
Version 4.0
Quick Switch panel added
- Swipe roughly 45 degrees upward to the right from Launcher area to bring up Quick Switch panel which contains:
1) Brightness Seekbar
Quickly set the screen brightness to any value from 0 to 255 or to Auto Mode.
2) Bluetooth switch
Now, the bluetooth can be turned on/off at will.
3) WiFi switch
Yes, the wifi too can be turned on/off at will.
- To dismiss Quick Switch panel, just tap on the brightness number or swipe the panel away to the right.
These switches work independently of the system settings. They can even turn on when Airplane mode is on.
How about a quick glance to check if your bluetooth/wifi is on (just like your phone Status bar)
Version 4.6
GUI Changed
The "Auto On When Charging" button becomes "Auto On..." button to allow a new button added to this tiny single screen.
CXN svc. option added
CXN svc. = Connection service
The Connection service improves the bluetooth/wifi connection visibility. It lets us know when bluetooth/wifi is connected/disconnected with a toast message and vibration (only vibration, when screen off). It also tells us what device/AP the watch is connected to/disconnected from.
The option is on by default and also automatically on after every boot.
Now, we always know what the bluetooth/wifi on our watch is up to
Version 5.0
Keep the screen dimmed while PaceOn's lock screen is on.
With Dim option selected, when the PaceOn's lock screen is on, the screen will be kept dimmed until unlocked (no matter if the screen is touched or tapped.)
PaceOn service auto-disable option added
When turning on PaceOn service, an off schedule can be selected to automatically turn off the service. The default is to turn it on forever.
Version 5.4
Settings now saved to the storage
All settings are saved to the storage before closing so that when the app opens the next time, all settings will be restored. This is so even after booting.
Auto-start after boot service changed
Launcher and CXN services each will automatically turn on after booting, if they were previously on before the boot.
Better handling of app closing
When the app is closed by clicking the OK button or pressing the Power button or swiping the app UI to the right, all settings are applied and saved to the storage.
Workaround to the issue of app UI appearing briefly when a notification arrives while charging
This issue can happen to any 3rd party app. It's kind of annoying to see. So, this version tries to avoid that.
If you like my work & want to buy me a cup of coffee or beer, I've just added a Paypal donation email to my profile.

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Nice one, thanks.
I'll give it a try.
I'm with you one the wifi transfer thing.
Could really see this come handy
Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

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from what i saw till now, if I enable the "keep on the screen", the vibration is gone. the watch vibrates ONLY if I lock it via the button.

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1immortal said:
from what i saw till now, if I enable the "keep on the screen", the vibration is gone. the watch vibrates ONLY if I lock it via the button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your feedback.
I've been testing the app for a few days without any vibration issues. When the screen is kept on by the app, my usual apps such as Walk, Run, Alarm, Timer and notifications from phone vibrate normally.
Could you please explain a bit more on the vibration issue you have? Some specific app doesn't vibrate? Thanks.

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i'm running a zuk z2 with Nougat on it, 7.1.2, and lost vibration with Gmail, whatsapp and facebook messenger applications.
update: noticed that there's no vibration on Tapatalk as well.

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1immortal said:
i'm running a zuk z2 with Nougat on it, 7.1.2, and lost vibration with Gmail, whatsapp and facebook messenger applications.
update: noticed that there's no vibration on Tapatalk as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I think I know what happens here.
With or without this app,
When a notification (from any app) is received, Amazfit Pace vibrates only in one of these cases:
1) the screen is locked OR
2) you are NOT on the notification screen.
So, while the screen is kept on (but unlocked) by the app, the device vibrates if you are NOT on the notification screen.
Say you're on the home screen (watchface). Then, a notification is received, the device will vibrate and show the notification. Now, you're on the notification screen, and you won't be taken back to the home screen as there is no screen timeout. If you don't manually navigate from the notification screen to another screen, another notification will not trigger a vibration.
I hope my explanation makes sense, and I don't think I can do anything with the app to improve this.

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got it!

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What did you use for the app to keep the whatch on?
I started with a GolfCaddy app and because the watch sleeps after a few seconds I don't get the gps satellites.

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Thank a lot
wow! it's useful for me Thank you very much for your creation. :laugh::laugh:

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fzelle said:
What did you use for the app to keep the whatch on?
I started with a GolfCaddy app and because the watch sleeps after a few seconds I don't get the gps satellites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean you're developing the GolfCaddy app, right?
Check this out https://developer.android.com/refer...Manager.LayoutParams.html#FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON
starship1000 said:
wow! it's useful for me Thank you very much for your creation. :laugh::laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you like it.
BTW, a new improved and optimised version is coming this weekend.

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A big thank you ! As a paramedic it will be very useful to check pulse (seconds), some suggestions to preserve battery :
- Implement an "HD Mode"/On motion as in the new watchface (unlock the screen/activate on wrist motion / background light on maybe ?)
- add an on/off widget on the launcher ? (Don't know if huami allows it) ?
- Lock the screen (unlock with a double tap) ?
Thanks again ! Really great addition to the watch !

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WiwiPouPou said:
A big thank you ! As a paramedic it will be very useful to check pulse (seconds), some suggestions to preserve battery :
- Implement an "HD Mode"/On motion as in the new watchface (unlock the screen/activate on wrist motion / background light on maybe ?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't get this one. Care to explain a bit more?
- add an on/off widget on the launcher ? (Don't know if huami allows it) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also looking for an easy way to enable/disable the app, but I'm pretty new to this watch.
- Lock the screen (unlock with a double tap) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're talking about a custom lockscreen on a custom version of Android here. Sounds quite complicated, but it's actually on my wish-to-do list when time allows.

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anox said:
You mean you're developing the GolfCaddy app, right?
Check this out https://developer.android.com/refer...Manager.LayoutParams.html#FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the only thing missing is a Golfcaddy ( for me ).
Thanks, missed that .
Edit:
Jupp, working like a charm.
Now to the businesslogic and prettying up the beast.

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You plan to release source code?

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anox said:
Sorry, I don't get this one. Care to explain a bit more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking about to behaviour of "Night Run" watchface (in pacefied and in 1.3.4f) : when locked, a wrist motion (motion when you watch the...watch) trigger the full color / resolution / seconds hand version of the watchface
With your app you could be able to implement that behaviour for every watchface ! An it will be very good for battery life (don't you want full version of a watchface when you see it ? not when you're watching anything else ?)
If we had tasker on mips, that's what I would try : (I'm not a developer unfortunately)
- Detect wrist motion -> autounlock the watch for a programmed time -> relock
Or
- detect "backlight on" or backlight level > 0 (triggered by motion wrist if enabled in settings) -> autounlock the watch for a programmed time -> relock
As a last suggestion, a simple configurable timer in seconds could be great (my case : every time I unlock I would like to see the seconds hand / NUM for a minute, time for me to check manually a heart rate / ventilatory rate of my patient then autolock), a sort of programmable autorelock !
For the lockscreen, can't you place an invisible overlay after returning on the watchface which could intercept touch, then capture only double tap as an event to disable that overlay ?
Again, Very useful, big thank ! Keep up !

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dpeddi said:
You plan to release source code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at the moment, might reconsider it in the future.

---

WiwiPouPou said:
I was talking about to behaviour of "Night Run" watchface (in pacefied and in 1.3.4f) : when locked, a wrist motion (motion when you watch the...watch) trigger the full color / resolution / seconds hand version of the watchface
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on 1.3.4f, there is Activate on Wrist option. When on, it just turns on the backlight for a few seconds, but doesn't wake the watch. So, you won't see the second hand. And, that works the same for all watchfaces.
With your app you could be able to implement that behaviour for every watchface ! An it will be very good for battery life (don't you want full version of a watchface when you see it ? not when you're watching anything else ?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do see the importance of the watchface for you, but PaceOn is implemented to work universally with any app. What you can do now with PaceOn v1.0 is this:
- Open the app, activate "Screen On"
- Press Home (power) button to go Home,then press again to put the watch to sleep
- Whenever you need to take a heart rate reading, just wake the watch, After done, just put the watch back to sleep
I don't think the app consumes that much battery when the watch is asleep, though I've not actually measured it.
If we had tasker on mips, that's what I would try : (I'm not a developer unfortunately)
- Detect wrist motion -> autounlock the watch for a programmed time -> relock
Or
- detect "backlight on" or backlight level > 0 (triggered by motion wrist if enabled in settings) -> autounlock the watch for a programmed time -> relock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, my wish too.
Another thing is I have no idea what the system allows 3rd party apps do when the watch is asleep.
As a last suggestion, a simple configurable timer in seconds could be great (my case : every time I unlock I would like to see the seconds hand / NUM for a minute, time for me to check manually a heart rate / ventilatory rate of my patient then autolock), a sort of programmable autorelock !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is already on my wish-to-do list.
For the lockscreen, can't you place an invisible overlay after returning on the watchface which could intercept touch, then capture only double tap as an event to disable that overlay ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'd be the idea, but like I mentioned this is a custom android on which I see some simple android functions don't even work. What I'm doing here is mostly guesswork, just trial & error.
Thanks for the comments. We'll see how this goes.

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V1.5 is up.
Version 1.5 is up (OP updated)
Changelog:
UI changes
- Theme change
- Some wording changes (hopefully clearer)
- New icon
Toast notifications added
- Confirmed messages when starting/stopping the PaceOn service
Internal Improvement
- Better app instance handling
- More persistent, less likely to be killed by system
- Lower resource usage
- Optimised and smaller apk
Please note that APK installer doesn't seem to support this optimised apk (attached to OP), though it can be installed via adb as usual. In case that you already have PaceOn on your watch, the command will be "adb install -r anox.PaceOn.v1.5.apk"
The next version will include some new functionality.

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thanks for this app....i really like it since it make easier to check anything without double tap or unlock via button.
anyway i find some issues :
the activate on wrist are not working if PaceOn are active
notification wont "minimize" if PaceOn are active
Baterry drain (but this is acceptable i think since the watch are always "on" without baterry saving mode.
if you could fix it would really great ( if not it's still great app )
but overall are superB app, really appreciate it.
information :
Im using English rom 1.3.4f
cheers

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hoomansjogja said:
the activate on wrist are not working if PaceOn are active
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system's activate on wrist works only when the watch is asleep. When PaceOn is active, the watch is awake. I may look into this when implementing a lockscreen for PaceOn.
notification wont "minimize" if PaceOn are active
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. It's the same reason. When PaceOn is active, the watch stays awake. So, the notification screen will stay on after receiving the notification. It has been discussed in post#6 . Once PaceOn has its own lockscreen, I'll try to improve this.
Baterry drain (but this is acceptable i think since the watch are always "on" without baterry saving mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PaceOn itself doesn't drain the battery (much), it's the screen on and the running apps while the watch is awake. When the watch is asleep, I find the battery consumed by PaceOn negligible. Everyone else who has measured the battery consumption may share their experience.
Thanks for the comments & stay tuned for the future versions.
BTW, another version is coming up tomorrow.