Hello, Android Wear community!
I just made an app for Android Wear (I have not published it to the Play Store yet, that will come soon) that, when opened, sets the brightness to the highest possible setting and displays an all-white background. It may seem simple (and to be 100% honest, it didn't take too much work), but I have found it to be quite useful.
In the meantime, you can find the apk for it here and the source code for the app here.
To open the app, be sure to install the apk on your phone, wait about 10 seconds, then (on your watch) say "Okay Google, start flashlight."!
I hope you all enjoy this, as it is my first Android Wear app!
r3pwn
Thanks!!
Its good that it sets brightness to max first. The one i have installed just sets the screen to white.
Thanks, it's works on LG g WATCH R !
hello.
just got my watch a few days ago and am curious to those who decided to switch out the rom to have full android on their watch.
now we all know samsung had to do a lot to make this watch a companion with the phone so the software on it plus the gear manager on the phone give it the ability to be controlled properly. when you install real android on it you lose this functionality ... sure there are a few apps out there that can do that (forward notifications) but mostly they suck.
i am not a fan of actually using my watch as a real phone because of its battery capacity.
please share your reason ....
I switched to have full android on the watch so I could use the Gear S as a daily driver.
I'm using it to replace my Omate Truesmart that I've been using as my standalone phone for the last 6 months.
cylent said:
hello.
just got my watch a few days ago and am curious to those who decided to switch out the rom to have full android on their watch.
now we all know samsung had to do a lot to make this watch a companion with the phone so the software on it plus the gear manager on the phone give it the ability to be controlled properly. when you install real android on it you lose this functionality ... sure there are a few apps out there that can do that (forward notifications) but mostly they suck.
i am not a fan of actually using my watch as a real phone because of its battery capacity.
please share your reason ....
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Click to collapse
I switched from the mobile operating system ties into Android because I personally have more functionality with Android, and not only does that beautiful display play flappy bird flawlessly, there's a lot of other random ass I can cram on to the tiny screen. You think all the screen so small I'm not going to be able to type take it off your wrist use both hands it's not that big of a deal. Not only that if you use SwiftKey it's an amazing keyboard for such a small device Haven you at T maps to then changed where your fingers maybe a little bit bigger for some parts of the screen or too small. Google has a few really nice apps that are basically made to run on anything my tracks for instance it's one of the best app I've ever used for tracking my speed and distance as well as calories burned. It's not an app but it's my favorite and the fact that I can use it on such a small display is very convenient. I'll finish this article up in a bit alright about 10 more reason why I prefer it, I'm just riding my bike right now and using Google Voice on my gear s to type this
mmm.... and what about cardio and steps counter? Can you use them with S-health in your phone even with Android installed ?
I made a standalone navigation app for Wear OS! Here's the link to the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.onibaku.standalonewearmap
Here's the full description on the app so you can get a glance at the features:
Users can type in a location, or long press on the map to input a destination. They can choose to travel via walking, cycling or car.
The app will navigate the user from their current location to the destination using turn-by-turn navigation. Each step is highlighted on the path, with text to show you what action to take, and how long until you reach that step. The map rotates along with the device, so will follow the forward-facing direction of the watch.
The app only needs an internet connection for the initial retrieval of the directions. After that, it solely relies on GPS until the user arrives at the destination.
This (obviously) only works on watches that have GPS.
If you have any suggestions at all, I'd love to know them.
The next feature I plan to implement is importing a GPX file in from Google Drive, so you can navigate a more unorthodox/scenic route, which would suits cyclists. I initially developed this for when I go cycling, as we don't usually want to take the fastest route somewhere.
Let me know if there any burning features that are needed in this, and I'll do my best to deliver. This is a small side-project, so I don't have too much time to work on it, but I find it quite useful personally, and I hope others will, too.
Someone suggested I release a demo version so people can try it and see if they wish to buy it. I have released one here
It only has the dropped pin functionality, and only allows walking as a navigation mode. The zoom is also locked.
Gentatsu said:
I made a standalone navigation app for Wear OS! Here's the link to the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.onibaku.standalonewearmap
Here's the full description on the app so you can get a glance at the features:
Users can type in a location, or long press on the map to input a destination. They can choose to travel via walking, cycling or car.
The app will navigate the user from their current location to the destination using turn-by-turn navigation. Each step is highlighted on the path, with text to show you what action to take, and how long until you reach that step. The map rotates along with the device, so will follow the forward-facing direction of the watch.
The app only needs an internet connection for the initial retrieval of the directions. After that, it solely relies on GPS until the user arrives at the destination.
This (obviously) only works on watches that have GPS.
If you have any suggestions at all, I'd love to know them.
The next feature I plan to implement is importing a GPX file in from Google Drive, so you can navigate a more unorthodox/scenic route, which would suits cyclists. I initially developed this for when I go cycling, as we don't usually want to take the fastest route somewhere.
Let me know if there any burning features that are needed in this, and I'll do my best to deliver. This is a small side-project, so I don't have too much time to work on it, but I find it quite useful personally, and I hope others will, too.
Someone suggested I release a demo version so people can try it and see if they wish to buy it. I have released one here
It only has the dropped pin functionality, and only allows walking as a navigation mode. The zoom is also locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is looking really good. I want true standalone navigation on my Huawei Watch 2 4G. It has a sim so loads the route standalone and seems to be able to do everything expected...i'm trying the demo version now.
One question though...unless i'm missing something..how do you exit the app? I'm currently having to force close it.
(And as a side note have you checked out the Wear OS app Ghostracer? You can import a gpx file and follow your progress on a map on the watch. Maps are downloadable to the watch, although ive never tried that. My watch has a sim so updates the map as im riding using the watches data. Heavy on the battery though.)
ruggs1234 said:
This is looking really good. I want true standalone navigation on my Huawei Watch 2 4G. It has a sim so loads the route standalone and seems to be able to do everything expected...i'm trying the demo version now.
One question though...unless i'm missing something..how do you exit the app? I'm currently having to force close it.
(And as a side note have you checked out the Wear OS app Ghostracer? You can import a gpx file and follow your progress on a map on the watch. Maps are downloadable to the watch, although ive never tried that. My watch has a sim so updates the map as im riding using the watches data. Heavy on the battery though.)
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I had not realised that the app does not cease to use GPS whilst it is in sleep mode, so I have added a button to exit the app properly when you drag down. I've just released it now.
I have had a look at it, but it doesn't seem to work unless you have an android phone. I am currently looking into offline maps and importing GPX files. Do you know if it does that via the android app, and how it imports it? I was looking to use Google drive, as that seems to be the only viable storage solution supported on Wear atm.
Gentatsu said:
I had not realised that the app does not cease to use GPS whilst it is in sleep mode, so I have added a button to exit the app properly when you drag down. I've just released it now.
I have had a look at it, but it doesn't seem to work unless you have an android phone. I am currently looking into offline maps and importing GPX files. Do you know if it does that via the android app, and how it imports it? I was looking to use Google drive, as that seems to be the only viable storage solution supported on Wear atm.
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Click to collapse
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
ruggs1234 said:
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
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Click to collapse
Great . I did play around with the ambient mode, but it was just the same as the standard google maps ambient mode. It takes away the turn-by-turn, location, and path. If I could persist these, and set the GPS to update every 30 secs - 1 minute, I'd probably keep it, but I'm not sure how. I'd like to stick in options to set the GPS update frequency, or have the screen turn back on only for upcoming turns.
That's really cool! That's essentially what I would have liked on my watch but standalone. I really don't like the idea that you HAVE to use a companion app, especially when it's not available for iOS. I know they're competing watches, but I love the price point of android watches compared to Apple's, and their features shouldn't pale in comparison by way of hardware.
How does their ambient map work, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to look into it. What does their paid version allow you to do? I only had a paid version before someone mentioned to put the free one on, just to give people a flavour of it. I tried to emphasise the main bit, which was the turn-by-turn navigation. The search and other transportation modes were secondary.
Cheers for the feedback and suggestions, though! I really do appreciate it! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like.
Gentatsu said:
Great . I did play around with the ambient mode, but it was just the same as the standard google maps ambient mode. It takes away the turn-by-turn, location, and path. If I could persist these, and set the GPS to update every 30 secs - 1 minute, I'd probably keep it, but I'm not sure how. I'd like to stick in options to set the GPS update frequency, or have the screen turn back on only for upcoming turns.
That's really cool! That's essentially what I would have liked on my watch but standalone. I really don't like the idea that you HAVE to use a companion app, especially when it's not available for iOS. I know they're competing watches, but I love the price point of android watches compared to Apple's, and their features shouldn't pale in comparison by way of hardware.
How does their ambient map work, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to look into it. What does their paid version allow you to do? I only had a paid version before someone mentioned to put the free one on, just to give people a flavour of it. I tried to emphasise the main bit, which was the turn-by-turn navigation. The search and other transportation modes were secondary.
Cheers for the feedback and suggestions, though! I really do appreciate it! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ghostracers ambient map is black background with white markings until you lift your wrist...but that might not work when using your app while driving (watch off the wrist?).
I've now purchased your app (Google made that hard work!)...all still good. One question...when I zoom the map in the map un-zooms straight back. Any way to make the zoom stick?
ruggs1234 said:
Ghostracers ambient map is black background with white markings until you lift your wrist...but that might not work when using your app while driving (watch off the wrist?).
I've now purchased your app (Google made that hard work!)...all still good. One question...when I zoom the map in the map un-zooms straight back. Any way to make the zoom stick?
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Click to collapse
Do the markings include the path/trail? I've used the black background one before, and the building outlines are (kinda) white. Yeah, I do have my watch affixed to my handlebars on my bicycle.
Great - Thanks! It's much appreciated! How come it was hard work, if you don't mind me asking? Ah, yep. That was one of the first things I forgot to change! I completely forgot about it! I've made it so that if you zoom/pan, it'll stick unless you press the "my location" button again.
Huawei watch 2 built-in GPS not working anymore
ruggs1234 said:
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
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Click to collapse
Hi ruggs1234, it was a long time since you wrote your experience with this app. I downloaded the demo today and I tested it. Looks like since last Google's update, the huawei watch 2 doesn't use its built-in standalone GPS. Please, would you mind to check whether you are having this problem now? The only way I got it work was by connecting the watch to a phone through Bluetooth.
Kind regards, Angel
angelrc96 said:
Hi ruggs1234, it was a long time since you wrote your experience with this app. I downloaded the demo today and I tested it. Looks like since last Google's update, the huawei watch 2 doesn't use its built-in standalone GPS. Please, would you mind to check whether you are having this problem now? The only way I got it work was by connecting the watch to a phone through Bluetooth.
Kind regards, Angel
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Click to collapse
Hello Angel,
The app still works ok on my watch, I tested it yesterday.
With my phone switched OFF I use my watches inbuilt sim to start the route (the app needs data to download the initial route, it can use the connected mobile but mine was switched off). I then switch off the sim in my watch and follow the route using only the gps in the watch. The app worked as it always has.
HOWEVER, my watch isn't running the latest version of Wear OS (it's running Wear OS 2.0, Home app 2.16). I never update anything Google if i'm not forced too, their updates often break more things than they fix. Everything I use on the watch works great and i'd like it to stay that way....
Hi,
well, I gave it a test (full paid version) - TicWatch 3 Pro 4g/LTE (all up to date). It doesn't work. All tested in standalone mode (no phone involved).
- app crashes when there is no GPS fix (GPS is on, but no fix yet)
- when I set an route to navigate (pin or search) it just endlessly shows progress circle and nothing else happens (GPS on with fix, LTE on and working)
So...
BR, Doman.
I installed the Demo version on my ticwatch 3 pro gps (updated everything to current versions and no modifications (yet))
App is starting, map is not showing, just the gps location button on the left and a white/grey screen. I can pin a location on the white screen and its actually getting a location next to me and tries to route there - but without any map showing.
Any app for Gear S3 ?
So the goal here is to have a tablet in our home gym that I can cast music to a nearby receiver and to have a timer displayed. The device in question is an ancient Xelio tablet and I believe the model to be P900BK if that's of any use. It's currently running Android 4.0.4 and doesn't come stock with the Android Google Play App Store although it has Slide Me and I partially side loaded the Play Store but most of the newer apps I'm trying to install fail some form of validation that occurs in the background whenever I try to run them. I found an APK for Google Play Music that was compatible (I think) with Android 4.0.4 and casting wasn't an option then so it wasn't there.
In a perfect world I'd be able to install Google Play Music (Now has to be YouTube Music though I suppose) and this app here: Hero Timer - WOD Timer Crossfit and HIIT Since it's free and easy to see like the timers most gyms use. I could also use Flex Timer or something else but most all I would want to use for ease of viewing from a distance don't appear to be compatible. The Slide Me app store has nothing of any use that I can find.
I guess the easiest solution would be to find 2 apps in the Slide Me app store that stream music via Chromecast and one that's a good timer that allows for intervals and is large enough to see from a distance on a smaller tablet but as of now I can't seem to find anything that fits that bill. My guess is I won't either on the former due to Google locking that streaming feature down and the latter is mostly trash from what I can tell.
So, any thoughts on this? I'd rather not invest a boat load of time into rooting and potentially bricking this device if I can avoid it but if it's the only option I guess I don't mind. I'd just have to wait until I can carve out enough time to do this which may not be right away. If I do explore this option, one of my concerns is hardware. I'm not sure the ancient hardware this device sports can handle much in terms of ROMs or latest whiz-bang apps or features.
I'm not sure it even has the guts to do what I'm asking but I was hoping someone here who knew the answer could offer up some solutions as I've been out of the custom Android device game for a number of years now.
Thoughts?
This low-end tablet was released 2013-07-09. It runs on Android IceCream. You only can install and run apps on it what are compatible with this Android version.
jwoegerbauer said:
This low-end tablet was released 2013-07-09. It runs on Android IceCream. You only can install and run apps on it what are compatible with this Android version.
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Right after you finished typing that and you read it back to yourself did you think "Yeah, he'll find this useful" before you clicked submit?
Do not update your fossil watches to wear OS 3! I didn't think much of doing updates but it has ruined my watch. If you want a fit bit then do the update, otherwise stay well clear!
Here's the tale:
I recently got the latest Fitbit, after 24 hrs of use (and at work) I realised how completely useless it was for me. I like the idea of seeing my steps and heart rate, but ultimately it's a fitness tracker and had very limited Google support imho. I need to access Google assistant, music control, and reading my messages. It couldn't even control the volume Very little more. So I get the fossil gen 6 in replacement.
Within 2 hours I knew this watch was x1000 better for me. I was even impressed that the assistant wasn't just a basic version, it had access to my smart home. Loved it.
So carelessly I let it do it's updates, thinking little of it.
Here what I lost and gained:
No Google Assistant Alexa only.
custom quick launch sucks, limited apps, lost top button to none existent assistant. [Edit]
Music controls do not seem to work correctly.
Certain watch faces have been removed like facer... Or at least it won't work for me...
The reading of notifications has changed more clumsy
Quick settings have more there but now is more fiddly.
With no assistant I can't set reminders, calendar events, control the smart home, can't access music or torch with 1 touch. Battery also seems to be draining FAST!
And a pet hate... The app interface won't change to dark mode.
what did I gain?
Slightly better looking interface.
Can access more watch settings on the phone via fossil app.
Much better presentation of health stats in the fossil app. Comparable to the fit bit. I can imagine it's much better as a fitness tracker. That's not what I wanted tho.... This does seem to come at a cost to battery.
So please heed my warning! If you don't want a Fitbit, don't update.