[Tutorial] How to use your Windows Phone as a head tracking device for PC games

[Tutorial] How to use your Windows Phone as a head tracking device for PC games - Windows Phone 8 General

What you need
A Windows Phone with accelerometer and compass (magnetometer). (Gyroscope not required - but makes every movement smoother and more accurate)
App Headtrackr ($2, full featured trial available)
PC
Opensource software opentrack
A pc game that supports FreeTrack/TrackIR or a similar protocol (e.g. Star Citizen, Elite: Dangerous, Euro Truck Simulator 2 and many more)
headband / hair tie / tape or something similar strap your phone to your head / headphones / headset (see pictures at the end for examples)
Video of head tracking with Headtrackr in Star Citizen:
Tutorial/Instructions also available as PDF and Word document here: www.headtrackr.com/instructions
And available in german here: www.headtrackr.de/instructions
First of
Please note, Headtrackr only transmits your movements to your PC. The desktop application opentrack then relays the movements to your game via different protocols (most commonly freetrack). I, the developer of Headtrackr, am not affiliated with the developers of opentrack or freetrack.
If a game does not support head tracking you have to contact the developer of that game and ask them to implement freetrack! I will not be able to do anything.
To test whether the game you would like to use head tracking with works, you can install the free trial version of Headtrackr!
Instructions
Setup
Install Headtrackr
Preconfigured download of opentrack 2.3 rc5: View attachment opentrack_2.3_rc5_d.zip Onedrive mirror: here.
The latest version of opentrack can always be downloaded from the official site here.
Please note: All tested versions will be listed below. It’s not guaranteed newer untested versions work with headtrackr!
Open the Zip file and extract it to a location of your liking. No installation needed.
Configuration
You can download a preconfiguration file here (right click -> save as)
Save it to the “settings” folder in your opentrack install folder and you can skip the opentrack config steps
Start opentrack.exe
Opentrack configuration steps
Select “UDP sender” as Tracker.
Tap on the “…” button on the right to select a port, in this example we’ll be using “4242” (If there are any problems with receiving data, change the port!).
If you have a firewall, you might need to allow this port in your firewall settings.
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"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
On “Protocol” select “freetrack 2.0 Enhanced” for most games. Some games only support other protocols but freetrack is the most common.
On “Filter” select “Accela”. Tap on “…” and set a small value for both “Rotation smoothing” and “Translation smoothing” as seen below. This will filter out any inaccuracies from the sensors on your phone and make everything smoother.
Now on to the “Mapping” settings:
On the tabs “Yaw”, “Pitch” and “Roll” you can select a movement mapping. At the default mapping settings there is a 1:1 mapping, meaning you have to turn your head 180 degrees to move the view in your game 180 degrees. (This of course is not feasible since you can’t see the monitor anymore).
For all three I suggest a setting of 100:180 (see screenshots below)
Now on to settings that depend on how you strap your phone to your head and on the game you want to play
On the “Options” tab of the “Mapping” settings there are the “Output remap” settings.
Set Yaw, Roll and Pitch so, that your character follows your movements. If for example your character looks right, while you look left, you have to check “Invert” on “Yaw”. Same for looking up/down (Pitch) and rolling your head.
(You can also use the small octopus as a test before you start your game. It should move exactly like your in-game character)
Click the “Save” button to save these as your default settings.
Whenever you want to start tracking or testing, click “Start”.
Phone configuration steps
Unfortunately Windows Phone does not allow tracking movement with the display turned off. Because the display is one of the biggest battery drainers I would recommend the following (however, it is not needed for the app to work):
Turn your display brightness to the lowest setting (not needed with OLED displays)
Turn on Quiet mode, battery saver and/or airplane mode. This saves power and also ensures no interruption while playing.
Headtrackr setup
Make sure your phone’s WiFi is on and connected to the same network your PC is connected to.
Start Headtrackr
Tap on “Configuration” and enter your PC’s IP address and the port that was selected in opentrack.
That’s it, now you can test your connection:
Click on start in opentrack and then on “test connection” in Headtrackr. You should see the octopus turning left and right. If not, your connection is not working. Make sure you have entered the correct IP address / Port and both phone and pc are connected to the same network.
Save the configuration by pressing “Confirm”.
That’s it, you are now ready to start.
Tips and Tricks
Use the head shaking feature of Headtrackr to re-center your view in game. Simply shake your head and one second after the audio cue has played your view will take your current orientation as the new center value. In settings you can adjust the sensitivity of the head shake detection.
Known problems with opentrack and games
Tested opentrack versions: opentrack 2.3 rc5 and opentrack 2.3 rc9.
Please note: opentrack 2.3 is still in development and not withour errors.
Known problems with opentrack 2.3 rc5
“Output remap” can map one axis to another. (E.g. you can’t set that pitch means roll and roll means pitch)
Known problems with opentrack 2.3 rc9
On opentrack 2.3 rc9 and higher you have to first click “Start” in opentrack and then on the phone via “START TRACKING”. If you start tracking on your phone first, the re-centering feature of Headtrackr doesn’t work correctly.
Known problems with Star Citizen
At this moment, Star Citizen is still in alpha. Sometimes headtracking does not work. Restarting Star Citizen, opentrack and sometimes your pc can fix that problem. (Tests have shown that Star Citizen works better with opentrack 2.3 rc5 than the current newer versions)
Problem: No Text-To-Speech output in Headtrackr
Speech for your language has to be installed. Go to system settings -> language and make sure of that. If it’s not installed you can do that there.
Examples of how you can easily strap your phone to your head
Why did I develop Headtrackr?
I have always waited for a viable virtual reality headset. With Oculus Rift we might get one in a few months/years. But I just couldn't wait that long. Unfortunately the next best thing (TrackIR) costs way to much for me (180€). (Or rather: I think it costs way to much for the features it delivers)
I already had a Windows Phone and multiple apps released, so I developed Headtrackr as an alternative to TrackIR.
You might ask yourself: Why is Headtrackr so much cheaper than TrackIR? It must be pretty bad.
No, TrackIR is so expensive because you pay for the hardware as well as the software. With your phone you already have all the hardware you need and only need the software!
I personally can't go back to playing games like Star Citizen without head tracking.
If you find any bugs, have any questions or have any suggestions feel free to contact me in the comments, per pm, mail or from inside the app.
Links
Download: http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=11777f9d-9261-42e6-acc3-84e3046703bb
[QRCODE]http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=11777f9d-9261-42e6-acc3-84e3046703bb[/QRCODE]
http://www.headtrackr.com and http://www.headtrackr.de
The developer: www.dehodev.com

hi i am trying to use headtrackr with my phone acting both as an HMD/vr.headset and as an gyroscope data sender for opentrack..
my problem is that i can get headtrack to work in potrait mode but not in landscape with screen facing my face..
would be really awesome if Headtrackr could receive an update to fix this problem it would act not only as a headtracker device for freetrack games bu also for VR games !!
i hope that this can happen some day awesome app btw

greymouser said:
hi i am trying to use headtrackr with my phone acting both as an HMD/vr.headset and as an gyroscope data sender for opentrack..
my problem is that i can get headtrack to work in potrait mode but not in landscape with screen facing my face..
would be really awesome if Headtrackr could receive an update to fix this problem it would act not only as a headtracker device for freetrack games bu also for VR games !!
i hope that this can happen some day awesome app btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this problem a few months ago. I wrote a UWP version of Headtrackr with the goal to fix this problem and make it possible to work with VR games. The current version is still a WP8 app that can't work when it's not in the foreground, so it can't have any other app open (for streaming your pc's video output).
Unfortunately I hit a snag that I was unable to figure out. (Worked on it for 3-4 weeks) The sensor API in Windows 10 has this problem where when your phone is in landscape and you look in certain directions it suddenly changes axises and angles. I was unable to find any documentation on this issue. Why this happens, how this happens or how to compensate for it. It's one of the most frustrating things I have encountered. This problem did not exist in Wp7.5 or Wp8. I was planning on taking another look at it in a few weeks.
I was really confused, because I was reading everywhere on how this api is meant for VR and AR but could'nt find a single example that actually worked correctly without those issues.

i see so facing two problems here,
here is an idea how about adding VNC capability to headtrackr, this way there will be no reason to switch to a streaming app..
i also found this article seemed relevant.. especially the sensorbatching feature and readingtransform-initialize..
WP VR is really a lackluster unfortunately :/

Yeah, I solved the problem with background head tracking with the UWP app. That works by registering the app as an "ExtendedExecution" with LocationTracking as its type which allows the headtracking code to continue running while the streaming app is in foreground. (I also thought about creating a combined Headtracking and Streaming app, but for the time being that would take to long)
The article you linked is unfortunately useless. I read it a few months ago. At first I thought that would be the solution but in reality it doesn't change anything. Since then Microsoft seems to have released some online courses on the subject (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/mt715765.aspx). I'll go through them tomorrow to see how they solved the sensor problem.
Believe me, I would be more than happy to find a solution to this. I have been looking forward to try one of my devices as a VR device for some time.

greymouser said:
i see so facing two problems here,
here is an idea how about adding VNC capability to headtrackr, this way there will be no reason to switch to a streaming app..
i also found this article seemed relevant.. especially the sensorbatching feature and readingtransform-initialize..
WP VR is really a lackluster unfortunately :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've created a stackoverflow post describing the problem with example source code. Hopefully someone can point me to a solution because unfortunately I still couldn't find any solution for this:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions...eird-undocumented-sensor-reading-jump-when-fa

Head tracking eh? Pretty slick! Keep up your progress guys.

Related

Windows phone 8 ++ 11 New & Hot feature ++

Hi++
Introducing microsoft windows phone 8 new features (listed by SPIDER7 :fingers-crossed
(source= wpcentral )
1- Internet explorer 10
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"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
A number of highlighted features included in Internet Explorer 10 for Windows Phone:
Hardware-Accelerated Graphics. Uses your phone’s built-in GPU to improve performance when rendering HTML5-based animation or video in the browser.
Faster JavaScript Engine. When rendering webpages based on JavaScript, Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 8 is up to seven times faster than the version in Windows Phone 7.5.
Improved Support for HTML5 and W3C Web Standards. Including CSS3, SVG, DOM, XHTML, and ECMAScript. Support for HTML5 is double what it was in Windows Phone 7.5, including new support for HTML5 touch events.
A Clean UI Design. Enables you to experience the beauty of the Web instead of the browser frame.
Protected Mode. Helps improve security by constraining the browser session to a low-rights security sandbox.
Tab Isolation. Runs each browser tab in a separate process so that one poorly-designed website won’t crash the entire browser or affect other tabs.
2- Live wallpapers
3- NFC sharing between Windows Phone 8 and Android
4- Xbox music
Xbox Music has been designed to work across multiple devices and allow for a more seamless music playing experience. You’ll be able to buy music from the phone using the store and later either stream or download that purchase to another device like your Surface tablet or Windows 8 laptop.
Windows Phone 8 will allow you to see download or stream previous purchase from your ‘cloud collection’
5- Data Sense
++
Nokia Counters - similar functionality to Data Sense for all windows phone devices
6- One note mobile
you can now dictate a note and have it automatically transcribed into OneNote. Using voice to text technology you can save yourself some typing and let Windows Phone 8 do the work for you. Using this function is similar to how speech to text works in Windows Phone 7, hold down the start button to enable speech and say “Note” and commence dictating your notes. The feature will even work while the screen is locked if you wish it to, saving you having to unlock the phone.
8- New Accents
9- Rooms
These are the features available to the group you create in this application:
Room Chat Unlike with group texting, every Room member in a Room Chat session sees each other’s messages and replies, making it easy to keep everyone in-the-loop—and only Room members can see those messages. And with the new Location Sharing feature you can just as easily let everyone else in a Room know exactly where they are.
Shared Calendar Every Room has a shared calendar, which all Room members can view and update. If anyone adds an event or makes a change, it is automatically synced to all other Room members’ phones.
Shared Photo Album Rooms also provide a shared photo and video album—just share a photo or video with a Room and it’ll be visible to all Room members.
Shared Notes Rooms also make it easy to share OneNote notes, which are automatically synced across all Room members’ phones.
10- Wallet
One of the new features with Windows Phone 8 is the Wallet app. Microsoft has added a digital wallet that you can use to keep your debit, credit, loyalty and membership card information handy on your Windows Phone.
11- The Kid's Corner
Kid's Corner will introduce new ways for parents to allow their children to access content on their Windows Phone without the concern of accidental misuse. But it's not only limited to children, should you wish to lend your device to friends or the loved one for a minute or so, and wish to keep private areas of the device secure, Kid's Corner can be provided with peace of mind.
++I'll waiting for more
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(source= wpcentral )

so according to #8 there still now way of set your own color? wtf?

eortizr said:
so according to #8 there still now way of set your own color? wtf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++
Maybe that settings is in another place because they confirmed the custom Accent colors !

Some of these features are already available in WP7.5
One note, data counters (for nokia only), Xbox muxic is the same as zune, and a few more will come in 7.8 lol.
Not really a big loss as it seems, for old windows phone users.

two new features:
1. Allow multiple mobile no.
2. Enable any languages.
see attched snapshot from MS Community forum. I do not have WP8, can anyone confirm?

++
update
++
12-New features for Skype
First, and maybe the most important improvement, is that Skype can keep you signed-in and reachable even when you've closed out the Skype app. Skype stays asleep in the background until an incoming call or message is received. Not only can you receive calls just like you would through your wireless carrier but staying dormant, you save battery life.
The new Skype app also automatically adds your Skype contacts to your People Hub. This will allow you to start a Skype conversation directly from a person's contact card.
Other improvements include Live Tile support to show unread message counts and/or a text preview of the most recent message and Skype notifications for your Lock Screen.

++
update
++
13-multiple select
-we can see the “select multiple” option in the gallery; which is a huge relief for many who have faced the horror of wanting to delete more than one picture (God forbid).
14-In App purchase
-support for NFC, contactless payments, deals, loyalty cards and the likes
++This feature is just for wp8
15-Group Tile will be a live tile ( like the people tile )
Another little tweak to the Windows Phone 8 People Hub has been noticed. Besides the Recent Contacts now being a vertical pivot, another pivot has been added for groups specifically, showing a similar animation to the start screen People tile.
The discovery shows there is likely many more small changes in Windows Phone 8, which, despite the emulator leak, we will likely only really discover once we hold a real device in our hands.
16- 4 Hot in one
16.1-You will be able to Search from the lock screen
16.2-Download Maps for offline use
16.3-Basic Photo Editing tools like crop, rotate, fix, aspect ratio, etc will be included in the OS
16.4-Voicemail, Email, Text or IM, Email Notification Support
------------------------------------------------
++more coming soon

"wow"...

HTC_FUZE said:
two new features:
1. Allow multiple mobile no.
2. Enable any languages.
see attched snapshot from MS Community forum. I do not have WP8, can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++
You think they lie to us Because one of wpcentral friends confirmed that

This is small, but something Ive been missing ALOT: you can paste to dialer. At least here in Finland so often phone numbers from explorer dont appear as clickable links.

Loco5150 said:
This is small, but something Ive been missing ALOT: you can paste to dialer. At least here in Finland so often phone numbers from explorer dont appear as clickable links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes in WP8 you can paste in dialer.
http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-8-will-finally-let-you-paste-phone-numbers-into-the-dialler/
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:

monotheist said:
Yes in WP8 you can paste in dialer.
http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-8-will-finally-let-you-paste-phone-numbers-into-the-dialler/
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you ! :good:
By the way your app is great

++
update
++
17-paste in dialer
Microsoft did not allow one to paste phone numbers into the dialler. This has been such a problem that there has even been apps developed to allow one to copy a phone number from a web page or IM for example and paste it into an app, which would then dial the number.
Like with so many things, Microsoft finally fixed the issue in Windows Phone 8

SPIDER-7 said:
++
You think they lie to us Because one of wpcentral friends confirmed that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. However, I think the multiple mobile no. is still limited to 2? From the hotmail, now I see Mobile 2 becomes available, but still you cannot customize it, e.g. change "Mobile" to Mobile-Personal, change "Mobile 2" to "Mobile-Company" etc. or add more than 2 no.

monotheist said:
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes easy dial and few others are great apps for WP7. Only problem for me on all of these is the fact that the tile of the app cannot show missed calls. This of course its due to limitation of WP7, not because people dont want to include this function to their apps. The way the home screen and notifications is build in WP7 would mean basically having 2 tiles for dialing and ehh, its too much. Smart dial is something I thought was very strange that it wasnt present in WP7, but I have got used to dialing from people hub.

SPIDER-7 said:
thank you ! :good:
By the way your app is great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Some of the features you missed
1) Now you can take screen shots with the phone, this was demoed long back in the first look of Windows Phone
2) Custom lens, you can have apps that create Custom Lens for the Phone for taking pictures
3) Downloadable Maps for offline Maps support.

++
Update
++
someone please wake me up !!! wow!! wow! and wow!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18-Dual Core Chipsets
Microsoft plans to have the latest and greatest hardware on their new phones, and that includes dual-cores and more (read, multi-cores).
19- 3 Screen Resolutions
WP8 will no longer be restricted to the lowly 800×480 (by today’s standards). Coming forth are 2 new resolutions, HD (1280×720) as well as WXGA (1280×728). The second resolution spec is particularly interesting. WXGA keeps direct aspect ratio compatibility with WP7′s WVGA screen resolution.
20-Micro SD Card support
Not having Micro SD slots was a bummer with Windows Phone 7 as that pretty much limited offline storage capacity. Most phones were stuck with 8 GB of storage (less than 6 GB useful most of the times). For an office guy, it might be enough. But start to take pictures and carry them around, store music and apps and you would soon be running into tight spots. We are glad MS addressed this petty problem with WP7 and is introducing the feature (finally) with WP8.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21-Unleashed Gaming
22-More Countries, More Languages
In their continued expansion, Microsoft highlights the number of different countries and languages in which their apps will be available.
...

Any improvement of the calendar tile?
Thanks for this thread and info!
Is there any improvement of the calendar tile. In particular, more than 1 appointment showing on the start screen tile (Such a big tile of nothingness in WP7). I'd like to see 3 or 4 appointments. Ideally the ability to control how many and from what calendar, all day or not. At present one has to achieve this via third party apps.

[App/1.5+/Open-source/Root and Non-root] Permanent screen off for the Visual Impaired

Open source app development project: Permanent screen off for the Visual Impaired
Short summary
This is an app development project that turns off the Android screen permanently yet keeps the touchscreen and other features active and functional for the visual impaired.
Introduction & Goals of the project
There are many Android users who are blinded. And to them, they access the app mainly using TalkBack or other Screen Reader app. That also means that the screen is basically useless to them. They don't need to look at the screen yet they need to be able to use touchscreen.
This project is to create an app that will turn the screen completely off (100% off) yet let the user use the phone as normal.
Assuming that the blind takes more time than normal user to perform an action, it dramatically saves the device's battery.
The app must be easy to use and tailored to visual impaired user.
The app automatically runs with the device.
The app must be free and advertisement-free.
Background
I am the developer of the project and I recruit the interest of other developers / users as well. I am the developer of Screen Standby app, which this project is based on.
Device requirements
- Running Android 1.5 (Cupcake) or above
- (Optionally) Rooted for best battery-saving. The app works with non-root device though, only rooted device achieves complete dark
Instruction
1) Download the apk and Install the app
2) Run the app at least once
3) Select Enable app from menu
4) If the system asks for Superuser access, select always remember and allow
5) To disable, select "Disable app" from the menu and restart the device.
Screenshot
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
NOTE: Please read
1) Always use a screen reader (e.g TalkBack) with the app. In case you want to use your device without the screen
2) This app will permanently switch the device's screen off when it is active. To turns the screen back on, select "Disable app" or uninstall app completely and reboot
3) To uninstall from ADB, go to a shell and type: adb uninstall com.nkahoang.screenoffvisualimpair
Download
Currently the app can be downloaded from attachment section of this post. When it is stable enough, it will be ready to be released on Play Store for free download.
Source code can be downloaded in second post
If you know any Android user who is blinded, let them use the app and report. Any feedback is welcomed

Source code of the app
App's source code can be downloaded from here
Disclaimer: Source code can be used only for non-commercial projects

Great idea. Good luck.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

As the guy above me said. G great idea which actually will help some people. But I don't think that many actually blind people are going to find this app unfortunately... You have to put it on Google play and name it in such way that blind people will find it
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

Hello,
While putting it on the Play store is a good idea, there are a few blind folks on XDA like myself who would be happy to give this app some testing beforehand.
Thanks for posting to the eyes-free list, and thanks for developing this app!

correct this is also needs to be on the playstore as screen off or something easy that some of us can find more easily on the playstore . all of us blind people thank you for the app that hav found it but for those who cant can you please turn it into an APK installer or make it easy to install from playstore. as a lot of blind people don't know how to install zip files on android. if you can give me a quick tutorial I can explain to the eyes free list. I am a blind intermediate user of android. I do understand rooting, installing custom roms and gapps and installing apps for rooted devices but some of the rest on the eyes fre are a bit limited here so if you can give them an APK installable file it would be much easier to install rather then a zip package in which they have to figure out what to do with it.

mrk2815 said:
correct this is also needs to be on the playstore as screen off or something easy that some of us can find more easily on the playstore . all of us blind people thank you for the app that hav found it but for those who cant can you please turn it into an APK installer or make it easy to install from playstore. as a lot of blind people don't know how to install zip files on android. if you can give me a quick tutorial I can explain to the eyes free list. I am a blind intermediate user of android. I do understand rooting, installing custom roms and gapps and installing apps for rooted devices but some of the rest on the eyes fre are a bit limited here so if you can give them an APK installable file it would be much easier to install rather then a zip package in which they have to figure out what to do with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I sure will put it on play store once it is stable. The app is currently in development.
The zip file is for the source code of the app. I attached the apk on the very first post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1926833&d=1367394050
Regards

Well done OP.
You are a hero for undertaking this venture. I wish you more success.

I still might have a use for this in my Android devices that I'm using as Network Cameras using the IP Webcam app.
But I will have to test it out to see if it acts the way I need it to (I'm not at home yet, but I will try it.)
On Android 2.x I'm able to have a camera app run fine in the background or with the screen off, but on Android 4.0 and newer, the camera doesn't work completely if you turn off the screen or switch to a different app.
I'm wondering, will this app allow me to have the screen completely off (on a rooted device) but still have the camera use all the processor it needs for perfect Network Camera functionality?
Thanks.

HwyXingFrog said:
I still might have a use for this in my Android devices that I'm using as Network Cameras using the IP Webcam app.
But I will have to test it out to see if it acts the way I need it to (I'm not at home yet, but I will try it.)
On Android 2.x I'm able to have a camera app run fine in the background or with the screen off, but on Android 4.0 and newer, the camera doesn't work completely if you turn off the screen or switch to a different app.
I'm wondering, will this app allow me to have the screen completely off (on a rooted device) but still have the camera use all the processor it needs for perfect Network Camera functionality?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera will continue functioning normally. However, you may want to consider using my other app, Screen Standby # Root, also on XDA to achieve that. This app is tailored specifically to aid the blind in particular.

nkahoang i dont know if you got my email i sent a while back but i was looking for a app like this but be able to close my tablet and plug a keyboard and a mouse into my dock and hook it up to my tv and use my tv as a monitor screens cracked and touchscreen capability are all down the drain, would be great if you could add this feature to this app so i could finally find a use for my tablet again and as always keep up the good work.:good::fingers-crossed:

I have another use that I would like to ask for. Could you integrate Tasker support? I ride a motorcycle and have a bluetooth kit installed on my helmet. I leave my phone in my pocket or a glove box and therefore the screen is of no use to me. Yet if I ask Google Now to navigate somewhere, it opens navigation that keeps the screen on draining battery quickly. This really sucks as I don't have an outlet to plug into while riding. So, if I could setup a profile to activate this app while riding and disable it when I'm done, that could help me out a lot.

hello I was wondering I there has been further development on this app.
Lots of blind users are wondering about eh app development.
Since ther is no info a bit oncerning .
I know tha you develop the screen root stand by primarly but can you also devot e some development ot he app for he blind as well.
thanks for your development efforts

Hello, Now I am using Shades app by the eyes free team at Google. That is an app published to the google play. However after reading the description in the first post I think this app might be capable of saving more of the battery juice. I have just installed it on my SGS2 running CM-10 however if this is already know I would like to ensure this is really more powerfull than the Shades app I was tallking about.
Thanks and greetings
Peter

Smarty - Custom BTNotification app for MTK smartwatches (tested with DZ09)

so i decompiled the original BTNotification app and after a lot of cleaning up and debugging and reverse engineering their systems, i have finally been able to cobble together a functional version of the app.
This is a customized version of the smartwatch companion app for MTK smartwatches with a few improvements !
No spyware !
The original app had a lot of spyware / analytics in it and i did my best to try and remove all of it
(if you notice any please let me know !)
Better notifications !
The icon that comes with notifications now has black background instead of white , gives better look to watches with black UI
more detailed notifications with more actionable information (like message text etc.) and notifications works with more apps !
can use standard notifications by enabling privacy mode, works exactly like the BTNotification app
Can use front camera for your smartwatch remote camera
just dial a call to the number 00*001 from your smartwatch or phone (the call is automatically blocked )
just call it again to switch camera to rear camera again.
Can open any HTML app / link on your smartwatch with the remote camera
just need to dial a call to the number 00*002 from your smartwatch or phone
call 00*003 to stop opening the app and switch to camera again.
[ by default this opens an analog watch, change the link in the app to open something else]
codes supported currently
switch camera = 00*001
open HTML mode = 00*002
camera mode =00*003
find my phone feature
the phone now vibrates and even if silent the phone will ring !
Release Notes
smarty V1.0.apk
changed minimum sdk version to 16 from 20
Smarty v0.1.ds.apk
uses dual signature v1 and v2
try this if getting "app not installed" error
Missing Features
Can't block certain apps from sending notification yet, looking to add this in soon!
test it out and see if you like it !
the app requires permission to notification and accessibility service simply for allowing both types of notifications.
XDA:DevDB Information
smarty, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
mohtaprashantrocks
Version Information
Status: Testing
Created 2018-04-14
Last Updated 2018-04-23

Git hub repo
hey guys, i don't check XDA very often and am completely blown away by the responses on this thread , and although i am no longer in a position to be directly contributing to the project , i have uploaded the source code of the app to this github repo
i know this comes quite late , but i hope this will be of some use to you and anyone who comes across this thread in the future.

github?

I have some problem with installation this apk. In my tablet p3110 with lineageos 13 (6.01) does not want install this. I get finally communicate "app is not installed". On my g900f (lineageos 15.1) I installed this but I have some problem with system assebility, on my fault. Now I can't test this.

irtrin said:
I have some problem with installation this apk. In my tablet p3110 with lineageos 13 (6.01) does not want install this. I get finally communicate "app is not installed". On my g900f (lineageos 15.1) I installed this but I have some problem with system assebility, on my fault. Now I can't test this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post the exact error you get on g900f? about the p3110 , it might be an android version related issue will look into it.
kapsubm said:
github?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the code isn't in the most readable form but i could put it up if there are people willing to contribute :good:

No problem but it is my fault because I install something which break my permission in android settings. When I want to set permission of some application I get error. Coomunicate in Accessibility: "Because an app in obscuring a permission request. Settings can't verify your response". You do not think about it. It is my fault. Maybe, I correct this someday.

irtrin said:
No problem but it is my fault because I install something which break my permission in android settings. When I want to set permission of some application I get error. Coomunicate in Accessibility: "Because an app in obscuring a permission request. Settings can't verify your response". You do not think about it. It is my fault. Maybe, I correct this someday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay, i did however try to lower required android version so it might work on your tablet now, maybe it will. try v0.1.apk

It will be great because I frequently use snapchat on tablet.
Update: Unfortunately, it does not help. I cannot install this apk on tablet.

mohtaprashantrocks said:
so i decompiled the original BTNotification app and after a lot of cleaning up and debugging and reverse engineering their systems, i have finally been able to cobble together a functional version of the app.
This is a customized version of the smartwatch companion app for MTK smartwatches with a few improvements !
No spyware !
The original app had a lot of spyware / analytics in it and i did my best to try and remove all of it
(if you notice any please let me know !)
Better notifications !
more detailed notifications with more actionable information (like message text etc.) and notifications works with more apps !
can use standard notifications by enabling privacy mode, works exactly like the BTNotification app
Can use front camera for your smartwatch remote camera
just dial a call to the number 00*001 from your smartwatch or phone (the call is automatically blocked )
just call it again to switch camera to rear camera again.
Can open any HTML app / link on your smartwatch with the remote camera
just need to dial a call to the number 00*002 from your smartwatch or phone
call 00*003 to stop opening the app and switch to camera again.
[ by default this opens an analog watch, change the link in the app to open something else]
codes supported currently
switch camera = 00*001
open HTML mode = 00*002
camera mode =00*003
find my phone feature
the phone now vibrates and even if silent the phone will ring !
Release Notes
smarty V1.0.apk
changed minimum sdk version to 16 from 20
test it out and see if you like it !
the app requires permission to notification and accessibility service simply for allowing both types of notifications.
XDA:DevDB Information
smarty, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
mohtaprashantrocks
Version Information
Status: Testing
Created 2018-04-14
Last Updated 2018-04-14
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would love to try this on my phone which is a chinese import thru aliexpress (PPTV KING7) running android 5.01 lollipop but i get an error message at end of install saying app no installed

irtrin said:
It will be great because I frequently use snapchat on tablet.
Update: Unfortunately, it does not help. I cannot install this apk on tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
B1ggles1 said:
i would love to try this on my phone which is a chinese import thru aliexpress (PPTV KING7) running android 5.01 lollipop but i get an error message at end of install saying app no installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've added a new build which should solve the issue on both of your devices. :good:
Try this file : Smarty v0.1.ds.apk

mohtaprashantrocks said:
I've added a new build which should solve the issue on both of your devices. :good:
Try this file : Smarty v0.1.ds.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do I find this file please?

You are a big. You are right, this version works on my tabet but option "find watch" doesn't work. Anyway, big thanks.

B1ggles1 said:
Where do I find this file please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is attached in the downloads section of the project
irtrin said:
You are a big. You are right, this version works on my tabet but option "find watch" doesn't work. Anyway, big thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does the app show that the watch is not connected even if it is? if yes then try this, turn off bluetooth and click "restart service" in smarty app, that should automatically switch bluetooth on and try to connect to the smartwatch through the app.
:good:

Today, I checked this option again and does not works. I restarted application and bluetooth on my twice devices. It does not works. It is not bad for me because I do not use it. I only tested it and reported to you as appreciate your works. For me this is application is brilliant and works in 99%. Notifications works but for me the most imporant thing is that synchronization date and time works on dz09. It is really helpful. Thanks again.

irtrin said:
Today, I checked this option again and does not works. I restarted application and bluetooth on my twice devices. It does not works. It is not bad for me because I do not use it. I only tested it and reported to you as appreciate your works. For me this is application is brilliant and works in 99%. Notifications works but for me the most imporant thing is that synchronization date and time works on dz09. It is really helpful. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tested the front camera mode or html mode?
there could be further development on those and we might get basic apps like Google Maps to display on our smartwatch!
I am glad that the app is helpful for you, but can you check and tell me if the "find watch" feature works in the original BTNotification app, in that app it is called "Looking Watch", because if that doesn't work then your watch doesn't support this feature and we might have to trick it into playing sound.
thanks!

Smarty on dz09 (clone?)
Hello,
the application seems to be great but most of the pages in html mode do not open/appear at all. Is it an issue about memory (clone watch has not enough of it? Can i delete application that does not work anyway, like fb or sleepmonitor?). Sometimes says camera launch failed or just shows a blue square. Some pages would appear but first the 'accept cookies' layer pops up so can't see what's behind. Sometimes the bare/empty background appears (ie flightradar24 a grey background without planes etc.)
Anyway thanks in advance and well done so far, hope to see improvement soon...
Regards, Gyuriatya

Gyuriatya said:
Hello,
the application seems to be great but most of the pages in html mode do not open/appear at all. Is it an issue about memory (clone watch has not enough of it? Can i delete application that does not work anyway, like fb or sleepmonitor?). Sometimes says camera launch failed or just shows a blue square. Some pages would appear but first the 'accept cookies' layer pops up so can't see what's behind. Sometimes the bare/empty background appears (ie flightradar24 a grey background without planes etc.)
Anyway thanks in advance and well done so far, hope to see improvement soon...
Regards, Gyuriatya
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can get rid of the accept cookies prompt by accepting the cookies on your phone (in the smarty app itself), the web-page is loaded on the phone itself and streamed onto the watch hence there is no memory issue, but also there isn't really a way yet to control the web-page except the settings in the app itself , the biggest issue isn't memory but that the screen size is small to the point that many websites just don't support it well enough.
the feature is mostly intended to be used to develop our own simple web-apps that are designed with the screen-size limitations in mind,
however a few mobile versions of websites may work!
cheers!
Prashant

great app
would it be possible to have the list of applications for which to set up notifications? thank you so much

mohtaprashantrocks said:
so i decompiled the original BTNotification app and after a lot of cleaning up and debugging and reverse engineering their systems, i have finally been able to cobble together a functional version of the app.
This is a customized version of the smartwatch companion app for MTK smartwatches with a few improvements !
No spyware !
The original app had a lot of spyware / analytics in it and i did my best to try and remove all of it
(if you notice any please let me know !)
Better notifications !
The icon that comes with notifications now has black background instead of white , gives better look to watches with black UI
more detailed notifications with more actionable information (like message text etc.) and notifications works with more apps !
can use standard notifications by enabling privacy mode, works exactly like the BTNotification app
Can use front camera for your smartwatch remote camera
just dial a call to the number 00*001 from your smartwatch or phone (the call is automatically blocked )
just call it again to switch camera to rear camera again.
Can open any HTML app / link on your smartwatch with the remote camera
just need to dial a call to the number 00*002 from your smartwatch or phone
call 00*003 to stop opening the app and switch to camera again.
[ by default this opens an analog watch, change the link in the app to open something else]
codes supported currently
switch camera = 00*001
open HTML mode = 00*002
camera mode =00*003
find my phone feature
the phone now vibrates and even if silent the phone will ring !
Release Notes
smarty V1.0.apk
changed minimum sdk version to 16 from 20
Smarty v0.1.ds.apk
uses dual signature v1 and v2
try this if getting "app not installed" error
Missing Features
Can't block certain apps from sending notification yet, looking to add this in soon!
test it out and see if you like it !
the app requires permission to notification and accessibility service simply for allowing both types of notifications.
XDA:DevDB Information
smarty, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
mohtaprashantrocks
Version Information
Status: Testing
Created 2018-04-14
Last Updated 2018-04-23
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates on the all the "popup" full screen spam ads on the home screen of Oreo & Pie installs??? Any updates since your April build??
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

ilovebillgates said:
Any updates on the all the "popup" full screen spam ads on the home screen of Oreo & Pie installs??? Any updates since your April build??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have put no ads in the app, and in my use of it have not experienced any either, could you check if there is some other application that may be responsible ?
And to the other posters, unfortunately I have not been able to work on the app any more since the last build and so the blocking certain apps feature isn't there yet

E-ink GPS topographic’s map

Have you ever dreamed about be able to carry with you a device that will not leave you in the middle of nowhere by running out of battery, depriving you of usefull data at the worst moment, when you needed it ?!
Few years ago i was very convinced of the powerful ability of the E-ink screen’s technologies to save the précious energy of lithium’s batterys. But i was disapointed how theses screens where used for.. Most of the time, they were only used for e-book reader.. and that’s all.
That’s why i’m here today, to share with you my work and research about the modding and hacking of the Nook Simple Touch of Barnes & Nobles.
Actually it's more like a mash up of all the existing work made by the community of XDA and paraglider.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
All is available here : https://ludovic.cool/?p=37
Some help would be cool to improve the GPS interaction with the system, i found this project but don't know how to do that : https://github.com/kconger/android-serial-gps-driver

Reserved.

Fascinating! This is not something I would ever do but I read the whole thing with interest. A great guide. Thanks for sharing yet another surprising adaptation of my favorite device

nmyshkin said:
Fascinating! This is not something I would ever do but I read the whole thing with interest. A great guide. Thanks for sharing yet another surprising adaptation of my favorite device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank's you
One of my last "issue" is to improve the GPS software solution (actually UsbGps4Droid) by a native serial driver like this :
* https://github.com/kostya740/gps-glonass-android-driver
* https://github.com/kconger/android-serial-gps-driver
Help would be appreciate.

@nmyshkin i'm really impress by your work on the NST !
I just follow the process to setup the modded settings.apk and the NTGAppsAttack.
I'm looking to "enable GPS" function in Android. i'm a little bit stuck here.
In Settings.apk > Security > Location is well activated.
But apps with GPS func still claim gps is not enable in settings.
Also Gmaps is not starting, is just showing the root acces allowed pop-in but i think it's another problem.
I'm pretty sure my installation of https://github.com/dipcore/gps-glonass-android-driver is ok so .. i'm a little bit lost.

liptonthe said:
@nmyshkin i'm really impress by your work on the NST !
I just follow the process to setup the modded settings.apk and the NTGAppsAttack.
I'm looking to "enable GPS" function in Android. i'm a little bit stuck here.
In Settings.apk > Security > Location is well activated.
But apps with GPS func still claim gps is not enable in settings.
Also Gmaps is not starting, is just showing the root acces allowed pop-in but i think it's another problem.
I'm pretty sure my installation of https://github.com/dipcore/gps-glonass-android-driver is ok so .. i'm a little bit lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I need to get back to that updating GApps post. It seems at this time that just about everything has died but I did think network location was still working the last time I checked. I looked at my NST running 1.2.1 and GMaps there shows a location "circle" near my house and gives an accuracy rating, so I think it is still functioning.
What you describe about the root access popup sounds like the toggle app I wrote for turning GMaps on and off since it runs in the background a lot otherwise. But you still need the actual Maps app installed for that app to work. Did you by any chance forget to install the actual Maps app?
The Settings app pushes a "1" value into settings.db for network location via gps & wifi, whether they exist or not if it sees the Network Location app. Other apps should see this, but it's hard to know what is happening inside since much of the Android 2.1 OS in the NST has been removed by B&N and the GApps installation is now so shaky. I wish I had better information for you but your detailed knowledge exceeds mine, I'm sure. I'm waiting for my 1.2.2 NST to charge up so I can check Network Location there and see if it is still working.
In the meantime, if you could give me an example of an apk that attempts to use network location and will still run on the NST, I can give it a try to see what happens on my devices.

I wish I had better information for you but your detailed knowledge exceeds mine, I'm sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like this was the truth but i'm really quite a noob about deep android system. also i'm very news in the NST world.
Btw, when i try to install "Maps.apk" from the NewGApps.zip :
Code:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb install Maps.apk
Maps.apk: 1 file pushed. 0.8 MB/s (7025142 bytes in 8.889s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/Maps.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]
rm failed for -f, Read-only file system
The Gmaps who not run and just show the pop-in is the "Google_Maps_1.apk"
I have attached the apps i use who require location below.

liptonthe said:
I would like this was the truth but i'm really quite a noob about deep android system. also i'm very news in the NST world.
Btw, when i try to install "Maps.apk" from the NewGApps.zip :
Code:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb install Maps.apk
Maps.apk: 1 file pushed. 0.8 MB/s (7025142 bytes in 8.889s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/Maps.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]
rm failed for -f, Read-only file system
The Gmaps who not run and just show the pop-in is the "Google_Maps_1.apk"
I have attached the apps i use who require location below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that Network Location is still working on my 1.2.2 NST. However, Network Location is not the same thing as a GPS radio, and I think that is what the two apps you attached in your previous post are looking for (one says so explicitly). So without the fallback ability to get location data from an NLP app, they will not be able to run. That's the beauty of GMaps. It can use WiFi NLP if that's all that is available. There are no stand-alone NLP apps for Android 2.1, as far as I know. The earliest one I am aware of is for Android 4.x, and that's by Mozilla. There might be others.
As for Maps refusing to install, I am puzzled. I downloaded the zip to see if perhaps the file inside was corrupted, but I had no problems with it. It is supposed to be a system app. Perhaps if you just place it into /system/app, set the permissions as rw-r-r and reboot, it will then work.
Edit: yes, on looking at your adb install I see it rejected the procedure because the system was read-only. You would have to mount the system as r/w before installing. It might be easier just to use a root-enabled file manager and "install" as I described above.

nmyshkin said:
I can confirm that Network Location is still working on my 1.2.2 NST. However, Network Location is not the same thing as a GPS radio, and I think that is what the two apps you attached in your previous post are looking for (one says so explicitly). So without the fallback ability to get location data from an NLP app, they will not be able to run. That's the beauty of GMaps. It can use WiFi NLP if that's all that is available. There are no stand-alone NLP apps for Android 2.1, as far as I know. The earliest one I am aware of is for Android 4.x, and that's by Mozilla. There might be others.
As for Maps refusing to install, I am puzzled. I downloaded the zip to see if perhaps the file inside was corrupted, but I had no problems with it. It is supposed to be a system app. Perhaps if you just place it into /system/app, set the permissions as rw-r-r and reboot, it will then work.
Edit: yes, on looking at your adb install I see it rejected the procedure because the system was read-only. You would have to mount the system as r/w before installing. It might be easier just to use a root-enabled file manager and "install" as I described above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank's you very much for your time, I'm actually restoring to a previous state i think i have miss something.
I'm disapointed about the Location service who doesn't include GPS radio.
The thing i doesn't underdstand is why i'm not able to ask to te system to exploit the GPS serial driver i setup.
I came from Gnu/Linux, so for me there is the hardware,kernel,driver, the software who exploit the device throught the driver.
I guess the Android provider wrap the location and drivers interaction to the apps.
I should make more research about it..

liptonthe said:
Thank's you very much for your time, I'm actually restoring to a previous state i think i have miss something.
I'm disapointed about the Location service who doesn't include GPS radio.
The thing i doesn't underdstand is why i'm not able to ask to te system to exploit the GPS serial driver i setup.
I came from Gnu/Linux, so for me there is the hardware,kernel,driver, the software who exploit the device throught the driver.
I guess the Android provider wrap the location and drivers interaction to the apps.
I should make more research about it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what it is worth, there is no entry in settings.db for GPS radio on the NST. Whether there is one in other devices, I have not checked yet. If it's just a matter of telling settings.db that the radio hardware which you added is "on" so that apps which inquire will find out, it should be easy enough to add an entry to the database. Then you would need a way to push a "1" or a "0" as is needed.
I'm guessing that to get your implementation of the GPS to work on the device you bypassed this artifact. There is probably also a page in the original NST Settings which has a place for turning on the "cell radio". In fact I know there is, but I don't remember how to get there any longer. I don't know whether that's sufficient or whether there is another entry that is specific to GPS. Either way, there might be more info the system wants before it can respond to queries from apps and tell them there is actually a real piece of hardware which is on, since the original system lacked that.

I was trying to get a GPS app to work on my Glow3.
I got the kernel and ntxconfig modified to use an unused UART.
I didn't use a mock location provider or an actual LocationProvider, I just did the NMEA in the app.
It worked fine, but the stupid pint-sized GPS receiver used one of those stupid toggling ground contacts for power on/off.
You could never get the thing to reliably turn on, so I got bored and the project subsided.

Renate NST said:
I was trying to get a GPS app to work on my Glow3.
I got the kernel and ntxconfig modified to use an unused UART.
I didn't use a mock location provider or an actual LocationProvider, I just did the NMEA in the app.
It worked fine, but the stupid pint-sized GPS receiver used one of those stupid toggling ground contacts for power on/off.
You could never get the thing to reliably turn on, so I got bored and the project subsided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe i have already read your post, it is that ? : https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/general/gps-nook-t4021145
the toggling is GPIO pin controlled with low / high state ?
Personnaly i use this little circuit about GPIO pin :
Have GPS provider will allowing the use of already well developped map software with all the feature.
That's my only wish actually...
If i have well underdanded to permit this a backport from another device, making a new rom with the serial GPS driver included and the whole signed correctly. i'm right ?!

liptonthe said:
I believe i have already read your post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's the one.
Actually, my GPS came with a board with regulator and pushbutton from SparkFun and it was still balky.
It's been discontinued since then.
I've never done the deep dive into LocationProvider to see how to make it work for real.
It seems that everybody just hacks into mock location providers, which is ugly.

Renate NST said:
Yes, that's the one.
Actually, my GPS came with a board with regulator and pushbutton from SparkFun and it was still balky.
It's been discontinued since then.
I've never done the deep dive into LocationProvider to see how to make it work for real.
It seems that everybody just hacks into mock location providers, which is ugly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really cool, i guess you can find a low cost chinese gps (BN-180) for few dollars, it will work well too.
I'm totally agree with that, mock location is pretty ugly.
To be honest i have not your experience and knowledge on the Nook, but also on android itself i guess..
So i take this occasion to ask you if you can spend a bit of time to see how it look.

This might not be very helpful but since onboard chip inside NST does not support GPS (or to my sadness neither FM radio which would be cool and I presume less power hungry when used with Renate USB sound mod then using online WiFi radio) let's turn the table and use what is already there to our advantage. Aside GPS there is something called WiFi geolocation. Why am I mentioning this? Well if that can be enabled to be used on maps of your choice and work from NST that would be awesome and sufficient for majority of users. True it will not be as helpful on mountain hiking trip there you could use it only as a ordinary map augmented with old trusty brain Mk.1 processor but its better then nothing at all. Someone wanted and managed to create screensaver for this device as transparent screen so that it shows the page where are you stopped reading. That would be good thing to be added in implementing any map solution for NST. Let's be reasonable refresh time on device is to long for it to be used as car navigation device. I have yet to try Fastmode but I would not put my money on that will change something. Even on phones GPS can be sluggish (seen that) and I believe that processing power or the way the data are feed to processor is slowing thing to a crawl. For crawling on the ground that is good enough though. If you use WiFi geolocation and that works fine then you can try to sort issues with GPS. One thing at the time is best approach in my humble opinion. There are several WiFi geolocation services and few of them are open. Still we must have in mind that using WiFi geolocation have raised some privacy issues to the point that one of the largest proponents of its use Mozilla foundation is on a path of abandoning it. Therefore who knows for how long WiFi geolocation will be available. Just my two bits thoughts on this topic.

General questions about FF-5000 8227L demo

Hi All,
I got a used head unit which is I think an FF-5000 (maybe Xonrich brand?).
* Which is the newest firmware/MCU for this unit?
* Is there any option to replace the factory apps (radio, music player, dsp controller app) to better looking ones?
* I cannot customize the home screen widgtes. Is there any trick for this? I would like to replace the apps shortcuts on the home screen.
* Screen is too bright in night mode however I have already changed it to the minimum.
* This device is able to show canbus info on the screen for example, door status, outdoor temp etc... Is that possible to edit canbus config to show AC status as well?
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bhudcser said:
Hi All,
I got a used head unit which is I think an FF-5000 (maybe Xonrich brand?).
* Which is the newest firmware/MCU for this unit?
* Is there any option to replace the factory apps (radio, music player, dsp controller app) to better looking ones?
* I cannot customize the home screen widgtes. Is there any trick for this? I would like to replace the apps shortcuts on the home screen.
* Screen is too bright in night mode however I have already changed it to the minimum.
* This device is able to show canbus info on the screen for example, door status, outdoor temp etc... Is that possible to edit canbus config to show AC status as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, just use FCC launcher instead of regular one, it has many settings and nice interface. In hidden menu (code 8888) you can change what icons to appear, including AC climate if that option is available, and has other options tweeks for anything, just combine. It won't do any harm to device.
Here is a pic of mine tweeked with FCC launcher :

I have another question regarding ALPS FF5000 - 8227L demo software
If any of you are having problems with radio antenna , I mean the radio signal is to low and sometimes when rainy some radio stations are out of range or with noise or losing signal (AF retunes non stop). What to do to fix that or to amplify signal, now is rather somewhat at low level. Tried with bought radio amplifier but signal is improved by a little. Also tried in advanced settings with RADIO / FM sense bar is up to 40 and no changes in signal. RADIO SETTINGS :
ICC 5
RADIO AREA: EUROPE
FM SENSE 40
AF tune ON
OSC : 4M-12M

I have an infotainment 8227L (FF-5000) based on Android 9 (the number on the start screen).
Screen About Device:
But (maybe after installing an app) the APKs can no longer be installed.
Error: "Error when analyzing the package"
I tried with configurations, I tried with factory reset, I tried with an update from the 8227l-8.bin and 8227l-8.upd files in a usb stick.
But nothing, I can't solve.
Can you help me?
Thank you

For bhudcser:
Hello.
I've encountered the same problem:
Even adjusting the brightness to a minimum is annoying and dangerous for night driving.
There is no possibility to adjust it software.
The brightness depends on the voltage to which the monitor is subjected, which is higher than that of the battery. A good adjustment is achieved with a range of 14 - 19V. Unfortunately their voltage booster (regulated by a square wave that comes microcontroller) is gross.
I tried to change a resistance of the booster regulation, but the results were very unsatisfactory.
Therefore I made an external electronic card and designed a buster. Now I adjust the brightness with the knob optimally. In addition, I have provided a photoresistance placed inside the passenger compartment, which varies the brightness also according to the lighting conditions automatically (for example when I enter or leave a gallery).
Knob Photo resistance
I also intervened on the backlight of the side keys (excessive too...)
I'm sorry to give you this bad news,
but unfortunately nothing can be done by acting on the original configurations.

Hi.
Anton TNT said:
Hi, in device settings / infortainment or accounts / google find option "install from unknown location" , and check that files / package (apk) is fully downloaded - maybe it is better to download them on usb and then install from usb stick thru apk installer.
(sorry I haven't learned how to include quotes yet....)
It happens to me with APKs that before I normally installed from a USB stick, but now (maybe because of an app or I don't know..)
I can no longer install even copying them to the internal memory and trying from there.
I tried to give consent to apps of unknown origin to Google
is italian: means "Less secure app access",
and now is activated.
(Is correct?)
I can't find other references to APKs in the infotainment configuration menus.
I rebooted the device and tried again to install several APKs, but the error "Error while analyzing the package" always appears!
This is my device:
I have set the language of the device in English, so as to show you the message:
A suggest?
Thank you

marv66 said:
Hi.
Anton TNT said:
Hi, in device settings / infortainment or accounts / google find option "install from unknown location" , and check that files / package (apk) is fully downloaded - maybe it is better to download them on usb and then install from usb stick thru apk installer.
(sorry I haven't learned how to include quotes yet....)
It happens to me with APKs that before I normally installed from a USB stick, but now (maybe because of an app or I don't know..)
I can no longer install even copying them to the internal memory and trying from there.
I tried to give consent to apps of unknown origin to Google
View attachment 5441017
is italian: means "Less secure app access",
and now is activated.
(Is correct?)
I can't find other references to APKs in the infotainment configuration menus.
I rebooted the device and tried again to install several APKs, but the error "Error while analyzing the package" always appears!
This is my device:
View attachment 5441049
I have set the language of the device in English, so as to show you the message:
View attachment 5441137
A suggest?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please use this help : https://medium.com/@GuruTechnolabs/...ing-the-package-error-in-android-c2fca91673cb
or try googling it ... I cannot help you seems to me you have outdated version of android

Hi.
II searched for the solution on the Internet for hours, but nothing.
Since the device does not have an option entry to enable unknown apps, I installed the "Hidden settings" app from the play store and looked for the option.
Finally I found it, but unfortunately it is fixed on "disabled" and does not allow you to change it.
Maybe there is a block created by some previously launched app that has performed operations allowed in root,
maybe I should root the device,
maybe there is a need for some sort of reformatting that only the manufacturer can do....
Unfortunately I can not even resign myself to install only from the play store, because some applications I have only as APK (example that of my dashcam).
I find myself an unusable infotainment!
I don't know what to do anymore...

did you try this?
click on the gear where it says HMI: and put in 8888 as the password,
go to OTHER
find INSTALL and set it to enable
find PROTECTION and set it to DISABLE

Hello.
Thank you for the information.
I did as you indicated, in fact the INSTALL option is disabled.
Unfortunately when I try to activate it, it requires a password!
Is this a known password? Does anyone know it?
Thank you

marv66 said:
Hello.
Thank you for the information.
I did as you indicated, in fact the INSTALL option is disabled.
View attachment 5442569
Unfortunately when I try to activate it, it requires a password!
View attachment 5442571
Is this a known password? Does anyone know it?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3234 I believe. It's on the forums here somewhere. Id look but traveling at the moment. Will update if I find something different

Works!
THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH !!!!!
YOU SAVED ME.
I am happy to have found a forum of competent people.

Hi.
Is possible in a FF-5000 8227L system obtain an app for vocal commands offline?

marv66 said:
Hi.
Is possible in a FF-5000 8227L system obtain an app for vocal commands offline?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you have google voice commands just like in any android, just install search bar with microphone icon and try it

In my FF-5000 8227L device google voice command requires an online link.
I would need to give commands even where there is no telephone network coverage

marv66 said:
In my FF-5000 8227L device google voice command requires an online link.
I would need to give commands even where there is no telephone network coverage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your device has wifi connection just connect to internet or just make your mobile phone as main network by creating a hotspot and connect headunit thru it.

My ff-5000 8227L owns 16Gb ROM (... flash) and 2Gb of RAM is mounted in a Jeep.
I often travel into narrow valleys and gorges where there is no internet signal coverage. So I need an app that allows OFFLINE voice commands.

marv66 said:
My ff-5000 8227L owns 16Gb ROM (... flash) and 2Gb of RAM is mounted in a Jeep.
I often travel into narrow valleys and gorges where there is no internet signal coverage. So I need an app that allows OFFLINE voice commands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe sattelite connections ? It works with tv tuner usb card bought from ali express, In general this is not tested with headunits yet but it involves a small radio dish antenna and usb port in device (sattelite connections also uses radio frequencies similar to broadband routers/wifi), but I must say it is expensive and complicated.
Following this story you can download a program : https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/saiy-ltd/saiy-assistant/ and use this SAIY app or just use GOOGLE ASSISTANT !

I appreciate every idea ,
but I would avoid complicated and expensive solutions.
When I bought the car there was inserted as standard a navigator + mp3 player that accepted voice commands in different languages, all OFFLINE.
The management of the navigator maps was difficult, rudimentary and with paid updates, with a closed operating system.
I replaced it with the FF-5000 getting an Android system and the ability to load and update apps and maps at will, surf the net and more...
Unfortunately I thought I could use voice commands by simply loading an app, but it seems not so!
It seems almost impossible to me that there is no app for basic, simple,
TOTALLY OFFLINE
voice commands such as:
"Browse to location X",
"Call Mary",
or "Play the music track Y"...

marv66 said:
I appreciate every idea ,
but I would avoid complicated and expensive solutions.
When I bought the car there was inserted as standard a navigator + mp3 player that accepted voice commands in different languages, all OFFLINE.
The management of the navigator maps was difficult, rudimentary and with paid updates, with a closed operating system.
I replaced it with the FF-5000 getting an Android system and the ability to load and update apps and maps at will, surf the net and more...
Unfortunately I thought I could use voice commands by simply loading an app, but it seems not so!
It seems almost impossible to me that there is no app for basic, simple,
TOTALLY OFFLINE
voice commands such as:
"Browse to location X",
"Call Mary",
or "Play the music track Y"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link I gave you , not working ? have you tried any?

Database Users

welcome