Android app apks

[Matt G]

Source code for android app: https://github.com/grammesm/SandBot-Android
Latest compiled app (V4): https://alwaystinkering.com/files/sandbot-debug-v4.apk

Feel free to fork/submit merge request.

It’s been a long time since I’ve worked on the app. I spent some time today getting stuff up to date, and improving the settings and pattern preview. I’ll post here when I make any meaningful improvements with a link to the compiled apk if you can’t or don’t want to deal with Android Studio and compiling the app.

V2: https://alwaystinkering.com/files/sandbot-debug-v2.apk
– Improved sand pattern preview
– Apply table diameter setting to patterns instead of hardcoded 380mm

• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Matt G.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by Matt G.

[Matt G]

V3: https://alwaystinkering.com/files/sandbot-debug-v3.apk
– Fixed storage status card

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

Wouldn’t it be nice if – on the settings page – you see what you have set actually. Now you can see your IP if you tap the HTTP Server IP, or you see the diameter if you tap Sand Area Diameter (mm). Can you set the entered value right under the settings?

I would like to help with the app, the only thing is… I have zero experience with android studio (or creating apps in general)

[Matt G]

Hi Bram – That change shouldn’t be hard at all. I’m actually in the middle of a complete re-write of the app and have added playlist creation and edit functionality. I’m trying to get it in line with the standard Android app architecture model (https://developer.android.com/jetpack/guide) as right now it’s really a mashup of all kinds of approaches that just barely work together. My “free” time is hardly existent these days with a 2 year old, but I intend to at least get this version complete sometime “soon”.

The app is open source (see first post – I added a link) – so you should be able to clone it, and load it into android studio and play around with it if you want.

[HendrikV22]

Hi Matt,

Quick feedback from my side….

Trying to run version 3 but it keeps on crashing when entering the IP address. Previous version 1 did not have any issues.

Phone Details:
Samsung Note 10 plus

Tried two different ways:
1. Downloaded APK via laptop, USB to phone – App launch but doesn’t accept IP address (crashes)
2. Downloaded APK via Phone directly – App launch but doesn’t accept IP address (crashes)

Kind Regards

[Matt G]

V4: https://alwaystinkering.com/files/sandbot-debug-v4.apk
– Complete re-write (again) – use android architecture best practices
– Bottom Navigation
– Settings show current values
– Playlist creation and edit functionality
– Delete Pattern and Playlist functional

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

Just tested the new version. It seems to be great. Only one problem (at this time) I don’t see the patterns anymore (the storage says “0 B/1,0 MB” and the list of patterns is empty. With the previous version everything was OK and I didn’t change anything on my my SD card

–Bram

[Matt G]

Hi Bram.. just curious what phone you are using? And you are using the sd card on the bot, and not the built in memory?

The new version works fine on every device and emulator I have tested

I’m on holiday for 2 weeks, so I would suggest using the old one for now. If you can read up on how to record an Android logcat file and send it to me while running the app, that would be super helpful in determining what’s going on.

Maybe I’ll look into releasing this officially so I can get crash and log metrics through Google play, although I’m not sure official apps are able to use clear text network traffic like the sand bot does.

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

Sorry for the mistake: just seen that the SD-card wasn’t plug in properly, my cat has been playing with my sandbot … (again 🙁 )

It works almost perfect: I can create a playlist, but when i hit the save button, it seems that nothing is happening. Although, when I return to the playlist, the list is created.. Wouldn’t it be better if when you save your playlist, automatically return to the overview of playlists? (just a suggestion)

another suggestion: on the home page under “status”: the file name of the correct file that is running

–Bram

[Matt G]

No worries! I forgot any type of feedback for the save button once I actually got it working. I’ll add something there. Also I’ll see if the current file is available in the bot’s status. I can’t remember if it is or not. Thanks for the testing!

[HendrikV22]

Hi Matt,

App is working great! I enjoy the interface and it is being really user friendly.

Some glitches I picked up:

1. When toggling the light intensity bar the lights flashes weird during changing – doesn’t bother me that much

2. In the edit mode of the patterns, when I select play pattern some of then crashes… Closes the app

3. When I press the stop button and then the home button, the bot doesn’t want to move. I have to switch the power off and on again.

I hope some of the feedback is valuable….

Regards

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

When you set up the SandBot, you have to configure the Wifi with the command w/SSID/PASSWORD/HOSTNAME

Is it possible to create an option so you “scan” with the App for the sand table (search for the hostname) as alternative to enter the IP manually? I know you have to be at least on the same network. I don’t think it is possible the SandBot create his own network and be used as an access point to enter the right information (another network and password) or am I wrong?

another point is: when you are not connected to the bot, maybe disable the buttons “Patterns” and “Playlists” as there aren’t offline available. (don’t forget to enable them once connected)

[Matt G]

Thanks for the feedback! Once I’m back home and have some time I’ll get some of this stuff fixed. I had planned on disabling/enabling tabs based on connection status but completely forgot.
As for discovery, without modifying firmware I could attempt to grab status on every possible IP address until one succeeds.. this may take some time to scan but I’ll explore it

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

Any luck about this? I really think this should be possible, as you can add a hostname.. I would like to help, but my knowledge about programming android apps is none to zero 🙁

If necessary, maybe we should consider to change the firmware. This should be a great feature to the app you wrote

The part when I mentioned the disabling some buttons is not an issue I think?

[Matt G]

Hi Bram – unfortunately I haven’t had any time to work on the android app in recent months. Dealing with a 2 year old and potty training is taking up all my free time… it’s quite exhausting. It’s on my list when I can get around to it – but I’m not sure when that will be.

mDNS would be the correct approach – but I’m not sure how to implement that on the firmware side. It’s probably doable – but that will take even more time ha

[naldo]

Matt & others

I’ve downloaded the APK file to my Samsung, it installs and I can set my IP, but then is closes stating there is a bug in the software.

Any idea what I might do to track down the issue.

I’m not a programmer, so simple steps would be ever so greatlful.

Ciao

[Bram]

Hi Matt,

how’s the potty training going? 🙂

Did you have any time left to look at the app once again? I would like to help but I’m not a programmer too

Keep me updated please
Thanks

— Bram

[Bram]

I posted some problems / ideas here is there anyone who can help me with this?

[Author]

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