Got Android? Please Test my app!

[Bas van Krieken]

Hi all!

I really hope I'm not violating any forum rules by posting this message, if it does, then I apologize upfront to the wise and omnipotent moderators!

If you own an Android phone, I would like to invite you to try my new Android application, FOViewer (https://market.android.com/details?id=appinventor.ai_bvkrieken .FOViewer_Free). You can find it in the Android Market (https://market.android.com/details?id=appinventor.ai_bvkrieken .FOViewer_Free).
This is my first Android application and I really need some constructive feedback on it so that I can make it even better. And who better to judge my astronomy related programming skills than you folks? :)

https://ssl.gstatic.com/android/market/appinventor.ai_bvkrieken.FOViewer_F ree/hi-256-0-f8d76fe61dc764732dffba00f61104651b0 99060

Feel free to discus your experiences with the app in this thread, I'm really looking forward to your feedback!

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Bas,

Downloading it now, just got my LG Optimus One yesterday.

Looks good, I will have a look and post a review when I get the chance.

Cheers

Chris

[Logieberra]

Will check it out too Bas (HTC Desire).

Logie.

[Logieberra]

Nice program!

Would be nice to have more options under reducer drop down box:

i.e. my Takahashi Sky 90: 500mm (stock); 408mm (reducer); and 800mm (extender Q).

[Logieberra]

And under eyepiece, how about camera settings (SLR etc?) I don't do visual... just imaging...

[Bas van Krieken]

Thanks guys I really appreciate you taking the time to try out the app :)

@Logieberra You can add you'r own reducers by tapping the plus icon next to the barlow / reducer pulldown. The stuff that is in there by default are just examples. Everything you add yourself is saved ofcourse :)

<edit>
Oops I just noticed that I misunderstood you Logie. You would like to be able to select multiple reducers/barlows?
Hmmmm. A workaround would be that you calculate the resulting reduction for the combination of reducers/extenders and add that as a new entry...
</edit>

A CCD/DSLR version is already in the works :)

[netwolf]

Nice program, just what i wanted right now. Hope you will add CCD and DSLR soon. Also could you add Finderscopes like 5degree, 7degreee etc?

BTW why does the application note your GPS cordinates?

[Bas van Krieken]

Finderscopes are indeed a good idea, I'll put it on the ToDo list! :)

The app shows your GPS coordinates to help you setup your GOTO mount (if you use/own one. Dito for the compass).

[Screwdriverone]

nice job Bas,

Very intuitive and easy to use, can I suggest the ability to tap the screen to zoom in to fill
The screen with the view or point of view selected? That way you could get a realistic view of the object on the screen.when you select a high magnification the reticle is very small.another cool feature would obviously be a searchable database of objects or even display choices by orientation of the phone based on compass direction and time of location. I am Probably asking a bit much early on but definitely something I would use on the me new phone for sure. I look forward to the development.

cheers

Chris

[Bas van Krieken]

Wow Chris!

Very nice suggestions but I need to get my Android programming skills up a bit more before I can do stuff like that :) But I will certainly put them on the RFC list. Keep them coming!

[Bas van Krieken]

I'm pleased to announce that version 2.0 of FOViewer has been released! If you had it installed before you'll get the update automagically. Version 2.0 has some UI tweaks, fixes a bug and now has swiping support. Please check it out! :)

Oh and I finally put some stuff on the website: http://www.jeta.megrez.nl

[arifmshaikh]

I got my E11 apad yesterday and tested this application. It does not show in full screen. It seems like it is designed for small screen mobile phones. Combo box does not show items in the list, you have to click on it to see it. Overall it is a good application.

It's a great effort to develop astronomy application for android.

We might be controlling telescope and imaging devices with mobile devices.

[hickny]

Hi Bas,

Well Done!

It works a treat on my Motorola Quench MB501 running Android 1.5. Sadly Motorola have no plans to support an updated OS.

I hadn't considered the FOV of my eyepieces before. I'm now going off to do some research on the individual characteristics of each.

What software did you use to write your code.

[Bas van Krieken]

@Peter Thanks for testing! One of my test phones is a G1, yes the prehistoric Android phone from when Android could only say "Danger Will Robinson!" :) So you're guaranteed that the app will always support "them old geezers".

I use Google AppInventor. I wasn't going to tell anyone which development environment I use, as Google appinventor seemed like a not very serious toy-like devenv. But now that I've used it for a while, I must admit that it is very powerfull and comprehensive. And it will become more powerfull still, as it is still in it's infancy and new features are added each week.

[Bas van Krieken]

Now that is strange... Do you have a way of taking a picture of the screen when it does that? I'm not sure if it's a bug in the app or a bug in the E11 android OS, but I'm curious as to how it looks.

I've started looking into making the app resize and take advantage of larger screens, stay tuned :)

[arifmshaikh]

Hi Bas

I sold it. order one more and will test it on that.

[Bas van Krieken]

Oh please don't buy one just to help me out, I couldn't expect you to do that!

[arifmshaikh]

That will be for sale not for personal use.

[Bas van Krieken]

A quick heads-up. The new version of FOViewer for Android is almost done!

Interesting new features;

- Zooming preview.
- Complete Messier and NGC catalogues available as preview.
- Large compass and GPS coordinates on seperate screen.
- Update systeem to keep catalogues and objects up to date.
- CCD / Camera support, will show you the FOV and calculates arcsec/pixel value.
- Bubble level to help you set up your GOTO scope or dobson.
- Moonphase function.
- Adjustable nightvision brightness using the volume up/down keys (brightness stored as setting).
- Clear Sky Clock based on 7timer using cell tower positioning system (no gps necessary).
- Local time displayed to help you set up your GOTO system.
- Exitpupil calculation.

I'm still trying to add a polarfinder type option, but I can't find a decent formula to calculate the position of Polaris in regards to celestial north. Anybody that can help me out with that?

A HD version for tablets is next, shouldn't be to much work to port the phone version :)

[Bas van Krieken]

Many of your wishes have come true! :)
You can find the new version of FOViewer, now called FOViewer Deluxe (what's in a name), in the android market. https://market.android.com/details?id=JVC.FOViewerDX&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMS wyLDEsIkpWQy5GT1ZpZXdlckRYIl0.

Many of your wishes, including the FOV for CCD/DSLR camera's have been added!

Have fun with it and let me know what you think :)

[Bas van Krieken]

Hasn't anyone tried the new version yet?

[Bas van Krieken]

I'm happy to inform you that the new version of FOViewer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=JVC.FOViewerDX&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMS wxLDEsIkpWQy5GT1ZpZXdlckRYIl0.) has gone live!

The biggest change in this version is the introduction of the sun and planets! Some of you have asked me several times if I could include them, well, there you are :) The apparent size of the solar system objects is calculated in real-time using up-to-date solar system data from a web based service.

This version also has the much requested search option, called "Find object" which can be found in the menu of the app.

I hope you will enjoy all these new features and please let me know if you have any new request!

http://www.jeta.megrez.nl/images/screenshot2.png
http://www.jeta.megrez.nl/images/screenshot3.png http://www.jeta.megrez.nl/images/screenshot4.png

[Logieberra]

You may wish to add an Edit category to equipment. You can only Create or Delete. Thanks.

[Chris.B]

I am just about to download the tablet version to try on my Acer A500 running ICS. I'll see how it goes.

[Bas van Krieken]

And how did it go Chris?

[malclocke]

App works well Bas.

One thing, when adding a barlow the name field is black text on black background so the text isn't visible.

Also, the solar system objects list is missing one very nearby object beginning with 'M' which tends to often dominate the night sky from my location at least ;)

Cheers,

Malc