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Root Is this even possible?

@scary alien

Here's an update for you:

Today I finally bit the bullet and installed the ApeX 1.3.0 custom ROM AND installed the new Gingerbread 2.3 theme on my rooted Droid X. I am happy to report that your app comes through with flying colors!

Thank you for such a wonderful program!

You are most welcome and thank you for the kind feedback! :)
 
scary alien,

I tried to find an app announcement post but couldn't, so posting this here. Thanks for this awesome app, and don't even have to be rooted to use it! I love that I can set different lights for charged/charging/discharging. I have mine set to only show a red light for charging and off for everything else. That way when it's plugged in I know that it's done when the light goes off. Brilliant stuff, man. Seems to me this should be a standard feature in all phones. It's like these phone developers never use phones themselves. Anyway, love it!

Oh, and the Galaxy S phones don't have notification lights. Actually, I think maybe the Epic does? For sure the Captivate, Fascinate, and Vibrant don't. Ridiculous really in this day and age.

One suggestion: is there a way to let notification events override the light? I tested by sending myself email while the notification light was on when charging, and the blinking green light never showed--just kept showing the red charging light.

Also I think I might've spotted some residual light behavior even after quitting the app. I don't have a clear idea of exactly what and why though, so I'll get back to you on that if I see it again and can figure out a clear pattern for why it does it.
 
Man this is the first time I've ever opened this thread (shouldn't it be in the main population so the non-rooted users could see it?), and I gotta tell ya, this is one awesome story!!! Member needs a specific app made, fellow member steps up to the plate and bats one out of the park, and now his app is on the market for the masses to enjoy! They should make a movie outa this or something (Brad Pitt would play the role of Outlaw71 of course)... at least a PBS special.

Seriously though, my only gripe about this whole thing would be... come on Scary, shouldn't this app be named 'Steven58'??? I mean come on, it only makes sense man!!!

Also, I have a request for an app as well. I would like to be able to open my bank account from my phone, and in that blank spot with the word 'balance' just before it, I would like to be able to enter any combination of numbers I wish into that spot and have it update through the banks servers. Can you handle that one for me champ? I'd be willing to donate any amount of money you wish if you could.

Seriously, I'm not kidding... just name your price, and I'll type that number into my balance window in my account and then send it to you! :)
 

Thanks! (I hope that was directed at me (or the app, rather) :eek:--if not, we'll assume it was for Steven for suggesting this, right ;)).

scary alien,

I tried to find an app announcement post but couldn't, so posting this here. Thanks for this awesome app, and don't even have to be rooted to use it! I love that I can set different lights for charged/charging/discharging. I have mine set to only show a red light for charging and off for everything else. That way when it's plugged in I know that it's done when the light goes off. Brilliant stuff, man. Seems to me this should be a standard feature in all phones. It's like these phone developers never use phones themselves. Anyway, love it!

Oh, and the Galaxy S phones don't have notification lights. Actually, I think maybe the Epic does? For sure the Captivate, Fascinate, and Vibrant don't. Ridiculous really in this day and age.

One suggestion: is there a way to let notification events override the light? I tested by sending myself email while the notification light was on when charging, and the blinking green light never showed--just kept showing the red charging light.

Also I think I might've spotted some residual light behavior even after quitting the app. I don't have a clear idea of exactly what and why though, so I'll get back to you on that if I see it again and can figure out a clear pattern for why it does it.

Thank you very much for the great and kind feedback! Here's where the announcement thread was/is: http://androidforums.com/applicatio...d-x-battery-state-monitor-via-led-status.html

I didn't want to spawn too many new threads, so I just posted in here and created the app announcement thread in where I thought it should be. I guess I really could/should create a thread in the main Droid X forum where more folks might see it...but I don't want to over-saturate things. What does everyone think (especially mods and guides), is that cool to create one more in the main forum?

I have a friend at work that has an Epic and it has an LED indicator, but the app doesn't work right on it (it blinks instead of staying on continuously). Another team mate has a Captivate and there is no LED at all (:eek:). But, I have seen it work on the Droid 2 Global and others have reported that it works on the original Droid (Sholes), and the Evo 4G (running CM-NB187).

The app works by using the notification API, so other notifications that use the LED are queued-up until the app is exited. I'm still researching how this all works so that it will work with other apps that use the LED (I have a few ideas that I'll have to test--thank you for the reminder).

And yes, I too have seen this "residual" LED light behavior (good was to put it). I'm looking in to this as well as a behavior I just notificed today: when you clear your notifications from the notification pull-down, the app seems to be disabled; I'm sure this is because the app works using the LED notification API, so its not entirely unexpected or undesirable. I'm going to try to code and test something that will allow the app to handle either case (i.e., keep running (or re-run) when notifications are cleared).

Thank you again for your excellent feedback!

Man this is the first time I've ever opened this thread (shouldn't it be in the main population so the non-rooted users could see it?), and I gotta tell ya, this is one awesome story!!! Member needs a specific app made, fellow member steps up to the plate and bats one out of the park, and now his app is on the market for the masses to enjoy! They should make a movie outa this or something (Brad Pitt would play the role of Outlaw71 of course)... at least a PBS special.

Seriously though, my only gripe about this whole thing would be... come on Scary, shouldn't this app be named 'Steven58'??? I mean come on, it only makes sense man!!!

Also, I have a request for an app as well. I would like to be able to open my bank account from my phone, and in that blank spot with the word 'balance' just before it, I would like to be able to enter any combination of numbers I wish into that spot and have it update through the banks servers. Can you handle that one for me champ? I'd be willing to donate any amount of money you wish if you could.

Seriously, I'm not kidding... just name your price, and I'll type that number into my balance window in my account and then send it to you! :)

Well, Steven would have to choose between BattMonX and StevensShutdown (http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/196040-root-1-touch-shutdown-app.html), lol.

I'll start working on that "OutLaw" app (a most appropriate name, eh? ;)) soon...I might need a little more time to learn some more Android programming though.

Thanks again to everyone. Like I said before, this has been an awesomely fun and rewarding app to create and contribute to the Android community. Would do it or have done it without you.

Cheers!
 
Guys,

A little early Christmas present for everyone: I just published an updated version of the BattMonX app:

Code:
version 1.4:

* supported optional [COLOR=Blue][B]low-battery status indicator[/B][/COLOR] settings:

  - [B]action[/B]: [COLOR=Purple]none[/COLOR], [COLOR=Purple]LED on[/COLOR], [COLOR=Purple]LED blink[/COLOR]
  - [B]threshold[/B]: [COLOR=Purple]10[/COLOR]%, [COLOR=Purple]20[/COLOR]%, [COLOR=Purple]30[/COLOR]%, or [COLOR=Purple]40[/COLOR]%
  - [B]LED color[/B]

* supported [B][COLOR=Blue]new LED colors[/COLOR][/B] in addition to the original red, green, 
  blue, yellow, and OFF:

  - [COLOR=Purple]dark orange[/COLOR]
  - [COLOR=Purple]orange[/COLOR]
  - [COLOR=Purple]dark violet[/COLOR]
  - [COLOR=Purple]dark green[/COLOR]
  - [COLOR=Purple]deep sky blue[/COLOR]
I think I've also gotten the weird "residual" LED light issue resolved.

The low-battery status indicator is totally optional and can be enabled (or not) as desired. I added an "LED blink" option for the low-battery condition (as well as the low-battery LED color setting) to help draw one's attention to a low-battery condition.

Thanks to those of you who suggested this feature.

Hope you also enjoy the new LED colors I added (I especially like the dark violet and deep sky blue--looks cool on the X ;)).

Cheers!
 
Thanks! (I hope that was directed at me (or the app, rather) :eek:--if not, we'll assume it was for Steven for suggesting this, right ;)).
It was directed at you/the app. It still amazes me that users have to create apps that should be standard. Thanks for the update. Installed and trouble free.
 
Guys,

A little early Christmas present for everyone: I just published an updated version of the BattMonX app:

Code:
version 1.4:

* supported optional [COLOR=Blue][B]low-battery status indicator[/B][/COLOR] settings:

* supported [B][COLOR=Blue]new LED colors[/COLOR][/B] in addition to the original red, green, 
  blue, yellow, and OFF:
[/QUOTE]

Awesome!  I thought about a low battery indicator too ("Dude, I totally had that idea first!  Dur, dur, dur."), but I didn't think of it as a big need.  Now that it's in there, gotta say it's an awesome addition.  Gonna go try it out now, thanks again!
 
Awesome! I thought about a low battery indicator too ("Dude, I totally had that idea first! Dur, dur, dur."), but I didn't think of it as a big need. Now that it's in there, gotta say it's an awesome addition. Gonna go try it out now, thanks again!

Thanks and lol! ;)

By the way, I think I can make the app work to do SMS text notifications too (i.e., blinky green light)...got some more testing to do, but I did some tests last night that seemed to work okay.

More goodies coming...cheers!
 
Damn, you continue to amaze me! I really wish you'd add that 'donate' button on this app, you definately deserve it for all your hard work. Expecially if you have to replace your DX when the hard buttons fall off from all the testing you've put them through!!!
 
Damn, you continue to amaze me! I really wish you'd add that 'donate' button on this app, you definately deserve it for all your hard work. Expecially if you have to replace your DX when the hard buttons fall off from all the testing you've put them through!!!

Did you see your app yet? ;) (other thread :p)
 
Hmmmm.... I downloaded the apk onto my phone, but it says there's no application to open the file? Any ideas?
 
No I haven't...

(throws naked girl off of him, runs to check other thread)...

brb

pics or it didn't happen...:eek: :D ;)

Hmmmm.... I downloaded the apk onto my phone, but it says there's no application to open the file? Any ideas?

Try Opera Mini browser (it doesn't stymie you like the stock browser does). Also, I posted DoubleEagle's "fix" (work-around) for the stock browser in the other thread (bizarrely involving Astro File Manager) in this post: http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/210150-issue-installing-apk-files.html#post1936155).

Cheers!
 
Just published an update a little while ago: version 1.6 now works with SMS text notifications!

So now, you should be able to run the app all of the time and still get notified when a text message comes in.

The timeliness of the seeing the SMS notification is still dependent on the polling interval you are using, but app steps aside when the SMS notification comes in and then resumes when its been acknowledged (by reading the text) or cleared (by the notification pull-down's Clear button).

Please note that the app doesn't actually control the color or blinking status of the SMS text notification, my app just allows it to come in and been seen--so I cannot change its color or behavior (sorry).

I also added the option / ability to make the LEDs blink (or stay on like before) for the charging / discharging / charged state like the functionality I added for the low-battery condition in v1.4.

Here's the announcement thread again for details and screen shots: http://androidforums.com/application-announcements/229819-app-battmonx-droid-x-battery-state-monitor-via-led-status.html

By the way Steven, you and Rachael both got "promoted" in the acknowledgements, lol.

Enjoy!
 
Guys,

This is always my first thread to update when a new version of BattMonX is out :):

version 1.7 changes include:

- added strategy to auto-recover from Android auto-killing the app's service (grrr...should not have had to do this one...was not easy); should make the app be much more stable and without unwanted shutdowns

- replaced multiple menu settings w/standard Settings/Preferences menu item (this one is nice ;))

- dynamically determine battery status directory (I did this to see if the app would work on more phones (with mixed success); should allow for users that don't see that the app was written for the Droid X to at least see if it will work on their phone (does not appear to work on a stock HTC Evo 4G, HTC Droid Eris)

- re-instituted screen lock to portrait mode to prevent orientation change from causing FCs (gotta read-up more on coding to handle orientation change...)

- fixed integer parsing issue causing some reported crashes (probably just experienced by non-Droid X phones)

- added option for 3 minute polling-interval (more options--yay! :p)

- added larger range for low-battery percentage threshold (go nuts!)

- fixed issue where LED would not blink when charging (a minor mis-spelling led to this...oops!)

FYI, I've also done a little bit of benchmarking (monitoring the app via System Panel) as far as CPU resources go: the app will use less than 20 seconds of CPU per 24 hour period with a 60-second monitoring cycle. Hard to find something similar to make comparisons, but this really isn't a lot of CPU time (compare it to other apps that you've been using).

I've got a few ideas to make the app even more CPU-friendly and more responsive when SMS texts come in...gotta catch my breath from this last round of changes :D.

Anyway, if you have any issues, comments, questions, etc., please contact me at scary.alien@gmail.com.

Cheers and have a great New Year!
 
Integer parsing (Steven shakes his head and mutters "geeks")

Very nice work, bro. :D
 
Thanks, bro. I finished my last day of work, tonight and I leave for Disney World on Sunday. :D
 
All,

I've just published version 1.8 to the Market... I've been coding and testing the heck out of this these last three weeks to support all of the new improvements and functionality, so I hope you all enjoy them :).

Change log for 1.8 includes:

- supported new experimental features:

* ability to keep LED on while the screen is on (root only)

* support white LED color
(root only)

- updated w/better strategy for dynamically locating battery state and LED notification files to TRY to support non-Moto Droid phones

- added 'Suspend' checkbox feature to screen to turn off LED and pause battery status monitoring until resumed (un-checked)

- added strategy to make app more timely/responsive to SMS text notifications and preference/setting changes

- fixed set-on-boot and charging-color preference mis-match and other minor preference/settings issues (this was causing a few folks issues...if you still have an issue, try an un-install and fresh re-install--this will clear-out the saved preferences)

- supported amber LED color in addition to the original red/green/blue LED colors


Anyway, this version should be much more stable and responsive than the prior versions (although v1.7 was pretty solid, IMO ;)).

Enjoy, and please visit https://sites.google.com/site/scaryalienware/battmonx for full details and screen shots. Shoot me an email at scary.alien@gmail.com for any issues, comments, questions, etc.

Cheers!
 
I saw it in the market. Fantastic!!!!!!!

Thank you sir! I very much appreciate that.

I got real excited about three Fridays ago when I figured-out how to write/update the LED brightness files directly (root-only, of course). Since then, its been a series of learning curves (two steps forward, one back, etc., lol).

I've also tried (really, really) hard to make the app more compatible and capable on other phones (you wouldn't believe the hoops I've jumped through to try to do this and the email and chat sessions with folks that I've tried to help and had help me debug the app on their non-Moto Droid phones (a few that don't even have LEDs on their phones and want the app to work! :eek:)).

I know there'll be lots of issues and questions people will have with the new root-only features since they are not handled by the notification API but by my app directly. The "old" (original) mode should still work perfectly well (even better in this version) too. But, I'm particularly happy and proud of the always-on LED feature ;).

Cheers and thanks again to everyone for their support and encouragement!
 
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