App Request: Predator (Yautja) Clock / Countdown

XadinUK · 04-06-2010, 12:21 AM

Hello,

I sure it is bad form to request something on a first post but may I ask if someone could make an app/widget which would display the time in the "digital" predator font? - I have scoured the forum and the net and the closest I could find is the "Predator's Toolbox"

Font Here: Predator font by Giedi Prime - FontSpace

This may seem kind of stupid but I thought It may be at least a little interesting. I would not want anything too elaborate either a simple digital led style clock with the different font charactors or a "binary" clock like the Predator's Toolbox

Another possible feature is maybe to set a "Self destruct" countdown, could even source some sound FX etc?

Anyway was just an idea, hope I dont get laughed at too much!

Cheers

Nathan

XadinUK · 04-07-2010, 06:57 AM

Oh and I would be willing to put some cash to whoever picks this up!

JasonC · 04-07-2010, 09:11 AM

Also my first post but +1 to this request!

IanGClifton · 04-07-2010, 06:39 PM

Do you guys want this to just be a 1x4 (one icon tall, four wide) widget?

XadinUK · 04-07-2010, 07:50 PM

I would be grateful for whatever but sounds like a good start!

JasonC · 04-14-2010, 04:29 AM

Sounds like a good size to me

IanGClifton · 04-21-2010, 01:31 AM

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been pulled into a few other projects as well, but I had a few hours tonight to work on this. It's functional (numbers displayed change as time changes - screenshot shows 6:16), but obviously I have quite a bit of work to do graphically. I'm going to create some higher res versions of the numbers that also have the faint marks for where lines can appear, and I'll fix the ugly margins. I was also thinking it might be cool if tapping on the widget toggles the numbers between Arabic and Predator numerals. I'll be creating some nice graphical background for this widget, so it's not just a big black blob too, haha.

I was also thinking maybe it could have a simple dash on the side to indicate AM vs. PM.

Are there any features that any of you want/need? Should I make the numbers just red or should the color be configurable?

JasonC · 04-21-2010, 02:52 AM

Looks good so far! I guess you could make the colour configurable, it would appeal to more people that way so they can match it into their scenes better.
am and pm also sounds a good idea.

Keep up the good work!

XadinUK · 04-21-2010, 01:19 PM

Thank you very much for your time on this!

Just an observation - in full knowlage that this is just a beta - but those numbers seem to be missing the bottom half?

Also could this have an optional 12/24 hr clock?

IanGClifton · 04-23-2010, 12:30 PM

Okay, color will be configurable.

Quote:

Just an observation - in full knowlage that this is just a beta - but those numbers seem to be missing the bottom half?

I've noticed that there appear to be two different predator fonts out there. Here is an example of 0-9 for both of them:

Is that bottom one what you mean by it missing the bottom half? I started with the top one, since that was the one linked at the beginning of this post, but I could do either one to start with. I think the top one was the one originally shown in the self-destruct wrist band thing, but the bottom one looks cooler. Any thoughts? Later on, I could make it so you could toggle between them.

I'll add 12 vs. 24 hour clock to my todo list

JasonC · 04-23-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanGClifton

Okay, color will be configurable.

I've noticed that there appear to be two different predator fonts out there. Here is an example of 0-9 for both of them:

Is that bottom one what you mean by it missing the bottom half? I started with the top one, since that was the one linked at the beginning of this post, but I could do either one to start with. I think the top one was the one originally shown in the self-destruct wrist band thing, but the bottom one looks cooler. Any thoughts? Later on, I could make it so you could toggle between them.

I'll add 12 vs. 24 hour clock to my todo list

I prefer the bottom one too, it looks a little clearer as well as cooler

XadinUK · 04-23-2010, 05:48 PM

You are quite right... my bad! a toggle would be cool (but not essential at the moment) As to the current font if it is a bother to change then continue as is

Cheers

IanGClifton · 04-25-2010, 05:38 PM

I'll make the default the second (better-looking) option then. My cheap tablet is not responsive, so I've ordered a new Intuos4 that should get here Wednesday to replace it. Once that arrives, I should be able to do the main part of the design. I've created a large-scale version of the number layout with layers so I can easily create each different number from it. I'll wait until I can do the main design to decide the exact size I should export it as, but here's a sample #7:

I'll probably export the 10 numbers for each of the three display densities and then do some quick touch-up on each one, but that should turn out pretty well.

IanGClifton · 04-26-2010, 12:33 AM

I was too impatient to wait for the tablet, so I did some basic design work. This screenshot shows the customizable colors (they're hard-coded as hex values in the code right now, but I'll add the ability to customize them to any colors soon). The simple line in the bottom right is the AM/PM indicator. I'll add a button or two to the right size to activate the configuration screen.

hood420 · 04-26-2010, 01:46 AM

Is this in the Market yet?

XadinUK · 04-26-2010, 02:01 AM

Ian that is looking GREAT!

hood420 not yet but watch this space

JasonC · 04-26-2010, 11:16 AM

Great work, looking forward to this!
Do you do be-spoke development of any kind Ian? or is it just little bits and bobs like this clock?

IanGClifton · 04-26-2010, 02:03 PM

@hood420: Not yet, I've got a few more features I want to finish up before adding it to the market.

@XadinUK: Thanks!

@JasonC: I've been a web developer for a few years and the company I currently work for makes mobile applications. I usually do server-side code, but I've become extremely interested in Android, so I've been learning it in my spare time in the hope to move more into the on-device code. One of the companies we've made an app for expressed interest in a widget (a feature of Android that I love), so I was already looking at widget development when I came across this app request. I thought this would be a great opportunity to make something you guys would like and simultaneously learn some useful skills. Anyway, long answer to just say it's the first "real" app that I've completely made myself. I'd consider making a custom app for someone, but it just depends on scope, time constraints, etc. as I always have multiple projects going on at once

XadinUK · 04-26-2010, 02:15 PM

Have to say I feel really lucky that you happened to find this request then, I honestly thought that this would go unanswered, glad you felt you could throw your hat into the ring as such!

IanGClifton · 04-27-2010, 11:07 PM

Hey everyone, an early beta is now available in the market. It's under apps -> lifestyle or you can just search for "Predator Clock Widget." If you happen to be on your Android device right now, just go to http://bit.ly/9UVqkY and it should direct you to the market.

The beta version is functional but has no settings yet. The settings button pretty much just goes to a todo list, haha, but I wanted to get something out there early.

IanGClifton · 04-27-2010, 11:19 PM

Thought I would post a quick screenshot of it running on my N1. Don't mind my snacks in the corner

XadinUK · 04-28-2010, 02:48 AM

Brilliant have downloaded and have it running now. Feedback on the market seems mostly positive, except the odd idiot but we will ignore them. Will let you know if I notice anything worth mentioning to make it better, but so far working as expected!

Covert_Death · 04-28-2010, 01:17 PM

wow that is pretty sweet, i've been reading on android dev, and this makes me want to start NOW lol, this is where i wanna start too so hopefully i can mimic this type of app sometime

JasonC · 04-29-2010, 04:26 AM

For some reason I stopped getting updates from all my subscribed threads on here so only just seen this!
Great work Ian, I've installed it and it works great!

Thanks for you background info, I only ask because I'm looking into getting a couple of apps done at some point. I looked at doing them myself but I just don't have the time.

IanGClifton · 04-29-2010, 03:36 PM

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the positive feedback

I've been really surprised that it was so well received. So far it has 730 installs (448 active) and a 4.5 star rating! I was expecting maybe a dozen downloads, haha.

I made a simple page to show the status of the app. It has a few issues right now (the biggest being related to rotation... I had forgotten that you can rotate the home screen on some phones, oops!). I'm hoping to address a couple of them very soon, maybe tonight. I have quite a bit of work done on the ability to tap to toggle between Predator digits and Arabic ones, but there's still some more to do there, so I'll probably send out a minor bug fix release first and then get to the bigger stuff this weekend.

@XadinUK: Haha, yeah, the first guy to comment called it a "pos" but it looks like that comment is removed now. Definitely let me hear any feedback you have.

@Covert_Death: Just start playing with it and you'll be really hooked! The biggest thing that I've encountered is that the way a widget is done is a bit different from a standard activity, so that's caused a little more work along the way. Oh well, it's a great learning experience.

@JasonC: Glad to hear it's working for you too. Yeah, I'd say for starting out flesh out your ideas as much as you can, especially with mockups (even if they don't look great), to give yourself a better idea of what all you want and how much work it would be.

hood420 · 04-29-2010, 09:32 PM

How about making a countdown timer out of this? That would be pretty sweet.

IanGClifton · 04-30-2010, 12:54 AM

Just pushed an update that adds the ability to tap to toggle the digits. It also fixes a couple of minor bugs, but there are still some others I need to take care of.

@hood420: That might be a good idea a little bit down the road once I have the core features and bugs taken care of. I'll have to revisit that soon

XadinUK · 05-13-2010, 04:24 PM

Picked up the latest update, seems to fix the touch bug well as far as I can see! Cheers.

IanGClifton · 05-13-2010, 08:35 PM

That's good to hear

I was a bit slow on the update because I just moved to a new apartment and actually did all the moving while sick, so I only became more sick, and I am just now feeling mostly better, haha. I still don't have an internet connection at the new apartment yet, but I've been tethering my N1 to my desktop, and that's actually how I submitted the widget update.

XadinUK · 05-24-2010, 04:27 AM

Downloaded the latest update. .. unfortunately I have run into a bug right away, looks like the colour selection changes back to red. I cannot figure it exactly why but it seems to happen after opening a programm. Hope this helps.

IanGClifton · 05-24-2010, 12:49 PM

Doh, you're not supposed to find bugs

Is this with your HTC Desire? What version of Android is it running?

If you change it to another color and to Arabic numerals and then use some other apps, does it change back to both red and Predator numerals? I'm wondering if it's something with the other app(s) taking up enough memory that Android drops the cached views for the widget. It should reconstruct them with the correct color and digit style (just as it does if you change the color, remove the widget from the home screen, then re-add it at a later time), but something else must be affecting it.

XadinUK · 05-31-2010, 09:53 PM

Sorry for the lack of tespose it seems I could not get it to repeat tge problem which makes me think it wad user error.

Liking the countdown update, three suggestions:

1. The didgets count down from left to right
2. User can set.the count down amount of time
3. Sound FX?

Fyi. Looks like my sense gui can get to the alarm clock now!

IanGClifton · 06-11-2010, 04:55 PM

Haha, no worries, I'm slow to get back to you too. I'm trying to actually finish off some other projects that have been dragging on forever.

1. I originally had them count down from left to right, but then when I was looking for the movie clip from the original Predator when the Predator sets his timer, it counted from right to left., so I changed it to that.
2. I keep getting email requests for this. I'd like to do it, but I'm putting it off for a little bit right now. I have to create extra UI for it, but I also have to figure out how I want to handle the display. Right now it's actually counting down two numbers per second to make the countdown more interesting.
3. Should it include a beep each time time a digit changes? Or an explosion sound at the end? I'm not sure....

Glad to hear the Sense UI alarm clock app is properly triggered now

Malax · 07-17-2010, 12:50 AM

I just registered to heap praise on this app. I know compared to some others, it's relatively simple, but it seriously rocks. The numbers look cool, the alarm and countdown tie-ins are great, it's just good all around.

I have dreads and my nickname at work is Predator, so I know they'll get a kick out of this. Thanks a million and keep up the good work. I love it.