"wX" Android opensource/free weather app - new beta release 3.4

Wesley,
Thanks for trying it out and reporting on this.
Can you confirm your version? The upstream content provider ( COD ) did change the URLs some time ago so want to confirm. For example the top choice under GFS now shows prec_prec.


thanks,
Josh

Just picked up this app and was playing around with it. Doesnt take too long to get the hang of after messing with it for a couple minutes. Tons of info and it all seems to load fairly quickly.

One thing I did find though, is that I couldnt get any of the forecast models for sfc_prec to load. I get a "Invalid parameter or time" error, no matter the model or time I select.
 
Wesley,
Please do, private mail is fine. Also, please indicate the full text selected from the left navigation menu.

thanks,
Josh
 
I might have solved the issue I was having. I didnt know about the left menu. Once I clicked that the graphics started showing up. A "how to" of sorts, even a very basic one, would help out with those type of things as Caleb mentioned. Even just explaining how to get to the main features might be enough to get people through most of the app if they got hung up, sort of like I did. This really might become my quick "go to" for models or just about anything weather.
 
Thanks Wesley for the feedback. I'll be working on in-app help in the next month or two and will include info on the navigation drawer that slides out from the left side. One thing to note and its rather subtle: screens that have such a pull out nav drawer will have 3 horizontal lines to the left of the program icon at top left. Activities that don't will just have the back arrow to the left of the blue icon.

Josh
 
The remaining bug caused by Android 5.0 ( network connections sometimes hang when device comes out of sleep mode ) is now fixed and version 3.4010 is available here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9OogdTO1kXqTG9xRU5SeXRUc2c&authuser=0

I also added some additional QPF graphics in the pull-down under MISC tab specifically 1-2, 1-3 and 5 and 7 day total.

The source code is here and from now on I'll try to post to github every 1-2 months as well:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9OogdTO1kXqYzktaHZzdGdQSEk&usp=sharing

thanks
 
The latest version 3.4018 has been uploaded to the URL below as "wX.apk". The next oldest version has been renamed to include the version number.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9OogdTO1kXqYzktaHZzdGdQSEk&usp=sharing

Changes:
- For those running on Android 5.0 the theme has been changed from Holo to the new "Material Design"
- SPC outlook for D4-8 has now been fixed to accomodate the format change done by SPC around Dec 16.
- Previously the back button on the main screen was not allowed to exit the app ( to prevent accidental closure ). Now, a toast pops up to inform that a second tap of the back button will quit the app.
- In the model interface , 2 new params were added for HRRR ( 10m Wind Gust and Lightning Threat )
- In the model interface, a bug was fixed in RAP preventing auto-detection of the current run.
- In location settings, in addition to a toast message when the location is saved one has been added for when the process is started ( see below )

NOTE: The spinning circle at top used to show network activity ( download of an image, etc ) is no longer available in Android 5.0 when using the Material Design theme. At this point i'm only going to implement a substitute for operations which take longer then normal ( like saving a new location )

Next up is to work on an in-app help system.

thanks,
Josh
 
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The latest version 3.4027 has been uploaded to the URL below as "wX.apk". The next oldest version has been renamed to include the version number.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9OogdTO1kXqYzktaHZzdGdQSEk&usp=sharing

Changes:
- Framekwork for help system is now in place along with help content for tile icons and icons/menu items in the action bar. To enable "help mode" select it from the menu. After that, tap any icon in the main tabbed screen for help content. Select the help option again to disable "help mode". I'll be working on help content quantity and quality over the next few months but the initial content should be helpful.
- Models interface: COD has added some additional sector views for GFS, NAM, RAP, and HRRR and so they have been added. For example GFS now has Pacific/Atlantic and a world view. Not every parameter is available for these new views but at a minimum 500mb wind and SLP are.
- If running under Android 5.0 many of the activities especially with large amounts of text shown will auto-hide the action bar at top as you scroll down to provide more screen real estate. Scrolling up a small amount will bring the action bar back.
- New launcher icon - simpler and more modern
- Observations activity accessible from action bar menu has additional images added.
- Minor change with long explanation: In the action bar the lightning icon has been moved to the left of the cloud icon. Google has removed the functionality of the split action bar when using Material design theme in Android 5.0 so for those who upgrade to 5.0 ( and are using a phone ) you will notice the icons are no longer at the bottom but instead at the top ( similar to how it looks when using a tablet ). Unfortunately, less icons are displayed and more are moved to the "overflow" menu. This change ensures the radar icon is available in case only one icon is shown ( I observed this in the Android emulator with a small resolution ). Long term I'll move to the new "toolbar" which replaces the deprecated "action bar" but not sure when.

thanks,
Josh
 
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I agree with the others Josh.....you've done a great job. I use your app a lot! Keep it up.
 
By chance is anyone using wX with Android 4.1 ? I'm looking to integrate some new features that might not be supported on 4.1. If no one is running on this rev I'll bump the minimum OS supported up to 4.2.

Please drop me a private email if you are still running on 4.1

thanks,
Josh
 
Hi Josh,

I just downloaded the program today, and it is awesome! Thanks for taking the time to build and share it!

I really like the radar color table you are using for reflectivity. Is there any chance you have a PAL file you could share or even just the color numbers so I can match up my GRLevel2AE color table and have the same one on my computer and phone?

Thanks again!
 
Hi Josh,

I just downloaded the program today, and it is awesome! Thanks for taking the time to build and share it!

I really like the radar color table you are using for reflectivity. Is there any chance you have a PAL file you could share or even just the color numbers so I can match up my GRLevel2AE color table and have the same one on my computer and phone?

Thanks again!

Glad you like it !

I actually modeled all of the color tables off of CODs. You can find them defined here:
https://github.com/joshuat6/wX3.4025/blob/master/jni/radialv2.c

but unfortunately they probably aren't in a format that is easily used. Specifically, you can look for the line containing "void load94_i()" and the rest of that C function is initializing the colors for base ref. Basically there are 3 arrays and each one is indexed to the value of the radar bin ( 0-255 ). Each value is an integer in the range 0-255.

Hope this helps,
Josh
 
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