CityTime Alarms Beta 2.0

[Guest kennyg]

I've just posted a new version of CityTime alarms with support for a number of new features.

Included in those features are:

- Added a new alarm type of Mobile Task, so you can run a program or a script file at a give time.

- Added support for landscape devices, including the Q.

- Fixed a few minor display bugs.

- Increase in world time cities from 1 to 4.

- New menu layout for easier navigation.

CityTimeAlarmsSp.exe

CityTimeAlarmsSp.ARM.CAB

Kenny.

Edited June 7, 2006 by kennyg

[Guest scottb]

Hi Kenny,

This is great news--I'm using CT Alarms on my Q but the dislpay is messed up a bit. I will give this a try.

[Guest scottb]

Kenny,

I tried both the cab installer and the exe. They both were version 1.6. Please check the link. Thanks.

[Guest kennyg]

Kenny,

I tried both the cab installer and the exe. They both were version 1.6. Please check the link. Thanks.

Sorry,

Links above have been updated. Left off the "beta" in the link, thanks for your warning, would have responded sooner, but I didn't get notified of the reply.

Thanks!

Kenny.

[Guest scottb]

Hi Kenny,

The interface looks good and seems to work well on my Moto Q.

The first thing I noticed is that the alarms in 2.0 beta will make an audible sound even when the phone is set to a vibrate profile. The version of CTA (1.2) I use on my i600 (WM 2003) only makes sound if the phone is set to an audible profile. If the i600 on a vibrate profile, CTA also vibrates. I would really need this to be the same in v2 on the Q. Thanks.

[Guest kennyg]

Hi Kenny,

The interface looks good and seems to work well on my Moto Q.

The first thing I noticed is that the alarms in 2.0 beta will make an audible sound even when the phone is set to a vibrate profile. The version of CTA (1.2) I use on my i600 (WM 2003) only makes sound if the phone is set to an audible profile. If the i600 on a vibrate profile, CTA also vibrates. I would really need this to be the same in v2 on the Q. Thanks.

Thanks Scott,

The layout looks OK? Let me know if you have any thoughts on it.

I'll look more closely at the vibrate piece, the 1.6 version was working correctly on you Q then?

Kenny.

[Guest scottb]

Thanks Scott,

The layout looks OK? Let me know if you have any thoughts on it.

I'll look more closely at the vibrate piece, the 1.6 version was working correctly on you Q then?

Kenny.

When I tried 1.6 on my i600, I think it did the same thing, so I went back to 1.2 at that time. I did not try 1.6 on the Q, I removed it after I realized it was not v2.

Regarding the layout. The only comment I have at this point is that I would prefer to see more room for listing the alarms than to see such a large clock. Also, I would like to have the ability to specify a default view. For example, the first thing I usually do change to the alarm list view--I'd like for that to be my default view. BTW, what are SmartLabels?

Thanks.

Edited June 5, 2006 by scottb

[Guest kennyg]

When I tried 1.6 on my i600, I think it did the same thing, so I went back to 1.2 at that time. I did not try 1.6 on the Q, I removed it after I realized it was not v2.

Regarding the layout. The only comment I have at this point is that I would prefer to see more room for listing the alarms than to see such a large clock. Also, I would like to have the ability to specify a default view. For example, the first thing I usually do change to the alarm list view--I'd like for that to be my default view. BTW, what are SmartLabels?

Thanks.

I just updated the installers with a fix for profiles, I've been using the Pocket PC code inadvertantly for testing if the sound is enabled... Must have been since 1.6 first went out...

The "SmartLabels" reduces the length of forms by removing the label above an input field and instead showing on the title bar. If you check it in the options form it will actually change the form on the fly to how you how it looks, the icons allow you to still have a visual cue a to what the input form is as well.

As for the layouts, in version 2.0 they are completely controlled by an XML file, eventually I want to do some skinning, but I don't think the underlying code will handle errors in the XML well enough yet.

Kenny.

[Guest scottb]

Hi Kenny,

Much better now. The alarms vibrate when the phone is set to vibrate.

I see how the SmartLabels work now, thanks. If you check the SmartLabel box, is it supposed to save that setting? I check it, but the next time I go into CTA, the SmartLabel box is cleared and the long label name are back.

[Guest kennyg]

Hi Kenny,

Much better now. The alarms vibrate when the phone is set to vibrate.

I see how the SmartLabels work now, thanks. If you check the SmartLabel box, is it supposed to save that setting? I check it, but the next time I go into CTA, the SmartLabel box is cleared and the long label name are back.

There is a bug in the configurations settings update, good catch, I'll fix that ASAP.

Any opinion on the use of the dpad instead of menus for navigation?

Also, I want to add some standard tasks to Mobile Tasks and have the program execution be more of an advanced feature, any thoughts on this?

Kenny.

[Guest scottb]

There is a bug in the configurations settings update, good catch, I'll fix that ASAP.

Any opinion on the use of the dpad instead of menus for navigation?

Also, I want to add some standard tasks to Mobile Tasks and have the program execution be more of an advanced feature, any thoughts on this?

Kenny.

I like the D-Pad navigation. I think it's more convenient than using menus.

I think I have only one location configured, but when I open CTA and press the D-Pad right button, I see another location, labeled [GMT]. Then I have to press the D-Pad right again to get to my list of alarms. How can I skip the [GMT] location?

[Guest chaznet]

I like the new larger fonts in the new display on my T-Mobile SDA (USA). They're just a tad large though, the right side going off the screen a bit. ie -- the seconds when viewing a timer.

I like the screenshot of the landscape mode -- is this something coming to phones like the SDA?! If not, something similar in regular view? I've found the analog clock view, but the digital time appears at the top, not upcoming alarm or appointment info.

[Guest arman68]

This is great news.

There is lots of potential for the new Mobile Tasks feature: I am planning to test it to change profiles automatically. A few months ago, in this forum, there were details posted of a little known built in microsoft executable, used to change profiles. If it works, I think it should set as built in actions.

Looking forward to test it.

[Guest scottb]

Hi Kenny,

Much better now. The alarms vibrate when the phone is set to vibrate.

[snip...]

Kenny,

I wanted to add to this that when the phone is set on Silent, the alarms still vibrate. This is not a very big deal, but I would expect the alarms to only display, not sound or vibrate in this situation.

[Guest arman68]

Oh my, oh my! Are there some bugs in this beta version :-( I am testing in QVGA on a C550 (240x320).

* font is oversized

* on the time & world time setting screen, if I press some letters to go directly to a city, and then back to erase, it gets me out of the settings screen, without saving

* when alarm rings, snooze time is not displayed; I did a few down and up actions, blindly, and the next alarm ring ended up 4 hours later!

A few suggestions:

* map Menu -> Done to 0 and not 9. I think it used to be 0 in previous versions

* add some up/down/left/right scroll arrows to show there is some more info that can be displayed. Navigation is not intuitive

* add a profile switcher. I tested tasks running autoprof.exe -s Silent/Normal/Loud, and it worked

* new option to have the alarm randomly picked up from a specific directory (long time request of mine)

* slightly different color/shading for Sat/Sun on the calendar

* add 3 mins snooze delay

I am keeping it for now, depite of the bugs, rather than reverting back to the old version; mainly because being able to switch profile automatically is a very useful feature.

[Guest scottb]

Oh my, oh my! Are there some bugs in this beta version :-( I am testing in QVGA on a C550 (240x320).

* font is oversized

* on the time & world time setting screen, if I press some letters to go directly to a city, and then back to erase, it gets me out of the settings screen, without saving

* when alarm rings, snooze time is not displayed; I did a few down and up actions, blindly, and the next alarm ring ended up 4 hours later!

[...snip]

This is exactly what happened when I tried v1.6 on my Motorola Q. However, v2 displays properly on my Q. I suspect it has something to do with the screen orientation--mine is 320x240.

[Guest yoos]

Hi Kenny,

Glad to see you are enhancing this already AWESOME app!! This is one of my ESSENTIAL softwares on my phone (as you could see in another post of mine). I have some input on some of the previous posts, as well as some additional input...

First, my input that I haven't seen in any of the earlier postings:

I REALLY like the new addition of having it ask are you sure if you want it to dismiss the alarm (I have dismissed several times in the past on accident). I have one BIG issue with the way this currently works though. Here's the scenario:

1. I lock my keypad ALL the time. So it's locked when I go to sleep as well...

2. When the alarm goes off while the keys are locked I can easily hit snooze. The problem comes when I decide to hit dismiss.

3. After I hit dismiss the "Confirm" screen appears and says "Dismiss Alarm?" and the ONLY options in the soft keys are "Unlock" on the left and nothing on the right. Like this:

If I hit the Unlock soft key NOTHING happens. I mean, the alarm still continues, but the key press is not recognized. It stays as "Unlock". I can do absolutely nothing but take the battery out. The interesting thing is, after I put the battery back in and reboot it keeps the keys locked and the alarm will go off again and remain on that locked screen so I have to quickly unlock the phone as soon as it boots up so I can dismiss it.

I remember there were challenges in the past with being able to use the soft keys while the phone is locked, but since you overcame that I'm sure you'll overcome this one too...

Now, input on some of the earlier stuff:

Any opinion on the use of the dpad instead of menus for navigation?

I don't believe I understand the question... I like the way it works right now to where I use the joystick for navigation and the menu in some other cases. I use a little of both right now. However it is working now I like it. Unless you can explain better on some changes that may be for the better, I don't have any additional input.

I like the new larger fonts in the new display on my T-Mobile SDA (USA). They're just a tad large though, the right side going off the screen a bit. ie -- the seconds when viewing a timer.

When I installed this new version on my SDA/QVGA I noticed this right away also... It looks like the following:

I discovered if you go into the settings and deselect "Use Only System Font" it will change the screen to the smaller font that fits nicely into the window (but isn't as bold a font):

--->

* when alarm rings, snooze time is not displayed

I REALLY miss this... We used to be able to see it count down until the alarm would go off again while in snooze, and now I don't see this anymore? I can see that it instead shows the actual time the alarm will now go off, but that personally gets confusing for me when I'm tired. I'd personally prefer to see the current time on top and the count down on bottom, so I can see how many more min I have to rest (every min counts!)

I did a few down and up actions, blindly, and the next alarm ring ended up 4 hours later!

Yikes, I hope this doesn't happen to me... I'm sure Kenny will fix it.

* add some up/down/left/right scroll arrows to show there is some more info that can be displayed. Navigation is not intuitive

I like this idea

* new option to have the alarm randomly picked up from a specific directory (long time request of mine)

I like this one too... It would get away from the same old same old... A little surprise to catch you off gaurd to wake you up better maybe...

* slightly different color/shading for Sat/Sun on the calendar

I like this one too

Edited June 14, 2006 by yoos

[Guest yoos]

One more small thing...

I swear in the older version this wasn't like this, or at least I didn't notice it :)

The time in the top box is not centered (up and down). It looks a little too high in my opinion... Maybe the gray dividing area between the top and bottom can be shortened and the box on top can get more room? It just looks a bit funky I think...

Edited June 14, 2006 by yoos

[Guest yoos]

Oh yea, one more too... We lost the option of being able to pick a snooze time when we want to hit snooze :) :)

Remember...? this one:

Now, it just displays the following:

Edited June 14, 2006 by yoos

[Guest scottb]

Hi Kenny,

I set two locations in CTA. My current location, Charlotte, NC and Auckland, NZ. My current location shows the current time as 15:34 on 6-17. It shows Auckland as 19:34 on 6-17. The time in Auckland is actually 7:34 on 6-18.

Regarding locations, is there any way to add one? I am actually in Greesnboro, NC, but it's not in the list.

[Guest kennyg]

Hey All,

First, thanks for all the feedback, it's great to hear! I haven't seen the recent replies until today, it seems the reply notify is working conditionally for me.

I've fixed the screen layout issues and will have an update for most of the bugs tonight. I'll reply in greater detail then. I'll be getting my own Cingular 2125 on Thursday so I can better see what the issues are on the QVGA devices, and as an FYI I've added 22x22 and 44x44 icons so things will look MUCH better on those devices.

I've also added 1/100th second resolution to the stopwatch with an unlimited number of them, although I suppose that is over kill.

Kenny.

Edited June 20, 2006 by kennyg

[Guest kennyg]

New version posted!!!

http://www.codecity.net/files/smartphone/b...imeAlarmsSp.exe

http://www.codecity.net/files/smartphone/b...larmsSp.ARM.CAB

Highlights:

- Task type of Change Profile to allow automatic profile changes.

- Added 100th of a second stopwatch display resolution (timers and stopwatchs will have to be updated manually because of 100th second resolution).

- Fixed font and snooze display issues on QVGA devices.

- Fixed back handling on time/location screen.

- Added 3 minute snooze.

- Reworked menus, New is now on the "Menu" button and the left button is alarm/display sensitive, for example, for a stopwatch it starts and stops, for an alarm, it enables and disables. Note that number map to function will probably be removed or redone it some way.

Working on:

- Random alarm directory and setting.

- Arrow/DPad navigation hints, does anyone have a good idea of where this should go? My first thought is a popup help item that tells of this, but I plan on putting all the screens on the menu to allow direct navigation too.

- Unlock in regaurds to the Confirm dialog. This works on the devices I have so I'll have to wait until tomorrow when my Cingular 2125 gets here...

And other ideas for predefined tasks? I have two ideas:

- Homescreen Layout switcher (work vs play?)

- Time Sync to time server. (Is this necessary? Does windows mobile sync with towers yet?)

Thanks for the feed back it is all apprecaited!

Kenny.

[Guest conan_troutman]

i love this applet used it for ages and ages now and the update is superb I can actually look at removing another piece of software now to make more space

I have one problem however i can not access files stored on my SD card when I went to opt to run a proram the /Storage Card/Files is as far as I could get thing is my programs are stored in

/Storage Card/Program Files

then they are all in sub folders also I may want to run a MP3 at a set time or maybe a Movie so how about making the /Storage card/ user configurable IE type the adress in of what you want or can city times not explore the folders and files you have installed to SD instead.

nor can i access any program links through the start menu to run them

am I missing something?

ps I have all my programs in the start menu in sub folders for ease of use is that the problem if so can we make the whole run program user configurable by typing in the address

thanks

Rik

EDIT ok figured it out you have to keep going to the top and highlighting the down again then up again this should be simpler

Edited June 21, 2006 by conan_troutman

[Guest conan_troutman]

ok after playing with it a while now i have a few comments

I feel the option to set up new timers and alarms is a bit hidden the thing you want to do most is is open a new alarm or timer so where the left soft key says disable how about making it open the new timer alrm menu

ad the disable button to right soft key

so the right soft key titled menu would read

1 edit

2 dismiss early

3 disable

4 delete

5 settings >(i think city time alarms could be missleading)

6 done (I feel more people will want to get to the done option fatser for exiting)

*Settings*

1 Time and world time

2 options

3 about/ register

4 Help

left soft key title

new alarm

1 Alarm

2 Timer

3 Stopwatch

4 Mobile Task

dont know if any one else would agree but personally I feel most people will find this menu set up faster to navigate and easier to use.

PS I am missing the "sort" feature found it very usefull in the past.

Edited June 21, 2006 by conan_troutman

[Guest conan_troutman]

is there any way to turn off the 5 second incrementation between sound loops I like a few seconds between loops but I find the 5 second then 10 second then 15 seconds a bit confusing when half asleep