Front End App for iPad

**chencho** · 05-02-2011, 05:37 AM

It will be a big problem to do a frontend.

Multimedia tasks and maybe obd2 seems not to be diffcult (for someone who knows what he/she does, obiusly), but GPS... i think nobody can do something best than tomtom or sygic into a frontend at this time.

I'm currently set Activator to open Leechtunes if i move right into status bar, and open tomtom if i move left. This way i can swith form music or gps. But apps like Sygic ar full screen and status bar is not showed. Then you need to press home button, and select leechtunes to open it and it's not usufull into a car, i think

If you dont integrate GPS turn by turn app into frontend yo can set a gesture to open a external app but... how do you return to your frontend from it?

**Ryan711** · 05-02-2011, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by krillin47

@chencho - being able to launch other apps "windowed" is not possible, as far as I am aware. It could be set up to launch other applications, but it would take you out of the current application.

@war085 - I haven't set a beta release yet, as I am currently still working on the app and my time with this project has been limited a little bit, because of my clients that are paying for my time, as this a project I'm doing more on my free time. If people would like to PM me with their email address, I will set you up in my list of testers for when the beta is released.

@mhermann - Early in the start of this thread, I had mention about using a sheeva for other things the iPad may not be able to provide, such as OBD-II, XM/Sirius, etc. I figure the 30-pin will be taken up for charging the device, I plan to write a service that the ipad talks to that can provide these services, and possible external storage access.

On another note, I am working on making this a universal app, where the iPhone is more of a control device, or for access iPhone music to send to the iPad.

Thank you for liking the design so far, but as I have been working on other projects, I've come across things that I tried to accomplish, similar to what I was planning for this app, and it was either unsuccessful, or didn't look and function how I wanted it to. So, I've decided, right now isn't the time for UI design, I should really be getting the back-end done, even release a beta that kinda looks ugly, so that its more of the functionality that people can test for me, and then when the testing is over, I'll get my designer involved to make it one awesome looking app.

I thank all of you who are still with me on this project, I know I've been away for a while, but I'm planning to be on more regularly.

Would you ever consider releasing a version on cydia for jailbroken ipads (assume ipad2 is jailbroken soon) so that you can have a central interface that moves between various car apps (gps, obd, music, radio, etc)? Similar to a traditional front-end like RR or CF. I might be wrong, but once you have the app store version, it shouldn't be too hard to add the things that apple doesn't allow to make it more like a traditional front-end.

Also, you were talking about using a backend that the ipad could interface with. This might be a good choice: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/c...er-users-only/. A little more pricey than the sheevaplug, but it's smaller, more powerful, and has more I/Os, including an RS-232, and with windows releasing and ARM version soon, you I'm sure drivers would be less of an issue for hardware.

**Tony G** · 05-09-2011, 05:48 PM

I'm very interesting in using an Ipad, but don't think the touchscreen is a solution for everything...

I can't help think a small bank of "switch application" hardware buttons would be a good solution. An app (like a dedication car "frontend") would be available to match the button to your chosen applications: Music, Nav, Video, Phone etc.

Hardware buttons have been already been done: http://ulanoff.com/blogs/automation/...ttons-to-ipad/ http://ulanoff.com/blogs/automation/...ttons-to-ipad/

So, Crestron iPanel gives me hope that my ideal solution is possible. Im aware crestron has a good R&D budget...

**krillin47** · 05-25-2011, 07:39 PM

Tony G: I have thought about this, and it may come as something later, but for now, I'm working on the application to make it all possible. I have plans to build some kind of external interface to allow for such things as steering wheel controls or other things we may think of.

Ryan711: I am only planning to release it on the App Store, as I plan to have most if not all of those features available in the app.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 05-26-2011, 08:24 AM

I think this is a great project which will contribute to near all the iPad members of the forum. Keep up the good work, SRPs added

**krillin47** · 05-28-2011, 10:40 PM

Thanks Sonicxtacy02!

Ok, let me start off, I've been having a hard time continuing with the current design, as I've recently been working with other App development for my work, and have come across some things that I think would look much better, and will give the ability to customize the layout of the interface per device, or by using templates. So, when I get a little close of a complete look for the app, I will post the new pictures.

**krillin47** · 06-07-2011, 09:23 AM

Alright, scratch that. I had my graphic designer take a look at my idea, and I realized after explaining it to him, that if I had to explain it, it was not going to be easy for others to use. He is currently working on the design as I'm working on some back end coding for the music section. Hopefully we will have a testing soon, to at least test how the music works and those who have PM'd me about beta testing, I will be contacting you soon as we feel confident with what we've accomplished.

**RipplingHurst** · 06-07-2011, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the updates.

**aychamo** · 06-08-2011, 07:10 PM

I just hope when it's all said and done, that it's priced appropriately. Apple has really shifted the paradigm on software prices. Their entire Lion OS is $30. Badass games and apps sell for $3-$4. Part of the reason these things are priced the way they are is that the developer has to put zero effort into distribution.

I was shocked to see one of the devs here package up a played out, uninspired, copy-cat boring app and price it at $30.

**Ryan711** · 06-09-2011, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by aychamo

I just hope when it's all said and done, that it's priced appropriately. Apple has really shifted the paradigm on software prices. Their entire Lion OS is $30. Badass games and apps sell for $3-$4. Part of the reason these things are priced the way they are is that the developer has to put zero effort into distribution.

I was shocked to see one of the devs here package up a played out, uninspired, copy-cat boring app and price it at $30.

I'd be happy at a $20 price point.