AstraMac Frontend Progress Update

**iKenndac** · 03-30-2005, 05:58 AM

Hey there.

I've finally got my AstraMac frontend looking and working somewhat properly. As far as looks go, I'm trying to avoid that "Car Stereo" (brushed metal, blue 'swish' fonts) look that some skins go for.

I've attached screenshots below. Some notes:

- AstraMac uses it's own music database format for info about tracks in it's music library. The AstraMac companion program can currently create an AstraMac music library from an iTunes Library. On startup, AstraMac can read my 2,000 song-strong library in 2-5 seconds.

- Searching can be done by Album title or Artist title. Selecting an Album/Artist puts that single artist/album in the queue. Touching that yellow star with a green arrow in it puts all the artists/albums in the list into the queue.

- Loop modes (bottom-right) go: Off - Song - Album - All

- Shuffle modes (next to loop) go: Off - Songs - Albums. Shuffle albums will play a whole album, then find a random album then play it.

- Eventually, it'll be able to read iPods (it can at the moment, but I haven't got the iPod info into a useable state), CDs, etc.

- Radio will be RadioSHARK.

- Other tabs don't do a lot. DVD sort of works (lists DVDs on your hard drive, plays them with DVD Player).

What do you all think so far?

**anthropod** · 03-30-2005, 07:04 AM

I really like the look.

It seems like it would be very touch-screen friendly.

I am going to make one suggestion. "System Setup" I would love to see that basic audio video adjustments and nothing more...what I am getting at is that I would love to see actual front end settings more difficult to get to. I can see unruly passengers messing up the front end. You could make those settings available by going to the "System Setup" tab and hitting a "hot" corner. Something less obvious.

Looking really good and Mac like!

Anthony

**gqmd** · 03-30-2005, 07:22 AM

most importantly of all...where's the GPS tab?

**iKenndac** · 03-30-2005, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the nice comments

.

Originally Posted by anthropod

I am going to make one suggestion. "System Setup" I would love to see that basic audio video adjustments and nothing more...what I am getting at is that I would love to see actual front end settings more difficult to get to. I can see unruly passengers messing up the front end. You could make those settings available by going to the "System Setup" tab and hitting a "hot" corner. Something less obvious.

You know what? That's *exactly* my plan. For exactly the same reasons

. System Setup will have really basic stuff (On/Off stuff, mainly) and everything else will be done by a separate application either on the same machine or another computer/palm with network access.

Originally Posted by gqmd

most importantly of all...where's the GPS tab?

Patience, my friend... all in good time!

**DerekICT** · 03-30-2005, 08:40 AM

I agree with Antropod....looks very good.

Looking forward to testing this baby out on the new system!

Keep up the good work!

**sdashiki** · 03-30-2005, 01:04 PM

Will it be skinnable in any way?

**slffl** · 03-30-2005, 01:20 PM

Once again, WAY to much going on and too small of text and buttons for using it on a 7" screen while driving 60mph.

**Grimey** · 03-30-2005, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by slffl

Once again, WAY to much going on and too small of text and buttons for using it on a 7" screen while driving 60mph.

I don't see why everyone gets hyped up about this. The buttons on your current HU are probably a lot smaller then these, so in actuality it's safer. Not to mention you could always mod the skin later if you really wanted larger buttons.

Nice progress, looking great.

**iKenndac** · 03-30-2005, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by slffl

Once again, WAY to much going on and too small of text and buttons for using it on a 7" screen while driving 60mph.

I dunno.... the tabs at the side and the buttons on the top (Aux/Library/etc) and bottom (Play, etc) seem fine on my 7". The Searching bit needs a little refining, but you shouldn't really be doing that at 80mph anyway... just queue up what you want (or even everything) and use the next/previous album (outer arrows) buttons to skip through them.

Hey, gimme a break - I've been working on it precisely 1 week in total. Rome wasn't built in a day, and all that.

It will probably be skinnable. In fact, I guess I won't have a choice once I make it public...

**MvF9884** · 03-30-2005, 08:13 PM

i have got so much respect for u and anyone else who has the technical knowhow to make an interface like this.

i like this the best of all the interfaces ive seen, the side tabs and play buttons are awsome. but i do agree with the others. must HAV NAV