Harmony - Mac Front End Worklog

**Bugbyte** · 03-10-2006, 07:56 PM

I've decided to post a worklog to document progress on Harmony, an open source Applescript front-end that myself and two other members have been working on.

Latest Update: 4/23/2006
Status: .8 Alpha, not yet released
Working on: Putting new 'H' interface look in place, coding Obj-C serial port access.

Normal Mode, for controlling the music player.

Driving Mode, which is displayed automatically after the user interface is idle for a period of time.

Here's documentation in Word for how it works:

http://www.dellabarba.com/ibug/Harmo...loper Docs.doc

Features:
- iTunes playback
- XM control for XM Direct
- Voice announcements of songs
- Autoplay on awake from sleep
- Remembers the song and player position when put to sleep
- Keyboard commands for control via any device that can generate key commands
- App launcher
- Screen dimming

Anticipated features

- GPS input (thanks to ZapWizard for the inspiration!)
- Autodimming of screen (either user specified or autocalculated according to lat/long)
- Voice control and search.
- A rather lengthy list of stuff that's too speculative to list right now.

When will it be released?

As soon as possible.

Open Source, eh? Where's the Code

We'll post that when we make our first release.

**Bugbyte** · 03-10-2006, 07:58 PM

Reserved for updates.

**LightningMac** · 03-10-2006, 11:09 PM

looks awesome!

will it also support a XM PCR 1000? (I hope so, just got one off ebay!)

**Rith** · 03-10-2006, 11:28 PM

Wow that is looking good. Im thinking about getting one of the new mac minis... this is nice.

**LightningMac** · 03-12-2006, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

See the second to last section.

will it also support a XM PCR 1000? (I hope so, just got one off ebay!)

**Bugbyte** · 03-12-2006, 06:33 PM

If the XM PCR appears as a serial device on the Mac, it should support it. As I understand it, some of the XM PCR's are simply a USB connection with a serial driver that gets installed. If so, you'll be able to select and use it in Harmony.

**minicoopS007** · 03-13-2006, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by LightningMac

looks awesome!

will it also support a XM PCR 1000? (I hope so, just got one off ebay!)

Let me introduce myself. I'm the other developer helping bugbyte out.
I'm bidding on an XMPCR on ebay. I need it to see how to integrate xmpcr. This will allow the you to choose either xmpcr or xmdirect. I think xmpcr will be easier since the software already exists.

cheers

**LightningMac** · 03-13-2006, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by minicoopS007

Let me introduce myself. I'm the other developer helping bugbyte out.
I'm bidding on an XMPCR on ebay. I need it to see how to integrate xmpcr. This will allow the you to choose either xmpcr or xmdirect. I think xmpcr will be easier since the software already exists.

cheers

I know someone on ebay, who can get you the XM PCR without an antenna for $50 in a brown box, unit is new, but the box was damaged.
His ebay ID is bilbo6 he has other auctions for units with a buy it now price of about $80 (whole package including antenna, but damaged box) if I remember right...

**Bugbyte** · 03-13-2006, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by LightningMac

another quick question.

will a universal binary version be available?

There's no reason we can't release one. I haven't looked into how to do it, but given that it's AS, it should be straightforward.

**Bugbyte** · 03-13-2006, 08:12 PM

Okay, so I haven't been working on getting iTunes to playback properly. Instead, I've been polishing up an app that generates kml files for Google Earth. Don't worry, it will all go into Harmony in the end.

This is actually part of our devel strategy, working on a single script or app and then being able to fold that functionality into Harmony when it's ready.

But I really need to get back to work on the iTunes part. It broke when MinicoopS007 and I merged the code and it ought to be an easy fix. It's just that I'm so CLOSE to getting the GPS app to working. So little time and so much fun to be had!