Jirka Jirout

Yes, there is. I have been testing the navigation for two weeks now. We still need to fine-tune few algorithms to deal with GPS errors and some mathematic issues, but it should be out for beta testers after the weekend.

I am in process of moving so I did not have as much time as I would like recently. But I will try to post some details, screenshots etc. during the weekend and Monday, which is a holiday here.

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metalac

Well a monday is a holiday here as well . So you're still using routebuddy for navigation?

Jirka Jirout

Well, we have changed our approach a bit and separated the routing part from the actual navigation. This gives us the option to use any source of mapping data and the data does not even have to be installed on the local hard drive. You can plan your route on your desktop and simply download it to the car. Or someone else can do this for you...

At the moment, we are using Google Earth to do the routing part. However we do prefer Routebuddy because of much more detailed maps and (in the future) support for offroad navigation (incl. elevation data). We may also support Microsoft MapPoint.

boondocksaint

I read the whole thread. It made me smile. I've not got my setup up and running yet (okay, I haven't even gotten the components yet), but I do work on my Powerbook a *lot* and am willing to help in any way I can.

Thanks for paying attention to the oft-neglected Mac'ers out there.

Subscribed.

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Jirka Jirout

So QCar 1.61 is now out. Main changes are:
- improvements in power manager
- Navigation module included (works with KMLs planned in Google Earth for now)
- Google Maps module can now show the planned route and current position and provides more space for the map inside a workarea
- Mail module shows read/unread messages, speech support is now completed
- Improved audio control (no sudden volume changes etc.)
- CPU load highly reduced
- Many bug fixes related to mail and hardware-oriented modules.
- Slightly improved Voice memo recorder (the GUI still needs some work)

This release is available both for beta testers (who should know where to find it) and as a general demo (with 10 minutes time limit) available at http://www.qcar.nl

Please note that QCar is highly flexible and many parameters can be configured in the configuration plist files. So the documentation is not included just for fun ;-) Some modules may actually require configuration, for others, changes may be needed to improve performance (especially the navigation and phidgets).

BTW: we know the default color schemes are not the best and will appreciate any suggestions on how to improve them.

evankuhl

when i try to download the trial safari cannot find the page

Jirka Jirout

Fixed now. Our server is not configured to serve .dmg files, so it is a .dmg.zip now.

evankuhl

downloading now....

MP3Car.com

 

Jirka Jirout

Some screenshots from navigation in 1.61

Attached Images

   

evankuhl

i'm running the demo version on my mac mini duo. I like it alot, it is really simple, i'm still trying to get the hang of it though.

It looks good so far and I can't wait until the finished version comes out!!!!

a few things i noticed (i don't know anything about programming, etc so bear with me)

in the music player, when you press the bottom back arrow it "deletes" the music player from the slot, and you have to quit and restart to regain the option of putting a music player in the slot. besides that i can't get much to work yet (i just got my mini and am still setting it up too)

joesan

Jirka - This app really moves things in the right directions. It really feels robust and well thought out. The attention to detail is great- the documentation is good and helpful, things like the little scripts to launch the app at the right size show that the developers care about ease of use. Having seen Ondra at work a little on the PSUMoni app I know that the quality of the programming will be spot on too.

On the constructive criticism side - I see that you mention the original colour scheme, to be honest the scheme does look a little drab but I don't think it is much that a little "aquafication" and some transparency etc. wouldn't address. Might it not be a good idea to hire a graphic designer to spritz things up a little. Or you could do what others have done and make a call for design input. I am talking purely about the cosmetics here - I know that the "bones" of the system is amply catered for by the programming team.

I, probably in common with others, will use the Mac primarily for two things 1) GPS 2) Media playback, mainly audio. As I don't yet a GPS puck (but hope to do so soon) I can't really comment on the GPS function yet. However I do have a couple of suggestions on the media player front.

1) It takes a loooong time to navigate to a band or song beginning with S or T from the start of the list. Many people will have lots of songs on their hard disks. Might it be a good idea to have the ability to jump directly to the points in the list beginning A,B,C,D,X,Y,Z etc.?

2) It would be really nice to have some album art. It just makes everything more intuitive and looks a lot nicer.

3) For a lot of the QCar modules the main window size is fine but for the music player, and perhaps some other modules, the main window is just too small. I'd question the philosophy of keeping all the other modules visible and thereby limiting the useful size of the main window. I think I can follow the rigour of the approach but it results in a very small usable area for some of the modules. I think it might be better to allow every app to be displayed full screen if necessary. Since the majority of people use a 7 or 8" screen I think you need to maximise the use of the screen real estate.

I know its early days for the cosmetics but I think many of us like the in-screen display to look cool and most people that use a Mac are distinctly design aware. I think it becomes all the more important that the system looks, as well as functions, good as you are planning on selling the application.

All in all though I think this will be a winner. And I can't wait for the Phone integration module.

Jirka Jirout

Could you please mail me (jirka.jirout/at/mac.com) the console log? It should be stored in /Library/Logs/yourusername/ folder. "Deletes the music player from the slot" actually means the whole module is released from the memory, typically due to some error/exception.

Jirka Jirout

Yes, we have actually hired a graphic designer. The first visible output of her work will be new icons in the weather and navigation modules, but a complete change of look is also open. The thing is that I do not believe in aqua too much and I got rid of it in the old TatraApp after some time.


We are aware of this and will address the issue either by grouping items hierarchically in the browser or by some combo-like search function. We are also redesigning the browser to provide more space for its items at the moment.


I would certainly disagree about the "more intuitive" part, but we will re-consider this. While there is not enough space in the normal layout to display the art (or better "to display the art and something else"), a fullscreen mode for the player might be an option.


First, it is called a workarea, not window ;-) Second - you can create a screen setup in which only the active module is visible or takes a significant part of the screen - check our standard setup for 640x480 resolution.


Some modules, for which it makes sense, can and do go fullscreen - i.e. Google maps, Movie player, e-mail reader.

joesan

Great stuff Jirka. Thanks for listening. I know that this app will be killer when finished because it is already so good now.

And if there is just one thing I've learned from using this it is that rotary controllers blow touchscreens out of the water when the app is coded to properly exploit them...

lackskill

you are such a hooker.

+1 for all of the effort put forth here. I read the beginning of this thread a few months ago. I am very excited at how far things have come. Hopefully in the next year or so I will actually get around to installing a system. (isfh)

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