Should GPS be automatic in newer SDKs? And font questions with latest SDKs

tamar 10 months ago

Just built a watch face based on a watch face I had loved on my 5&6 (and 7 till an update broke it). Fwiw, it's prefixed with TSWF; he might have a few versions for older Fenixes (TSWF05 is still in the ConnectIQ store but I have multiple versions, as he started with 01.)

I noticed maybe with my 6 or 7 that I didn't need to do an activity to get a GPS lock, but in installing this code he made available to me, I'm getting a NO GPS error. Do I need to wait? Get out of sleep mode? (I finished late...)

I also noticed that for my purposes, the FONT_XTINY was too big and I needed to go smaller. Only issue is that one font I wanted to use seemed...too small. Or at least it didn't load. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why because I initially compiled this on a much older SDK, something like 4.x or so, and the font was fine. The only things I really changed were the main .MC file, the background image from 280x280 to 454x454, and obviously, the manifest.xml. Why would a font work on one SDK/device and not another?

Thanks in advance. I still can't really code but thanks to AI, I got it working. (after a ridiculous amount of hours. I know this is not the features forum, but Garmin should absolutely consider an AI app/watchface making tool! The built in watchface builder is farrrrrr too limited).

tamar 5 months ago in reply to 1111BO

Yes, that's my ideal, but I don't think I can do so without permission from the developer.

1111BO 5 months ago in reply to tamar

I was thinking about maybe doing it. But it wasn’t really serious. That is a project that needs time I don’t have. I would have contacted him and just ask if it’s ok. I don’t think he would disagree. He clearly dropped the 4th version for the 5th which a better version in his mind (but too crowded in IMO)If he would have cared about it he would have maintained it. Now, I would make sure to say that it is only an emulation and making sure to state that it is his creation in the description page and that you just want to revive it. Sometimes some simple and barebones aesthetics just hit the right way. Also, unless you have his permission you can’t make a penny out of it. also, all this is when you care about doing the right thing, because, this is not really art, like a painting. It is only classic fonts and lines. So many UX got ripped and copied nowadays tech. Between Apple and Android. I wouldn’t mind too much if you don’t get an answer from him. Also, if I understood well, some fonts might be different in the end. So…

tamar 5 months ago in reply to 1111BO

I love the amount of data! It is all about his permission, he has the code, and even the modified one that fixes a bug. But the SDK has since updated so there's a possibility to improve upon it further and he's kind of MIA. That's where it gets tricky.

flocsy🤠 5 months ago in reply to tamar

I don't really understand the hesitation. Have you asked for the source code? If he doesn't give it to you just do a clone. It won't be identical. I guess you could call it TSWF-something, though I wouldn't. I would probably mention in the description that it was inspired by TSWF4. You even have the right for at least the T :) (But be careful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_v._MikeRoweSoft ;)

tamar 5 months ago in reply to flocsy🤠

If it was a clone, correct, that's what I could do.

Except it's not and I told him I wouldn't distribute it.

flocsy🤠 5 months ago in reply to tamar

So he gave you the source but only so that you could build it for yourself?

tamar 5 months ago in reply to flocsy🤠

People do weird things after celebrating birthday parties and stuff, what do you want me to say? I made a promise, I'm sticking to it, and I am not elaborating further. If someone wants to bug him as much as I have, they can by all means. In the meantime, I'm honoring my promise and hope that can be respected.

1111BO 5 months ago in reply to tamar

Don't get me wrong, the 4th is just spot on and balanced. The 5th has an extra line in both the upper part and lower part.

So do you mean that you'll work it out and won't share on connect IQ ?

tamar 5 months ago in reply to 1111BO

I stopped working on it. He has the code. If he chooses to release it, it's his choice, but certainly not mine.