Re-created widget, no response from original developer, can I publish?

Just wondering what to do... I was a happy user of this widget:

https://apps.garmin.com/nl-NL/apps/e9625ffd-9eaa-4591-96fe-c9f67cb71150

Unfortunately it's not available for the 935/fenix5 watches. I contacted the developer about this but didn't get a reply, so I decided to make it myself. I now have it in a state where I could share/publish it (also added some other stuff) but don't want to release it just like that.

I again contacted the developer to ask if it's ok to release it, giving him/her credits and am waiting for a reply. What would be acceptable/ok in this situation? If I don't get an answer, release it?

Afaik it's all free so no harm there, but doesn't feel right to release/publish it without any contact. Am thinking about a change in design, but I actually simply like the current one...

Any ideas?

jim_m_58 over 9 years ago

You mentioned you tried contacting the developer, but didn't mention a timeframe. If it's just been a few days, it could simple be the the developer is out of town/unavailable. Even if you look at reviews/a showcase thread, it could be there's just been not much happening for some time.. (I have some stuff I haven't updated or posted about in 6+ months....)

BUT what I'd do is change the UI. The under lying data is something that about any developer can get, and the "how it's displayed" can be unique to the app, and I'd avoid having that look the same (especially if you not only support devices the original doesn't, but more so if you support devices it does.

A bit of "make it your own" from what the user sees is what I'm saying, and use a new name for it. Crediting the developer is a nice thing, IMHO!