Watchface: Countdown!

Hi!

A brand new, re-designed and highly configurable countdown watchface was released today!

Countdown! was inspired by my first countdown watchfaces, which eventually got pulled from the ConnectIQ store.

These older watchfaces were hard-coded in the sense that you couldn't configure your own event date.
It wasn't long before I found it impossible to keep up with requests for watchfaces for all sorts of events.
This forced me to stop any further development of countdown watchfaces.

For all the new Garmin owners, and those who wish to refresh their memory, the old thread can be found here: Watchface: CountDown 2 Event

Based on the short history lesson above, it is easy to understand and appreciate the need for user configurability.
With the advent of v1.2.1 SDK, Garmin provided developers with the capability to integrate user configurability into their apps.

And so Countdown! was born!

FEATURES:

Time in 12 / 24 format
Date
Battery level in %
Bluetooth indicator for mobile phone
Notifications icon and count
Alarm icon and count
Sleep mode icon
Step counter
Event count down
Fully configurable:
- Colors
- Time size (normal / bigger)
- Hide / display event date
- Hide / display Step counter!

IMPORTANT -- PLEASE READ !!
A few bugs exist in iOS and Android flavours of Garmin Connect Mobile app, specifically with regards to the setting of an event date.
These bugs have been reported to Garmin, but until a fix is available, you have to abide to some rules to ensure a hassle free experience.
Read through the section relevant to the platform of your mobile phone BEFORE YOU GIVE ANY BAD RATINGS / REVIEWS!
I am available on email ([email protected]) and will dedicate my time to provide assistance with any problems you may encounter with this watchface.

[----- iOS -----]
When opening the settings for this watchface, you will notice that the "Event Date" picker most of the times displays an empty value, or sometimes 1 Jan 1970.
Please ensure that you always pick your event date EVERY time you open settings, even if you only wish to change another setting like a color (valid date must be between current date and 18 Jan 2038).
Failure to set the Event Date will result in the counter on the watch to reset to "0 days".
If it gets reset accidentally, just enter settings again and pick the event date and save it again.

[----- ANDROID -----]
When opening the settings for this watchface, you will notice that the "Event Date" picker may display an old value, like "17 Jan 1970".
Please ensure that you pick an event date to override this old date. Next time you enter settings, it will correctly display your chosen date (valid date must be between current date and 18 Jan 2038).

[----- GARMIN EXPRESS MAC / WIN -----]
VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure your Garmin Express version is 4.1.11.0 or higher!
Older versions cause problems with all colors resetting to black, making the watchface appear blank and empty.
Once you have the latest version installed, configuring settings with Garmin Express is the RECOMMENDED way: It provides the most stable and reliable experience in configuring this watchface. If you experience any difficulties with your mobile phone, please first try Garmin Express before giving up.

Please email me at
[email][email protected][/email]
for further assistance.
Don't forget to provide the model of your watch and the firmware version. Help me to help you :)

TUTORIAL:
Follow this link for a quick tutorial on how to use Garmin ConnectIQ settings to configure this watchface:
(TIP: Use your existing Connect account to log into the forum to be able to view the screen shots. No need for you to create another account!)
How to: App Settings

webvan over 9 years ago

Indeed so it's a special temporary version as there are only two configuration options ?

Also with the 10 second powersave timeout it looks a bit strange when the seconds freeze but it will do until tonight ;-)

MachtGeirich over 9 years ago

I just discovered it - less than 1 hour back... Didn't expect an update that fast, and didn't want to pressure you, or even know how fast you can get an update through Garmin...

But I tried different settings, and I don't get it to work - e.g. with these settings:
Show remaining time (<24 hours to event) = on (Blue button)
optinal time = 23:59
Event date = 31. dec. 2015
Display = 1 days :'(

I am using Gamin Connect on Android to adjust settings and load the watchface.

Update:
Apparently after deleting and reinstalling the watchface, my Event Title was empty - when setting this, it changed from days to hr:min:sec. A strange effect one would not expect, but never mind - it works and tremendous you had it ready so FAST :-)

HermoT over 9 years ago

Indeed so it's a special temporary version as there are only two configuration options ?

Also with the 10 second powersave timeout it looks a bit strange when the seconds freeze but it will do until tonight ;-)

There isn't a temporary version. The original has been updated with an option to show time within 24 hours from event start time.

The seconds that freeze unfortunately will have to be removed. Too many people don't understand Garmin's concept of low power mode.

I'm thinking of rather showing only hours and minutes.

HermoT over 9 years ago

I just discovered it - less than 1 hour back... Didn't expect an update that fast, and didn't want to pressure you, or even know how fast you can get an update through Garmin...

But I tried different settings, and I don't get it to work - e.g. with these settings:
Show remaining time (<24 hours to event) = on (Blue button)
optinal time = 23:59
Event date = 31. dec. 2015
Display = 1 days :'(

I am using Gamin Connect on Android to adjust settings and load the watchface.

Update:
Apparently after deleting and reinstalling the watchface, my Event Title was empty - when setting this, it changed from days to hr:min:sec. A strange effect one would not expect, but never mind - it works and tremendous you had it ready so FAST :-)

Ok I am glad you could figure it out!
We'll discuss and mature the concept in the new year!

HermoT over 9 years ago

Thanks for great watch face, is there any way to program multiple events such as appointments/time of appointments?

Unfortunately not. Memory is very limited on these devices.
Only one event at a time for now.

webvan over 9 years ago

There isn't a temporary version. The original has been updated with an option to show time within 24 hours from event start time.

The seconds that freeze unfortunately will have to be removed. Too many people don't understand Garmin's concept of low power mode.

I'm thinking of rather showing only hours and minutes.

Sorry, I could only see two settings on GExpress but they're all there in GC.

For the display you could use the 2016 countdown trick : Days.HH:mm

HermoT over 9 years ago

Sorry, I could only see two settings on GExpress but they're all there in GC.

For the display you could use the 2016 countdown trick : Days.HH:mm

Based on a lot of experience and feedback from users of my initial CountDown 2 Event watchfaces, the hours only make sense as soon as you are within a 24 hour frame from start of the event.

The days have to allow 3 digits. In most layouts the space won't provide for that.
I am thinking of sticking with my decision though.

Regarding the settings in GE, I hope you are using the latest version? 4.1.12.0

Former Member over 9 years ago

Great to hear about the hours countdown :)
At the same time, a pity there is no memory to add multiple events - perhaps pulling something from the watch calendar? Haven't used that yet, so I don't know what is possible.

One remark about your PR though: you have a great watchface, but the description starts with a list of warnings about the setting of the time. While I agree it is necessary for people to know this, you may want to make them enthousiastic first by highlighting the biggest benefits AND by including version changes/dates in the description, so people can see what is added and fixed, and when you did it. Since you are so fast in responding to problems, that is a big advantage, which you should make people aware of ;) I suspect it will lead to even more downloads :)

HermoT over 9 years ago

a pity there is no memory to add multiple events - perhaps pulling something from the watch calendar? Haven't used that yet, so I don't know what is possible.

It is more a matter of watch face restrictions. Watch faces have NO connectivity to the outside, be it the calendar or internet activity. This is all related to conserving battery power, so unfortunately that isn't possible.

but the description starts with a list of warnings about the setting of the time. While I agree it is necessary for people to know this, you may want to make them enthousiastic first by highlighting the biggest benefits AND by including version changes/dates in the description, so people can see what is added and fixed, and when you did it. Since you are so fast in responding to problems, that is a big advantage, which you should make people aware of ;) I suspect it will lead to even more downloads :)

Thank you for this useful feedback. I have changed the layout a bit and will add the changelog a bit later.

HermoT over 9 years ago

Changeset v1.2.0

Changeset for v1.2.0 includes:

1) Fixed issue with parsing of time where "08" or "09" was entered in hours or minutes.
2) Fixed alignment issues for APAC devices
3) Hides seconds part of countdown when device enters low power mode, displays again when entering high power mode
4) Added a move bar. Can be hidden.
5) The step progress bar can be used as an alternative move bar (hides the move bar in #4)
6) Can substitute the step counter and goal field with distance and kCalories