Checking appetite for a cycling app

nakske

Hello! I'm working on an Android app to keep my mind occupied during long bike rides. It tells me interesting facts about my surroundings.

Do you think you would use something like that? Then I'd do my best to get it published (free to use for all cyclists). Otherwise I'll keep it for myself haha.

Thanks for letting me know!

Cheers

Bart

cletus

Id definitely give it a whirl. I'm usually boring other people with what I think are interesting facts about the area we're cycle through 😂

Seth Brundle

Unless I'm taking a photo as I'm moving, I'm not likely to be looking at my phone during a spin and it sits in my back pocket.

nakske

That's why I made the app speak in my earbuds so no need to look at the phone!

nakske

I'm not sure about the spam policy here but I'm happy to share the link to a (Google play verified) test link.

ottolwinner

is love to give it a go. I could see it Javi many more possibilities too.

monkeyslayer

Make an app that reads my WhatsApps, slacks and emails to me while I'm cycling, moreso during work hours so i dont have to stop to read them... outside of work hours not so much :) it'd be good for drivers too.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122349256#Comment_122349256

My Garmin 1040 allows me to receive notifications from social media including WhatsApp (as well as text messages) but I can also reply to them as I'm pedalling (with stock replies or by typing out a message).

I think other Garmin Edge devices can do this too.

Kurooi

You might have better luck including hiking into it. More time and free hands to look down. If you were to cover local nature flora, fauna, history and include just some pictures not so much that a person has to look down on their phone but if you're not doing any visuals those nature facts will fall flat, I feel.

CramCycle

Id give it a craic if you PMd me the test link

nakske

I also connect my Garmin Edge or Garmin Forerunner which will popup messages from apps I didn't block ( I block Teams and allow Whatsapp) but indeed this is a feature I could definitely include in the future, thanks for the good idea!

nakske

Good point, I've built the app with cyclong, running, walking and hiking in mind. While running or walking I can change the settings so that the app gives me info from within a larger radius around me, because I'm moving slower than on the bike.

I think it could even be used for horseriding, kayaking and who knows what else, haha!

magicbastarder

Where are you getting the content to feed into the app?

Large bottle small glass

I can't think of anything worse.

Time on bike is time not plugged into some feed.

If you are a nosey **** like me the Irish countryside is endlessly interesting.

Trekker09

An app I'd like to see would be an opt in registry of cyclists that would be prepared to assist other cyclists based on geographical areas.

Trekker09

….but going back to the OP. What would be useful would be a list of nearby facilities based on your current location as well as places of interest. I know I can google it but when hiking abroad I have used apps like Camino Ninja and they are great.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058358578/checking-appetite-for-a-cycling-app

Well I know of at least two that do this [Custom way points, custom cue cards, QR codes links etc] and there are probably more out there so why the need for yet another?

nakske

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122350171#Comment_122350171

For now, content is coming in from Wikipedia but I could create custom content in the future. I've enabled some toggles to cut out article sections that don't appeal to me like references etc.

nakske

Haha! I had the same idea so I've already built it into my app (wich I named TripEnhancer by the way)!

I use the Google Places api to list stores, bars, bike mechanics, hotels etc. around you.

nakske

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122350415#Comment_122350415

Can you post the links to those apps? I'll have a look.

Roadtoad

You might get some content or an idea in this short thread: There's a reference within it to an interesting cycling relevant mapping.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058217487/bicycle-repair-stations-self-service-outside-coffee-shops-and-other-places

nakske

Thanks a lot for this link! I've already added the list of Belgian bike Repair stations and will definitely incorporate other regions if I can get the app published in the play store (still in need of some volunteer testers though)

Trekker09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122357230#Comment_122357230

I'll step forward as a volunteer. What framework are you developing in?

Roadtoad

(edit: not a particularly useful suggestion)

Might need a filter for Thatched cottages, Gates and Pumps, but its not fair giving photos and exact addresses of other people's domestic dwellings.

(Seeing as the OP is rather new to Boards, these are some themes from the rather niche boards.ie/cycling/photos taken on your cycle/ thread. The thread has 7000+ contributions, perhaps 3000 photos).

68 lost souls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122357792#Comment_122357792

And a log pile, dont forget the logpile

nakske

I'm developing in jetpack compose.

nakske

Hey check out the Early Access version here: https://bartcaris.wordpress.com/TripEnhancer/

https://bartcaris.wordpress.com/TripEnhancer/

cletus

I've just signed up and downloaded it.

Right off the bat, I'll say I'm not overly happy on being forced by the app to give precise location information all the time, rather than just when I choose to open the app

magicbastarder

is that allowed? what happens if you set that permission at system level, does the app refuse to run?

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122423503#Comment_122423503

There's a message window asking you to change the settings. The option buttons are Dismiss and Settings (I think).

I pressed dismiss repeatedly, and the window just popped back again immediately. Clicked into settings to see what the story was. When I set it to all the time, it allowed the app to run.

I let it run for a few minutes, it gave me some basic Wikipedia style info about my town.

I deleted the app afterwards.

nakske

Sorry to hear! It's meant to stay running in the background to make your walks, runs or cycling trips more interesting and educational.