Concept: battery widget

[joppu]

Since Maemo 5 supports desktop widgets I thought that one that would have a big battery icon would be really useful. For example you can quickly check how much battery life you have visually. I made a few mock-ups how it would look:

http://i28.tinypic.com/2colyev.jpg

Here are examples of various states:

http://i28.tinypic.com/154vyh0.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/204fm8.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/lgufq.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/efqbn9.jpg

I don't have much programming exprerience but I can make the graphics if someone decides to work more on this idea on the coding part.

[theflew]

Not saying this isn't a good idea because you can never have too many widgets, but there is a battery indicator in the status area already in the top left hand side of the screen. Also just so the graphic makes immediate sense you might want to add the little nipple at the end of the battery.

[joppu]

but there is a battery indicator in the status area already in the top left hand side of the screen.

Yeah, but a larger battery meter would be very useful if you just take a quick glance on your phone, you can see the battery status much easier in my opinion.

[galf]

Since Maemo 5 supports desktop widgets I thought that one that would have a big battery icon would be really useful. For example you can quickly check how much battery life you have visually. I made a few mock-ups how it would look:


An alternative would be to show the estimated number of hours one has left visually. This would enable you to follow this information without looking at the tooltip of the battery indicator. Of course, these could also be combined :)

[joppu]

An alternative would be to show the estimated number of hours one has left visually. This would enable you to follow this information without looking at the tooltip of the battery indicator. Of course, these could also be combined :)

Wouldn't this require some kind of programming to keep track of and calculate the remaining time based on average uptime?

[Jaffa]

Even if it does duplicate functionality, if it looks pretty and scratches someone's itch, all power to 'em.

Suggest the graphics look like something from: http://vector.tutsplus.com/illustration/how-to-create-a-transparent-battery-icon/ - indeed, since Maemo 5 supports semi-transparent widgets, you should be able to see some of your background through this style of icon.

[joppu]

Even if it does duplicate functionality, if it looks pretty and scratches someone's itch, all power to 'em.

Suggest the graphics look like something from: http://vector.tutsplus.com/illustration/how-to-create-a-transparent-battery-icon/ - indeed, since Maemo 5 supports semi-transparent widgets, you should be able to see some of your background through this style of icon.

Well, then how about this:
http://i28.tinypic.com/2vn19jq.jpg
I really want to kinda stick to the Maemo 5/Nokia style and not just copy Apple.

[ysss]

Will the widget have 'remaining time' display, maybe based the current power draw (if that information is available to the system) or preset database of power drain of the features in use (screen brightness, cellular, wifi, bt, gps).

[pelago]

Well, then how about this:
http://i28.tinypic.com/2vn19jq.jpg
I really want to kinda stick to the Maemo 5/Nokia style and not just copy Apple.
joppu, that looks nice, and I like the idea of a large battery indicator - I'm sure that will be useful for some folks. I think it needs to be clear that it's a battery, so your second picture is better than the first, although I worry that the outline might be indistinct against a dark background.

[Capt'n Corrupt]

Forgive my ignorance...

Is there support for python/ruby/perl scripting for widgets? A plugin 'wrapper' or something. If not, it would be GREAT to be able to rapidly prototype and roll out widgets.

(Yes, I know, perl is ugly, but it's light, easy to script, and %#*ing fast)

}8^)~

[Jaffa]

Is there support for python/ruby/perl scripting for widgets? A plugin 'wrapper' or something. If not, it would be GREAT to be able to rapidly prototype and roll out widgets.

You could in Diablo: http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=144334&postcount=34

Given the final SDK isn't out for Fremantle, we've not seen the details on doing it for Fremantle - I assume it won't be too different.

[livefreeordie]

I really want to kinda stick to the Maemo 5/Nokia style and not just copy Apple.

Even if you don't want to copy that design, the reflections on the nipple help it be visible even against a dark background. I'd suggest adding at least something similar.

[Capt'n Corrupt]

@Jaffa,

Thanks for that. I figured there was support. Do you have any idea how open the api is to the python interpreter? For example, can widgets have access to accelerometer data? Is perl supported too?

I'm thinking some virtual fish swimming about my display is impressive enough to get me laid.

I may try my hand at a widget for fun! I'd love to have a generic remote-control widget that can execute pre-defined shell commands to do whatever.

It's official, Maemo rox.

}:^|~

[qwerty12]

I know nothing of Python but I'm pretty sure that Perl isn't supported due to it lacking GTK+ bindings (for one) in the repository, forget Hildon ones for applications even. :)

[Capt'n Corrupt]

A wrapper could take care of that (in a limited way), though it's probably far more trouble than it's worth for the majority of tasks. Thanks for the info!

};^)~

[joppu]

...visible even against a dark background.

although I worry that the outline might be indistinct against a dark background.

Well, the battery itself isn't solid black, it's more reflective. I tested and it seemed to be visible even on an black backround, or what do you think?:
http://i28.tinypic.com/sn2gy9.jpg

[Lord Raiden]

Personally, I'd rather have something similar to what my laptop has. IE, it shows the % remaining, and the estimated number of minutes/hours remaining based on current usage patterns over the past 5 minutes.

[livefreeordie]

Well, the battery itself isn't solid black, it's more reflective. I tested and it seemed to be visible even on an black backround, or what do you think?:
http://i28.tinypic.com/sn2gy9.jpg

Black isn't the worst case. The worst case is a dark image with a pattern that blends into the nipple. I'd add stronger highlights. The rest of the battery is large enough to not really have that issue.

[412b]

Percentage and/or timeleft or none (give the user options to configure it :)) on the battery widget looks nice. When I realese new AP and APM, I'll take a closer look at the fremntle's hildondesktop-python, but writting such widget seems to be not a hard thing to do.

[igor]

Percentage and/or timeleft or none (give the user options to configure it :)) on the battery widget looks nice.

The sad truth is that the power consumption varies so much depending on the use case that it's not really reasonable (imho) to give any estimate about residual use time.

What can be given - somehow - is the residual battery charge.

Of course it all would be much more simple if the battery had an integrated uC like most laptop batteries do.

P.S.
It's cool to be able to post again without having to worry of giving away something considered confidential.

[sondjata]

Personally I'd prefer the battery to last long enough that I don't care to look at a meter. Secondly, I don't know about the rest of you but I have enough widgets on my desktop that I don't need another battery monitor taking up space on it. And really is it that hard to look at the built in one?

[Bratag]

I was always a fan of a piece of software I saw that made a sound like ballbearings in a can when the phone was shaken. More balls - more battery.

Since maemo allows programs to be always active in the background I cannot imagine this would be that hard to do. Only problem I see is that it may affect other apps that rely on the accel

[tso]

dont know the limitations, but how about the program only makes the sound when screen lock is active?

[Jaffa]

I was always a fan of a piece of software I saw that made a sound like ballbearings in a can when the phone was shaken. More balls - more battery.

Sounds cool.

Since maemo allows programs to be always active in the background I cannot imagine this would be that hard to do. Only problem I see is that it may affect other apps that rely on the accel

There shouldn't be any problem, AFAICT, with multiple apps reading the accelerometer data simultaneously.

[Bratag]

Well I guess I was looking for a project to get into coding for this platform. This is as good as any I suppose. No promises but Ill give it a shot.

[allnameswereout]

allow option for percentage... :)

[joppu]

Well I guess I was looking for a project to get into coding for this platform. This is as good as any I suppose. No promises but Ill give it a shot.

Thanks! Just ask me for the graphics when you need them.

[joppu]

Sorry for bump, but here are the GFX if anyone decides to work on this:

[semiquaver]

Yeah, but a larger battery meter would be very useful if you just take a quick glance on your phone, you can see the battery status much easier in my opinion.
We could make a widget where the device continually vibrates with a frequency proportional to the battery level. That way you wouldn't even need to glance.

[joppu]

Would't that kill your battery if it's always on?

[semiquaver]

I was only joking -- apologies if I came off as rude.

[kopte3]

I'm sorry, i like the idea but i find your design too much power point like.
That tutorial with 3d battery and nice reflections is much better looking to me. It's just my opinion.
BTW if Apple is using 3d icons we should use 2d? What's next? If Apple uses some color you shouldn't use it too? Apple didn't invent 3d icons. I am sick of that - it looks nice = it looks like iPhone, we shouldn't use it...

[joppu]

But this isn't an iPhone, I suggest you to take a look at the overral design of the Maemo 5 Graphical User Interface.

Also I hate following tutorials or copying designs straight from somewhere. If you have Photoshop, feel free to reproduce the Apple's fancy battery design and propose it in this thread.

Sorry if I let you down, but everyone has their own taste.

[mattiviljanen]

I think this widget is useful, especially if it's on every desktop.

I would like it to show the percentage also, and when clicked a balloon with estimated time left.

With theme support, of course!

[Corwin_bg]

We could make a widget where the device continually vibrates with a frequency proportional to the battery level. That way you wouldn't even need to glance.

Ahem, that'd be another app... :p

[no mercy]

I would like it to show the percentage also, and when clicked a balloon with estimated time left.

With theme support, of course!

please do that ;) like ion batterytimer on series 60 (http://www.capree.com/)

[Quindor]

Actually it would be nice to have an addition to the battery meter that shows current battery draw (if that value is available). That way you can quickly see what the current power draw of the device is and if you maybe want to turn off some applications or hardware features.

No other way to see what kind of power you are really using at any given moment that I know of at least, so it would be greatly appreciated! :D

It could be as simple as a mAh text inside of the graphic for the battery level, nothing more needed. Users will learn themselves what is normal for them or not.

What do you guys think? Usefull for you too?

[krk969]

hello people

just started on something in QT to display the progress of the battery level.
need some help/suggestions to carry on.... this is just a start for me.

post is here ==> [/URL]

[url]http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=435484&postcount=2 (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=435484&postcount=2)

[eL.ectron1k]

Hello guys! :)

Can u provide me information where is config files are?
I want to do my own theme of your widget but i need a vertical one, and i think i need to fix smth in config like widget sides.
Thank you!

[kybo]

It will be good to have a picture when battery is charging....
need this update to be perfect !