LapTimer Blog

The Blog is a Forum now

Tue, 03 May 2011 19:50:03 +0200

Dear readers of this blog,

I've started a forum some weeks ago. It is available on www.gps-laptimer-forum.de
As I update this forum regularly, both during discussion and with announcements,
I will stop feeding this stream.

Thanks for following this blog, see you again on the forum. :-)

- Harry

Updates to Web Site and go life of LapTimer Forum

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:22:39 +0100

Updated LapTimer's homepage to reflect version 13 and prepare its release celebration :-)
To make the support process more efficient, I've set up a forum on www.gps-laptimer-forum.de This is now the preferred way of supporting my clients.

LapTimer Standard, and Professional v13.0 submitted

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:20:17 +0100

I expect Apple to approve the apps by the end of next week.

Changes in v13.0

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:16:01 +0100

Here is the list of changes in v13.0 (so far as beta is under way):

- Added OBD II support (currently supported: PCX KiwiWifi)
- All lateral acceleration and approach gadgets are replaced by ODB info once connected
- Fixed 'December lap inports'
- Enhanced vehicle information to have an automatic match with OBD vehicle identification number
- Added a gear shift light (flashes) when OBD II RPM data is available
- Fixed a bug that kept LapTimer from re-linking videos from library
- Reworked the AddOnManager parser code to use less memory (iPhone 3G)
- Added VIN, voltage, fuellevel, current fuel usage, update rate to OBD displays
- Changes in vehicle Details when edited
- Added a rough calculation of engine power and torque depending on MAF to OBD displays
- Added OBD data to data recording and import / export
- Speed displays use OBD speed (selectively) instead of gpsSpeed when available
- Added session information to Video Overlay
- Added OBD information to overlay
- Check that lengthy database migrations get a splash screen (especially GPS fixes)
- Fully refactored sensoric to follow a common scheme, new mixing / synchronization algorithm
- Added Sensor List View including system information, current status, and navigation
- Found and fixed a bug in calibration code
- Added a common scheme for send / receive indicators to OBD and GPS display
- Added virtually best lap (calculated time from best sector times)
- Common warning colors for all frequency gadgets
- Several smaller bug fixes and display enhancements

Version 13.0 beta program

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:01:52 +0100

Hi, In case you want to participate in the version 13.0 beta testing program, please drop me a note using the 'Contact' button in your LapTimer. As this is beta software, stability will be lower as that in the current production version 12.1. Greetings, Harald

OBD II continued

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:01:36 +0100

OBD is almost ready now. Data recording is expanded to cover RPM, obdSpeed, MAF, and throttle position. RPM is integrated in video overlay. I'm not yet happy with the update rate which is on GPS level only (1.2Hz or so). Still optimizing on this and a good time synchronization between GPS and OBD.
OBD allows a rough calculation of current power and torque by the way, same is true for the current fuel consumption. All of this is in place. The whole implementation is done for KiwiWifi which seems to be the most affordable logger.

OBD II continued

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:48:58 +0100

I have a first OBD II monitoring up and running in LapTimer. RPM, voltage, load, fuel level, consumption, VIN, PIDs available are displayed. A 'Schaltblitz' is implemented too. The Wifi connection is still unreliable and needs some more work. It is fun adding more sensors. :-)

Harry's LapTimer Pro Stickers Give Back Initiative

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:58:02 +0100

Receiving my customer‘s feedback is vital for LapTimer‘s future development. In order to reward your time spent writing a Customer Review in App Store, all reviewers can request a high quality LapTimer Pro sticker for free. Please contact me using the Contact button on LapTimer‘s splash screen once you are done. Please do not forget to add your postal address. Needless to say, this is on purpose only and will not be passed on / stored. Harald

Bug in LapTimer Trainer

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:33:38 +0100

Just discovered a bug preventing LapTimer Trainer from receiving lap data recorded in December. Uploaded a fixed version, this will defer Trainer release for 2 weeks.

LapTimer Standard, Professional, Trainer, and GPS Buddy v12.1 submitted

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:56:32 +0100

And this is what has changed:

- Optimized display code for faster updates
- Fixed screen rotation in GPS Data Recording
- Added copyright row to In App purchase
- Added SD video support (including overlays) for iPhone3Gs
- Added more device information to contact mail
- Added vehicle list, complete rework of Vehicles and additional vehicle information (including photo)
- Restructured settings, gave more entries immediate effect
- Fixed a bug introduced in v12: icons were not shown in selection lists
- Improved polar coordinate picker view for degree format
- Added skin support for Picker Views
- Added driver to Event configuration
- Updated English Quick Reference, added German Quick Reference
- Improved interaction between external Settings app and LapTimer internal settings
- Fixed a bug the occured when POIs were moved around in the Maps View
- It is now possible to manually record videos AND record / overlay data
- Several smaller bug fixes

Not all of these changes are relevant for GPS Buddy. For GPS Buddy a fix was applied to make it work with iOS3.1.3 again.

OBD II

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:15:00 +0100

Received a Kiwi Wifi OBD II device today. This small piece of hardware is plugged into the car's OBD port and can be linked to an iPhone using WLAN. I plan to incorporate some of the information (like gear / rev) into LapTimer data recording - especially for the video overlay. Stay tuned.

Video overlay with 3Gs and/or iOS4.0x...

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 22:19:41 +0200

... does not work yet. Will be fixed with next version. Please update to iOS 4.1 for iPhone4 devices.

Next feature

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:13:59 +0200

Made some really interesting tests today. Last weekend I have implemented a first version of a "Engine Power View", showing the current engine power developed using a nearly complete physical / mathematical model. This model takes speed, acceleration, loss, and slope into account. As this model need quite some characteristics of the vehicle driven, I need to add a real vehicle management now. Currently a vehicle is a name and a tag for car or motorcycle only. Stay tuned.

LapTimer Profession v12 available

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:10:00 +0200

It is approved an online now. Enjoy, this version is nice and stable ;-)

LapTimer v12, Laptimer Pro v12, GPS Buddy v12 submitted to Apple

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:36:12 +0200

Just submitted the latest version v12 to Apple:

- Added a sort option to Hall of Fame
- Added a full text search bar to the Add-ons View
- Improved video recording display performance
- Reworked automatic calibration when changing between Video and portrait views
- Removed error message after one lap of recording
- In general, only every second lap can be recorded currently
- Added full dashboard overlaying as a post-processing option
- Reworked all track set icons to follow the same style, please fully reload Add-ons to get improved icons
- Fixed timestamp manipulation (rounding to 1s) for high update rate input devices / sensors
- When video view is closed while recording, video is moved to asset library
- Improved video snapshot handling in Lap Details
- Trackday export had another bug - fixed
- Improved TomTom integration again, still fuzzy with iOS4
- Several smaller improvements to the user interface and wording
- Removed several minor bugs

Overlayed Video Example

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:48:23 +0200

Just uploaded a 'final' video to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsONytK6rZs Select 'HD' if you have enough bandwidth. The video is completely recorded and overlayed using an iPhone4 (GPS, acceleration, video). Quite impressive feature combination, isn't it?

Changed Pricing Scheme v11 - v12

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:53:57 +0200

Prices for v12 will be raised compared to v11 (especially for the LapTimer Pro). In case you thought about buying v11, go for it now as upgrades are generally free of charge.

Video Overlay again

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:52:26 +0200

I finished video overlaying yesterday night, version 12 will include a function to combine any video with any data recording (matching recordings preferred ;-) ) in really nice quality. Overlaying will be done as post processing, not in realtime while racing.

Video Overlay update

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 09:57:35 +0200

Still working on overlaying videos with a dashboard (speed, time, acceleration). I got stuck with realtime processing, the frame rate I can achieve is 5 to 10 only (not acceptable). I've added a post processing option in Lap Details to work around this. It requires less then twice the time of the original recording to overlay - probably o.k. for the first release...

LapTimer 11.1 submitted to Apple

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:37:48 +0200

Submitted both LapTimer 11.1 Standard and Professional to Apple.
Changes / Features include:

- Fixed a rounding bug for receiver update rate (no progress beyond 0.6 on iPhone4)
- Associated hpoil, hpoiz, hlptrl, hlptrz with LapTimer Standard and Professional. This allows import from mails.
- Added Video feature to the Professional Features set
- Current tab bar selection is saved when app is sent to background
- Reworked the video controller to mimick the (future) video overlay
- Added calibration reset view when orientation is changed between SportChrono and video controller
- Added recalculate acceleration function to Lap Details. Can be used to repair recording with bad calibration
- Removed automatic change to Video View when iPhone was rotated
- Added a map to Video View

FYI: Professional Features

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:01:32 +0200

Hi, the Professional Features in app purchase is designed to add all functionality to the Standard version that is included in LapTimer Professional. The Video feature is currently not included however. It will be added in 11.1, so please do not buy the Video feature currently if you have the Professional Features option already.

Video up and running

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:32:15 +0200

Did the final tests on video recording yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azGl3xp1GJM). Work pretty nice, with a frame rate of 30fps. I work on realtime overlaying (i. e. adding a dashboard to the video) but cannot get the frame rate to an acceptable level. More work to do... I will probably need to implement this a post processing...

LapTimer Trainer 11 submitted to Apple

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:34:43 +0200

O.k., submitted Trainer 11.0 now. As the iPad does not support the video libraries used in the iOS4 devices currently, video support is missing. Things will get more easy once iOS4.2 is available in November.

LapTimer 11 submitted to Apple

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:10:58 +0200

Thought it was worth a major version number update, I've submitted LapTimer Standard and Professional versions 11.0 to Apple on Sunday:

UPDATE VERSION 11.0

- Background video capture in sync with lap timing (Professional version, requires iPhone 4)
- Added InApp purchase for video capture feature (Standard version, requires iPhone 4)
- Completed skins
- Further UI enhancements
- Added history views to all speed, height, and acceleration gadgets
- Improved accessory handling, hot plugging / unplugging
- Background is dimmed for all hover views
- Added precision selection for GPS fix time
- Added field icons to indicate action triggered
- Reset acceleration calibration when orientation is changed
- Arbitrary videos can be linked into lap list
- Simplified POI Details editing
- New button layout for button bar (including Video)
- Fixed a bug when LapTimer was run on iPad double density
- Fixed a bug in KML export (trackday selection only)
- Fixed network reconnection algorithm
- Added receive indicator for GPS source icon
- Several bugfixes introduced with iOS4

Documentation on Trigger Logic available

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:42:15 +0200

Just added an often requested page on the way LapTimer uses triggers for automatic lap timing. Link: http://web.me.com/hschlangmann/LapTimer_Homepage/Trigger_Logik.html

Video Recording starting with version 11

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:09:56 +0200

Had a great time during weekend doing some experiments with Video Recording on my iPhone4 devices. First LapTimer prototype with video recording while lapping is in place. Starting with iOS4.1 it will be possible to not only record but add some dashboard overlay in realtime. Stay tuned, great things will get real :-)

LapTimer (all versions) 10.5.1 submitted to Apple

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:02:49 +0200

Having published 10.5 last week, I needed to submit a bug fix release today. The bugs fixed are around magnetic compass, and the new export function. I polished the button artwork again, too.

LapTimer Home Page Update

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:26:23 +0200

As the transfer bewteen Trainer and other LapTimer changed somewhat, I updated the Trainer page today. Other pages with updates are the Tracks page - this reflects the latest development now.

Updated all LapTimer Snapshots on iTunes

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:24:49 +0200

Lap transfer between iPhones and Trainer

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:08:41 +0200

Had a hard time tracking down some bugs in device 2 device data transfer. Finally fixed it this night. Versions 10.4 submitted have not all fixes, they will be submitted with a minor update version 10.4.1. In case you cannot wait, please contact me.

Submitted LapTimer, LapTimer Professional, LapTimer Trainer 10.4

Sun, 30 May 2010 20:50:08 +0200

Had to resubmit all three versions (submitted 8 days ago already). Still had a bug in all armv7 builds (i.e. iPhone 3Gs, latest gen iPod touch, and iPad). Given this, 10.4 will take another week until it is available in the AppStore.

LapTimer Pro, Standard, and Trainer! 10.2 submitted

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:52:22 +0100

Hi, just met Apple's dead line to submit Apps developed for the iPad. LapTimer Trainer is a kind of control and analysis instrument. Laps recorded with LapTimer Standard or Professional can be submitted wireless to the iPad for comparison. Great for all driving trainers! Besides this 10.2 has lots of smaller improvements again. It never stops ;-)

LapTimer and LapTimer Professional 10.1 submitted

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:25:44 +0100

New LapTimer version submitted to Apple. Both will be available in a few days.

- Added ,danger ahead‘ alarm / yellow flag function: LapTimer users racing the same track can be alerted
- Fixed links in Products View
- Quick move between Satellites and GPS View: tap GPS Rate field to switch
- Several improvements for POI display
- Wide speed gadgets can be tapped to change display precision
- New features in data recording: show / do not show GPS fixes, lineal acceleration in plots
- Expanded supported hardware platforms to first gen iPod touch / iPhones
- Improved swift action in data recording / diagram
- Improved performance of automatic reload of Add Ons
- Redesigned button layout
- Several bug fixes and display improvements

LapTimer Professional 10 online

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:46:13 +0100

Wow, record time for Apple's approval, they seem to get used to LapTimer :-) 36 hours, absolute record!

LapTimer and LapTimer Professional 10 submitted

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:50:41 +0100

Just submitted both new versions of LapTimer to Apple for approval. This is indeed a major update with tons of additions and improvements... Enjoy!

- Track Set management added
- Implement global track system, provide POI sets as AddOns
- Allow users to submit their own tracks, certify, and redistribute
- Added full editing functionality for POIs, triggers, alerts, and POI Sets
- Added general Please Wait / Activity View and use it in time intensive
- Added status bar with symbols for lock, logging
- Added contact button to quickly send messages to Harry
- Enhanced KML export to export accuracy AND acceleration AND fixes
- Added Export All to Lap List View
- Large exports are zipped automatically
- Implemented RFC4180 for all CSV exports
- Server based Add On view with regularly updated downloads
- Added Parser for SCDB / KML file POI Sets
- Expanded system information in all mails generated
- Added a splash screen to get some entertainment while Harry's GPS Suite is loading
- Hide tracks without laps in Lap List
- Added help text to text field edit views
- Improved active gadget (kind of button) display
- Allow change of polar coordinate format in GPS View
- Added Settings View to Harry's GPS Suite (using InAppSettingsKit)
- Added nice Speedometer View (In App Purchase / included in Professional)
- Tons of minor enhancements, fixes, and UI improvements

LapTimer 10 nearly finished

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:18:22 +0100

Still hunting a bug in GPS recordings but looking forward to release version 10 soon. Version 10 brings a large set of enhancements compared to 9.x and is easily worth the increase of major version number. The most prominent addition is an online track set repository for trigger and other POI distribution. It allows all users to submit their tracks to the community too.

LapTimer on iPod

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:09:59 +0100

Finally it is possible to have automatic GPS based lap timing on an iPod touch. Using the iPod touch car kit from TomTom and LapTimer's direct NMEA access, an inexpensive lap timing solution is available.
I need to change App Store settings to allow downloads for iPod, will do this during 9.4 update.

LapTimer Standard and Professional 9.3 available

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:58:21 +0100

LapTimer update cycles are very fast currently, I have a lot of ideas...

New version features:
- Several improvements and fixes for Satellites View
- Fallback to internal GPS when external is disconnected
- Fixed initialization of Settings
- Added button decoration for manual stopwatch buttons
- simplified display of time in all views (leading zeros grayed out)
- Added a frequently requested large digit timer view (In App Purchase / included in Professional)
- Fixed acceleration / deceleration arrows in Racer's View
- Completely reworked lap to lap comparison (shadow / gap mode)
- Several smaller front end improvements and bug fixes
- Removed own implementation of SMTP client and replaced it by the Mail application
- Added export button to Lap Details View

LapTimer Standard 9.2 available

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:06:18 +0100

LapTimer Professional and Standard 9.2 submitted to AppStore

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:42:00 +0100

LapTimer Standard 9.1 available

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:41:23 +0100

LapTimer 9.0 Professional available

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:17:36 +0100

It is finally out and ON TRACK!
- Add On available to monitor other drivers on current track
- Add On available to record and watch trips: Trip Computer
- Added native NMEA support for external GPS devices like TomTom car kit
- Visit http://www.gps-laptimer.de to see Online Racing and external GPS functionality

LapTimer 8.2 is life, 9.1 submitted

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:21:48 +0100

It's a pitty, Apple just approved LapTimer 8.2. As 9.1 is ready already I uploaded it immediately. It will take 2 to 3 weeks again until it gets live. Even worse with LapTimer 9.0 Professional. This version is submitted already and waiting now for one week. Version 9.1 Professional is ready too but cannot be submitted until 9.0 is out. Think I will skip 9.1 Professional and work and submit 9.2...

New Satellites View

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:21:49 +0100

Now that I have full NMEA access, it is possible to build a view with satellites information. Just submitted this as InAppPurchase.

Help needed: iPod touch and TomTom car kit

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:25:46 +0100

Anyone with access to an iPod touch and TomTom car kit? I'd love to test this combination for LapTimer, but have no iPod available. Although this combination is not supported by TomTom, it *should* work with LapTimer as I access the Accessory directly and without asking for the device. Please contact me, I will provide you with a test version of version 9.0.

LapTimer Homepage Updated

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:03:49 +0100

New pages on: 1) GPS Accuracy on the iPhone 2) Online Racing. Moved PalmOS infos to one special page and reworked everything else to be relevant / focussed on the iPhone version.

LapTimer Professional 9.0 submitted to AppStore

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:01:37 +0100

LapTimer Professional is the new series of LapTimer. Version 9.0 features Online Racing, visit LapTimer's Home page to see more!

Sneak Preview on Online Racing available

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:51:43 +0100

Just submitted a web page on online racing (available in 9.0 Pro). Visit www.gps-laptimer.de, it's exciting!

Support for NMEA devices added

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:28:58 +0100

Starting with the TomTom car kit, LapTimer supports native access to NMEA devices. First version that makes this feature available is version 9.0. Native NMEA access brings additional information (like satellites) and - a lot more important - drastically increased accuracy for lap timing. Using the NMEA time information, trigger interpolation brings back the 0.1s accuracy known from the PalmOS version. Despite timing accuracy, external devices deliver better position information too (mine is green now all the time).

TomTom Car Kit works with LapTimer

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:25:27 +0100

Received my TomTom iPhone car kit today. This mount includes an 'external' GPS device with improved receiver capabilities. First test show the expected 1 Hz update frequency (Sirf chip). Will test during the next days and give a recommendation (in either direction :-) ).

LapTimer 8.2 submitted to AppStore

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:05:30 +0100

Another version submitted. This version is only a minor update to 8.1. However, it contains support for the upcoming Online Racing feature. 8.2 submits driver position and timed laps to Harry's Server. I plan to use this data for debugging LapTimer before I release 9.0.

Online Racing with LapTimer 9.0

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:25:09 +0200

Started working on an online racing feature for LapTimer 3 weeks ago. LapTimer apps using this feature will regularly send the current position including a driver name to a LapTimer server. In addition the app will submit times lapped to the server. Using this collected server information, users with a new 'Server View' will be able to watch all drivers on the selected track, including a list of recent times lapped.
Currently I have a prototype running. I will need some testers before I go life. If you read this and want to participate, please contact me.

LapTimer 8.1 submitted to AppStore

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:19:28 +0200

Uploaded the binary two days ago. Will typically take 2 weeks until it is available as update.
- Added setting to explicitly select Metric or Imperial units - instead of system default.
- Added an offline Quick References for LapTimer starters
- Added the long awaited Map View using Google Maps(tm)
- Full integration between Map View and POI / Trigger List
- Map View shows the trace of GPS fixes (path driven)
- Polished icons and naming of tab bar elements
- Made automatic calibration usable for non track mode
- Complete migration to iPhone OS 3.0 (now required)
- Several smaller bugfixes and improvements

Sailor 8.1 submitted to AppStore

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:57:24 +0200

Uploaded the binary some minutes ago. Will typically take 2 weeks until it is available as update.

New Product: Harry's Powerboat

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:58:05 +0200

Harry's GPS Suite will be expanded by another product named Harry's GPS Powerboat. This product has certainly a large overlap to Sailor, but is customized to the needs of power vessel captains.

LapTimer / Sailor 8.1 near release

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:55:59 +0200

Both LapTimer and Sailor 8.1 are nearly finished for submission to AppStore. Both version feature a nice integration of Google Maps. Using the maps, defining waypoints is easier than ever. Other new features are the quick reference added in both products.

Next iPhone update will be a major change

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:04:17 +0200

The next updates of LapTimer and Sailor will join the Professional line of Harry's GPS Suite. Already integrated Google Maps for waypoint / POI management. Release date will be September 2009.

LapTimer 5.8, Sailor 5.8, TripMaster 5.8 submitted to AppStore

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:02:37 +0200

Both enhanced functionality and bugfixes included. Sailor changes are probably the most noteable. It will take some days for Apple to approve, so stay tuned.

LapTimer 5.7, Sailer 5.7, TripMaster 5.7 submitted to AppStore

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:12:52 +0200

The subject says it all. Besides TripMaster smaller updates, enhancements and OS 3.0 compatibility. TripMaster is a simple Trip Computer. The Trip Computer is now part of Sailer too.

LapTimer Version 5.6 submitted to App Store

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:23:28 +0200

Main new feature is the much enhanced POI editing and improved KML export. Besides this it includes bug fixes and minor improvement compared to 5.5.

Harry's GPS Sailer submitted to App Store

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:21:16 +0200

I just submitted a new product for iPhone: Harry's GPS Sailer. I expect it to appear in Apple's app store in a few days. Sailer is a navigation compagnion. It features standard GPS information, navigation calculation using waypoints, polar coordinates, and a simple course. It calculates velocity made good, distance to waypoint, and deviation from the initially planned course in real time. Besides this it features measurement of heeling and derives right of way from it.
Sailer will expanded to feature a tactics module in the next release.

Finished next iPhone version (5.4.1) development

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:32:57 +0200

I just finished development of the next LapTimer for iPhone version. I will now run a final testing phase and push it to App Store afterwards.
This version fixes some smaller bugs and will bring in measured acceleration - compared to calculated acceleration as implemented in the initial iPhone version and the PalmOS version.
Unique feature of using the acceleration sensor is the so called automatic calibration. In general you need to calibrate the sensor using a more or less complex process to let the iPhone cope with the way you hold / install the device in your car.
In LapTimer this is done automatically combining the knowledge from the GPS stream and the acceleration stream. Just install it and start driving. After some time, LapTimer has seamless calibrated itself.
In addition to replacing all calculated accelerations with measured, LapTimer 5.4.1 features an additional and very fancy view on the acceleration state.

Bugfix for LapTimer on PalmOS releases

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:05:58 +0200

I uploaded a bugfix for LapTimer 5.4 / 8.0. This fixes a problem with database migration from 5.3 to 5.4 (or 7.0pro to 8.0pro).

Accelerometer in iPhone version

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:01:20 +0200

I have a prototype running expanding the GPS Engine by acceleration information from iPhone's internal sensor. This produces a lot better acceleration information than the calculation from GPS information. I will use it for improved GPS performance too. Using the acceleration information, it is possible to close the time lag of GPS data delivered. Acceleration is used to calculate a 'look ahead' for GPS fixes.

Website updated

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:56:30 +0100

I redesigned LapTimer's home page. The original pages were build using Microsoft Word. This program is a pain. I moved now the whole web development part to my Mac and use iWeb for the homepage. iWeb is certainly limited as it uses some nice, but fixed patterns. However, simplicity is often what we need... Hope you like the new style!?

LapTimer 5.4 (iPhone) submitted to App Store for review

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:34:21 +0100

Apple has a strict process before applications get available in the App Store. I just submitted the first release and wait now for Apple's approval. As I have no experience with this process, there is currently no estimation for availability. Keep your fingers cross.
LapTimer Standard will be available for 4.99$ in the beginning. The price level will be increased to 9.99$ in a few weeks. If you want to get a version inexpensive, please purchase early. Updates will come frequent and will by free of charge within the same major release. The final price point is planed at the same level as the current PalmOS version i.e. 35$ for the Pro version and 20$ for the Standard version.

LapTimer 8.0pro and 5.4 released for PalmOS

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:27:23 +0100

Well, the subject says it all. I just uploaded the new PalmOS versions of LapTimer. Please consult the Download / Registration page on LapTimer's homepage for upgrade paths. Please note that the PalmOS Standard line will be dropped past 5.4. Reason is, that more than 95% of current purchases are Professional versions.

More snapshots available

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:40:52 +0100

Added further snapshots on the iPhone version yesterday. These snapshots show the GPS view, the Racer's view, an alert example, updated Classic view, trigger list management, and some early examples of GPS data recording. Let me know what you think about!

Trigger management finished

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:35:24 +0100

Added a trigger list and a details view during christmas. The iPhone version does not only show Manual Triggers (like the PalmOS version does) but all triggers loaded (cf. POI support). UI programming on iPhone is still both fun and pain. The dynamics you experience when using this device requires a lot of work. At least if yu want it as nice as the standard applications are.

iPhone GPS quality

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:17:59 +0100

Had some hard time with the data delivered by iPhone's internal GPS device. It seems it will deliver 1Hz, i. e. one fix per second, at most. This is o.k. as long as the update frequence does'nt drop below too often. Actually, it does. Furthermore, data is going through several filters and calculations inside MacOS, thus the data delivered is both deferred and incomplete. Will see how performance on the race track will be...
Currently, it is not possible to attache external GPS devices as Bluetooth connections are allowed to headsets only. Hope this will change in the future, there is a lot of critics on this.

iPhone Progress

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:37:09 +0100

iPhone version is going pretty well. Already implemented the complete Classic, Racer's, and GPS view. The POI alerts are up and running too.

Update on iPhone version

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:22:56 +0100

Made good progress on the iPhone version. The whole GPS algorithmic and DB management is ported and working now. Both the PalmOS and iPhone version will feature binary compatible databases making it easily possible to migrate in both directions. I uploaded further snapshots, everything's functional, no front end prototypes... To date I'm not sure on the product lines I will provide. As the User Interface still need so much work, it might be a good idea to start with a version that features very basic views only. Additional views can be added one by one. Please let me know what you think and which features are vital to make LapTimer valueable.

Classic View for iPhone running!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:55:33 +0100

I just finished the first driver of the Classic view in LapTimer's iPhone version. Think it looks great ;-) I will upload it to LapTimer's home page in a few minutes.

First User Interface for iPhone

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:55:33 +0100

I have setup the first front end prototype for the iPhone now. Like always, the first steps into a new programming paradigm take a lot of time and learning. I think I made good progress the last nights and weekends and thing go faster now. Due to the limited available location information provided by the iPhone API, the first release of LapTimer4iPhone will not show Satellite information. However, I will prepare this area as later versions of the iPhone OS will probably allow using Bluetooth GPS device better than the build in GPS. Maybe it is best to start with a Consumer version of the iPhone? Features like NMEA output and Satellites information are not available, GPS update rate will be one Hz etc. Sounds like LapTimer Consumer... Best of all this requires less porting efforts in the beginning and I will be able to get the iPhone version faster to market... But I can tell you: programming iPhone is as much fun as with PalmOS :-)

Just released snaphots of 7.1

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:32:44 +0100

Just uploaded a complete gallery of the upcoming LapTimer 7.1 Professional release. To watch, follow the Snapshots links on the left side of LapTimer's home page.

Thread on Google Maps

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:38:24 +0100

Question: I am attaching a kml export file. You'll see that the overlay on the track is poor at best. I am not sure what the frequency is of my GPSlim 236, but will increasing it (by a better GPS device) improve the accuracy? Answer: I think that's the quality you can expect from the combination of one GPS device and Google Maps. Two aspects: 1. With a typical GPS device, you will receive 10m absolut accuracy (33 feet) - as long as the receiving situation is good. A GPS device with a better update rate will not add accuracy, it simply delivers more fixes per second. Looking at the pictures, you furthermore see, that relative accuracy is a lot better: the plot is running often in parallel to the track - not jumping left and right etc. Relative accuracy is the main criteria for accuracy of times taken using LapTimer... 2. The accuracy of Google maps is worse. You will find several hits on this topic searching the net. If you need to trust in either Google maps or your GPS device - take the device. :-) By the way: The upcoming version of LapTimer (7.1) will feature the display of accuracy in form of a circle around the position fixed. The accuracy is delivered by the GPS receiver.

Preparing early beta

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:32:44 +0100

If you own a 5.3 or 7.0 license and want to beta test the next PalmOS version - please raise you hand using a short email to me.

Porting architecture

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:35:37 +0200

LapTimer's porting architecture is made up of both rewritten code and reused, so called single source code. The area were all the GPS and acceleration logic of LapTimer resides is the 'LapTimer model'. This LapTimer model makes up approximately 17000 lines of code, more than 50% of the overall effort spend so far. The LapTimer model uses a subset of the PalmOS programming model. For the port to the iPhone, there is a iPhone API wrapper called PoorMansPalmOS. This wrapper maps the PalmOS API calls to the iPhone API. The area that is rewritten completely, is the front end including the controllers. This is were all porting work will go in. LapTimer for iPhone will feature a completely new GUI as the using paradigm is too different to get a simple mapping.

Enhancements in 7.1 finished

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:14:45 +0100

I finished all enhancements planed for 7.1 today. I guess there are tons of bugs in the code now and I need to work through them. Lots of changes went into refactoring - something users should not be aware of in the end. The refactorings are a reasonable preparation for the iPhone port..

New calculation for lateral acceleration

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:46:43 +0100

I reworked the code for calculation of the lateral acceleration. I started this as I was not yet satisfied with the added field showing the lateral acceleration in the (new) GPS view. The values calculated jump too much - same problem as in the map view, where curves show ZickZack instead of a smooth raise and decline of lateral acceleration. Calculated lateral acceleration is not too significant anyway, GPS measurement errors have a strong impact on the calculation... So it seems we need some softening / average building of the values - they are not exact anyway...

Please be patient!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:55:33 +0100

I received several questions on the iPhone version. Probably I was not clear on this: I feel like I want to go for a iPhone version - nothing more. I had plans on a Symbian port some month ago. I had a interesting time with the Symbian programming model. I made some progress getting LapTimer portable (PalmOS is special, you know?), but I stopped porting due to the over enginered prgramming model and because I had no time to do it... So we will see what happens with the iPhone port. Surrounding conditions are better (I'm an old MacOS / Nextstep junkie), but that's it. My new iMac will arrive in a few days, looking forward.

New iMac

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:59:04 +0100

Just ordered a new iMac 24'' My old iMac was too slow for my large photo collection and cannot be used for iPhone development. As you may imagine, there will be no ROI by additional LapTimer sales... Another investment in Harry's recreation :-)

Plans for LapTimer 5.4 / 7.1

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:51:36 +0100

The upcoming version 7.1 will feature additional views and several enhancement of the software structure. Remaining work until beta test will mainly focus on enhancement of the added POI view and bug fixing. The POI view introduced with 7.1 Professional gives deep insights into the POI detection algorithm of LapTimer. You can see POIs approaching as well as the variable detection corridor used to track POIs. In case POIs remain within the detection corridor until passed, they trigger the event used for starting and finishing laps.

Thinking iPhone

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:41:45 +0100

Just read the first article on the iPhone SDK that has become available with version 2.0.0 for iPhone. I really like the programming model that dates back to good old NextStep times - the time I was a student and loved this machines. I think about a iPhone port of LapTimer. The iPhone (and iPod touch) would be probably the device best suited for LapTimer. It has a large screen, it has a build in GPS, and best of all - an acceleration sensor. However, Apple requires me to buy a new iMac to develop for the iPhone. My current iMac is a PowerPC based machine - and this is not enough...

LapTimer more configurable

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:06:03 +0100

I finished an enhancement several advanced users requested during the last month. It is about replacing some constants (like the 5 seconds LT leaves times stopped blinking on the screen before the next lapping is displayed) LT has by user configurable values. The whole thing is realized in the preferences, the storage used by PalmOS applications for keeping specific configurations. I added a dialog named "Edit Constants". This feature will be available in Professional Version only.

LapTimer Blog started

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:29:16 +0100

I just started this blog to share my thoughts on further LapTimer developments, send news on upcoming releases etc. Please register this RSS feed in your favorite RSS reader for updates.