Monday, 29 November 2010

trail and error

so at the moment im trying to play with different code to get all my collectables to come up on screen.
im just about to try this
-getting the maps visible area
       -then getting all the road names in the visible area
            - place markers alone the visible roads at x distance apart

another issues that has recently occurred is that as the user moves the whole map refreshes which means the  map flickers which is a problem i think this is due to the fact the centre of the map is set to the users location so as the user moves the map dose to so to fix this im going to try this
- getposition set map centre
    - place marker at watch position
(doing this the map will get the user location load and be static then only the marker will follow the user)
         -when marker leaves visible area get position set centre

this should then move the map when the user leaves the visible area hope this fixes the current issues

Friday, 19 November 2010

more testing and issues

1. i have changed the site my web app it on now its on http://dannyw.site50.net
detection works so if you try to view the site from a computer you are give a message which will become my about page. when open from an iphone or Android device the user is promoted to bookmark the page

2. issue with pages links take the user out of the web app environment and opens in safari looking into how to load all pages in on window

3. custom homescreen icon has been added so now looks like an app (its only a basic image for testing will change near the end)

4. tracks the used location in real time, not smooth tracking yet need to make it refresh faster

5. currently designing the menus and buttons

6. looking at HTML 5 to see what would improve my web app

Sunday, 7 November 2010

up and testing

the bones of my project at live now at http://dannyw.hostwebs.com at the moment my site knows  if you are viewing the page from a mobile device if you are you get taken to the game menu (which is just a link right now) and also knows if the site has been launched from the home screen or safari browser.

all the game dose at the moment is puts a mark at the users location and tracks the users position in real time. one issues at the moment is that the map doesn't fill the whole screen it has a white section at the top i hope i can make this section of white smaller stop the page being bigger than the iPhone screen.


if the site is opened from a desktop the user is told that the site is for mobile devices will change this to an information page about the app and how it works etc

Monday, 25 October 2010

The Active Way

ok so having thought about my project a bit more and being reminded that there is more to my project than iPhones and Pac-Man i was give this link

http://www.asquare.org/networkresearch/2007/conqwest

basically this group go around a city a stick loads of bar codes that can be scanned by your phone which takes you to a web page and you get points now the link to my project might not seem clear but both this and my project force the user to physically move to play.

now this isnt a new concept but it is a something that has become big business in the last few years.
The Nintendo Wii is a clear example of this the players have to move in some way shape or form to play the games, the same goes for the new Playstation move same thing as a wii remote the system tracks the remote and soon their will be Microsoft's Kinect which tracks the players whole body so where as Nintendo and Sony only follow the players hand\s Microsoft are following the users whole body meaning that users are forced to play the games actively and not just wave their hands about.

this concept fits in with my project the user has to move down the streets around them or they will not score any points i guess a user could use a car but thats not safe
(could add a speed monitor so if a user starts moving to fast ie in a car could end the game stating they are a cheater?)

Monday, 18 October 2010

Apple Help

Apples developer centre has loads of helpful information coding help and forums plus a section on web app development

(http://www.apple.com/webapps/whatarewebapps.html)
web app page

(http://developer.apple.com/library/safari/#codinghowtos/Mobile/GraphicsMediaAndVisualEffects/index.html)
iphone safari help and example code

(http://developer.apple.com/devcenter/safari/index.action)
developers page has helpful videos,guides and updates about everything to do with making websites for safari

this is basically a help and resources link page that i will be using and going through every time i get stuck while making my app

Saturday, 16 October 2010

Google API help and examples

http://econym.org.uk/

has many tutorials and helpful information on the google maps API and also has some good examples that

have elements of what will be in my final app
http://econym.org.uk/gmap/example_cartrip3.htm
http://econym.org.uk/gmap/example_cartrip3.htm

with the latest version of the API there is a line of script that tells the map if it can use GPS
(<script type="text/javascript" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/api/js?sensor=set_to_true_or_false">)

this site explains how to give a web app the look of a native app
http://www.luscarpa.com/development/make-your-website-an-iphone-web-application/
like how to hide safari components

in depth tutorial
http://www.engageinteractive.co.uk/blog/2008/06/19/tutorial-building-a-website-for-the-iphone/