In my previous post, I wrote about our experiment with the Android app. Since it generated some interest, you can download and install the APK. Everything, along with a short description, is available on GitHub (specifically in Releases).
The program code itself isn’t there yet, as it’s an experiment, and is currently part of a larger repository where I keep internal experiments. In a few days, I’ll try to extract the app code and add it to the repo linked above. Those interested can manually install the APK.
For now, I don’t plan to create a Google Play store to “legally” distribute the app. Maybe in the future. Maybe.
Recently we did internal experiment with Android apps. First, short clip:
Now, a few words of explanation. I have quite a few NAMs running at home, and not only that. And although they all send data to Influx, some are connected to HomeAssistant, and each device can be checked through its web interface, I needed a convenient way to quickly check a specific value.
So, I created a JSON browser – you enter a URL, the app downloads the JSON and displays a tree – you browse and select a field, name it, and from then on, you have the value from that field displayed on the main screen. You can refresh all entries at once or just one. This isn’t shown in the video because I quickly realized I mainly use NAMs, and when the app recognizes the JSON structure as “NAM-based,” it immediately suggests quick selection fields, which can be selected with a single click.
This way, without having to click around in Grafana, I can quickly see that the fermentation is nearing completion 😉
I know, I know – THIS is from Grafana, but I had no access to test phone with installed app when writing. Also – app shows only value, not a graph, but you know what I mean…
After using it for a while, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a useful tool and that maybe more people would find it useful?
Creating a Google Play store is a bit of a hassle, though, so I’m wondering if anyone would install something like this on their Android (but not iOS, unless Apple allows apps to be built on Linux…).
Let’s summarize – what does the app currently do?
You can enter the URL of any JSON file, download it, and select a single value from it. Name it, and it will be displayed on the main screen.
It finds NAM devices on the local network and recognizes the JSON structure, allowing for a shortened method of selecting a value (in this variant, it’s resistant to changes in the JSON structure; for example, after a sensor configuration change, it should still provide the correct reading, provided it’s available).
You can refresh all values at once or select them individually.
Is this worth developing and making available to a wider audience?
