September 2012 - OvmsDev

Android code for OVMS
by Mark Webb-Johnson 13 Dec '12

13 Dec '12

It appears that we're in a mess with the Android code base. The Android project Sonny had worked on containing updates to the OVMS Android App has been accidentally deleted, and the latest updates to the code lost. The NAS backup arrangement that Sonny had in place has also failed, and there is no backup. Sonny apologizes, and has tried hard to recover the files, but cannot. He is also still tied up with work commitments, and can't help much for the next month or two. We still have the code base in github, but that is quite old as it has not been updated with the improvements made in recent months. Primarily the settings screen, partial support for groups, and support for tablets. It is the tablet support that is causing problems with new high-res phones (as it is incorrectly identifying these as tablets) - I suspect that the settings code is the main thing we want to retain. I have tried to reverse-compile the Android code from the APK in the marketplace, and while the resulting code looks pretty good, the resources are not reverse-compilable, and look like they would take a significant amount of work to repair. My approach has been to take the github version, compile it, decompile it, and compare that with the decompiled version of the latest android market APK - applying patch duffs where necessary. The code looks good, and seems to only need minor tidy-ups. But, the resources are a mess. It seems the decompile process retains code symbols, but not resource symbols. The resource IDs and tags end up as numbers. I'm really not familiar with Android development, so am not sure how feasible that approach would be. It looked very easy and successful to start with. So, we are faced with a decision: 1. Someone more experienced with Android development comes up with a brilliant solution to finish off the reverse compilation of the APK to get back the latest version. I don't mind stepping in with the 'donkey work', but I really don't know where to start. What are those "R" class files - they look like they may be the key? 2. We start again with the code as it was a few months ago, and try to take it forward from there. 3. We investigate cross-platform development environments that could perhaps give us a more unified appearance across the the different platforms, as well as support for Windows Phone and others. What do people think? Mark

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1.3.1
by Mark Webb-Johnson 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

Car firmware 1.3.1 is in GitHub now. I built all variants to .hex files, and source is there for the adventurous. Tom: can you help setup end-user instructions of this? All outstanding car issues recorded on github have been resolved and closed with this version. It has been running in my car for a few days, and seems fine. I did a few different charge-interruption tests, and they all alert as expected. I'm gonna wait a few days to allow you guys some time to try it out and report any issues (hopefully none). I'll then announce it as generally available. Due to the enhanced modem control, linear connection backup algorithm, bug fixes, and new improved notification algorithm, this will be a recommended update for all users. Regards, Mark

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Self-Administration of Open Vehicles
by Mark Webb-Johnson 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

We're pleased to announce that today we've released the module for self-administration of Open Vehicles, for our www.openvehicles.com website. With this module, all users can now register, delete and otherwise maintain their own Open Vehicle records. To access the module, go to www.openvehicles.com and login with your Open Vehicles username and password. Then, choose "My Account" from the top-right menu, and "Vehicles" from the account detail tabs shown. From there you can register a new vehicle, edit a vehicle's details, change the password, or delete any of the vehicles belonging to you. Thanks to Manuel, in Italy, for all his hard work on this module. P.S. That should speed things up, and reduce our workload here.

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Open Vehicle 1.3.0 (20120919)
by Mark Webb-Johnson 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

This fixes everything we know about in the iOS App and is now going to Apple for approval. Open Vehicle 1.3.0 (20120919) Team: Open Vehicles What's New: 1.3.0 (20120919) - Minor bug fixes - Temperature Options in Settings App - #1 Support for iOS 6, iPhone 5 and Xcode 4.5 - #2 Temperature issue - Fahrenheit showed before data is loaded - #3 Support for Adaptive Reporting - #4 iPad startup landscape orientation map is wrong Released: September 19, 2012 Expires In: 2 months, 1 week Size: 9.7 MB

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Open Vehicle 1.3.1 (20120929) is now available
by Mark Webb-Johnson 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

Open Vehicle 1.3.1 (20120929) Team: Open Vehicles What's New: 1.3.1 (20120929) - #5 Sunspots! Released: September 29, 2012 Expires In: 2 months Size: 9.7 MB

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OVMS General Availability
by Mark Webb-Johnson 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

Open Vehicle Monitoring System General Availability We are pleased to announce the general availability of the OVMS v2 system. Our China partner (FastTech) has now also got PICKIT-2 compatible programmers up on their site for US$16.99 (including shipping). These are used to upgrade the firmware on the OVMS box (and that price is cheap enough that all users can now consider it). As the FastTech site is still in their last days of private beta, you can use this special link to get in and order: http://fasttech.com/link/ovms For Tesla Roadster owners, the pricing and product links you will need are: OVMS Car Module v2 US$ 99.00 OVMS Tesla Roadster Cable US$ 7.50 OVMS GSM Antenna US$ 2.50 (all the above including air-mail shipping) EMS shipping (to USA): US$ 20.00 (estimate) TOTAL should be around US$129.00 (confirm at checkout) Note: EMS shipping is required on this, due to the value of the goods Optional If you would like to be able to do firmware upgrades yourself, you will need: PicKit 2 compatible Programmer US$16.99 Feel free to sniff around on the FastTech site, and see what else they have that might interest you. They now accept orders for everything on their site, and most stuff ships from stock. They are an awesome partner, and are going to be an incredible resource for geeks and tech-heads. For SIM, you can either arrange something yourself, or order a compatible global roaming SIM from our partner at this link: Hassle-free SIMs with GPRS data for OVMS Best Regards, openvehicles.com GeoSIM Hassle-free SIMs with GPRS data for OVMS

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An update on OVMS Pre-Orders
by Mark Webb-Johnson 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Open Vehicle Monitoring System An update on OVMS Pre-Orders The first pre-orders went smoothly, and boxes have already started to arrive. We've just received a batch of 100 modules, sufficient to satisfy all pre-orders, so you will all be getting your invite very soon. We're going to do a final QC check on Friday 28th, and if all is ok the general invite will go out that day - so keep an eye on your mailboxes. The pricing for the new v2 modules is unchanged. For Tesla Roadster owners, this will be: OVMS Car Module v2 US$ 99.00 OVMS Tesla Roadster Cable US$ 7.50 OVMS GSM Antenna US$ 2.50 (all the above including air-mail shipping) EMS shipping (to USA): US$ 20.00 (estimate) TOTAL should be around US$129.00 (confirm at checkout) Note: EMS shipping is required on this, due to the value of the goods [ Note that the older hand-built v1 modules were sold at US$99 (module) + US$35 (shipping) = US$134.00 total ] The China partner has also got PICKIT-2 compatible programmers up on their site for US$19.99 (including shipping). These are used to upgrade the firmware on the OVMS box (and that price is cheap enough that all users can now consider it). Best Regards, openvehicles.com

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Re: [Ovmsdev] GeoSIMs now available (Mark Webb-Johnson)
by Bennett Leeds 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Sorry I haven't jumped on this sooner. I should be able to get some time for installing it tonight. - Bennett On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 5:29 AM, <ovmsdev-request(a)lists.teslaclub.hk> wrote: > > > We've setup a partnership with a GlobalSIMCard.co.uk - a provider of > hassle-free pre-paid SIMs with GPRS data, usable around the world. Clicking > the link below, or entering "OVMS" as the code during checkout, will > support the OVMS project. > > The SIMs they provide have a very low monthly base charge (currently > approximately US$1/month), and simple GPRS data rates (normally charged in > 10KB increments). They have a web-based interface for viewing charge logs, > account balances, and topping up the balance. The biggest advantage is it > avoids all the complex data plans and hassle of dealing with cellular > providers directly. Ordering is simple - straight from their site they'll > airmail deliver to you (SIMs don't weigh much). > > I've spent some time testing this, here in Hong Kong, and Bennett is > helping to try it in USA with AT&T now. The Hong Kong test was flawless. > Very straightforward, and their web based interface simple and clear. The > service itself is compatible with OVMS (latest v1.3.5 or later is > recommended, as it has the GSMLOCK command to allow you to lock the module > onto the cheapest carrier in your area). > > Regards, Mark. > > > Hassle-free SIMs with GPRS data for OVMS > >

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GeoSIMs now available
by Mark Webb-Johnson 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

We've setup a partnership with a GlobalSIMCard.co.uk - a provider of hassle-free pre-paid SIMs with GPRS data, usable around the world. Clicking the link below, or entering "OVMS" as the code during checkout, will support the OVMS project. The SIMs they provide have a very low monthly base charge (currently approximately US$1/month), and simple GPRS data rates (normally charged in 10KB increments). They have a web-based interface for viewing charge logs, account balances, and topping up the balance. The biggest advantage is it avoids all the complex data plans and hassle of dealing with cellular providers directly. Ordering is simple - straight from their site they'll airmail deliver to you (SIMs don't weigh much). I've spent some time testing this, here in Hong Kong, and Bennett is helping to try it in USA with AT&T now. The Hong Kong test was flawless. Very straightforward, and their web based interface simple and clear. The service itself is compatible with OVMS (latest v1.3.5 or later is recommended, as it has the GSMLOCK command to allow you to lock the module onto the cheapest carrier in your area). Regards, Mark. Hassle-free SIMs with GPRS data for OVMS

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Drupal PHP module for users maintaining their own cars
by Mark Webb-Johnson 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

Some time ago, Manuel worked on a Drupal module for us to allow owners to maintain their own cars. Thanks, Manuel, for this. It was back-burnered for a while, but I've finally managed to spend some time on it, learn drupal, a get it working. Drupal has an amazingly steep learning curve, and I still can't find a good basic howto on module and form development. I've committed the code to github, and you can find it at: https://github.com/markwj/Open-Vehicle-Monitoring-System/tree/master/drupal The module itself is only 500 lines of PHP, and reads fairly straightforward. Could any techies out there have a review of this, and see if it looks ok? See if there is anything obviously wrong / open? My biggest concern is security. I really don't want people viewing/modifying each other's cars! I've spent some time going over it, and it seems ok, but PHP scares me. Thanks for all your work on this. It is good to finally be close to launching it. Giving the users the ability to register and maintain their own vehicles will greatly speed up things. Regards, Mark.

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