Apps and Electronics
Apr 16, 2024 08:43:32 #
I see a big problem developing. Most electronics need an app for your cell phone, but it must usually be a newer, better phone. I have had two devices for which I could not download the app. I have another one that will download to one phone or not the other. We shouldn't have to keep buying $1,000 cell phone so we can use a $50 device.
I have a Motorola from 2020 and a Samsung from 2018. they both work fine, except for most required apps.
I have a Motorola from 2020 and a Samsung from 2018. they both work fine, except for most required apps.
Apr 16, 2024 08:48:01 #
So the solution is to not buy electronic devices that require phone app to work. What pisses me off is that most of these apps can be a PC app and it would work much easier on a PC but they don't make the PC app for it.
Apr 16, 2024 08:57:25 #
BebuLamar wrote:
So the solution is to not buy electronic devices that require phone app to work. What pisses me off is that most of these apps can be a PC app and it would work much easier on a PC but they don't make the PC app for it.
Right! Why no PC app?
Apr 16, 2024 09:12:12 #
I have no devices (yet) that require a phone to control them.
Only Tom-Tom on the PC. And that's only for downloading map updates.
Only Tom-Tom on the PC. And that's only for downloading map updates.
Apr 16, 2024 09:24:16 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I see a big problem developing. Most electronics need an app for your cell phone, but it must usually be a newer, better phone. I have had two devices for which I could not download the app. I have another one that will download to one phone or not the other. We shouldn't have to keep buying $1,000 cell phone so we can use a $50 device.
I have a Motorola from 2020 and a Samsung from 2018. they both work fine, except for most required apps.
I have a Motorola from 2020 and a Samsung from 2018. they both work fine, except for most required apps.
What "electronics" require an app? I'd like to know so I can stay away from them.
Wait! I just remembered a soundbar I bought recently. It required an app to set it up.....
Apr 16, 2024 09:24:39 #
Longshadow wrote:
I have no devices (yet) that require a phone to control them.
Only Tom-Tom on the PC. And that's only for downloading map updates.
Only Tom-Tom on the PC. And that's only for downloading map updates.
I needed an app to setup a router and a modem.
Apr 16, 2024 09:25:25 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I needed an app to setup a router and a modem.
I used the computer, but they are a few years old.
Apr 16, 2024 09:28:57 #
srt101fan wrote:
What "electronics" require an app? I'd like to know so I can stay away from them.
Wait! I just remembered a soundbar I bought recently. It required an app to set it up.....
Wait! I just remembered a soundbar I bought recently. It required an app to set it up.....
My modem, router, Insta360 camera, DJI Pocket camera, security cameras - lots more. It's one thing to require the app, but it's quite another to require a new, powerful cell phone.
I can use my DJI Pocket camera, but the head - the lens- does not move because I cannot set it up to move with the app. The swiveling feature is disabled, and that is one of its selling points.
Apr 16, 2024 09:42:25 #
jerryc41 wrote:
My modem, router, Insta360 camera, DJI Pocket camera, security cameras - lots more. It's one thing to require the app, but it's quite another to require a new, powerful cell phone.
I can use my DJI Pocket camera, but the head - the lens- does not move because I cannot set it up to move with the app. The swiveling feature is disabled, and that is one of its selling points.
I can use my DJI Pocket camera, but the head - the lens- does not move because I cannot set it up to move with the app. The swiveling feature is disabled, and that is one of its selling points.
Software is written for new(er) operating systems.
Very few are written for old operating systems.
Nasty when things are not backward compatible though.
I'm surprised that WSFTP-95 runs under Win 11..... It's only 29 year old software.
Spider Pad (an HTML editor) runs under Win 11 also, but I forget how old that is...
Apr 16, 2024 09:53:58 #
I have written here about this several times, but where similar issues with computer software vs the computer.
First, nearly all or maybe all, the new small telescopes, Stellena and cousins, Seestar, DwarfII, and others use apps. The Stellena even came out with a new, better app which did not run on android devices the earlier one did run on. Several devices for cameras also use apps.
One solution is to try emulator software on your computer, this sometimes works, but Tue software can suffer the same problem with apps needing the latest ver. of say Android.
The reasons for all this is portability. The scopes are used outside, have limited WiFi or Bluetooth range so dragging a laptop along is somewhat impractical. Also, they can also be controlled by one device, but viewed live (imaging only for some), on several systems at the same time.
The problem is much worse than the similar issue with computers in my experience.
Finally two points:
First, if you have a Kindle you can get Playstore loaded, check the web for instruction.
Second, last time I looked, the ability to use Apps in Windows 11 depends on the Amazon store not Google Playstore.
I finally thought of the emulator: BlueStacks.
First, nearly all or maybe all, the new small telescopes, Stellena and cousins, Seestar, DwarfII, and others use apps. The Stellena even came out with a new, better app which did not run on android devices the earlier one did run on. Several devices for cameras also use apps.
One solution is to try emulator software on your computer, this sometimes works, but Tue software can suffer the same problem with apps needing the latest ver. of say Android.
The reasons for all this is portability. The scopes are used outside, have limited WiFi or Bluetooth range so dragging a laptop along is somewhat impractical. Also, they can also be controlled by one device, but viewed live (imaging only for some), on several systems at the same time.
The problem is much worse than the similar issue with computers in my experience.
Finally two points:
First, if you have a Kindle you can get Playstore loaded, check the web for instruction.
Second, last time I looked, the ability to use Apps in Windows 11 depends on the Amazon store not Google Playstore.
I finally thought of the emulator: BlueStacks.
Apr 16, 2024 13:27:46 #
srt101fan wrote:
What "electronics" require an app? I'd like to know so I can stay away from them.
Wait! I just remembered a soundbar I bought recently. It required an app to set it up.....
Wait! I just remembered a soundbar I bought recently. It required an app to set it up.....
My son-in-law got a weather station that can only be setup and read from a Cell phone !! he is still using a flip phone!!
I thought I could do from my iMac yeah right , nor can we use a win pc.
Apr 16, 2024 13:32:14 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I needed an app to setup a router and a modem.
<<<< been down that road too I Just ran 150ft of cat 7 cable ( in conduit) to my shop only had to drill one hole in each building!!
Apr 16, 2024 14:29:23 #
RiJoRi
Loc: Sandy Ridge, NC
Ya gotta ask y'self: 'Do I really need this?' Not 'Do I want this', but 'Do I need it'. And, 'Is there a work-around?'
Apr 16, 2024 16:47:16 #
RiJoRi wrote:
Ya gotta ask y'self: 'Do I really need this?' Not 'Do I want this', but 'Do I need it'. And, 'Is there a work-around?'
There is supposedly a work-around, but I'm not hopeful.
As for need or want, I need almost nothing, but I want an awful lot. If I wait ten years to buy what I want, I'll have to buy posthumously. 😁
Apr 16, 2024 17:40:41 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Right! Why no PC app?
Because almost everyone has a phone, with themselves...
It can control things without having to be on a computer,
which one does not normally have everywhere
as usage locations would be restricted
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