• Activity
  • Votes
  • Comments
  • New
  • All activity
  • Showing only topics with the tag "apps". Back to normal view
    1. How does one get started programming an Android app?

      It's been a long time since I've done any "serious" programming, but I have long held a desire to recreate an app that's been out of development for a decade, and I reckon I'd do fine if given the...

      It's been a long time since I've done any "serious" programming, but I have long held a desire to recreate an app that's been out of development for a decade, and I reckon I'd do fine if given the right direction.

      My "qualifications". I've done "school project" level stuff in *many* different languages (VB6, Python, Java, C++, C#, PHP, Lisp, Prolog, R, to name a few) so I know my language-agnostic basics, and I've made a career out of quickly learning new tools and platforms and maintaining other people's work. The problem is all that experience is either "give a plain text file the right file extension" or building the project via a proprietary IDE, so getting started from scratch I'm totally lost. What IDE? What language? How does the .apk happen?

      Googling for this gives me either "no code" platforms, which is zero of the fun and basically what I do at work, or documentation that has skipped the first ten steps because it assumes you know the prerequisites already. Help?

      20 votes
    2. Looking for a (potentially multiplatform) app for pixel art

      I wanted to practice my stagnant drawing skills and something I always liked is pixel art, but I don't know any program for that (beside Paint and Photoshop) so I would like for recommendations...

      I wanted to practice my stagnant drawing skills and something I always liked is pixel art, but I don't know any program for that (beside Paint and Photoshop) so I would like for recommendations here, the only big feature I need is multi layers management and that preferably runs in multiple platforms (You know, like Gimp and Inkscape).

      Anything that runs on Linux/Windows/Android is welcomed. I guess there should be open source apps for that, and since it's only for practice I would to waste money on paid apps.

      11 votes
    3. Three Cheers for Tildes: App updates and feedback (February 2025) — Version 1.3 uses edge-to-edge UI on Android

      This topic is for the Three Cheers for Tildes mobile app. I'll summarize the major updates at the start of each similar topic, so people can read the updates and then hit Ignore if they don't care...

      This topic is for the Three Cheers for Tildes mobile app.

      I'll summarize the major updates at the start of each similar topic, so people can read the updates and then hit Ignore if they don't care about more frequent updates and user feedback.


      Recently:

      [Android] Version 1.3.6 (Feb 28, 2025): Fixed minor UI bugs.

      [iOS] Version 1.3.1 (Feb 27, 2025): Fixed an annoying scroll bug when typing comments and posts.

      [Android] Version 1.3.5 (Feb 19, 2025): Fixed keyboard and animation bugs.

      [Android] Version 1.3.4 (Feb 12, 2025): Fixed keyboard and markdown bar bugs.

      [Android] Version 1.3.3 (Feb 11, 2025): Fixed keyboard bugs. [Cancelled this release.]

      [Android] Version 1.3.2 (Feb 11, 2025): Fixed bugs reported in comments.

      Version 1.3.0 (Feb 9, 2025):

      This is an Android-focused update. Android 15 makes apps edge-to-edge by default so it's time to move to edge-to-edge. I've enabled it on Android 11 and higher.

      Edge-to-edge mostly means turning the system bars translucent, so you can see the content all the way to the edge, instead of a blank area. In practice, we still need to keep some translucent bars there, so status bar icons and the clock can still be distinguished from app content and not become a jumbled mess.

      Implementing this was a gigantic pain (which is why Google received pushback from so many developers and added an opt-out). I had to redo many layouts and re-test every screen in the app multiple times, on different Android versions and different settings (portrait, landscape, single pane, dual pane). Hope it's well received by Three Cheers users! Personally it took me a day to get accustomed to it, but I've ended up liking the edge-to-edge style more. I probably won't add a setting to turn it off.

      Screenshots of what it looks like on an Android 14 device as of v1.3.1:

       

      Three Cheers for iOS v1.3.0 is only minor bugfixes. iPhone apps are already edge-to-edge, and this change is Google's way of copying/catching up to Apple.

       

      Previous topic: November 2024

       


      Where to get it

      Android version on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talklittle.android.tildes

      Or sideloadable APK at https://www.talklittle.com/three-cheers/

      iOS version on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/three-cheers-for-tildes/id6470950557

      Join TestFlight for iOS beta testing: https://testflight.apple.com/join/mpVk1qIy

      83 votes
    4. What are the best truly unbeatable E2EE, presumably P2P messaging apps?

      My thoughts are that apps can have end-to-end encryption, but if the app on the end is still connected to someone's servers, there's nothing stopping them from pulling the contents of the chat...

      My thoughts are that apps can have end-to-end encryption, but if the app on the end is still connected to someone's servers, there's nothing stopping them from pulling the contents of the chat after it's been decrypted on the other end. What options do we have for messaging that don't have this issue? I understand that anything that I can see can still get taken by the OS, etc., but I'm curious about that first step.

      28 votes
    5. Screen Time on iOS shows "verizon.com" as an app being used 24/7, and I don't even know what "verizon.com" is

      While not the same website, this reddit thread from several years ago is the only thing coming up on Google for me and everyone in there has had the same thing happen to them: the Screen Time...

      While not the same website, this reddit thread from several years ago is the only thing coming up on Google for me and everyone in there has had the same thing happen to them: the Screen Time settings in iOS showing some website being up 24/7

      It should be noted I don't have Verizon, have never been to verizon.com, and don't even use Safari as my browser. I have -0- idea how in the world this is showing up, and so it automatically makes me assume my phone has been hacked somehow (but try to remind myself that tech is also just wonky).

      I set the screen time limit to 1 minute, and it has not showed up again as an app that has even been used. This is on a iPhone XS on iOS 15.4.1

      Does anyone have any idea what this means or why this would happen?

      14 votes
    6. Looking for low-precision, mouse-only Steam game recommendations

      I just learned that I can use the Steam Link app (iOS link, Android link) to stream Steam games to my phone and tablet (within my home). I have no desire to play M/KB or controller-based games on...

      I just learned that I can use the Steam Link app (iOS link, Android link) to stream Steam games to my phone and tablet (within my home).

      I have no desire to play M/KB or controller-based games on these devices (I already have a computer and a Steam Deck which can do those better), but I like the idea of playing some more casual stuff that only uses mouse input (in the form of me tapping the screen).

      I'm thinking stuff like:

      • Mobile game ports meant for touch input
      • Point-and-click adventures
      • Clicker games
      • Anything else I'm not thinking of that could be easily played by tapping the screen

      I'm interested specifically in lower-precision mouse-based games that would be comfortable to play on my relatively small phone screen (the device I'm most likely to use), though that's not a hard requirement. Anything requiring more precision I could play on my much larger tablet screen instead.

      What games do you recommend?

      25 votes
    7. App/browser extension idea if it doesn't already exist: likely bot database

      I just finished reading I hate the new internet post, in which the OP stated: Every social medium is just bots. The front page of Reddit is easily 35% easily detectable bots at least and who knows...

      I just finished reading I hate the new internet post, in which the OP stated:

      Every social medium is just bots. The front page of Reddit is easily 35% easily detectable bots at least and who knows what the rest is comprised of.

      Why couldn't we create a bot database, which I imagine would work similarly to uBlock for ads? There would be a number of signals to attempt to classify users of social media sites (likely human, likely bot, etc.) in addition to user-provided feedback ("I think this person is a bot" or "this account is me -- definitely not a bot").

      An extension could then be attached to the database to provide visual changes to social media platforms ("WARNING! LIKELY BOT!") or simply hide bot posts/comments.

      Off the top of my head, some bot signals:

      • Posting known duplicate posts with political motivation (e.g. on Reddit you see the same exact post about how the tariffs will create a stronger America by different posters) [strong indicator]
      • Usernames that follow the lazy bot format, e.g., Pretentious_Rabbit_2355 [weak indicator]
      • Usage of AI-generated or ripped off profile pictures, post images, etc. [strong indicator]
      • etc.

      On the crowdsourced side, there would have to be some rules in place to prevent profile bombing, etc.

      All in all, I could see something like this adding a bit of human value back to the various social media platforms AND I would think it would lead to higher advertisement click rates (bots will become less valuable over time on a given platform and decide to invest their resources elsewhere, while "human" user engagement increases at the same time).

      If this concept already exists, I apologize. I only did a very quick google.

      15 votes
    8. Three Cheers for Tildes: App updates and feedback (November 2024) — Version 1.2 lets you save comment drafts

      This topic is for the Three Cheers for Tildes mobile app. I'll summarize the major updates at the start of each similar topic, so people can read the updates and then hit Ignore if they don't care...

      This topic is for the Three Cheers for Tildes mobile app.

      I'll summarize the major updates at the start of each similar topic, so people can read the updates and then hit Ignore if they don't care about more frequent updates and user feedback.


      Recently:

      Version 1.2.2 (Dec 5, 2024):

      • Added advanced settings to auto-vote on topics when opening them
      • Added advanced setting to hide "Reply" from text long-press menu
      • Fixed inserting markdown links with parentheses
      • Fixed UI bugs in profiles
      • Fixed crashes opening certain topics

      Happy Thanksgiving! Three Cheers version 1.2 is out for Android and iOS! (Nov 27, 2024)

      • Save drafts of comment replies, edits, and private message replies
      • Manage drafts via Settings
      • Improved some error messages

       

      Does not yet support saving drafts of new submissions

      I know some of you were hoping for topic submission drafts, but I wanted to release what I've implemented so far with comment drafts. This version took a decent amount of time to develop, and I didn't want to delay it further by adding submission drafts in this release. Thanks for your patience!

       

      Previous topic: September 2024

       


      Where to get it

      Android version on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talklittle.android.tildes

      Or sideloadable APK at https://www.talklittle.com/three-cheers/

      iOS version on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/three-cheers-for-tildes/id6470950557

      Join TestFlight for iOS beta testing: https://testflight.apple.com/join/mpVk1qIy

      97 votes
    9. Pinterest alternatives

      Seems to be a common subject online that pinterest sucks. I've found so many threads of people asking for alternatives...but I've yet to find a replacement, or really recommendations. I've been...

      Seems to be a common subject online that pinterest sucks. I've found so many threads of people asking for alternatives...but I've yet to find a replacement, or really recommendations.

      I've been trying out the site cosmos.so, Interesting concept but it is limited by the lack of android and Firefox plugin support

      Any suggestions? What I am looking for is a tool that I can use to save stuff I find online, links, images, screenshots. Preferably open sourced or privacy friendly, but at this point I'll take anything lol.

      I feel like there has to be something out there!! Not sure why I am having such a hard time finding it. Any recommendations would be appreciated

      11 votes
    10. What kind of app/service am I looking for?

      like anyone, I use a calendar app, (my choice of app is ProtonCalendar as I will install only open-source apps) anyways, I will make a reminder even for myself, let's say 2:00 PM tomorrow, I want...

      like anyone, I use a calendar app, (my choice of app is ProtonCalendar as I will install only open-source apps)

      anyways, I will make a reminder even for myself, let's say 2:00 PM tomorrow, I want to pay a specific bill.

      so 2 pm tomorrow comes around, and I am not at home, so what I will do when I get the notification is to not swipe it away but leave it in the notification section of my Google Pixel and I will only swipe it away once I have actually done it. and if I dont get to it that day, I will go to my computer and schedule that event for another day so I don't lose track of it.

      problem is, more than 1, I have accidentally swiped away a notification without meaning to and sometimes I had like 3-4 different ones and I had to go through the history of what notifications I had swiped to make sure I didnt swipe away anything too urgent. but I'd much rather just not be able to swipe away a to-do I haven't completed yet until I could check a box indicating I had completed it.

      I have considered getting a to-do notes app, but I really like seeing these sorts of reminders on a graphical calendar interface.

      any suggestion for what I should do or do I just need to be really careful to not swipe away notification and there's no other option for me?

      9 votes