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My first Android Application

At last, I have brought this app to some shape. It still has some pending pieces - of which we will talk later. Work and life has suddenly propelled into busyosphere and this activity was given a backseat. I just took it back and dusted it up yesterday.


This application comes from my personal needs to work out using the ‘High Intensity Interval Training’ (HIIT) method. This method worked like magic on me. I have lost close to 2 kilos in a month’s time. When you google it, you might find that it’s a rhythmic cardio exercise which involves a repetition of an impact phase (a run or cycling at break neck speed) and a cool down phase (a slower walk) with a certain ratio. I am not still very clear of the biological explanation for its effectiveness (it burns fat 8 times more than the usual cardio forms) but I myself am an empirical proof.


The only problem was that I am an outdoor jogger. Without any tools, I was counting the timing in my mind first and later started using landmarks to control the run-rest cycle. That’s when I thought about writing a phone application that helps. I don’t have a mac (yet), so cant develop it for the iPhones. So, started of with the Android platform.


The Android framework reminded me of my Visual Studio and Visual Basic days (Ramku, take note!). It’s a similar event driven programming world but the user-interface framework has a long way to go. It took me sometime to get hold of the layouts offered. Even the eclipse tooling has a long way to go. It doesn’t allow me to be as productive as I can be. What I loved was the Java platform – my comfort zone.


So here it is. Key in the impact time (how long would you want to run) and the repeat count. The tool calculates the run-rest cycle. There is a visual cue (in the progress bars) and there is also vibration to set you on the mark and off. The bottom section is the log of your past runs. Currently it will only store 5 latest sessions.


Known issues and the next release features:

  1. The tool is set for intermediate level. That means, it works on the 2/3 ration for run to rest. Will let the user choose the levels later (beginner, intermediate and advanced).
  2. The Pause button doesn’t work yet. (The Stop button works though).
  3. Will integrate with Facebook to publish your statistics as you complete the run.
  4. User Interface improvements.

I still don't have an android phone (I am on BlackBerry). So you might help me to test this. You can find the unsigned application here. You will also find the source codes there. I have no qualms in sharing. After all, everything was developed using open sources. Finally, I dedicate this to my friend Sandhya, who initiated me first into HIIT.

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