Plugins

[kylecorry31]

These would all be standalone apps, optional app download that requires Trail Sense be installed. The provider plugins can probably be merged into a single package. The goal of the standalone apps would be to provide functionality that Trail Sense itself can't do - things like Internet, texting, and packaging large amounts of data (to keep Trail Sense's core APK size small). All plugins can be accessed from within Trail Sense (not sure how exactly - maybe they'll start a new activity or communicate via Intents - more research is needed)

Some may show up as additional tools rather than extending existing tools. Not sure if they could be opened in TS (maybe the UI lives in TS and communication is done via services).

Research Google Play policies on cross app communication where different permissions are allowed.

Potential plugins

Providers

Adds additional data sources to tools in Trail Sense, can use the Internet.

• Weather: Downloads current weather conditions and forecasts
• Tides: Downloads tide tables / harmonics
• Map tiles: Downloads map tiles
• DEM: Download a digital elevation model for a given region
• Geocoder: Get the name of the location. This doesn't require the Internet permission - it is built into Android - but it does use the Internet.
• Cell towers: A higher resolution cell tower map
• Gadgetbridge support: [Research] Gadgetbridge #1534 (may be a separate plugin)
• Species computer vision models: iNaturalist open model for animals/plants or cropnet by Google

Comms

Local communication can happen via bluetooth, wifi direct, audio?, or QR (may be part of TS itself). There will be the ability to add and connect to trusted devices.

• Emergency beacon: Sends out a text to selected contacts at a set frequency containing your location (texts are more reliable than an Internet connection while in areas of spotty connection).
• Walkie talkie / chat: Can communicate with nearby users/people you've connected with. Support text to speech as well.
• Offline file share: Similar to Google Files offline share feature.
• Shared navigation: Share navigation details with trusted devices nearby (ex. location of each user shown in Trail Sense)
• BLE LoRa communicator support: Compatibility with BLE LoRa Communicators #1961
• Share images via audio: Look into Decode SSTV encoded audio signals to images #2824, but most likely will just use wireless signals.

Health

• Heart Rate Sensor: A heart rate sensor which uses your camera
• Sound Amplifier: Amplifies sound, with options to boost certain frequencies

Experiments / research

• Research: Comms plugin (bluetooth) #2381

[michaelblyons]

Sync a common packing list with file share? 😅

[kylecorry31]

@michaelblyons can you clarify what you mean?

Do you mean just the ability to import/export a packing list? In that case, that is something I could implement without a plugin - and then the plugin could be used to share the exported file while offline

[michaelblyons]

That's pretty close. I think I saw that you're planning export/import to CSV for packing lists. The file could be synced with Bluetooth, yes.

I coordinate with my partner: "Did we already pack enough X?" to prepare a vehicle for 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day trips together. When we get there and set up, every adult manages their own list for excursions, which is more like the normal packing list behavior. If TS is not the right tool for shared packing, we can surely find something else.

If people use packing lists to track stocks of consumables on distance hikes as well, having a merge algorithm for intelligent incr/decr might be helpful. But I am not personally doing that in the backcountry.

[kylecorry31]

Thanks! I'll consider adding that along with the offline file share plugin