From doing reading on the web the topic of battery drain from live wallpapers on android devices is quite heavily discussed. Many will disagree with me but I am of the opinion (a well researched one due to development of live wallpapers) that they really don't affect battery life in any significant way. Allow me to explain in detail.
The android live wallpaper service extends an engine when the wallpaper is visible, think of it like a cannon who's only function is to fire off a live wallpaper when requested (visible). unless some serious mistakes were made in development (almost too difficult to replicate without effort). when a live wallpaper loses visibility the service itself tears down. In effect the cannon sits waiting to fire a wallpaper. So if you open messenger, or your screen sleeps, or anything covers the homescreen it will wait until you bring it into focus to 'fire' another instance of the engine.
I am not saying a developer couldn't make a grievous error that would cause the wallpaper to continue running even when hidden, but it would take a rather concerted effort to do so.
As for the actual wallpaper content that varies, very complex rendering could indeed consume more battery than a static black screen, this is true. BUT! unless you stare at the wallpaper and keep your screen awake watching it, it won't be a continuous drain, your screen sleeps or you do something else with your phone, the drain ceases.
Overall with regular typical phone use the impact of using a live wallpaper shouldn't be of much significance to be of concern, unless you are really into micromanaging for battery life.
If you are here is something you may not be aware of. This is the real battery consumer for your phone/tablet whether you choose to believe it or not.
wifi, radio signal, and bluetooth <-- although these aren't specifically metered the very technology used for connectivity provides a more constant strain on your battery than anything on your screen ever could, with the exception of heavy duty 3d gaming (and the hot phones they create).
so if you have an android, why not use a live wallpaper if you like. Enjoy the exclusive feature afforded to you. If you drain the battery staring at a wallpaper, it has entertained you, and you can recharge your device.
-Munkee
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Monday, 21 September 2015
Color Puddle Live Wallpaper Promotional Video
Plasmatic Live Wallpaper Preview Video
After Some Fussing About I got the first preview video for the live wallpapers done. my video editing can only improve!
First Week Down - Reflections, Observations etc.
Well I have officially passed my first week of existence as a android app developer publicly. So far it has gone well, I have plenty of things I am preparing to release but at the moment I am spending some time in non-linear editing software trying to get promotional videos in the existing application's store listings.
I have also done some extensive research on app promotion. I have discovered it is quite a lot like trying to be a model. (Not that I have ever tried to do that, don't have the cheekbones). There are many many services out there that will "promote your app for $$". I think I am being smart here, but I am not buying into any of it. It would seem there is a great proportion of grey area marketing, if not blacker than black when it comes to app stores.
I am realistic, I don't expect to ever make a tonne of money doing apps, its too big of an ocean and I am one of many tiny fish. My focus is making quality things that are interesting to me, and perhaps to others. If an app takes off and becomes successful, sure that will be great but I want to obtain such a victory honestly.
It doesn't take much time researching the store to realize that many don't share my point of view, and are perfectly happy with hollow and fake victories. You quickly see fake positive reviews, fake negative reviews from compeditors and all manner of things done in an attempt to play with the numbers.
Call me a purist (which is why I likely will never be super rich) I would much rather the progress come naturally, and through positive word of mouth, than trickery or purchasing influence. At the end of the day even if no-one knew, I would. My plan is to make quality things, hopefully that is enticement enough.
MunkeeBonez
I have also done some extensive research on app promotion. I have discovered it is quite a lot like trying to be a model. (Not that I have ever tried to do that, don't have the cheekbones). There are many many services out there that will "promote your app for $$". I think I am being smart here, but I am not buying into any of it. It would seem there is a great proportion of grey area marketing, if not blacker than black when it comes to app stores.
I am realistic, I don't expect to ever make a tonne of money doing apps, its too big of an ocean and I am one of many tiny fish. My focus is making quality things that are interesting to me, and perhaps to others. If an app takes off and becomes successful, sure that will be great but I want to obtain such a victory honestly.
It doesn't take much time researching the store to realize that many don't share my point of view, and are perfectly happy with hollow and fake victories. You quickly see fake positive reviews, fake negative reviews from compeditors and all manner of things done in an attempt to play with the numbers.
Call me a purist (which is why I likely will never be super rich) I would much rather the progress come naturally, and through positive word of mouth, than trickery or purchasing influence. At the end of the day even if no-one knew, I would. My plan is to make quality things, hopefully that is enticement enough.
MunkeeBonez
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
4th Release - NRG Beams Live Wallpaper
NRG Beams Live wallpaper is 3glowing, bending, stretching and spinning beams of light moving across your homescreen. This effect is aimed at higher end / newer smartphone GPU's I will likely do a blog specifically about the math involved in this one. 2 techniques Perlin Noise, and Fractional Brownian Motion were used to get the look I wanted. Enjoy!
Get it from Google Play
Free Version | Paid Version
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
3rd Release - Warp Rings Live Wallpaper
Warp Rings Live wallpaper is 2 sets of rings flying, stretching and spinning all over your homescreen. It is based on an older effect called "moire interference" For those who were fans of the amiga & pc demoscene of the early 1990's you may recognize this effect. Future Crew's "Panic" comes to mind as one demo that used it to great effect. Enjoy!
Get it from Google Play
Free | Paid
Monday, 14 September 2015
2nd Release - Color Puddle Live Wallpaper
So far the experience of releasing on Google Play has been outstanding, I love their systems, very easy and intuitive to use. Enjoy
Free Version | Paid Version
Friday, 11 September 2015
1st App Hits The Market
Today I Launched Plasmatic Live Wallpaper. After too long of a period of R&D the first group of apps are being finalized and uploaded to google play.
This app is a HD realization of an old commodore amiga graphics effect called a plasma. However the amiga version was a much lower resolution, much lower framerate and far fewer colors. I may post a blog about the math behind it, especially if there is demand for it.
Get it Here: Free Version | Pay Version
It was an actually rather good experience, I love google play's developer interface and appreciate that they now review apps before allowing them on. Having said that it made for a nervious period where I had neurotic notions of them rejecting my work.
Very good experience, and there is way more to follow very soon
-MunkeeBonez
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Social Media Links
Aside from this blog MunkeeBonez can be found on various social media outlets, which I will handily provide links for here:
Facebook Page
Tumblr
Twitter
Stay tuned.. App Launches are imminent
Facebook Page
Tumblr
Stay tuned.. App Launches are imminent
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
And so it begins.....
Finally after what seems like an absurd amount of time doing research and development, I will be launching applications. This blog is a place to allow me to get "In Depth" with the process of developing for those interested in reading about it.
Where my facebook and twitter will mostly deal with releases, previews, screenshots and that sort of thing. This blog will allow me to get into copious detail about the daily grind of being an independent developer, insight and perhaps even some tutorials and tips for making great applications.
Later This week I should have my first products out for all of you to enjoy so bear with me as I unpack, organize and decorate. as a little tease here is something I have been playing with, it is a live wallpaper for android devices, this is just a little bit of what it can do
to be continued....
MunkeeBonez
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