Time’s ticking away and I’m still beavering away with the MS2-Extra functionality. I’ve set up a “demo” server that pretends to be a connected Ms1-Extra ECU and delivers realtime data based on a log file. If nothing else it will serve as an easier way for me to maintain and test against multiple versions of MS as I can load it up to mimic any of the supported versions.

With the demo server available and a distinct lack of feedback from the MS1-Extra testers I’ve decided to release the  first version to the app store. It will only work with MS1-Extra (well it may work with MS1 but it’s not been tested as extensively) but will allow prospective users to play with the app and see it in action against the demo server if they don’t have a compatible MS/WiFi setup.

I’m going to see if iCloud support for the log files is practical in this version and I’ll include it if it is as i suspect that will be very useful as an easy way to transfer log files from your iOS device to a Windows PC or Mac.

It seems from the testing feedback that the MS1-Extra functionality is working now on all the firmware versions it has been tested on. I will be sending out another test version that incorporates the changes I’ve needed to make to resolve issues with older MS1-Extra firmware.

Once that is done I’ll take another look at the signed up testers to see which is the next most common MS firmware in use by the testers and concentrate on that version for the next release. I suspect it will be a close call between MS1 or MS2-Extra as there don’t seem to be any MS2 “vanilla” users signed up at the moment.

I’m pleased to announce that the first test release is now available for testers who have confirmed their UDIDs, you should receive an email shortly with the download and installation details.

If you wish to be added to the test group and haven’t received the release email, please use the contact form to submit your details and you will be added into the next available release.

As I have started making final preparations for the first test version of the app to ship I’ve been considering the best ways to resolve any problems that arise and to allow users without the suitable interface hardware to be able to try the app out in a demo mode.

To help with this I’ve added a “Raw Data” logging mode to the app which will create a shared file containing the raw data supplied from the MegaSquirt ECU. Once I’ve tested this I’ll send the first test release out to the registered testers that responded to the last email I sent out. Testers will then be able to send the files with a note of the problem encountered and I should then be able to reproduce it.

I’m also developing a simple “server” application to run on one of my web servers that will mimic a MegaSquirt connection and respond with raw data captured from the app. As well as giving an easy way to provide a demo facility it will also allow me to simulate tester’s MegaSquirts on my private server so I can review and resolve any issues reported. The demo server will be launched sometime after the test app is shipped , I’ll notify all testers by email with the details when it is available. Initially you’ll need to enter the IP address and Port number into the settings screen, in the final version I’ll probably just have a “demo” switch that sets it up for you.

As support for each version of MegaSquirt is added I’ll add a demo service for that configuration that will be used as the baseline for regression testing of the app as new versions are released.

I’ve added a forum to the site to make it easier to discuss any issues relating to MobiSquirt. There is a private/hidden section for testers who have signed up for the app where the app will be available for download as new test versions are released.

The first test version is very nearly ready with the logging playback facility now working and nearly all the bugs I’ve found in my own testing resolved. There are a couple more changes I’d like to make before it’s released to testers but I’m anticipating releasing it in the next few days unless I find any major issues.

As previously posted the first test release has been optimised/tested for MS1-Extra, it may work with other versions but more by luck than judgement !

As mentioned in the comments, spare time has been a bit of a luxury in the last few months as a number of paying jobs and motor sport commitments have taken their toll. Things are finally easing off a bit now though and I’ve finally managed to get some more time in on MobiSquirt and now is as good a time as any to review the progress so far and make some changes to the development roadmap.

I really want to get a version of the app out there for those interested in testing it and the reality is that the more versions of MegaSquirt I try to support in the first test version the longer it will be before I can send anything out. As a result I’ve decided to concentrate on MSnS-Extra for the first test release as this seems to be the most widely used firmware among those that have expressed an interest. Once that is out I’ll then get the MS2-Extra running, then MS2, then MS1, then MJ.

MSnS-Extra support is complete now as far as the realtime gauges/data views are concerned and the logging is working. I have a couple of UI tweaks to do still but the realtime aspect is probably 98% ready for test release 1. The log review/playback functions still need a fair amount of work to get into reasonable shape and, for the first test version, I expect to have both data and gauge log playback views functional.

I will add a “mark” facility/button for realtime logging and, for devices that support it, the “mark” will also record your location so a map can be displayed showing where you were when the mark was created. As part of that work I will add latitude/longitude fields into the log files as well as the existing acceleration/deceleration fields.

I’m going to add a forum facility to this site to allow testers/contributors etc… to exchange information, report any bugs/feedback, new feature requests and so on. Test versions of the app will be posted there too for download as and when I release them.

I won’t tempt fate by giving a timescale on the first test release, hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later !

I’ve finally completed the MS2-Extra implementation and the app is now happily logging and displaying data more or less as it should do. There’s a problem with the throttle position input that I’m trying to pin down but at least the grind of coding all the data mapping and logging is done which is a relief !

I’ve had a few people sign up for testing and some donations are starting to arrive. The donations are being put towards a spare MS2 daughter card for my test setup at the moment as that will allow me to test both version 2 and version 3 firmware by swapping the daughter card rather than having to keep reloading different firmware. I’m still a little way off sending out a test version of the app so if you’ve signed up as a tester don’t worry too much if you don’t hear anything for a while. I will try and acknowledge all test requests within a week or so, it all takes time so please be patient 🙂

Happy New Year !