Native Zoomable Timeline?

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updated 2017-11-11 16:57:28 +0300

Update 11 november

Mailing with the creator of OneView Calendar, Peter Molyneux. He is willing to help with the creation of a native timeline library that then can be used by other apps. One possibility would be to create an opensource framework that would benefit both parties. Added new bullet point for the lane concept.

Background

While waiting for the official port of Sailfish OS for the Sony Xperia X there was time to have a look at an up to date Android smartphone. The default calendar app uses the normal day-week-month format but I wondered if there was something that would fit my way of thinking better.

Temporary solution

I found an app that was very close to what I was looking for. It is called OneView Calendar. The app only has one view (as the name suggests) but that view is zoomable. It is possible to have just a three-day weekend as a view, or look at a bunch of tightly packed five minute meetings during an afternoon. Long events float to the right of the shorter ones. To sum things up the app is very clear and very flexible.

OneView animation

More information is available at: http://www.oneviewcalendar.com/
An interactive demo is available at: http://app.oneviewcalendar.com/

Suggestion

So here is my request for a native version of the zoomable timeline used in OneView Calendar**.

Instead of only creating a native version of the calendar it would be more useful to create a timeline library that can be used for other apps as well. ...such as call logs, gallery, navigation, etc.
The timeline could be shown as multiple parallel lanes accessible with tabs or gestures. One lane for calendar events, one for call logs, another for the gallery, yet another for navigation, etc. Events would automatically be associatied timewise.

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Comments

1

so, Sailfish calendar just needs to add a zoom function to its agenda view to make you happy!

danfin ( 2017-09-21 21:41:38 +0300 )edit

1

Almost. I would like the events to be sorted by length horisontally too.

vattuvarg ( 2017-09-21 21:44:23 +0300 )edit

I like the approach but you are aware that this is server based and all your calendars are sync to their server... I definitely don't want my data be redirected over a third party hosting I don't know nothing about...

elastic ( 2017-09-22 12:08:49 +0300 )edit

2

@elastic - The app is simply a dynamic webpage (html5, actually) getting the data from a demo server (or from Google if you want to). A native version would get the calendar data from the phone itself (like the default app does) or from a server that the user chooses.

vattuvarg ( 2017-09-22 13:01:05 +0300 )edit

1

Hi, so if the app is just simple html5 where is then the problem? you could add it in an app "container" and make it work natively or simply use a direct web front end on the device

PatsJolla ( 2017-09-25 11:40:11 +0300 )edit

5

answered 2017-11-11 18:24:18 +0300

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updated 2017-11-17 14:58:14 +0300

PIM / PDA

The timeline could be more than a calendar. It would be possible to add more types of events.

Calls or messages could be scheduled, not just logged. They could even be automated.
Travel plans could actually be GPS navigation done in advance.
The alarm for a meeting could be an audio file.
Documents and/or photos could be associated to meetings.
A container could allow all of the above to be added to one single point of the timeline.

4

answered 2017-11-11 17:03:32 +0300

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Gallery

Most of the photos of the gallery are displayed in chronological order. A timeline view would show date and time for each image. Linking the gallery timeline with other timeline lanes such as navigation would make it easier to find photos.

Comments

a folder based view in the gallery with select able folders would be much more needed in my opinion

PatsJolla ( 2017-11-16 15:16:42 +0300 )edit

A gallery timeline lane would be easier to implement and would not require sorting by the user.

vattuvarg ( 2017-11-16 17:40:33 +0300 )edit

The gallery could use multiple lanes.

Main gallery
Favorites
Transfers

...and more.

vattuvarg ( 2017-11-16 17:45:10 +0300 )edit

3

answered 2017-11-11 16:47:34 +0300

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updated 2017-11-11 17:08:58 +0300

Logs

Calls, messages, photos and videos, etc. are usually logged and could be viewed as a timeline. The navigation app could transform the route into travel log events while travelling.

Each log would be found on a separate lane on the timeline. Using the other lanes would make things easier to find.

2

answered 2017-11-11 16:44:57 +0300

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updated 2017-11-11 18:41:16 +0300

The navigation events (crossings, roundabouts, lane changes) are usually displayed as a list. A timeline would not only show the list of events but also the time between them.

If the navigation app is connected to the calendar timeline then routes can be added in advance.

In fact, most events are routes (because they have both time and place) that the navigation app can calculate. ...and display.

2

answered 2017-11-11 17:24:52 +0300

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updated 2017-11-11 18:47:14 +0300

Planning

A timeline has three parts:

Past
Events that have happened get stored as logs.
The traffic events of your navigation are stored in the travel logs.
Present
Events that happen now trigger actions.
The traffic events will tell you to turn right at the second exit of the roundabout.
Future
Events that are set in the future will trigger actions later.
You plan your trip for next weekend in advance.

Each lane of the timeline will handle specific data. All lanes are parallel to eachother so different parts of the planning are always held close.

2

answered 2017-11-11 18:58:11 +0300

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Sharing timeline lane(s) could be useful.

Calendar events would allow meetings to be suggested or set up quickly.
Cooperative travel arrangements.
Shared public contact centers. An interational crew could man the service around the clock.