system volume control

[Richard Nero]

Can I add slider in my app to control system volume or open system volume button.

[Taifun]

no you can't, in App Inventor you can control only the Player.Volume

http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/reference/components/media.html#Player

Volume

Sets the volume to a number between 0 and 100

Taifun

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Trying to push the limits of App Inventor! Snippets and Tutorials from Pura Vida Apps by Taifun.                

[piano guy]

From personal experience, I think that it is not safe to have a slider for volume, because a slider is so small, and a user can accidently slide from very low to very high. If they were wearing headphones, this can lead to hearing damage.

I think it is better to have separate buttons to increase and decrease the volume, and set a maximum increase of 5 units(ie. from level 20 to 25, then 25 to 30) per button click. 

[Jasbir Singh]

Just to add here, I have applied the volume control slider on my audio player, the behavior of slider is unpredictable. At start the volume starts with the defined level (at slider) then automatically it jumps to higher volume and then it comes to normal. In fact i have observed that in case we are listening to audio player and if there any call lands in between, the player pause and the time call is over, the audio is resumed. But the problem is the volume increases to maximum and then it comes to normal. I have Sony Xperia Z1 and seen the same behavior in other phones as well. Now i have decided to remove volume control from the app. 

[Taifun]

@Jasbir: could you please prepare a small test project as small as possible, which demonstrates this issue and add the aia file into this thread, so MIT can take a look at this issue

Thank you.

Taifun

[Jasbir Singh]

Hi Taifun

the link to the project is http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/#5503059380666368 

[Taifun]

only you can access this link, therefore please add the aia file (a small test project as small as possible)  into this thread and add a description what needs to be done to demonstrate these issues

Taifun

1. the volume starts with the defined level (at slider) then automatically it jumps to higher volume and then it comes to normal. 

and

2. in case we are listening to audio player and if there any call lands in between, the player pause and the time call is over, the audio is resumed. But the problem is the volume increases to maximum and then it comes to normal. 

[Jasbir Singh]

Hi Taifun

The file is attached. Following are the issues:

1. the volume starts with the defined level (at slider) then automatically it jumps to higher volume and then it comes to normal. 

and

2. in case we are listening to audio player and if there any call lands in between, the player pause and the time call is over, the audio is resumed. But the problem is the volume increases to maximum and then it comes to normal. 

3. It takes 20-25 seconds to start the audio. In case it is paused, it takes same amount of time. My stream is also configured on other android apps (such as Punjabi Radio) at Google Play, however these apps plays my stream instantly.

Best Regards

Jasbir Singh

[Taifun]

I tested your example with my Nexus 5 running Android 5.0.1 together with the companion app and can't confirm your issues

1. volume starts fine (level 10) 

2. after call is over, music continues to play using the current volume level

3. it takes around 5 seconds to start the audio (this is dependent on your internet connection speed)

it seems to be, this is a device specific issue?

which device do you use for your tests? which Android version? did you try other devices?

Taifun

[Jasbir Singh]

the device i tested is (a) Sony Xperia Z1, (b) Samsung Galaxy S3, (c) Motorola G2

Android version tested 4.4.4 and 4.5

 

[Hal Abelson]

Jasbir,

Are you in a position to update your Android version and see if this still happens on system version 5?

[Jasbir Singh]

Hi Hal, the update version in Sony is not yet rolled out. I think I should wait for the new version. 

[Hal Abelson]

Thanks.   Let me defer this until you can try the new version, and then we can look.

[Khalid]

Going back to the original question:  why can't we control system volume from within AI2 apps?  I would like to be able to set the ringer volume to Silent mode from within my app.  Is this, and other similar system-level functions, planned in a future release?

I am aware of the Activity Starter workaround, but I prefer to not leave the app when changing the volume.  Any workarounds for doing this?  

Thanks in advance!

-Khalid

[Enis]

No workarounds... You can add your wish to the list:  App Inventor Issues List

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[Khalid]

Thank you Enis.  I just added my vote for this feature.. and request others to do so as well HERE.