Monday, October 7, 2019

WebLock support page


You can ask me anything about WebLock in the comments.

See also:
Possible uses
Image-gallery

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

famous quotes classic

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ApflaBua said...

Hei weblock was published 2 years ago so I'm not hoping for a reply but anyway, so the app does work on my mom's old phone (but most of the time the website shows AFTER the phone is unlocked) and it doesn't work on my S10 ..
Is it possible for you to post the full app code somewhere ?
Greetings

V. Sim. said...

Hello

As you can see, I answer all messages I get here.

Strange that you say that "most of the time the website shows AFTER the phone is unlocked)", this is not how it's supposed to work. Did you check the show on lock screen option ? (I suppose the old phone in question has Android prior to 8.)

As for not working on S10, it has problems on Android 10. You should take a look at the app description on Google Play. I'm about to post a new version, it's ready but not yet fully tested. In a few days it should be there, if nothing unexpected happens.

Sorry, I'm not going to post the code.

Regards

V. Sim. said...

@ApflaBua Anyway, may I ask what you're using the app for ? Only if you want to tell me. I'm interested in specific usages, maybe I can recommend some to other people or they inspire me to maybe add some functionality to the app.

ApflaBua said...

Oh wow thanks for the replay haha
Yeah sure. So the company I'm making an internship just asked me to research if it's possible to desplay a website on a locked phone.
I obviously came to the conclusion that it's possible. Nevertheless your app was literally the only useful thing since I'm not an app developer.

Best regars!

V. Sim. said...

Very interesting question. :) So my question would be, what would they need it for ? But I suppose they won't tell me which is OK.

Anyway, as I said the new version is about to be posted this week, I can't see that not happening. So you tell them to be patient a little more. Or, if you or your company want an early look, I can send you the new app. As I said it's ready, I finished testing it on Android 10 but want to test it a little on 9 too. I'm almost certain it will work well, but I like to be thorough. So if you want to try it out you just need to say so.

ApflaBua said...

Well I think it would not be problem to tell you but I honestly don't know. I start working on October 1st. This is merely a warm up task for me hahah.
It's fine there is so hurry! I am definitely going to try the app for Android 10 as soon as it comes out.

Another question tho .. have you tried or know of anything similar on iOS ? I couldn't find anything for iPhone..

V. Sim. said...

Well, if you're curious about it too, maybe you could ask them.

Aha. Good luck with your new job. BTW, if you can tell me, what's the company and what does it do ? I suppose that's no secret.

About the app on iOS, AFAIK there's no such thing. I'm not particularly knowledgeable on iOS but I heard that before, and since you say you can't find anything either this confirms it. But don't take my word for it and search thoroughly. (What I can tell you, though, is that it's no easy task on Android either, and Google mostly discourage it. It might be the same on iOS too.)

ApflaBua said...

I am going to.


Ehrm the company basically does cloud based montiors and displays for all kinds of franchises. For example all the pricing tags in a phone store chain in Austria are now digitalised by them.
It's a bit hard to explain in English sry haha

V. Sim. said...

Looks like your company is austrian.
Wie geht's ?
It so happens that I speak German pretty well (and read in it even better). So if you feel like telling me in it, no problem. But I'm not sure I want to know about your company more than what you've already told me. (Except, of course, what they plan to use my app for. And maybe its name.) Seems like something high-tech, IT-related. Clouds, trendy. Seems like a good company.

Anyway, today is the big day. The new version is on Google Play. So you can play a little with it. Tell me what issues you find.
I think I should tell you a few things first.
The main focus is on Android 9 and up. It's tested well on Android 10, less well on 9 and even less well on earlier versions. For older OS versions, if the new app has significant issues (hopefully not), there still is the old app version that works, at least on some of them. Unfortunately I can't test on very many devices so that's it, I do what I can. Anyway, the old app version can still be installed from Amazon, and I plan to let it there for a while, until I see how the new app works. When I have the time I will test the app myself on a few older devices, but this will take time, the main thing with this version was to fix major issues it had in Android 9 and especially 10 (and up). So I rushed things a little.
Anyway, of course I'm interested to know of any issue you find, regardless of OS version.

ApflaBua said...

Okay so I didn't get a chance to ask the company yet. But I tested the app on my S10
And it works .. kinda .. so if lock my phone while using the app it works perfectly but as soon as I lock it while using an other app or just my home screen it shows my regular Lockscreen and not the weblock one

V. Sim. said...

OK, so let's try to see what's the problem.
First things first, what OS version do you have ?
(I assume you're using the new app version, right ?)

ApflaBua said...

Yes I updated the app and I my phone is running Android 10

ApflaBua said...

Hei so i got 2 test objects, one is a Samsung with Android 4.4.2 and on this one I don't have a menu in the right top corner and the second one is some self set up decive where the .apk files are needed to install the app and test it

viorel simionescu said...

Ok,let us take it one at a time.
First the phone with android 10. We need to be sure. Are you sure it is an. 10 ? Did you check ?
If so, do you see the weblock notification on the lock screen ?

viorel simionescu said...

Don't worry, it's still me. :)

viorel simionescu said...

About the one with 4.4.2, that's a good one. I guess you are on the lock screen and have no title bar. You need to turn the phone sideways then back up again.

viorel simionescu said...

Also, you need to read the help files carefully. Tbere are 2, one for an.9 and up and one for prev.versions.

ApflaBua said...

Yes it's Android 10 for sure. I have had the notification but I turned it off because it was there the whole time. (It didn't work with the notification either tho)

ApflaBua said...

I do have a title bar in the lockscreen. And turning it didn't do anything.

ApflaBua said...

I have read both but I must have missed something.thanks tho

V. Sim. said...

OK. Let's focus on the one with Android 10 first. We'll get back to the 4.4.2 later.

Please turn the notifications for WebLock on again and restart the phone. For the thing to work on An. 10, notifications must be enabled. Otherwise it will not work.

You say it didn't work with enabled notifications either, and this is what we must find out. So, when you see the notification icon again on the lock screen, press on it and tell me what happens.

ApflaBua said...

Okay it works now I think I did something wrong the first time.
But I tried the wallpaper mode. And as long as the last weblock thing I opened is the page everything works but for example "I go on YouTube, *take page* -> exit back to this help page -> close weblock -> lock my phone -> the WP Lockscreen is a snapshot from this help page and not from youtube

ApflaBua said...

And this exact same error happens with the normal Lockscreen with the notification as well

V. Sim. said...

OK. Looks like it works fine in Android 10. Great news.
But I have to say, I don't know how you could miss it in the help file. It's practically the first thing that's written there. Anyway, no problem, next time hopefully you'll be more careful. Good that it works.

V. Sim. said...

What you're describing with the lock screen wallpaper is exactly how it's meant to be. If the option is set to tracking, it always puts the current page (not the target one) on the lock screen. So both WebLock and the wallpaper will always show the same thing. If you want to set a certain page or image as the wallpaper, you have to select the "current" option. Again, says so in the help, but maybe this is a little bit more complicated so it's OK that you asked me. Hope I've made it clear to you so you can explain it to others.

V. Sim. said...

Now that it appears it works well at least on An. 10, I want to tell you a few things.

First, note that WebLock doesn't do anything related to locking and unlocking the phone. Android is in charge of this. This means that there can be no security breaches (like somebody being able to unlock a phone without knowing the password) because of WebLock. If this was to happen it would be Android's fault, but it will not happen, the guys at Google have done a good job at this point because it's crucial. I think this is also written somewhere in the help, and definitely on the GPlay page, but I wanted to point it out. You should tell this to your bosses so they can be assured there's no problem here. This is always a concern with custom lock screens, especially if they aren't made by big reputable companies. But as I said WebLock is not a custom lock screen, though it resembles one, in that it doesn't handle security itself.

Second, how do you like the wallpaper feature ? Especially the possibility of selecting only a part of an image as the wallpaper.

ApflaBua said...

Okay okay yeah that was my bad. It works I as intended now. The only thing that kinda doesn't work or well I think that's not supposed to be. Lets say I take a Webpage "not for wallpaper" and I right after that, without closing weblock, I lock my phone. The lockscreen is indeed the webpag, not just the wallpaper, the actual webpage. Kinda what you said is not possible in android 10

And yeah well the wallpaper works absolutely fine.

V. Sim. said...

Sorry, I don't understand the problem you're describing. I really don't. If you think that's actually a problem try again.
If you lock the phone from WebLock, when you switch it on you'll see indeed directly WebLock, not the lock screen. The lock screen with the notification will be underneath. That's how it's supposed to work, we discussed this. Anything else ?
Wait, I didn't say it is not possible in An. 10. It happens like this in An. 10 only when you lock the phone from WebLock. In older versions, it happens like this, that is you see directly WebLock, even if you lock the phone from another app or from the home screen. So there's no need for a notification. That's what's not possible in An. 10.

V. Sim. said...

I probably shouldn't tell you but I found this, it might interest you:

https://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/10/28/lockbrowser

ApflaBua said...

Okay but I don't quite understand why it is supposed to be like that.
Like it doesn't make any sense to me if I lock it from weblock I get weblock and if I lock it from anywhere else is just the icon to get to my webpage.
Also I don't quite understand how it is possible to instantly display the weblock app with the menu and everything but not a webpage.. but I guess I don't really know a lot about app development.


Yeah I found that iOS feature already thank you anyway

V. Sim. said...

I think you're making a confusion. When you say "just the icon to get to my webpage" - the webpage is shown in WebLock. What you actually see is WebLock showing your page. Only, because you're on the lock screen, you don't see the title bar. If you want to show it, you need to turn the phone sideways, wait a few seconds so the content gets rearranged then turn the phone back up again, as I told you.

It's a bit hard to explain why if the phone is locked from WebLock, the app is then shown directly, but otherwise the lock screen is shown with the notification that opens WebLock. It's because of limitations put in place by Google starting with An. 10. Main thing, one way or another it works and you get to see WebLock with your page on the lock screen.

So, how is the iOS app or hack or whatever ? I'm naturally curious about how well it works.

ApflaBua said...

Okay I still think we are not talking about the same thing hahah I screen recorded the whole process, is there any possible way I could show you the video ?

And I havent tested the app because I don't have a iPhone to spare.

V. Sim. said...

You can e-mail it to me. You find the address on the GPlay page (I prefer not to give it here).

Oh, OK. I thought your company would have an iPhone to give it to you to test it. If it happens, please tell me a brief general opinion.

ApflaBua said...

Perfect I did email it to you

And yes if I it happens I will tell you it is working

V. Sim. said...

OK, I got it.
First things first, I have to say I'm impressed. Not many people would have known how to do it. I probably would have had difficulties myself.

We'll continue the discussion by mail, I don't think it's of much benefit to others, it's already way too long for somebody to read to the end. :)

Ruth said...

Hi - Li have a troubleshooting question.

First, thank you so much for your app. Can't find anything like it for some reason.

However, my page just keeps loading but doesn't ever load. Has anyone else had this issue?

Context: Im using this along with mango mirror. I want the mango mirror url that I've created to show on my lock screen. (I'VE connected this to Alexa through a efun plug - so when my phone is charging my lock screen will show the mango mirror url.)

V. Sim. said...

Hello

Your situation seems to be very special and quite sophisticated. Mango mirror, efun plug. It's quite possible that the Web view component I'm using doesn't know how to handle it.
Just for some context, I assume that the page doesn't load in WebLock even if it's inside the phone, not on the lock screen. Also, I assume it does load in Chrome.
If all this is correct, I'm sorry but I don't think there's much you can do, unusual situations like this one may just not display well.

What app / Android version do you have ?

Regards
V. Simionescu

Ruth said...

Hi - Thank you for such a quick response!

I have a samsung s7. Yes, the web page loads in chrome but does not load in the weblock app (in the app not just the lock screen). I see - if you have time could you explain why? Is it because weblock only uses web pages that use edge/internet explorer?/not comparable with chrome?

Thank you again! Happy New year!

V. Sim. said...

Happy new year to you too.

Samsung S7, OK, but what Android version and what app version ?

Wait, that's not true at all. WebLock has nothing to do with Edge or IE. It is based on a browser component that's offered by Google so it's much closer to Chrome anyway.

I'm not sure of the exact cause myself. But I do know that there are some unusual Internet protocols that load in Chrome but not also in WebLock, I've had this situation before. And what you describe with Mango mirror and efun plug seems to be something like this. I honesty don't even know what these are, and unfortunately I don't have time to study it. But if they require / are additional plug-ins, it's no surprise it doesn't work in WebLock.

Sorry I cannot be of more help
V. Sim.

Ruth said...

No worries! Thank you for your help! (I'm not sure of the Android version at the moment.) Have a great year!

V. Sim. said...

I just added a reminder page to WebLock. You can now take quick notes in it from the lock screen of any Android device (with KitKat+ on it) without needing to unlock it.
The new page can be found under "Go to page / URL ..." / WebLock reminder page in the app menu.

Unknown said...

Hi, first of all, congratulations for this app. I am a web developer and made a custom webpage that ramdoms change my photo gallery,its show the date, time and a background image from my gallery, woukd like to know if is some new version (using 1.6).
And would like to know what is 'Lock screen WP options'.
Since I never accessed this page, you can contac me at lee@wen.com.br

Thank you once again

viorel simionescu said...

Hello

Glad you like the app, thanks.

Version 1.6 is the current one, as it says on the GPlay page. And I don't think a newer one is coming very soon. Shouldn't be necessary.

There is a section in the help about lock screen WP options, have you read it ? Read it first and if you still have questions we'll talk.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Hello, I was trying to show either auction listings, maybe countdown for an eBay item, or just keep track of something not in stock. I'm sure it's not the most glamorous use for your app lol 🤷🏼‍♂️
I'm definitely not high level tech savvy, but I noticed after I get everything up and loaded, what's displayed is an image of a webpage. Is there a way for the real time page to displayed. Say for something counting down. Or more likely I'm doing something wrong...

Thanks for creating a cool app and sharing it :)

V. Sim. said...

Hello

Glad you like the app, thanks.

It shouldn't behave like this. If the page has JavaScript, it should work real-time, like, as you say, a countdown, it should be visible on the page without needing to refresh it.

First thing you should do, refresh the page once. If then you still can't see the countdown, you should tell me what the exact page is so that I can check if it happens the same on my phone. (I assume you checked first to see that the page displays well in a regular browser like Chrome. If not, that's the first thing you should do.)

Before I forget, what Android version do you have ?

Thanks again for the appreciation and hopefully we can make it work
V. Sim.

V. Sim. said...

Just wanted to add, if you don't want your details public here you can email me, you find the address at the developer info on the GPlay page of the app.