Feature request: Auto display messages on non-CLOCK apps

[thyttan]

Hi,

Some apps I will leave running and by that messages will not auto display since Bangle. CLOCK=1 is not set.

I want to list some apps that should let messages auto display. But I don't want clock face specific widgets to show as would be the case if I set CLOCK=1

Maybe it would also make sense to differentiate apps that should let messages auto-display always or just if the screen is locked.

So I have two suggestions:

1. Set Bangle.CLOCK=2 to say this app should let messages auto-display but not show clock face widgets. Maybe set =3 to say it should auto-display messages only if the screen is locked.

or

2. Add Bangle.AUTO_SHOW_MESSAGES=0/1/2 or similar to allow messages to take over the app. (0 - no, 1 - yes, 2 - only when locked)

The next step, as I imagine, would be to create a bootloader type app for setting the value depending on which app is running and user preferences.

Does this speak to anyone else? Is there a better solution?

[thyttan]

@gfwilliams if you want to weigh in.

[gfwilliams]

Are there apps that you personally leave running and don't want messages to be displayed over?

Because maybe having per-app settings is overkill, and we should just have a global setting for the messages app that is:

• Never show new messages
• Show messages over clock
• Show messages over clock and all apps when locked
• Show messages over all apps

My other thought here is if you do really need the separate functionality maybe rather than having boot code and Bangle.AUTO_SHOW_MESSAGES and so on, we should just have the messages app itself maintain a list of apps that it's allowed to display over, and when it gets a new message it checks them against __FILE__?

[thyttan]

Are there apps that you personally leave running and don't want messages to be displayed over?

When you put it like that, I guess no. Except for maybe the torch app. Having the distinction of locked/unlocked should be good enough.

Because maybe having per-app settings is overkill, and we should just have a global setting for the messages app that is:

• Never show new messages
• Show messages over clock
• Show messages over clock and all apps when locked
• Show messages over all apps

Yes - I think that is a more sensible solution!

I guess we default to "Show messages over clock" to keep consistency with current behavior?

My other thought here is if you do really need the separate functionality maybe rather than having boot code and Bangle.AUTO_SHOW_MESSAGES and so on, we should just have the messages app itself maintain a list of apps that it's allowed to display over, and when it gets a new message it checks them against FILE?

Yeah, OK! I now also think this is probably not needed and your suggestion above is probably enough. I guess we can come back to implement this if it feels like it's missing.

So I'd be happy to implement your solution in messages app and settings and make a PR.

[gfwilliams]

Thanks - That'd be great!

I guess we default to "Show messages over clock" to keep consistency with current behavior?

I think that's probably best, yes...