----Update 4/27/2012----
Version 1.1 was released today. It adds the ability to sync between two or more devices, along with some bug fixes, and a tiny user interface update. It's the only pool app in it's class that has this new sync feature! Guess that puts it in a class by itself!
I haven't seen any documentation for this procedure to setup the syncing, but this is how I got it to sync up with my Kindle Fire. I'll get it corrected if any thing is wrong with it.
From the home screen under settings/sync settings, you'll find this screen. On your "master" device, you'll just want to add a Sync Key and it appears that it needs to be eight characters. On your other devices, you'll need to put the Device ID of the "master" device in the Sync ID box, and you'll need to put the same eight characters in the Sync Key box, and of course check the Enable Sync box. Then just touch the Sync Now button! You're all set. It took my devices about a minute for the initial sync, and mere seconds thereafter. It synchronizes every time you start the app!
Now I can just grab whatever device is most convenient and take care of my pool!
Can it get any better than this? I do believe it will! Hang in there, I'm sure there's more to come!
Here's two more links also.
SimplePool on Facebook Just hit the Like button!
Follow SimplePool on Twitter
----End Update----
Before we start, you MUST read this disclaimer, or your pool will be forever infested with algae and backswimmers.
I am in no way associated with SimplePool, or Ken Maritch (AKA: Kenmar). There is no monetary or other types of compensation for this review. I don't even know who Ken is. We aren't related, he did not marry my sister either. If he did, my sister has some 'splainin to do! I coulda sworn she married an Edward...
Hopefully, that's enough of a disclaimer.
SimplePool! An app for your Android device by Ken Maritch.
There are two versions of SimplePool. SimplePool Lite, and SimplePool Pro.
SimplePool lite is free, and what I would personally call a trial version.
SimplePool Pro is $4.99, and completely worth the price.
The chart below explains the difference in the two versions. It was completely and utterly stolen from Ken's website without regards to his copyrights. I hope he doesn't mind. Of course, if he does, I'll take it down and make my own or I'll just claim it under the Fair Use Act of 2007, which allows me to use it for criticism and comment.
[edit: I forgot to criticize his chart!] Nice Chart Ken!
I had a problem finding the app in Google's Play Store at first. I kept searching for "Simple Pool" which came up with everything but this app. I finally searched for "Simplepool" and it's the first one that pops up. Here are the links to make it easier for you.
SimplePool Lite link to Play Store.
SimplePool Pro link to Play Store.
SimplePool Website
The first time you start the app, it appears to create the database, and then you're presented with this main screen.
The first place you will want to go is the Defaults button. You can set up the type of pool you have. You'll need to set the type of pool, the surface type, the default type of chlorination you typically use, how much water you have, the chemical levels you'd like to have either defaults or custom levels can be used. If you have a swg, you'll want to enter the minimum and maximum amount of salt for your swg. If you use borates, you can set that up too. Now give your pool a name, and you're all set! You can also set up multiple pools here if you maintain more than one pool. I do not, so I will not focus on that.
Hit back and touch the measure button and lets add your measurements! They're all there. TC, CC, pH, TA, CYA, CH, TDS, Salt, Borates, Temp, and a spot to add any notes. You can add as many or as little measurements as you want. You do not need to take every measurement, every time. You can change the date and time of your readings by touching the buttons at the top of this screen. When you're done entering your readings, hit the save button at the bottom.
Now you can hit the Advice button from the main screen for some advice on what chemicals to add to adjust your pool to your default levels you set up previously. This advice is based upon the last readings (Measure button) you entered.
If you have a level that's out of range, it will give you a recommendation on what to do.
If you touch More Options, it gives you, well... More options!
Now, from the main screen you can touch the Adjust button to keep track of the chemicals you add. Just enter what and how much you added, and it'll keep track of it for you. Don't forget to hit the save button!
If you're still with me, this next part is the whole reason I love this app so much. History, and charting! Simply touch the Graphs button, and you'll be brought to this screen.
Just choose the readings you want to see on the chart and hit the Show Chart button at the bottom. Over time this will be interesting, as you will be able to show the relation between the chemicals you added, and where the readings went after you added the chemicals!
You can also see the data you selected by touching the Show Data button.
If you made a mistake while entering your data, you can change it by going to the main screen and tapping on your Android's menu button and choosing "Edit Levels Log" or "Edit Adjustments Log". This took me a few minutes to figure out, so thought I might try and save somebody some time.
Overall, I love this app! My phone is always with me, so it's easy to enter the data right when I have them. No more going to find the laptop or head into my office to the desktop. The history and charts is what I love the most, as I'm a data freak.
Please realize this is version 1.0, and do hope Ken keeps at it! There's a couple things I wish were added or changed.
-The user interface isn't as clean as it could be. There's spots, like in the "Edit Log History" that the font seems to be a tad small for a touchscreen as you have to long touch on a date to bring up the menu to edit them. However, I have the feeling that this wasn't the main priority for this version. It seems to me that the priority was on getting the database working properly, and getting the calculations correct. That's perfectly fine with me.
-I also wish there was a unit of measurements with cups and quarts, as that is what I use to measure my chemicals. Not the most accurate way to do things, but this isn't rocket propulsion either. (Note: I just noticed the gallons UOM, so I'll have to look into that one more.)
-The last wish I had, was an in-app option to backup the database. My phone is unlocked and rooted, and I do all kinds of not normal things to my phone. Would hate to lose my pool data! I do not know, yet, where the actual data files are stored. I haven't looked too hard yet though. I just did a cursory glance at /sdcard to see if anything jumped out at me.
One other thing you should be aware of, you can start off with the Lite version to give it a try. If you like it, buy the Pro version, and the data you entered with the Lite version will automatically transfer to the Pro version. Once the Pro version is installed, you can uninstall the Lite version.
Is it worth five bucks?
Absolutely! Go get it!
Version 1.1 was released today. It adds the ability to sync between two or more devices, along with some bug fixes, and a tiny user interface update. It's the only pool app in it's class that has this new sync feature! Guess that puts it in a class by itself!
I haven't seen any documentation for this procedure to setup the syncing, but this is how I got it to sync up with my Kindle Fire. I'll get it corrected if any thing is wrong with it.
From the home screen under settings/sync settings, you'll find this screen. On your "master" device, you'll just want to add a Sync Key and it appears that it needs to be eight characters. On your other devices, you'll need to put the Device ID of the "master" device in the Sync ID box, and you'll need to put the same eight characters in the Sync Key box, and of course check the Enable Sync box. Then just touch the Sync Now button! You're all set. It took my devices about a minute for the initial sync, and mere seconds thereafter. It synchronizes every time you start the app!
Now I can just grab whatever device is most convenient and take care of my pool!
Can it get any better than this? I do believe it will! Hang in there, I'm sure there's more to come!
Here's two more links also.
SimplePool on Facebook Just hit the Like button!
Follow SimplePool on Twitter
----End Update----
Before we start, you MUST read this disclaimer, or your pool will be forever infested with algae and backswimmers.
I am in no way associated with SimplePool, or Ken Maritch (AKA: Kenmar). There is no monetary or other types of compensation for this review. I don't even know who Ken is. We aren't related, he did not marry my sister either. If he did, my sister has some 'splainin to do! I coulda sworn she married an Edward...
Hopefully, that's enough of a disclaimer.
SimplePool! An app for your Android device by Ken Maritch.
There are two versions of SimplePool. SimplePool Lite, and SimplePool Pro.
SimplePool lite is free, and what I would personally call a trial version.
SimplePool Pro is $4.99, and completely worth the price.
The chart below explains the difference in the two versions. It was completely and utterly stolen from Ken's website without regards to his copyrights. I hope he doesn't mind. Of course, if he does, I'll take it down and make my own or I'll just claim it under the Fair Use Act of 2007, which allows me to use it for criticism and comment.
[edit: I forgot to criticize his chart!] Nice Chart Ken!
I had a problem finding the app in Google's Play Store at first. I kept searching for "Simple Pool" which came up with everything but this app. I finally searched for "Simplepool" and it's the first one that pops up. Here are the links to make it easier for you.
SimplePool Lite link to Play Store.
SimplePool Pro link to Play Store.
SimplePool Website
The first time you start the app, it appears to create the database, and then you're presented with this main screen.
The first place you will want to go is the Defaults button. You can set up the type of pool you have. You'll need to set the type of pool, the surface type, the default type of chlorination you typically use, how much water you have, the chemical levels you'd like to have either defaults or custom levels can be used. If you have a swg, you'll want to enter the minimum and maximum amount of salt for your swg. If you use borates, you can set that up too. Now give your pool a name, and you're all set! You can also set up multiple pools here if you maintain more than one pool. I do not, so I will not focus on that.
Hit back and touch the measure button and lets add your measurements! They're all there. TC, CC, pH, TA, CYA, CH, TDS, Salt, Borates, Temp, and a spot to add any notes. You can add as many or as little measurements as you want. You do not need to take every measurement, every time. You can change the date and time of your readings by touching the buttons at the top of this screen. When you're done entering your readings, hit the save button at the bottom.
Now you can hit the Advice button from the main screen for some advice on what chemicals to add to adjust your pool to your default levels you set up previously. This advice is based upon the last readings (Measure button) you entered.
If you have a level that's out of range, it will give you a recommendation on what to do.
If you touch More Options, it gives you, well... More options!
Now, from the main screen you can touch the Adjust button to keep track of the chemicals you add. Just enter what and how much you added, and it'll keep track of it for you. Don't forget to hit the save button!
If you're still with me, this next part is the whole reason I love this app so much. History, and charting! Simply touch the Graphs button, and you'll be brought to this screen.
Just choose the readings you want to see on the chart and hit the Show Chart button at the bottom. Over time this will be interesting, as you will be able to show the relation between the chemicals you added, and where the readings went after you added the chemicals!
You can also see the data you selected by touching the Show Data button.
If you made a mistake while entering your data, you can change it by going to the main screen and tapping on your Android's menu button and choosing "Edit Levels Log" or "Edit Adjustments Log". This took me a few minutes to figure out, so thought I might try and save somebody some time.
Overall, I love this app! My phone is always with me, so it's easy to enter the data right when I have them. No more going to find the laptop or head into my office to the desktop. The history and charts is what I love the most, as I'm a data freak.
Please realize this is version 1.0, and do hope Ken keeps at it! There's a couple things I wish were added or changed.
-The user interface isn't as clean as it could be. There's spots, like in the "Edit Log History" that the font seems to be a tad small for a touchscreen as you have to long touch on a date to bring up the menu to edit them. However, I have the feeling that this wasn't the main priority for this version. It seems to me that the priority was on getting the database working properly, and getting the calculations correct. That's perfectly fine with me.
-I also wish there was a unit of measurements with cups and quarts, as that is what I use to measure my chemicals. Not the most accurate way to do things, but this isn't rocket propulsion either. (Note: I just noticed the gallons UOM, so I'll have to look into that one more.)
-The last wish I had, was an in-app option to backup the database. My phone is unlocked and rooted, and I do all kinds of not normal things to my phone. Would hate to lose my pool data! I do not know, yet, where the actual data files are stored. I haven't looked too hard yet though. I just did a cursory glance at /sdcard to see if anything jumped out at me.
One other thing you should be aware of, you can start off with the Lite version to give it a try. If you like it, buy the Pro version, and the data you entered with the Lite version will automatically transfer to the Pro version. Once the Pro version is installed, you can uninstall the Lite version.
Is it worth five bucks?
Absolutely! Go get it!
