Racketmeter is a tool that measures badminton racket string tension using sound frequency analysis. By recording the sound produced when plucking the strings with the Racketmeter app, the software analyzes the dominant frequency and converts it into tension using a physics-based algorithm. The app supports a wide range of rackets and strings, and aims to provide an affordable and accessible alternative to traditional tension measuring devices. It offers various features like tension history tracking, string recommendations, and data visualization to help players optimize their racket setup.
The Nextcloud Android app recently lost its direct file upload capability due to changes in how Android handles file paths. Google's new restrictions, introduced in Android 10 and further tightened in later versions, prevent apps from directly accessing broad file system paths. This broke the existing upload mechanism in the Nextcloud app, forcing developers to implement a workaround using Android's Storage Access Framework (SAF). While SAF allows users to select and upload files, it presents a less intuitive and more complex workflow compared to the previous direct upload method. The Nextcloud team is working on improving the upload experience within the constraints imposed by Google's changes.
HN commenters discuss the Nextcloud Android app losing direct file uploads, attributing it to Google restricting background activity. Several express frustration with Google's approach, arguing it hinders app functionality and user experience, especially for open-source alternatives. Some suggest workarounds like using a foreground service notification or alternative clients like FolderSync. Others point out the inherent tension between Google's desire to control the Android ecosystem and its impact on apps like Nextcloud that prioritize user control and data privacy. The discussion also touches on the broader issue of Google's influence on app development and the potential negative implications for smaller developers. A few users suggest contributing to Nextcloud or exploring alternative solutions like Syncthing.
Organic Maps, an offline open-source map app, has been forked into a community-driven project called Community Maps. This fork was initiated due to concerns over development direction, specifically the original developer's resistance to community contributions and desire to transition towards a sponsored/freemium model. Community Maps aims to prioritize community involvement, maintain the open-source and offline nature of the app, and ensure its future is guided by its users. The project is seeking contributors and donations to support ongoing development and server costs.
Hacker News users discussed the community fork of Organic Maps, largely focusing on the motivations behind the fork and its potential for success. Several commenters expressed skepticism about the fork's long-term viability, citing the difficulty of maintaining a complex project like Organic Maps without the original developers. Others were more optimistic, highlighting the community's enthusiasm and the potential for improved privacy and freedom from corporate influence. The discussion also touched on the specific improvements the fork aimed to achieve, such as adding missing features and enhancing existing functionality. Some users questioned the necessity of the fork given Organic Maps' existing open-source nature, while others argued that a community-driven approach would be more responsive to user needs. Several commenters also inquired about the licensing of the forked project and the relationship between the forked project and the original Organic Maps developers.
LibreLingo is a free and open-source language learning platform positioned as an ethical alternative to Duolingo. It prioritizes user privacy, offering a completely ad-free experience and eschewing gamification in favor of a more traditional learning approach. The platform is currently in beta and supports a growing number of languages, focusing on comprehensive skill development through lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. LibreLingo emphasizes community involvement, encouraging contributions to expand language offerings and improve existing courses. The project aims to be fully transparent and community-driven, distinguishing itself from commercial platforms through its commitment to open-source principles and user freedom.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed enthusiasm for LibreLingo as a FOSS alternative to Duolingo, praising its offline functionality and commitment to user privacy. Several users highlighted the importance of open-source language learning tools and the potential for community contributions to improve the platform. Some questioned the app's current feature set compared to Duolingo, particularly its limited language selection, but acknowledged its early stage of development and expressed hope for future expansion. A few commenters discussed the challenges of maintaining and growing an open-source project, including funding and volunteer recruitment. Others pointed out existing alternatives like Anki and suggested potential integrations. The overall sentiment leaned towards cautious optimism, with users eager to see LibreLingo mature and succeed.
The FDA's Cure ID mobile app allows healthcare professionals to quickly and easily report novel uses of existing drugs for rare diseases. This crowdsourced data platform aims to accelerate drug repurposing by connecting clinicians who've observed positive outcomes with researchers seeking potential treatments. The app streamlines the reporting process, allowing clinicians to submit cases directly to the FDA with minimal effort, fostering collaboration and potentially leading to faster identification of effective therapies for patients with rare conditions.
HN commenters are largely skeptical of the FDA's Cure ID app. Several express concern that it will primarily serve as a data collection tool for pharmaceutical companies, enabling them to repurpose existing drugs for new, potentially lucrative applications without investing in the original research. Some doubt the app's ability to effectively filter out placebo effects or accurately attribute positive outcomes to the reported drug, given the lack of rigorous controls. Others question the practicality and ethics of relying on clinician anecdotes, suggesting it might lead to the spread of misinformation or encourage off-label drug use without sufficient evidence. There's also cynicism about the FDA's motives, with some believing this initiative is merely a performative measure designed to appear proactive in addressing drug development challenges.
Two teenagers developed Cal AI, a photo-based calorie counting app that has surpassed one million downloads. The app uses AI image recognition to identify food and estimate its caloric content, aiming to simplify calorie tracking for users. Despite its popularity, the app's accuracy has been questioned, and the young developers are working on improvements while navigating the complexities of running a viral app and continuing their education.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the accuracy and practicality of a calorie-counting app based on photos of food. Several users question the underlying technology and its ability to reliably assess nutritional content from images alone. Some highlight the difficulty of accounting for factors like portion size, ingredients hidden within a dish, and cooking methods. Others point out existing, more established nutritional databases and tracking apps, questioning the need for and viability of this new approach. A few commenters also raise concerns about potential privacy implications and the ethical considerations of encouraging potentially unhealthy dietary obsessions, particularly among younger users. There's a general sense of caution and doubt surrounding the app's claims, despite its popularity.
Captrice is a guitar practice app designed for serious players looking to improve their skills through deliberate practice. It offers a structured approach, allowing users to isolate and loop sections of music, slow them down, and meticulously work on specific techniques. The app supports various audio formats and integrates with cloud storage services for easy access to practice material. Captrice emphasizes efficient, focused practice, aiming to help guitarists of all levels refine their playing and reach their full potential.
HN users generally express interest in the app, praising its focus on deliberate practice and structured learning for guitar. Several commenters discuss the importance of targeted practice over aimless noodling, echoing the app's philosophy. Some express skepticism about the app's ability to cater to diverse learning styles and musical goals, wondering if it's too rigid. The desire for features like rhythm training and ear training is also mentioned. A few experienced guitarists question the long-term value proposition, suggesting that existing resources like books and transcription might be more beneficial. Overall, there's a mix of cautious optimism and pragmatic doubt regarding the app's effectiveness.
"Notes" is an iOS app designed to help musicians improve their sight-reading skills. Available on the App Store for 10 years, the app presents users with randomly generated musical notation, covering a range of clefs, key signatures, and rhythms. Users can customize the difficulty level, focusing on specific areas for improvement. The app provides instant feedback on accuracy and tracks progress over time, helping musicians develop their ability to quickly and accurately interpret and play music.
HN users discussed the app's longevity and the developer's persistence, praising the 10-year milestone. Some shared their personal sight-reading practice methods, including using apps like Functional Ear Trainer and various websites. A few users suggested potential improvements for the app, such as adding support for other instruments beyond piano and offering more customization options like adjustable clefs. Others questioned the efficacy of pure note-reading practice without rhythmic context. The overall sentiment was positive, acknowledging the app's niche and the developer's commitment.
Briar is a messaging app designed for high-security and censored environments. It uses peer-to-peer encryption, meaning messages are exchanged directly between devices rather than through a central server. This decentralized approach eliminates single points of failure and surveillance. Briar can connect directly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in proximity, or through the Tor network for more distant contacts, further enhancing privacy. Users add contacts by scanning a QR code or sharing a link. While Briar prioritizes security, it also supports blogs and forums, fostering community building in challenging situations.
Hacker News users discussed Briar's reliance on Tor for peer discovery, expressing concerns about its speed and reliability. Some questioned the practicality of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mesh networking as a fallback, doubting its range and usability. Others were interested in the technical details of Briar's implementation, particularly its use of SQLite and the lack of end-to-end encryption for blog posts. The closed-source nature of the Android app was also raised as a potential issue, despite the project being open source overall. Several commenters compared Briar to other secure messaging apps like Signal and Session, highlighting trade-offs between usability and security. Finally, there was some discussion of the project's funding and its potential use cases in high-risk environments.
Seven39 is a new social media app designed to combat endless scrolling and promote more present, real-life interactions. It's only active for a 3-hour window each evening, from 7pm to 10pm local time. This limited availability encourages users to engage more intentionally during that specific timeframe and then disconnect to focus on other activities. The app aims to foster a sense of community and shared experience by having everyone online simultaneously within their respective time zones.
HN users generally reacted with skepticism and confusion towards Seven39. Many questioned the limited 3-hour window, finding it restrictive and impractical for building a genuine community. Some speculated it was a gimmick, while others wondered about its purpose or target demographic. The feasibility of scaling with such a limited timeframe was also a concern. Several commenters pointed out that the inherent scarcity might artificially inflate engagement initially, but ultimately wouldn't be sustainable. There was also a discussion about alternatives like Discord or group chats for achieving similar goals without the time constraints.
Frustrated with excessive phone use, the creator developed "Touch Grass," an Android app designed to encourage breaks from screen time. The app uses GPS to confirm the user is physically outside and then starts a timer. Only after spending a user-defined amount of time outdoors will the app grant access to blocked apps, effectively locking the user out until they've "touched grass." This gamified approach aims to promote healthier digital habits and reconnect users with the real world.
Hacker News commenters generally found the "touch grass" app amusing, but impractical. Several questioned the effectiveness of physically touching grass through a phone screen, noting the inherent irony and missing the point of the idiom. Some suggested improvements like requiring a photo of actual grass or GPS verification of being outdoors. Others highlighted the performative nature of the app, comparing it to other avoidance techniques. A few commenters appreciated the humor and simple execution, viewing it as a lighthearted take on the problem of doomscrolling. Some pointed out the potential for addictive gamification of "touching grass" itself. Overall, the consensus leaned towards the app being a fun, albeit slightly absurd, commentary on internet overuse rather than a serious solution.
Motivated by the lack of a suitable smartwatch solution for managing his son's Type 1 diabetes, a father embarked on building a custom smartwatch from scratch. Using off-the-shelf hardware components like a PineTime smartwatch and a Nightscout-compatible continuous glucose monitor (CGM), he developed software to display real-time blood glucose data directly on the watch face. This DIY project aimed to provide a discreet and readily accessible way for his son to monitor his blood sugar levels, addressing concerns like bulky existing solutions and social stigma associated with medical devices. The resulting smartwatch displays glucose levels, trend arrows, and alerts for high or low readings, offering a more user-friendly and age-appropriate interface than traditional diabetes management tools.
Hacker News commenters largely praised the author's dedication and ingenuity in creating a smartwatch for his son with Type 1 diabetes. Several expressed admiration for his willingness to dive into hardware and software development to address a specific need. Some discussed the challenges of closed-loop systems and the potential benefits and risks of DIY medical devices. A few commenters with diabetes shared their personal experiences and offered suggestions for improvement, such as incorporating existing open-source projects or considering different hardware platforms. Others raised concerns about the regulatory hurdles and safety implications of using a homemade device for managing a serious medical condition. There was also some discussion about the potential for commercializing the project.
Foqos is a mobile app designed to minimize distractions by using NFC tags as physical switches for focus modes. Tapping your phone on a strategically placed NFC tag activates a pre-configured profile that silences notifications, restricts access to distracting apps, and optionally starts a focus timer. This allows for quick and intentional transitions into focused work or study sessions by associating a physical action with a digital state change. The app aims to provide a tangible and frictionless way to disconnect from digital noise and improve concentration.
Hacker News users discussed the potential usefulness of the app, particularly for focused work sessions. Some questioned its practicality compared to simply using existing phone features like Do Not Disturb or airplane mode. Others suggested alternative uses for the NFC tag functionality, such as triggering specific app profiles or automating other tasks. Several commenters expressed interest in the open-source nature of the project and the possibility of expanding its capabilities. There was also discussion about the security implications of NFC technology and the potential for unintended tag reads. A few users shared their personal experiences with similar self-control apps and techniques.
TikTok reports that service is being restored for U.S. users after a widespread outage on Tuesday evening prevented many from accessing the app, logging in, or refreshing their feeds. The company acknowledged the issue on its social media channels and stated they are working to fully resolve the remaining problems. While the cause of the outage is still unclear, TikTok assures users their data was not compromised during the disruption.
Hacker News users reacted to TikTok's service restoration announcement with skepticism and concern about data security. Several commenters questioned the veracity of TikTok's claim that no user data was compromised, highlighting the company's ties to the Chinese government and expressing distrust. Others discussed the technical aspects of the outage, speculating about the cause and the potential for future disruptions. The overall sentiment leaned toward cautious pessimism, with many users predicting further issues for TikTok in the US. Some expressed indifference or even support for a ban, citing privacy concerns and the potential for misinformation spread through the platform. There was also discussion around the broader implications for internet freedom and the potential for further government intervention in online services.
A developer created "Islet", an iOS app designed to simplify diabetes management using GPT-4-Turbo. The app analyzes blood glucose data, meals, and other relevant factors to offer personalized insights and predictions, helping users understand trends and make informed decisions about their diabetes care. It aims to reduce the mental burden of diabetes management by automating tasks like logbook analysis and offering proactive suggestions, ultimately aiming to improve overall health outcomes for users.
HN users generally expressed interest in the Islet diabetes management app and its use of GPT-4. Several questioned the reliance on a closed-source LLM for medical advice, raising concerns about transparency, data privacy, and the potential for hallucinations. Some suggested using open-source models or smaller, specialized models for specific tasks like carb counting. Others were curious about the app's prompt engineering and how it handles edge cases. The developer responded to many comments, clarifying the app's current functionality (primarily focused on logging and analysis, not direct medical advice), their commitment to user privacy, and future plans for open-sourcing parts of the project and exploring alternative LLMs. There was also a discussion about regulatory hurdles for AI-powered medical apps and the importance of clinical trials.
A new study published in the journal Dreaming found that using the Awoken lucid dreaming app significantly increased dream lucidity. Participants who used the app experienced a threefold increase in lucid dream frequency compared to a control group. The app employs techniques like reality testing reminders and dream journaling to promote lucid dreaming. This research suggests that smartphone apps can be effective tools for enhancing metacognition during sleep and inducing lucid dreams.
Hacker News commenters discuss the efficacy and methodology of the lucid dreaming study. Some express skepticism about the small sample size and the potential for bias, particularly given the app's creators conducted the study. Others share anecdotal experiences with lucid dreaming, some corroborating the app's potential benefits, while others suggesting alternative induction methods like reality testing and MILD (Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams). Several commenters express interest in the app, inquiring about its name (Awoken) and discussing the ethics of dream manipulation and the potential for negative dream experiences. A few highlight the subjective and difficult-to-measure nature of consciousness and dream recall, making rigorous study challenging. The overall sentiment leans towards cautious optimism, tempered by a desire for further, more robust research.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44022781
HN users generally expressed interest in Racketmeter, praising its innovative approach to string tension measurement. Some questioned the accuracy and consistency, particularly regarding the impact of string type and racket frame material. Several commenters with badminton experience suggested additional features, like storing measurements by racket and string, and incorporating tension recommendations based on player skill level or playing style. Others were curious about the underlying physics and the potential for expanding the technology to other racket sports like tennis or squash. There was also a brief discussion of the challenges in accurately measuring tension with traditional tools.
The Hacker News post about Racketmeter, a tool to measure badminton string tension using sound frequency, has generated several comments. Many of the commenters express interest in the technology and its potential applications.
One commenter questions the accuracy of the method, pointing out the potential influence of factors like string type, racket head shape, and even temperature and humidity. They suggest that these variables could affect the frequency reading and lead to inconsistent measurements. This comment sparked a discussion about the complexities of accurately measuring string tension and the limitations of relying solely on sound frequency. The creator of Racketmeter responded to this, acknowledging the limitations and explaining that the tool is primarily designed for relative tension measurement (i.e., tracking changes in tension over time) rather than absolute precision. They further elaborated that the app allows users to calibrate for different rackets and string types to improve accuracy.
Another commenter, who identifies as a stringer, expresses skepticism about the practical usefulness of the tool, stating that experienced stringers can usually gauge tension accurately by feel. They also mention the existence of relatively affordable tension meters already on the market. This comment highlights the potential challenge of convincing experienced users to adopt a new method, especially when existing solutions are perceived as sufficient.
A few commenters inquire about the technical details of the app, such as the algorithms used for frequency analysis and the method of calibration. These comments reflect a curiosity about the underlying technology and a desire to understand how the app works. The creator provides some responses, explaining the use of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for frequency analysis and describing the calibration process.
Some comments express excitement about the potential applications of this technology beyond badminton, suggesting its use for other stringed instruments like tennis rackets, guitars, or even pianos. This suggests a broader interest in using sound frequency for tension measurement in various contexts.
Several commenters praise the creator for their work and encourage further development of the app. The overall sentiment seems to be one of cautious optimism, with many acknowledging the potential of the technology while also recognizing its limitations.