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Hi, it's been a crazy week with almost no running for me. I was checking the app loader and saw the app and couldn't wait to go out to test it too ! Instead of waiting for the fresh air of the evening I went for a run at 11am today. Australia, 27°c in the shade. The sweat was burning my eyes and I was thinking it was probably corroding the charging points too (drenched in sweat but not more corroded than before).
I have some feedbacks I'd like to share.
Settings section
I'm definitively looking forward to have a settings section for this app ! Why ?

• To be able to switch between miles and kilometers for the distance. Btw, the distance is in miles, but the pace seems to be in minutes per kilometers. (maybe 1 setting to choose imperial or metrics ?)
  
• About the pace, I have 2 comments. Most runners will like the minutes/kms, but some (like me) will prefer the kms/h (speed). Second thing, this data is an important indicator during the race, to know if we're overdoing it or not, it needs to be much more "live" data, to know if the pace is too slow or too fast, right now. There could be an indicator for the pace/speed so far and another for the pace in the last 5 or 10 seconds.
  On my usual sport watch, there's the possibility to tweak which data is displayed and where in the screen. I'd love to see that in the settings section for anyone to set it up to it's own personnal desires.
  Inaccuracies. Precision
  
• Today I ran my usual 5kms track, but the gps thought it's a 3.9 miles (6.2kms) race, and therefore also displayed an inacurate high pace (nothing to do about that I suppose). Standing still outside, it took a bit more than a minute to get a gps fix. For the next run, I'll try to do my "static" warm up while getting the gps fix, to see if it gets it.
  
• I used a BT HRM. Changed the settings in BT HRM app. It paired instantly, worked great, displayed in the "run app"
  Readability and design:
  I also think that while on the go, runners want this app to be super readable and readable in a glance. I'm using the dark theme and it's doing pretty good on the readability ground. The red and green GPS and Start/stop infos are perfect. Instantly understandable, readable and not taking too much space anyway. The side button for start/stop is ideal.
  Still, to be able to read it quickly text must be scarce. I think less information and less words would make it clearer. Like "HEART" could be a drawing of an actual red heart. "DIST" is useless if "kms" or "mi" is displayed besides the distance
  -A setting to hide widgets ? The only useful widget while running is probably the battery, maybe the time.
  I don't see any usecase for the steps number as live data during a run. Maybe rather after the race. Cadence is useful for advanced runners that can play with this. Beginners and average runners will lenghten their stride if they want to go faster, rather than increase the cadence. I don't think it's very useful as live data, but nice to see at the end of the race.
  All in all, that's a very nice first shot ! I like it.
  I'm considering a good silicone strap now :) !
  

The v0.04 now works on my watch, even when I change min and max HR. I tried to change other settings (moving circles, having weather and distance) and everything kept on working fine. It's all perfectly readable, but because HR circle doesn't contain any "k" or "%" it has a bit of extra spare space (even with 3 digits) that could be used for 1 or 2 extra points of font size.
I suppose you've updated some code. I also think you should publish the new version, it's stable and these settings tweaks are a nice addition.

I went through quite a few high end watches and tried to find a bit of relevant information:

• Actually, my old watch can also calculate monthly and weekly mileage, diplay infos about previous tracks (date, racing time, distance, avg and max speed and HR).
  
• I'm checking high end watches. The VO2Max is out of the scope of what we need, IMHO (it's accurate only with a lab, a threadmill and gas monitoring).
  
• Can prepare a route using openstreetmaps, save it in the watch and have indications given on the watch, with map, or just turn-by-turn directions with a compass and distances (routing).
  -Round trip running. Using the same stuff as described previously, when you're done running, you can ask the app to direct you towards your starting point.
  -There's a lot of running metrics with cadence, stride, length, ground contact time. I'm not running with this kind of watch, so I'm not familiar with what to do with it. Ground contact time especially seems too geeky to be exploitable.
  -Something that can be interesting, especially for cycling, is the elevation profile of the track, angles (see attached pictures)
  
• We spoke earlier about zones. One other metric being used is Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). I've duckduckgoed it and stumbled upon this article about smartwatches Machine learning and runners " This data is being used to make individualized training prescriptions". High end sport watches are using this to suggest people to rest, or have a High Intensity interval training or rather a recovery run, or a long run, depending on this and data from previous runs. Plenty of other suggestions and calculations about load intensity, energy levels, and so forth...If I understand this correctly, maybe there's something seriously interesting here, but someone needs to poach engineers in this specific fields (smartwatches an running) for help ! To put it in simple terms, for the end user, it provides a full training plan for the week/month/year, with diversified training to maximize performance without overdoing it. Gordon needs one that tells him when to slow down with work !
  Some of the things proposed here could actually be separate apps, as Gordon suggested.
  

The ML capabilities ?? What's that ?

I had the issue on giving the values "HR min 55" and also on HR max 195 and 190.
If noone's experiencing the same issue, don't bother too much. The app looks good, I can read clearly all the circles, that's really good enough !

I didn't understand the beauty of different apps managing different aspects. Thanks for clarifying @Gordon . And one banglerun app to rule them all ! Haha. I think it's possible to organise the app so that during the installation process it calls for installation of "dependant apps".

@nicoboss about gadgetbridge, I know that Gordon plans to make his own phone app (stretch goal) which I'm happy about 'cause my gadgetbridge app displays pretty funky data in some fields and none in others. Step numbers is never the same between the app and banglejs, so I'm really not confident in gadgetbridge handling my workout data. About how heavy and energy hungry the app would be, with all the stuff on -gps, HR, speed, recording, various calculations- maybe Gordon can estimate the capacity of the Bangle to cope with it.

The other OS nicoboss ? You're thinking about Ubuntu Touch, right :) ?
Just for the record, I'll check if there's any functionnality in the very high end watches that could be of some interest for anyone.

Back on it ! So I download the new v0.04 and it works. But as soon as I change the HR min or max, the HR doesn't show up anymore. Also, the HR circle moves back to center after changing min or max HR. I hope it gives you clues. I prefered the HR in the center btw :).

The v0.04 has much better readability. Also, it allowed to tweak the minimum HR. The v0.03 often shows me less than 50 whereas I know for sure that my lowest is 57. Maybe it could be adjusted 5 by 5 (50-55-60-65)
But HR doesn't show up on my watch on v0.04. Works fine v0.03

The only sign shown in the middle circle is - .
On or off the wrist, whereas the heart widget is on. The lcd timer is on 20 seconds.
Solved: I've uploaded the v0.03 and it works fine again. The v0.04 has a bug.

I DO understand that's a whole lot of work, and even though I'd be delighted to see that happening, I'm just laying down all the things I can think of to make this watch the most awesome possible for the biggest number. I'm kind and I'm not expecting/pushing/obliging anyone to anything here ! Cheers !

@myownself About HR zones, definitions may differ slightly in terms of percentage, but not that much, I can make a bit of research to check what's the most commonly accepted as a standard. Maybe the incertainties you spoke about are related to the definition of the max HR which can be calculated (pretty imprecisely, whatever the method) or can be "obtained" from hard exercice (but here too it's difficult to get it right and reach 100%). I suppose it's still possible to offer the possibility for people to tweak their own zones the way they want.
About the ON/OFF/external HRM, sorry I wasn't clear about it. I do agree that it should be in the global settings of the bangle.js, not in the app. Actually, Gordon said that it's a good idea, and encouraged me to code this, but as mentionned before, I don't code.
All the great stuff about the different types of run could appear either in the bottom left corner with taps or have their own screen after a swipe up or down (to know how many intervals/time/kms are left, what's the resting time, duration left for the training and so on).
Are you doing a git or something where people can contribute to the code (for the runner app) ?
I think that if an app can cover all what we spoke about here, it would cover the needs for at least 90% of runners. The remaining 10% that need VO2Max and this kind of things, well they should go for an expensive watch.
The last thing I can think of (for now) is a "marathon option". It would be the same as in "distance run" (give HR, distance, elapsed time, speed), but also gives a little extra with an estimation of the remaining running time if the pace is constant.
Actually, since the beginning I'm wondering if all these calculations at the same time are too much to handle for the bangle.js if it lasts for more than an hour.

@myownself that sounds wonderful. I'm also badly interested in being able to set these 4 kinds of different runs !
About the different HR zones, once you start to use it, it makes more sense than BPM. Also, plenty of videos about running refer to these HR zones. Probably all running watches nowadays include it, so it's definitively something people may look for.

I'm not against having different designs of running apps, but I think it makes sense to have 1 single app making all the job, not to start a gps recorder app, then an interval app, then another app that shows BPM etc... I think 1 good running app would make the bangle.js definitvely appealing, and that's why I think I'm gonna make a couple more suggestions ! I'll be trying and testing this app, if you have alpha versions, I run 3 to 5 times a week...

Adding personnalised settings (weight) would allow the app could render a number of burnt calories at the end of the run.
Adding maximum HR in personnalisation allows for automatic calculation of HR zones, if unknown, it can be guess-timated from the age and gender.
A last thing, which is completely accessory, but that I like from my Garmin watch, is that it has a record section where it gives me my best 1kms, best 5 kms, best 10 kms. When I finish a race, it shows a medal with the record if I beat a previous record. That's great for the ego.
And in the list of things that could be useful, I use an external HR, the polar OH1+ (second hand 50 euros, as precise as a chest strap HRM) which pairs flawlessly with the bangle.js. Still, when I finished to run, I have to take it off and delete the app. Adding a setting section for HRM with ON/OFF/EXTERNAL would be perfect. When "external" is toggled, a short message with a buzz confirming the pairing with it would also finish to polish the whole thing.

I've uploaded it, nice job ! Actually, as I had modified your app and loaded into the watch, I just deleted all the apps (factory reset) and reinstalled circle app with a fresh start. And the heart rate is not showing up. I have it in the widgets, but the hr circle is empty, just the - symbol in the circle. I remember I used to have this issue previously, but I can't remember how I solved it... Any clue ?

I'll check it tomorrow ! Thanks a bunch. I'll give you my feedbacks, for sure.
Also, I tried to use the Recorder app while running. Your watch was on the forescreen and I used an external bluetooth device for a more precise HRM. It drained the battery from 80% to flat. I made a post about a running app btw :)...

Hello everyone, I don’t code and therefore, I speak out about what I miss, in case some of you would consider coding it. I’ll speak about running and cycling, ‘cause with a HRM and a gps, that looks like a logical usecase.
I usually run with an old Garmin watch that does the trick pretty well, but rather than copying this design, why not make something better ?
Ideally, it’s an app that would record in the background a .gpx or .fit or else with the gps, HR, speed and all relevant infos that can be used in another app (like GoldenCheetah, Zombietracker gps on Linux, or Forrunner or Opentrack on Android). While exercising, it’s great to have some live infos displayed : HR, speed, distance, elapsed time. 4 different infos, one in each corner, in a colored square. I attached a drawing I made, just to have a rough idea about it. In an ideal world, taping the HR corner would alternate between BPM and « zones »*. taping on the speed would alternate between km/h and pace (time per kilometer). Taping on distance would bring average pace so far.

*Heart rate zones are calculated depending on a percentage of your maximum heart rate. It’s a useful tool, very appreciated amongst runners to simply check if you’re pushing too much.
Zone 1: Easy – 68% to 73% of max HR.
Zone 2: Steady – 73% to 80% of max HR.
Zone 3: Moderately Hard – 80% to 87% of max HR.
Zone 4: Hard – 87% to 93% of max HR.
Zone 5: Very Hard – 93-100% of max HR.

To finish the activity, a click on the side button could bring a menu with the option to 1) pause/resume the recording, 2) discard or record the data 3) Have an overview of the race (average speed, average HR, distance, time elapsed.

In the settings, it’s important to offer kms and miles.
I finished my wishlist for Christmas next year !

The Circle app is really stylish : it gives all the important information in a glance, it looks finely designed and works like a charm. The messages from gadgetbridge still make it through, that’s neat ! I adopted it, to me it’s the face of Bangle.js2. Thousands of thanks to @myxor for this.
With my degree zero of knowledge in coding, I just slightly increased the HR font size so that it’s more readable, I had difficulties reading it with the original font size. If I had time and someone to explain me the basics (but I don’t), I would try to slightly increase the size of the circles so that the info inside can be slightly bigger and therefore more readable. If nobody does it, I will check and do it, but it's gonna take months for me to find time and figure out the basics.

Hi nice folks,
I've been using this app (Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor) successfully with an external HRM: the Polar OH1+: works great without any tweaking. This device is popular amongst runners as it goes on the arm (or legs) with a band and is super close to the precision of a chest strap (without the annoyance). Still, after the effort, I take the band out and I switch back to the usual wrist HRM by deleting the app, but then I need to reinstall it for the next run. And I run 4 times a week. Anyone would know how to add an on/off option in the code of the app ?
If there's a large set of people interested in using this watch for running, then maybe this option should be moved directly to "settings" with a HRM option showing "on/off/external".

@johan_m_o You're much welcome to do so :)) ! I don't know anything about coding and I'm so-so interested in learning now.

About converting apps, there used to be a "lazy watch" on Bjs1. It was brilliant in my opinion, and got all the people around me talking discussing this watch that has this unique feature. I can't find it anymore, anyone interested in porting it ?

Hello,
I received the watch this morning (Australia), no taxes !
I had a very similar situation to PeerDavid's one. Bluetooth worked at first. After 10 minutes, I tried to pair the watch to my phone to load apps. Just Bluetooth pairing, without any app. Since then I had issues: Bluetooth is always greyed. At startup, I've been stuck for a while with:
"Checking storage...
Storage ok
Bluetooth"
(and nothing) it stops there, I need to restart.
I restarted the watch a lot, fiddled around with BLE settings on the watch, on my phone and on my computer's bluetooth.
I couldn't figure a pattern, I stumbled upon different message:
"Checking storage...
Storage ok"
and it stops there, I need to restart.
Or it starts like it should:
"Checking storage...
Storage ok
Bluetooth..............."
But it's not possible to interact with the watch.
My webbrowser on my laptop sees the watch, offers to link to it, but the connection fails.
Strangely, on my laptop, I can randomly see the bangle in my bluetooth settings.
As PeerDavid, I'm left with not much of a smartwatch without bluetooth.
And while I was typing this, I managed to connect the watch to the bangle app store with my laptop. The bluetooth icon on the watch is still grey and if I go to whitelist on the bangle, it says I'm not connected. But I could upload apps succesfully anyway !
I think I'll try to reflash clean the bangle tomorrow, if it's possible.

Thanks for the answer Gordon,
I know you're super busy. About your answer, hmm... anyone interested in helping out :) ?
I'm not sure whether it helps, but there's a seven years old alpha app in Fdroid called RtkGps that uses RTKLIB to connect an external GPS via bluetooth to Android phone. There's also BlueGps in Fdroid, but also 8 years without any update ! That could be a perfect occasion for me to start learning how to code, but I have no spare time before months.
Still, I need a gps on my phone.

Hi there,
I have 3 android phones with broken gps (hardware). I need gps for some apps and I'm on the edge of buying an external gps to solve that, but that sounds stupid considering I should receive a bangle.js2 soon. There's probably a way to use it as a mock service for my Android phone no ? Can anyone help ? I probably have to mention that I don't code.

I'm an enthusiastic Free and open source software proponent. Not a coder though.
I do sports and plan to find ways to use the bangle.js 2 in running, maybe swimming (I know about water resistance, but there are ways around that).