NZ COVID Tracer app for Android and iOS

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991 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2751823 29-Jul-2021 15:57

KiwiSurfer:

I recently upgraded to a S21 expecting to see some improvement in scanning speed/accuracy and found it was pretty much on par with my previous phone (Xiaomi Note 7) despite a much better camera on the S21 (from a image quality perspective as well as speed for camera activating and focusing). So out went my theory that phones with better cameras etc do better at scanning. I still every now and then come across sharp laser-printed QR codes with no fading, no obstructions, no blurring, nor any other obvious problems etc taking ages to scan with my S21.

That interesting, when I went from mi9SE > S21 I noticed a drastic improvement. This was a wee while ago, when there were some known issues with 'Asian' phones.

I have however experienced the inability to scan, usually this is sorted by a close the app (and close out of memory) and open again. Yesterday I did get one that didn't even want to scan after a fresh re-open though.

Bring on NFC

debo

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Ultimate Geek

#2751824 29-Jul-2021 16:02

Does the app use GPS yet?

Oblivian

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#2751930 29-Jul-2021 19:16

debo: Does the app use GPS yet?

No. And most likely so people cant accuse it of tracking. Its privacy first, function 2nd

Technofreak

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#2751978 29-Jul-2021 21:10

I generally have no problem with QR codes that are not behind a glass panel or are not laminated with a gloss finish. Reflections really make things difficult in my experience.

If everywhere that has a high foot traffic had QR codes like the local Mitre 10 I doubt there would be any issues scanning QR codes. They are huge and there are several of them. You can scan from a distance. There is no need to walk up to the code, just aim your phone at it as you walk past. Much better than NFC.

Just having codes of A4 size in conspicuous places that have a matt finish and not behind any glass would make a significant difference. This generally would be much more practical and quicker than NFC.

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Oblivian

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#2752742 31-Jul-2021 09:18

jonherries

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#2752744 31-Jul-2021 09:34

NFC and the favourites work are really interesting for geeks - at least on iOS (I don’t know Android so unsure how we have architected that).

You can now create Shortcuts for checking in as the payload for the checkin is now a deeplink/the new functional equivalent I can’t remember the name of.

Eg. one of our people has a shortcut to checkin when her iPhone sees the work wifi.

The NFC tags we see being a useful addition (not replacement) because they mean you don’t need to open the app first, so they should be more convenient. We see these being most useful when you are static - so sitting at a table in a cafe or restaurant where you may not have wanted to wait to scan. We are aware support for NFC is spotty on phones so we are unsure how helpful this would be - generally we think it will work on Android and newish iPhones (iPhone XR on).

Our previous work with some students suggests this is also likely to be more socially acceptable/less awkward.

Of course some of you will have realised you can create your own NFC stickers… will post the string structure later.

Jon

Technofreak

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#2752767 31-Jul-2021 10:47

Updated to latest version but for some reason that version kept crashing. Probably to do with how the phone handles Android apps. I suspect the access to the NFC functions or something similar is the problem. Not too concerned as the NFC function isn't all that important to me though I'd probably try it to see how well it worked. I like the idea of not having to open the app though I have a quick open function on my phone.

Downgraded to earlier version but lost all data in the process. I imagine the same situation applies when changing phones, the only difference is you still have the diary on the old phone to copy from if you so wish. Is there anyway to save the diary separately so that it can be exported/ reloaded?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
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FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2752844 31-Jul-2021 12:56

In this new version I hope they have improved the "Exposure Notifications" battery usage. I have been noticing that my iPhone 7 battery daily life has dropped from approx 1½ days between charges down to ¾ to 1 day. On checking my Battery health it says my Battery maximum capacity is at 80% and I should consider getting a replacement Battery.

Whilst perusing this Battery area in Settings I noticed that "Exposure Notifications" had used 44% of my Battery whilst the actual Tracer app only 3% (scanned into four locations yesterday).

So is this normal for "Exposure Notifications" to use so much Battery and has it been improved in this new update ?

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2752845 31-Jul-2021 12:58

Waiting for the update on Android...

jonherries

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#2752848 31-Jul-2021 13:10

FineWine:
In this new version I hope they have improved the "Exposure Notifications" battery usage. I have been noticing that my iPhone 7 battery daily life has dropped from approx 1½ days between charges down to ¾ to 1 day. On checking my Battery health it says my Battery maximum capacity is at 80% and I should consider getting a replacement Battery.

Whilst perusing this Battery area in Settings I noticed that "Exposure Notifications" had used 44% of my Battery whilst the actual Tracer app only 3% (scanned into four locations yesterday).

So is this normal for "Exposure Notifications" to use so much Battery and has it been improved in this new update ?

@FineWine - The Bluetooth service itself is provided by Apple - we only send/manage the keys to do the notifications - so we can’t help on the battery life stuff (it is a black box to us b/c privacy). I am assuming you are running the latest version of iOS for your device - it has been optimised over a few releases.

@Freitasm - The rollout is staged over a week - so might be slow for some, on iOS I know you can specifically look up the app and it will show the update.

Jon

jonherries

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#2752849 31-Jul-2021 13:16

Technofreak:
Updated to latest version but for some reason that version kept crashing. Probably to do with how the phone handles Android apps. I suspect the access to the NFC functions or something similar is the problem. Not too concerned as the NFC function isn't all that important to me though I'd probably try it to see how well it worked. I like the idea of not having to open the app though I have a quick open function on my phone.

Downgraded to earlier version but lost all data in the process. I imagine the same situation applies when changing phones, the only difference is you still have the diary on the old phone to copy from if you so wish. Is there anyway to save the diary separately so that it can be exported/ reloaded?

If you can post your make/model/Android version/app build number we could have a look - we now have a reasonably wide testing audience on the most common phones in NZ so crashing should be a bug we would pick up (part of the reason for the staged rollout too).

There isn’t any backup that we are allowed to officially support b/c privacy… it came as a surprise to our dev rel contacts that this is an issue so they are looking into it (we have had a look at import/export).

Jon

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2752851 31-Jul-2021 13:18

jonherries:
FineWine:

In this new version I hope they have improved the "Exposure Notifications" battery usage. I have been noticing that my iPhone 7 battery daily life has dropped from approx 1½ days between charges down to ¾ to 1 day. On checking my Battery health it says my Battery maximum capacity is at 80% and I should consider getting a replacement Battery.

Whilst perusing this Battery area in Settings I noticed that "Exposure Notifications" had used 44% of my Battery whilst the actual Tracer app only 3% (scanned into four locations yesterday).

So is this normal for "Exposure Notifications" to use so much Battery and has it been improved in this new update ?

@FineWine - The Bluetooth service itself is provided by Apple - we only send/manage the keys to do the notifications - so we can’t help on the battery life stuff (it is a black box to us b/c privacy). I am assuming you are running the latest version of iOS for your device - it has been optimised over a few releases.

Jon

Thank you for that - I did not know that little tip-bit.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

antonknee

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#2752873 31-Jul-2021 14:16

Went to my local bakery today, and stood in a decent queue of 5 or so waiting to get in. Figured I'd scan the QR code while I waited instead of on the way in. Scanned and promptly got asked "why was I bothering no one scans anymore". I responded that I always try to scan (probably 95% of the time) and that it was no hassle for me, couldn't hurt, had a decent amount of upside if there was an outbreak, and that in my opinion there is always a risk of an outbreak - all it takes is one border leak, or one slipup around our ICU transfer from Fiji.

The gentleman agreed, but said he didn't have the app anymore and couldn't be bothered downloading it again. SMH.

neb

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#2752886 31-Jul-2021 14:59

Technofreak: Just having codes of A4 size in conspicuous places that have a matt finish and not behind any glass would make a significant difference. This generally would be much more practical and quicker than NFC.

The single biggest difference they could make to QR codes would be switching from the ridiculous, almost unscannable level 13 code they're using to level 1 or 2. Every time I visit somewhere with other people it's a never ending game of will-it-finally-scan alongside people apologising for holding others up, or giving up on the assumption that someone else has managed to get it to scan.

Technofreak

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#2753071 31-Jul-2021 22:59

neb:
Technofreak: Just having codes of A4 size in conspicuous places that have a matt finish and not behind any glass would make a significant difference. This generally would be much more practical and quicker than NFC.

The single biggest difference they could make to QR codes would be switching from the ridiculous, almost unscannable level 13 code they're using to level 1 or 2. Every time I visit somewhere with other people it's a never ending game of will-it-finally-scan alongside people apologising for holding others up, or giving up on the assumption that someone else has managed to get it to scan.

Yep, no doubt the current code is harder to scan than a simpler code, but having said that I don't think I've ever had an issue with any code that wasn't reflective. I've given up and walked away from a few that are reflective.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

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