Successful (and tiring) day testing Pedometer++ today. My big focus is trying to reduce battery usage to extend the maximum possible session. I've gotten this down to around 9% per hour (on my year old Ultra 2) for a fully tracked, map based workout, which is reasonable but still a meaningful leap from my goal of 4% (which would allow for a 24 hour expedition).
But I still have loads of ideas for things to try and think it should be possible (Apple quotes a max of 35hr for their workout app).
Another successful day testing Pedometer++ in the mountains. Last night’s work I did on battery life paid off a bit, down to 8% per hour, but still work to be done. Think CoreLocation is the next frontier I’m going to need to optimize for.
Though I can’t think of a finer day for hiking/“testing”, gorgeous sunshine on snow covered fells, will unlimited visibilty. Just about warm enough to be comfortable. And barely a soul around so felt like it was all for me.
Last week while on my testing expedition for Pedometer++ I added another "super resolution" panorama to my collection.
This one is a 99 megapixel (17,597× 5,628) view from Pillar looking back towards the Scafell range after light dusting of snow on a gorgeous day.
Since getting a Vision Pro I try to take the time to record at least one of these mega panos to be able to return to this moment again.
Full Res: http://fast.crossforward.com/pillar-pano.jpg
Process of making these panoramas: https://www.david-smith.org/blog/2024/02/26/super-resolution-panoramas/
Another thing I settled on while walking in the wilderness last week was a determination to cultivate a posture of optimism in the midst of all the current complexity and challenge. I don't have as much enthusiasm right now as I have in the past, but that doesn't mean I should stop being optimistic and find the positive perspectives on any situation. Optimism isn’t enthusiasm.
First example of this was thinking through the positive affects of a possible iOS 19 re-design: https://www.david-smith.org/blog/2025/03/17/optimism/
@_Davidsmith > Something I’ve learned as I’ve aged is that pessimism feels better in the moment, but then slowly rots you over time. Whereas optimism feels foolish in the moment, but sustains you over time.
Great quote.
@_Davidsmith ”Something I’ve learned as I’ve aged is that pessimism feels better in the moment, but then slowly rots you over time. Whereas optimism feels foolish in the moment, but sustains you over time.”
This definitely resonated with me.
Refreshing to read a positive take on things, thanks for writing this!
@_Davidsmith “Something I’ve learned as I’ve aged is that pessimism feels better in the moment, but then slowly rots you over time. Whereas optimism feels foolish in the moment, but sustains you over time.”
This resonated with me as well. You’re a wise man Mr. Smith.
@jab11 Here is the full res of that one at Innominate Tarn. http://fast.crossforward.com/Innominate.jpeg
I do them all free hand. The key I find is to keep my upper body completely still and locked in, and only turn with my hips. Which I find leads to a more level/straight result.
Had a breakthrough in my ongoing quest to build an Apple Watch map based hiking app which can last for an entire 24 hour expedition today. Too early to know if it will be repeatable, but my new approach is down to around 4% loss per hour which would get me to where I need to be.
I really enjoy this kind of work, where it feels very much like exploration. I have no idea if what I'm building is possible which is far more interesting than the more typical work of turning “JSON into TableViews”.
@_Davidsmith It looks like you used different starting points for battery to record different Loss/Hr of battery remaining and then figured how many hours of workout that loss could give if you starting from 100%.
Since the max & min both occurred from 80% I wonder if other factors other than starting point might have a bigger impact than starting % ?
Of course trying to understand someone else's spreadsheet is never easy. 😊
@caseyliss @_Davidsmith ooo yeah.
And is your arm really that red😱
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