Android app. update: now with embedded map and wind forecast.

Posted on October 28th 2014
Share: aqicn.org/faq/2014-10-28/android-app-update-now-with-embedded-map-and-wind-forecast/

The latest version 3.2 of the World Air Quality Index project Android application has just been released, and comes with few new cool features:

The embedded map which will let you navigate through the world air monitoring station directly from the app and the wind and temperature forecast tab which gives you the coming 3 days forecast. We have also been working on refreshing the visual and updating settings to support, for instance, Fahrenheit temperature display.

You can get the app from the google store, or directly download the signed apk from our website, in case you do not have access the Android app store.


Station map
(Asia)
Station map
(North China)
Station map
(Beijing)
Station map
(Seoul)
Wind and Temperature
Forecast
Improved Settings

Pollutant graphs
and wind conditions
Homescreen
Widgets
Notifications
when AQI > 150
AQI Information for
the nearest stations
AQI Levels
Explanations

.

Features Summary:

Navigation:

  • The application is now using tabs for better navigation. In order to switch between the tabs, you just need to swipe left and right.

Current Conditions:

  • Current Air Quality Index and weather condition, including temperature, wind speed and wind direction, as well as weather forecast for the day.
  • 24 hours graphs for all available pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, but also Carbone Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide) as well as meteorological data (temperature, humidity and wind) displayed in the main tab.
  • The AQI information for the surrounding stations displayed in the "nearest stations" tab.

Notifications:

  • Notifications, which will warn you whenever the AQI gets too high, can be enabled from the settings tab, (option "Notify AQI updates in the status bar").
  • You can also define the threshold for the notification. By default, it is set as 150, but sensitive person might want to set it as 100 or below.
  • Note that this feature is only available when launched from the widget mode, but not from the application mode (since in the app mode, there is no background reload). In order to install and launch as a widget, just go to the home screen / launcher, long press, then select add widget.

Automatic location finder:

  • With this new version, you can decide to enable the "Automatically select the nearest monitoring station" from the settings menu.
  • This feature will check, each time the AQI is updated (twice an hour), you current location to return the AQI related to the nearest station.
  • This feature is definitely useful for those people who travel a lot, but also, just even when commuting back and forth from home to office.

Forecast:

  • The "forecast tab" will give you the information about the wind and temperature forecast for the coming 3 days.
  • The forecast data is based on the GFS (Global Forecast System) - The wind information contains both wind direction as well as wind speed and wind gust (gust in the peak wind speed). For the temperature, it is based on the 2 meters GFS, and it is currently experimental.
  • Interpreting the wind forecast is very specific to the city you are leaving in. For instance, in Beijing, strong north wind will for sure clean the Air, while winds from the south might bring the pollution from Hebei.

Embedded map:

  • From the "map tab" you will be able to navigate through the world air quality monitoring stations.
  • The best use for the map is in conjunction with the wind forecast: You just need to check the Air Quality in the area where the wind is blowing from to get a good indication on the AQI forecast.
  • Note that the map is using "tile caching" solution, so data does not have to be downloaded each time you check the map, thus reducing data usage.

Sharing:

  • Last, but not the least, you can now share a piclet of the current AQI to your friends in just one click.
  • All you need is to click on the Share icon (), and you will be able to send similar piclets from your phone:


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You can download the latest application from the google store. In case your can not access the Android app store, you can also directly download the signed apk file from our webite.

If you any question or feedback, you can directly post on the disqus board at the bottom of this article.


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Click here to see all the FAQ entries
  • AQI Scale: What do the colors and numbers mean?
  • Using Statistical Distances for Real-time Sensor Networks Validation
  • Nitrogen Dioxyde (NO2) in our atmosphere
  • About the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement:

    About the Air Quality Levels

    AQIAir Pollution LevelHealth ImplicationsCautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
    0 - 50GoodAir quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no riskNone
    51 -100ModerateAir quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
    101-150Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsMembers of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
    151-200UnhealthyEveryone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effectsActive children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
    201-300Very UnhealthyHealth warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
    300+HazardousHealth alert: everyone may experience more serious health effectsEveryone should avoid all outdoor exertion

    To know more about Air Quality and Pollution, check the wikipedia Air Quality topic or the airnow guide to Air Quality and Your Health.

    For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.


    Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.



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