Allow background downloads

[damccull]

Currently the app seems to download with a separate thread updating a modal progress bar dialog. This is fine as long as you want to leave the app visible during the entire download process, but this also prevents users from using previously downloaded resources.

I would like to see a downloader implemented as a service that displays current status in the notification bar (unless the download resources activity is the active one) instead of the modal dialog. This would allow users to safely download data in the background while using other apps without fear of the download being killed in the middle when android closes the app because it needs more memory. Additionally, this would allow users to begun a download for a new area the don't yet have, while simultaneously working on a flight plan in an area they do have.

[apps4av]

The only thing that stops us from using notification bar download is the SDK version. That feature is truly bug free operational only on/after Android version 4.0. The Android download manager for older versions is buggy.

[damccull]

Perhaps I was unclear in what I meant by downloader. The built in downloader app is crap on almost every version of android. I simply was suggesting to move your existing asynctask or thread that handles download into a service class. Then launch the service as a started service and let it do the download. That service can be responsible for updating the notification it self instead of updating a dialog.

If I'm unaware of some bug with the notification bar in older versions of Android, then I'd love to know about that. Just trying to clarify my suggestion.

[apps4av]

Downloading from the service is a good idea. It will keep all download threads going regardless of the app state. Yes, notification bar has no issues.
Added to list of things to do.

[kendallcrews]

I'd also suggest that Avare could download new resources in the background but not use them until approved by the user. That way the user has final say on what is in use, but doesn't have to wait around for downloads.