Sony SmartWatch 2 Control & Notification for the same app possible?

Question

I was trying to port my existing app from SW 1 to SW 2 and stumbled upon the limitation that it is not allowed to have notifications and a control for the same app (even when setting LAUNCH_MODE to CONTROL).

As a workaround I tried to register 2 services, one for the notification and one for the control. As they share the same app package name, this didn't work and only the first that registered was available.

Is there a better workaround? Or will this limitation be addressed in a future update? My app really depends on both, the notifications and the control.

Answer 1

A distant workaround may be to use only the Control, and build some sort of a notification mechanism as part of the Control. I did exactly that in my Log app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eir.log

The notification mechanism is triggered by a different event, in the same BroadcastReceiver. Works wonderfully for me.

Answer 2

I believe this is indeed not possible today. One option for you would be to start up your control extension from a notification list item. So from where you read your notification you can enable a menu and then in that option start up your control. Have a look at the SMS app to get an idea.

Answer 3

Not possible and no workaround available. We have to wait for Sony to fix this issue though they haven't mentioned when they will address it.

Answer 4

We have posted a blog on Sony Developer World regarding this topic:

http://developer.sonymobile.com/2013/12/26/using-both-the-control-notification-apis-for-customised-uis-in-your-smartwatch-2-extension-code/