gistfile1.java

  private static final long SLEEP_TIME = 16;
  private volatile float mTargetX, mTargetY;
  private volatile boolean mMoving = false;

  @Override
  public boolean onTouchEvent(MotionEvent event) {
    mTargetX = event.getX();
    mTargetY = event.getY();

    if (event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
      startMoving();
    } else if (
        event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_UP ||
        event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL) {
      stopMoving();
    }

    return true;
  }

  private void startMoving() {

    mMoving = true;
    new Thread( new Runnable() {
      @Override
      public void run() {
        while (mMoving && !Thread.interrupted()) {

          post(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
              //update UI from inside this runnable
            }
          });
          SystemClock.sleep(SLEEP_TIME);
        }
      }
    }).start();
  }

  private void stopMoving() {
    mMoving = false;
  }