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Hello, I've just been thinking about using our devices in the car and have an idea, that I'm not sure has been developed, but I think would be useful for a lot of people on here:
It's nothing fancy, but I would like an application that allows programs to be made active by pressing a button. What I'm thinking is that if I'm driving I would like too have ready access to a handfull of applications (TomTom, MP3 player, FM Radio, G-Meter, Google maps, phone)
How this would work is that when the program is running a button press would move to the next application in a pre-defined list, and a second button would move to the previous application in the list. The 'next' and 'previous' app buttons should be configurable to take into account peoples devices and their preferences and the applications on the list and their order should be fully configurable.
As I said, the idea is to make using the device in-car a bit more practical, so I would like a couple of additional features, the application could be setup with a number of startup options, for example I would like to run the application and have it load up any of the listed applications that aren't already running and have a specific application as the default start position. I'd also like wi-fi to turn off if the phone isn't on charge and bluetooth to turn on and connect to my headset. Other options people might want are to turn the phone off, turn 3g off or close all other programs, or anything else to improve performance or battery life., such as turning off g-sensors, light sensors etc. it would be good if the notification preferences could be changed, so that for example emails don't pop up over TomTom, or a separate screen that shows the new message enlarged to full screen perhaps, then goes back to TomTom. Closing the application could also return everything to the way it was before hand. I'm sure you all have loads of ideas for in-car options as well.
I'm basically thinking, one screen press and the device becomes optimised for use in-car, close the application and it goes back the way it was.
Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud, I don't have the skills required to take something like this beyond the ideas stage as my programming skills don't extend beyond modifying other people's html, but I'm hoping someone will see this and think its a good enough idea to be worth putting into practice.
Cheers
Paul.
No one think this would be useful?
I like the idea, but to develop it could be a bit too much...
for use in car especially with tomtom i believe that task managers like dynamo, taskfacade or mortbuttons are very useful:
one button and you switch from apps to apps without stylus...
having already used it while driving, i think its very comfortable to use...
another existing app that can be useful is voicecommand... clik and speak to run the app, it works great if your car is not too noisy (so not in my case lol )
Oh ok, I'll have a look at those programs, see if I can make those work. The only thing I'm thinking is that it might be quite important to have two different setups for in-car and normal use.
Don't suppose you know any apps that can be used to turn on bluetooth and attach to my headset through on press of the screen do you?
ht buttoon sllows you to use one button for multiple applications, but i dunno about the task manager stuff.... basically you want a program from different profiles, kind of like airplane mode
Might not be exactly what you are looking for but what about using a launcher like Throttlelauncher and setting up a custom tab with only the application buttons you need to use in the car? At the moment I use TomTom and Audio Manager together and find it very easy to switch between the two while driving using Throttlelauncher.
Not sure about notifications off though - maybe a script?
Just my thoughts out loud too.
its too hard to develop i hope u r thinking motivate someone
Thanks for the replies, I'm playing around with Mortbuttons to see if it'll do what I want and will have a look at a few other things.
A couple of people have said it is too difficult to develop, I know I don't know very much about whats involved, but I would have thought it would be much easier than most of the applications that are developed on here. What I'm looking for is basically a script that when run will load a list of applications, then use two of the hardware buttons to 'scroll' from one app to the next. I did list other things that would be good additions, but the basic premise seems pretty straightforward and wouldn't have any graphical element, other than the configuration menu.
Anyway, if someone wants to have a go, I'm sure it would prove very popular with the drivers on here!
Cheers.
Just create your own theme using something like WAD2.
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I couldn't figure out the right search terms to find it, so I'm posting a new thread.
No doubt many (if not all) of us have noticed that the audio subsytem is (conceptually) not multi-task -- i.e. it seems only able to play one sound channel at a time. There's no multichannel mixing. So, when listening to music, watching a video, etc., and an email, message, etc. come in, or anything else that triggers a sound notification, the media audio mutes while the notification plays, then the media audio unmutes.
This is highly annoying, and frankly very amateurish of Google. It's not like the functionality in question here is difficult and/or complex, and there's plenty of public domain code to make it work. Just laziness it seems to me.
Anyway, anybody know of a mod/fix, or that this will be fixed in Froyo? It's really bugging me.
I'm on the Syndicate ROM. Could be the ROM, but I seem to remember this problem when I was running stock too.
dwallersv said:
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I couldn't figure out the right search terms to find it, so I'm posting a new thread.
No doubt many (if not all) of us have noticed that the audio subsytem is (conceptually) not multi-task -- i.e. it seems only able to play one sound channel at a time. There's no multichannel mixing. So, when listening to music, watching a video, etc., and an email, message, etc. come in, or anything else that triggers a sound notification, the media audio mutes while the notification plays, then the media audio unmutes.
This is highly annoying, and frankly very amateurish of Google. It's not like the functionality in question here is difficult and/or complex, and there's plenty of public domain code to make it work. Just laziness it seems to me.
Anyway, anybody know of a mod/fix, or that this will be fixed in Froyo? It's really bugging me.
I'm on the Syndicate ROM. Could be the ROM, but I seem to remember this problem when I was running stock too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This may be a Honeycomb 3.0 (after Gingerbread 2.3) feature because I could see tablets needing to play more than one sound source at a time. And while we may eventually get a Gingerbread port. I doubt we will see Honeycomb.
I'm a user of AutoHotKey on my PC, and I love the little quirky scripts I can write to get rid of daily annoyances or do repetitive tasks.
I'm assuming Tasker is somewhat similar for Android. I've heard a bit about it, but because of the price-tag, never really indulged.
Who around here uses the app, can't live without it, etc?
What types of things do you rely on it for?
Thanks!
I really don't condone stealing, but find Tasker apk *hint* google*hint* test it out see does it meet your needs/wants and if you like purchase the legal app.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
I use it for a profile switcher and to toggle between 3g/WiFi when I enter/leave the home or office (each has an Airave).
When we had the Time Without Signal problem and toggling Airplane Mode was the quick fix, I set Tasker to toggle whenever I booted the phone or took it off the charger.
My kids have some geo-fencing text reminders set up for them as well for when they leave school.
Here's a quick link to some of the different tasks you can set up. Some quick Googling and you can pretty much find the script for whatever you need. I love it because one app can handle the job of 5-10 different apps, although sometimes the scripting can be frustrating.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/profile-index
Tasker
I use tasker for quite a few things. First and foremost is my pattern lock. I hate putting it in all the time at home, so I have tasker disable the pattern lock when I'm on my own wifi. I still keep the slide unlock active because I like the shortcuts on the lock screen.
I also use it for music. So when I plug in a 3.5mm plug without a mic it starts my music player and sets the volume. It also disables the lock screen which is insecure but when I'm driving or running I don't want to mess with a lock screen. When I'm casually listening to music, I have a headset which has a mic attached. Tasker can differentiate and therefore starts up my music app and sets the volume to a non-earsplitting level. For this I leave the lock screen active.
Lets see, when I start any app that uses GPS it automatically activates the GPS and polls my position. I have it automatically manage the screen brightness depending on the time of day. I also have it go to airplane mode if the battery is <5%. If I'm feeling lazy I have it manage when my wifi is on based on location. I have several locations (home, work, coffee shop) that I typically connect while I'm there and turn off wifi when I leave. I don't always use this because it's not 100% reliable.
That's about all I use it for. I can post instructions if anyone is interested.
I went ahead and purchased the app. Pretty cool so far. I'm interested in the profiles you are using, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Thanks!
Sent from my Touchpad using XDA
Microsoft just introduced a similar app that's free. On{x} I think it's called.
I used to have it set wifi based on network location, but that wasn't always reliable. I use it to set volume levels depending on time, so that way it turns the phone down for work, and then cranks it up after work. I generally always have it making noise on email and phone calls, because I don't always feel it vibrate.
One other neat one I use is to put it in vibrate mode whenever I place the device face down. That way when I'm in a meeting, I take out my phone and just put it face down on the conference table...instant mute. When I pick it up, the sound comes back on. Also handy for charging at night, I just put it face down for the night and everything gets silenced.
I also have a profile that activates based on time and location...so now I don't have to worry about the "loudest cellphone in the world" -- one that goes off in church! :angel:
Only limited by your imagination, I found a lot of good ideas on the tasker site.
MeetFace said:
I went ahead and purchased the app. Pretty cool so far. I'm interested in the profiles you are using, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Thanks!
Sent from my Touchpad using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's how I have some of my tasks setup. I made a profile that activates when wifi connected (state->net->wifi connected->fill in whatever you need) and then have two tasks associated with it that I called "keyguard off" and "keyguard on". Keyguard on is my exit task. For Keyguard off go to (display->keyguard->set off) repeat for keyguard on. If you want to have the slide unlock to stay on you have to use a plugin called secure settings. Otherwise it's a similar process you just navigate to "plugins" instead of "display". From there it takes you into secure settings app which is easy enough to figure out.
For the music stuff: I made a profile one for a 3.5mm with a mic and one without (new profile->state->hardware->headset plugged in). Then I made a task which is assigned to the one without a mic, set the keyguard off like above then go to app->load app->your music app of choice. Then set the volume audio->media volume->whatever volume you want. Add an exit task that reactivates the keyguard I just use my wifi task for this. Same process for the one with the mic except I have it go to a lower volume.
To use GPS you probably have to use that secure settings plugin again depending on the rom you are on (im on AOKP and have to use it). Make an new profile (application->choose all apps with gps that you want to trigger this). Make a task (plugin->secure settings->edit->gps->pick state) then add another (misc->get location). Make an exit task that disables gps.
Finally, for low battery make a profile (state->power->battery level->whatever level) and associated task (net->airplane mode->on) and an exit task which turns it off.
There's plenty more that tasker can do, hope this helps you figure it out a little. I mostly just bumbled around the app until I found some useful things plus their website is full of good ideas.
I hope everyone doesn't mind if I add another question to the thread.
I'm interested in using Tasker as well, but I'm concerned that the benefits of automation will cost me in battery life. How much has you battery life changed using tasker, if at all?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
amateurhack said:
I hope everyone doesn't mind if I add another question to the thread.
I'm interested in using Tasker as well, but I'm concerned that the benefits of automation will cost me in battery life. How much has you battery life changed using tasker, if at all?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you could use the Battery Monitor Widget from the play store (the one with all the graphs and stuff), and use it to see how much the app is using. I doubt it's a lot but I know that it is SOME. The more apps running (and updating/logging) in the background the more battery you are using. Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong but, your phone has to "wake" every time an app needs to do something (update/log)
It does use power but nothing extreme in my experience. If you're using it for setting basic sound profiles and the like it won't be noticable really. You should look at it the other way though, taskers power of automating stuff like knocking off wifi and data connections when you dont need them will probably save battery life.
masaidjet said:
I really don't condone stealing, but find Tasker apk *hint* google*hint* test it out see does it meet your needs/wants and if you like purchase the legal app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the record, you can download a fully functional week-long trial from the dev's website for free.
I do a fair amount with Tasker, but one thing that I haven't seen many other people do is enable/disable battery-draining apps in certain contexts.
For example, I have a power-saving profile that disables a set of apps and services that would otherwise run 24/7. I also use have a profile which lets me run and disable AirDroid in response to a Google Voice text, so I can manage my phone from my laptop without ever touching it.
On my Nook, even small wakelocks add up over time when the battery life would otherwise be measured in days, so I use Tasker to disable just about any app that likely to throw a wakelock while I'm not using the device. Because I'm forgetful I also have profiles to disable wifi when the device goes to sleep, and to email me when the battery is getting low so I remember to charge it.
Finally, I also have generic profiles to lock and reply with GPS coordinates in response to text, turn volume to max and make noise in response to text, unlock when connected to home wifi, and unlock when my alarm goes off so that I don't have to enter my passcode and scan the alarm-silencing QR code I put up in the bathroom.
Let me know if you want more info on any of the above!
Would you mind posting the low battery profile?
I'd like to set that up on my TP.
Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Sure, it's not too complicated although it does take a bit of setting up. To start with, in order to enable/disable apps you must use either the SecureSettings plugin with an updated su binary, or use adb commands. I choose to use SecureSettings, since that way I don't have to look up package names.
To disable groups of packages, I first make several individual tasks disabling each one. Then, I make another task which turns off wifi, 4g, and GPS. Next, I make another task which runs appropriate package-disabling tasks for that grouping, as well as the wifi/4g/GPS off task. Finally, I put an icon to run that group task on my homescreen.
Obviously, you'll have to figure out what apps/services you may want to disable for yourself.
Note that you could just as easily put all the package disabling actions in one task, thereby obviating the need to nest tasks. I just did it this way since that's what seemed natural to me, given that I have a few different groupings.
Links to XML files for the wifi/GPS off task, an example package disabling task, and a low power consumption master task.
amateurhack said:
I'm interested in using Tasker as well, but I'm concerned that the benefits of automation will cost me in battery life. How much has you battery life changed using tasker, if at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same concerns when I purchased Tasker, and I've found the battery life impact to be undetectable by me. Mainly, that's because tasker runs based on states, and it doesn't constantly poll the OS for what state it's in.
For instance, I have a task that puts my device on silent when it's face down. From how I understand it works, tasker tells the OS "let me know when you are face down" and then pretty much goes to sleep. The OS handles that, and when it goes face down, it tells tasker "ok, i'm face down now" and then tasker executes its script.
So, tasker really doesn't impact battery life, but if you have it switch on high-drain stuff, then yep, you'll see a difference, but that's what you've set it to do, not the app itself.
HTH,
Michael
I've been very thankful for Tasker. I've used it for over a year now, and its one that I continually use and keep.
A few different ways I use is to set the sound profile depending day and time. It auto sets to vibrate at church and auto sets to sound off overnight. But if certain contacts call (mom, dad, wife, etc) the ringer turns on.
I also use it to turn on wifi when I'm home. Thankfully, I'm on Sprint with unlimited data. But I'm sure on other carriers, data usage may be a concern and using wifi at home could save that data usage.
Another cool way I use it is if I'm driving and recieve a text message, it will auto-reply with a text saying "Texting while driving is bad. I'm traveling at 47.3 mph currently. I'll reply later when it's safe". I know that's alittle overboard, but I think it's nifty.
I don't know about ideal but I have my own personal requirements.
1. Notifications for Text messages, Phone Calls and Emails. I don't use Facebook or Twitter anymore but I do understand lots of people still do so those would be important as well.
2. Ability to dismiss incoming calls or answer. I hate those bluetooth headsets so talking directly into the watch would be better for ME. Don't know how well that would work but if the call is important enough or private than have the ability to swap over to just the phone.
3. The screen is so small games really won't matter to me but the ability to go to Playstore and download various Apps would be ideal. Don't really know what I would really need on my watch as any Apps I use regularly I would rather see on my 5" screen.
4. Calendar with Notifications would be great as I could set dates and times on my phone and be alerted thru the watch.
5. Not much else is really required besides changing watch faces to different designs and the occasional trip to the internet on the fly with readable screens. Sometimes I need to google something and it would be great to be able to do this at random.
Currently I am looking at the SmartQ Z Watch and the ZGPAX S5 Smartwatch
I have had this watch for 2 days, comments as below:-
1. This works perfectly.
2. I haven't figured out how you can talk directly into the watch. I do not think this is possible yet although you can plug in a headset and has a built in microphone. With the updates coming in weekly I assume this might be possible through an update.
3. Playstore is not pre-installed. Anyways I do not think most of the apps would work in Playstore since they are not tailored for the screen size.
4. No problem with this either.
5. No inbuilt web browser but I assume you can install one, some of the custom roms has this I have read.
coolface said:
I have had this watch for 2 days, comments as below:-
1. This works perfectly.
2. I haven't figured out how you can talk directly into the watch. I do not think this is possible yet although you can plug in a headset and has a built in microphone. With the updates coming in weekly I assume this might be possible through an update.
3. Playstore is not pre-installed. Anyways I do not think most of the apps would work in Playstore since they are not tailored for the screen size.
4. No problem with this either.
5. No inbuilt web browser but I assume you can install one, some of the custom roms has this I have read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What watch do you have???
All-Or-Nothing said:
I don't know about ideal but I have my own personal requirements.
1. Notifications for Text messages, Phone Calls and Emails. I don't use Facebook or Twitter anymore but I do understand lots of people still do so those would be important as well.
2. Ability to dismiss incoming calls or answer. I hate those bluetooth headsets so talking directly into the watch would be better for ME. Don't know how well that would work but if the call is important enough or private than have the ability to swap over to just the phone.
3. The screen is so small games really won't matter to me but the ability to go to Playstore and download various Apps would be ideal. Don't really know what I would really need on my watch as any Apps I use regularly I would rather see on my 5" screen.
4. Calendar with Notifications would be great as I could set dates and times on my phone and be alerted thru the watch.
5. Not much else is really required besides changing watch faces to different designs and the occasional trip to the internet on the fly with readable screens. Sometimes I need to google something and it would be great to be able to do this at random.
Currently I am looking at the SmartQ Z Watch and the ZGPAX S5 Smartwatch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ZGPAX - they haven't released software for the notifications and call handling options, like the Galaxy Gear has... but it's a great device for sure!
All-Or-Nothing said:
I don't know about ideal but I have my own personal requirements.
1. Notifications for Text messages, Phone Calls and Emails. I don't use Facebook or Twitter anymore but I do understand lots of people still do so those would be important as well.
2. Ability to dismiss incoming calls or answer. I hate those bluetooth headsets so talking directly into the watch would be better for ME. Don't know how well that would work but if the call is important enough or private than have the ability to swap over to just the phone.
3. The screen is so small games really won't matter to me but the ability to go to Playstore and download various Apps would be ideal. Don't really know what I would really need on my watch as any Apps I use regularly I would rather see on my 5" screen.
4. Calendar with Notifications would be great as I could set dates and times on my phone and be alerted thru the watch.
5. Not much else is really required besides changing watch faces to different designs and the occasional trip to the internet on the fly with readable screens. Sometimes I need to google something and it would be great to be able to do this at random.
Currently I am looking at the SmartQ Z Watch and the ZGPAX S5 Smartwatch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have zgpax.
Mine came with playstore preinstalled. Can run most ICS compatible applications, oddly though launchers ie Nova Launcher do not work. There is no home button anyway. Switching between programs involves using the back button a lot and switching from the home screen/watch launcher. ADW launcher works but every time the phone is turned on the clock launcher starts instead. Don't know how to switch default.
Google calendar is preinstalled.
I use MySMS to mirror text messages from my main phone, and use a prepaid sim with cheap data just for notifications, ie gmail, ebay.
Do not get SmartQ Z watch if running apps is important to you. It runs a MIPS cpu instead of an ARM cpu, and most apps will not run on MIPS by default.
ZGPAX is not rooted by default but can be very easily.
No volume buttons, volume is best controlled by quick volume profiles from notification tray. Four profiles are set by default, general, silent, meeting (vibrate mode), and outdoor (loud mode).
Only buttons are power and back. Menu button is soft button in notification tray next to clock.
Wifi reception has been excellent for something of this size, though understandably a little slowish.
alcuin said:
Do not get SmartQ Z watch if running apps is important to you. It runs a MIPS cpu instead of an ARM cpu, and most apps will not run on MIPS by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually on the smartq z watch most apps excluding a lot of games work just fine without MIP compatibility or MIPS conversion . some have screen issues but that problem lies with any smartwatch .
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
were can i start to change windows to android ?
Easy, The Type of Android you want, and then start with that and it's instructions: FAQ Android http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2043925
Have fun...
iPlasm said:
Easy, The Type of Android you want, and then start with that and it's instructions: FAQ Android http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2043925
Have fun...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks men
android is better or windows for my HD mini ?
samsung galaxy duos said:
thanks men
android is better or windows for my HD mini ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, I don't know for what you want.
Second, For me, Android is much better than WM6.5, even microsoft has ended support for WM6.5.
If you want bluetooth car (audio in/out), Stable GPS, (or auto charge plug cable), stable stereo audio. then stuck with your WM.65 system.
and if you want faster system, apps, etc. android will be the chose.
You may tell us for what you want. and remember going to android, you may won't be the main phone.
iPlasm said:
First, I don't know for what you want.
Second, For me, Android is much better than WM6.5, even microsoft has ended support for WM6.5.
If you want bluetooth car (audio in/out), Stable GPS, (or auto charge plug cable), stable stereo audio. then stuck with your WM.65 system.
and if you want faster system, apps, etc. android will be the chose.
You may tell us for what you want. and remember going to android, you may won't be the main phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use my phone for call and text and see movies and sometimes music
so i love to do fast, speed is important for i dont like when i click on pic i got hang
samsung galaxy duos said:
i use my phone for call and text and see movies and sometimes music
so i love to do fast, speed is important for i dont like when i click on pic i got hang
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call, Text, Music (Mono ONLY, NO Stereo, even may lower quality Speaker), Fast, Speed, Camera (taking pictures), pictures (smooth gallery) > Android, I would Say android is much better here.
Camera Video (only via 3rd party apps), Movies you can only see 240p (higher than 240p is not usable, means no 360p, it plays but it's crappy bad). if you want this then you may stuck with WM6.5
Good luck :highfive: