Database Users

Locate your lost phone with SMS / Sick MUST have app: Tasker

I know there are threads on tasker, but i have to say, this is one sick app.
all you have to do is send sms with secret word from any phone and Tasker will enable wifi, gps, and send back a link to google maps with phone location.

That is amazing, but...
Pity the GPS, Compass and Google Maps implementation is completely ****ing broken!
I would definitely love to use this when (or if) the locational services ever do function. Thanks for the heads up -- I had no idea this existed.

There are multiple apps like "Where's my droid" that do this as well.

KerryG said:
There are multiple apps like "Where's my droid" that do this as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, but tasker does thousand other things. For me gps works fine, but there is a problem with compass

KerryG said:
There are multiple apps like "Where's my droid" that do this as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And doesn't 'where is my droid' only rings the phone if u send sms ?

If its not too long, would you mind posting your contexts and tasks to achieve just that exact same you just described? I'm trying to get better with the program although at a very slow pace
Thanks a lot mate!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Yeah i was interested in how you did it as well. I am just learning this tasker app and it doesnt seem that you can import and export tasks easily.

Texag2010 said:
If its not too long, would you mind posting your contexts and tasks to achieve just that exact same you just described? I'm trying to get better with the program although at a very slow pace
Thanks a lot mate!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can find it here: http://tasker.wikidot.com/profile-index
the guy is using GPS only, but its pretty straight forward to include WIFI in this as well (WIFI is for better location without GPS). The time to wait for GPS to get a lock is up to you, I have 1 min.
and as you can see there is a profile there if you wish to lock you phone with SMS and/or play sound. (havent tried that)
For now I have these tasks: 1. If power ON, screen timeout is set to 45 sec (from 15), and lockguard is disabled 2. from 7:30pm to 8am screen brightness set to min and to AUTO other times. 3 Created a widget for "Vibrate" and "Bluetooth" since Vibrant is missing easy access to those functions (in a nice menu widget to save space). 4. I have several tasks killed at boot since they are useless anyway. (for this need to insert WAIT command with whatever time needed since some tasks start after the phone boots)

Thanks a lot for that link! Was able to create my own widget too now!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Worked for me too. Thanks a ton. Too bad you can't hide the sms message.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Lookout does this - good program I've been using since WinMo days.
-bZj

down8 said:
Lookout does this - good program I've been using since WinMo days.
-bZj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read that Lookout drains battery, one of the features of Tasker is to actually save battery.

you already have a good standard version on the sgs
http://www.samsungmobile.co.uk/entertainment/featured-applications/mobile-tracker.do

sareen said:
you already have a good standard version on the sgs
http://www.samsungmobile.co.uk/entertainment/featured-applications/mobile-tracker.do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea how to get this installed? I don't have it showing on my phone. Also, it shows it is only available in Germany and the UK. Do you have a work around to allow it to work anywhere?

Shane_pcs said:
Worked for me too. Thanks a ton. Too bad you can't hide the sms message.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, since the latest update, you can hide the SMS.

Volume Control with Screen Off

Does anyone know if there is a way that the volume can be changed on the SGS i9000 without the screen turning on?
I have checked the settings of both Android and Winamp but found no option.
Also, an Internet search using Google and searching the XDA did not return a result...

I also find this annoying. I use the MIUI player
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

GOTFrogqc said:
I also find this annoying. I use the MIUI player
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply and information; I will definitely check that out now.
You would think that this would be a feature included with Android; although, maybe a developper would be able to create a mod with this feature. *hint hint*
Can anyone comment if such a modification would even be possible?

PlayerPro supports volume up/down with the screen off. It also supports skip forward/back with the volume keys, by holding them down. (this behaviour can be turned off and/or reversed with volume as well).
It's the only music app I've found that does this, although I wish it did pause instead.
Cheers

What firmware are you on? I'm on Darky's 9.3 (2.2) and it does this with the default music player.

Kops said:
What firmware are you on? I'm on Darky's 9.3 (2.2) and it does this with the default music player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU!!!
I am using the JVB firmware currently and, as you mentioned, the default music player actually does not turn the screen on when changing volume.
Hah! All this time and I never thought to use the default music player. Go figure...
So, seems as though I should send yet another request to Winamp development.
Wish me luck...

Alright, to finish this thread off I thought I would mention that I have been using Winamp since it was released and never looked back; so, my apologies for anyone that may have facepalmed while reading this...
Suprisingly the default music player is not that bad. Actually, I think that I may continue using it instead of Winamp until an equalizer has been implemented and the volume can be changed without causing the screen to turn on. Also, the music player has features in the notification area and Winamp does not.
Either way, thanka again to everyone that helped; it is greatly appreciated.

DeHann said:
Does anyone know if there is a way that the volume can be changed on the SGS i9000 without the screen turning on?
I have checked the settings of both Android and Winamp but found no option.
Also, an Internet search using Google and searching the XDA did not return a result...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voodoo sound seems to allow me to adjust all music apps with screen off.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Hi the problem with the screen that turns on when pressing the volume keys occurs when you have a non stock lockscreen like widgetlocker or winamp lockscreen controls above the stock lockscreen.
I think everyone reproduce this problem in sgs
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

use player pro and voodo sound (voodoo control plus)
its worked like a charm

I honestly would just use the default samsung music player. It has built in eq's, has lock screen player & has a funky 5.1 button for the hell of it. (although it's debatable if it changes the sound quality for the better or not)

sammy_user said:
Hi the problem with the screen that turns on when pressing the volume keys occurs when you have a non stock lockscreen like widgetlocker or winamp lockscreen controls above the stock lockscreen.
I think everyone reproduce this problem in sgs
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have helped me to find the root cause. THANK YOU IMMENSELY!!!
The issue is that; although I use the stock lockscreen, it was disabled using the Extended Controls application because I was at work and next to my phone the entire time...
Good catch and thanks again. I owe you a coffee, beer, or something; but, in the meantime, I will click your thanks button. That's just as good, right?!

ICS profiles, coming from a BlackBerry

Howdy
So what's the deal with the profiles in ICS? I'm not sure exactly how they could be used to be beneficial. I just returned after a hiatus to BlackBerry who I must say had the profiles settings down perfect. I use to use android but since then things have changed. It seems the sounds settings menu and profiles should be combined into one settings area or something.
How do you all use profiles? Maybe that will give need insight into how I can use it. I love changing the ringtone based on the app (ie different tones for Google chat, sms, Google voice, email, etc) and different profiles for when I'm at work or home. It's probably that the Google versions are so specific that I can't get my head around them out something. .
Thx.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app

Smart profiles and Quick profiles in Google Play may give you some easier control.
Unfortunately I never use profiles, so I can't comment over how they work in ICS. Anybody skilled in using profiles?

Anyone using tasker?

Thinking about getting it. What are you using it for?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

ml3000 said:
Thinking about getting it. What are you using it for?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Tasker to turn off Mobile Data when on Wifi, set my phone in "Work" mode when I get to work (Silent, no Bluetooth), disable PIN lock when I'm at home, disable USB debugging when I'm away from home and reboot every morning.

The greatness of he program is that you can do pretty much anything with it. I currently I use it for 2 main things. I have set up a profile so automatically launches carhome ultra when it detects that I am connected to my cars bluetooth and I have it plugged into a charger. That way when I jump into the car I just have to put it in its holder and plug in the charger and I am good to go.
I also have created a 3 short cuts that have automated my "wifi calling" profile. One shortcut automatically forwards my number to a google voice number The second toggles airplane mode (so I don't kill my battery searching for a signal), activates wifi and logs me into groove ip. The final one automatically unforwards my number.
On my old G2 I also had a profile that launched a screen dimming program and clock/alarm program when it detected my home wifi and ac power. I used my phone as my bedroom clock
Hope this gives you some ideas

I have an NFC tag in my car and when I scan it, turns on Bluetooth, and opens the Assistant app. Then, depending where I am (checks if my Last WiFi connection was my house) it will ask where would I like to go. I say a place and it says ok let's go to %place name% or if I wasn't at home it will prompt me if I want to navigate home
Sent from my Nexus 4

I have in the past to automate tasks but with nfc task launcher I don't need it, of course instead I need nfc tags but it's more convenient for me.

Where to start?!! I currently have 14 profiles and over 25 tasks! I use for all sorts eg:
Sunrise and sunset - Gets these from a yahoo api every day and updates a minimalistic text widget
Sleep mode - Check in and out of Sleepbot, does all the sound etc too and sets a variable which I use for some other profiles that I only want to run when I'm asleep.
Car mode - When I am in the car it sets the ringer, turns vibrate off, sets screen to fully on and opens car home. Also uses the sun info from above and it it is dark outside will run Screen Filter to drop the screen brightness right down.
Car exit - When I leave the car it automatically stores the time and location so I can navigate back to the car (useful if I park somewhere unusual or in a big car park) and another widget keeps the time in case I am on a meter.
Work - Sets the sound when in range of work wifi
Various locations - A few like the gym and badminton club which check in to foursquare, go silent, enable secure lock screen and, when leaving, remind me to turn of my heart rate monitor.
Frost check - Check the weather evey hour at night and if it ever drops below freezing, pops a notification so in the morning I know if I need to allow more time to de-ice the car
Games/Gallery - When a game or the gallery is open it stops the screen from locking which is especially handy when showing photos to people
I also use a lot of these with NFC tags such as the sleep one and car.
And others! I'm always playing around with it and the scenes function allows you to create entire interfaces!

Nice guys.. I gotta start using tags.. where did you buy yours from? havea few links for decently cheap ones? places in canada are either charging rip off prices, or stupidly high shipping

t3xboar said:
Nice guys.. I gotta start using tags.. where did you buy yours from? havea few links for decently cheap ones? places in canada are either charging rip off prices, or stupidly high shipping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got them from this seller http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181025690679&ssPageName=ADME:L:eek:U:GB:3160
I am in the UK but they will ship to Canada. Alternatively, look for similar tags on eBay Canada but make sure to avoid Mifare 1k tags, they don't on the N4

Is it possible to tap two phones together and have one phone initialize hotspot using NFC?

There's a ton of things you can do with Tasker. I'm just using it to change my wallpaper. I've got a different one for sunrise, morning, daytime, sunset, and evening. Additionally, when it rains or the weather is overcast, I've got different wallpapers.

I think one of the best things about Tasker is cell triangulation for location. Basically a rough gps of your location to use all the profiles and settings at different locations and essentially no battery cost as it just pulls data your radio is anyway.
The only downside is your limitations are there because not all apps have plug ins. For example I'd like to setup a task for Rom toolbox to backup apps but that's not possible, I think.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I refuse to buy it until the UI is updated
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

t3xboar said:
Nice guys.. I gotta start using tags.. where did you buy yours from? havea few links for decently cheap ones? places in canada are either charging rip off prices, or stupidly high shipping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download nfc task launcher and buy through their store, not sure if they ship to canada though.
---------- Post added at 12:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------
biggiestuff said:
Is it possible to tap two phones together and have one phone initialize hotspot using NFC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not going to say yes because I haven't done it BUT I'm sure it can, I'm pretty sure the primary function (detecting another nfc device) is built into android so tasker should be able to take that trigger and toggle wifi ap.

jameslfc5 said:
I refuse to buy it until the UI is updated
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1! I am using Llama until tasker gets a Holo UI theme lol. Which is being worked on from what I saw from AndroidPolice.

kpjimmy said:
+1! I am using Llama until tasker gets a Holo UI theme lol. Which is being worked on from what I saw from AndroidPolice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen the same and that UI that they knocked up would get me to purchase it... They've made massive amounts and not even bothered to update the UI
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

anybody got a link to a good tutorial for tasker? I tried it but failed miserably. I followed all the links provided in the app but it doesn't really explain things, just shows examples
Sent from my Nexus 4.

Man I can't wait to get my N4 (if it ever ships). I hope they do update to Holo theme though. I'm not going to use any non Holo apps; I hate when a UI doesn't look unified ;-(

Jordanooo said:
anybody got a link to a good tutorial for tasker? I tried it but failed miserably. I followed all the links provided in the app but it doesn't really explain things, just shows examples
Sent from my Nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is pretty good...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEhnOJl5mTo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Modaco did a good guide to Tasker recently:
http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/android/android-features/mastering-tasker-1-getting-started-r671
I agree the interface needs work but waiting for that is daft. It's all about automation and once the tasks are created you don't see the app itself very often. It's not pretty but I think that is vastly outweighed by how incredibly powerful it is.

Jordanooo said:
anybody got a link to a good tutorial for tasker? I tried it but failed miserably. I followed all the links provided in the app but it doesn't really explain things, just shows examples
Sent from my Nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good tutorial
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1110775

[Q] some noob questions

Hello,
i'm new to Android and the Nexus 4 is my first Android device. I'm really happy with it but i've got some questions which i'm sure are pretty easy to answer for most people here:
- I turned off the vibration (touch feedback) in the settings, but in some apps it's still there, for example when i type in a URL in chrome. how do i disable it?
- I came from an iPhone and i'm used to having an app for notes. Is there any good, simple app for android, where you can just write down some notes, similar to the iphone app?
- I've heard of a great app to use in case you lose your phone or someone steals it, so you can track it down from your pc, take photos etc, but i forgot its name. Does anyone know?
- Is it normal that the Nexus 4 camera sometimes keeps trying to focus on something? it happened to me sometimes that it focused, the image got sharp, then suddenly it loses the focus again, focuses again, loses it again, and so on, even though i was not moving the phone (holding it in my hand though).
Thanks for your help!

jb91 said:
Hello,
i'm new to Android and the Nexus 4 is my first Android device. I'm really happy with it but i've got some questions which i'm sure are pretty easy to answer for most people here:
- I turned off the vibration (touch feedback) in the settings, but in some apps it's still there, for example when i type in a URL in chrome. how do i disable it?
- I came from an iPhone and i'm used to having an app for notes. Is there any good, simple app for android, where you can just write down some notes, similar to the iphone app?
- I've heard of a great app to use in case you lose your phone or someone steals it, so you can track it down from your pc, take photos etc, but i forgot its name. Does anyone know?
- Is it normal that the Nexus 4 camera sometimes keeps trying to focus on something? it happened to me sometimes that it focused, the image got sharp, then suddenly it loses the focus again, focuses again, loses it again, and so on, even though i was not moving the phone (holding it in my hand though).
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I Don't Have A N4, But I Can Help. For The Type Vibration, You Might Have To Go Into The Keyboard Settings And Look For It There. I Think It's Set Apart From The Other Feedback Option.
I Use ColorNote & EverNote. ColorNote, As The Name Implies, Has All These Color Options You Can Use, And Separate Your Notes By Color. (Red for thoughts, green for to-do stuff, and so on) I Like EverNote Because It Automatically Saves Your Notes Online.
I Think You're Referring To The Lookout Mobile Security App. I Have It On Both Of My Phones.
Once Again, Not A Nexus Owner, So I Can't Help With Your Camera Issue. Sorry. :/
All The Apps Suggested Are Free. (Lookout has Premium features that you have to pay for, I think by the month)
I Hope I've Helped.
sent from my EVO LTE on the XDA app because Tapatalk hates me -__-

I have come from an iPhone too, although this is not my first Android. For the keyboard vibration, you have to turn it off on the keyboard's settings, as the guy above me said.
For the notes, I use this. It's a simple but great and useful application.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.demo.notepad3
I hope I have helped.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

Look at Google Tasks Organiser. It syncs your lists online. For theft protection, Cerberus is the best

Thanks guys.
Another thing i don't fully understand:
On the top left of the screen (on the bar), i see Skype, which makes sense, since Skype is open in the background, so i won't miss a call or message or whatever. But then why is there no symbol for What's app or facebook? Don't they work the same? Basically, there also needs to be some kind of background process open for these, right? But why are they not shown on the top left of the bar?

jb91 said:
Thanks guys.
Another thing i don't fully understand:
On the top left of the screen (on the bar), i see Skype, which makes sense, since Skype is open in the background, so i won't miss a call or message or whatever. But then why is there no symbol for What's app or facebook? Don't they work the same? Basically, there also needs to be some kind of background process open for these, right? But why are they not shown on the top left of the bar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the choice of the application's developer not to have the icon in the status bar. I find it better not to have any icon in the status bar as they take up space and look ugly.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

Thanks!
While we're at it, another question
How do you actually CLOSE an app? So it's not in the RAM anymore. I'd imagine that all those apps still running in the background use a lot of battery, right?

Just use the third soft button at the button of the screen then close the apps from there. As for background processes, you need not to worry about then. Android is good at handling background processes so they don't take a lot of battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

MSI Afterburner said:
Just use the third soft button at the button of the screen then close the apps from there. As for background processes, you need not to worry about then. Android is good at handling background processes so they don't take a lot of battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this just a list of "recently opened" apps? Because if you swipe them off there, these apps are still shown as "Active" in the settings menu.

Nope, you close them from there. Although some may have a background process like Facebook so you can still receive notifications with the app closed. It takes up minimal battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

And you mean this screen, right?
Because if so, they're just background processes.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

Ok, i get it now. But is there a way to close all the apps in one go? Instead of swiping every app off by itself?

jb91 said:
Ok, i get it now. But is there a way to close all the apps in one go? Instead of swiping every app off by itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the same screen, you see these 3 line things in the top right corner? Tap that.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

jb91 said:
Ok, i get it now. But is there a way to close all the apps in one go? Instead of swiping every app off by itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is if you go custom, but not in stock. This is why I always close the apps after using them so I'm only swiping 1-2 at a time...
---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------
MSI Afterburner said:
At the same screen, you see these 3 line things in the top right corner? Tap that.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're using CM, it's not in stock

EddyOS said:
There is if you go custom, but not in stock. This is why I always close the apps after using them so I'm only swiping 1-2 at a time...
---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------
You're using CM, it's not in stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, I'm so used to CyanogenMod, haha!
My bad then.
Sent from my Nexus 4, powered by CyanogenMod via XDA Developers app.

A question again about that cerberus app:
I've downloaded it and made it so it doesn't appear in the installed apps. But how do i make it visible again? How do i even open it now?

I have a sprint note 2 thats flashed to boost mobile. The first time it was done it was fast 3g was good. I messed upand reset the phone so I had to reflash it b I t now its slow.the more u flash a phone does it get slower
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

For this scenario Cerberus has a feature where you dial a unique code to access the hidden program but you've probably not noted it. If you haven't changed it, dial
23723787
Or to remove you could also go to Settings / Security / Device Administrator and uncheck it then Settings / Apps and uninstall the app.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium