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Update various things when WiFi is avaliable

Hallo,
is there a software that can update like E-Mail, Weather, QuickGPS, RSS, Push Sites when WiFi is avaliable.
I use my phone with out a flat data service and it would be great updating all this when one is in an hotspot.
Thanks

That would be a really useful app, great idea.

Yeah, I would like an app like this as well, but for me it would just be to be able to update many items with the push of ONE button, not switching between apps and clicking 'update', not just when in a wifi hotspot area

hmmm..
it seems that nobody has an idea?!
I'm not into programming at all, but would it not be possible to hav something like a batch file you use in Windows where different things are done one after the other like you can do in Linux in the bash (wow I think my english is a little of here, I hope you get what I mean)...

I would hazard a guess at having all of these applications running in the background and poll for updates every 10 mins or so, disabling mobile data with something like MoDaCo NoData, and having your wireless constantly enabled would work.
Expect battery life to be around 7 hours, though
To code a program which polls for wifi + internet connectivity, and updates several different (closed source) applications on your device would be a nightmare. It would involve breaking the procedures they have in place to update themselves to accept updates from the new source, or directly writing to whatever temporary storage those applications use (which may be locked by those very applications while they run).
In short, not gonna happen :-\

[Q] new to smartphones/android, a couple of questions: data plans, root access, UI

Hello, I recently got a Motorola Defy for renewing my contact.
This is my first Smartphone and the first time I seriously try to understand connection standards, data plans and avoid hidden costs.
I don't have a data plan, and I don't intend to get one. I don't need to be online on the go and I'd rather avoid the costs. I neither want nor need all the social networking and internet apps and I'll uninstall them after rooting it anyway.
So:
Which of the connections (GPS, Bluetooth, Wifi, 3G should be all) will cost me extra? As far as I understand it, it only costs me when my phone tries to connect to the Internet via 3G, correct? So I can use my home wifi to access the internet without paying any off-plan fees, right?
And if that's true, can I just disable that somewhere (i.e. something like settings > network > only use wifi for internet) or do I have to deny every program 3G-internet access individually?
What about programs that use GPS (planetarium programs, navigational programs, etc)?
I figure that you'd need a internet connection to download updates, maps, etc. but do I need to pay for the positioning service itself?
And for my second question:
As I mentioned, I plan to root (already debranded it) my phone and install a shell. I already did some research on the forums and generally know what to do.
However due to security reasons I'd like to be just a normal user in day-to-day use.
How do I achieve this at best? just unroot with z4root and re-root when needed? could malware access z4root and give itself root privileges? Or can I use sudo with a password prompt as default user instead of su?
Oh and another little question, can I install programs manually with "install xyz.apk" from a shell on the phone or can I only do that from a remote machine with adb? and can I find the "apps" online in apk format? Because I'd prefer to avoid official marketplaces, app shops and whatnot.
Thirdly, the UI:
The Motorola Defy came with motoblur (at least I think that's the UI) and it's not exactly great. What do I look for when I want alternatives? Are the different "launchers" the UI? Or are they something else?
Thanks in advance,
Ligatur

Excuse me, but a smartphone without data is like a car without wheels. Still useful i'm sure but you're missing a lot of functionality!
Would it be worth selling the smartphone? If you got it for free then it's a decent profit, especially if you have an older device that you could use instead.
EDIT: Analogy changed to protect the innocent

Sure, I'll miss some things, but Android is more "open" and closer to a classical computer than standard cellphone OS environments. Additionally the developer/hacking community is larger than for individual phones and for me, that's worth a lot.
More than the money I'd get from selling it.
Besides, I still use some functions (GPS, compass) and I only needed it because my old phone kicked the bucket.
And I still can get apps, offline maps, etc from my home wifi.
For the sake of the easily offended, I don't think I will perpetuate your analogy, though .

[Q] Triumph, Google Voice, and mac basic questions

I've put off getting a smartphone as long as possible, but did enough research that I think the Triumph on Virgin's $35 plan with Google voice is a smart way to go. I still have some questions about this new OS, programs, and environment, and really like the smart people on this forum, and hope you won't mind a few questions.
-What’s the best VOIP app for working with Google Voice? I've come across GrooVe IP, but would like reassurance whether it's the best option. I'd like to make calls over wifi, but I'd also like to know whether Virgin Mobile's 3g coverage is fast enough for voip (generally...). I wouldn't want to do this routinely as I'd be afraid they'd throttle me. But I would like someone who knows to share their opinion.
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
-If I wanted the option, how (specifically) would I switch from making a voip/data plan outgoing call to the regular phone cell plan? Would Android be smart enough to do this automatically without a wifi signal? Or would I need to change a setting in Google Voice? Any thoughts most appreciated.
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
-I have a mac. I’m guessing most of the programs that let you manage files, root the phone, install Cyanogen mods, etc, are PC based. I found Android File Transfer, but am not clear on it's limits. Are there better options? What will the AFT program be good for? [Emulating PC’s is a pain I would rather avoid, but I have been thinking of running virtual box to donate some processing time to the Large Hadron Collider, so I might be able to run some of these PC programs]. Any advice most welcome.
-Any skins or options to turn the google apps into light text on dark background? (I'm aware of and have used the option in Gmail). I hate black text on white background. I'm kooky that way.
This Android phone is good looking, the plan costs much less than a thousand a year (which I refuse to pay), and I LOVE the Google voice options to turn your text and calls into computer files which you can archive as you wish. The Google voice activation / text / search is far superior to iAnything, voip/wifi is the balls, and I think a lot people who've been holding off from getting a smartphone will jump on this combo, and this thread may help them. Many thanks...

dcnblues said:
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect to these questions, I'm not an expert, but I'll provide a list of programs I use.
For WiFi signal strength, I'd recommend Wifi Analyzer from the Market. For 3G strength, I'd recommend Cellumap. For GPS Strength, GPS Status + Toolbox or GPS Test.
The manual for the phone can be found on either the VMUSA or Motorola web site. It will explain some of the icons. Although when using the phone, I often see stuff not explained in the manual.
For examining the phone's processes, I recommend SystemPanel from the Market (paid for version has history), and/or Android Status.
There are people that tell you NOT to kill anything on the Android OS manually. I use 1Tap Cleaner and Advanced Task Killer from the market if I see the phone behaving a bit sluggish. Android OS loads stuff in memory readying it for future use. How it does so (intelligently) I don't know. I see stuff being partially loaded I never use. I have never had a problem using either program.
YMMV

GrooveIP works great over 3g...I dunno how much we will be able to use it once they start capping data..bastards

dcnblues said:
-What’s the best VOIP app for working with Google Voice? I've come across GrooVe IP, but would like reassurance whether it's the best option. I'd like to make calls over wifi, but I'd also like to know whether Virgin Mobile's 3g coverage is fast enough for voip (generally...). I wouldn't want to do this routinely as I'd be afraid they'd throttle me. But I would like someone who knows to share their opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GrooVe IP is actually the only thing i've bothered to use because it worked well enough, I havn't put it to test over 3g... In the future, you can root the phone and update it to sprint PRL (Their towers instead of VMU) - People have reported up to like 6-900kbps doing this... I would suggest to not factor this last suggestion in yet as you won't be extremely comfortable with your first smart phone being messed with (But a possibility nonetheless)
dcnblues said:
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will back the suggestion of wifi analyzer, it will map out locations of wifi/cellular tower, it gave me beef on another phone that ran @ 600mhz but this one is 1000mhz.
dcnblues said:
-If I wanted the option, how (specifically) would I switch from making a voip/data plan outgoing call to the regular phone cell plan? Would Android be smart enough to do this automatically without a wifi signal? Or would I need to change a setting in Google Voice? Any thoughts most appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With grooveip and google voice it will ask you on all outbound calls after you press dial: Would you like to make this call with.... A) non-Google Voice B) Google Voice (same story w/ sending an sms except it will ask when you create the sms because google voice has it's own sms application, keep in mind w/ gvoice you can forward calls to your google chat account (and that's what makes grooveip ring instead of forwarding the call to your cellular number[i think])
dcnblues said:
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are tons of application managers and task killers, I recommend to ignore all of them.... Someone brought a Samsung Prevail(Boost mobile Galaxy) into work the other day(Radioshack) - Anytime they killed tasks their touchscreen went out till reboot.... Android is supposed to self manage tasks and processes... realistically you just have to make sure not to leave your bluetooth wifi and gps on all the time... Also taking the screen brightness down a fuzz from max will help batt life tremendously... Android will suspend a process and kill an activity when you return to homescreen.... What I mean by that is that if you're in the browser and you hit home then you go back to the browser, you're on the same page still... but likely not to have any of your text still there if you were in an input field.... (This is probably an inaccurate example due to programmers being able to add a save activity state [this is something that when you for example hit back or hold the home button down to switch applications will store your current information, so when you're editing the text field it will save that data, THEN kill the activity/suspend it so that when you return it is still there, but the process is not draining the battery down at the moment.])
One of androids key attributes is the quick application switching via holding down the home button but some applications like pandora will run 'ongoing' so that you can multitask, while others will suspend so that you can save battery.... Kind of as a rule of thumb, unless it is monitoring or actively outputting it will be suspended.... so apps like pandora and wifi tethering continue to function when you switch applications because tehy'er ongoing whereas a note editor application would suspend itself untill it's brought back to focus because how are you going to type without it forefront?
dcnblues said:
-I have a mac. I’m guessing most of the programs that let you manage files, root the phone, install Cyanogen mods, etc, are PC based. I found Android File Transfer, but am not clear on it's limits. Are there better options? What will the AFT program be good for? [Emulating PC’s is a pain I would rather avoid, but I have been thinking of running virtual box to donate some processing time to the Large Hadron Collider, so I might be able to run some of these PC programs].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off nice LHC Mac joke I take it we're running the server edition cause hey, more is never enough.
I honestly can't tell you much from the mac POV other than that it would hopefully work the same as the linux instructions but i kind of expect version/dependency differences... to be fair this triumph is rootable by application ran on the phone (Which you can GMail to yourself and download as attatchment, bluetooth, wifi shared folder, usb mounting, or download directly to the phone..) The custom recovery is installed via drag and drop on USB Removable Disc so it's not nearly as bad as some of the other phones would be,
dcnblues said:
-Any skins or options to turn the google apps into light text on dark background? (I'm aware of and have used the option in Gmail). I hate black text on white background. I'm kooky that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to, they exist, I would however suggest against them... I walk to work a lot and it's a pain in the ass to read those emails when you have the sun on the screen; granted everything is harder this was damn near impossible... Nonetheless check for the black apps listed in xda/android/themes and apps... I'll link soon. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1206774
dcnblues said:
This Android phone is good looking, the plan costs much less than a thousand a year (which I refuse to pay), and I LOVE the Google voice options to turn your text and calls into computer files which you can archive as you wish. The Google voice activation / text / search is far superior to iAnything, voip/wifi is the balls, and I think a lot people who've been holding off from getting a smartphone will jump on this combo, and this thread may help them. Many thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to point out that with the GVoice extension/app for google chrome
you can continue your SMS conversations that way... I recieved one of the CR48s and this has been AWESOME for me.

As far as voip services, I have found using 3g too slow. That said I do recommend sipdroid. It will setup a pbx account for you using your google voice number. Upon connecting to wifi, sipdroid will start running allowing you to make and receive calls.
Sent from my MOTWX435KT using XDA App

Thanks guys for the very useful help. I'm kind of burned out on all the research, and kind of bummed that this red-hot, billion dollar business seems to be run by such morons. SO many unnecessary complications to offering consumers simple, workable products and services.
This has been a great help.
bigvandal said:
GrooveIP works great over 3g...I dunno how much we will be able to use it once they start capping data..bastards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually kind of grateful to Virgin Mobile for the $35 dollar plan. I can communicate via voice to text, for a fair price, so until I have a real problem, I'm not going to call them bastards. Until I have a problem, of course...
I do hate the BS in advertising 'unlimited' plans, but having them smirking in their headquarters as they say to themselves 'but we didn't say at what rate...'
On the other hand, people downloading movies over cell frequencies aren't exactly providing solutions to the problem either...

rubbachicken said:
GrooVe IP is actually the only thing i've bothered to use because it worked well enough, I havn't put it to test over 3g... In the future, you can root the phone and update it to sprint PRL (Their towers instead of VMU) - People have reported up to like 6-900kbps doing this... I would suggest to not factor this last suggestion in yet as you won't be extremely comfortable with your first smart phone being messed with (But a possibility nonetheless)...Android is supposed to self manage tasks and processes... realistically you just have to make sure not to leave your bluetooth wifi and gps on all the time... Also taking the screen brightness down a fuzz from max will help batt life tremendously... Android will suspend a process and kill an activity when you return to homescreen....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, thanks very much. For this and all the information. Colossally useful.
Groove IP is actually having a problem today due to some change in the Google servers. Hope it's resolved soon as I'd like to get this running.
Quick confirm: Triumph is LCD and not AMOLED, Correct?

[HOWTO] Using Tiny Shark (Grooveshark) in countries like Germany

Here is a quick howto on using tinyshark (a player for Grooveshark) in countries where Grooveshark is blocked.
We all are REALLLYYY greatful to GEMA to limit our abilities to listen to the music we want to listen to, whenever we want to listen to it.
That said, some of us might not feel the same way, and would prefer to use grooveshark, so here is how u do it.
1. ROOT your phone. (If your phone isnt routed you wont have the option to reroute all traffic, and you'll have to find a way to configure ORBOT so it reroutes tinyshark. If u manage, Post reply pls)
2. Download Tinyshark from Market
3. Download ORBOT from Market
4. Grant Superuser permission. (This will Reroute all ur connections through proxies, essentially anonymising you)
5. Connect to TOR network. (Beware, while connected a flash blocker is active, so u wont have same browser experience, + it will take longer to load due to rerouting. And the market might not work.)
6. Start tinyshark, and use search function to create playlists. Once playlists are saved you can connect to them even without TOR running, but u wont have a search function.
7. You can even disconnect tor once u are connected to tinyshark. Dont know how long it will keep u connected though.
Hope this helps some of my fellow citizens. As always, use the bottom designed to handle appreciation if this was helpful.
PS: If you've came this far, you should definately check out the tor browser, and the silkroad. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(marketplace))

[Q] Will SHAREit & SuperBeam work without WiFi Direct?

I have been searching a lot about different file transferring apps. After googling a lot I kept stumbling into three apps; Xender, SuperBeam & SHAREit. I found that Xender can trasnfer file with just WiFi (without WiFi Direct) by using Virtual Router & Client concept. But I couldn't find anywhere if SuperBeam & SHAREit can do the same... All my SmartPhones have WiFi Direct & so do my friends' SmartPhones. So there is no way of checking if they work without WiFi Direct. So can anyone please confirm or verify, if SuperBeam & SHAREit apps will work wihtout WiFi Direct?
I have a small question, will Xender work with just Bluetooth (without WiFi & WiFi Direct)?

Hi Satya,
Xender uses Wi-Fi direct technology which means that it can transfers data up to 50 times Bluetooth speed, Most of the Smartphone today have Wi-Fi
There is no reason to use Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi direct so Xender never carry Bluetooth functions.
Thanks

Firstly your question does not belong to this forum
And answer is superbeam can also use hotspot to send files, for that you need to go into superbeam's setting and then go into sending and select preferred direct mode as hotspot (instead of auto)

AnMobi said:
Hi Satya,
Xender uses Wi-Fi direct technology which means that it can transfers data up to 50 times Bluetooth speed, Most of the Smartphone today have Wi-Fi
There is no reason to use Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi direct so Xender never carry Bluetooth functions.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked about Bluetooth compatibility because I wanted to cover all bases. And thanks for clarifying that. But don't you think it will be cool if Xender was able to send file even when wifi and wifi direct facilities are unavailable?

I've been messing around with file transfer apps myself. On the play store there's "WiFi...." by app dev dubloo (I think) its been a bit since. Anyway, that app allows files from device to a computer with an easy to use interface via web browser. I guess the app acts like a server. If you are interested... ICE COLD APPS have *Servers*/*Synchronize* "Ultimate" by way of the play store. Plus, there is a support or feedback thread for each here on XDA. If you were looking at using superbeam I would recommend picking up the pro key as well. The main app functions well on its own, like, the pro key adds just enough at the right price to say heck with it and pick it up for $3 or so. There are a couple different options to choose from before starting a file transfer, too. And I'm pretty sure+don't quote me+ that each option has a brief description of the way the files move from device to device. Also, there is a windows app to compliment. Last, certainly not least -SimPfile(also on play) I think using WiFi direct. Like, both devices need to be on the same WiFi network. Less options than superbeam, no pro key. And for what you pay for it, its free, BTW... It gets the job done if you are looking for a straight forward app without the bells and whistles. And just to name drop, FX file explorer has a small pay once add-on for media sharing also. Feeling adventurous? Tired of of the run of the mill apps? Give that a shot.... Its been in production and updated since either the end of GB or the beginning of ICS. Each of those apps has been good to me.✌?
just an edit - browsing xda app section http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=55878697