Database Info

Is there something like yellow pages for pda that doesn't require data network?

Having gps is great and all but not being able to get the address for the place i'm looking for isn't. Is there a yellow pages program or something similar, like directory assistant that doesn't require data connection? as in all the information is already stored on the phone.

Google SMS
auto3251 said:
Having gps is great and all but not being able to get the address for the place i'm looking for isn't. Is there a yellow pages program or something similar, like directory assistant that doesn't require data connection? as in all the information is already stored on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's Google Text. Text your request to 466453 (i.e. Google), and you will quickly get an SMS reply with answers or suggestions.
The only way to have the info stored on your own personal phone that I know of would be to have Garmin or TomTom or iGuidance or similar.

cushcalc said:
There's Google Text. Text your request to 466453 (i.e. Google), and you will quickly get an SMS reply with answers or suggestions.
The only way to have the info stored on your own personal phone that I know of would be to have Garmin or TomTom or iGuidance or similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't have unlimited text so google text is not good.
tomtom only stores location for like gas stations, restaurants, banks etc... i can't look up for instance the nearest macy's.

auto3251 said:
i don't have unlimited text so google text is not good.
tomtom only stores location for like gas stations, restaurants, banks etc... i can't look up for instance the nearest macy's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd think if you're going to Macy's you could afford 46645 text messages.

illuminarok said:
I'd think if you're going to Macy's you could afford 46645 text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was just using it as an example.
anyone know of any programs? electronic style yellow pages would be nice.

TANSTAAFL
auto3251 said:
was just using it as an example.
anyone know of any programs? electronic style yellow pages would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are electronic yellow pages! But it involves data, and that means somehow you are going to have to pay for it! Data network is the best way because you are accessing something that is constantly being updated. If you could even find a cheap database to put on your phone storage, it would instantly be out of date if you weren't tying in to a data network.

This is what I'm looking at getting for my XDA now.
I downloaded Google maps which works fine with the WiFi and I can find everything on there like I would on my PC however it wont work with the GPS and the only thing I can do with the GPS is find my current location, which loses its novelty after the one time you actually do it.
There are some talks on various forums of people who have downloaded Google maps onto their phone and saved the maps so they don't have to connect the any data session to gain access, however it seems to be a lot more complicated than it sounds so I'm looking for a more simple way before I decided to give up and use this method.
Look here: http://forum.mgmaps.com/viewtopic.php?t=670&sid=70fb39ede8c9bf8fc9bcdb06e5eb8b57

Ok, so simply put, you want an address book on your phone of all addresses in a certain area, both business and residential.
Even with a SD Card of 2gb+, I doubt you would still have the room to store the information.
You could possibly see if anyone makes custom POI (Points of Interest) for your GPS program. At the very least it might give you the address of some locations and you can find the place you are looking for by deduction.
You could try sync your phone in the morning of your travel, provided you know where you are going that day, cache the information, and clear it on your next update.
Alternatively, you could try any program that downloads a whole website for offline viewing, but like I said, your phone just won't hold that much information (as I am sure you are aware), but you may be able to do this if the area you are interested in is only small, like the size of a town etc.
If I come up with anything that is actual USEFUL, I'll let you know.

Back on my post its been posted here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=351001

Is there Live Tracking Software?

I'm looking for live tracking software. Something that shows the location of another phone on a moving map. I know that there are tons of apps to send coordinates via sms or show it on a web site. What I am looking for is software that shows the other phones location on a map just like a navigation program shows your location. I am assuming that it would use a data connection and that's fine I have unlimited on all three phones. It would be extra cool if it would show my location too. I remember seeing commercials where older (non-PPC phones) would do this.
PS. pay or freeware, it doesn't matter.

try glympse its free, you can find it on marketplace or http://www.glympse.com/ this seems like what your looking for. it works great, you can send a glympse to anyone and they can see you live as your move. It works best when you load the link using skyfire so you can see the actual website version . But if the other person has glympse installed they can see you move in real time that way too.

I haven't used it, but from what I've read, Google LATITUDE will do that.

SecretAgentMan said:
I haven't used it, but from what I've read, Google LATITUDE will do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
latitude only sends updated gps information every 2 minutes. glympes send out information in real time and also tells you how fast the person your tracking in mph

i use GPSToday from geoterrestrial.com, depending on your settings and the availability of a cell signal you can update at 1 minute intervals with a fairly high degree of accuracy. i enjoy having my wife track me from home as im out roaming about.

ottomatic28 said:
i enjoy having my wife track me from home as im out roaming about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

rescu2000 said:
I'm looking for live tracking software. Something that shows the location of another phone on a moving map. I know that there are tons of apps to send coordinates via sms or show it on a web site. What I am looking for is software that shows the other phones location on a map just like a navigation program shows your location. I am assuming that it would use a data connection and that's fine I have unlimited on all three phones. It would be extra cool if it would show my location too. I remember seeing commercials where older (non-PPC phones) would do this.
PS. pay or freeware, it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try GPSToday (free)
http://www.geoterrestrial.com/
or download straight to your device at http://m.geoterrestrial.com/
After installation you can create a private group from one phone, and invite the other 2 phones to join it. Then all 3 phones can see each others location on the map and also share points of interest/pictures etc, privately.
The group map can also be viewed on the desktop after logging in at the website.

Another GPStoday user here. It also Geotags your photos and you can write log files.

SecretAgentMan said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Maps Latitude tracks everybody I have on my friend's list and I use CoPilot Navigator 8 and it has the capability of sending via text right down to the coordinates your location; good enough for me!

Android Version of the BBM

Okay so here's the deal. I'm a BlackBerry to Android convert and I miss my BBM. So my new project is a BBM for the Android. I won't promise that I'll actually get it to work but I have every intention of it. So here's what I want to know: What do you all want in it?
What do you think would be a good name? The more professional the better obviously. I want the messenger to be taken seriously. (I'm pretty much clueless here, I suck with names. Read my screen name, you'll understand.)
What functions do you want to have? (EX. Location parameter where the messenger tells you when you're close to a friend.)
Let me know what you want out of it. For the moment I'm creating an outline of the functions that I plan for it to have which are as follows:
Messaging
- Sent over Internet connection not via text message
- Threading (Bubbles, divisions)
- See sent/delivered/read status
- Group Chat (Without Invite)
- Group Chat (With Invite)
Contacts
- Ability to add standard contacts
- Unique Pin to each divice
- - Barcode Scanner to add contacts
Status Updates
- Ability (Choice) to sync with twitter/facebook
- Show current music selection
- Show Busy/Available Orb
- Sync Busy/Available Status with Google calendar
Location Settings
- Update/Share Location with other contacts
- Ping/Alert of Contacts near you
- Show all contacts on map
Maybe Added
- Video Chat
(I don't really have a way to test this since I only have a Droid Eris but I'll see what I can do after I get a nice stable app.)
What other suggestions do you have?
And yes I'm aware of the messengers like pingchat and Hello so stop telling me to use those please.
Current Suggested Names:
A2M - Android - Android Messenger (A^2 M. When it was explained to me it was like A squared (A^2 = AA))
ADM - Android Messenger
ARC - Android Relay Chat
DMA - Droid Messenger App
DAM - Droid Alert Messenger (probably won't be used because of abbreviation)
DRC - Droid Relay Chat
ADM is the obvious choice but I was hoping for something more unique/catchy...whatever. Please keep suggesting names. I'm working on the app every free moment I have.
In most likely hood the first beta will be on my Droid and those of my friends so I can see it first hand (how it behaves, speed, battery drain etc.) and not release a defective pile of code. Pretty much everybody will see this on the market rather than me posting it here but I may do both. I don't know. We'll see when that time comes. For the mean time I'll make a beta list anyway.
Beta Test List:
Pretty much anyone that asks
As for those who have said that they hope I go through with this: I will. It's going to take a while. I work full time and I'm a full time college student. This may not happen soon but it will happen.

Oh this would be awesome! I would use it.

Not trying to be a downer, but don't we already have this... gtalk?

phantomzer0 said:
Not trying to be a downer, but don't we already have this... gtalk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I suppose, but personally, I'm just not a fan of Gtalk.
I may sound conceited saying this but, I liked then fact that BBM was pretty much exclusive to the BlackBerry. I miss that exclusivity. Everyone can use Gtalk.
Plus Gtalk doesn't have all of the features that I intend to add.
But you're not the first person to say that I and do see the point

I'd definitely give it a try too. I was a die-hard blackberry addict as well and BBM was a great tool to have. One major benefit was how fast it was (unless BB servers were down) In your app I'd hope to see high speed from phone to phone. Good luck!

i dig it.
im all for it.

maxxve said:
I'd definitely give it a try too. I was a die-hard blackberry addict as well and BBM was a great tool to have. One major benefit was how fast it was (unless BB servers were down) In your app I'd hope to see high speed from phone to phone. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason BBM was so fast was that it totally bypasses the public Internet and goes straight through RIM's servers.
Honestly, Talk/Latitude. Without a private network such as BIS, there is zero practical advantage to such a system. Building an exclusive club just to feel special is childish and a waste of talent.

ConstantineXVI said:
The reason BBM was so fast was that it totally bypasses the public Internet and goes straight through RIM's servers.
Honestly, Talk/Latitude. Without a private network such as BIS, there is zero practical advantage to such a system. Building an exclusive club just to feel special is childish and a waste of talent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything is a matter of perception I suppose. You see it as a waste of talent, I see it as putting a talent to use. If you read the comments, there are several in favor of the idea. Maybe they along with myself simply just don't know better, but it doesn't hurt to try does it?
If I can use what I have to make a useful tool then I will. I'm not promising anything from this. It may work and it may not. I simply want a messenger that has as much functionality as the BBM. It's not totally about exclusivity. I freely admit that if it were solely for that reason, it would be a childish motive, but it's about having something that can increase productivity as well.

uhhh you might want to check out hellomessenger. It's already available for blackberry and iPhone (even supports BIS on the blackberry), and a public beta for Android should be out soon...
anyways just my two cents. I wanted to write the same thing till I found out about hellomessenger. No point reinventing the wheel
*EDIT* errr my bad.. you already know about hellomessenger.

I would use this!!!! I love this idea!

Write an app that supports Yahoo, AIM, MSN, and Jabber (GTalk, Facebook, etc) and STAYS CONNECTED and doesn't use a boatload of data/battery. I don't care about much else as long as the client itself is designed decently.
I'd just use a Jabber client with connectors but Jabber still isn't very mobile friendly in terms of data usage, therefore battery usage.
And to stay connected and not use a lot of data almost requires a central server which proxies the connections.. Even if you lose connectivity on the phone for a moment (or minutes) your stay online and get connections.. And the central server handles all of the ping/pong, presence, all that nonsense that moves significant data.
I still miss Verichat on PalmOS. It was almost perfect.

kwazi said:
uhhh you might want to check out hellomessenger. It's already available for blackberry and iPhone (even supports BIS on the blackberry), and a public beta for Android should be out soon...
anyways just my two cents. I wanted to write the same thing till I found out about hellomessenger. No point reinventing the wheel
*EDIT* errr my bad.. you already know about hellomessenger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha Yup
I already know but it's still a valid point

khaytsus said:
Write an app that supports Yahoo, AIM, MSN, and Jabber (GTalk, Facebook, etc) and STAYS CONNECTED and doesn't use a boatload of data/battery. I don't care about much else as long as the client itself is designed decently.
I'd just use a Jabber client with connectors but Jabber still isn't very mobile friendly in terms of data usage, therefore battery usage.
And to stay connected and not use a lot of data almost requires a central server which proxies the connections.. Even if you lose connectivity on the phone for a moment (or minutes) your stay online and get connections.. And the central server handles all of the ping/pong, presence, all that nonsense that moves significant data.
I still miss Verichat on PalmOS. It was almost perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to say you want a multi-chat client which stays connected all the time but doesn't use a lot of data/battery?
Having the data network connection or wifi connection will drain battery... So having it connected all the time will drain "boatload" of battery...
Thats why apps have a sync option... where they sync every x minutes or hours... the more time between syncs the less data and battery life used.
Simple.

The latest beta of the WhatsApp uses Android Push (C2DM) ... It does not poll
So yes, it does not drain battery "unless" a message is pushed
sintaku said:
Are you trying to say you want a multi-chat client which stays connected all the time but doesn't use a lot of data/battery?
Having the data network connection or wifi connection will drain battery... So having it connected all the time will drain "boatload" of battery...
Thats why apps have a sync option... where they sync every x minutes or hours... the more time between syncs the less data and battery life used.
Simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ok not to be the one who really is a downer here but if you are a talented app dev I would spend your time elsewhere, for all those on this thread, I read about an app that does this the other day. Delivery/Read icons, group chats, send files, images etc. Called PingChat. Reviewer says main issue is getting people on it. This is cross platform as well. I can't post a link yet so look up pingchat

sintaku said:
Are you trying to say you want a multi-chat client which stays connected all the time but doesn't use a lot of data/battery?
Having the data network connection or wifi connection will drain battery... So having it connected all the time will drain "boatload" of battery...
Thats why apps have a sync option... where they sync every x minutes or hours... the more time between syncs the less data and battery life used.
Simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nonsense. An idle data network connection = No drain. Wifi I don't use. I already have K9 Mail, Weather, etc syncing...
What I was asking for, which I thought was abundantly clear, was one which filters most traffic and only talks to the client or the client talks to the server as necessary and the server side otherwise handles the bulk of the normal traffic.
And there are IM apps with a "sync" option? Really? Name one.

as long as is compatible with bbm pin #

raul1905 said:
as long as is compatible with bbm pin #
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RIM won't like that
They wan't BBM to stay exclusive on BB's ofcourse. I know it's bull****, but that's the way they sell so they won't ever give up the rights to BBM. If you wan't to connect with BB users, you have to make this app cross-platform like pingchat or whatsapp.

so if there is already pingchat and whatsapp.. then why make another one?

raul1905 said:
as long as is compatible with bbm pin #
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't happen. BBM is closed protocol and goes over RIM's servers....nothing else can connect to it. Otherwise someone would have made an app with this functionality already.

[APP] Tasker: how to set default application?

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right forum here!
Several people have said that the following is possible, but nobody knows how to actually do it!
I want to make tasker switch my default browser whenever I have mobile data enabled. The task would be pretty similar to the "switch input method" function, but I can't figure out how to do this.
Is it possible?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Bump
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

May I bump this?
I'm searching everywhere for a hint of whether my task is possible:
I have a plan that consists of 200 minutes, and unlimited calling to my 'Fav 10'.. I also have a data cap of 1Gig. I would like for Tasker to keep track of my minutes used (rounding up as my carrier does not bill by the second), and once it reaches a defined count (200), it'd switch my default phone dialer over to Skype for ONLY the phone numbers that are not part of my Favourite Ten (or Dell Voice, however Google Voice is not available in Canada at the moment).
Skype rates are 3cents/minute, compared to 45cents for every extra minute on my plan; it is possible to $3+tac for call forwarding, but it doesn't seem to let me exclude callers from the feature. Also, I'm trying to live within certain budgets, as I am a student.
As well, I would like to be presented with an option box, to use either my native phone dialer or Skype, if I am approaching my 1gb cap (even a MB over will cost me a large chunk of money).
So... I'm searching and continuously searching... but I ask for anyone's help who may have.
Thanks a lot everyone..
Ryan

I think it's doable, at least some of it, but you would need someone who knows a lot about the logic syntaxes in Tasker and their limitations, which I unfortunately don't.
Sent from horseback.

Thanks for the insight.
After only having Tasker for a few days, just by what I wrote above I can definitely see it as maybe possible.
But, as like you, I don't know enough of this to even begin, I'm afraid.
I'll keep an eye on this thread and bump it every so often until I give up, or until I'm told to stop

adytum said:
Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right forum here!
Several people have said that the following is possible, but nobody knows how to actually do it!
...
Is it possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not an exact "set default application", but you can try this. Make the task with shortcut (and call it myBrowser). This task will run a different apps depending on the conditions (WiFi, Mobile Data, etc.).

memberfive said:
This is not an exact "set default application", but you can try this. Make the task with shortcut (and call it myBrowser). This task will run a different apps depending on the conditions (WiFi, Mobile Data, etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but it's over a year since I posted that, and actually started to do the exact thing you mentioned shortly thereafter myself
Sent from horseback.

Open a web page in a non-default browser / changing the default application
adytum said:
Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right forum here!
Several people have said that the following is possible, but nobody knows how to actually do it!
I want to make tasker switch my default browser whenever I have mobile data enabled. The task would be pretty similar to the "switch input method" function, but I can't figure out how to do this.
Is it possible?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prerequisites:
1. Root access
2. Tasker installed
It depends on the Action/Mime Type that you want to change but for opening an url in a non-default browser this works - I tested it.
Create new task: Misc>Send Intent
Action: android.intent.action.VIEW
Cat: None
Mime blank
Data: "your url"
Extra blank
Package: com.android.browser or com.webbrowserminiapp or "the package of whatever browser you want to use"
Class blank
Target: Activity
The rest is peace of cake.

Anyone playing with On{x}

Has anyone tried Microsofts answer to tasker?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

JamesR913 said:
Has anyone tried Microsofts answer to tasker?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not understand?
You talking about an app?
From Microsoft? You think they be busy with the WM thing? (which I care less about)

Yes it is an app that is similar to tasker. You program it on the website and then install the app and it automates certain things. As of right now it is only available on Android
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

I'll check it out because apparently I'm too stupid to use Tasker.
I tried to figure it out but I got lost.

Apparently, users hate it so far. The app requires your Facebook login, which is ridiculous. Its also being speculated that the app is farming data about your behavior through this app, and passing it to Faacebook.
http://betanews.com/2012/06/06/microsoft-gives-back-to-android-but-users-say-no-thanks/
Link to the app on the Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.onx.app

Hmmmm
redpoint73 said:
Apparently, users hate it so far. The app requires your Facebook login, which is ridiculous. Its also being speculated that the app is farming data about your behavior through this app, and passing it to Faacebook.
http://betanews.com/2012/06/06/microsoft-gives-back-to-android-but-users-say-no-thanks/
Link to the app on the Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.onx.app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see a lot of the bad reviews seem to be about the facebook login, didnt see much about the actual product. Did not see much about the farming data and such.
I actually think this is a good idea. Facebook is a solid method of identification, and can be used cross platform. It may be true microsoft is giving an android exclusive (temporarily) as a beta test. When/if they roll it out to microsoft/apple phones they would not have to change their authentication model. It would be ridiculous to request "Live" for windows phones, "Apple ID" for iphones, and google ID for android users. This simplifies the process and allows me to change phones easier. I am not a fb advocate, in fact I personally dont like logging in to sites and such using my fb page, but as I said I do understand it. Clearly the fb authentification is respected, if the New York legislature thinks it should be required to comment on any webpage
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/05/anonymous-online-speech-ban/
(Not getting into a political debate lol but the facebook model "works").
EDIT: I do not use tasker and am not an experienced android user, but I may try this out and attempt to give feedback.

gunnyman said:
I'll check it out because apparently I'm too stupid to use Tasker.
I tried to figure it out but I got lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasker is actually pretty simple to use, once you understand what its asking for.
Forexample lets make a program that silences your Ringer, Turns off WiFi and Bluetooth every Mon-Fri 8:30am - 3:30pm (Work day).
First, it asks you for the Profile Name, This is just something to identify the task. Lets call this Work.
Next it asks you for the "First Context" This can be considered your first "Variable" for us we want it to be Monday thru Friday. So we click "day"
then Change the "Month" to "Week Day", and Select Mon-Friday.
Click the Green Check mark.
Now it asks for a Task. This is what you want to do, so click New Task: And Name it, lets name it "Vibrate,Wifi,BT"
Now we can click the Plus in the bottom right and it brings up a menu of all the possible things we can mess with. For this instance, lets click Audio, then Silent mode. Now we want Silent mode to turn on, so change the "mode" to On click the Check mark
Now Click the plus, to add wifi and Bt off. Then click the Check mark.
Now to add the time, click and hold on your context, then click add. Now you can add "time" and set your times.
All Done.
That was an example of a simple program. Tasker can do a lot more, so explore and test

gunnyman said:
I'll check it out because apparently I'm too stupid to use Tasker.
I tried to figure it out but I got lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Tasker is WAY to involved to try and set up the simplest of tasks. I played with it for about an hour and uninstalled it.

Tasker is the best app I've ever owned. It's simple to set up if you just stop and look at what each thing is.

I started playing around with this today, had a few interesting ideas but there are still quite a few issues and limited api usage available.
This could be a pretty powerful tool if they open up the api's, easier for most than tasker, and can be as complex as you can code.
also i prefer to do all my programming on the pc and transfer to the device which on{x} provides.

Never used tasker so can't compare. But, onx seem fine so far if you like to get your hands dirty in JavaScript. You can still use published recepies if you are no into coding. It is still very buggy and consumes a lot of battery juice.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

Good thing with Tasker is that it doesn't require any programming knowledge. This obviously requires knowledge of javascript to get the full potential.