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[Q] AutoSync App question

Hey guys,
I just got an idea for an app and I would like to know whether you would want to download it/use it if I made it...
The idea is that when you step into your house, the gps finds that you are in and it automatically starts to turn on specific profiles for your house (such as dimming the backlight and turning on the wifi/bluetooth). This is useful also bacause when you step into your house, it can also trigger another part of the app which allows you to sync up folders/music with your computer if it is on and wirelessly sync up all that you just did in work (such as meeting new contacts). Also, the same applies for at work. You can simply step into your office and it will magically go into performance mode or whatnot and it will start syncing your business part of your phone (special folders).
So...if you would want to use this app, please use the poll above and vote whether you would not use it, or use it free, or even be willing to pay for it.
Thanks for your time....

so im assuming that its a no?

Well it wouldn't be impossible, it would be pretty hard.
The auto sync files when you step into your office seems hard because an office will be pretty much different for everyone so the app somehow needs to collect data on the office, such as size and shapes of the room.

well, I was thinking that you would calibrate it for the location of the office/home.

correct me if I'm worng, but can't tasker do this?

What can you do with NFC tags?

I just discovered that such things even exist, and I'm intrigued by the idea. You just tap the tag with the phone and it can do stuff? What sort of stuff? How much stuff per tag? Do I need specific types of tags for the S4? I'm sort of geeked up by the idea of making my phone do stuff like it's magic.

I myself am just getting started with nfc tags. The 1 thing I've read about most is to automate a few tasks, for example when you get in your car and tap the nfc tag you can have the phone turn off wifi, turn on mobile data, turn on bluetooth etc.
I currently have 1 tag that I leave on the dash of my car and it is set to turn off wifi and turn on gps and bluetooth. I also have programmed the phone to say "welcome to the bat mobile"! (just to test it out). Also, on tapping on the same tag again when I'm home it does the opposite but says "welcome home".
The Galaxy S4 will work with NTAG203 nfc tags and not the older mifare 1k tags, as far as I know.
To get started you'll need:
1) NFC Capable phone
2) NFC tags. (I got some NTAG203 from eBay. 5 tags for $5 incl. shipping).
3) An app such as NFC Task launcher. I find this app to be the best and for some reason I am able to write more data to tags than for example the Samsung Tectile app.
Once you have the app installed and the tags. It's actually quite easy to get going.
There could be commercial uses for these tags if you own a business. You can program your company's website/address/phone and place them for marketing. People who have nfc capable phones can then tap on this tag to get the information.
Hope this helps!

Very interesting. It sounds like one could, for example, place a tag on a phone holder and have it launch Google Navigator. What would be even better is being able to execute a command after the app launches. That way, it would automatically ask you to speak the destination.

Sounds pretty cool.

ifcnece popularity
I have never used NFC tags either, coming from Apple devices. You mention that you have a tag in your car holder. Does this mean that the navigation app etc starts when you place the phone in the holder, and then quit those apps when you remove the phone from the holder? Or do you have to remove the phone and and then touch the NFC tag once again to deactivate the navigation app and such?

dj_aj said:
The Galaxy S4 will work with NTAG203 nfc tags and not the older mifare 1k tags, as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read, you're right. I also found this thread discussing the differences and actually mentioning another type that works with the S4.

torroa said:
I have never used NFC tags either, coming from Apple devices. You mention that you have a tag in your car holder. Does this mean that the navigation app etc starts when you place the phone in the holder, and then quit those apps when you remove the phone from the holder? Or do you have to remove the phone and and then touch the NFC tag once again to deactivate the navigation app and such?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the navigation app starts when you place the phone in the holder, however if you are talking about using the same NFC tag, the app will not quit when the phone is removed.
One NFC tag can only perform preset function(s) all at once, in sequential order. So if the NFC Tag is set to program the Navigation App to start, then programming the next action to close the same app will not do you any good.
To find out the types of functions a NFC Tag can be programmed with, download "NFC Task Launcher" from Google Play and click on "My Tasks".

But you can use apps to set the tag to be a toggle, right? So tap it once, it turns on navigation. Tap it again to turn it off? Or is that just for "togglable" settings like wifi on/off or bluetooth on/off?

flu13 said:
But you can use apps to set the tag to be a toggle, right? So tap it once, it turns on navigation. Tap it again to turn it off? Or is that just for "togglable" settings like wifi on/off or bluetooth on/off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Applications can be set to launch on one tap and close on the other. These would need to be set as two different actions when you program the nfc tag.
Wifi/Bluetooth/GPS/Mobile Data etc can be set to toggle so you don't need to create separate entries and that will spare the very little data you can write to those nfc tags.

Get Tasker. It's worth it.
You can simply program NFC tags to run a specific Task in tasker.
An example of this usage would be as such....
Get Tasker
Set NFC tag to Run "Task XXX"
Place NFC tag/sticker in Car Dock
Dock Phone to Car
NFC toggles the start of "Task XXX"
In this case... "Task XXX" may do this
Set to loud speaker mode
When receiving calls, auto speakerphone (Couple this with the Wave to answer call gesture)
When receiving texts, read out messages
Auto launch Google Maps and plot a route home

instead of me trying to explain it, i think its better you watch a few video demos on my various play lists. http://www.youtube.com/user/veryannoyingname/videos?sort=dd&tag_id=&view=1 At present there are 53 public play lists sorted by device or feature and a few more private ones which i will make public at a later date probably.
see the NFC play list and Tasker play list and home automation play lists and a few more are there in my couple of how to play lists as well. I frequently update my play lists so check them out at a later date too. Subscribers will be alerted automatically when i upload videos or update play lists.

As I understand the nfc tag is used to store data that a.nfc.phone can read.
The stored data is to issue a command such as call contact, turn wifi on ect..
--*** Be Warned ***--
!!! Always turn nfc off when you go out as I'm sure people have realised this and you might walk past a person with a nfc tag in his pocket, then your phone may start doing unwanted acts such as uploading your account data. !!!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

JustSueMe said:
As I understand the nfc tag is used to store data that a.nfc.phone can read.
The stored data is to issue a command such as call contact, turn wifi on ect..
--*** Be Warned ***--
!!! Always turn nfc off when you go out as I'm sure people have realised this and you might walk past a person with a nfc tag in his pocket, then your phone may start doing unwanted acts such as uploading your account data. !!!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC tags with over very short distances, see my video uploads on YouTube linked below.
unless the NFC tags were in the other chaps back pocket and your phone was in your trouser front pocket and you were close enough to be rubbing yourself on the other person's backside even then you would be lucky to be triggering off any such thing.
you actually demo such a hack working on another person's phone. I know there are a couple of such videos on YouTube. But seriously can anyone show a demo of such a hack working. If it did then all your credit cards that come with NFC on them now would be pillaged left right and centre by crooks and NFC tags would not come pre installed on credit and debit cards now by many major banks. Don't you think that would have tested out for such hacks on the nfc enabled credit and debit cards and NFC enabled Google phones with Google wallet features.

bubblesmoney said:
NFC tags with over very short distances, see my video uploads on YouTube linked below.
unless the NFC tags were in the other chaps back pocket and your phone was in your trouser front pocket and you were close enough to be rubbing yourself on the other person's backside even then you would be lucky to be triggering off any such thing.
you actually demo such a hack working on another person's phone. I know there are a couple of such videos on YouTube. But seriously can anyone show a demo of such a hack working. If it did then all your credit cards that come with NFC on them now would be pillaged left right and centre by crooks and NFC tags would not come pre installed on credit and debit cards now by many major banks. Don't you think that would have tested out for such hacks on the nfc enabled credit and debit cards and NFC enabled Google phones with Google wallet features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think debit cards with nfc would be effected by what i said as you would need a device not a tag.
Im sure that someone will solve range problem, there are many malicious people out there and even if not, there are many ways to get to your phone with out you realising. day to day activitys distract you, people are not as aware as they assume.
Offtopic but slightly relavent. I've had enough time to use a script I made on phone that involves plugging in a cable.so swiping a.tag over phone while your in a cafe isn't going to be hard.
So just be warned
Things aren't always as safe as you think.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

i have a tag in my car dash mount that toggles wifi and turns on my music app and then at work i have a tag on my pc to toggle wifi again and turn on silent mode. Pretty handy if you ask me rather than unlocking your phone and shuffling through it

lambstone said:
Get Tasker. It's worth it.
You can simply program NFC tags to run a specific Task in tasker.
An example of this usage would be as such....
Get Tasker
Set NFC tag to Run "Task XXX"
Place NFC tag/sticker in Car Dock
Dock Phone to Car
NFC toggles the start of "Task XXX"
In this case... "Task XXX" may do this
Set to loud speaker mode
When receiving calls, auto speakerphone (Couple this with the Wave to answer call gesture)
When receiving texts, read out messages
Auto launch Google Maps and plot a route home
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just ordered some NFC tags based on some of your ideas. It will be fun to screw around with at the least, and they're really cheap!

rtmeikle said:
Just ordered some NFC tags based on some of your ideas. It will be fun to screw around with at the least, and they're really cheap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the nfc play list on my channel where you will see many use case scenarios. Also check out the channel think it's called crowd gadgets on youtube who has many uploads for nfc and tasker combined use videos.

Remember, the S4 only works with a newer type of NFC tags. The old tags that advertised online to work with Galaxy S2, S3, Note 2, etc... WILL NOT work with the S4. I know because i have a bunch of them laying around the house being useless right now.
as far as I know, the new type of NFC tags that work with the S4 hasn't got release yet by Samsung. I dont know if other manufacturer made it tho.

xxlikquidxx said:
Remember, the S4 only works with a newer type of NFC tags. The old tags that advertised online to work with Galaxy S2, S3, Note 2, etc... WILL NOT work with the S4. I know because i have a bunch of them laying around the house being useless right now.
as far as I know, the new type of NFC tags that work with the S4 hasn't got release yet by Samsung. I dont know if other manufacturer made it tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
these are the cheapest i found that are non samsung tags and they have the NTAG203 that works with the S4 i use the tags ordered from here daily with no issues.
http://tagsfordroid.com/

jax5ter said:
these are the cheapest i found that are non samsung tags and they have the NTAG203 that works with the S4 i use the tags ordered from here daily with no issues.
http://tagsfordroid.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So these tags from Amazon should work with the S4 right since its has NTAG203 chip?
http://www.amazon.com/TagsForDroid-...=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1370458262&sr=1-4

Tasker to enable WiFi hotspot.

Hey, All.
Just trying to set up my Nexus 7 in my car and would like to have my phone enable the WiFi hotspot when it connects to the car's bluetooth. I can't seem to find a tasker plugin that is applicable, nor do I know how to write one from scratch.
Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?
Also, while I am at it, I am looking to have the Nexus enable car mode when it connects to my phone's WiFi. Assuming another tasker item, but again, not sure how to accomplish.
Thanks ahead of time for everyone's input.

JiantJon said:
Hey, All.
Just trying to set up my Nexus 7 in my car and would like to have my phone enable the WiFi hotspot when it connects to the car's bluetooth. I can't seem to find a tasker plugin that is applicable, nor do I know how to write one from scratch.
Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?
Also, while I am at it, I am looking to have the Nexus enable car mode when it connects to my phone's WiFi. Assuming another tasker item, but again, not sure how to accomplish.
Thanks ahead of time for everyone's input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One heard about this IFTTT that enables android services in special conditions, are you looking for something like this?
Ciuffy's SM-G900F CM 12.1 spirit hath marked this way.

Ciuffy said:
One heard about this IFTTT that enables android services in special conditions, are you looking for something like this?
Ciuffy's SM-G900F CM 12.1 spirit hath marked this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give that a shot. I remember trying that for something else in the past, it may be what I am looking for. (had forgotten about it). There is an app called AutoTether, but apparently it stopped working with 5.0.

JiantJon said:
I'll give that a shot. I remember trying that for something else in the past, it may be what I am looking for. (had forgotten about it). There is an app called AutoTether, but apparently it stopped working with 5.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck with IFTTT; it will only allow specific actions based on connecting, I can't make the phone change a setting, only do something like change my thermostat, or post to pintrest, etc.
Looks like I am still looking for Tasker help.

I have this in my car, have had it for a while now. Here's what I've done, choose which one that works for you:
In Tasker without any other app required, set your Car Mode profile to trigger a new task and you can group whatever else you want into it, but you're looking for Net ==> WiFi Tether ==> On
In Tasker with Secure Settings, do the same thing above but instead of Net, choose Plugins ==> Secure Settings ==> Configuration Edit Pencil ==> Actions ==>Wifi Hotspot ==> On
With each of those, set an exit task to do the opposites. Interestingly enough, all my Samsung devices worked just fine with either of those commands, but my Moto X Pure Edition did not like Secure Settings trying to get the hotspot activated and sent toast error messages. You can find one of those that will work, even if it doesn't work the first time - for example, neither worked with my MXPE at first, but with a reboot or some other magic going on, I got the first one with Tasker only to work and not give any error messages.
Now for the real fun, I've got it where my N7 turns on the screen, unlocks, and then goes into Car Home Ultra without touching it at all, just based on the connection to my phone's wifi hotspot! My phone knows to start the wifi hotspot when connected to my car's Bluetooth, and also starts playing Google Play Music without any interaction on my part as well. That's a little more advanced though, so start with this and let me know if you'd like me to keep helping with that, just let me know. Some people won't need the N7 to turn on the screen and unlock when connected to the hotspot, they would just have it run screen on while charging, but my N7 is semi-permanently mounted in my car, has been through my last 3 cars, and I keep it plugged in all the time to a hot cable, always charging the device, not just when the car is in the on position....
Good luck, hope I've helped!

[Q] Using watch with SmartLock

I have a Note 4 with Smart Lock. I wanted to set it up so that my watch can keep my phone from locking. I added the device to SmartLock successfully. Even if my watch is sitting right next to the phone, it is not unlocking it. I use a PIN. Is there anything else that I need to do, or is this just not going to work.
Thanks

I was looking for an answer to that too. I tried and it did not work at all.

I use tasker for lots of things, but I could never get it working with this. I have a task set up to unlock the phone if the bluetooth is connected to the Gear S2. Even when my connection is just fine, tasker doesn't see the connection and never unlocks the phone.

I use Gear s2 from Tmobile with my Note 4 with no problems. When locked I use patern not pin if that makes any difference. Running lollipop 5.1.1 , no root, latest gear manager from play store.

It is added to my trusted devices

This might be a misunderstanding on my part about how this is supposed to work. I have a PIN set up, and when I have my watch connected, it doesn't require the PIN. It just puts up the screen that I have to swipe. I expected that it wouldn't put up the swipe screen at all. I don't want it to, but can't find a way around it. I tried setting up tasker to disable the lock, but it didn't work. Apparently tasker doesn't know when the watch is connected. It does work for my bt headset.

I don't think it can be done. It looks like smart lock removes requirement for any kind password but doesn't remove screen lock altogether.

usmaak said:
This might be a misunderstanding on my part about how this is supposed to work. I have a PIN set up, and when I have my watch connected, it doesn't require the PIN. It just puts up the screen that I have to swipe. I expected that it wouldn't put up the swipe screen at all. I don't want it to, but can't find a way around it. I tried setting up tasker to disable the lock, but it didn't work. Apparently tasker doesn't know when the watch is connected. It does work for my bt headset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have one of those flip cases, it does unlock automatically. Other than that, I don't know a way around it.

bendez1985 said:
If you have one of those flip cases, it does unlock automatically. Other than that, I don't know a way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here. Guessing a 2 part app (specific to s2 and android) might be able to solve the problem. The s2 app would communicate with the android app (not sure if background communication is possible for s2 apps though). Upon a cut in connection, the android app would trigger the lockscreen.
Thoughts?

darekz said:
I don't think it can be done. It looks like smart lock removes requirement for any kind password but doesn't remove screen lock altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never understood the need for that. When I don't have security on my phone, I have always just shut it off. An extra swipe accomplishes nothing.
Before the gear, I was using tasker to unlock my phone when connected to my wifi and when my bluetooth headset was on. I'd carry it with me, turned on, and my phone would not lock at all. It was flawless. Never saw the lock screen and never had to enter my PIN.
I might just go back to that, as the extra screen is really annoying and serves no purpose. I just have to remember to always have my BT headset turned on and on me. I always have my watch, but always seem to forget the headset.
I wish I knew why tasker doesn't recognize the the connection to the watch. My settings clearly show that the phone is connected to the watch, so it should recognize the connection, but doesn't. I don't know how much support tasker is getting any longer. I saw something about the developer having to take a break because of medical issues. There are now many other automation apps out there. Maybe I'll give some of them a try and see if one of them will accomplish what I am able to accomplish with tasker and my wifi/bluetooth headset.
When I add the watch to SmartLock, I get the following message:
Smart Lock can't detect the security features of this device. To help protect your phone, Gear S2 (393A) will only be able to keep your phone unlocked once it's already unlocked by you. Your Gear S2 (393A) can keep your phone unlocked when it's nearby, even if someone else is holding it.
Not sure what that means or what it does to the unlocking feature.

I don't know much about tasker but one time I played with tasker plugin called trigger. Maybe that can be help for you. It is possible that tasker looking for certain Bluetooth profiles being active and since gear s2 has no speaker there is not headset or headphone profile. On my gear s2 3g Bluetooth shows call audio profile.

Question OP9 - Issues with Smart Lock?

Is anyone else using the Smart Lock feature and does it work for you?
If I enable On-body detection, that seems to work correctly. Trusted devices I haven't tried as I don't have any free BT devices to link to that aren't already paired with something else.
Trusted places however doesn't seem to work at all. It found my Home location that I have configured in Google Maps and I've enabled it, but no matter where I am around my home (inside or out), I'm still forced to unlock the device after swiping up. The radius is huge around the trusted location, so I can't imagine that it's an issue with GPS drift.

Op9 here and works perfectly on trusted devices . Quick as I hop in my car and it connects. I'll try trusted places and report back later tonight

Having the exact same issue, device and on body work. location does not.

Personally never thought location was a good idea. Other people you don't want in your phone can be in the same location. Just my 2 cents

nujackk said:
Personally never thought location was a good idea. Other people you don't want in your phone can be in the same location. Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true. However my phone receives incoming messages frequently throughout the day and the device is always on my desk in my home. It doesn't seem like much, but it's a bit of a pain to have to enter a code or even lean over for face detection to work.
Edit: Plus, face detection won't work if you're wearing a mask.

I was able to get it working.
Had to go into settings and give Google, Home and Maps apps Location access all the time.
Then clear storage on Google Play Services
And lastly if using a home saved location in google maps delete it and re add it.