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It's hard to describe what Tasker can do, as there's not much it can't do. I try to describe it like a high-level interface to the Android API. You can adjust hoards of Android settings programmatically based on Events (application, time, date, location, event, gesture).
Personally, I do some of the following:
Passively upload my GPS location to my website every 10m
Have the phone get fairly loud when I'm a home
Quiet when I'm at work
Nearly Muted when I'm in a meeting (matches a Calendar event)
Muted with Autosyncing disabled at Night while I sleep
Disable Rotation on my etext reader to work around a bug in the ereader which loses my position in my book when it rotates!
Make the screen brightness and sounds high when I'm running Waze (gps program) on AC power (plugged into car charger)
... more little things!
All of this is done using an easy to use GUI to build matching contexts and a task to execute when matched. There are lots of samples to start with on the website, and very easy to write your own. Basically it's a graphical programming language that anyone could use.
It's on the market as of today, and the website is here: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
I have zero connection to the author besides an extremely happy user, decided I would post this here because he's exited beta testing and on the market now.
Here's even a few more examples of things that can be done, pasted from the website.. Still only the tip of the iceberg on things it can do:
passcode-lock sensitive applications (e.g. for child safety)
change phone settings by
application: long screen timeout in a book reader
time: screen brightness lower in the evening
location: ringer volume high at the office, turn off ke yguard at home
wake up with a random song from your music collection
Text-to-speech; read out loud: incoming SMS/ phone number, WiFi/Bluetooth status, when it's time for an appointment, when the battery is low etc etc (Android OS 1.6+ only)
launch a music application when your music SD card is inserted, otherwise a file browser
start the day with a particular application showing
change all your home icons and wallpaper every day, or in particular locations
turn the phone upside down to return to the home screen, tilt 90 degrees to the left and back to toggle speakerphone during a call
create a Home widget to
toggle bluetooth/wifi on/off
launch wireless settings dialog
show a menu of tasks to choose
send an emergency SMS with your GPS location
remap camera etc buttons to other applications, or show a menu of applications and/or actions
decrypt/encrypt and/or zip/unzip application data on the fly when an application is launched/exits
pause music playback while in a particular application, restart on exit
change the Home icon for any application
take a time-lapse photo series (possibly 'secretly')
make a regular backup of a file on the SD card
track your phone location via SMS in case of theft
extend the use of the media button on your headset: take a picture from a distance or go to the previous media track with a long press
record call times and destinations to the SD card
show a popup when an SMS arrives from a particular phone number
setup a birthday SMS to be sent months before it happens so you don't forget
record battery levels over time to a file on SD card
make automatic recordings of what you say during phone calls to SD card
during the night, turn on airplane mode to conserve battery/reduce radiation, but turn it off every 15 minutes to check for SMS/voicemail.
setup a vacation SMS message, with different messages for different callers
launch a music application when headphones are connected
Hrmmm, there's not much reviews for the app. I'm interested in trying out but I wish there was a trial or something.
Vulpix said:
Hrmmm, there's not much reviews for the app. I'm interested in trying out but I wish there was a trial or something.
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Click to collapse
I hadn't looked at his market version yet, but it shouldn't need validation for 14 days..
He sells it on the market and off of the market. If nothing else you could install it from his website. I'll ask on his forum, it shouldn't require purchasing to use immediately.
Everytime I try it I get a FC when setting up my profiles, and I lose all my changes. Gets annoying fast. I uninstalled and did refund.
Knether said:
Everytime I try it I get a FC when setting up my profiles, and I lose all my changes. Gets annoying fast. I uninstalled and did refund.
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Click to collapse
Weird, I've seen that like once when I first tried it.. You might want to get on his forums and see what he can do to help fix it, as if you're interested I don't think there's anything else out there that does anywhere close to what Tasker does.
Come to think of it, yes, I did see that maybe 2-3 times, especially when first messing around, but I haven't seen it in weeks, even though I've set up multiple profiles since then. Interesting. You could always set up some stuff, Apply, re-enter the app. At that point it's saved. If it crashes, you won't lose anything. However it'd be good to get logs from alogcat or such to figure out the crash problem.
Awesome.. tasker is too good and much better than locale and setting profiles (though UI could get a bit better)... I've been waiting for it to arrive on the market..
I guess I'm the only person who has troubles with the app.. ::sigh:: I want to love it..
I've actually been using the app for a little over two weeks, and I've found it to be indispensable! GPS drains my battery too fast, so I love coordinating tasks with calendar events in conjunction with network-based location. Not to mention auto starting GPS for specific apps and then shutting GPS back off when I exit said app. There are simply SO many uses for tasker, and its compatible with locale plug-ins.
Btw. Try using Foxy Ring's ambient noise feature to auto adjust ringer volume. It works great when constantly moving from quiet study areas into a loud common room.
Does anyone know how I can set up Tasker to switch to 2G at midnight and then back to 3G/H at 8am?
I have looked throught the options and I can see the settings for 2G, but when I add Time as the 1st context I then can't find anything relating to 2G for the next context.
I understand it's probably just me being thick but if any one could help it would be much appreciated!
Loving this app otherwise, well worth the small fee.
Thanks.
CitizenLee said:
Does anyone know how I can set up Tasker to switch to 2G at midnight and then back to 3G/H at 8am?
I have looked throught the options and I can see the settings for 2G, but when I add Time as the 1st context I then can't find anything relating to 2G for the next context.
I understand it's probably just me being thick but if any one could help it would be much appreciated!
Loving this app otherwise, well worth the small fee.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, Tasker doesn't have a "Default" profile, when a profile ends it returns what settings it changed back to what they previously were.. So if it's H going into your night profile, switch off 3G, then when the profile is over it'll return to H. The big difference here is that most likely you're going to have to run an external program, maybe APNDroid or something, to toggle 2G/3G, as apparently it's not in the API directly and Tasker can't do it. So you have an entry task and an exit task.
Yep, I just looked for apps that can do this, they all launch the option in the menus, can't do it directly... So doing this doesn't seem (directly) possible, but maybe there is something out there.. I just glanced. http://www.cyrket.com/search?q=3g&market=android
Profile
Context: Time 00:00 to 08:00
Enter Task
Run Program APNDroid (?)
Exit Task
Run Program APNDroid (?) (to toggle it back on, since it's not a setting here)
Found a nice review and guide for tasker here:
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone
Looks powerful, and superior to locale.
psych2l said:
Found a nice review and guide for tasker here:
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone
Looks powerful, and superior to locale.
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I kind feel sorry for Locale Tasker has it 100x over, plus it can use Locale plugins.
I haven't done much digging, but... maybe someone could help me with this one:
I have the Samsung vibrant which does not have a hardware camera button. Would there be a way to use this app to remap the power button when in the camera.app to use it as the shutter button?
Thank you
Anyone else having force closes when trying to set backgrounds for app menus? Don't dig the bland menu background that comes stock in the app.
Great app except the fact it is using 1/4th of my battery for two profiles.
UrbanMuppet said:
Great app except the fact it is using 1/4th of my battery for two profiles.
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You have something misconfigured or you have insanely good battery usage then. I have Tasker using the GPS every 10 minutes, uploading that GPS data to my website. It reminds me every 2 minutes of missed email, phone calls, sms... It goes speakerphone if I flip it on a call. It changes profiles for home, work, work meeting, running GPS in the car... I think I have a profile to wash the dishes too, but I'm waiting on an enhancement from Pent to make that one function.
Seriously, post on his forum with the exact context and task, I bet something is done wrong.
Man I still have difficulty trying to make Tasker do simple things because I'm not really savvy with such stuff...
I have been trying to get Tasker to automagically switch keyboards based on orientation for like a few days now, no luck. I want to have Swype when in portrait mode, and then a custom HiRes keyboard in landscape...
can anyone help with this or if someone has done it already, please lend some advice...
Also, maybe this thread can become the official Tasker profile thread, if not, maybe a sticky with user created profiles?
ImSoHungry said:
Also, maybe this thread can become the official Tasker profile thread, if not, maybe a sticky with user created profiles?
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Click to collapse
Been trying to a place where people dump their profile examples for the inept people who can't work out half the settings, like myself
Tasker works perfectly on my phone: HTC Desire, stock ROM, official Android 2.2 update
My profiles:
Profile: Running Navigation
Context: Application: Load app Sygic
Tasks:
- Misc: GPS ON
- Audio: Set Media Volume to max
- Display: Set Brightness to 200
- Set Speakerphone to ON
Profile: Silencing Hidden Caller-ID
Context: State: Incoming Call
Tasks:
- Audio: Set Ringer Volume to 0 - if %CNUM ~ 0
- Audio: Set Vibrate to OFF - if %CNUM ~0
Note: for the second profile, you need to use at least 1.0.6 beta 5 (%CNUM bug fixed).
So as some of you may know there is an app for android called Tasker and it is by far the most powerful app out to date.
"Tasker is an application for Android which performs Tasks (sets of Actions) based on Contexts (application, time, date, location, event, gesture) in user-defined Profiles, or in clickable or timer home screen widgets.
This simple concept profoundly extends your control of your Android device and it's capabilities, without the need for 'root' or a special home screen"
As powerful and amazing as this app is, it's pretty hard to use unless your very tech savvy and I have been searching the Net for some how-to guides but their doesn't seem to be much out there. So I wanted to create this thread and have people post their own little tips/mods that they have set-up with Tasker so that newbies such as my-self can have a place to go if they need help getting Tasker to perform certain functions.
I just download the app last night and haven't had much time to mess with it yet, but once I get the hang of it I will start posting what I'm doing.
Anybody that uses Tasker please feel free to add on to the thread and lets make this the ultimate "How-to" guide for people trying to unlock the full potential of this amazing app.
How long did it take you to develop this app?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
firemedic1343 said:
How long did it take you to develop this app?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
@OP, one that I made that I find useful scans the SD card for new media whenever it's mounted.
PROFILE:
Event - Card Mounted (Priority: Normal, Card Title: <blank>, Frequency: 1)
Task - Media -> Scan Card
Task - Alert -> Flash (Text: Scanning for new media..., Long: <unchecked>, If: <unchecked>)
This one turns off the lockscreen when using Music or Pandora (you have to make two separate profiles!)
PROFILE:
Application - Music/Pandora
Task - Display -> Keyguard (Set: Off, If: <unchecked>)
I also spent a lot of time developing a task that would turn airplane mode on for 45 minutes, turn it off for 15 minutes, then turn it back on and repeat until stopped. Everything works except Tasker stops all timers when the phone sleeps, so unless I want to put a partial wake-lock on it (which would defeat the whole battery-saving purpose of the profile in the first place), it doesn't work
Gregalous said:
@OP, one that I made that I find useful scans the SD card for new media whenever it's mounted.
PROFILE:
Event - Card Mounted (Priority: Normal, Card Title: <blank>, Frequency: 1)
Task - Media -> Scan Card
Task - Alert -> Flash (Text: Scanning for new media..., Long: <unchecked>, If: <unchecked>)
This one turns off the lockscreen when using Music or Pandora (you have to make two separate profiles!)
PROFILE:
Application - Music/Pandora
Task - Display -> Keyguard (Set: Off, If: <unchecked>)
I also spent a lot of time developing a task that would turn airplane mode on for 45 minutes, turn it off for 15 minutes, then turn it back on and repeat until stopped. Everything works except Tasker stops all timers when the phone sleeps, so unless I want to put a partial wake-lock on it (which would defeat the whole battery-saving purpose of the profile in the first place), it doesn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both setups seem very useful, ima check them out. Thanks for the input!
About the one you can't get to work. I'm pretty sure I actually saw something similar to it the other day on another website, not 100% sure though. I think it was a profile that allowed you to basically turn off all of you're data and have it come back on for a short period of time to gather texts and stuff...
Ima going to look for it for you to see if i can find it...
In the mean time I found a few useful profiles here http://lifehacker.com/5606284/three-handy-tasker-profiles-from-our-readers
I would post them but theres actually quite a bit if you look in the comments and the post itself.
Once I think of something "original" i'll post it
You also might want to check the official Tasker pages. There is also a Wiki with step-throughs (link on left side of main page).
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
This is the only app I have been able to find that will let you remotely turn the GPS on. IMO that alone was worth the money, now I don't have to waste time writing an app for it.
I've been working on something to activate the GPS and send the phone's location, available wifi networks, etc, over a text message. Haven't figure out how to make it update the GPS location or turn on 3G yet though. Anyone know anything about android bridge scripts and if they would be able to do this?
Vegasden said:
You also might want to check the official Tasker pages. There is also a Wiki with step-throughs (link on left side of main page).
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. thanks a lot for the link. i have been looking for some sort of wiki or help for tasker for a while now but apparently I wasn't looking in rite places.
Thanks again.
Also, Mobile Defense, if installed in system apps allows you to remotely turn on gps and track your phone, however, they have temporarily closed down the beta. I've always had it on my android phones and it's pretty amazing. Much better than lookout for tracking your device.
tasker is a great app. i use it on a dialy basis. save so much battery life
SiL3nTKiLL said:
tasker is a great app. i use it on a dialy basis. save so much battery life
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What works for you? Some example scripts please please. thanks.
Here is more info on tasker setup.
I tried some of these and they worked great.
http://lifehacker.com/5601133/push-...d-to-awesome-heights-with-these-tasker-setups
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone
maps to start gps and gps logger
hi everyone,
i'd like to start maps, and have:
- Gps turned on
and
-an app called GpsLogger to start.
The problem i get is that, once Gps is turned on and GpsLogger is opened, if i get back to Maps by long-pressing the home button the whole automation starts again, leading me to GpsLogger again..
Could anyone help please?
Thanks!
I downloaded Tasker the other day to accomplish one thing only. I wanted my wife to be able to get through to me whenever she called me. I work shift work so my phone is set to Silent at odd times when I am resting, so the various dings and rings don't interrupt my sleep. Fearful of her not being able to get a hold of me in an emergency, I set this up:
Profile: Priority Call (named by me)
Context: Incoming Call - Very simply, I used the magnifying glass to select her contact from my phone, and it input her name in the box.
Task: Silent Mode - Mode set to OFF
This profile checks all incoming calls and then turns Silent Mode OFF and allows the call to ring through. When the call is done, the phone returns to Silent Mode. NOTE: I also had to set up a separate task to turn the phone to silent in the first place. For some reason, Tasker would not recognize the phone as being in "Silent Mode" if I used the volume down button to put it in silent mode. So I just added a shortcut to the Tasker task of putting the phone to silent on my homescreen. Now when I go to bed, I hit the shortcut and I am able to be undisturbed until I wake again, unless my wife calls. I could see this being very useful for people with teenagers that are out or babysitters with children.
This task can also be useful if you sleep at defined hours, because you can set the phone to automatically turn to silent at X hour, and turn silent mode off at X hour. Just some ideas.
I am now searching for ways to completely automate the phone by making it turn on my GPS and Bluetooth when I am away from home, as well as turn these off and turn my wifi on when I am at home. Several attempts with no knowledge of this app have been unsuccessful so far. More to follow.
Robert
OnDutyTactical said:
I downloaded Tasker the other day to accomplish one thing only. I wanted my wife to be able to get through to me whenever she called me. I work shift work so my phone is set to Silent at odd times when I am resting, so the various dings and rings don't interrupt my sleep. Fearful of her not being able to get a hold of me in an emergency, I set this up:
Profile: Priority Call (named by me)
Context: Incoming Call - Very simply, I used the magnifying glass to select her contact from my phone, and it input her name in the box.
Task: Silent Mode - Mode set to OFF
This profile checks all incoming calls and then turns Silent Mode OFF and allows the call to ring through. When the call is done, the phone returns to Silent Mode. NOTE: I also had to set up a separate task to turn the phone to silent in the first place. For some reason, Tasker would not recognize the phone as being in "Silent Mode" if I used the volume down button to put it in silent mode. So I just added a shortcut to the Tasker task of putting the phone to silent on my homescreen. Now when I go to bed, I hit the shortcut and I am able to be undisturbed until I wake again, unless my wife calls. I could see this being very useful for people with teenagers that are out or babysitters with children.
This task can also be useful if you sleep at defined hours, because you can set the phone to automatically turn to silent at X hour, and turn silent mode off at X hour. Just some ideas.
I am now searching for ways to completely automate the phone by making it turn on my GPS and Bluetooth when I am away from home, as well as turn these off and turn my wifi on when I am at home. Several attempts with no knowledge of this app have been unsuccessful so far. More to follow.
Robert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go...
These two pages on the Tasker Wiki will show you how to do a lot of what you want, and even find stuff you didn't know you needed.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/profile-index
http://tasker.wikidot.com/step-throughs
Sorry if this has already been asked but is there a way to disable or mute notifications between certain times? Or at least email? This way the phone doesnt go off when I am asleep.
I use Sound Manager. Gives you the option to set the volume levels for media, system, notifications, etc and to set schedules for any of these. I use it to set my notification volume down low after 2:00am and to come back up to high volume around 8:00am and so far has worked just fine.
Tasker works great for this
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Tasker probably can do that but its a ready complicated learning curve imo
Tasker rocks..definitely worth it...
I have the same thing..here is how to set it up in Tasker...
From 23:00 Til 07:00
Silent Mode On
That's it...
I also have it setup for an exception that if one of two people call me from work then it overrides and rings...
I have done a ton of stuff with Tasker -- like turning phone to vibrate during meetings, turning on gps automatically when I run certain programs (and then turn it off again when I close them), Play a sound when the plug becomes disconnected while charging, change the screen turnoff time when phone is charging, etc..
If you can't tell I love it.
Another plug for Tasker. It is awesome. The MacGyver part of my signature is brought to you in part by Tasker. And the letter A, for Awesome.
If Tasker seems hard to get into, check out their site for info: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
A really nice use I have for it is automatically adjusting my screen brightness when plugged/unplugged.
fldude99 said:
Tasker probably can do that but its a ready complicated learning curve imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasker does have a bit of a learning curve and if it's just simply turning off notifications, there are probably simpler solutions. But I love Tasker to bits. I have it set so between my usual bedtime hours, the phone goes silent, Screen Filter activates and dims it way down and Orientation turns off so I can lay down and read without it turning into landscape. I seem to always be finding new things to add and tinker.
Also recently added a function where the screen timeout goes away when Maps is activated. Got tired of losing the lock because it takes so darn long to get it back!
I use Volume Toggle - it is free (ad supported) and it has a bunch of different profiles you can customize.
It has a companion program "Volume Timer" (also free) that lets you set days and times for each profile.
I used to use Sound Manager but it decided to stop working, even after re-installing it still decided to quit after using it awhile.
I now use AudioGuru, it works great for scheduling volume settings for anything on your phone (System, Alarm, Ringer, Notifications, etc). Very easy to use and hasn't failed me yet. Recommended.
I use Silent Time Lite. It is free from the App Store and is very simple to use.
Sweet Dreams is available on the market and works great. Easy to use.
Thanks all, Tasker looks like it rocks. I will get it loaded. I like the "if bluetooth connected then read outloud the text messages", this way whenever I am in my car, it will read the tm! thats sweet.
TL;DR: Go down to summary to just grab the idea
I've been working a lot on optimizing my battery life, and I've become more aware about security concerns regarding Permissions, and I came up with an Idea that would make all of this a lot easier, even for unexperienced users.
Instead of giving apps general permission for wakelock, positionning or connectivity, there should be groups for these permissions. Let me explain with an example:
Say there is a permission group called "Instant Messenger connectivity" for apps like skype, facebook messanger, ICQ and such. you are able to set the update intervall for this group, there are 2 settings: phone in deep sleep and phone awake. The default deep sleep intervall would be like 1 or 2 minutes, the awake setting would be constant. Now every time the intervall runs through, the phone calls a hook that allows all apps in the group to check for new messages. If you want to optimize your battery life or bandwith useage and dont need to instantly know who is sending you a message you set the update intervall to, say 5 or even 15 minutes.
"E-Mail" group would be set to 15 minutes or an hour or 5 hours, whenever you want your not so urgent messages to be delivered. Or set it to "screen activated" so emails get checked when you actually look at your device.
"Updates" group would be allowed to check once a day.
Similar grouping would be done for GPS: One group would be "Navigation software" that would be constantly allowed to track your position, another group could be called "Check-Ins" or "Geographic postings" or something, those apps would only be allowed GPS access after a prompt. Permission through the promt lasts for 5 minutes or so during which the app can get your position, even several times if needed.
This way your navigation software works flawlessly, and you would be able to tag your photos or add locations to your posts or use check-ins but apps couldnt track or log your positions without you knowing it.
Similar thing for waking the phone: "alarms" group is able to wake your phone at any time to ring the alarm. "Maintainance" group would be triggered once every three hours or so.
Timing options would be something like: Always, every X seconds/minutes/hours, while screen is on.
The permission intervall should have a limited duration, which expires either after all the hooks are completed or after a fixed amount of time, stopping apps from gaining GPS permission to tag a post and afterwards keeping the permission to log your movement patterns, or keeping the internet connection alive while trying to get an info from a server that is not currently online or reachable.
Advantages
This would lead to a centralized settings, where you can - if you choose to - set how often you want updates or permissions granted for each group.
Instead of each app waking up the phone individually for their task, all the apps would get a signal to update at the same time, getting the best use out of the time the phone is not on deep sleep.
Permissions would be more transparent to unexperienced users, and it would be either very obvious if apps want permissions they shouldnt have, or they dont get tempted to go overboard with the use of the permissions they are granted.
Summary
- Apps are given permissions in matching groups allowing them permission to use the functions as the user sees fit
- Permissions work as hooks: Instead of letting the app decide when to trigger a certain event, i.e. connect to the internet or wake the phone, the phone decides when the permission should be activated and sends a command to the app which in return then does what it needs to do with the permission (check for messages, get your location etc.)
Disclaimer
This is more of a general demonstration of a principle, my coding knowledge or knowledge of procedures in android is not enough to describe the actual implementation.
I am also not sure at which level this would have to be implemented, i.e. if it could be done within a custom rom or it had to be implemented in the android kernel. I am well aware that it would probably require some recoding from the app developers, and this is not a simple tweak but a pretty big overhaul of the way android works. I just wanted to get the idea out there, just to get you guys thinking or giving you adifferent perspective on things.
Tell me what you think.
Some app has decided it needs to sound an alarm at :54 past each hour. It does not leave a notice in the system tray and I cannot figure out which app is doing it. It is the same as my incoming text alarm and because I am on call I cannot turn the sound off when I go to sleep. Any thoughts on how I might track down the culprit? Thanks
If you can't identify it with battery monitoring, then the only way is to disable apps 1 or 2 at a time until you find the culprit. Unfortunately this could take time since you have to wait until the time is up.
Thanks for the response. The confusing part was that it did it at the same time every hour. However, I did finally figure out that it was an account attached to Gmail that needed its password updated. It was scheduled to check the email account hourly!!