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[Request] Chrome to phone-like app for finding phone

Hi guys!
I know there is a way to create a Chrome extension which, when clicked, launches an app on the phone that vibrates the phone and plays a sound file at the loudest volume, so I can find it. Like Chrome to phone but with a different purpose.
This would be a great app for those times when you need to go but just can't find your phone even though you know it is somewhere in the home. With just the press of a button you could hear (or feel, if it's very close to you) where it is! No need to use another phone to call yours or run around the apartment getting all tired and angry!
Personally I would have used it like eight times since I came up with the idea, but I don't know Android programming or HTML (for the extension) so I can't create it myself.

where's my droid
and a couple of other apps already do this. They take a sms message and crank up the volume.

arw01 said:
and a couple of other apps already do this. They take a sms message and crank up the volume.
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That's great for some people (with unlimited SMS), but unfortunately I haven't got unlimited SMS (nor do I always have access to a second phone. If I did though I would probably call my phone instead as this request is for finding the phone when you know it is somewhere near but don't have the patience to run around and search for it)
The app I want doesn't use SMS messages for launching the app but the Cloud-to-device service introduced with Android 2.2 and at the moment only available to a small but growing number of devices.
I use the Chrome to phone app & ext (code dot google dot com/p/chrometophone) on my Nexus and although it doesn't work every time when it does work it feels like magic!
I thought it would feel as much if not even more like magic if you could use this new service to find your phone with ease. I don't need it to have all the (for some) great features like showing where the phone is on a Google map or wiping important data if it's lost, I've got other apps for that.
I want this app to be as simple as it possibly can be, again like Chrome to phone:
Setting up: Download, Register phone, Be logged into Google account, done!
Use: Be logged into Google account, click extension button, wait a sec, phone rings, done!
Now does anyone here know how to create this app or where to request it to increase the chances of it getting past the idea stage and into something usable? It would surely make my day!

Inspire voice control

Coming from an HTC Tilt 2 WinMo phone I really expected "upgrading" to an android phone was going to blow my socks off. I used voice control for everything on my Tilt 2, playing music, making calls,.........Mind you my Inspire does meet or exceed my expectations in a bunch of areas.
But, I don't understand why Microsoft can have a voice control app that works and Android/Google just can't seem to get it right. I can't find an app for my Inspire that even comes close to Microsoft Voice Command. I would pay a developer at least $10 for a voice controller that works. Looking through posts it would appear that I'm not the only one with this complaint. Can anyone point me in the direction of a voice app that works?

Google seems to work well for me - especially transcribing sms or emails...what exactly is it not doing for you?

DPLOY said:
Google seems to work well for me - especially transcribing sms or emails...what exactly is it not doing for you?
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Click to collapse
I don't do any transcribing. I do use my phone via bluetooth to play music. I could tell MS voice control to play an album and it was accurate 99% of the time. I can't find anything for android that works. I also used MS voice control to make phone calls via bluetooth while driving, was also pretty accurate. I have tried voice dial for android and in my opinion the software is almost useless. Basically almost all the stuff considered "hands free" except maybe transcribing sms or emails is like beta software or broken.
If I was capable of writing the software I bet I could make a ton of money. If you google it you will find plenty of people looking for the same thing. Microsoft should port their software to android and put it on the market place.

cokid said:
Coming from an HTC Tilt 2 WinMo phone I really expected "upgrading" to an android phone was going to blow my socks off. I used voice control for everything on my Tilt 2, playing music, making calls,.........Mind you my Inspire does meet or exceed my expectations in a bunch of areas.
But, I don't understand why Microsoft can have a voice control app that works and Android/Google just can't seem to get it right. I can't find an app for my Inspire that even comes close to Microsoft Voice Command. I would pay a developer at least $10 for a voice controller that works. Looking through posts it would appear that I'm not the only one with this complaint. Can anyone point me in the direction of a voice app that works?
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Click to collapse
you can check out vlingo. it does a lot. i dont remember if it plays music etc.

[Q] International Messaging Solution on Android

Okay, I've been looking for a good solution and haven't found one yet. I'm hoping some of the creative minds out here in the community can help me out.
I'm from the States, and I'm currently working in China. I'll be here for another 5 months or so. I'm a Nexus devotee, so I've got my Nexus 4 and my Nexus 7 here with me. The N4 goes everywhere with me, and the N7 is more of a couch/bed companion and a travel reader/movie player. I'm trying to find a good integrated messaging solution for communicating both with my colleagues and friends here in China as well as my friends and family back home.
When I first moved here, my plan was for Google Voice to be my solution. I had my cell number ported to Voice, and I have continued to use that for texts, voicemail, and VOIP calls using Groove IP. That has been a pretty handy solution, and it's nice that I can also access my messages when I'm sitting at my laptop through the Chrome extension. There are a couple of downsides to Voice though. The first is that it's kind of a clunky piece of software. It's certainly not sleek, and the syncing between devices can be a little hairy. I haven't figured out how to get a nicely functional inbox either. Google refuses to accept my China Mobile number for some reason, so I have to activate the app by using another friend's US number and then deactivating messages to her phone. Also, my friends and family members who are Apple users complain about the app being really poorly designed on Apple products. They don't actually need it of course (the reason I set it up was so my phone number would continue to work for everyone), but I can't control their end of it.
GChat/Talk is one option that I like quite a bit. It syncs really well between devices, and it's really clean and sleek. One issue I have with it is that, when my internet gets spotty at work (which is far too frequently), a message will sometimes arrive on my N7 at home, and I won't see it until I get home from work later that night. Also, once again, the Apple users hate this option because of the terrible choices on iOS.
In doing some research on some other options, I came across Kik, and I instantly fell in love. It's sleek like Talk with quick messaging, but it's more comprehensive with additional features and a better implementation of read/unread messages. I got it all set up on my N7 and was ready to tell everyone to sign up when I installed it on my N4. I looked at my N7, and I was back at the login screen. I logged in again and saw the screen pop up on my N4. The software does not support multiple devices. That's unfortunately a deal-breaker. Unless they fix that flaw, Kik is out the window.
I'm using mysms right now, and it's got potential, but I'm still not completely sure. I haven't really figured out the best settings to get it most effectively working with my China Mobile number and my Google Voice number. It's not as sleek and fast as Kik or Talk, and I've gotten some complaints from the Apple crowd about it not being very intuitive. But it does sync pretty well between devices, and I can access it easily on my Windows 7 laptop. So far, though, I'm not thrilled with it.
I would like to hear from the community any tricks with settings, additional apps to try, or other creative solutions to this. All ideas are welcome, and I'll be happy to try anything out to see how it works, so please don't be shy about any ideas. Thanks in advance for your help.

Bixby - Anyone use it, if so, what for?

Well, the title covers it. I can't actually find a reason to use or like it. Anyone use it? If so, for what?

TCPDump said:
Well, the title covers it. I can't actually find a reason to use or like it. Anyone use it? If so, for what?
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Click to collapse
It's completely disabled on my phone.

I can see it honestly being as good as google assitant if not like 10% better. But currently its pretty mediocre, and that is being generous. From the most simple tasks it screws up. If samsung wants it to succeed, they really need to put tons of R&D into it. Because as of right now, it cannot compete with google assistant.
The only thing that I like about it is the fact it can actually wake from voice while screen is off. Something the S8+ cannot utilize with "okay google"

TCPDump said:
Well, the title covers it. I can't actually find a reason to use or like it. Anyone use it? If so, for what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I got my device in April, i really
looked forward to get Bixby up and running.
However i since then, lost interest in Bixby.
I used to to use, voice wake up to wake phone (re S voice installed, but disabled ) on my other devices Note 4, Note 5 etc.
However with S8 you need Bixby activated, to work. Thats all I'm interested in.
If you look at Bixby (as whole)
Bixby cards is basic very limited
and boring.
Bixby vision is a waist of time. Nearly always wrong in identifying objects.
I use Google Assistant. with Nova Prime.
I can call up Google Assistant in any app
or web page that i am currently in.
Bixby button is aso configured to G. A.
My view is Bixby, will eventually become
just like S voice.
Not worth using after
novelty wears off..!

I have the beta and used it for about two days then stopped. The ONLY advantage is the fact it can wake up from a locked screen, which Google Assistant can do on every other Android phone out there, except Samsung.
My main issue was searching for simple things. If I ask Bixby where the nearest Starbucks is, it gives me a link to the Wikipedia article for Starbucks. Google Assistant shows me a list of the three closest Starbucks and the option for directions to each one.
Bixby CAN be awesome, and it may be one day, but for now it's too lacking to compete. But it is still a beta.

I only use it occasionally for the photo thing. Kinda hit or miss but promising. Awaiting the release of the Note 8 so they go full on with bixby.

Oyeve said:
I only use it occasionally for the photo thing. Kinda hit or miss but promising. Awaiting the release of the Note 8 so they go full on with bixby.
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IF they go full on with Bixby. There's still a chance it won't be ready when the N8 releases.

So far I've found it to be pretty useless in comparison to Google Assistant. If Samsung isn't going to make it exceptionally better and worth using I hope they remove it in an update and make the dedicated button do something else.

It's not great so far, but I've found it a bit useful for setting alarms and reminders when I hold down the button. In that context it feels pretty intuitive to me. Otherwise, meh. The voice recognition when you try to wake it from sleep is borderline embarrassing.

All voice control is a complete gimmick in my eyes. I can never look past it and would never be seen dead uttering voice commands into my phone like James Bond. I don't want my phone limited and bloated with software all catering to (most of the time at the detriment of other features) some suspiciously hyped up way of using a phone that only applies to about 10 percent of the market. I should be able to fully remove every aspect of any software that openly listens to my voice on my device. That is not okay that Samsung should try and prevent this from happening. Voice control used in datafarming I bet.

I just tell it to rap for me. Entertains me for a minute.

I've used it for some basic functions like turn on/off hotspot, wifi, screensaver & play music, other than these, I haven't tried others.

You cant say its complete gimmick, Bixby is promising as samsung have put a lot of hardwork,
We should be giving time for it to mature and compete with other hardcore assistants like google assistant or siri or alexa

Yeah! Totally right!!
willcor said:
When I got my device in April, i really
looked forward to get Bixby up and running.
However i since then, lost interest in Bixby.
I used to to use, voice wake up to wake phone (re S voice installed, but disabled ) on my other devices Note 4, Note 5 etc.
However with S8 you need Bixby activated, to work. Thats all I'm interested in.
If you look at Bixby (as whole)
Bixby cards is basic very limited
and boring.
Bixby vision is a waist of time. Nearly always wrong in identifying objects.
I use Google Assistant. with Nova Prime.
I can call up Google Assistant in any app
or web page that i am currently in.
Bixby button is aso configured to G. A.
My view is Bixby, will eventually become
just like S voice.
Not worth using after
novelty wears off..!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Assistant is Floyd Mayweather, perfect as a whole and Bixby, is Conor Mcgregor, a UFC fighter who is an alien in a boxing ring.

i rather bixby. i can unlock the device with voice

I can't see the point in Samsung's own assistant on Android platform when Google has one for years. Another stillborn, I'd say. Wasted manhours in developing something that users will reject. Sometimes I wonder how the world still hasn't collapsed if biggest companies have that stupid managers. No sane person wouzld authorise work on assistant in a world where there's Google, Siri and Alexa. And adding the button dedicated to Bixby is the stupidest thing they've done. Luckily it can be disabled. I barely use Google Assistant, as someone wrote, all these voice apps are just a gimmick. No way I'm gonna use some half baked Samsung assistant.

App compatibility: Textra, FB Messenger

Hi guys,
This may be a set of obvious questions but not for me. I need a device that would keep my phone unlocked when it’s around and run some basic features without LTE installed on the device. After watching some reviews I got perplexed so I think asking may be the best choice. My needs are as follows:
- controlling Google Play Music on my phone, streaming to my headphones (I believe it works),
- reply to FB Messenger notifications (in Classic version of the gear, so only via Bluetooth),
- read and reply to Textra and Telegram messages.
- use Google Calendar, not Samsung one.
I have searched for these but the information is misleading. Sorry for asking maybe obvious questions.

FlashGPL said:
Hi guys,
This may be a set of obvious questions but not for me. I need a device that would keep my phone unlocked when it’s around and run some basic features without LTE installed on the device. After watching some reviews I got perplexed so I think asking may be the best choice. My needs are as follows:
- controlling Google Play Music on my phone, streaming to my headphones (I believe it works),
- reply to FB Messenger notifications (in Classic version of the gear, so only via Bluetooth),
- read and reply to Textra and Telegram messages.
- use Google Calendar, not Samsung one.
I have searched for these but the information is misleading. Sorry for asking maybe obvious questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play Music controls work, read/reply to Textra works, and i can see my google calendar on it too. I have telegram and FB messenger, but i don't have notifications for those on. I can test them later though.

coolhandz said:
Google Play Music controls work, read/reply to Textra works, and i can see my google calendar on it too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for your answer. That’s fantastic. I’ve seen mixed info on the internet, probably referring to various firmwares tho. Like “you need to start music on yer phone first” or “only the built in sms client works so ya need to switch back to it” (from Textra, c’mon! Pffff...).
coolhandz said:
I have telegram and FB messenger, but i don't have notifications for those on. I can test them later though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be happy to know it as well.
I previously used pebble Time Steel, which was perfect for my purposes. I could read the messages, which in my case are 95% FB Messenger one’s, and quick :good: or reply to them. I could control music on my S7 (yet, if memory serves, I needed to start playback on my phone first). And I could see a plethora of notifications on it. But Fitbit decided to buy and kill Pebble so I sold it. I purchased Huawei Watch but Android Wear is silly for me. Sold it, thought I will never go back to smartwatches again but this little gem, I want to give it a try. My requirements are not big, but they are detailed (e.g. I don’t use Spotify as it lacks “play next” feature which I use a lot, there is only add to queue, and for some more details).
Oh, probably one last question: is the night mode independent from the one on the phone? E.g. can I use the watch for vibrating notifications after my phone goes DND?

FlashGPL said:
Many thanks for your answer. That’s fantastic. I’ve seen mixed info on the internet, probably referring to various firmwares tho. Like “you need to start music on yer phone first” or “only the built in sms client works so ya need to switch back to it” (from Textra, c’mon! Pffff...).
Would be happy to know it as well.
I previously used pebble Time Steel, which was perfect for my purposes. I could read the messages, which in my case are 95% FB Messenger one’s, and quick :good: or reply to them. I could control music on my S7 (yet, if memory serves, I needed to start playback on my phone first). And I could see a plethora of notifications on it. But Fitbit decided to buy and kill Pebble so I sold it. I purchased Huawei Watch but Android Wear is silly for me. Sold it, thought I will never go back to smartwatches again but this little gem, I want to give it a try. My requirements are not big, but they are detailed (e.g. I don’t use Spotify as it lacks “play next” feature which I use a lot, there is only add to queue, and for some more details).
Oh, probably one last question: is the night mode independent from the one on the phone? E.g. can I use the watch for vibrating notifications after my phone goes DND?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my phone on DND all day while i am at work and my S3 vibrates for notifications. I just tested telegram and replying works on there. I usually don't have telegram on because it would be going off all day. FB messenger i can't really test because i never use it, but I've turned notifications on so we'll see what happens.