Anyone using Tasker?

[LogicX]

Where and how are you turning GPS on? I feel like you aren't giving all the steps so it's hard to see why it wouldn't be working.

Thanks for the reply. GPS launches when I click on the widget I mentioned. It enables gps and then gives me a menu of the four apps. If I use 1 or 0 as a variable value, do I then have to use maths? Or can I still use match statements? I will try your suggestions to see if that helps. I can see how using a variable state as context may work better.

 

[UncleMike]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone can shed some light on where i am going wrong in my tasker programming. I have a task widget setup so when I click it, it turns on gps and gives me a menu of apps: places, google sky, maps, and navigation. That works with no issues. I would like that when I exit the app for more than 2 minutes, it turns off gps and states "turning gps off". This is what i have:
Profile: Keep gps alive
Context: load app google sky map, navigation, maps, or places
Enter task: Variable set %GPSON to On
Exit Task: Variable set %GPSON to Off, Wait 2 minutes, turn GPS off IF %GPSON matches Off, Say Turning gps off.

The issue is if I exit the app and go back into it within the 2 minute timeframe, it still turns gps turns off. My thought was that by relaunching the program, the variable changes back to %GPSON=On and it wouldn't shut it down. Do i have to use an "end if" command or something?

As I understand this, the widget turns on GPS and loads the app, and none of this is shown above. The above profile is used know when to turn off GPS, right?

It looks like it should work, but will still report turning GPS off since the "say" action isn't conditionally executed. For troubleshooting purposes I would add a 'Flash' action in enter task to make sure it's executing upon re-entry into the apps listed.

Also, if the collision handling for the exit task is set to 'Abort New Task', the 2 minute timer won't restart if you enter and leave the app within the 2 minute timer.

You could simplify the profile a bit and eliminate the need for the %GPSON variable by replacing the 'IF %GPSON matches Off' condition in the exit task with 'If %PACTIVE Doesn't Match *keep gps alive*'

 

[megapixle]

For user-defined variables you can use Variable List.

Where is that? Can't find it.

nm, found it, thanks UncleMike

 

[LogicX]

As I understand this, the widget turns on GPS and loads the app, and none of this is shown above. The above profile is used know when to turn off GPS, right?

It looks like it should work, but will still report turning GPS off since the "say" action isn't conditionally executed. For troubleshooting purposes I would add a 'Flash' action in enter task to make sure it's executing upon re-entry into the apps listed.

Also, if the collision handling for the exit task is set to 'Abort New Task', the 2 minute timer won't restart if you enter and leave the app within the 2 minute timer.

You could simplify the profile a bit and eliminate the need for the %GPSON variable by replacing the 'IF %GPSON matches Off' condition in the exit task with 'If %PACTIVE Doesn't Match *keep gps alive*'

Sorry I did not make the widget clear but you are right. Widget>turn gps on>execute task that that has 4 apps in menu format. I use it to turn the gps on and the above profile to know when to turn if off. Your information was useful and am glad to see the simplification process. Also by not having the "say" command conditionally set, I was being thrown off when it did say "turning gps off". It helps me get a better understanding. Thanks for the reply unclemike.

 

[A.Nonymous]

It sounds like the profile is activating whenever you are in your car, independent from the Wifi Near state.

Are you sure the Wifi Near state is active?

Perhaps you can post what you have setup. I expect there is some reason that the Wifi Near is not required to execute the task you want.

I hadn't thought of that at all. I looked at it though and I don't think that's happening.

Basically what I've got is this for Contexts:

wifi near - Mac of work wifi

app launch - mileage tracking app

Power - AC (since that's what my car dock is recognized as)

My mileage tracking app is launched by another task that launches said app if I plug into my car dock during work hours. That task works beautifully.

 

[amlothi]

wifi near - Mac of work wifi

app launch - mileage tracking app

Power - AC (since that's what my car dock is recognized as)

I'm assuming you have the Wifi Near context setup with the specific name of the Wifi access point at your work?

I'm hoping the Wifi access point isn't names "linksys" or something standard like that. Otherwise, every time you drive by someone's home that has a standard linksys router, it'll activate your profile!


The only other thing I can think of would be to add some kind of sound or alert to the entry tasks and exit tasks. That way, you will know exactly when your phone is exiting and entering the profile. Perhaps that will help you get more information as to what is going on.

 

[Crodley]

Ok here's a concept that I'd like either to do with Tasker or a standalone app? Picture this...I'm walking down the road with my earphones jammed deep in my ears listening to nice loud music. A neighbor nearby starts talking to me. I want to be able to hit one button and have it 1) mute the media volume (or pause the media player) and 2) enable the microphone so I can hear hear the neighbor through the microphone to the headphones so I don't have to take the headphones out of my ear. Possible?

From all the non-responses, I'll assume tasker can't do this. That's for reading, I'll keep dreaming.

 

[megapixle]

Has anybody had a problem with the "Toggle Wifi" setting of Wifi near leaving the Wifi on? It is supposed to switch it on for 15 seconds then switch it off, but sometimes it's getting left on.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I'm assuming you have the Wifi Near context setup with the specific name of the Wifi access point at your work?

I'm hoping the Wifi access point isn't names "linksys" or something standard like that. Otherwise, every time you drive by someone's home that has a standard linksys router, it'll activate your profile!


The only other thing I can think of would be to add some kind of sound or alert to the entry tasks and exit tasks. That way, you will know exactly when your phone is exiting and entering the profile. Perhaps that will help you get more information as to what is going on.

I thought of that which is why I used the MAC address of the access point and not the name. I didn't want to run into some yehoo someplace who has an identically named wifi access point so I stuck with the MAC address. I realize you can spoof those or change them on some access points, but I don't think that's very likely.

I changed the location thing today to use network instead of wifi. I figured it wouldn't drain the battery because it should check for the network location only after the phone is on AC power AND the app in question launches. It worked as it should when I left my office. I drove about 15 mins across town. When I got there I launched my mileage tracking app and the task executed again. I was there about 20 mins. When I left there and activated my mileage app, the task did not execute which is better than what I was getting with wifi near.

 

[markz68]

I actually have a profile setup so that my mobile data turns on every 60 minutes and waits 2 minutes for things to sync before turning off again. This saves my battery immensely.

In my case, I only have this active when I'm at work. I'm usually at my computer anyway, so anything urgent I will see right away.

This would be of help to me. Mind sharing your work?

Thanks!

 

[amlothi]

From all the non-responses, I'll assume tasker can't do this. That's for reading, I'll keep dreaming.

I'm not sure if you can do it, but I don't think it would work even if you could.

Do you have the voice recorder app? I find it isn't very sensitive and I have to talk very close to get it to record my voice well.

I think it would be hard for the mic to pick up their voice well enough for you to hear them clearly.

I'm also not sure if there is a feature to send audio from the mic straight to the headphones in ANY app.

 

[amlothi]

This would be of help to me. Mind sharing your work?

Thanks!

Context > Time (work hours) repeat every 1 hour
> Day (work days)

Tasks:
1) Mobile Data On
2) Auto Sync On
3) Wait X minutes (see below)
4) Mobile Off

Basically, while I'm at work my phone will have Mobile Data Off. It will connect once every hour to sync, and then turn off again. Since I'm at my computer most of the day at work anyway, this works well for me.

Note:
For step 3, I actually have 2 tasks here. One that waits until mobile data is connected. Then another that waits for 2 minutes longer to allow things to sync. In order to do this you need 2 profiles. So here is what that would look like:

Context > Mobile Data Connected
Enter Task: Variable Set %WHATEVER 1
Exit Task: Variable Set %WHATEVER 0


Context > Time (work hours) repeat every 1 hour
> Day (work days)

Tasks:
1) Mobile Data On
2) Auto Sync On
3) Wait Until %WHATEVER = 1 (this will wait until I have a mobile data connection)
4) Wait 2 minutes (allows 2 minutes for everything to sync)
5) Mobile Off

 

[Crodley]

I'm also not sure if there is a feature to send audio from the mic straight to the headphones in ANY app.

This one does, though it passes it through some odd sound filters first. I don't think it's on the market yet, it's mostly an iphone app but the android one they have does work in a limited way.

RjDj - Join the reactive music revolution

edit:
Ok, going to the site up there I see nothing about the Android link, but I DO have it on my phone, so using google here's a link to the official apk for the android version of that app.
http://more.rjdj.me/hack/labs/

 

[Deleted User]

I have a tasker profile that turns on my GPS when I open Google Maps. The problem I have is when I open maps, select an address, then try to use navigation, the GPS turns off. I added another profile to turn the GPS on and off when Navigation is opened, and that works if I open Navigation separately, but not if I go there through Maps.

Any ideas?

 

[chrlswltrs]

Is there any way to put something in the notification bar if a profile is active?

Or make a pop up that says X profile is active or not?

I have a widget that toggles a profile's status and would just like to know if it was on or off without opening tasker and looking.

TIA

 

[ejkeebler]

logic25513: do you keep GPS on during the course of day to get the locality related options ? if yes, does your battery last without a charge throughout the day ?

This is a big concern for me as well. I would love for tasker to turn on my wifi when I got home and turn it off anytime I left, but unless you have the gps running constantly set to check every 5 minutes, not sure how to pull this off, and if you do that, how on earth will the battery last........

 

[Deleted User]

This is a big concern for me as well. I would love for tasker to turn on my wifi when I got home and turn it off anytime I left, but unless you have the gps running constantly set to check every 5 minutes, not sure how to pull this off, and if you do that, how on earth will the battery last........

I do this and use network location instead of GPS. I have the network location set to a 2km radius. This setup has been working great for me.

 

[UncleMike]

I have a tasker profile that turns on my GPS when I open Google Maps. The problem I have is when I open maps, select an address, then try to use navigation, the GPS turns off. I added another profile to turn the GPS on and off when Navigation is opened, and that works if I open Navigation separately, but not if I go there through Maps.

Any ideas?

Have you tried including the navigation app in the same context with Maps? A few versions ago Tasker started allowing you to specify multiple apps within the Application context.

 

[UncleMike]

Is there any way to put something in the notification bar if a profile is active?

Or make a pop up that says X profile is active or not?

I have a widget that toggles a profile's status and would just like to know if it was on or off without opening tasker and looking.

TIA

If you're interested in knowing when a profile is ACTIVE, you can add a 'Notification' action to the enter task, and a 'Notification Cancel' action to the exit task. If you're interested in knowing the status of a profile that you're changing in the widget, you can add this to the widget task after you've toggled the status of the widget:

Notify [Title] If %PENABLED Matches *profilename*
Notify [Title] If %PENABLED Doesn't Match *profilename*

This should work as long as profilename isn't contained in any other profile names.

 

[UncleMike]

This is a big concern for me as well. I would love for tasker to turn on my wifi when I got home and turn it off anytime I left, but unless you have the gps running constantly set to check every 5 minutes, not sure how to pull this off, and if you do that, how on earth will the battery last........

I used to use network location to turn Wifi on/off, but had a problematic tower nearby that was causing me grief. I ended up using these two profiles instead:

Profile: WifiScan
Context: Wifi Near [ Toggle Wifi: Yes ]
Enter Task: Stop

Profile: WifiConnect
Context: Wifi Connected [ SSID:MySSID ]
Enter Task: Wifi On

When Wifi is on for the scan, it will connect to any known networks. If it connects to my own network, I turn Wifi on. I know Wifi is already on, but Tasker doesn't consider it to be on if it's only on for the purpose of a scan, and this makes it stay on. Then when I disconnect (leave the range if my network) Wifi turns off.

I haven't checked to see if this has a significant effect on battery life, but it has proven to be a lot more reliable.

 

[chrlswltrs]

If you're interested in knowing the status of a profile that you're changing in the widget, you can add this to the widget task after you've toggled the status of the widget:

Notify [Title] If %PENABLED Matches *profilename*
Notify [Title] If %PENABLED Doesn't Match *profilename*

This should work as long as profilename isn't contained in any other profile names.

I tried this, the problem is I get a notification it is disabled either way

I also tried inserting a wait:
-toggle
-wait 3 seconds
-notify

It didn't work that way either. Any ideas?


Also is there any way to save or edit a widget? Or do I just have to make a new one every time I want to edit it?

 

[UncleMike]

I tried this, the problem is I get a notification it is disabled either way

I also tried inserting a wait:
-toggle
-wait 3 seconds
-notify

It didn't work that way either. Any ideas?


Also is there any way to save or edit a widget? Or do I just have to make a new one every time I want to edit it?

If you create a named task in Tasker, then have the widget execute that task, you can edit the task later and what the widget does will change accordingly.

The title for each Notify action is different, so you can tell which one is actually executing, right? I know it seems obvious, but it's the only thing I can think of right now.

 

[chrlswltrs]

If you create a named task in Tasker, then have the widget execute that task, you can edit the task later and what the widget does will change accordingly.

The title for each Notify action is different, so you can tell which one is actually executing, right? I know it seems obvious, but it's the only thing I can think of right now.

Yep, I kept it simple - one is "on" the other is "off". It just says "off" every time

 

[chrlswltrs]

If you create a named task in Tasker, then have the widget execute that task, you can edit the task later and what the widget does will change accordingly.

The title for each Notify action is different, so you can tell which one is actually executing, right? I know it seems obvious, but it's the only thing I can think of right now.

Yep, I kept it simple - one is "on" the other is "off". It just says "off" every time

Ok, I kind of have it working. It will display both messages now, kind of. When I enable the profile it doesn't display the notification. When I disable the profile it displays the "on" notification, then immediately the "off" notification. Any ideas here?

 

[Deleted User]

Have you tried including the navigation app in the same context with Maps? A few versions ago Tasker started allowing you to specify multiple apps within the Application context.

That was the first thing I tried, but it didn't work.