universal alert controls

[MrsJennyK]

I am struggling to get all of my alerts under control (Droid X, gingerbread). I've just moved to this phone from a Droid 2, so I have sort of a clean slate. I've installed my SMS popup, which I like because it's simple. I want texts to pop up. I don't need many fancy controls for that.

I have a couple of launcher type apps lurking, but haven't installed them on the new phone. They mostly confused me.

The thing I struggled with before and still am, is that alerts seem so willy-nilly! I can change some things from the main settings menu, but maybe those are overridden by settings in individual apps (like FB, text messaging, etc.)

What I would love is an app that overrides ALL of those things and allows me to make alert settings for all of the different things that alert me. My husband complains bitterly about the flashing lights and dinging that my phone does at night. I usually just end up silencing the phone, but it makes me nervous because I worry I'll get a call at night and not know. This happened to me once, where my son was in a parking lot late at night with a dead car battery and trying desperately to get in touch with me. Argh.

Any app ideas?

Jenny

 

[gtbarry]

I don't know of any app that is a centralized panel for all notification settings. Where you can see what is or isn't doing what. Sadly, I believe you need to go to each app and change the settings there.

If you need to completely turn off settings for an app, but the app won't let you (or in teh case of facebook - turns itself back on), you can go Settings > Apps. There, after you click the app, you will see check box up top that says something like "allow notifications". Uncheck that and the app will not bother you again.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

If you go into the settings for each app, you can individualize the ringtones so that you can have different ringtones for emails vs. text messages.

If you use an app like QuickSettings, you can have quick access to all important settings (like WiFi, BT, brightness, etc.) and you click on "Volume Control" you can quickly set the volume (using slider bars) for:
Ringer
Notifications
Media
Alarms
Calls
System
You can also choose whether or not to tie the ringer volume to the notification volume (for when you change the ringer volume with your physical volume button).

I use the free app "Silent Time" to automatically turn down ringer & notification volume at night (while I'm sleeping) and on Sundays (at church time), during weekly meetings etc. You can set specific times and days for your various recurring silent times. You can also set quick-one-time "silent times" for when you walk into a meeting or something. (E.g. You could quickly set a 1-hour silent time.) You can also set exceptions for specific phone numbers (so for example if you want your family members to be able to reach you while you're sleeping). You can also set exceptions to vibrate-only. By design, all alarm-clock alarms override your "silent times". I love this app.

 

[MrsJennyK]

Thanks! I installed Silent Time and it looks like it will do what I need it to do - at least at night! I'll check out the quick settings app too.

 

[Stuntman]

Regarding noisy notifications at night, what I use is Volume Widget by Leep Studios. This widget has controls that allow you to manually switch sound profiles. I have a Sleep profile where notifications are silent while my alarm and ring tone is not. That prevents notifications from waking me or my wife up. The alarm is still on, so I wake up on time and I still get phone calls. I activate it by tapping on the widget before going to sleep. When I wake up, I switch back to my normal or loud profile.