Would Tasker Work for Battery Saver and Timed Profiles?

[Nijiiro]

Hi Folks, I don't have Tasker but I was thinking of getting it. Sometimes I want to do things that I think are simple with my phone, and the apps I find for the task seem to over complicate matters. Is this something Tasker could help with?

For example, I would like to keeps data off while the phone is in sleep, aside from switching back on periodically to let notifications through and syncs take place. I tried Green Power, which has the principal I want, but it makes the wi-fi stick on sometimes, which is counter productive. I want my profile to prefer wi-fi when I'm at home and network data when I'm out. Is this something I could programme?

I also used to use the timed profiles on my old Nokia years ago, for example putting my phone on loud while I'm out and back to silent when I'm back at my desk. I don't want this to happen at a set time, but I want it to return to silent after a set number of minutes, or better still, recognise my desk location - but I don't want to run GPS all day long just for this if it's going to run my battery down significantly. I guess I could try both and see how much impact GPS has.

Am I on the right lines thinking of Tasker to set up things like this? And just how hard is it to get to grips with?

Many thanks

 

[amlothi]

It sounds like all of the things you want, or a variation of them at least, can be done with Tasker.


Why not download the free trial version from the dev's website?

 

[Nijiiro]

Ooh, there's a trial version? Great, I'll go find that

 

[amlothi]

It's actually the same as the regular version, but it deactivates if you haven't purchased the registration code.

 

[takeshi]

Am I on the right lines thinking of Tasker to set up things like this?

Absolutely.

And just how hard is it to get to grips with?

Depends on you. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. I had no problems picking it up. I've seen people with "coding experience" (their claim) have serious problems with it so there's really no telling especially without knowing a thing about you.

Take the trial for a spin and see for yourself. I will say that if you're the type to memorize steps you'll probably have a much tougher time picking it up. Try to understand how profiles, contexts, tasks and actions all work together and you'll probably have better luck.

I don't want this to happen at a set time, but I want it to return to silent after a set number of minutes, or better still, recognise my desk location - but I don't want to run GPS all day long just for this if it's going to run my battery down significantly. I guess I could try both and see how much impact GPS has.

Read "Location without Tears". It's on the Tasker site.

 

[lennyjew]

I've got a few tasks similar to some of what you're wanting.

I've got data turning off during work hours, turning back on for 3 minutes every 45 minutes to allow synching before it shuts back off. I've also got a list of apps that will turn data on when opened then turn it off after.

Certain apps and time periods will turn my gps on and change profiles if I'm in a certain range of home or work.

It took me a while to get the hang of it, and I'm honestly still learning what more it can do. I've barely hit the tip if the iceburg so to speak.

 

[Nijiiro]

Thanks everyone!

I downloaded the trial and although I've only had a little time to play with it, I'm definitely going to keep it when payment is due. I've got my head round what a profile is and what a task is and that tasks can be used in more than one profile to trigger an action - so far so good, I think.

I've set up an app based profile for brightness, another for GPS and another one based on battery level to restrict settings. All simple stuff, but I have no programming experience, although I work as a software test manager so I am in an environment where I get a feel for how things work.

I haven't figured out how to do the timed wifi and data or the times silent profile yet, but I am going to work on that over the weekend. I'm looking forward to having so much control and not always needing to rely on apps created by others