Develop Bugs

Automation - NFC Task Launcher, Tasker, others...

I wanted to start a thread that focused on automation idea's and how to execute them and NOT about troubleshooting apps or why you can't get any NFC tags to format etc...
There is already a thread dedicated to that here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359057
So assuming there is a demand, please discuss any automation like:
-What you have done with your NFC tags
-What have you done with the app Tasker, NFC Task Launcher or any other automation app/scripts.
-Dream Idea's, like I want to have my house make a pizza and have it ready when I get home, but I don't know how to do that. anyone?
I'll try to keep a Table of Contents and link directly to useful idea's as we go.
Some useful links so far:
Tasker Guide thread by skulk3r
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890596
NFC Task Launcher info by krohnjw:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741

Reserved...

Nice thread! I use these every day!
NFC Task Launcher:
1) Tag on my laptops - Enable WiFi HotSpot, Set password and SSID, Disable Bluetooth if on, disable sync.
2) By my Door - I use a Home and Away Profile.
Away is triggered first and Disables WiFi, Enables 3G/4G, Enables Vibrate mode.
Home is triggered on second tap - Enables WiFi, Connects to my SSID, Disables 3/4G, Full Volume, Enable Sync if it was off, Launch gmail app to pull e-mails.
3) A small tag on my BT Headset - Enable BT and Connect to the headset. (When the headset is connected Tasker launches Rdio). Second tap disable BT and Tasker closes Rdio if open still.
Tasker:
1) If I am Near Cell ID by my house or friends house enable WiFi.
2) If SSID is near connect, if not disable WiFi.
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
4) When BT Headset connects open Rdio set media volume to 7
5) When wired headset is plugged in open Rdio set media to 11. (for the car XD)
6) When charging is pluged in set brightness to full, Max Ring volume, Enable WiFi if it's off, Enable Sync, Launch E-Mail for refresh.
7) When charged Vibrate for 30 Secs + Audio alert.
8) Proximity sensor Locks screen.
9) Long press search enable BT.
10) From 23:00 to 07:00 Dim screen to lowest setting, Vibrate mode, launch clock.
I can export them if anyone wants to use them!

Nice job! You should export those and attach them here anyway. Even if someone doesn't need exactly what you have done the profiles could be a really good learning tool. Really nice job on some of those.
I am trying to have interactions with specific programs using tasker without much luck. What I would love to do is turn my TV on and go to my DVR using the Google TV app when I place my phone on the coffee table with a nfc sticker.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Ive got a 'beacon for android' coming in the mail. when it gets here im hoping to hide a nfc card in the arm rest of my couch so when i put the phone down it will turn on the tv and will launch to the universal remote part of the dijit program.
Im thinkin all that might take some work tho. Also i would love to be using iRule/GC-100-12 or the logitech revue/harmony but cant afford to set those systems up.
I also have another NFC card on my desk so when i put my phone down it starts my computer (Using NFC launcher and tasker).
One idea i would love your opinons on is, can tasker determing if a microusb plugged in is a charger or computer or MHL/HDMI connection? i would love for my gallary or emulation to pop up when i plug it into a tv

unknownkwita said:
Ive got a 'beacon for android' coming in the mail. when it gets here im hoping to hide a nfc card in the arm rest of my couch so when i put the phone down it will turn on the tv and will launch to the universal remote part of the dijit program.
Im thinkin all that might take some work tho. Also i would love to be using iRule/GC-100-12 or the logitech revue/harmony but cant afford to set those systems up.
I also have another NFC card on my desk so when i put my phone down it starts my computer (Using NFC launcher and tasker).
One idea i would love your opinons on is, can tasker determing if a microusb plugged in is a charger or computer or MHL/HDMI connection? i would love for my gallary or emulation to pop up when i plug it into a tv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... are these possible?
I would love a 'Morning TV' tag:
Launch Google TV app
Turn on TV
Turn on Speakers
Change to channel 70 (ESPN)
Open __ url
I'd pay someone to make that for me.. and many others.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

itsjusttim said:
Wait... are these possible?
I would love a 'Morning TV' tag:
Launch Google TV app
Turn on TV
Turn on Speakers
Change to channel 70 (ESPN)
Open __ url
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its entirely possible, just takes alot of apps and hardware.
1. NFC Card launches the particular activity in the universal remote app (dijit/irule/harmony/etc) this may require tasker.
2.Remote app performs its functions.
2.1.connects via BT/WIFI to a controller (these can emit IR/RF/rs232/TCP)
2.2.the controller sends out all the commands to all the devices, alot of this will need to be programmed in your remote app
3. NFC launcher/tasker then launches the app activity that shows you the remote.
There is alot of stuff to get your head around in controlling a home theater because there are so many differant ways of doing the same thing. How you make all this work will depend on your current system and how much your willing to spend.
For example some tv's come with HDMI-CEC (look it up on wiki), this feature allows the tv to turn on the av receiver over the hdmi cable and swap it to the correct input when you change sources.
when it comes down to it the android app is the easiest part of the system to set up, even if its the most featureless.

Well the Google TV app acts as a remote. Is there a way to record touch actions on top of opening apps? If so it should be easy as its just a few buttons to turn on everything and get to the right channel, would just be amazing if it can all be automated.
- GSM Galaxy Nexus

x942 said:
Nice thread! I use these every day!
NFC Task Launcher:
1) Tag on my laptops - Enable WiFi HotSpot, Set password and SSID, Disable Bluetooth if on, disable sync.
2) By my Door - I use a Home and Away Profile.
Away is triggered first and Disables WiFi, Enables 3G/4G, Enables Vibrate mode.
Home is triggered on second tap - Enables WiFi, Connects to my SSID, Disables 3/4G, Full Volume, Enable Sync if it was off, Launch gmail app to pull e-mails.
3) A small tag on my BT Headset - Enable BT and Connect to the headset. (When the headset is connected Tasker launches Rdio). Second tap disable BT and Tasker closes Rdio if open still.
Tasker:
1) If I am Near Cell ID by my house or friends house enable WiFi.
2) If SSID is near connect, if not disable WiFi.
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
4) When BT Headset connects open Rdio set media volume to 7
5) When wired headset is plugged in open Rdio set media to 11. (for the car XD)
6) When charging is pluged in set brightness to full, Max Ring volume, Enable WiFi if it's off, Enable Sync, Launch E-Mail for refresh.
7) When charged Vibrate for 30 Secs + Audio alert.
8) Proximity sensor Locks screen.
9) Long press search enable BT.
10) From 23:00 to 07:00 Dim screen to lowest setting, Vibrate mode, launch clock.
I can export them if anyone wants to use them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I personally would love to use about 2/3 of those commands. Can you export those for the rest of us?

itsjusttim said:
Well the Google TV app acts as a remote. Is there a way to record touch actions on top of opening apps? If so it should be easy as its just a few buttons to turn on everything and get to the right channel, would just be amazing if it can all be automated.
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far I haven't found a way. It would be awesome for more than just google tv. If tasker, or another 'macro' type program could be set to record touches on the screen based on location coordinates or something. Like a mouse macro program on a pc. That would allow all sorts of things. For example all of this would be reality with this one hurdle:
1) When I approach my home using tasker, open my ADT app and disable the alarm in my house
2) Open my garage door with HTN app.
3) Turn the lights on with the HTN app.
4) Walk inside, and using a NFC sticker, trigger a welcome home message from my denon reciever app (hooked up to speakers throughout the house) and start some jazz music. Of course set my phone profile correctly, and maybe turn the google tv on and navigate to the cheesy firplace app.
All of this is easy, with one macro app that is the missing link.

There are apps out there that use your cell tower to turn your wifi on/off when you enter/leave your home/cell tower. you'd be surprised how accurate it is and how it doesn't drain your battery. They do other things like control gps/bluetooth/etc.
and their free and dont require purchase of tags. You could easily do this exact thread with just the app below.
They might not be able to turn your tv on, but for quality automation, you should check em out.
For one I highly recommend, try Llama in the market. Free too!
https://market.android.com/details?...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5rZWJhYi5MbGFtYSJd
btw, I am not affiliated with llama in any way. Just love this app and many of your comments reflect that you would love this.

igl007 said:
So far I haven't found a way. It would be awesome for more than just google tv. If tasker, or another 'macro' type program could be set to record touches on the screen based on location coordinates or something. Like a mouse macro program on a pc. That would allow all sorts of things. For example all of this would be reality with this one hurdle:
1) When I approach my home using tasker, open my ADT app and disable the alarm in my house
2) Open my garage door with HTN app.
3) Turn the lights on with the HTN app.
4) Walk inside, and using a NFC sticker, trigger a welcome home message from my denon reciever app (hooked up to speakers throughout the house) and start some jazz music. Of course set my phone profile correctly, and maybe turn the google tv on and navigate to the cheesy firplace app.
All of this is easy, with one macro app that is the missing link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! Now we just need someone smart who can create this for us. Honestly if someone made this, the possibilities of NFC would be endless.
.
kegman913 said:
There are apps out there that use your cell tower to turn your wifi on/off when you enter/leave your home/cell tower. you'd be surprised how accurate it is and how it doesn't drain your battery. They do other things like control gps/bluetooth/etc.
and their free and dont require purchase of tags. You could easily do this exact thread with just the app below.
They might not be able to turn your tv on, but for quality automation, you should check em out.
For one I highly recommend, try Llama in the market. Free too!
https://market.android.com/details?...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5rZWJhYi5MbGFtYSJd
btw, I am not affiliated with llama in any way. Just love this app and many of your comments reflect that you would love this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't really need location profiles as we can just use an nfc tag to set any automation we want... right?
- GSM Galaxy Nexus

itsjusttim said:
Yes! Now we just need someone smart who can create this for us. Honestly if someone made this, the possibilities of NFC would be endless.
.
We don't really need location profiles as we can just use an nfc tag to set any automation we want... right?
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well we still need them a little. For example, I go to the same grocery store each week. So I like to have it that when I arrive, it connects to their wifi and launches the Grocery IQ app. Then it sends a text message to my wife saying "I just arrived at Wegmans, if there is any last minute items to get add it to Grocery IQ now."

alicious said:
Yes, I personally would love to use about 2/3 of those commands. Can you export those for the rest of us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do! I have to recreate them (my HTC Amaze had them and I forgot to export before doing a reset). I should have them up tonight!

x942 said:
Will do! I have to recreate them (my HTC Amaze had them and I forgot to export before doing a reset). I should have them up tonight!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll keep a look out for them

X942 - you didn't forget about us did you?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I used to use Locale, until it just ate up too much juice on my phone. One nice thing I could do with it is change my Google Voice settings based on my location. I had it set to disable my desk phone if I wasn't at work, and to enable it when I arrived at the office. Can you do something like this via NFC? IIRC Tasker is compatible with Locale plugins, so I could just use that.

kimboinatl said:
I used to use Locale, until it just ate up too much juice on my phone. One nice thing I could do with it is change my Google Voice settings based on my location. I had it set to disable my desk phone if I wasn't at work, and to enable it when I arrived at the office. Can you do something like this via NFC? IIRC Tasker is compatible with Locale plugins, so I could just use that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with you about locale
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

x942 said:
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get it to allow Tasker to control GPS? It tells me this functionality is not allowed on my Nexus...I am trying to enable it in Actions -> Misc -> *GPS
Do you on a ROM that has disabled the restriction that does not allow access to GPS?
**** UPDATE ****
Ok, did some more searching and found this...
http://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments/nk6m2/use_secure_settings_to_enable_gps_and_other_fun/

NFC Task Launcher
EDIT: My Questions were answered on a different board.

Custom programmed nfc tag ideas.

I bought some nfc tags from the good people over at tagsfordroid.com and took the weekend to program a few of the tags. I thought it would be cool to list some of the programs/actions people have programmed into the tags so others can get some good ideas.
Program: NFC Task Launcher.
Work tag:
~switch tag.
1. Get to work:
Disable wifi
set ringer type vibrate
set brightness to 26
disable bluetooth
2. Leave work:
Enable Wifi
Set Ringer type Normal
Enable Auto-Brightness
Ringer Volume 7
NFC on key chain.
~switch tag.
1. hotspot on:
enable portable hotspot
set brightness to 16
disable wifi
disable bluetooth
2. hotspot off:
disable portable hotspot
enable wifi
enable bluetooth
enable wifi
That's all i have for now. lets see what else everyone is programming into their nfc chips.

i also put an nfc tag by my calendar at my work to pull up my calendar app when i tap my calendar.

Put a tag on my car dock to turn off wifi, turn up ringer and media volume, and start pandora
Have one on my valet at home to turn on wifi and set ringer to vibrate
Sent from my Galaxy Note using xda premium

neevz said:
Put a tag on my car dock to turn off wifi, turn up ringer and media volume, and start pandora
Have one on my valet at home to turn on wifi and set ringer to vibrate
Sent from my Galaxy Note using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool!

alicechong89 said:
Here is another page for Creative Uses for NFC Tags
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1447678&highlight=nfc+tags
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good article i saw that one when doing a search.
Just thought it would be cool to actually show the action items that were posted to the tags so someone could reproduce it if they thought it was a good idea.

has anyone figured out how to turn on and off an exchange account with NFC? I would love the tag that i use when i leave my office to turn on my exchange account mail so i can get my e-mail while im at home. I dont need it on while im at work because im in front of a computer all day and have access to my e-mail.

chambers7867 said:
has anyone figured out how to turn on and off an exchange account with NFC? I would love the tag that i use when i leave my office to turn on my exchange account mail so i can get my e-mail while im at home. I dont need it on while im at work because im in front of a computer all day and have access to my e-mail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure that you could set something up using a combination of NFC Task Launcher and Tasker.
Also, while I'm tooling around trying different tags, It seems that placing tags on a metal background causes them to not work... I have had no success placing them on the side of the front door (metal door...) so I can touch it on my way out the door. Also all the desks and everything else for that matter is metal at work (Navy) so placing a "work" tag has proven to be rather difficult to accomplish successfully... May have to try different types of tags to see if there is success with another type.

Ammontj said:
I'm sure that you could set something up using a combination of NFC Task Launcher and Tasker.
Also, while I'm tooling around trying different tags, It seems that placing tags on a metal background causes them to not work... I have had no success placing them on the side of the front door (metal door...) so I can touch it on my way out the door. Also all the desks and everything else for that matter is metal at work (Navy) so placing a "work" tag has proven to be rather difficult to accomplish successfully... May have to try different types of tags to see if there is success with another type.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get metal isolating tags, they have an isolation layer between the IC and the surface you place them on so they work on metal. They are a bit thicker as a result.

place them on so they work on metal

There is a mod in the EVO 4g LTE and HTC one x forums that let's you choose when NFC can be read.
Screen on and unlocked,
Screen on and locked, or
Screed off (obviously locked)
I modded the phone to read tags when the screen is on and even if the phone is still locked. Allowing it to read while the screen is off may be a security risk for some.
Anyway,
On my keychain:
Switcher:
WiFi off, Bluetooth on, volume up, brightness up, latitude check in, plays media player.
This is great because it automatically connects to my car Bluetooth headset and the HTC aux stereoclip so music starts playing through my car speakers wirelessly via swipe of the keychain.
Tap again to disable all these and check in again w latitude.
I also have a separate tag in my car low on the dash to enable GPS and open maps so I don't have to fiddle w my phone througg the settings and open the app drawer to open maps. Makes driving that much safer. Also, I don't always use GPS, so having a separate tag for it from my keychain saves battery by using it only when needed.
Trying to set up a tag to enable WiFi tether for root users and stick it to my laptop/pc for quick swiping and enabling. But that has been tricky as you either have to use tasker or a custom activity in NFC task launcher.
Can't think of any others relevant to my interests. I don't see the need in making 38583983 tags. I definitely use the ones in the car tho.
I may order a wristband and think up something creative for it. Assigning a "sync all" activity would rock for it as I keep auto-syncing on my phone off and only sync email and such when I see fit.
Phew.
Sent from my EVO using XDA

For the two of you who permanent contact?
For example, I have a car dock in my car. My thought was to put the NFC Tag sticker on the back of the dock so when I put my phone in the dock, it would obviously hit the tag and trigger my car settings (wifi off, bluetooth on, etc). Then when I removed the phone from the dock, I'd want it to trigger other settings (bluetooth off, etc).
Since the phone would be constantly against the tag, though, would it be continually triggering switches back and forth? Or would the initial switch trigger upon putting it in the dock, but in order to trigger the 2nd switch upon removal I'd need to move it away from the tag, then tap it back on the tag to initiate another trigger?
Thanks for your help. Trying to fully grasp how the NFC tags work.

hollywoodfrodo said:
For the two of you who permanent contact?
For example, I have a car dock in my car. My thought was to put the NFC Tag sticker on the back of the dock so when I put my phone in the dock, it would obviously hit the tag and trigger my car settings (wifi off, bluetooth on, etc). Then when I removed the phone from the dock, I'd want it to trigger other settings (bluetooth off, etc).
Since the phone would be constantly against the tag, though, would it be continually triggering switches back and forth? Or would the initial switch trigger upon putting it in the dock, but in order to trigger the 2nd switch upon removal I'd need to move it away from the tag, then tap it back on the tag to initiate another trigger?
Thanks for your help. Trying to fully grasp how the NFC tags work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With android there's no indication that a tag has gone out of "range" broadcast to the system. Essentially to get the tag to re-fire you'd need to either move out of range and then back in or turn the screen off (disables NFC) and then back on and unlock the device (restarts NfC and re-reads the tag).

hollywoodfrodo said:
For the two of you who permanent contact?
For example, I have a car dock in my car. My thought was to put the NFC Tag sticker on the back of the dock so when I put my phone in the dock, it would obviously hit the tag and trigger my car settings (wifi off, bluetooth on, etc). Then when I removed the phone from the dock, I'd want it to trigger other settings (bluetooth off, etc).
Since the phone would be constantly against the tag, though, would it be continually triggering switches back and forth? Or would the initial switch trigger upon putting it in the dock, but in order to trigger the 2nd switch upon removal I'd need to move it away from the tag, then tap it back on the tag to initiate another trigger?
Thanks for your help. Trying to fully grasp how the NFC tags work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two important points
1) NFC doesn't usually work with screen off, so you either need to patched NFC.apk (for example AOKP b40 has this feature) - otherwise, everytime you switch on screen, it would trigger the tag again
2) there really is no way to trigger action on tag removal
I solved this (sort of) by having two tags - one in dock and other one that resets to "default" settings that I swipe after I leave. Not pretty but working...
Or you can set the actions as toggles, so one touch - set for dock mode, and second touch - revert back. But it obviously doesn't work for everything.

Simple solution to that, get an app that detects other hardware features so it can detect when its being moved, ie proximity detection, orientation.
You could also get a fabric nfc tag and sew it into your pocket?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

I created a tag that does the following:
->Turns WiFi on
->Waits until I'm connected to my home WiFi connection.
->Sends a WOL packet to my desktop at home
->Wait 20 seconds
->Turn Wifi Off
So when I get home from work I can put my phone down on the tag and my PC will automagically begin booting

For the obvious uses, don't forget night mode - turn ringer off (or on, depending) turn off mobile data, connect to home wifi, etc.
If you just want to mess with tags, go to your local tmo or bestbuy store and pick up a pack of the samsung tectiles. They aren't as cheap as you get online ($15 for 5 vs $1-$2 each) but they are decently large and work just fine. Once you run out you know its time to order a bunch, and you'll probably have a better idea which ones you want to order.
As an old-school embedded hacker, does anyone know of a vendor that sells the DESfire E2V tags with a tag dev kit? I've got a bunch of ideas for cool apps, but I need to be able to modify the OS on the tag. (Take a look at the specs, its pretty neat. up to 32k of storage, with security etc, all running on an old Intel embedded CPU from the 80s.) The only ones I've found so far have the firmware distinctly read-only. I suspect it is using the on-chip ROM, which means it would take impossibly delicate surgery to replace. (There is a pin that toggles between booting on-chip and external.) In theory a dev kit would be set to external and come with a jig or other tool to write it, as well as OS binaries for the standard NFC OS..
As a random easy example of stuff you could do, think of a write-only tag that took vcards for a mailing list (or a roll call) but didn't let anyone but the authorized user read them out again. Right now you'd need to put a full embedded computer behind an active NFC module to do that - a lot more expensive and more failure-prone than a custom tag..

The command IF
neevz said:
Put a tag on my car dock to turn off wifi, turn up ringer and media volume, and start pandora
Have one on my valet at home to turn on wifi and set ringer to vibrate
Sent from my Galaxy Note using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that without the command "IF" and "SWITCH" the use of this tags is too easy and useless.
Are these two commands available?

hollywoodfrodo said:
For the two of you who permanent contact?
For example, I have a car dock in my car. My thought was to put the NFC Tag sticker on the back of the dock so when I put my phone in the dock, it would obviously hit the tag and trigger my car settings (wifi off, bluetooth on, etc). Then when I removed the phone from the dock, I'd want it to trigger other settings (bluetooth off, etc).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had problems with double-reading when I'd fumble putting the phone in the car dock. It snaps into place the dock, and it would sometimes read when it got close to the dock, then again when it snapped into the cradle.
I put the tag on my sun visor instead. Sit down, touch the phone to the visor, put it in the car dock. Arrive at work, pull the phone from the dock, touch the visor, and go.
Same thing with my at work tag - I put it on the side of my desk so it wouldn't re-trigger if I removed the phone from my work dock to answer it.

Anything is possible with Tasker
mmameli said:
I think that without the command "IF" and "SWITCH" the use of this tags is too easy and useless.
Are these two commands available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can definitely do "IF" commands if you use Tasker along with NFC Tags. Since Tasker doesn't natively support NFC, switch isn't a possibility, but since switch is built into many NFC apps, that's an easy one.

I programed my vcard on a tag and put it in my wallet.. Instead of exchanging info if they have an android or blackberry with nfc I just hold my wallet to their phone for a second and it will open the vcard on their phone and ask if they want to save it.
The tag is always in my wallet ready to go.
Surprisingly I've used it more then I thought I would already.. It's kind of fun also and people get a kick out of it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Samsung Tec Tiles (NFC)

Reposted from Android Guys
http://www.androidguys.com/2012/06/13/samsung-tectiles-could-usher-in-real-demand-for-nfc/
from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

I don't really understand what makes these better than NFC tags that you can get from Tagstand for much cheaper. Anyone got an answer?

How do you program them? Just wave it over your phone and do it off the phone?

They are normal NFC tags. They have not introduced anything new.
They are programmed using any NFC writing app. Once you have decided what action or content to write, hold the phone over a blank tag under the phone's NFC antenna (on the battery). The rest is quick and automatic.

Apart from them looking good, they are just like any other nfc tag, but more expensive, I wonder what size they are.
Right now I use these token coin type nfc tags cost only USD 0.32 each, the size is only 24byte usable memory, enough for basic toggle, alarm, phone adjustment functions.

They are available in carrier stores so people can get some instant gratification.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

Their app will work with regular NFC tags as well. I played with it for a few minutes. I think I will stick with NFC Task Launcher.

Is Tagstand the cheapest place to get tags at?

i'm not sure what these are even needed for. the only thing i could possibly see using one for myself, is having one in my car to switch on bluetooth.

svtfmook said:
i'm not sure what these are even needed for. the only thing i could possibly see using one for myself, is having one in my car to switch on bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are lots of potential uses. The one you mentioned, you could set up a "Do Not Disturb" iOS 6 style function for your bedroom, an airplane mode tag where that may be needed (on my bike when I get to work and put my phone away), etc.

svtfmook said:
i'm not sure what these are even needed for. the only thing i could possibly see using one for myself, is having one in my car to switch on bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be more creative, that's all. Here are my uses so far:
1) One in the car dock (vzw) that enables GPS, disables Wifi and runs Car Home
2) One in my wallet that runs the Bank of America app
3) One at each entrance to my home (front and back door) that works as a switch. One tap enables wifi, connects to my home network, disables GPS and turns all volumes up, and a second tap turns off wifi and turns on GPS.
4) One on my desk at work that lowers the volume, enables Wifi and runs the clock app
5) One on my external speaker that turns the volume up to 75% and runs Pandora
6) One on a stand in the kitchen that will run a recipe website when I put the Nexus 7 on it (haven't decided which site yet)
Other cool uses I've heard of:
-Putting tags on spices in the kitchen that searches for recipes with each spice when you tap it
-Using it for Geo-Caching, so that when people tap it it automatically notifies you or posts to a website
-Putting them on business cards to share your contact info. Have people tap their phone to your card, rather than having to give them a card they will probably just throw away anyway.
-Bluetooth pairing (I don't have any BT devices currently)
The possibilities are endless, it seems, you just need some inspiration. These Samsung tiles look nice, but they are too expensive. Just get some from Tagstand or a comparable vendor.

Do I understand correctly that all I need are the tags and no usb reader/writers?

ktownhero said:
-Putting tags on spices in the kitchen that searches for recipes with each spice when you tap it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that'll take a hell of a lot of tags for most people, I would think Definitely a cool idea...it'd be nice to use it for inventory, even though that's probably something better suited for RFID tags.

Nope, just tags, nfc enabled phone, and a free app. USB has nothing to do with it.

I have one on the center console of my car. It would s set as a toggle.
Tap when getting in the car: bluetooth on, ringer and notification volume full.
Tap again: Bluetooth off, ringer and notification to vibrate.
I drive a Ford and this allows my phone to automatically connect with the Microsoft Sync system giving me Bluetooth control over calls and music with steering wheel buttons and voice commands. When I'm done in the car my phone goes silent so I'm not disturbed when in meetings.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

interesting..how long does a tap take to register?
also can tags toggle wifi on/off? or are they just assigned to on or off?
and can a single tag turn wifi on, blue tooth on, max volume, and start a program?

Just a second!
Its up to the app you use to read them.
I personally recommend NFC Retag because it lets you use old, locked tags, has a ton of functionality, more everyday, a writer, and there is a free version!

subvertz said:
Just a second!
Its up to the app you use to read them.
I personally recommend NFC Retag because it lets you use old, locked tags, has a ton of functionality, more everyday, a writer, and there is a free version!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome! thank you. so I know a tag can be used to turn on an app such as spotify; can it also be written to start a song from the app?
also do you literally mean a second?

Does the writable space really matter on these? What I mean is, can I just buy small 46 byte NFC tags and program them to toggle Tasker profiles?
EDIT: Apparently you can set a url to run any tasker task using this.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...NvbS5hbGVkdGhvbWFzLnRhc2tlcnVybGxhdW5jaGVyIl0.

I also use NFC Tag in every day use, like changing the setting of my phone when I come in/out of my home (Wifi, sound and cie).
I ordered my tag from TagStand and also use the app they build. This one is free since few weeks.
The tectiles from samsung are pretty expansive and the application they advice isn't as good as NFC task launcher...especially for the commutator mod (a tag can commut between to list of action..)

How to use the tectiles?

So I want to use the tectile in my car. The setting is simple, I want to tap the tectile and my N2 will change into the drive/car mode.Also I want it to go back to normal mode when I get out of the car, do I need to set up another tectile for that?

The tectiles don't have a switch mode or toggle mode? I know nfc task launcher can make switches & toggles but I'm not sure of the tectiles app

So I'm using NFC Task Launcher and I set it to Drive Mode. And it works. But I noticed the settings will remain the same even when I tap it again. So in other words, I would need 2 tectiles, one to get it to drive mode and another one to get back to normal mode? That would be stupid and a waste.

When you select drive mode, does it give you the option to turn it on, off or toggle?
Edit: I see it does give you the option to toggle it. Select that option when writing to the tag. Should do the trick

im pretty sure you would have to make it 2 separate tiles because 1 tile changes what you want changed and every time you touch that tile, it'll do that until you change it yourself or use a different tile. your phone doesn't stay connected to the tectile, it just reads the comand and executes

eurohomie said:
im pretty sure you would have to make it 2 separate tiles because 1 tile changes what you want changed and every time you touch that tile, it'll do that until you change it yourself or use a different tile. your phone doesn't stay connected to the tectile, it just reads the comand and executes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I figured it out by playing with it. I guess it's a way for them to make more money.

safeplayer22 said:
So I'm using NFC Task Launcher and I set it to Drive Mode. And it works. But I noticed the settings will remain the same even when I tap it again. So in other words, I would need 2 tectiles, one to get it to drive mode and another one to get back to normal mode? That would be stupid and a waste.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using the current version of NFC Task Launcher, you hit the plus to add a new tag.
Select New Tag.
Add Enable Car Dock {Driving Mode?}
Swipe the screen to the left to create a Switch Tag and hit the Add a Task button.
Add the Disable Car Dock. {Driving Mode?}
Save and write.
Now the first time you do it, it will enable and the second time it will disable it.
I just created one to do just that.
If you have trouble, I can do screenshots in more detail.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk HD

pbelcomp said:
If you are using the current version of NFC Task Launcher, you hit the plus to add a new tag.
Select New Tag.
Add Enable Car Dock
Swipe the screen to the left to create a Switch Tag and hit the Add a Task button.
Add the Disable Car Dock.
Save and write.
Now the first time you do it, it will enable and the second time it will disable it.
I just created one to do just that.
If you have trouble, I can do screenshots in more detail.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty much what I did. I've written 3 tags so far. One for home, one for car, and one for office.
The one for home turns off gps, turns on wifi, sets sound profile to normal, loudest ring tone, enables auto-sync, and sets the brightness down to 20%. It also disables the lockscreen because frankly I don't need the lockscreen around the house.
The one in the car turns off wifi, turns on BT, turns on GPS, disables auto-sync, turns brightness up to 80%, sound profile normal, loudest ring volume.
And the one in the office turns off wifi, turns off BT, turns off GPS, disables auto-sync, brightness to 20%, sound profile vibrate.
This thing is just super fun. I have to think of more places I can put these tags on. I'm thinking of putting one in the bathroom to automatically turn on npr in the morning.

With NFC Task Launcher, there is "two tasks" so you can set 2 tasks with one tag. It's exactly what I wanted!
So I just set one for the office where: 1st Task: Ringtone and Notification goes to vibrate only. 2nd Task: Ringtone & Notification goes to level 5. So when I get into the office, I would tap it once and it will go into office mode, then when I leave the office, I tap it again and it will go into the "2nd Task"!
Also found out that you cannot use NFC while the screen is off! That's stupid. So I searched and found this but reading it tells me that it does not work for the N2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1709586
Edit: ok found this thread and it might work with screen off:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1999569

[Q] bluetooth and wifi power saving

Hello all,
I am wondering if anybody has any ideas on how i can set my bluetooth and wireless to automatically turn off if they haven't connected to anything in 15 or 30 minutes.
The reason i want to do this is after i leave my home i don't need my wifi until i get back home and after i leave my car i don't need my bluetooth until i get back in it at the end of the day, sometimes i forget these things are still on and they slowly eat at the battery...
I've got the Samsung S3 (AT&T) (i747m Canadian version) although its been rooted and installed CM 10.1 nightly build March 06 there must be some way to do this.
thanks for any ideas!
Alex

Not sure about Bluetooth but you can adjust WiFi settings in the WiFi menu within the advance settings
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747M

For the wifi, try out this app... it will just blip the wifi every time you unlock the screen, and if a network is available it will leave it on, if not it will turn it off. When the screen is off, it will turn off wifi, depending on your traffic settings. Blipping the wifi on uses very little power, so it is very efficient to do it this way. LOVE this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...yLDEsImNvbS5hc2tzdmVuLmJldHRlcndpZmlvbm9mZiJd
As for the bluetooth, only way I know of is using Tasker... there is a profile available in the tasker wiki that will turn off unused bluetooth after a few minutes.
Also, wrong section...

sulpher said:
For the wifi, try out this app... it will just blip the wifi every time you unlock the screen, and if a network is available it will leave it on, if not it will turn it off. When the screen is off, it will turn off wifi, depending on your traffic settings. Blipping the wifi on uses very little power, so it is very efficient to do it this way. LOVE this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...yLDEsImNvbS5hc2tzdmVuLmJldHRlcndpZmlvbm9mZiJd
As for the bluetooth, only way I know of is using Tasker... there is a profile available in the tasker wiki that will turn off unused bluetooth after a few minutes.
Also, wrong section...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tectiles you can do this too (either enable/disable or run that app)

Using NFC on the GS3 I came across this YouTube video on using NFC tags with the GS3. With with an app like NFC Task Launcher you can configure your phone to turn on/off wifi, bluetooth, or just about any task or series of tasks you'd like.