Thanks to the work by a lot of people in @Moriatier 's "Frankenstein Phone" thread, over here, many of us have been able to flash our V30's from other variants to the US998 variant. An unexpected discovery (for me at least) was that the US998 has Mirrorlink which is not present in at least some of the other variants.
What is Mirrorlink?
It is an interface designed to allow a cell phone to interact with a car head unit. It is similar in purpose to Android Auto (AA) or Apple Carplay (ACP). Basically, your V30 display is shown on your car touch screen and you can control the apps from there. BUT... in the interests of safety, there are MANY restrictions placed on what is displayed and what you can do, as well as steps to limit what you can do with your device while it is connected.
A quick word on safety:
TL;DR - Don't be a jackass. Pay attention to the road while driving.
The restrictions placed on what is displayed and what you can do with those options appear to be there mainly in the interest of driving safety. Texting or other distracted driving contributes to motor vehicle collisions. The purpose of this thread is not to promote playing angry birds while driving.
With that said, IMHO some of - EG in AA, even a passenger is blocked from seeing the full list of music genres available in spotify. I would prefer you give me a warning which i acknowledge, and then let me proceed. IMHO, driving safety is the responsibility of the driver; if someone is going to be a jerk and text while driving, then restrictions on these interfaces are not going to stop that. Just as I would ask anyone behind the wheel of a car, be responsible.
Moving on:
I have used Android Auto for the last couple years, but continue to experience frustration with the limitations placed on the device while connected, and with software bugs that IMHO leave AA feeling like a Beta stage app.
Ideally, I would like to be able to simply mirror my device screen on the car head unit. I could then choose the apps that I want to use. For example, I would love to be able to open the Gasbuddy app and see a list of the surrounding gas prices and link to navigation for the one I choose. I would like to be able to play Ingress without disconnecting and reconnecting the device every time I stop at a portal. I would like to use Google Maps but have access to streetview so I can actually see what I'm looking for. When I pull up to the drive through, I would like to be able to see the list of coffee orders that I need to ask for without having to disconnect my phone from the car. How about when you arrive to pick up someone, being able to read email, news or watch a video clip on your car screen while you wait for your passenger to come to the car!
You get the point. AA and ACP are very restrictive and do not allow this. However, whether by design or error, Mirrorlink seems much more permissive. It even has a "home screen" button to show the home screen on your device. There are several Youtube videos showing Samsung Galaxy S8 users having full access to their phone. Unfortunately, it isn't working as hoped on the V30... yet!
UPDATE: I have a fairly stable setup working now with my V30 on my 2016 VW GTI. Note: I purchased a tool that allowed me to unlock a feature in my car that was blocking mirrorlink once the car was set in motion.
Index:
Links (Post #2)
Installation and setup (Post #3)
Links:
LG Mirrordrive App
Button Savior - Non Root
Full Mirror for Mirrorlink
Android Auto App
Screen Rotation Control
Nova Launcher
Screen Resizer
Drivemode
Requirements:
1. A car head unit that has Mirrorlink! Mine is a 16 VW GTI
2. US998, with Oreo 8.0.0
3. Install LG Mirrordrive App
4. Install a Home Screen Launcher that allows for landscape home screens. I am using Nova Launcher.
5. ** I needed to unlock "Mirrorlink in Motion" and "Video in Motion" on my car ECM **
Optional:
1. Install a driving interface app to make launching and controlling your options while on the move safe and convenient. I am usimg Drivemode right now. It is a little cartoonist for my taste but it works well and is easy to use.
2. Install Button Savior - Non Root (So far I haven't seen the need for the root version). This app creates an overlay with customizable buttons to control functions on the phone such as closing a window, or returning to the home screen as well as shortcuts such as opening the dialer app. My car head unit has it's own overlay buttons that are doing the job for now, so I don't need this app, although it might add some functionality. You can decide if you need it or not for your setup.
3. Install Screen Rotation Control - As long as your phone desktop is in landscape mode, you should not need this for typical operation. However, Apps that are portrait orientation only (Starbucks coffee for example) will cause an issue. If you use this utility, it will force even those apps to landscape.
4. Install Screen Resized (or similar tool). On the VW Gti screen, a slim part of the left edge of the image is off the display. This means you can't see a bit and can't touch icons on the left edge. Screen resizer allows you to padd the left edge so it fits properly on my head unit. YMMV
Setup:
1. OPTIONAL: Launch Screen Rotation Control and set it to landscape.
2. In your phone settings under Mirrorlink, tap for options, and select "Allow car to auto-connect." Strictly speaking, you don't have to do this, but if you don't, then you will have to go into the phone Mirrorlink settings each time you connect to turn it on.
3. OPTIONAL: Launch Button Savior - You will need to turn on an accessibility setting - It will tell you. I suggest setting the location of the side button (that you use to open the bar) to the bottom of the screen.
4. OPTIONAL: Launch Screen Resizer - For my VW GTI, I enter 150 (or so) in the top field to make the display fit properly. Then Resize, accept. You can now Close this app. To return to proper size when you disconnect, either reboot or launch resizer again, leave the fields as 0 and click resize and accept.
5. OPTIONAL: Launch Drivemode (or other driving interface)
6 (a). Set you car head unit to use Mirrorlink. Plug in your device to your car and make sure the car is detects it and initiates a Mirrorlink connection.
It might tell you there is no working app on the car, but show the Mirrorlink screen on the phone. In this case, go to the options menu in Mirrorlink on the car and launch the LG Mirrordrive App. Close the LG Mirrordrive app.
6(b) Now go into the options menu in Mirrorlink on the car, and select the option to close apps and close the Mirrordrive App. (Yes, I know you just opened it. We need to open it to get the service activated, but leaving it open may interfere with what we want to do. Hopefully down the road, someone smarter than me can find a way to bypass this.)
7. Select the home screen button in the car menu ( looks like a phone rotating from portrait to landscape on my car unit menu).
You should now be looking at a landscape view of your cell phone home screen!
Working:
I have tested Google Maps, Waze, Telegram messenger, Starbucks App, Gasbuddy and Spotify, to name a few and they are all working!
Of course, Google Assistant continues to be of great help in allowing voice commands while driving, such as, "Send Message to Dave on Telegram" or "Navigate to 123 Wentworth Street"
Problems:
As soon as I put the car in motion, my screen blacked out with a notice saying the app is not available while the vehicle is in motion. I was able to get past this by umlocking "Mirrorlink in Motion" and "Video in Motion" on my VW GTI's ECM. You will need to test and assess your own vehicle head unit. I used an OBDeleven to unlock mine.
I tested Full Mirror for Mirrorlink but had more problems than success. However, this was before finding a work-around for the rotation problems. This might be worth a second look, especially if you are having problems with the car head unit buttons to control your apps.
I tested Auto+ Show, but had no success; it never detected any connection. I think this app might be for a specific piece of video hardware or something.
I get an error on Spotify saying music cannot be played while using Mirrorlink. It pauses the music. I was able to work around this by launching the Rocksound app AFTER everything else is already working. Then I used the head unit on screen controls to get back to my own desktop and Spotify worked properly then.
reserved for future use #3
Mad Medik said:
There are several Youtube videos showing Samsung Galaxy S8 users having full access to their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is a bug, it is not feature of Samsung with LG MirrorDrive
Mad Medik said:
... yet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bug = no full access
Mad Medik said:
Problems:
As soon as I put the car in motion, my screen blacked out with a notice saying the app is not available while the vehicle is in motion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can unlock MirrorLink in motion in VAG vehicles
shaggyxda said:
it is a bug, it is not feature of Samsung with LG MirrorDrive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, correct.
shaggyxda said:
No bug = no full access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what you mean? There are some work around (bugs?) Discovered already and hopefully more to be found.
shaggyxda said:
you can unlock MirrorLink in motion in VAG vehicles
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but just saying that won't help anyone who doesn't already know about that. Please share links and/or your knowledge in that area so others can benefit!
A solution without changing the car's coding would be much better. Especially as this is often removed after servicing at VW/SEAT/SKODA dealership, and it is not possible to do on ANY mirrorlink car.
Currently the only working and consistent (100%) and easy-to-do "hack" consists of using any "drive-enabled" app, and render a floating window (can also be maximized) on top of it. For this Android 7.0 or higher. is MANDATORY. But then you will indeed get full mirroring quite easy.
ktwo said:
Currently the only working and consistent (100%) and easy-to-do "hack" consists of using any "drive-enabled" app, and render a floating window (can also be maximized) on top of it. For this Android 7.0 or higher. is MANDATORY. But then you will indeed get full mirroring quite easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"using any drive enabled app"
I'm assuming we would all be starting with the LG MirrorDrive app. Does that count as a drive enabled app or do you mean something in addition to that? I recall having to install a mirrorlink enabled music app, open it then cancel it, before launching Spotify, or Spotify audio would be cut off.
"render a floating window"
I have previously enabled the force resizeable option to allow any app to split screen. That appears to be a step being able to launch a floating window according to this:
https://www.xda-developers.com/andr...what-it-is-and-how-developers-can-utilize-it/
Is that what you mean or do you have a different process?
The LG app is drive enabled yes, but you can also use some others, like Sygic or Rockscout. (if you look at the mirrorlink applauncher screen those apps will not have a crossed steering wheel, means they will not kick you out if you start moving the car)
Now with 7.0 as you said, you can make floating windows, as long as the floating window is rendered on top of a drive-enabled app it will work. However right now to do this it would require a bunch of different apps, so the process is very cumbersome. I'm trying to improve this with a single new apk install which brings all the needed features to do this. (e.g. a soft-button bar, a launcher for launching a floating app, maximized on top of it)
There could be several other theoretical options available. (Just theories, i'm still trying to understand how mirrorlink exactly works)
1.) somehow fake the certificate or modify a existing apk to show a different activity than the intended one
2.) somehow make mirrorlink think an app is drive enabled without faking the certificate, instead just add mirrorlink compatibility into the manifest to show up on the launcher
3.) intercept the mirrorlink VNC server / proxy it to a custom VNC server
4.) find a way to let the mirrorlink system think the car is not moving, while it is (without messing with car ECU obviously)
I'm pretty sure MirrorLink has some other weak points, and being a system which will no longer be developed or used (many abandoned it e.g. VW, SEAT is no longer providing mirrorlink app but the moved to AA). So once this weak spot is found, its kinda the holy grail, as this will probably never be changed again (whereas Android-Auto weak-spots might be patched ASAP).
Check out this security analysis too: http://damonmccoy.com/papers/ivi-woot.pdf
Related
As a Vogue owner, I use mine for GPS in the car, as well as being my media player, and also (obviously) as a phone.
This usage finds me frequently rotating the screen to the right, and turning on BT when I get in the car. Then when I get out, I have to undo those changes. It's a number of clicks to do this each time, and becoming something of a hassle.
I'm thinking of writing an application to automate the process. I wanted to get some feedback before I start.
1. Is anyone else interested in a project like this? (Note that this is just the beginning, additional functionality could be added, feel free to brainstorm!)
2. Is anyone who is interested in this project willing to beta-test this software?
Thanks for your input!
Shidell
Hm. I guess nobody else uses a screen flip & BT regularly as they enter/exit their vehicles? Or perhaps I'm uninformed on a better of way of doing so?
Comments/thoughts, anyone?
I would love to have a one button access to this too. On my Dream I have the power control widget. And although there is something similar for WinMo 6.5, its doesnt do the screen flip. Only Bluetooth.
I am not a developer, but I dont mind putting my Vogue up as a guinea pig!
bt
what do you use bt for? the external gps or to your stereo or monitor? My gps is internal myslf.
But otherwise yes I use mine for the exact same purpose, I would also like to output the video to my stereo monitor for larger view, audio is already working but I havent found anyway to output video either. I dont think you can on the touch vogue.
i keep BT on all the time (not discoverable though), and i used AEbutton Plus to set my camera button to rotate the screen when i hold it down.
mrono said:
i keep BT on all the time (not discoverable though), and i used AEbutton Plus to set my camera button to rotate the screen when i hold it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be cool, I'd be willing to beta-test for you.
mapping the camera button to screen rotate is a work around but it's just that.......a work around. I use my camera function alot as well, this would be a neat app.
Glad to see there's some interest! I figured I wasn't alone. I was also using AEButton to map a flip, but then found I would flip, turn on BT, etc. Anyhow, on to the beta.
This is simply a proof of concept to prove it works functionally. This *should* work on all Vogues (and probably most other model phones), but again, this is still a beta.
Please note that there is no installer (.cab) package right now, nor any icon, and no application settings. When you launch the application, it will determine your screen's current orientation and flip it, and it will also determine your BT's current setting and flip it. That's all this will do in it's current state.
What I need from you:
What model phone do you have (assuming Vogue?)
Did the functionality work as I described? Any problems?
How would you change/improve this application?
I am considering adding a first-run type setup to determine how you want to run the flip--IE just turn on BT (as a shortcut), etc. Ideas?
Note: As it stands right now, V15 of NFSFAN's ROM using M2D will not "flip" orientation. Titanium is fine, but M2D doesn't like the "flip" and the screen will revert to standard orientation, even though the application runs as normal and will enable/disable BT.
Simply unzip this package and place it on your phone's memory--local, SD card, it doesn't matter. Make sure you include the .exe and the .dll. Then you can run the application by clicking it. Note that you can click and hold on the app. to send a shortcut to "Programs", to make it convenient to launch.
http://www.easy-share.com/1907580543/Vehicle_Flip.zip
Thanks!
1. I copied the zip to my documents, unzipped it, made a shortcut
2. Pressed start, selected the (non-existant!!) icon
It works!!!!
I was able to flip screen orientation back and forth.
1. Manila
It also worked for me with Manila. The actual Manila doesn't like being in landscape, but it did not revert, and I used the start menu to launch TomTom and it stayed in landscape. Orientation did flip as you stated when exiting TomTom. When selecting the application again to turn off bluetooth it did, but ther orientation flipped portrait-landscape-portrait while bluetooth turned off
2. Titanium
Worked very well
I usually use 2 things in my car (at the same time), audio manager and TomTom, I launch each separately, have TT displayed, press the red home key, then use task manager to flip to audiomanager to switch a song if I want, then back to TomTom. I was able to do all of this and the screen stayed in landscape the whole time.
Not working with Manila isn't a big deal for me, M2D never has behaved well in Landscape, but some prgrams do (audiomanager, phone canvas). I also prefer the stand alone audio manager screen for in the car because the buttons are more finger friendly than the music tab on M2D.
I would make an icon for this program, and that's about it. Sometimes simplicity is the best.
My info is in my sig. You should preview and link this thread to the dev and hacking section. You'd get more notice and feedback.
Greeat Job!!!
I just have the camera button mapped to rotate screen; and if you hold down the camera button for a while, it opens the camera. Makes rotating the screen fast and easy.
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.
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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.
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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.
This is the first root-free method I've seen. The only downside is that it requires Tasker or a similar app, but I'd be willing to bet most people here have it installed anyway. I've been trying to get Google's car home working ever since I got my GNex (VZW version), but the only solution thus far has required root. I just stumbled upon a solution:
Install this apk: http://www.mediafire.com/?31b3q1f5xibbg0j. The installation won't fail like other Car Home apks, but the app's icon will NOT appear in your app drawer. That's why you need Tasker.
Launch Car Mode with Tasker (https://market.android.com/details?id=net.dinglisch.android.taskerm). The proper action category is Display > Car Mode. I personally have it set to launch when my phone connects to my car via bluetooth, but you can launch it any way that Tasker allows, including making a home screen toggle widget.
Thanks dude! This is exactly what I needed. I had the APK but I was missing Display > Car Mode in Tasker. Just launching the app would open it but it wouldn't be in proper Car Mode. Now I can enjoy this app again.
Hey everyone! I just got an XZ1C myself a few days ago, and I'd like to share a few of the little quality of life changes I personally use to make the everyday experience with this phone more to how I like it. I figured maybe everyone could contribute a few ideas here and there to help other users deal with things they might be frustrated with, but not know a solution for.
A couple of notes - I gave up the root life a while ago, so all of these solutions are non-root! Also, some of these apps are paid apps (though they might have lite or free versions). Sorry! But as a software developer myself, I have the obligation to pay it forward when I find a nice app.
So here goes!
Making the volume keys default to Media Volume:
Having owned a Samsung phone before, this is one of the things I miss most in almost any other Android phone. But, as they say, there's an app for that! There's a very simple app called Media Volume Only (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=catchpower.gogo.mediavolumeonly&hl=en), which binds your volume keys to Media by default. It asks for Call permissions to see if you're in a call, where it will then bind the volume keys to call volume. Otherwise, it will always be Media, which is great!
However, that means there isn't a super easy way to changing your ring volume, unless you first press the volume key to bring up the sliders and hitting the down arrow to show the rest of the sliders....which brought me to:
Re-adding the missing Ring/Vibrate Mode switch to quick switches:
I am using Central Europe .374 + US oem file to get Fingerprint+VoLTE on T-mobile; I'm not sure if it's because of the CE1 region or whatever else, but I couldn't find any button in the quick settings that would just toggle the phone to ring mode, vibrate mode or silent.
To remedy this, I use Shortcutter (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.leedroid.shortcutter&hl=en). This allows you to enable a ton of different switches in the quick settings dropdown, though some of them may not work properly without root and only with other phones. After installing Shortcutter, swipe over to the "Pull-Down" tab, then hit "System Setting Tiles". In this list, scroll down and you'll find "Ring Mode". Turning this switch on will put the Ring Mode icon into the box of icons you can edit your quick settings with. Finally, pull down your quick settings, click the pencil icon to modify the quick settings and scroll down to find Ring Mode.
This way, it's easy to switch the phone to silent before going into a movie, or a meeting at work.
Fixing the crazy stock backlight control:
The stock backlight is a little crazy right now. It jumps around when the room is dark and it does not transition smoothly. A great app for controlling backlight is Lux (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vito.lux&hl=en). It even allows you to keep different profiles and define exactly how bright you want the screen to be in any lighting situation, and it will keep a map of your selections for you! You can control all sorts of variables, like how quickly it will transition, if it should only transition given what % of lighting change, so on and so forth. It's really very powerful and useful. I haven't had any trouble with the XZ1C display since installing Lux, which I've used on previous phones as well. Highly recommend this one! There's a free version called Lux Lite (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitocassisi.luxlite&hl=en), but I've never tried it so YMMV.
Alternative for No Double Tap to Wake (or not having Ambient Display):
This is another one I have almost always used on phones that aren't Nexii/Pixel or Motorola. Gravity Screen (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plexnor.gravityscreenofffree&hl=en) gives you a ton of different ways to automatically wake up the phone to the lockscreen. I find that using ONLY the Proximity Sensor setting to turn ON the screen (and turning everything else off) has negligible effect on the battery, and maintains extreme usefulness. With just that setting, when my phone is on the desk I can poke the phone where the proximity sensor is (as if I one-tap it) and it will wake up. If I take the phone out of my pocket, the phone turns on and is already waiting for me by the time I look at it. Super convenient!
UPDATE: Another user (quack3d) mentioned the app WaveUp(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jarsilio.android.waveup) which does exactly how I have Gravity Screen set up. If you want just that, this seems to be a great and simpler alternative! Thanks!
If you want more options, it has all sorts of other things like turn on by motion, etc. etc....I personally don't use those though, so I can't vouch for how well they work.
Double Tap to Sleep
I'm pretty sure you have to pay for this one, but Nova Launcher Prime (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher.prime&hl=en) is an incredible launcher, and it allows you to specify custom gestures on the desktop. The gestures can trigger all sorts of things, one of which is Screen Lock. If you select the Time-Out method of locking the screen, it will work with fingerprint unlocking.
Custom Auto-Rotation Switching:
Normally, I don't like auto-rotation. I use my phone a lot in bed (lying sideways), but I still want to use it in portrait. So, I prefer to have my phone default to NO auto-rotation. That being said, it's annoying when you pull up a funny gif or the photo album or youtube and you want to just flip your phone over to watch a video. Sure, you can drag down the quicksettings and flip that switch, but there's a better way! That's where Automate (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.llamalab.automate&hl=en) comes in! Automate allows you to program your phone to do just about anything (especially if you have root) based on custom triggers.
In Automate, if first select "More flows..." and search for a script called "Auto Enable Rotation" by the author Anthony Beaumont. Once you download this script and run it, it will present you with 2 options, either to "start" the script service, or to "modify" the list of apps. You'll want to "modify" the list of apps and start a new one. To this, you can add apps such as Album, Youtube, Twitch and whatever else you want to watch in landscape mode. Finally, once that's done, stop the script and start it again, but this time select "start". (You can also select in the 3 dot menu to have this script run at start-up. Highly recommended!) Now, when you open Album/Youtube/Twitch etc. the phone should automatically flip to auto-rotation.
Enter all your app and website passwords automatically with fingerprint:
For better or for worse, I keep all of my online passwords saved in Lastpass. It turns out that once you have an account and saved passwords, Lastpass has an incredible app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lastpass.lpandroid&hl=en) that can pop up over Chrome and just about any other app on your phone that can fill in the username/password fields for you using your fingerprint! It doesn't work for all the different browsers out there (I just use Chrome), and there may have been a pay wall for the in-app password filling, I forgot (sorry!). That said, it's super convenient to head to any site and just tap the fingerprint to log in.
Additionally, if you're a Lastpass user already, they also have a Lastpass Authenticator (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lastpass.authenticator&hl=en) that works in place of the Google Authenticator (you can add Google Authenticator 2factor sites to the LastPass one), which is IMHO superior because the keys are linked to your account rather than to the physical phone. Also, if you have LP Authenticator + the Chrome addon on your PC/Mac, on some sites you don't even have to enter the Authenticator number, you can just press "approve" on your phone to get into the website on your PC. Awesome!
Send links from your PC to phone or phone to PC
Ever read something on your PC and wish you could link it to your phone super quickly and not have to go through emailing it to yourself? I use Pushbullet (Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pushbullet.android&hl=en PC: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pushbullet/chlffgpmiacpedhhbkiomidkjlcfhogd?hl=en), which allows you to directly link webpages from PC to phone and vice versa. Additionally, if you give it the permissions, it can hook up your phone's notifications to your Windows notifications (not sure about mac), including allowing you to read and send SMS from your PC. I believe it also has file transfer capabilities, but I don't use it.
I think that's it for now...I'll add more when I think of them. These are just a few of the mods I run which makes using the phone more effortless and enjoyable; please, feel free to add more and I'll add them to the list if there's something you want to share! Hope this helps someone out there!:highfive:
maidguitar said:
Re-adding the missing Ring/Vibrate Mode switch to quick switches:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alternative implementation that I use: Add a toggle on the home screen to quickly switch between Ring/Vibrate/Silent modes
First install Media-Mute [free & ad-free]. What this app does is automatically mute the media volume whenever the ringer volume is also muted, which applies to both Vibrate mode and Silent mode.
For some reason, since Android 4.x Google has decided that Silent mode should only apply to the ringer, instead of silencing everything that can make sounds out of the speaker. Media-Mute fixes that.
Next, install Silent Mode Toggle [free & ad-free], then add the widget on the home screen. Switching modes is now super easy, just tap on the toggle.
What I really appreciate about this app is that it allows customization to the toggle order. For example, I never use the vibrate mode, so I can set it to toggle between Ringer > Silent only.
As a bonus, it also lets you use your own custom icons for the toggle, super cool and makes it possible to perfectly complement your home screen layout.
Hide the annoying "running in the background" notification that comes with Android 8.0
With Android 8.0 Oreo, Google thought it would be a great idea to permanently remind you of any background processing currently running in the form of an impossible to dismiss notification.
While the intention was well meaning, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Thankfully, there's an app for that! Just install this cleverly named app Hide "running in the background" Notification [free & ad-free], problem solved!
Vibrate phone when call connects, ends
Yet another app to the rescue! VibCall [free & ad-free] brings this useful feature found on some OEM phones to any compatible Android device.
Basically, your phone will vibrate once to let you know that a call has connected, and twice when a call has ended. It's something that once you've used, you wonder why it's not baked into the Android system as a default option.
Add a fingerprint (Smart Lock) compatible screen lock toggle on the home screen
So Sony has unilaterally decided to remove double tap to sleep feature with no sign of bring it back. But I still want to turn off the screen and lock the device by tapping on the screen instead of waiting for the system to hibernate or hitting the power button.
The OP listed a paid solution which brings back double tap to sleep, but for those looking for a free alternative, this is the solution I'm currently using - Smart Screen Lock Pro [free & ad-free].
It's not a double tap anywhere convenience, but a toggle that is better than nothing, and most importantly it's compatible with fingerprint unlock. I've tried numerous screen off apps in the Play store, and this is the only one that I was satisfied with.
IMPORTANT: Take the time to carefully read and follow setup instructions, it's necessary for it to work properly due to OS restrictions. Once it's setup correctly, simply add a shortcut on the home screen and tap it to lock.
It's worth mentioning that it's not a true "instant" screen off and lock, but without root this is probably the best solution we'll get.
Non-root ad blocking
Ads are a necessary evil for the current economics of the Internet, but aside from the annoyance factor, they eat up precious mobile data, plus there's also very real security risks with ad networks, potentially hogging your phone's resources and draining the battery.
Whatever the argument, if you do decide to block ads, there are quite a lot of ad blockers to choose from.
Personally, I use dns66 [free & ad-free]. In my experience, it's very lightweight, and I haven't seen any ads in my browser or apps.
It does have its quirks though, sometimes downloads fail, such as OTA update or file in browser, for one reason or another (the author says it's a bug with the Android OS itself, see linked post).
But it's easy to workaround, just temporarily disable dns66 by tapping pause on the notification, and download again. After download has completed, tap the notification again to resume.
By the way, this is also the main reason I installed the hide background notification app.
Still getting used to this phone, and the couple of disappointments that came with it.
Maybe with the right ROM, I can fix this?
I need a ROM that will:
- Allow me to use google camera app
- Allow me to use my google voice assistant wake up phrase to wake up my phone WITHOUT TOUCHING IT.
- Allow me to tell google assistant to "take a picture" and have it take a picture, without me touching the screen
- Allow me to answer phone calls with one touch.
I don't want any new themes or colors or anything. I use Nova Launcher, and have an all-black desktop with all black hidden buttons.
Which ROM is the best one for me?
Thanks!
you should start with lineage i think which is about to become official and you can use google camera on it but i dont think our phone can ever have the ability to wake device etc without touching. Perhaps your coming from a motorola device where you can talk to the phone to carry out actions but that is hardware related which this phone doesnt have like always listening mic.
I agree with @sam00561. But for always listening assistant there's a mod to enable it I think (it'll use more battery but if it's a must for you then would work for you).
Assistant takes selfies if you have google camera installed. And that call thing is configurable.
But really, starting with official los helps a lot.