Smart Action Woes - Motorola Droid RAZR

Having issues getting smart actions to come on with location settings. I am trying with leaving gps on as well. Any tips? For example I wanted to turn wifi on at home but I can't seem to get it to recognize "home" location.

I found that you must leave wifi and gps on for location based rules to work correctly.
Sent from my XT910 using xda app-developers app

therm0 said:
I found that you must leave wifi and gps on for location based rules to work correctly.
Sent from my XT910 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I will give it a try. Seems the GPS isn't very accurate as well, however I am in a heavily wooded area and low signal.

If you intend to save some juice by disabling WiFi, don't use a location-based SmartAction to do this. It will eat as much battery as leaving WiFi on, a Motorola location services will keep your WiFi on regardless of your system settings.
Sent from my XT910

bond32 said:
Having issues getting smart actions to come on with location settings. I am trying with leaving gps on as well. Any tips? For example I wanted to turn wifi on at home but I can't seem to get it to recognize "home" location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Llama app. It uses mobile phone towers to ascertain location so no extra battery drain. And it has many more options than smart actions.
Sent from my Razr machine

Related

GPS always on?

When I select "Standalone GPS"under settings, the two lines are always showing next to the location icon. However, with the other two GPS settings selected, nothing shows next to the location icon, is it actually using battery with that on?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Chris Hansen said:
When I select "Standalone GPS"under settings, the two lines are always showing next to the location icon. However, with the other two GPS settings selected, nothing shows next to the location icon, is it actually using battery with that on?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is normal...even on non smartphones...it is 911 location services and no it doesnt consume more battery with the crosshair indicator there and no actual satelite usuage indicator... it remains dormant until called up.
Ok, thanks. I just thought it was odd that it looked like it was sending out signal with either the Standalone GPS or Verizon Location setting enabled.
Chris Hansen said:
Ok, thanks. I just thought it was odd that it looked like it was sending out signal with either the Standalone GPS or Verizon Location setting enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant speak to whether its drawing power, but if you open maps,nav, or something else that uses gps you will see a different icon come up indicating data transfer to/from sats
Should i leave the vz and google location services also toggled on? Or will this also save battery if i leave it off?
Cg006 said:
Should i leave the vz and google location services also toggled on? Or will this also save battery if i leave it off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont need vz location services unless you use their products i would think. i leave google services on so i can atleast get a general idea where i am on the google maps.
Yeah google location services is all you need. I think weather widget uses it as well so you need something to be on.
httr_ said:
i cant speak to whether its drawing power, but if you open maps,nav, or something else that uses gps you will see a different icon come up indicating data transfer to/from sats
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know, I'm no newcomer to the Android platform, but I didn't have this icon on my OG Droid, and this was a different icon than the standard location icon, so that's why I asked.

Anyone else notice this cool wifi setting?

A friend of mine, who also has the 3d, noticed that there was a setting in the wifi settings that enables you to set your phone to connect to the strongest wifi signal. Just go to wireless and connections, go to wifi settings, press the menu button, go to advanced, and select best wifi performance. I never noticed this and thought it was awesome since we have a ton of wifi networks at work that are better in certain spots.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
lyon21 said:
A friend of mine, who also has the 3d, noticed that there was a setting in the wifi settings that enables you to set your phone to connect to the strongest wifi signal. Just go to wireless and connections, go to wifi settings, press the menu button, go to advanced, and select best wifi performance. I never noticed this and thought it was awesome since we have a ton of wifi networks at work that are better in certain spots.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had been wondering if there was a description somewhere that tells exactly what that setting does. I always thought it ran the WiFi radio at a higher current in order to keep a better signal. Are you sure it has anything to do with always picking the strongest signal?
Mike
lyon21 said:
A friend of mine, who also has the 3d, noticed that there was a setting in the wifi settings that enables you to set your phone to connect to the strongest wifi signal. Just go to wireless and connections, go to wifi settings, press the menu button, go to advanced, and select best wifi performance. I never noticed this and thought it was awesome since we have a ton of wifi networks at work that are better in certain spots.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting find, will need to watch this.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
ITT: OP hates good battery life
daneurysm said:
ITT: OP hates good battery life
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take my charger to work and underclock most of the time, so it's not a huge deal.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
also when my screen is off it disconnects it self from wifi!! has anyone notice that?? it's cool since it is saving battery
You can change wifi sleep settings in that same menu also. I run the performance mode and still get great battery life also
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Nice because I have two wireless routers one in the front house and one in the back. Sometimes it stays connected to the weaker one when I'm further away from it. Thanks for the tip.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Wow never noticed that, thanks! Definitely gonna use this now.
EDIT: Guess its an Evo 3D thing only thought I might have it still...
Sent from my SPH-M910 using XDA App
lyon21 said:
A friend of mine, who also has the 3d, noticed that there was a setting in the wifi settings that enables you to set your phone to connect to the strongest wifi signal. Just go to wireless and connections, go to wifi settings, press the menu button, go to advanced, and select best wifi performance. I never noticed this and thought it was awesome since we have a ton of wifi networks at work that are better in certain spots.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice find bro,gonna give it a try...
danaff37 said:
You can change wifi sleep settings in that same menu also. I run the performance mode and still get great battery life also
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use an app called green power,its free,it turns off all radios(wi-fi,3g,4g in the paid app)when ur creen turns off and automatically turns them on instantly when u unlock ur screen,does wonders for my batt.life.
It's better to keep wifi connected when the screen is off as it uses less energy than the 3g radio
THEGAMEPLAY94 said:
It's better to keep wifi connected when the screen is off as it uses less energy than the 3g radio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I heard as well.
sent from my EVO3d
I'd still like to know your source for the info saying that this setting evaluates the signal from all wifi sources and picks the one with the best signal. This setting is not outlined anywhere other than to mention that it uses more battery. Is it just something you turned on and you noticed it did that... or did you read it somewhere?
Mike
THEGAMEPLAY94 said:
It's better to keep wifi connected when the screen is off as it uses less energy than the 3g radio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same thing unless I'm somewhere that has no wifi. I also disable the always on mobile data which saves battery life without losing functions of your phone.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
housry23 said:
I do the same thing unless I'm somewhere that has no wifi. I also disable the always on mobile data which saves battery life without losing functions of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling "always on mobile data" will prevent you from getting push email from apps like K9 mail. Won't it? I mean, if I'm waiting for an email and I want to hear a chime when it comes in (I have K9 set up that way), it'll never come through if there's no wifi and I uncheck "always on mobile data". Correct?
Mike
Push email still works. Or At least gmail does..
Sent from my HTC Evo 3D.
mikeyxda said:
I'd still like to know your source for the info saying that this setting evaluates the signal from all wifi sources and picks the one with the best signal. This setting is not outlined anywhere other than to mention that it uses more battery. Is it just something you turned on and you noticed it did that... or did you read it somewhere?
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a spot where this would help, check it out. Mine does it at work. We have a customer wifi and a service wifi that get better strengths in certain spots and it will switch back and forth.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Someone should do a couple runs of Speedtest with this on and off to see if there is a real difference in throughput.
Also, turning off "always on data" does not stop Gmail from syncing, and it does wonders for battery life in my experience.
mikeyxda said:
Disabling "always on mobile data" will prevent you from getting push email from apps like K9 mail. Won't it? I mean, if I'm waiting for an email and I want to hear a chime when it comes in (I have K9 set up that way), it'll never come through if there's no wifi and I uncheck "always on mobile data". Correct?
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Whenever you turn your phone screen on though, data will reconnect and stay connected for a couple of minutes, any e-mails that were waiting to be pushed to your device will then get sent. You won't get any notifications if you never check your phone all day, but I'm usually getting a text every once in a while which I turn the phone on to reply to.
You'll get immense battery savings with always on mobile data turned off as well.

Turn GPS On only when needed

Is there a way to have the GPS Radio only turn on if I open Waze or some other GPS Aware program? Trying to conserve power here.
TIA
CradleRob said:
Is there a way to have the GPS Radio only turn on if I open Waze or some other GPS Aware program? Trying to conserve power here.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my knowledge, having GPS on standby barely uses any battery. Only when an app updates your location.
I'd just leave it on. Maybe Juice Defender could manage it though
That's how Android works. The GPS isn't actually on unless you see the icon in the top bar. Try it yourself - open Google Maps and you'll se the icon, then close Maps and you'll see it go away.
How is it like with bluetooth? Is it a big battery hog?
Eric-1987 said:
How is it like with bluetooth? Is it a big battery hog?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't tried out bluetooth yet.
But again, Juice Defender can now manage that too.
Thanks for the info...I'll be sure to play with the GPS a bit more.
Juice Defender is my new best friend.
Maroon Mushroom said:
To my knowledge, having GPS on standby barely uses any battery. Only when an app updates your location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I wasn't aware of that, I've always turned it off because I thought that it would drain my battery.
I know for a fact that the BT will drain your battery even if you have nothing connected to it so turn it off if you don't use it.
Saelee said:
Thanks, I wasn't aware of that, I've always turned it off because I thought that it would drain my battery.
I know for a fact that the BT will drain your battery even if you have nothing connected to it so turn it off if you don't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it doesn't. Nor does GPS.
khaytsus said:
No, it doesn't. Nor does GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reason people think that I bet is because when Bluetooth was new tech and only in it's first revision it didn't have any power saving features and was constantly pinging the radio if devices were connected or not. That was fixed with Bluetooth 1.3 onwards if memory serves right.
Bluetooth will not use battery unless its connected to a device, and then only will if the phone and the device get out of range from each other. I think but don't quote me, that the connecting device is in charge of pinging and staying pared and not the phone.
Gps can actually cause battery drain of you do a ton of web browsing and are using googles locstion sharing feature...it shares your location each time you load a page in the browser...so not only uses gps but the maps app as well.
This is the only scenario where I have seen it measurably effect battery
Sent from my hand using XDA App
I use Bluetooth in my car for voice and music. As you can see by my screen grab it does not use much battery.
CradleRob said:
Is there a way to have the GPS Radio only turn on if I open Waze or some other GPS Aware program? Trying to conserve power here.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pull down status bar, toggle GPS on/off.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
CradleRob said:
Is there a way to have the GPS Radio only turn on if I open Waze or some other GPS Aware program? Trying to conserve power here.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a program called Tasker and created a rule that turns on GPS only when I open Maps and Navigation. Tasker is a paid app but well worth it. i used it to turn on bluetooth and Nav when I get in my car in the morning, it also shuts off wifi and starts streaming Pandora. When I get to my office, it shuts off the ringer and turns on vibrate mode, shuts off the data network and stops streaming Pandora. It checks my personal email twice per day at scheduled intervals so I am not distracted.
When i plug in my headphones, a menu appears asking if I would like to launch music, pandora or phone.
Though it's a paid app, it is worth the money. Tasker is awesome.
--Mike
Sent from one of many Samsung devices.
MobileData said:
I use a program called Tasker and created a rule that turns on GPS only when I open Maps and Navigation. Tasker is a paid app but well worth it. i used it to turn on bluetooth and Nav when I get in my car in the morning, it also shuts off wifi and starts streaming Pandora. When I get to my office, it shuts off the ringer and turns on vibrate mode, shuts off the data network and stops streaming Pandora. It checks my personal email twice per day at scheduled intervals so I am not distracted.
When i plug in my headphones, a menu appears asking if I would like to launch music, pandora or phone.
Though it's a paid app, it is worth the money. Tasker is awesome.
--Mike
Sent from one of many Samsung devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought and paid for Tasker for the GPS one click workaround.
Tasker has a learning curve, but it's like any other macro editor.
You basically make a macro that says
IF app_being_opened = Navigation
AND gps status = off
THEN Open Location Settings
DPAD Down
DPAD Down
DPAD Enter
^-- Tasker does these for you, you sit there and watch.
OPEN Navigation
And you can do the same thing for Maps or any other apps requiring GPS.
Note that I also just made one for one click 4G, too.
Works well.
Note that I'm sure the macros can be cleaned up and made more idiot-proof, but I'm nowhere near proficient with Tasker yet. There are A LOT of options.
+1 for Tasker. I am by no means an expert with it, but it definitely has a lot of functionality.
I've used it to only turn on GPS when opening certain apps (like maps, foursquare, etc.)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
I don't understand the need to pay for an app to turn GPS onff. Tasked has a lot more uses but to purchase it for an answer to a nonexistent problem is so...meh.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
jamesd86 said:
I don't understand the need to pay for an app to turn GPS onff. Tasked has a lot more uses but to purchase it for an answer to a nonexistent problem is so...meh.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Troll keep on trolling.
There is obviously a problem if multiple threads have been started to address the problem and if all the GPS widgets on the Market have to have a disclaimer saying "1 click won't work on 2.3.x devices."
Have tasker, just waiting for my note to use it actually
Sent from my INFUSE powered by ZEUS
I made this tutorial for anyone having difficulty making their one-click GPS solution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg56IgNHA0Y
theleetbeagle said:
Troll keep on trolling.
There is obviously a problem if multiple threads have been started to address the problem and if all the GPS widgets on the Market have to have a disclaimer saying "1 click won't work on 2.3.x devices."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read what I wrote you'd realize that I understand there's a small problem but c'mon..almost 7 bucks when all you have to do is pull the notification down and hit the GPS toggle? If that's all someone is buying tasker for...its a waste. Now if they are going to use it for more stuff that's cool.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

NetworkLocationLocator Wakelock

Hello all,
I am more than happy with my SIII but I'm finding a wakelock rather disturbing. It happens as soon as i turn on the "Use wireless networks" under the Location services settings.
If it's turned off, the wakelock disappears. But you know, it's hard to live with it turned off, as it greatly helps the GPS set a location way faster than it would do on its own... So using location based apps while it's off is a pain in the ass.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Alphadan said:
Hello all,
I am more than happy with my SIII but I'm finding a wakelock rather disturbing. It happens as soon as i turn on the "Use wireless networks" under the Location services settings.
If it's turned off, the wakelock disappears. But you know, it's hard to live with it turned off, as it greatly helps the GPS set a location way faster than it would do on its own... So using location based apps while it's off is a pain in the ass.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing can be done about it really. Applications poll location data constantly when this option is ticked. It even tells you data is collected in the background regardless of what you are doing. To be honest many can cope with the 5-10 second wait for a GPS fix. Either deal with the drain or disable it.
5-10 seconds?? Most of the time I get message saying current location is temporarily unavailable, especially when I'm indoors.
I can't believe I have to deal with this problem. Am I the only one with this problem?? I was expecting a better answer.
just deactivate it. if you use a gps-app it will tell you to activate GPS anyways and while doing that you can then activate the network location as well.
with lbe privacy guard you can Block it if you are rooted
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
So basically there's no proper fix for this. All I can do is work around the issue? Coming from an iphone I feel this is a bit frustrating.
Thing is that the option I have to disable does not use GPS. It uses mobile signal and WiFi radios, so turning off GPS is useless.
Can anybody else help?
disable Google now,I think you will find that is what is polling your location
slaphead20 said:
disable Google now,I think you will find that is what is polling your location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been disabled all along, as I am Spanish and the current support for that language is nonexistent.
Any other ideas guys?
Alphadan said:
So basically there's no proper fix for this. All I can do is work around the issue? Coming from an iphone I feel this is a bit frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
coming from iPhone then you should know that the 4S had a similar problem when it came out, and the workaround was about the same...how you felt back then??
edit
how do you check if you have partial wakelock on an iphone btw??
Disable location in general and use Tasker or make a profile on AOSP rom to turn on location service when you're going out. After all you don't need location indoors right?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Tokarin said:
Disable location in general and use Tasker or make a profile on AOSP rom to turn on location service when you're going out. After all you don't need location indoors right?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in theory, your solution sounds awesome. But as i stated earlier, there's a small problem: battery drain is not caused by the GPS itself, but by the other "tricks" the phone has in order to find a location (wifi and radio).
I don't know about that problem with the 4S, but as you said, it occurred when it came out. The SIII has been out for 6 months now, and there's been several updates, yet the issue is still there.
BTW, i check the partial wakelocks with Better Battery Stats (you can find it for free here on the forums)
Just a general question... Does anyone else have this issue? If any of you guys do, then i'll learn to live with it, but being the only one would really make me feel silly.
Well, I just don't use that option, AFAIK the new cm10 build changed the GPS so that it no longer favor the North America but search for the nearest satellite instead. I notice this change already make my gps quick enough so I don't bother..
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I have the same problem. The only solution I found was to disable networks location. Is there any app to identify clearly what is the app that it's requesting location from Google services? It is not maps because with 3g watchdog installed it reports separated (maps and Google services) the leak is on Google services.
Ps: I have found that this problem only exists when connected to a WiFi network. On 3g the requests are less intensive.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Well I've just been doing some investigating with Better Battery Stats to find out why my battery was so bad with JB compared to ICS, then googled the NetworkLocationLocator as that seems to be the problem which brought me here (I'm a member anyway).
I must say it's pretty disappointing that this problem is occurring because surely the same option was being used in ICS and it never drained my battery back then. The only thing I can think of is Google Now has something to do with this. I have Google Now disabled anyway as (although it's a brilliant feature) it doesn't really benefit me as I don't travel around much, but I get the feeling that is the root of this problem because that's the biggest change in coming from ICS to JB (other than cosmetics and UI) right?
This is not even a problem.
People tick all kind of options or fail to go to see their apps properly starting from Facebook, Google+ , Google now, weather apps... And then complain how come they get excessive polling.
Problem lies in those same people wanting those services to record their location , but don't want any battery drain... At least case with all those around me that asked.
Trust me without WiFi and network triangulation the same services when allowed waste way more power using real GPS.
Testing JKay alpha on GT-I9300
Idan73 said:
This is not even a problem.
People tick all kind of options or fail to go to see their apps properly starting from Facebook, Google+ , Google now, weather apps... And then complain how come they get excessive polling.
Problem lies in those same people wanting those services to record their location , but don't want any battery drain... At least case with all those around me that asked.
Trust me without WiFi and network triangulation the same services when allowed waste way more power using real GPS.
Testing JKay alpha on GT-I9300
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the sweeping generalisation but I had the exact same option ticked in ICS and it was never a problem. Fact is in JB it causes a problem for some reason. It may be Google Now, who knows, but one things for sure, I should be able to have that option ticked and not have it keep my phone awake all night.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Maybe I misunderstood. Sorry.
I use Google now and maps for network location as well as fancy widget polling every 2 hours. All other apps I individually where permitted set to off.
This setup does not keep my phone all night. I see where it wakes the phone in intervals and does its thing and goes back to sleep. Combined with my exchange email polling every hour overnight, I don't see any excessive battery usage compared to what I had with ICS.
Testing JKay alpha on GT-I9300
Turn of location history, leave the rest on. Wakelock is still there but less.

Anyone else noticing GPS running outside of an app when unlocking their phone?

I have caught it happening a couple times now, seemingly at random.
I am not running Maps, or any other app that needs GPS... I hit the power button to wake the phone, swipe to unlock, and notice the GPS icon in the notifications.
Taping the notification just takes you to GPS location settings. Checking battery use shows no apps running that need GPS. No other direct indications that I have found in settings as to what is polling the GPS.
Anyone know what app/service is opening it in the background?
The weather clock updates itself when you unlock causing gps to hit for a couple seconds.
I checked that first... the "last updated" message said a couple hours prior. (I have it set to update every 3 hours) So I ruled that out. But I guess I could be wrong.
Seems to me, using GPS is a bit of overkill for weather location.
Marine6680 said:
I checked that first... the "last updated" message said a couple hours prior. (I have it set to update every 3 hours) So I ruled that out. But I guess I could be wrong.
Seems to me, using GPS is a bit of overkill for weather location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How else does it figure out what city you are in at any given time?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Its TwiX said:
How else does it figure out what city you are in at any given time?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Network location service...
It can tell where you are by knowing what cell tower you are connected to... as it knows the cell towers physical location due to a database.
This is actually how the GPS in our phones can lock on to positions in seconds rather than a couple minutes.
Cell phones have aGPS (Assisted GPS) where the cell tower info is used to get a rough position fix and speed up GPS lock.
Marine6680 said:
Network location service...
It can tell where you are by knowing what cell tower you are connected to... as it knows the cell towers physical location due to a database.
This is actually how the GPS in our phones can lock on to positions in seconds rather than a couple minutes.
Cell phones have aGPS (Assisted GPS) where the cell tower info is used to get a rough position fix and speed up GPS lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VZW location services (network location services) could be used, but it isn't for weather. Which is why I asked my question...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Its TwiX said:
VZW location services (network location services) could be used, but it isn't for weather. Which is why I asked my question...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most apps that use location can use network location services... including weather apps... though maybe not the Samsung app. Which is why I am curious as to why it uses GPS vs network.
I never have the "Verizon location services" turned on, never have on other phones either, and other apps can use network location just fine... as "Google location services" can provide that.
Google Now checks when I'm away from home and tells me how long it takes to get back with traffic, probably using the GPS. Have you activated Google Now?
I've noticed this as well. It's not every time I unlock but I will see it come up randomly. I think it's the weather for my clock widget. I'm not too worried though since my battery life has always been fantastic.
No Google Now...
If its the weather... seems silly to use GPS over network location.

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