Using Android intents for automation - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm working on doing some automation on my phone, and I want to perform some actions that I'm hoping I can perform using Android intents. I'm not very knowledgeable about how they work or how to find them, but I'm trying to hack some stuff together.
Here's my main question: how do I go about figuring out if I can use intents for a particular task or see what I can do with intents?
For example, I would like to be able to trigger the "Share trip progress" feature within Google Maps automatically (using Flic buttons, which allow me to use Android intents). I don't know if I can set up an intent myself to trigger this action in the Google Maps app, and I don't really know where to start in order to try to find out how to do it.
Another example is that I would like to trigger Google Assistant with my Flic button, but I want to use my Anker Roav Bolt in my car to respond to the action. Flic has a function built in to trigger Google Assistant, but it's a lot more invasive in that it opens the prompt on the phone and disrupts my Google Maps navigation as opposed to if I long-pressed the button on my Roav Bolt and it just listens for instructions without disruption. I have no clue if this is something I could trigger using Android intents, but I'd like to find a way to make this smoother.
If you have solutions to these two problems, that would be great. But as I said, I would also like to have a better general understanding of how I could find this stuff myself for future stuff I want to set up on my phone.
Thank you.

Related

[Q] Google NAV Feature questions

So i take it based on whats out, google NAV is the best GPS NAV app out there on this phone. Of course being free has alot to do with it, but I find a few features that it is lacking. Does Google nav have a way to search for waypoints,POI, save custom address, change alternate routes (fastest-shortest), day/night switching, map updates or any other hidden feature that i may have missed.
I know i'm asking too much for a free app, but its google..seems like they give away apps all the time.
If there is an app better, please also recommend
Day/night switching happens automatically.. Don't know what the threshold is, but I'd imagine it's based around sunrise/sunset times for your location. Other items on your list.. Not sure about.
I have to say Google Maps has done me a multitude of good since my first Android. I have watched the app develop as I used it and heres what I think...
Recently GM added multiple subapps to GM: Latitude, Maps, Navigation, and Places. Latitude allows you to share and view you and your friends locations. Can be really handy for some.
Maps is what it is....a mapping programs.
Navigate is my favorite. Clicl this and you can speak or type or choose from a saved address. Pretty nice too and you CAN choose route information and rerouting its pretty nice. Set your gps start and end....go drive and play with you phone on the Nav portion and youll find all the options. Plus multiple methods of getting to and from as well.
Places is basically POI layed out nicely anyone can quickly find whatever they need.
I swear by gmaps and wont do anything elzeq
On the first screen of Navigation, click on the "gear" icon at the top and you can choose "Avoid highways" and/or "Avoid tolls". Not earth shattering settings, but certainly a step in the right direction. I think this was around a couple of updates ago. I have CoPilot Live installed on my phone and I always go to Google Navigation when I need directions, especially where it's integrated into the system much better (navigating to contacts, address links, etc).
Thanks guys, this makes me like the google map even more..However I don't see why google made sub applications to work with G. maps...maybe they shoulda just made 1 application to do all the functionality instead of running map, nav, location, places, and whatever else they come up with..too many apps to run instead of being a feature that should be built as one..in my opinion
Not complaining just sharing my thoughts.
Just a guess, but I'd imagine separating is so the carriers can customize the basic Maps app, without having to worry about messing with the other advanced features.

Navigation voice command

Hello everyone,
I hope someone can help me with this.
I am trying to automate my phone by using voice commands,state executions etc.
Tasker is one of the app I really like and hope to get some good understanding of it in order to make my phone more efficient.
Right now I'd like to know if there's a way to use the navigation system through the voice command and also set it to either use or not use motorways.
According to google, to use the navigation system I have to use the word "navigate to... location".
By doing this, a page, showing time and distance, comes up but then I have to click on it in order to proceed
However I tried "navigate to 'location' avoid motorway" and this doesn't work.
How can I achieve this?
Are there ways to go through apps functions using voice commands?
Is it there a better voice command alternative than google now?(i heard of autovoice and utter, what's your opinion?)
Thank you in advance

Is there a way to make the current app persistent?

I plan to turn an old Samsung tablet into a jukebox and allow guests to add songs to the playlist. I still use the tablet for other stuff so I need to prevent people from doing anything else except play music. All of the app locks I see require me to set up a lock for all of the other apps.
Additional information: I will using bluetooth and Wifi to connect to the home's media server..
What about using tasker? I'd wager that you could create a few profiles that would achieve your goal. Ie.. Pressing back, home or recents launches juke box. And/or bulk add password to launch all other apps except juke box(and presumably tasker)(probably would want a way to disable from any screen with a password) Also a repetitive profile to launch juke box every 15 seconds (or less or more) as long as it's not already in the foreground.
I'm personally not one of those guys that's super proficient with it, but a lot of people do some amazing stuff.

[APP] Standalone navigation app for Wear OS!

I made a standalone navigation app for Wear OS! Here's the link to the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.onibaku.standalonewearmap
Here's the full description on the app so you can get a glance at the features:
Users can type in a location, or long press on the map to input a destination. They can choose to travel via walking, cycling or car.
The app will navigate the user from their current location to the destination using turn-by-turn navigation. Each step is highlighted on the path, with text to show you what action to take, and how long until you reach that step. The map rotates along with the device, so will follow the forward-facing direction of the watch.
The app only needs an internet connection for the initial retrieval of the directions. After that, it solely relies on GPS until the user arrives at the destination.
This (obviously) only works on watches that have GPS.
If you have any suggestions at all, I'd love to know them.
The next feature I plan to implement is importing a GPX file in from Google Drive, so you can navigate a more unorthodox/scenic route, which would suits cyclists. I initially developed this for when I go cycling, as we don't usually want to take the fastest route somewhere.
Let me know if there any burning features that are needed in this, and I'll do my best to deliver. This is a small side-project, so I don't have too much time to work on it, but I find it quite useful personally, and I hope others will, too.
Someone suggested I release a demo version so people can try it and see if they wish to buy it. I have released one here
It only has the dropped pin functionality, and only allows walking as a navigation mode. The zoom is also locked.
Gentatsu said:
I made a standalone navigation app for Wear OS! Here's the link to the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.onibaku.standalonewearmap
Here's the full description on the app so you can get a glance at the features:
Users can type in a location, or long press on the map to input a destination. They can choose to travel via walking, cycling or car.
The app will navigate the user from their current location to the destination using turn-by-turn navigation. Each step is highlighted on the path, with text to show you what action to take, and how long until you reach that step. The map rotates along with the device, so will follow the forward-facing direction of the watch.
The app only needs an internet connection for the initial retrieval of the directions. After that, it solely relies on GPS until the user arrives at the destination.
This (obviously) only works on watches that have GPS.
If you have any suggestions at all, I'd love to know them.
The next feature I plan to implement is importing a GPX file in from Google Drive, so you can navigate a more unorthodox/scenic route, which would suits cyclists. I initially developed this for when I go cycling, as we don't usually want to take the fastest route somewhere.
Let me know if there any burning features that are needed in this, and I'll do my best to deliver. This is a small side-project, so I don't have too much time to work on it, but I find it quite useful personally, and I hope others will, too.
Someone suggested I release a demo version so people can try it and see if they wish to buy it. I have released one here
It only has the dropped pin functionality, and only allows walking as a navigation mode. The zoom is also locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is looking really good. I want true standalone navigation on my Huawei Watch 2 4G. It has a sim so loads the route standalone and seems to be able to do everything expected...i'm trying the demo version now.
One question though...unless i'm missing something..how do you exit the app? I'm currently having to force close it.
(And as a side note have you checked out the Wear OS app Ghostracer? You can import a gpx file and follow your progress on a map on the watch. Maps are downloadable to the watch, although ive never tried that. My watch has a sim so updates the map as im riding using the watches data. Heavy on the battery though.)
ruggs1234 said:
This is looking really good. I want true standalone navigation on my Huawei Watch 2 4G. It has a sim so loads the route standalone and seems to be able to do everything expected...i'm trying the demo version now.
One question though...unless i'm missing something..how do you exit the app? I'm currently having to force close it.
(And as a side note have you checked out the Wear OS app Ghostracer? You can import a gpx file and follow your progress on a map on the watch. Maps are downloadable to the watch, although ive never tried that. My watch has a sim so updates the map as im riding using the watches data. Heavy on the battery though.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had not realised that the app does not cease to use GPS whilst it is in sleep mode, so I have added a button to exit the app properly when you drag down. I've just released it now.
I have had a look at it, but it doesn't seem to work unless you have an android phone. I am currently looking into offline maps and importing GPX files. Do you know if it does that via the android app, and how it imports it? I was looking to use Google drive, as that seems to be the only viable storage solution supported on Wear atm.
Gentatsu said:
I had not realised that the app does not cease to use GPS whilst it is in sleep mode, so I have added a button to exit the app properly when you drag down. I've just released it now.
I have had a look at it, but it doesn't seem to work unless you have an android phone. I am currently looking into offline maps and importing GPX files. Do you know if it does that via the android app, and how it imports it? I was looking to use Google drive, as that seems to be the only viable storage solution supported on Wear atm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
ruggs1234 said:
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great . I did play around with the ambient mode, but it was just the same as the standard google maps ambient mode. It takes away the turn-by-turn, location, and path. If I could persist these, and set the GPS to update every 30 secs - 1 minute, I'd probably keep it, but I'm not sure how. I'd like to stick in options to set the GPS update frequency, or have the screen turn back on only for upcoming turns.
That's really cool! That's essentially what I would have liked on my watch but standalone. I really don't like the idea that you HAVE to use a companion app, especially when it's not available for iOS. I know they're competing watches, but I love the price point of android watches compared to Apple's, and their features shouldn't pale in comparison by way of hardware.
How does their ambient map work, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to look into it. What does their paid version allow you to do? I only had a paid version before someone mentioned to put the free one on, just to give people a flavour of it. I tried to emphasise the main bit, which was the turn-by-turn navigation. The search and other transportation modes were secondary.
Cheers for the feedback and suggestions, though! I really do appreciate it! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like.
Gentatsu said:
Great . I did play around with the ambient mode, but it was just the same as the standard google maps ambient mode. It takes away the turn-by-turn, location, and path. If I could persist these, and set the GPS to update every 30 secs - 1 minute, I'd probably keep it, but I'm not sure how. I'd like to stick in options to set the GPS update frequency, or have the screen turn back on only for upcoming turns.
That's really cool! That's essentially what I would have liked on my watch but standalone. I really don't like the idea that you HAVE to use a companion app, especially when it's not available for iOS. I know they're competing watches, but I love the price point of android watches compared to Apple's, and their features shouldn't pale in comparison by way of hardware.
How does their ambient map work, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to look into it. What does their paid version allow you to do? I only had a paid version before someone mentioned to put the free one on, just to give people a flavour of it. I tried to emphasise the main bit, which was the turn-by-turn navigation. The search and other transportation modes were secondary.
Cheers for the feedback and suggestions, though! I really do appreciate it! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ghostracers ambient map is black background with white markings until you lift your wrist...but that might not work when using your app while driving (watch off the wrist?).
I've now purchased your app (Google made that hard work!)...all still good. One question...when I zoom the map in the map un-zooms straight back. Any way to make the zoom stick?
ruggs1234 said:
Ghostracers ambient map is black background with white markings until you lift your wrist...but that might not work when using your app while driving (watch off the wrist?).
I've now purchased your app (Google made that hard work!)...all still good. One question...when I zoom the map in the map un-zooms straight back. Any way to make the zoom stick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do the markings include the path/trail? I've used the black background one before, and the building outlines are (kinda) white. Yeah, I do have my watch affixed to my handlebars on my bicycle.
Great - Thanks! It's much appreciated! How come it was hard work, if you don't mind me asking? Ah, yep. That was one of the first things I forgot to change! I completely forgot about it! I've made it so that if you zoom/pan, it'll stick unless you press the "my location" button again.
Huawei watch 2 built-in GPS not working anymore
ruggs1234 said:
Thankyou for the exit button, works great. Having tested the demo app i'm happy, and I will purchase. One further comment, the battery drain is heavy, as expected. Any chance of an ambient mode while the map is running to save battery? I may be pushing my luck, but I can only ask!
Ghostracer does indeed need a companion Android app on the phone. The gpx file is loaded into the app on the phone (using a file manager) then passed to the Ghostracer app on the watch. Maps are treated the same, but I just use the data from my sim in the watch to load maps as I ride when needed. You can follow a gpx route standalone on the watch in a similar way to following the route on your app. I am not connected to Ghostracer in any way, I just think its a wonderful app for cyclists and runners (within the watches battery limitations). And the free version allows you to test all its features. It might not be right for you, but it was worth a mention based on what you said earlier. (And the map screen has an ambient mode.... )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ruggs1234, it was a long time since you wrote your experience with this app. I downloaded the demo today and I tested it. Looks like since last Google's update, the huawei watch 2 doesn't use its built-in standalone GPS. Please, would you mind to check whether you are having this problem now? The only way I got it work was by connecting the watch to a phone through Bluetooth.
Kind regards, Angel
angelrc96 said:
Hi ruggs1234, it was a long time since you wrote your experience with this app. I downloaded the demo today and I tested it. Looks like since last Google's update, the huawei watch 2 doesn't use its built-in standalone GPS. Please, would you mind to check whether you are having this problem now? The only way I got it work was by connecting the watch to a phone through Bluetooth.
Kind regards, Angel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Angel,
The app still works ok on my watch, I tested it yesterday.
With my phone switched OFF I use my watches inbuilt sim to start the route (the app needs data to download the initial route, it can use the connected mobile but mine was switched off). I then switch off the sim in my watch and follow the route using only the gps in the watch. The app worked as it always has.
HOWEVER, my watch isn't running the latest version of Wear OS (it's running Wear OS 2.0, Home app 2.16). I never update anything Google if i'm not forced too, their updates often break more things than they fix. Everything I use on the watch works great and i'd like it to stay that way....
Hi,
well, I gave it a test (full paid version) - TicWatch 3 Pro 4g/LTE (all up to date). It doesn't work. All tested in standalone mode (no phone involved).
- app crashes when there is no GPS fix (GPS is on, but no fix yet)
- when I set an route to navigate (pin or search) it just endlessly shows progress circle and nothing else happens (GPS on with fix, LTE on and working)
So...
BR, Doman.
I installed the Demo version on my ticwatch 3 pro gps (updated everything to current versions and no modifications (yet))
App is starting, map is not showing, just the gps location button on the left and a white/grey screen. I can pin a location on the white screen and its actually getting a location next to me and tries to route there - but without any map showing.
Any app for Gear S3 ?

General How to disable Google feed on home screen.

There are colleagues who have asked me how to deactivate the Google feed window that we have on the left of the home screen, for those who want to deactivate it, they must follow the following steps.
We get into the application drawer, we go to the Google application. Click on the application and a window opens, click on application information and click on disable the application.
Now we will no longer have the Google feed window on the left of the home screen.
Any downsides on this? Just noticed Google assistant doesn't work anymore
jackowy said:
Any downsides on this? Just noticed Google assistant doesn't work anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you say, the google assistant will not work for you.
Podcasts and Lens won't work either.
Thank you. This is the only reasonable answer, and it appears to be easy in fact. Unfortunately, the regular method is hidden/eliminated by the developers, i.e. there is no item to control it in the Home Screen settings. I have seen so many opinions, from "impossible" to sophisticated ways using Android Debug Bridge.
Good tip, works like a charm. I'm not a fan of Assistant or most other bloatware either, so good riddance. I just wish these products gave more control to the user, or even retained the same options to enable/disable things as the older versions.

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