Smart Actions app for Droid

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Smart Actions app for Droid
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:11 PM
Anyone else use this? I was bored a couple days ago so I figured I'd finally set it up for my Bionic and give it a try. Glad I did. With my extended battery, I was getting between 10 and 12 hours on a full charge with normal use. After setting up Smart Actions I got 21 and a half hours on one charge before I needed to plug my phone in again. All I did was set it so when I turned my screen off, Wifi, GPS, and mobile data was shut off as well. It starts right back up as soon as I turn my screen back on. Just thought I'd give those with battery issues a heads up if they aren't using it.


I know, should have bought an iPhone, iPhone is better, etc.
Dec 31, 2012 5:11pm
G

gport_tennis

Senior Member

1,796 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:16 PM
GoChiefs;1354127 wrote:Anyone else use this? I was bored a couple days ago so I figured I'd finally set it up for my Bionic and give it a try. Glad I did. With my extended battery, I was getting between 10 and 12 hours on a full charge with normal use. After setting up Smart Actions I got 21 and a half hours on one charge before I needed to plug my phone in again. All I did was set it so when I turned my screen off, Wifi, GPS, and mobile data was shut off as well. It starts right back up as soon as I turn my screen back on. Just thought I'd give those with battery issues a heads up if they aren't using it.


I know, should have bought an iPhone, iPhone is better, etc.

Shutting off mobile data is the key. That's where the big improvement comes from. I used it for a little bit. But I use my phone so much but the screen is usually on almost all the time and it didn't make too big a difference for me.
Dec 31, 2012 5:16pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:31 PM
I use it. Set it up for different actions when I'm at work or at home. Turns of and on the wifi automatically. I even have it change my wallpager at each location so I can tell if it's working.
Dec 31, 2012 5:31pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:31 PM
I use it. Set it up for different actions when I'm at work or at home. Turns off and on the wifi automatically. I even have it change my wallpager at each location so I can tell if it's working.
Dec 31, 2012 5:31pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:34 PM
With no wifi and no mobile data you won't get any texts or emails. If you're at home, leave wifi on all the time. It really doesn't take much juice - the default setting for Android, I think, turns off wifi when the screen is off, so you'd actually want to force wifi to stay on.

GPS really shouldn't do much when you aren't using it. Display is really the number one battery killer, by far. Automatic settings or just dimmer (like 30%) if that works for you.

I use Locale and usually get a little over a day (I basically turn everything off for 8 hours while I sleep, so it uses almost no battery in that time).

The other big battery saver, if you're rooted, is to use SetCPU or some other way to underclock when under light loads. That might be stock in Ice Cream (not sure) and some newer phones. Not sure if the Bionic does that or not.
Dec 31, 2012 5:34pm
G

gport_tennis

Senior Member

1,796 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:37 PM
gut;1354140 wrote:With no wifi and no mobile data you won't get any texts or emails. If you're at home, leave wifi on all the time. It really doesn't take much juice - the default setting for Android, I think, turns off wifi when the screen is off, so you'd actually want to force wifi to stay on.

GPS really shouldn't do much when you aren't using it. Display is really the number one battery killer, by far. Automatic settings or just dimmer (like 30%) if that works for you.

I use Locale and usually get a little over a day (I basically turn everything off for 8 hours while I sleep, so it uses almost no battery in that time).

The other big battery saver, if you're rooted, is to use SetCPU or some other way to underclock when under light loads. That might be stock in Ice Cream (not sure) and some newer phones. Not sure if the Bionic does that or not.

You will get text messages when data is turned off. Just not mms
Dec 31, 2012 5:37pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:41 PM
Battery life is the only reason I won't buy a smart phone. My flip phone can last 3-4 days with heavy usage and it's almost 4 years old.
Dec 31, 2012 5:41pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:45 PM
sleeper;1354144 wrote:Battery life is the only reason I won't buy a smart phone. My flip phone can last 3-4 days with heavy usage and it's almost 4 years old.
I just have a smart phone because I have an average life and it makes me fell special...:laugh:
Dec 31, 2012 5:45pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
Dec 31, 2012 5:47 PM
Curly J;1354147 wrote:I just have a smart phone because I have an average life and it makes me fell special...:laugh:

I have a smart phone for unlimited mobile porn
Dec 31, 2012 5:47pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Dec 31, 2012 7:36 PM
wes_mantooth;1354148 wrote:I have a smart phone for unlimited mobile porn

This man speaks truths.
Dec 31, 2012 7:36pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Dec 31, 2012 7:37 PM
sleeper;1354144 wrote:Battery life is the only reason I won't buy a smart phone. My flip phone can last 3-4 days with heavy usage and it's almost 4 years old.

Cool story grandpa.
Dec 31, 2012 7:37pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jan 1, 2013 6:58 PM
I like some of the other features that Smart Actions offers.

Now that you can get a ticket for texting and driving in Ohio, I use the "Drive Smart" rule. When I get in the car, it connects to a bluetooth speaker I have and initiates the Drive Smart rule so that if someone texts me, my phone automatically sends a text back that says that I'm driving and to call me if it's urgent. It is also set to read aloud the person that is calling me, so I don't have to look at the phone to see who is calling while I'm driving.

The other one I use is for when I go for a run. As soon as I plug a headset in, the phone launches the app I use and starts playing a playlist that I have set up.

It's a cool application for sure. Probably the smartest thing Motorola has ever done. Too bad they don't advertise it enough.
Jan 1, 2013 6:58pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:04 PM
sleeper;1354144 wrote:Battery life is the only reason I won't buy a smart phone. My flip phone can last 3-4 days with heavy usage and it's almost 4 years old.
Who cares? I plug mine in while I sleep. Problem solved.
Jan 1, 2013 7:04pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:11 PM
WebFire;1355073 wrote:Who cares? I plug mine in while I sleep. Problem solved.

Sleeper never sleeps.
Jan 1, 2013 7:11pm
hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:12 PM
WebFire;1355073 wrote:Who cares? I plug mine in while I sleep. Problem solved.

I have a charger at home, at work, and one that I carry in my work bag. Not to mention an extra battery case.
Battery life shouldn't be an excuse.
Jan 1, 2013 7:12pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:14 PM
WebFire;1355073 wrote:Who cares? I plug mine in while I sleep. Problem solved.
Yep. Everyone makes such a big deal out of getting a "day". You need 16 hours, roughly, under "normal" use. And the frickin' USB cords to charge are like $10. 99% of people are routinely around an outlet, be it the car or office, and more than capable of recharging for an hour during the day.
Jan 1, 2013 7:14pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:15 PM
hasbeen;1355079 wrote:I have a charger at home, at work, and one that I carry in my work bag. Not to mention an extra battery case.
Battery life shouldn't be an excuse.

Just one at home, work, and my car. They actually charge pretty quick.
Jan 1, 2013 7:15pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:49 PM
gut;1355083 wrote:Yep. Everyone makes such a big deal out of getting a "day". You need 16 hours, roughly, under "normal" use. And the frickin' USB cords to charge are like $10. 99% of people are routinely around an outlet, be it the car or office, and more than capable of recharging for an hour during the day.

Its a "big deal" because I have zero desire to carry a charger around with me wherever I go. I have my charger at home that I use when I go to sleep and thats it.
Jan 1, 2013 7:49pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 1, 2013 7:50 PM
WebFire;1355073 wrote:Who cares? I plug mine in while I sleep. Problem solved.

The people whos battery doesn't make it until they go to sleep care.
Jan 1, 2013 7:50pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:01 PM
GoChiefs;1355139 wrote:Its a "big deal" because I have zero desire to carry a charger around with me wherever I go. I have my charger at home that I use when I go to sleep and thats it.
How hard is it to have a charger in your car and one at work? I don't carry a charger everywhere I go, and it would be rare that I'm away from an outlet for 8+ hours.
Jan 1, 2013 8:01pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:04 PM
gut;1355152 wrote:How hard is it to have a charger in your car and one at work? I don't carry a charger everywhere I go, and it would be rare that I'm away from an outlet for 8+ hours.

I'm in my car about 15 minutes a day. Its pointless. And I dont work in one designated area, so it is hard to have one at work.
Jan 1, 2013 8:04pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:25 PM
GoChiefs;1355140 wrote:The people whos battery doesn't make it until they go to sleep care.
Then get a better phone. Sticking with a flip phone because of battery is lame.
Jan 1, 2013 8:25pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:36 PM
WebFire;1355184 wrote:Then get a better phone. Sticking with a flip phone because of battery is lame.

Obviously I dont have a flip phone, and I know you were quoting sleeper, but the question still pertained to me I guess. I pay them $200 a month and paid $250 for my phone, I don't think its too much to ask to have a phone that lasts the 19 hours that I'm awake a day.
Jan 1, 2013 8:36pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:45 PM
GoChiefs;1355203 wrote:Obviously I dont have a flip phone, and I know you were quoting sleeper, but the question still pertained to me I guess. I pay them $200 a month and paid $250 for my phone, I don't think its too much to ask to have a phone that lasts the 19 hours that I'm awake a day.
The problem is people want it all. Customers expect bigger, brighter screens. They expect thin profiles. They expect to be able to do everything you can do on your computer on your phone. And they expect the battery to last all day long. Unfortunately, that's not really feasible.

Whenever customers complained to me about battery life, I'd always ask how long the battery on their laptop lasts if they were to unplug it and use it. Most would say it would last about 4 hours of continuous use before it would be about dead. So considering all the capabilities of smartphones, to get 8-9 hours of battery life on the device is actually pretty solid.
Jan 1, 2013 8:45pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 1, 2013 8:52 PM
sherm03;1355219 wrote:The problem is people want it all. Customers expect bigger, brighter screens. They expect thin profiles. They expect to be able to do everything you can do on your computer on your phone. And they expect the battery to last all day long. Unfortunately, that's not really feasible.

Whenever customers complained to me about battery life, I'd always ask how long the battery on their laptop lasts if they were to unplug it and use it. Most would say it would last about 4 hours of continuous use before it would be about dead. So considering all the capabilities of smartphones, to get 8-9 hours of battery life on the device is actually pretty solid.

But thats the thing, 8-9 hours with moderate use would be fine, but if I used the phone much, I was only looking at 6ish hours of battery life. The Bionic battery was absolutely atrocious and Motorola is well aware of it. I want a phone that can occasionally browse the web, etc, not a laptop.
Jan 1, 2013 8:52pm