Automate Listen subscriptions update with Tasker

Android, , ,
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I use Listen by Google to listen to my podcasts.
I’m a commuter and I find really frustrating to find new episodes ready to download while I’m already in my car.

To solve this issue I configured Tasker to start Listen on 6:00 in the morning.
This seems to force Listen to update the rss subscriptions.
Listen takes care of the download step.

Tasker Profile export:

Profile: Update Listen (3)
Time: 06:00
Enter: Anon (5)
A1: Load App [ App:Listen Data: Exclude From Recent Apps:On]
A2: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:3 Hours:0 Days:0]
A3: Go Home [ Page:0]


After-root Android tip #2: AdFree

Android, , , ,

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

AdFree
AdFree removes most ads in the browser and other apps. It does this by nullifying requests to known host names in the system hosts file.

Tested version: 0.7.7

What problem does it solve?
Do you hate advertisement as I do? Get rid of it!
Technically speaking your hosts file will be modified to make apps requests to ad servers go to null pages.

The Good

  • speed up browsing (less data to load)
  • save some bandwidth
  • save you from unwanted flashing banners
  • prevent accidental touch on ads

The Bad and the Ugly

  • many free apps programmers live with ads, so make your choice
  • some apps will recognize the hack and they will refuse to start
  • you have to start the app to check for updates
  • you’ll find some black area in apps where there would have been ads
  • sometimes in apps, you’ll get spinning gif waiting for banners

After-root Android tip #1: ClockSync

Android, , ,

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

ClockSync
ClockSync synchronizes device system clock with atomic time from Internet via NTP (Network Time Protocol).

Tested version: 1.1.3

What problem does it solve?
My phone tends to loose some seconds a day and this application silently solves the issue.

The Good

  • it can be configured to update the clock only when using a wifi connection
  • it can do it silently
  • it keeps stats
  • timezone auto detection
  • rootless mode (not very handy)
  • it’s a typical set and forget app

The Bad and the Ugly
Nothing to tell about it.

After-root Android tip #0

Android, , ,

Hi, if you have root access to your phone, you’re probably asking what to do with this power.
I’m going to start a series of posts where I’ll write about the apps I use, but only for rooted devices.

If you are an owner of a Xperia X10 Mini Pro and if you need a not-too-simple-but-complete-guite to root your phone you can find it here.