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.

HowTo: install xRecovery in Xperia X10 Mini Pro

Android, How to, Xperia X10 Mini Pro, , , , , , ,
Update: I got ClockworkMod Recovery working on my phone, that’s a better choice.

xRecovery is a custom Android recovery system for all variants of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, including Xperia X10 Mini Pro. If you want to take it to the next level by being able to take and restore full backups, flash custom ROMs, manage partitions and wipe not just data but cache and Dalvik cache as well, you have to install it.

It’s similar to ClockworkMod Recovery which cannot be installed on SE devices.

Here the steps I used to install xRecovery on a Xperia X10 Mini Pro.

Prerequisites

  1. check your handset details via “Settings” – “About phone”
    • Your “Baseband version” must be M76XX-TSNCJOLYM-53404015
    • Your “Build number” must be 2.1.1.A.0.6
  2. check if you have root access (you can use Root check app)
  3. you need Android Terminal Emulator app (install from the Market or apk download here)
If you need to root the phone you can follow my guide.
If you need busybox you can install it with Busybox installer
Software requirements

Install
Unrar the archive and from your pc type:

$ adb push AAIS/ /sdcard/

Use install.sh via Android Terminal Emulator (root user):

$ su
# cd /sdcard/AAIS
# sh install.sh

Choose 0 or simply push “Return”
At the end (3-10 seconds) phone will reboot.

All done.
A good idea: make a backup
Enter recovery:

  1. power off phone
  2. when booting your phone and when the “Sony Ericsson” letters appear, press and release continuously the “back” button
  3. once you are in the CW recovery, use the volume keys to navigate upwards / downwards, the “home” or “camera” button key to select, the “back” key to go back
  4. choose “Backup and restore” – “Backup”
  5. reboot