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New App Turns Bluetooth On and Off With One Touch
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Are we sure this is a private API?
On the Korg iKaossilator app, it uses Bluetooth to connect to other iOS devices to utilize a proprietary wireless syncing standard [WIST] they came up with.
When using the app, if Bluetooth is turned off the app itself will ask the user if they'd like to turn it on. This happens within the app itself, and without the need to visit the settings page, just like this new app does.
What's the difference, exactly?
On the Korg iKaossilator app, it uses Bluetooth to connect to other iOS devices to utilize a proprietary wireless syncing standard [WIST] they came up with.
When using the app, if Bluetooth is turned off the app itself will ask the user if they'd like to turn it on. This happens within the app itself, and without the need to visit the settings page, just like this new app does.
What's the difference, exactly?
Don't be so sure they would never do this, it might just be done in a different way than you imagine. Have you ever used location based reminders iOS 5?
It seems like my phone could easily know the correct location-based "profile" for when I'm at my home, my work location, or just out and about.
I connected to my bluetooth boom box with no problem at all, worked like a charm, when finished listening to a few songs I turned bletooth off and disconnected without a hitch. It turns my Bluetooth on and off and connects to either my boom box or keyboard, whit never one is turned on.
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It's probably one that slipped past the goalie. Might also depend on how overt the key feature was in the description or title. The one-touch toggle is genius but completely buried and unintuitive to figure out. Had I not read this article, I'd never know how to do that.
They also sort of tout this as a bluetooth chat app, so maybe that helped bury it's purpose?
1. Leave it on.
2. Leave it on.
3. No, its drain on battery is negligible. Leave it on.
4. Do you care to substantiate this statement with serious references? Or did you just read it on the internet?
So, the use case is simple: LEAVE THE FRICKING THING ON!
Me too. I use it on an almost daily basis on my train journey.
Downloaded and installed this one too as it would be useful for the time I actually use the car!
I don't know how this got through Apples approval process.
Don't be so sure they would never do this, it might just be done in a different way than you imagine. Have you ever used location based reminders iOS 5?
It seems like my phone could easily know the correct location-based "profile" for when I'm at my home, my work location, or just out and about.
Agreed! I like the idea that services and features can be turned off by location or context. They sort of do this with Wifi auto-connecting to networks you have already accepted. But it could be so much cooler and deeper integration. For example, when I am near home: text my wife that I will be there shortly. When I am near the grocery store once a week tell me to pick up milk.
Title: Happy Fun Ball
Description: Access your iOS filesystem and add widgets to the notification pulldown.
Can you try to actually use this to connect and let us know if it works? Given my tests, see previous posts, it does't seem to actually turn the bluetooth on...
It's fantastic for A2DP stereo music. We have Philips Fidelio Android speaker dock which also works fine with my iPad and my Windows Phone thanks to Bluetooth.
I have a specific case where this little app will come in very handy. Using Siri in my car. In all 3 of my vehicles, hitting the home/Siri button will bring up Siri, but the audio is routed through the same system as hands-free calls. You would think this wouldn't be a problem except Siri has a very hard time understanding me over road noise when the car is in motion. Things like "read my new text" become an exercise in frustration.
No doubt it's the fault of the system in my cars, but nonetheless, it gives me fits.
Easily disabling/enabling BT so I can use Siri accurately in the car and not have to look at the screen - even if I'm not the one driving - is something that will come in handy for me.
It turns Bluetooth on and off, but I am yet to try in my car. You need to have Bluetooth turned on within the settings app first, then use the app to turn on and off.
Bluetooth 2.1 is terrible for file transfers. It works great for audio, as I can leave BT on and when I get in my car I can start playing music without even taking my phone out of my pocket.
BT 3.0 +HS allows the use of Wifi for file transfers, so BT is just used to create an ad-hoc connection then wifi is used to actually transfer data, which is much faster. I'm not sure if Apple implements the High Speed section in their 4.0 BT chips, but there isn't really a way to transfer from a MBA to iPad/iPhone via bluetooth right now to test.
So much for my genius million dollar app idea, although I have to say ever since getting the 4s with Bluetooth 4.0 the battery drain is almost non existent and therefore my need for an App to toggle BT's power has faded away.
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I could not agree with you more and I have the same fits. Siri should have an audio source option similar to phone calls when a Bluetooth connection is active.
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I could not agree with you more and I have the same fits. Siri should have an audio source option similar to phone calls when a Bluetooth connection is active.
When I was on 5.01 I was using that backdoor solution that was a springboard icon that pointed to the browser with a javascript, and it called a system function (you had to initially install a settings update).
I bailed as I was figuring it would get patched and I didnt want to become reliant on it, but I might try it again (Im on 5.1 now).
Its for FWIW:
http://brdrck.me/settings
Worked great, to quickly access the proper settings item directly from the springboard (though didnt directly toggle, just a shortcut). Was nice for BT which is sort of buried.
I bailed as I was figuring it would get patched and I didnt want to become reliant on it, but I might try it again (Im on 5.1 now).
Its for FWIW:
http://brdrck.me/settings
Worked great, to quickly access the proper settings item directly from the springboard (though didnt directly toggle, just a shortcut). Was nice for BT which is sort of buried.
Works for me
For those that are suggesting "leave it on" that's fine, good for you.
If however you have any sort of security background or system hardening tendencies you will, by default, want anything you don't use turned off (particularly services that broadcast!).
Apples implementation of Bluetooth doesn't allow me to make my device "undiscoversble" and until it does I will only activate Bluetooth when I need it
Minor point really but thought it was worth mentioning as there's more motivation to turn off Bluetooth than just to conserve battery
For those that are suggesting "leave it on" that's fine, good for you.
If however you have any sort of security background or system hardening tendencies you will, by default, want anything you don't use turned off (particularly services that broadcast!).
Apples implementation of Bluetooth doesn't allow me to make my device "undiscoversble" and until it does I will only activate Bluetooth when I need it
Minor point really but thought it was worth mentioning as there's more motivation to turn off Bluetooth than just to conserve battery
This is great. Android have a cool little toggle bar that is easy to get to. It would be great if apple gets this one day!
This is a pretty bad fall. First, that the feature is only now in existence. Second, that it costs a buck to install.
I've had this one button toggle for the whole life of my android phone. So it was not only free but already installed.
The two hundred dollar developer fee has got to end. It limits simple solutions like this. There's no reason this app should be proprietary.
I've had this one button toggle for the whole life of my android phone. So it was not only free but already installed.
The two hundred dollar developer fee has got to end. It limits simple solutions like this. There's no reason this app should be proprietary.
I have a sneaky suspicion that this is the next JB functionality that Apple is going to implement in iOS 6.... Kind of like notification center last year.
and its still one of my favourite apps. Unless there's another app that will play all my video files? It will be a sad day when an OS update prevents VLC from working!
It's not really "much" simpler. I guess we're assuming starting from the home screen with the setting or this app visible. So the options are:
iOS Settings:
Settings --> General --> Bluetooth --> on/off
This app (auto-toggle feature off)
App --> on/off
This app (auto-toggle feature on)
App
But Settings remembers my last location, so if I most recently toggled bluetooth then its just:
Settings --> on/off
So it's just a one tap difference... that is simpler... but only a little simpler.
Not true.
IOS forgets that you were on the bluetooth setting page within minutes.
I'm wondering why hasn't anyone tried to come up with a replacement app, one that doesn't have the licensing problem that got VLC pulled?