on {X}: Microsoft Android App

    Imagine that you can program your Android so that it writes to your wife when you leave work. Now imagine how your Android reminds you to grab an umbrella in the morning if it is going to rain that day.

    In fact, this is reality. According to TechCrunch, Microsoft today introduced a beta version of on {X} (pronounced “on-ex”) - a site and Android applications that provide users with advanced control over their Android phones using remote programming (yes, it’s Microsoft ) Semi-goers can take advantage of ready-made recipes, while ultra-geeks can create their own scripts with the JavaScript API.

    The logical question is, why did Microsoft suddenly launch an Android product? The answer lies with the developers. On {X} is the Israeli Information Platform and Experiences (IPE) team , which focuses mainly on geo-zoning, real-time location sharing, proximity detection and recommendation systems in Bing, as well as new approaches in interfaces for a combination of web services and applications.

    Project manager Shira Weinberg explained that the less restrictive security model of the Android platform was well suited for the initial deployment of the technology. In general, we should expect the appearance of on {X} in both Windows 8 and Windows Phone, which require a more serious implementation of the technology.

    All users need to do is download the Android application and configure the rules on on {X}. The rules are called “recipes,” and 11 templates are ready to use. Among them are such as “Turn on the music when I go” and “Remind me to visit the gym if I have not been there for 3 days.” Each recipe can be easily edited before being included on the user's device. You can watch the video below to see how it works.

    Users who are familiar with the JavaScript API can create their own rules consisting of “triggers” and “actions”. For example: "Remind me to buy milk when I leave home" (trigger - leave the house, action - remind me). Examples of triggers include changing location, receiving SMS, incoming call, timer, low battery, etc. A trigger called “mode of transport” allows the device to detect whether the user is walking, riding or running. Among the actions: send SMS, send an email, show a reminder, launch the application.


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