automation apps for Android using which we could easily create trigger based automated tasks. These tasks would get executed automatically depending upon the time or user location . But let’s face it, these triggers don’t usually work accurately, especially the location based ones. I have frequently found the apps not detecting my location and hence not initiating the triggers. Now that most of the modern day Android phones come with NFC readers, I was looking for an app that could use the NFC technology and create automated actions based on NFC triggers. And that’s when I stumbled upon Trigger for Android.
Trigger for Android
Trigger for Android is like any other automation app except that we can use it to create an NFC-triggered task. These can then be written on any NFC tags and used in office, car or even the living room. In the free version of the app, users can create automated task based upon triggers form NFC, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. After upgrading it to the pro version, the user can create battery level, location and time based triggers.
How to Turn on NFC
So, let’s see how we can create an NFC based trigger using the app. But before we begin, you must activate NFC on your device. To activate NFC, open device settings and tap on the More option under Data usage. If you have NFC support on your device, you will see the NFC option with a checkbox against it. Simply put a check on the option and enable it. If you don’t wish to exchange content with other NFC-enabled Android phones, you can keep the Android beam option disabled.
How to Create NFC Triggered Task
Once you have activated NFC, install Trigger from the Play Store and launch the app. To create your first NFC based task, navigate to My Tasks and tap on the plus sign at the top. Again tap on the plus sign and tap the NFC option to create an automated task when you tap an NFC tag. Having done that, tap on the Next button. Now you may add actions you wish to perform when the app recognizes that particular NFC tag. For example, if you have an NFC tag in your car you can perform the actions like activate the GPS, launch your favorite music app and also get connected to the car Bluetooth stereo system. Note: You can select your preferred alarm and media player app using the app settings. Once you are done, tap on the next button and the device will show you the screen saying Waiting for the tag. Now just bring your NFC tag near the phone’s back cover and wait for it to be programmed. That’s all, you can now use the tag to automatically perform the selected actions by a single touch. These NFC tags can be rewritten for new actions and tasks until you save them as read-only tags.
Conclusion
Other than NFC, the app also offers location and event based trigger when upgraded to the pro version for $2.99 (available through an in-app purchase) which looks promising. The app offers a 7-day trial for you to decide. Personally speaking, the price is nothing when we look at the amount of tasks that can be automated using the app. So go on and try out the app. I am sure you will love it. Top Image Credit: smkybear
