14 DAY TRIAL // Today’s smartphones offer a great deal of features and capabilities to their users, but there’s always room for more, at least this is what Microsoft believes.
Thus, the company announced the launch of a new application and website for the owners of Android-based devices, called on{X} (pronounced 'on-ex') and accessible at this address.
Through on{X}, developers and technology enthusiasts can remotely program their devices to perform specific actions when needed.
Users can easily create rules on said website and send them to the smartphone afterwards. Moreover, the site offers examples of rules and details on the manner in which one can come up with new ones.
Some examples of rules that can be created include:
- Show me the quickest route to work when I leave home - Launch the music app when I am running - Remind me to take an umbrella first time I unlock my device on a given day, if it is forecast to rain - Launch my calendar when I get to work - Remind me to visit the Gym if I haven't been there for 3 days
All those who would like to take advantage of on{X} should head over to the aforementioned website and register with their Facebook ID to start creating rules.
They would also need to get the application from the Google Play store and sign-in with the same ID. The application offers support for all devices that run under Google’s Android 2.3 or above operating system.
“Project on{X} is a developer oriented service that enables developers and technological enthusiasts, to easily program mobile devices to dynamically react to a continuously changing environment,” Eran Yariv, principal development manager, Microsoft, explains in a blog post.
Actions that can be performed through on{X} are hooked up to a sensor-based event, including WiFi network detection, device unlock, change in GPS positioning, and more.
For each triggered event, reactions are created. The best part, however, is that they are not limited to a list of actions, but that specific JavaScript code can be used to do more.
“The possibilities are wide open because you no longer need to worry about the target platform. Even better, Project on{x} is optimized to not drain your battery,” Eran Yariv continues.
