Locale for Android

Locale 3.0.2 is a minor compatibility update for Android 4.0 only. For devices running Android 2.2 through Android 3.2, Locale 3.0.1 is the most recent version.

• Improved compatibility with selecting specific calendars
• Improved compatibility with HTC One devices
• Locale’s on/off button now works when slid

• Fixed searching by address on Android 2.2 and Android 2.3
• Minor enhancements to Japanese and Swedish translations

Locale 3.0 introduces the Calendar condition, improved battery life and compatibility, and UI enhancements to make Locale faster and easier to set up.

Calendar condition

The number one Locale feature request is finally here! Locale 3.0 introduces the Calendar condition to detect events on your Google Calendar, Exchange Calendar, or any other calendar supported by Android. Use the Calendar condition to silence your ringer automatically during meetings. The Calendar condition requires Android 4.0 or later.

New UI theme

Locale 3.0 introduces a new UI theme consistent with Google’s new Android UI guidelines. Sleeker than ever, Locale’s lists fit better on the screen, UI elements are better spaced, and situation prioritization is more seamless.

New situation status indicators give better insight into what Locale is doing. Tap on the indicators to get more detailed status and the ability to turn situations on and off.

Situation templates

Pre-configured situation templates make it possible to instantly add new situations.

Location improvements

• “My” locations: When setting up a new Location condition, Locale automatically finds locations like “home” or “work” in your “me” card in the Android 4.0 contact list
• Improved usability: The location radius now is set to match available accuracy
• More accurate autocomplete: When searching by address, autocomplete now prioritizes addresses in the contact list
• Longer battery life: New power management algorithms are up to 10x more efficient
• Reduced storage: For devices with limited internal memory, Locale automatically switches to cache location data on external storage

Intelligent Bluetooth management

If a Bluetooth headset is in use when a Bluetooth off setting is applied, Locale intelligently delays toggling Bluetooth until the call ends.

Priority support

A new “Contact support” menu item automatically attaches Locale configuration information, so that our legendary lightning-fast support team can respond to inquiries even more quickly.

Google TV

Locale is now fully compatible with Google TV devices. If you’re doing something interesting with Locale on your TV, please let us know!

Improved compatibility

All of the enhancements in Locale 2.5—Shortcut setting, Media Volume setting, instant Orientation condition detection—are now available to Android 2.2 and Android 2.3 users.

Locale 3.0 contains workarounds for erratic Wi-Fi behavior on HTC phones, caused by HTC’s “battery saver” app.

Permissions

The new features in Locale 3.0 require some additional Android permissions. The Calendar condition requires READ CALENDAR EVENTS in order to detect when you’re in a meeting. The Location condition requires READ PROFILE in order to figure out locations important to you like home and work. This information is only used within the app; it is not transmitted and stored.

The Location condition also requires MODIFY/DELETE USB STORAGE CONTENTS MODIFY/DELETE SD CARD CONTENTS in order to more intelligently cache location data.

Locale 2.5 introduces a new UI, new built-in settings, enhanced performance, and focuses on improved compatibility with the latest versions of Android. Locale 2.5 is only available for Android 3.0 or later at this time, although a future version of Locale will bring these enhancements to Android 2.2 and Android 2.3.

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) compatibility

Locale 2.5 has full support for Android 4.0, including the Holographic UI, ActionBar, new menu and notification icons, and overall improved compatibility for the following issues:

• Workaround for the Battery condition disappearing on the Galaxy Nexus (Android bug #22035)
• Workaround for Locale’s ongoing notification disappearing when manually stopping and starting Locale’s service (Android bug #21635)
• Workaround for issues with Location on certain tablets (Android bug #22036)
• Workaround for Location condition sometimes disappearing (Android bug #24656)
• Workaround for issues with setting ringer and notification volumes (Android bug #23284 and Android bug #23283). Note: Unlike older versions of Android, Android 4.0 does not allow ringer and notification volumes to be set independently. To mute the ringer and still get audible notifications, use the Ringtone setting to set the ringtone to silent and the Volume setting to set the volume to loud
• Improved Location UI search
• Fixed an “application is not responding” error that sometimes occurred when tapping Locale’s ongoing notification
• Locale now uses 50% less RAM memory on Android 4.0

Holographic UI

Locale’s futuristic new UI streamlines setup with fewer taps, while adding new features making Locale easier to use. A new non-maps Location UI improves compatibility with devices that don’t support touch screens or Google Maps. In addition, improved situation status indicators now show if there’s an error inside of a situation (such as a missing plug-in).

Shortcut setting

Automate your Android with the new Shortcut setting which launches apps and app shortcuts. Imagine: automatically load the weather in the morning. Start an app when connecting the charger. Launch your music when connecting headphones (when combined with the Headphones Plug-in). The possibilities are endless!

Media Volume setting

Media Volume controls are now built-in. In addition to silencing the ringer in class, don’t forget to turn down the media volume so that your games don’t start blasting out at full volume!

Instant orientation change detection

New Orientation condition algorithms are significantly more accurate, battery efficient, and detect changes almost immediately even when the display is off.

Better location detection

New battery efficient algorithms enhance detection, especially when driving. In addition, new location cache management reduces network bandwidth and uses less storage.

Self-repairing database

Locale automatically detects and repairs database corruption caused by defective flash memory in Android devices, a major Android issue.

Plug-in API

Updated plug-in sample code is available now, with UI enhancements for Android 4.0, improved forward compatibility, and up to 3x reduced memory usage.

Here’s what Ryan Whitwam has to say about Locale in his review on Tested.com

“Locale has a lot going for it. It’s easy to use, but has some advanced functionality under the hood. We have found the battery usage to be absolutely amazing. Even when using location-based Situations, Locale barely registers on the Battery Use screen. […] Locale is just $4 in the Android Market, and we feel the level of polish and overall quality are more than commensurate with the asking price.”