Android Modem - screen on constantly

Author

Message

Jonty Goldin
New member
Username: Jonty

Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2016

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2016 - 05:08 am:

Hi,

We are trialing NowSMS Lite with the Android Modem. Have noticed that when the modem service is active, the screen is always on - is there any way to prevent this from happening?

Thanks,
Jonty

Des - NowSMS Support
Board Administrator
Username: Desosms

Post Number: 5611
Registered: 08-2008

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2016 - 06:17 pm:

Hi Jonty,,

We will probably make this customizable in the future, but at present, as long as the device has power, we ask for a dim screen to remain on.

The reason for this is because we have found from experience that a large number of devices will drop WiFi after an extended period of perceived idle time. Adding a request to keep at least a dim screen helped resolve these issues. (We also explicitly ask for WiFi to stay on, but after a day or two, these devices decide enough is enough.)

I'll relay your request to make this configurable to our development team. They are actively working on a number of new configuration options for Android devices...and I agree with you, it would be nice to turn the screen off as long as the device does not drop WiFi. I've had a number of devices connected to one of my servers for over 2 years and have one with a flickering screen.

--
Des
NowSMS Support

Bryce Norwood - NowSMS Support
Board Administrator
Username: Bryce

Post Number: 8139
Registered: 10-2002

Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 - 08:11 pm:

Hi Jonty,

We needed to make an update to the Android app to address a small issue with Android 6.x Marshmallow. As part of this update, we added a way to turn the screen off.

The updated Android app can be downloaded from http://www.nowsms.com/apkdev

Turning the screen off also requires an updated NowSMS on the PC side at http://www.nowsms.com/download/nowsms20160328.zip

To turn off screen, manually edit SMSGW.INI to add KeepScreenOn=No under the [NowSMSodem - name] section head. Note that some device are more likely to take longer to send SMS when the screen is off, and some devices may go to sleep and go off line, requiring a manual wake up. Test your device thoroughly if using this setting.

-bn

Bryce Norwood
Now SMS/MMS Support

Jonty Goldin
New member
Username: Jonty

Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2016

Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 - 07:21 am:

Des & Bryce, thanks for your responses. Will give the new modem a whirl!

Jonty Goldin
New member
Username: Jonty

Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2016

Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 - 10:47 pm:

Hi Bryce,

We are using the Lite version of your gateway. Is there any chance of a NowSMS Lite version that will support the screen off feature?

Thanks,
Jonty