Comments on: How To Automate Your Mac & Your Home With Proximity

By: phil D

phil D — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:12:45 +0000

Look in the menu bar (top of main display) for the Blue tooth symbol that either says “in” or “out” near the clock.

Sorry about the double post. Please delete my other comment. thanks.

By: phil D

phil D — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:07:56 +0000

You’re probably not looking in the right place . this app looks like the BlueTooth symbol in your main display’s menu bar (At the top right where the time and date is, so on.)

By: J Slater

J Slater — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:52:42 +0000

There must have been a setting to make this a hidden app. I can’t get back to the settings. Anyone know how to fix this? When I launch it, there are no preferences to even try to change. I presume I can delete the settings file, but that seems like overkill.
Thanks,
JS

By: Wayne Bretski

Wayne Bretski — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:54:03 +0000

Does this work with the iPhone?

(It would be the first useful thing I can do with the BT feature)

By: raptrex

raptrex — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:10:28 +0000

well if you set your computer to use screensaver, wont the internet be still connected, so you can still download stuff?

By: Jeffry Thurana

Jeffry Thurana — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:15:58 +0000

I think you should go with the script modification. It’s not that complicated. Repeatedly disable and enable the system would ruin the “automatic” part of the process.

By: Jeffry Thurana

Jeffry Thurana — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:46:20 +0000

@ Jackson: Thanks. You beat me on replying to this comment.

@ Raptrex: I was gonna say that It will depend on the type of bluetooth connection the device has. Just for detection, 5-10 m range is sufficient. So, between your room and your car approaching the garage, I’d say the system would work out fine.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:41:32 +0000

Bluetooth generally have a range of 5-10m. Effectively, they work best under 3m.

I’ve used Promixity before and it’s pretty cool when iTunes pauses automatically once I leave the room and magically resume after I re-enter. The problem is: Bluetooth has to be enabled on my phone the whole time. Kills my T610′s battery after a while.

It wont’ work on the iPhone. But hey, it’s great fun to try.

It’s nice reading someone else’s Mac articles on MakeUseOf. Good job Jeffry!

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:52:09 +0000

Great! I’ll definitely set this up. Just have to remember to disable the function whenever I’m downloading some big files and leaving the house (or else modify the script).

By: raptrex

raptrex — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:21:10 +0000

whats the range to detect bluetooth because this would be great to use if my macbook (room above my garage) can detect my cellphone if im driving up the driveway into the garage
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!