Alright, everybody knows that Microsoft hates Google. Yep, the Microsoft guys really hates those Googlers. But that doesn’t mean they can’t work with Google for the benefit of both parties… After all, they aren’t the only tech giants around and ignoring opportunities is not something the shareholders would like…
Following this simple business logic, Microsoft has launched an intriguing new app named on{X} which will enable you to “automate your life” by defining upfront specific actions your smartphone will do during certain events in your life. The app is available for… Wait for it… Android devices only!
Interestingly enough, Microsoft decided to announce the launch of on{X} on Bing official blog (Bing is Google’s bitter nemesis if you don’t know). Is there any association of on{X} to the search engine? Well, Not really, but let’s not try to provoke any new battles between the new sweethearts.
on{X}, that has been developed and created by Microsoft Israel, allows Android users to set “rules” (JavaScript codes) for the app which contains a trigger (x) and an action (y). Meaning, whenever the user is on{X} the app is doing {y}. Now you get how cool the name is? (that is, if you geeky folks like me)
For example, you can set a rule that will show you what is the current weather forecast right as you leave your house, pretty useful right? Or every time you pass Madison Square Garden it will send your friend from Chicago the text message “The Knicks Rules!”, not so useful but pretty awesome, right?
To run on{x}, you need to download it from Google Play, log in (through Facebook Connect) and start defining your rules. At the moment, there are already 11 fully ready rules (or “recipes”) made by the on{x} team like “Launch calendar when I arrive at work” or “When my boyfriend texts me “where?” reply automatically with my location”.
If you wish to create your own rules, first note that you’ll have to know your way around JavaScript codes. If you indeed that nerd enough (alright, you’re super-cool), enter the “My Rules Pages”, click on the “create” button and start coding. For all coding details you can visit this documentation page.
Currently, on{x} is probably designated for the more geeky-programmer types and less for the every day regular people who don’t know how to code JavaScript (or even knows what JavaScript is). But on{X} is now just on its beta release, I suppose that Microsoft wants to send it for a test drive first as programmers will create more recipes and only later will release a more friendly to customize version.
Why hasn’t it been released to iOS devices and only for Android? I can safely guess Microsoft knows that Apple isn’t a big fan of letting the users to code things openly, so I don’t know if they even bothered to send it for approval on Apple’s App Store. Android on the other hand is all for complete openness.
Anyways, on{x} is a very cool Android app and if you geek enough it can get a lot more cooler. Watch the following video for more information:
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