BSR,
I assume you are talking about getting information out of the Gmail database?
Again, you have to be rooted, as the sql database is in the /data/data directory. You also need root, so you can install the sqlite3 binary.
The setup was easy. I work ASM/C and VHDL. I know VB, but only because I use Homeseer.
Basically, I poked around online, and found that some people that actually USED the sqlite3 command line to read out the databases. I used their work as a template to get the data I wanted out of the database. I push the result of the database read into grep and awk...or just awk...I'd have to look. Then, I have Tasker monitor for various things to cause the script to be run. When it runs a variable is updated and pushed to the Minimalist Text Widget (for unread count).
If you help me work out the bugs, I will take screen captures and write up a nice walk-though for you. I'd then like to post it in the how-to section on here for consumption by everyone. It's been a while since I posted one on here, so I think I need to put a new one up.
Jellybean 4.2.2 (maybe other JB has this as well) have unread count on the lock screen by default. I use ICS on my phone, JB on my Nexus 7. On ICS, maybe others, you can put owner information on the lock screen. I enabled this. Then I use the Tasker Secure Settings plugin (I bought it - totally worth it). That plugin lets me push a Tasker variable to the owner information section of the lock screen.
I have been easily able to get subjects, bodies sometimes get goofed up (I just do not know the DB pattern since GMail has discussions...it seems the order it based on the threading of the discussions, not order received). Once you get the information into the variable, you can do whatever you want with it.
So, I actually use two things from the server. I get e-mail, and I use Google Voice for sending text alerts. I found some python scripts that can interface to the Gvoice stuff. Well, at least for now it does. When they change the API, I lose this until someone updates the python scripts. So, I use e-mail. I find the texting is easier to deal with.
You know what, I will do this, assuming you'll use my guides and tell me what I goofed (since it works on my phone, I'm afraid I'll miss something):
- How to get data out of the Gmail database
- how to get unread count
- What I use to trigger updates to the unread count...so I am not polling...but the value is accurate when read
- How to get subjects
- How to get a body of a message (although not reliably the one you want)
- Putting unread count on the lock screen
- using texting through command line (python scripts)
- setting up Tasker for interaction with those texts (proper parsing)
Maybe I'll do a part 2 or something where I can explain the RECON Tasker functionality. That took a LONG time to setup, but was fun. I guess I could have just installed a piece of software...but what fun is that!?
Potentially a part 3, is how I use some of Jon00's scripts (from the Homeseer forums), as well as the Zoom Plugin to make a Homeseer updated page that has tons of quick information for me. Status of common lights, thermostats, power use, 5 day forcast, etc. All generated at the touch of my Zoom Widget. Is anyone interested in this? This was really easy to setup, especially since Jon00's scripts make it so easy to smash all this information together.
--Dan