When comparing Locale vs Llama, the Slant community recommends Llama for most people. In the question“What are the best Android apps for making your phone automatically perform certain actions based on set criteria?” Llama is ranked 3rd while Locale is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Llama is:
Llama's core feature is an easy to understand and use Events system. Events consist of Actions that trigger based on Conditions. You can combine this system with the Area and Profile systems to automatically adjust how your phone behaves in certain situations. Conditions include: - Connecting / disconnecting a Bluetooth device - Entering / exiting Car Mode - Charging / unplugged - Day of the Week - Entering / leaving / being in / not being in an Area - Music starts / stops - At a certain time interval Actions include: - Adjusting brightness - Adjusting music volume - Changing profile - Killing an app - Rebooting - Placing a notification - Running an app - Turn account synchronization on / off - Turn Airplane Mode on / off - Turn mobile data on / off - Turn GPS on / off - Turn screen lock on / off - Turn Wi-Fi on / off
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro No noticeable effect on battery life
Even with Locale's advanced functionality, users have reported no noticeable effect on battery life.
Pro Uses Google data backup API
All the "situations" used on Locale are saved using Google data backup API, so once the variables are right, they will never be lost.
Pro Balances ease of use and complexity
This app is complex, but the UI makes it easy for anyone to use without much of a learning curve.
Pro Optimized for low battery drain
Pro Uses WiFi to determine location
Instead of using GPS like other apps, Locale uses WiFi to determine a user's location when possible. This is one of the reasons that Locale is so efficient when it comes to battery life.
Pro Easy to use, yet powerful Events system
Llama's core feature is an easy to understand and use Events system. Events consist of Actions that trigger based on Conditions. You can combine this system with the Area and Profile systems to automatically adjust how your phone behaves in certain situations.
Conditions include:
- Connecting / disconnecting a Bluetooth device
- Entering / exiting Car Mode
- Charging / unplugged
- Day of the Week
- Entering / leaving / being in / not being in an Area
- Music starts / stops
- At a certain time interval
Actions include:
- Adjusting brightness
- Adjusting music volume
- Changing profile
- Killing an app
- Rebooting
- Placing a notification
- Running an app
- Turn account synchronization on / off
- Turn Airplane Mode on / off
- Turn mobile data on / off
- Turn GPS on / off
- Turn screen lock on / off
- Turn Wi-Fi on / off
Pro Free
The app is free, but you can opt to support the developer by purchasing a donation app for $0.99.
Pro Highly customizable Profiles
Profiles are a quick way to change your phone's behavior. You can adjust settings such as ringtone and notification volume and sound, music, media, alarm and in-call volume, choose between ring / vibrate / silent modes, among many more options.
Pro NFC-based triggers
Llama is capable of triggering when around NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled devices.
Pro Won't drain your data plan
Unlike a few other automation apps, Llama doesn't use a data connection so it will not cost to use.
Pro Reliable, cell tower-based location triggers
To teach Llama your current position, go to the Areas tab and long-press your current position, then choose Start Learning Area. The app will now and in the future identify that area based on cell towers in the location. The longer you stay within that area the first time you set it to learn, the better Llama will be able to identify that place.
You can also manually add or remove certain cell towers to areas.
Cons
Con Seems to be abandoned by the developers
Last update: October 2014.