Related
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
fortunz said:
It doesn't have a dpad because a) they thought it didn't need one because dpads are so 2005 and b) there wasn't room for everything and reviewers are already fond of calling it a brick.
I didn't notice AEB+ using the zoom bar as a dpad, but that's the hack I'm hoping for. Maybe it can capture the zoom bar action, I'm just not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
poetryrocksalot said:
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
fortunz said:
In order to type. It is entirely possible, and preferable to some to navigate without always having it open.
Now, about your caffeine intake...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha that's hilarious
DPad Desire
I just got my TP2 a few days ago, my personal desire would be a DPAD app that uses the whole keyboard, so generically pressing rowards the left of the keys is left (like Q,W,A,S,D), towards the top is up (like 4,5,6,R,T,Y) etc. etc.
Then an assignable button for select, like space bar or FN.
Anyway, it would make sense to me and be easier to use especially for games , I find the DPAD being on the bottom right a bit annoying but they've done a good job fitting it all in!
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
so HOW can you map different actions to the zoom slider? like scroll?!
petard said:
Calm the hell down! How old are you, 12? The dpad is nice when you are only holding the phone with one hand. It is nearly impossible to use it with one hand while open. If your reasons why it doesn't have a dpad were true then the last 4 generations of HTC sliders wouldn't have a dpad. It doesn't have a dpad for multiple reasons including the iPhone's lack of a dpad, how a USABLE (Touch Pro!) dpad doesn't look good, and the lack of room on the front.
Up/Down without enter is still somewhat useful if you are reading something while only holding the phone with one hand. You can always map something else to be enter, like long press on start or back. I will DEFINITELY experiment with this once AT&T releases the Touch Pro 2 since I still do use it on my TP.
If only they put a ball or sensor like tbe Samsung Epix and new Blackberries have it would have greatly increased one handed usability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He spaced the hell outta himself one time.. pissing of an employee at SE so he wouldnt give us valuable info anymore on a new phone that comes out in the end of the year
pantelis25 said:
Sorry if this was mentioned before but there is a way to create a d-pad using the AE Button Plus
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
I did it using the increase and decrease volume and changed them to up and down scrolling,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
QUOTE]
this may be your oponion, but that's no reason for putting other people down.
personnaly i use the volume buttons as up/down. thsi works very wel if you are scrolling in your emails. if i want to clean up my mailbox i can scroll the mails and delete them with my left soft-key. ik i tap the email is opened, but i dont always want to open the mail because this is time-consuming.
So you see, for some people these functions can be very usefull.
So please have an open mind en don't think you opinion is the only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xdadJeroen said:
pantelis if you need a d-pad on a tp2.. try the acer m900.. it looks like the tp2 and has a fingerprint scanner that you can use as d-pad.. better camera with flash too.. but no tilting, ****ed up RAM, and a ****ed up KB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive seen the reviews. The OS is bs its generally a bs phone. Wouldnt bother with it. Although fingerprint scanner is very cool.
On topic: SCROLL WITH ZOOM BAR! Had the wheel as a scroller on my TP and i want similar on my TP2
poetryrocksalot said:
The reason Rhodium doesn't have a D-pad in the first place is because you are suppose to use the phone with the qwerty keyboard out most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the Topaz? It doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard or a D-pad.
poetryrocksalot said:
Just trust me on this...the reason is that the keyboard qwerty is good enough"
Think about PLEASE!!!!!
Why the hell would you buy a phone with qwerty keyboard, ctrl, arrow keys, and proper function indicators? Obviously because you rely on those.
And if you rely on those than you obviously already have a D-Pad called "Arrow Keys" and "Enter/Select Key"
Also don't you find it absolutely ****ing pointless to have a volume control keys be used as a scroll wheel when you lack a freaking "select" button?
Man what are you people thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you use up and down with volume rocker just to highlight an item and then tap on the same exact item to select it.
Why would you use a freaking volume rocker to scroll down a page when you obviously can do it better with a freaking stylus?
The same goes for the zoom bar!!! That ludicrously illogical to use zoom bar to highlight items and then having to get the stylus out to tap it. Waste of time and efficiency without a freaking "enter/select key"
Think aF***ingBout It! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG. Somebody is a grumpy-pants and got up on the wrong side of the bed.
This phone would be almost perfect if it had a scroll wheel or a D-pad. This device uses WM6.1 and this is the norm for WM6.1 (this may change with WM6.5)
I can easily envision how the use of the zoom bar or the volume buttons as a scroll wheel or d-pad replacement could work efficiently and better than the "freaking" stylus. All because you lack the vision to make it work doesn't mean that it cannot work well.
For example. The zoom bar could have five zones: up, left, select, right, & down. Just put some tape over the zoom bar with the map, and viola.
Also, what about phones like the Topaz? Where's the "freaking" arrow keys or the enter/select key?
You may be content with the phone, but others may not.
Yes, i know thats not what the play is for, but sometimes i want to use it for e-books.
Is there an app that allows me to turn pages with my shoulder buttons?
PLAY around with the button changer apps
I used the XDA App to post this, what did you use?
Played around with them but could not get ihem to work. I use CM7.
Do they even allow remapping to the volume keys?
Well there was an app, but doesn't support new FW.
no point in making now since ICE CREAM SAMMICH is coming next month. Give time till NOVEMBER and in sure there will be an app for it.
I used the XDA App to post this, what did you use?
And how would waiting for till November solve anything?
Back to my question, is there an e reader out there that allows you to chose wat buttons turn the page? Seems to me like that would be a basic feature, but the ones i tried didn't have it.
Keep in mind that unlike volume buttons, shoulder buttons are by no mean a standard feature of Android phones. It's not a "basic feature" at all.
The user hatcyl is working on an app to give extra functions to the buttons. That would be your best bet
I am not saying shoulder buttons are a basic feature, but i am saying that choosing what button goes to the next page is a basic feature.
There are tons of different phones out there with facebook button and multimedia buttons. Not to mention camera buttons. Or even the dpads.
Is there no ebook reader app that lets me pick what keys turn the page?
Azeazezar said:
I am not saying shoulder buttons are a basic feature, but i am saying that choosing what button goes to the next page is a basic feature.
There are tons of different phones out there with facebook button and multimedia buttons. Not to mention camera buttons. Or even the dpads.
Is there no ebook reader app that lets me pick what keys turn the page?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried Cool Reader, FBReader and Aldiko to no avail . The only common feature for Android smartphones are the volume buttons. There are more readers though, like Moon+, Laputa and Mantano.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=850464
This has been my solution.
I used it to set both shoulder buttons to volume down.
Hope it helps everyone else.
Azeazezar said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=850464
This has been my solution.
I used it to set both shoulder buttons to volume down.
Hope it helps everyone else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you need to reboot every time you change the mapping or does it work without reboot please. Also if I map sholder buttons to dpUp and dpDown for example and then start a game which has it's own function attached to shoulder buttons, what will be prevailing: my own mapping or the in-game mapping? Thank you in advance.
You have to do a "Hot reboot" to change the buttons. This takes about a minute.
I haven't tried gaming with this settings. I always change the buttons back when i'm done.
Looking at the softkeys, where is the Menu key? I see Home, Back, and the new Multitasking key, but no Menu. How can this be? The iOS method of integrating all menu options into the application UI is terrible, and what about apps made before ICS? Lack of a Menu key would make them unusable. I must be missing something here, but I can't see what it might be.
A virtual menu button appears in the form of 3 dots. It can be seen in this photo.
Tung_meister said:
A virtual menu button appears in the form of 3 dots. It can be seen in this photo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice catch. Was wondering about that.
Menu items are represented by the 3 vertical dots at the top right corner of apps.
The indication is that new apps should no longer hide their menus, but rather make them intuitive to access in the app's UI.
For legacy apps, we'll probably see a menu button of some type appear along with the 3 softkeys at the bottom.
On my Honeycomb tablet either a button is in the top right corner or another is added to the bottom when menu is needed... I'm guessing HC is a good example of what we'll be getting, and if so I look forward to it
Thanks so much for a useful thread. I was actually wondering about that myself. Glad to know its non-obtrusive and clean
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.
TonyHoyle said:
You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The idea is if the app needs search in order to function properly, you just put the search button up in the menu bar, just like they're doing with settings buttons.
Otherwise, the google search button is at the top of every homescreen now.
martonikaj said:
The idea is if the app needs search in order to function properly, you just put the search button up in the menu bar, just like they're doing with settings buttons.
Otherwise, the google search button is at the top of every homescreen now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The menu button happens automatically (technically, since 2.3 android has called onCreateOptionsMenu at activity startup so it knows you need it already).
There simply is no search button in Honeycomb/ICS - you have to stick it on the options menu, the action bar*.. somewhere the user can reach it. That needs code (not much.. respond to 'search' in the options menu by calling onSearchRequested()).. existing apps will simply lose that function if they run on ICS assuming a button exists.
We're not talking about a lot of apps here.. Not much point in a search function in 'Angry Birds' for example. Just something to bear in mind when developing a new app or trying to work out if your favourite app will work without issue on ICS.
Home screen search is totally different.. that searches the global search (emails, contacts, etc.). Different class of app entirely.
* The honeycomb search widgets are really flexible, but of course not available unless you break compatibility with <3.0.
TonyHoyle said:
You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are already quite a few phones out there without a search button. My almost 2 years old X10 doesn't have a dedicated search button and i never missed it. The search function is bound to long-press menu at the x10. Given the fact that ICS has a dedicated task switcher button, they could bind the search to long-press home for example. Just an idea though
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
qwer23 said:
There are already quite a few phones out there without a search button. My almost 2 years old X10 doesn't have a dedicated search button and i never missed it. The search function is bound to long-press menu at the x10. Given the fact that ICS has a dedicated task switcher button, they could bind the search to long-press home for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. news to me - I've never seen an android phone without one. Lucky I was doing tablet compatibility testing then
There will probably also be custom roms that put it back (since a custom rom can do anything it likes with the buttons.. change their apparence, colour, hide them completely, make them dance up and down..).
TonyHoyle said:
Hmm.. news to me - I've never seen an android phone without one. Lucky I was doing tablet compatibility testing then
There will probably also be custom roms that put it back (since a custom rom can do anything it likes with the buttons.. change their apparence, colour, hide them completely, make them dance up and down..).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy series in general (SGS1, SGS2) do not have a dedicated search button. They have just the menu, home and back buttons. However search is bound as a long press to the menu button which I guess won't be possible anymore. Haven't really found search to be that vital (maybe because I don't want to long press the menu button just to bring it up when I can search in other ways)
Since it's purely software, I know for a fact someone will mod in a search key.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using XDA Ultimate App
That would be pointless. When search is available, the search box will appear in the menu bar of the app.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Where would you rather have the "search" bar/icon?
Honestly, the search bar at the top of the home-screen is pretty ridiculous. Yes, I know, I know, they wanted to put the search bar on every homescreen, so you can search easily, and from a business standpoint, it would result in a lot more mobile searches. this way people don't have to go hunting for a search box.... But, is that really the best they can do? It intrudes the screen real-estate, and you still have to exit an app, and go to the homescreen to search for something. since searching is googles #1 priority, it should be easier than that.
what they should have done is put a search icon at the bottom, next to the 'back', 'multitask', and 'home' keys. the US carriers did this the right way. With it being down there, we would free some screen real-estate, and we would be able to search something with just one tap. Another benefit would be the "voice" search. I know a lot of people don't use this feature (as i have to tell and remind all of my friends about voice actions), but this is a huge feature, whether people realize it or not. we would be able to use 'voice actions' simply by holding down the search key. ANYWHERE we are in the OS. if we're playing a game, and we want to send a quick text message, just use voice actions and send a text message without even leaving the game! Also, with the button at the bottom, we can search within apps without having to hunt for the "search" key within the app.... some apps don't even have a "search" key visible! For example, if i want to search for a previous text message about a party in Austin, i can simply tap the "search" key at the bottom and search.... The button would be in a universal spot throughout the whole OS, and we wouldn't have to go hunting around finding it.
tl;dr version:
Search key should be on the bottom, next to the home, menu, multitasking buttons.
Pros
search anywhere in the OS
Search within apps (songs, files, text messages, etc)
saves homescreen real-estate
easier to search on the web
can conveniently do voice searches anywhere in the OS, even when in a game.
Cons
adds a fourth button at the bottom?
???
there is really no reason to disagree. I really hope someone figures out a way to add that button at the bottom. It's extremely useful.
bump.
&10char
I think you need a 3rd option, neither. If I want to search the web, I can click on the icon for it. Should be a users choice, what goes on their screens.
i voted at the bottom, as i use the "press and hold the search button" a lot in the car for navigating. what i'm sure i'll end up doing is dragging the voice search shortcut from the app drawer to the launch dock to mimic the way i'm used to using it on my nexus s and nexus one.
eric b
I never really used the actual button that often. I know it's there but I always find myself going to the search widget. The only times I really hit the button was when I was in an app like the music app and searching for a song or artist. I assume that's just going to be done with the press of the app menu button and the hitting search (making it now two button presses) but I don't really mind that. They are software buttons after all so they can totally be patched in with an update if the demand for them is large enough.
I wouldn't have minded the google search bar, if it were a "true widget", i.e. when you tap on it, the cursor would appear whilst you are still in the homescreen. But, correct me if I'm wrong, but the search bar simply takes you to a google search page, so it's not even a widget!! I felt the same way when using it in Gingerbread.
What they should have done, is to create a proper active widget and given us the choice to install it on the homescreen. I probably would install the widget on each homescreen.
Alas, we have to wait to a developer to release a ROM that takes the bugger off.
The fun thing about this is that it's all software; a custom lanucher can be used, and an adventurous (Depends on the way it was written; it could be very easy or very hard) dev could add a search button. Hell, El Goog themselves could even change this if they see it fit and there's enough community support for such a change.
Bmerz said:
I think you need a 3rd option, neither. If I want to search the web, I can click on the icon for it. Should be a users choice, what goes on their screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's the thing. the "search" button isn't just for searching. the same button doubles as a "voice actions" button. it's like an extremely convenient way to text, set reminders, notes, call "walmart" or "pizza hut", or even search where the nearest olive garden is, and navigate to it. all these options from the touch of one button. I personally use voice actions A LOT. they're extremely useful if you remember the feature is there.
Lieu10ant said:
that's the thing. the "search" button isn't just for searching. the same button doubles as a "voice actions" button. it's like an extremely convenient way to text, set reminders, notes, call "walmart" or "pizza hut", or even search where the nearest olive garden is, and navigate to it. all these options from the touch of one button. I personally use voice actions A LOT. they're extremely useful if you remember the feature is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more thinking it would be nice to have a choice if it's at the top - as it's my understanding that it's at the top of all 5 screens fixed.
No biggie, and certainly not a deal breaker for me - just thought it would be nice to remove it of one wanted to.
Bmerz said:
True, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more thinking it would be nice to have a choice if it's at the top - as it's my understanding that it's at the top of all 5 screens fixed.
No biggie, and certainly not a deal breaker for me - just thought it would be nice to remove it of one wanted to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed. i would have thought the main reason of having "virtual" buttons was so we could be able to modify them. it only makes sense.
MoDaco moved the location of the menu bottons and forced them always on so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a search button down there and a long-press couldn't simulate what we have now with capacitive buttons.
This is the best part of Android -- everything can and will be fixed by a Dev to make it work.
http://android.modaco.com/topic/348762-21-nov-legacy-menu-patches-lhs-rhs-both-normal-always-on/
I might be a minority but I abuse the search feature on android so having it on the top is actually much better for me, i use it for even find apps that are already on my phone, I can't remember when was the last time i've seen my app drawer.
Didn't have a search button for almost two years (Galaxy S), never missed it. But the positioning on every homescreen is not ideal either.
Voted option one since I'm not a fan of the search button and don't need it as a software button.
Stigy said:
MoDaco moved the location of the menu bottons and forced them always on so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a search button down there and a long-press couldn't simulate what we have now with capacitive buttons.
This is the best part of Android -- everything can and will be fixed by a Dev to make it work.
http://android.modaco.com/topic/348762-21-nov-legacy-menu-patches-lhs-rhs-both-normal-always-on/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow! that's amazing. that shows a 'search/voice' key is definitely plausible.
I've been realizing lately how amazing android really is and customizable it is with this phone. Off topic but I kinda hated the fact. Of a recent app button and the fact that I lost the menu button (honestly the most used button on all my other phones). The devs here realized it and gave me the ability to have my menu button, get my search button back, and make recent apps come up by holding the home button. Got to love them. Shout out to our fantastic devs.
Now the point of this thread was just I wanted to know how you guys thought about a gesture bar instead of having buttons. So swipe on the bar to go back, maybe swipe up to go home etc? Just trying to think of creative ideas on how to use this huge screen and since everything is virtual, why can't this be possible. What you guys think?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
nice idea, kind of like the microsoft touch mouse. I would like to see someone make that possible and see how it works out.
Shaquiel Harris said:
Now the point of this thread was just I wanted to know how you guys thought about a gesture bar instead of having buttons. So swipe on the bar to go back, maybe swipe up to go home etc? Just trying to think of creative ideas on how to use this huge screen and since everything is virtual, why can't this be possible. What you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a technical exercise it sounds like a very good idea, but I know for one I wouldn't use it. Dolphin HD has had gesture support for such a long time and I used it as my main web browser on my Desire but I didn't ever use the gesture support.
Even my HD2 running WM 6.5.x had an app that allowed you to launch any app/program by configuring a gesture, but again I didn't use it.
I guess it's just easier to place my thumb than to move about when holding the phone in one hand. Is this an idea you were thinking of implementing yourself, or are you looking for someone to pick the idea up and run with it?
Kalavere said:
As a technical exercise it sounds like a very good idea, but I know for one I wouldn't use it. Dolphin HD has had gesture support for such a long time and I used it as my main web browser on my Desire but I didn't ever use the gesture support.
Even my HD2 running WM 6.5.x had an app that allowed you to launch any app/program by configuring a gesture, but again I didn't use it.
I guess it's just easier to place my thumb than to move about when holding the phone in one hand. Is this an idea you were thinking of implementing yourself, or are you looking for someone to pick the idea up and run with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about lmt? Fyi: it's now also available for android/gsn...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Shaquiel Harris said:
I lost the menu button (honestly the most used button on all my other phones).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You never lost the menu button, it's just not on screen 100% of the time anymore, where it would just waste space otherwise.
I think its great idea!
Another few things that would be cool to see would be, resizing the Navigation Bar to be maybe a little thinner, and being able to slide the nav bar left or right, to reveal a icons to launch other apps, and maybe swiping down to hide the navbar all together.
Like you said being able to customize android and change every aspect of it is what makes this OS so awesome.
You guys ever use gesture area on webOS phones? Much better than using back key, would be a great idea. It also used visual feedback so a white line would go in the swipe direction. Currently the only phone using something similar to this is the N9 probably, which has swiping through the sides of screen to control apps.
I was just thinking about WebOS when reading this as well. Would be nice.
Just having the soft keys area as a gesture area? cool!
Maybe you could customize your gestures?
A big thing to me would be the ability to have a fully loaded package and be able to switch between stock softkeys, added search/menu softkeys, and gestures. Everything customizeable by user rather than through flashing?
menu bar like in windows 8
I think gesture is pretty good, but i`d like to see menu bar(home, recent, etc) like in win8: it is hidden until you swype from bottom-outside up, than it become unhidden. see any wideo with windows 8 tablert, you`ll see what i mean.
MrBIMC said:
I think gesture is pretty good, but i`d like to see menu bar(home, recent, etc) like in win8: it is hidden until you swype from bottom-outside up, than it become unhidden. see any wideo with windows 8 tablert, you`ll see what i mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would get annoying pretty quickly. I don't want to have to add extra steps to navigate my phone. Back, home and recent app are buttons you use all the time, why add a barrier to get to em? More screen real estate isn't worth the extra hassle.
Enhanced said:
That would get annoying pretty quickly. I don't want to have to add extra steps to navigate my phone. Back, home and recent app are buttons you use all the time, why add a barrier to get to em? More screen real estate isn't worth the extra hassle.
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How about navigational controls similar to the quick controls in the stock browser? Touch the bottom edge of the screen and out pops a semi-radial menu that can contain: back, home, recent apps, menu, search and can be used to add quick shortcuts to your most used apps like messaging, contacts, browser, etc., or app specific commands, like say refresh for browser, check mail for, well, email, and so on. Touching the edge requires less effort and movement as compared to swiping up or down.
I came to Android from webOS after HP shot themselves in the foot several times and one of the things I miss most is the gesture bar you had at the bottom of the screen. With the advent of the soft button area in ICS I see a real option to enable the area to work in a similar fashion. Hell yes!
The webOS gestures were:
A single swipe up would show you your running apps.
Swiping 2 fingers up would show you the launcher (app drawer).
A leftward swipe would go back.
A full swipe across the entire area going either right or left would take you to the next or previous running app.
Besides the wireless charging, the gesture area was one of the webOS killer features you very quickly learned to take for-granted. So long as gesture detection was implemented well I don't see why you couldn't have the soft buttons as they are now and gestures all working at the same time.
Call me old fashioned, but I also don't like the gestures idea.
Dolphin is just about the only program on android that I have tried to use gestures with, and it's not the sort of feature i'd personally like integrated into my phone.
That said, customizing how different people can use their phones, within the same operating system, so two people can use the exact same phone in two totally different ways, is the way to go
j.go said:
How about navigational controls similar to the quick controls in the stock browser? Touch the bottom edge of the screen and out pops a semi-radial menu that can contain: back, home, recent apps, menu, search and can be used to add quick shortcuts to your most used apps like messaging, contacts, browser, etc., or app specific commands, like say refresh for browser, check mail for, well, email, and so on. Touching the edge requires less effort and movement as compared to swiping up or down.
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I like your idea of having the pie control from the stock browser available all over android. I had the idea a while back but was just too lazy to implement it. Today I did a small working prototype and I think I will add the pie control feature to my gesture app "LMT"...
good idea but put ot optionaly! maybe it is not practical ! iwould rather hidden button ! like Video player amaing full screen with hidden buttons !!
Huntlaar said:
good idea but put ot optionaly! maybe it is not practical ! iwould rather hidden button ! like Video player amaing full screen with hidden buttons !!
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If implemented properly, you might be able to do away with the bottom bar and take advantage of the full screen. You can't see it with the nexus browser, but if you have a tablet running ICS and enable browser quick controls, the app hides the tabs and address bar, instantly adding an inch of usable screen real estate at the top.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
The big nasty problem with having hidden buttons or, for that matter, any trigger point area(s) on the devices main screen is you'll always end up triggering something when you didn't want to or it interferes with a ui element in one or more apps e.g. game scroll bars / buttons. I've tried plenty and they all interfered with one app or another to the point I stopped using them.
The quick controls idea is fine but you're still having to watch what you're doing. The beauty of gestures in webOS was that you wouldn't have to take your eyes of what you were doing to find a button - your finger just flicked below the screen content while your eyes looked towards what you were going to do next.
I realise it's hard to imagine if you've never done it before but (weak analogy approaching...) think of it like walking up a thin and narrow set of steps as opposed to thick wide ones while trying to read a book. On the narrow steps you have to look down to hit the next step thus breaking the flow of your reading. While on the bigger wider ones you can carry on reading as the step is big enough your foot can find it without taking your eyes of your book.
Anyroad, IMHO, gestures need to be out of the way of app content so as not to interfere with app usage patterns and shouldn't require the user to take their eyes off what they're doing.