Develop Bugs

[Q] Contact Management

I like that everything is synced up to gmail. But I dislike the lack of options as far as how to organize the contacts.
I basically have 3 groups of contacts: Friends/family, business and food.
By default when i open the list of contacts, i'd just like the friends/family group to be displayed. I'm kind of surprised that i can just swipe left or right to switch between groups. Failing that, can i just set one group as the default group to display? I've poked around in the settings and so far haven't found anything like that.

Htc sense does that by default and very good too. Create a group for the contact groups such as all contacts. In the contact edit page page specify the group for that contact such as "all contacts". In the sense people widget select the contact group you want displayed in that widget and all contacts belonging to that group will only be displayed. Enjoy.

Is there any way to do that when i go into the main contacts app itself? i.e. when i click on the 'people' button. Can i have that screen default to a certain group?

merkk said:
Is there any way to do that when i go into the main contacts app itself? i.e. when i click on the 'people' button. Can i have that screen default to a certain group?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not when you click on the people app but definitely when using the people widget.

ok. Guess i'll just stick two widgets on a screen then for the two groups i use the most.
thanks

merkk said:
ok. Guess i'll just stick two widgets on a screen then for the two groups i use the most.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I do.

Is it possible to do these things on the Galaxy Nexus?

I'm a new GNex owner, and having used other Android overlays such as HTC's Sense, I was wondering if it's possible (if there are any mods possibly?) to do:
- Link Facebook status updates with contacts
- Link Facebook pictures with contacts
If the two above are not possible:
- When setting a 256x256 picture that is good quality as a contact picture, is there a way to have it remain good quality? Every picture I assign contacts looks like crap and pixelated
Adding on:
- Is it possible to create folders in the app drawer?
- Is it possible to change the color of a new message in the text messaging application? When you get a new text it's white instead of light grey, and it's hardly noticeable which conversation is the new one.. is there a way to set the new conversation (in the message inbox overview) to say a light blue that matches the rest of the UI? Or even have a notification beside the message (where it displays all the messages) to let you know which one if the new message?
Thanks.

I'm a new GNex owner, and having used other Android overlays such as HTC's Sense, I was wondering if it's possible (if there are any mods possibly?) to do:
- Link Facebook status updates with contacts
- Link Facebook pictures with contacts
**I believe there is an app called hacksync or haxsync (not sure on the spelling) that lets you link up contact pics through facebook. having never used it I can't tell you if it is in the store or here on XDA. I would do a search and I'm sure you'll find it.
- When setting a 256x256 picture that is good quality as a contact picture, is there a way to have it remain good quality? Every picture I assign contacts looks like crap and pixelated
**Unfortunately this is a problem on Google's end. The servers they use to store contact information on have very low picture resolution. like 96x96 low. Solution: in the account settings, turn off sync google pics or use hacksync
- Is it possible to create folders in the app drawer?
- Is it possible to change the color of a new message in the text messaging application? When you get a new text it's white instead of light grey, and it's hardly noticeable which conversation is the new one.. is there a way to set the new conversation (in the message inbox overview) to say a light blue that matches the rest of the UI? Or even have a notification beside the message (where it displays all the messages) to let you know which one if the new message?
**Neither one of these options are possible unless your rooted. even then I haven't seen a mod for adding folders to the app drawer. It could be out there but I doubt it. There are mods for changing the apperance of the stock msg app but you are limited to whatever the themer wants it to look. (I actually feel the same way about the calender ut so far I haven't seen a good replacement theme for it yet). however, if you want full control to customize your SMS the way you want, you can either download GO SMS or Handcent SMS from the store. Both offer full customization for all aspects of the application.
I hope this helps

unity04 said:
I'm a new GNex owner, and having used other Android overlays such as HTC's Sense, I was wondering if it's possible (if there are any mods possibly?) to do:
- Link Facebook status updates with contacts
- Link Facebook pictures with contacts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HaxSync (and others) will link photos to contacts from FB.
- Is it possible to create folders in the app drawer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to my knowledge. Definitely not in stock.
- Is it possible to change the color of a new message in the text messaging application? When you get a new text it's white instead of light grey, and it's hardly noticeable which conversation is the new one.. is there a way to set the new conversation (in the message inbox overview) to say a light blue that matches the rest of the UI? Or even have a notification beside the message (where it displays all the messages) to let you know which one if the new message?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alternate SMS apps can surely configure colors.

Thanks for the responses.
I downloaded HaxSync and it's awesome! The pictures are good quality and it shows recent activity from my contacts.
I'm going to try an alternative messaging application. If I have two messaging applications open though at the same time (does the stock messaging app run as a background process all the time?), will it slow my phone down?

unity04 said:
Thanks for the responses.
I downloaded HaxSync and it's awesome! The pictures are good quality and it shows recent activity from my contacts.
I'm going to try an alternative messaging application. If I have two messaging applications open though at the same time (does the stock messaging app run as a background process all the time?), will it slow my phone down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will run, and is required to fetch the messages. It won't slow anything down.

Go launcher EX allows you to make folders in the app drawer i believe.
I havent used it for a while but its a really good replacement launcher and has tons of features.
You might like that.

unity04 said:
Thanks for the responses.
I downloaded HaxSync and it's awesome! The pictures are good quality and it shows recent activity from my contacts.
I'm going to try an alternative messaging application. If I have two messaging applications open though at the same time (does the stock messaging app run as a background process all the time?), will it slow my phone down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll be fine mate, just remember to turn off the notifications in the stock messaging app.

unity04 said:
Thanks for the responses.
I downloaded HaxSync and it's awesome! The pictures are good quality and it shows recent activity from my contacts.
I'm going to try an alternative messaging application. If I have two messaging applications open though at the same time (does the stock messaging app run as a background process all the time?), will it slow my phone down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all. Just disable notifications in the stock app and you're good to go with the replacement.

I'm on stock yakju 4.04 and yes, I'm able to create a folder and drag it to my app tray.

UnusualSuspect said:
I'm on stock yakju 4.04 and yes, I'm able to create a folder and drag it to my app tray.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how exactly do you do that?

[Q] Joined contacts - no icons in list, no tabs when editting

Just upgraded to the Verizon LG G3 from Samsung S3. Overall, not displeased though some things are bugging me. At the moment it's 2 specific things about the contact app. I'm attaching a few sample images for reference.
On the S3, when listing contacts, if there were joined records, it would list an icon for the source of the data (Ex. Phone, Google, Facebook). On the G3, there is no such indication until you actually open the contact up. Then it does show you. I liked knowing where the data came from before I opened it up. Was a nice highlight.
On the S3, when editing joined contacts, there was a tab for each source at the top. Pick the tab you wanted and you could edit just that info in the screen below. Was very clean. On the G3, it's one long scrolling list. Each section is separated by a drop down that shows where it comes from but it's really not friendly at all.
Can the stock app be modifed to function this way? Are there alternate apps that can be installed to provide the same kinda of look/feel? Overall, I don't mind the color differences. If I had to choose one over the other, I'd rather have tabs when editting the contacts since I can still see what sources are joined when the contact is selected.
I am rooted using the stock B3 ROM and have blocked OTA Updates so I have no risk of losing root. Not really interested in installing other ROMs, just tweaking the few app interfaces that bug me. Using APEX Launcher, not that I think it matters but putting it out there just in case.

Custom Phone label missing too
AGH!! Today I found out that on contact stored directly on your phone, the option to choose a CUSTOM label for a phone entry and type your own is also missing. It existed on the Samsung S3 AND it exists on the LG G2 but it's completely missing on the LG G3. It is available on the Google contacts but I store most of my contacts on the phone and let Verizon back them up. As a result any phone #s that Verizon restored to my phone that used a Custom label don't show up now in those contacts..
Add that to the list of things I'm find wrong with the contacts app shipped with Verizon's LG G3. Confirmed this is the case with LG Support. They basically said "Oops, yeah you're right. I'll forward it on to the developers for a future update. Would love it if someone here had any ideas to fix these 3 issues.
I'd categorize them as follows:
Custom Label: Missing Feature that should be added back
Tabbed Editting: Improvement to UI
Icons on the list screen: Improvement to UI (not as important)

Changing the "recent contacts" messaging app when sharing.

There is a REALLY cool feature I'd like to be able to utilize where the G4 pulls up your most recent contacts when you start to share something.
*see attached image* (names and numbers have been edited out for privacy reasons)
Only problem is, that even though my default messaging app is Next SMS if I select one of these recent contacts at the top. It still opens up "messaging" to send the message. Which actually is very limiting because it doesn't like not being default with MMS's.
Is there an easy way to change that behavior?
Thanks,
Gilligan

[Q] Suggestions for Alternative apps for weather, photos etc.

Hi all, So i as usual installed Nova to use some of their gestures (such as bringing down status bar from swiping down anywhere on screen etc)
In the process i lost access to the google weather widget (as it isn't available through Nova launcher)
Any lightweight suggestions to replace it? or is there any way to get the google weather widget functioning on 3rd party launchers?
What about alternatives to google photos? To be honest i never really used photos , I'm going to try to start doing so but i notice that it doesn't even pick up all my folders such as facebook folder (pics downloaded from facebook).
How do i get it to recognize folders like this ? What other lightweight yet useful gallery app is out there? (not quickpic please that purple font is killing me)
Thanks in advanced!

quickpic version 3.4.9.1 doesnt have pink icons for me and its neutured down so no google drive, dropbox etc linking - just pure gallery.

virtyx said:
quickpic version 3.4.9.1 doesnt have pink icons for me and its neutured down so no google drive, dropbox etc linking - just pure gallery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got a trusted source for that APK?
I am seeing some of the benefits of Google photos though... wondering why i didn't use it sooner
Edit: found a trusted apk for quickpic.
How do I get google weather widget in nova

masri1987 said:
Got a trusted source for that APK?
I am seeing some of the benefits of Google photos though... wondering why i didn't use it sooner
Edit: found a trusted apk for quickpic.
How do I get google weather widget in nova
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was about to upload
how do you find it? its slim, lightweight, fast - and gets the job done without any extra add-ins which is what i like, almost like the huawei launcher plus you can change the display and it recognizes ALL your images on your phone (im looking at you google photo)

masri1987 said:
Hi all, So i as usual installed Nova to use some of their gestures (such as bringing down status bar from swiping down anywhere on screen etc)
In the process i lost access to the google weather widget (as it isn't available through Nova launcher)
Any lightweight suggestions to replace it? or is there any way to get the google weather widget functioning on 3rd party launchers?
What about alternatives to google photos? To be honest i never really used photos , I'm going to try to start doing so but i notice that it doesn't even pick up all my folders such as facebook folder (pics downloaded from facebook).
How do i get it to recognize folders like this ? What other lightweight yet useful gallery app is out there? (not quickpic please that purple font is killing me)
Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too use Nova, for weather, I've been using Weather XL by exovoid for years, link

Action launcher has the Google widget and weather baked in. I switched from Nova to it years ago and while I'll go back to Nova briefly for change of pace purposes I never leave Action for very long. Once I got used to and understood the blinds and shutters features in Action everything else became dad's old launcher; including Nova. You can also set the Now page, assign gestures, all the usual staples of fully featured launchers.

I've used Piktures as my main gallery app for a few years. Great app.

NepoRood said:
I too use Nova, for weather, I've been using Weather XL by exovoid for years, link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, tried it out, looking for something a bit more lightweight, just for the purpose of widget use.
krabman said:
Action launcher has the Google widget and weather baked in. I switched from Nova to it years ago and while I'll go back to Nova briefly for change of pace purposes I never leave Action for very long. Once I got used to and understood the blinds and shutters features in Action everything else became dad's old launcher; including Nova. You can also set the Now page, assign gestures, all the usual staples of fully featured launchers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i installed action launcher and I cannot find the option to build out tabs or folders within the drawer itself? Also can't remove the multidot drawer icon and just use the swipe up feature by itself
Cool thing is it did import everything almost from nova
Fuzzy13 said:
I've used Piktures as my main gallery app for a few years. Great app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i just discovered that app ,
I also discovered that any motion photo or any other like top shot (to show you the whole selection of photos taken) etc doesn't show up in 3rd party gallery apps

You just long press and drag the icon up and out, you'll see the remove label at the top of the screen, drop it there and it's gone. The rest will take a bit of reading as Action doesn't work the way normal launchers do so it takes some explaining. Before I do you can create folders in the drawer section of the home settings, it's under folders. I'm saying this because Action doesn't really work the way Dad's old launcher used to do and there are some new paradigms in play. Don't want to deal with that then just imagine the post ends here.
In action you don't really need to make folders in the drawer as it's laid out to use it's killer features, the covers and shutters. For covers you can drop a shortcut you tap as normal to open that app and then you can also swipe or tap the shortcut and it will open a folder with whatever apps you want inside of it. Those are created by dropping one app onto another to create a folder as with most launchers, open the folder you just created and tap the menu (3 dot), choose create cover and now you have it. Tap the first icon you placed and it will simply open that app, swipe it (or double tap if you select that as the opener) and it will open up the folder underneath. I'm not sure if there is an app limit for the folders, I've had 14 in one now. Using my setup for example I use Hangouts as my personal primary text and instant message app but I also use several others; I have a hangouts cover set in the dock, as its a cover I tap it and open hangouts in most cases. Because it's a cover I have the apps for texting that I use infrequently underneath that which I access by swiping the icon instead. This goes on for all the shortcuts I set in the dock. I use a 2 page dock which is all covers save for one which is a shutter and through those have quick access to 47 applications. Much quicker than finding them in a drawer, even when folder the drawer because you will need more touches to get to the app than with a cover.
The shutter is an app shortcut which you use to either open the app or by swiping it open one of that apps widget. An example would be Whatsapp is my work messaging app. I have the icon set and use it as a shutter. I touch it and go into the app as normal. I get a lot of junk messages though that really aren't for me so sometimes I'll swipe it and open up the unread messages widget. This allows me to skip straight to the more important messages first rather than sort through them all in the app itself. The menu(3 dot) when you first open up the shutter will allow you to select the widget you want to use.
Despite all that you can still access the built in long presses if the app/icon has them. What happens in all this is the app drawer itself becomes more of an initial setup bin where the apps are laying until you set your covers and on the odd occasion you go in there to open a seldom used app. In the rare cases you do need to get into the drawer the sea of icons pulled out of the bottom ala Pixel may look cool but it's slower than using the side drawer which I would highly recommend folks try. While not looking cool it's more efficient; particularly for those with many apps. Still want the bottom drawer pullout it's the default action, just get rid of the shortcut and it's there.
You're going to want to menu dive with Action because there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. You can have it match your wallpaper for the launcher theme in the quick theme section. In quickbar you have what amounts to the Goog searchbar with extra functionality that you can adjust. I don't use it as I find little need for it with all the different ways you can get to the search function and it takes up space which can be better spent showing off my carefully selected wallpaper. The icon pack section is self explanatory. Icon appearance will let you change functions and visual cues like notifications counts. App drawers is where you will decide on trying that side drawer and other related settings. Recommend if you do go to a side drawer to tell it to remember where you left it. Otherwise it will always default to the top of the alphabet. Desktop is where you will do the meat and potatos of setting your desktop, the grid, icon scale, scroll effects, infinite scrolling, etc. One thing of interest in the desktop section is it will allow you to create a quickpage. This is a page you can "pullout" from the side that is separate from simply the page to the right of home. I use it for my travel apps of which I have a fair few but only use during that time. Desktop shortcuts will take you to the settings for which functions will show up when long pressing the home screen out in the open. You'll be able to add typical actions like wallpaper, widgets and so on but also custom actions. Docks is where you'll set up the number of dock pages if any, style of dock, dock seperators (or not), etc. Folders and shutters will allow you to change functions there for those tasks. Shortcuts is where you'll define whatever gestures you want.
While all that seems like a lot when you start fiddling with it it'll start making sense. Sorry for the length of that and I hope it wasn't too boring for those that made it this far.
---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------
Oh, yeah... If you use a launcher that allows you to set custom action widgets (Nova, Action Launcher, etc.) you could simply install Action launcher, never use it but get use of the weather widget via custom action in Nova or any other launcher which supports that function.

Huge fan of Today Weather! Can choose which service to receive forecasts from and has a number of widgets.