Edit: Forget it, s2d2 just made me realize that the newer versions of LMT have integrated exactly the stuff I'm talking about here
First of all, I’m no developer and I don’t even know if this stuff is possible, I just wanted to share my thoughts about an alternative way to navigate through the OS without wasting too much space with the navigation bar.
I use roman’s awesome AOKP ROM at the moment, which has an option included to hide navigation bar. To access home/back/menu/recent, you have to use an app like LMT for example.
Although LMT works quite ok, I think it is not the ideal solution to replace navigation bar. Drawing symbols is not as intuitive as I imagined it to be and it looks kind of weird how the homescreen and many apps react while drawing the symbols.
So I thought about alternatives and I had the following idea:
Would it be possible to create something like the quick controls from the browser for system-wide use? Let's say you swipe up from the bottom of the screen and a set of buttons appears in a half circle like it does in the browser. Of course it should work system-wide and across all apps, just like LMT.
To make it available across all apps, it would be necessary to still reserve a "swipe space" on the bottom to differ between app input and navigation bar access. It could be smaller though since you don't need to show any information on it. Theoretically, a line with a width of one pixel should be enough since the swipe gesture would start outside the screen (which makes me think, maybe this line can be a battery bar at the same time )
I see some advantages in this kind of navigation:
- maximum screen real estate
- a swipe from the bottom would be quicker and more intuitive than drawing symbols (where you have to remember the shape and the starting point for every action)
- smaller chance to trigger navigation buttons accidentally (for example while writing with onscreen keyboard) since the navigation bar is hidden.
- doesn’t get in the way of other swipe actions like scrolling/turning pages/homescreen transition. I can’t think of any situation where you swipe from the bottom of the screen that would interfere with the Quick Navigation.
So developers, do you think something like this is possible? It would be an awesome solution to get the most out of the screen size and still have quick access to the navigation buttons and maybe even custom apps/actions.
If it's not possible or just plain stupid, what are the problems realizing something like this?
Lmt has pie wheel=half circle stuff in your terminology, already implemented...
Nearly two weeks late
s2d4 said:
Lmt has pie wheel=half circle stuff, no need to draw stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, didn't know that So probably my idea is unnecessary after all
qwer23 said:
Cool, didn't know that So probably my idea is unnecessary after all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
be happy
He's adding even more features to it too
s2d4 said:
be happy
He's adding even more features to it too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am! Just installed new version and it's awesome! It's pretty much what i wished for ^^
Related
Tired of moving your fingers up/down your tablet to switch applications? Try out TasKarou!
TasKarou is a multitasking launcher overlay.
Taking inspiration from the 'Quick Controls' feature in the android browser, TasKarou provides a multitasking layer on top of a launcher on tablets.
By swiping anywhere on the left or right edge of your tablet screen, you can activate TasKarou's UI.
It gives you access to a quick, smooth, and intuitive interface to facilitate app launch, transition, and management for the user
The user interface brings a more responsive, and enjoyable level of interaction to your tablet.
Notes:
To use TasKarou, set it as the default home launcher, and from TasKarou's settings, select the actual home launcher you want to overlay.
TasKarou user interface is then triggered by swiping from either the left of right edge of your tablet screen, while still allowing access to the overlaid home launcher through the home button.
The app is also available in the android market.
nice app, but how do i use the browser controls? when im in the browser and put my finger to the side the taskarou menu opens...
kendong2 said:
nice app, but how do i use the browser controls? when im in the browser and put my finger to the side the taskarou menu opens...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not possible to use both at the same time, since both controls rely on the user touching the edge of the screen.
If you have an idea on how I could get around that issue, I'm all ear.
ne0fhyk said:
It's not possible to use both at the same time, since both controls rely on the user touching the edge of the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sucks, because it basically makes the browser unusable.
ne0fhyk said:
If you have an idea on how I could get around that issue, I'm all ear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some ideas from the top of my head:
- disable taskarou menu completely when in browser
- disable one side of the screen (permanently or when in browser)
- disable the upper/lower/middle half of the screen (permanently or when in browser)
on another note, the notification HAS to go. at least make it optional.
that being said, i really do like the concept of the app :good: i found myself regularly swiping in from the screen edges when not in browser, and then being disappointed that nothing happened.
kendong2 said:
that sucks, because it basically makes the browser unusable.
some ideas from the top of my head:
- disable taskarou menu completely when in browser
- disable one side of the screen (permanently or when in browser)
- disable the upper/lower/middle half of the screen (permanently or when in browser)
on another note, the notification HAS to go. at least make it optional.
that being said, i really do like the concept of the app :good: i found myself regularly swiping in from the screen edges when not in browser, and then being disappointed that nothing happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestions. I have a few other ideas along with the ones you suggest that I will try to integrate, and test in the following days.
In the meantime, I updated TasKarou to also support android phones. I duplicated this thread in the 'Android Apps and Games' section to make it more visible: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1984010
I like this. Definitely a nice addition to my current launcher.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Definitely slick in some aspects. Can't say I really like it as it messes with my LMT set up and takes up more RAM on top of it.
There's a lot to be done like distinguishing different "hotspots" and designating right side only or left side only. Overall though I really enjoy the transitions and how the menu auto-switches based on which choices you're hovering over. Very intuitive choices too that I agree with about which things go where.
Looking forward to the potential this holds in the future. I may just abandon my LMT setup if done right.
Edit: And of course the ability for users to add/edit the options, potentially switch the color for mere superficial reasons. Something like my screenshot.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2
ne0fhyk said:
It's not possible to use both at the same time, since both controls rely on the user touching the edge of the screen.
If you have an idea on how I could get around that issue, I'm all ear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe ask SwipePad's developer.
(I'm not being sarcastic)
Really useful. Love the idea, but it does cause a few conflicts with apps that rely on swiping from the sides of the screen. Having said that, when I set the margin to 13 pixels I can use the Dolphin browser (for example) without too many issues by not swiping from the outer edge, but by placing the finger a little more away from the edge and then swiping inwards. Other apps are less forgiving.
What about a button in the notification area, which is visible at all times anyways?
EDIT:
If swiping has the preference, then it would be more logical to align the available programs/tasks to the side from which was swiped. Swiping and selecting can be done with one hand then, regardless of which hand was used to swipe with.
The recents button is useless, I never use it, ever.
I'd like the option to use this instead and just disable the side activation altogether.
Nice idea. However on TF101 after getting the quick control moving the finger to one of the options too fast causes the quick controls to disappear. I have to move the thumb really slow in order to select any option. Hopefully, this will be fixed soon:fingers-crossed:.
ppl get over it, the man is trying to make ur life simpler, so if u don't like some stuff about the app then tell him your opinions in a decent way so he can make a proper development for the app instead of trashing it, otherwise f*** off
I like this!
1. I only see it from the right edge in portrait.
2. Might have a user selected area(s) for its swipe. This would allow those with conflicts to fix them. There is a similar app on Play which just gives a row running/recent apps icons which is not a bad interface. I found its use of the bottom obtrusive.
3. The home key does not go home in the base browser (I am using Trebuchet on a CM10).
4. There is a difference between "running" and "recent" (exited, cached, and still available.) !!
Long press of home gives a vertically tiled thumbnail view of both.
Taskarou shows only icons of running apps, not recent.
Taskarou should show both, either in two panes or in one with some distinction?, i.e. frame around one or the other. I sort of like having the thumbnails and they could be tiled or cascaded. If cascaded, should be focus-able, if tiled, scroll larger view like the app list. Best eliminated the number of apps option or make that for the pane (but that would be scroll-able for more). Cascading the main webOS motif. Flick down to kill?
mosta_9741 said:
ppl get over it, the man is trying to make ur life simpler, so if u don't like some stuff about the app then tell him your opinions in a decent way so he can make a proper development for the app instead of trashing it, otherwise f*** off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, as far as I can see, no one is trashing his app. So maybe lower your tone a bit and at least pretend to be able to communicate in a proper way.instead of telling people to "F-off".
The developer probably appreciates the feedback as he responds to it. Feedback (be it positive or negative) is valuable for both him and the app he works on. The end product can benefit from any kind of feedback as it points out flaws and strong points, and it can give the developer some different perspectives and experiences from different users and from different devices.
The day a developer stops listening to his/her targeted market is the day the product will begin its downfall.
Hey man, I just noticed that you dont have a video demo on google play... would you like one? I can do some switches with a background music... may I do it and you decide after if use it or not?
360porcento said:
Hey man, I just noticed that you dont have a video demo on google play... would you like one? I can do some switches with a background music... may I do it and you decide after if use it or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'd be cool, thanks.
Was having issues on my Nexus 7 running SmoothRom 4.1.2. Updated to 4.2 and no more disappearing quick controls as soon as my finger leaves the border. To get them to stay I had to leave my finger there for at least 1.5 seconds. Now all is well. Really liking it. I look forward to extended and customizable menus
Update:
Scratch that. Conflict was gesture control. Had it set to consume events in starting zone. So a touch on the edge first went to gesture control. Just an iD10t error.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
ddlooping said:
That'd be cool, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you the the same guy as the OP?
360porcento said:
Are you the the same guy as the OP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but it'd cool regardless as I'd be interested in seeing it in action.
(the app that is)
360porcento said:
Hey man, I just noticed that you dont have a video demo on google play... would you like one? I can do some switches with a background music... may I do it and you decide after if use it or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would loved one, that'd be greatly appreciated... thanks! (i am the op)
i thought i would ask what people really think of the PIE and RIBBONS features.
personally i find them quite useless and clunky whenever i WANTED to use them, but i am a simpleton who will do things the long way because it actually feels MORE convenient. i have my apps set up on my homescreen in neat named folders, i use the status bar when a notification comes through and the apps i use most are already in the Recent Apps menu.
i know i know i know, it's a customization thing. some people like them and others swear by them. yes they have their uses and functions but i already find it all too easy to do the same thing they offer right out of the gate without having to go to the settings menu and find the actual feature then configure how i want it to react and how big and where to put it and then getting used to where the triggers for them are so i dont keep opening them by accident while im doing something else and...
or i could just use the notification bar and the app drawer because im too lazy and it just feels more natural.
these are my thoughts. what uses have you found for PIE and Ribbons outside of what you can already do from the homescreen.
i don't want to argue and i do find these options neat, so please don't think im $h****ng on them! just want to find a reason to want or need to use them
If you don't use expanded desktop, then there's no need for pie. Simple.
a manta wrote this.
Man I love AOKP's ribbon feature. I can jump to any app anytime with a swipe. Of course you could always press home, tap your folder and launch an app but this is so convenient.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
bk201doesntexist said:
If you don't use expanded desktop, then there's no need for pie. Simple.
a manta wrote this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, another cool feature that i just havent found a proper reason to turn on for more than 5 minutes
keith.mcintyre26 said:
Man I love AOKP's ribbon feature. I can jump to any app anytime with a swipe. Of course you could always press home, tap your folder and launch an app but this is so convenient.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like i said, actually having the feature is nice but no matter how much ive tried to "train" my thumbs right i just cant get the Ribbons to respond the way they should. its not a problem with my phone and its not that im afraid of change or anything, i just cant do it LOL.
Ribbons is like Swype to me. a good feature that is supposed to, and proven to, make a common task simpler and more fun to use. unfortunately for me, like with Ribbons, i just cant get around to using it at any point.
Ribbons have four quick access options. I use nav widgets app window screen off and torch. Apps on the left and quick toggles on the right.
Hated pie until it got the second layer. The extra screen real estate makes a difference. Hidden nav bar is actually useful now.
Only have one home screen and that only has zooper widget and status bar. All other widgets are hidden in the nav widget place.
Phone is inaccessible to most ppl, Ribbons and pie are a great way to really personalize your phone.
Persuaded yet?
namtombout said:
Ribbons have four quick access options. I use nav widgets app window screen off and torch. Apps on the left and quick toggles on the right.
Hated pie until it got the second layer. The extra screen real estate makes a difference. Hidden nav bar is actually useful now.
Only have one home screen and that only has zooper widget and status bar. All other widgets are hidden in the nav widget place.
Phone is inaccessible to most ppl, Ribbons and pie are a great way to really personalize your phone.
Persuaded yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know with the hidden navbar...i might actually. will have to give another crack at it and see if i can a way to make it work. like i said, it looks and IS really great and useful. but i havent been able to effectively get a use out of it that i dont already do out of habit.
and thats the biggest thing with me. its so habitual to just do things the old fashioned way
dragonhart6505 said:
you know with the hidden navbar...i might actually. will have to give another crack at it and see if i can a way to make it work. like i said, it looks and IS really great and useful. but i havent been able to effectively get a use out of it that i dont already do out of habit.
and thats the biggest thing with me. its so habitual to just do things the old fashioned way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont use ribbons but i do use PIE, steroid PIE though. i didnt really like pie until sourcery took it to another level with adding additional custom buttons and it seemed to get more responsive plus you can have multiple launch points enabled at the same time which i kind of like, one on the bottom and one on the right. i honestly jump back and forth between nav bar and pie. i have used PIE on PA and it worked well but i like it much better in the newer sourcery builds. and PIE does take some getting used to because it is such a different way of navigating
switched to using ParanoidAndroid for a while and with PIE set as my main nav bar location, sans the navbar and statusbar, it works wonders! really gives me a bit more room to play on. i have been persuaded there at least ^_^
As mentioned in threatname i am looking for a navbarmod which sets the navbar on the right instead to the bottom when in landscape like on a phone. i don´t have got alienthumbs to get to middle of the screen to press the homebutton. would like to have it on the side if possible always on the buttom side of the tablet
i know this could be a disadvantage for gamers, but for 80% of the daily users this might be a senseful idea
L-ViZ said:
As mentioned in threatname i am looking for a navbarmod which sets the navbar on the right instead to the bottom when in landscape like on a phone. i don´t have got alienthumbs to get to middle of the screen to press the homebutton. would like to have it on the side if possible always on the buttom side of the tablet
i know this could be a disadvantage for gamers, but for 80% of the daily users this might be a senseful idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have rooted ur device, i recommend GoodMoodDroid's "Auto Hide Soft Keys", available thru PlayStore. It works on stock ROM. Besides hiding the nav bar, it has the nice effect of resizing it and putting it on the right hand when turning the device into landscape mode.
Regrettably i don't know another way, when u are not rooted.
of course i have my phone rooted xD but i´d like to get it out of the box without 3rd application on the side
still looking for a good solution.
hmm maybe if you use PA hybrid properties and change to stock/phone UI you'll get the nav bar at the right side.. not sure about that though
On Paranoid Android, if i set it to phone UI then the navbar is on the side. This does change some other things I didn't like about the UI but it might be what you want
Yes, I know it's been brought up quite a bit...
This is really bugging me. I had the original Kindle Fire and put ICS on it and loved it. The Honeycomb-style user interface rocks. I bought a Nexus 7 thinking that I'd be able to put it into that mode with KitKat (the point of owning the Nexus # is to have the latest and greatest, right?), but have found myself unable to do so.
Is there any way possible to enable this on 4.4? I'm running into a gap on this discussion; most stopped talking about it about a month ago it seems. AOKP? Do I have to copy and paste the tablet UI code from 4.2 into 4.4?
This is Android. ANYTHING is possible. I know it has the potential to be done.
watsonism said:
Yes, I know it's been brought up quite a bit...
This is really bugging me. I had the original Kindle Fire and put ICS on it and loved it. The Honeycomb-style user interface rocks. I bought a Nexus 7 thinking that I'd be able to put it into that mode with KitKat (the point of owning the Nexus # is to have the latest and greatest, right?), but have found myself unable to do so.
Is there any way possible to enable this on 4.4? I'm running into a gap on this discussion; most stopped talking about it about a month ago it seems. AOKP? Do I have to copy and paste the tablet UI code from 4.2 into 4.4?
This is Android. ANYTHING is possible. I know it has the potential to be done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that google removed the tablet UI from kitkat altogether.
I thought I wasn't going to like the phablet UI but I got used to it, and now it just makes sense to me on a tablet this size. I say give it a chance, you might grow to like it.
I hate it, i'm forever catching the navbar when typing in landscape or passing the device to a friend because of thin bezel, it'd better located on it's side in the same portrait position next to the shortcuts & apps drawer button.
Q8-V08 said:
I hate it, i'm forever catching the navbar when typing in landscape or passing the device to a friend because of thin bezel, it'd better located on it's side in the same portrait position next to the shortcuts & apps drawer button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do agree with this. When in landscape it is in the most inconvenient place possible. I would love a way to force it to remain on the right side but I haven't been able to find a solution other than setting the whole tablet into phone UI mode which then messes with the notifications shade.
If you're only problem is the nav bar, try GMD auto hide soft keys. It works great.
purple lady said:
If you're only problem is the nav bar, try GMD auto hide soft keys. It works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that, not really what I'm looking for. I don't want something that overlays the navbar and hides it when not in use, I want a permanent navbar that just stays on the right side of the screen. With GMD even if I turn auto hide off, it will still hide it when I rotate the screen, and when I swipe to bring it up it always covers part of my dock icons.
Have you tried gravity box xposed module? It gives you the ability to run pie. Or if that's not your thing in navigation bar tweaks it has an always on the bottom feature. It shouldn't be too difficult to make it always on the "short side".Why not ask the Developer in his thread ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2554049
doop said:
Have you tried gravity box xposed module? It gives you the ability to run pie. Or if that's not your thing in navigation bar tweaks it has an always on the bottom feature. It shouldn't be too difficult to make it always on the "short side".Why not ask the Developer in his thread ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2554049
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used the pie before on my gnex and it was OK. I might give it a shot. Android is starting to feel quite dumbed down lately...
doop said:
Have you tried gravity box xposed module? It gives you the ability to run pie. Or if that's not your thing in navigation bar tweaks it has an always on the bottom feature. It shouldn't be too difficult to make it always on the "short side".Why not ask the Developer in his thread ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2554049
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I use GB on all my devices. I use PIE + expanded desktop when I want to game in full screen. The always on bottom tweak isn't what I'm looking for either. I want it to remain on the right in landscape. I appreciate the input though.
_MetalHead_ said:
Yep, I use GB on all my devices. I use PIE + expanded desktop when I want to game in full screen. The always on bottom tweak isn't what I'm looking for either. I want it to remain on the right in landscape. I appreciate the input though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No probs. The part about keeping the navigation on the "short side". I meant on the right (Short Side). It`s worth asking the developer surely
CM10+ and PA had the tablet UI I though and you could pit it on the right hand side. I'm not sure if this applies with the newest KitKat builds though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Hello xda
is there any way to have the navigation bar like the old galaxy tabs, that can orient with screen rotation in all 4side of the screen???????
You know its difficult to use the home,back and recent apps button in only one aide of the screen, and the back button allways disappear in the dark
But if its gonna have the software navigation bar, it will be so much easier to work with. ...,
also i used some app that provides the same nav bar , but it come over the screen and some button hide behind it....,
Thanx alot guys
Try using: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2270198
I have used it for a long time now, and I cannot live without it at this point. I love it because it not only follows orientation, but it can auto-hide too. Also, once you have that all squared away there's a tutorial on here somewhere that will show you how to (just by editing your build prop file) disable the hardware buttons all together.
Then, (also on here) there's an app that allows you to totally disable touch iput, except the Spen. Not that you are interested, but oust thought I would share how I have mine setup. Good luck!
samandhi said:
Try using: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2270198
I have used it for a long time now, and I cannot live without it at this point. I love it because it not only follows orientation, but it can auto-hide too. Also, once you have that all squared away there's a tutorial on here somewhere that will show you how to (just by editing your build prop file) disable the hardware buttons all together.
Then, (also on here) there's an app that allows you to totally disable touch iput, except the Spen. Not that you are interested, but oust thought I would share how I have mine setup. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
thanx alot
its awesome,
ive already tried so many apps, but this one is great
Thanx for ur help bro