The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
My Galaxy S4 has an Assistant Menu which provides things like an on screen Home and menu button. It's not in my Note 8.0 yet but may be added in a future release I guess.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk HD
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
I am using GMD gesture control on note 2&8 to simulate hardware buttons and keeping full screen for applications
Envoyé depuis mon GT-N7100 avec Tapatalk
Same issue as the OP, I'm using LMT with a pie control right on top of the hardware home button.
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Taskbar task switcher by gdroid, it places a Return to desktop shortcut along with a configurable number of recent apps in the notifications pull down.
sisterchick said:
Button Savior from the Play Store may do what you are after. It's funny. l personally like the hardware home key.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
ual4720 said:
If you are rooted it would be simple to change your back or menu button to act as your home. You can go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchscreen.kl and edit the BACK or MENU to read HOME.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that would be useful. Is it also possible to assign those actions to a long-press? For example, Menu goes to Home with long press.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Handy Hardware Button
MikeChelen said:
Button Savior looks helpful, I played with it a little using both auto-hide and permanent display modes. The only downside to hidden mode is it takes two motions, first to expand the menu, then to click the home button. That can be done pretty quickly though.
Why do you like having a hardware button? I don't see why they made 2 buttons compatible with S-pen, and didn't make the Home button usable with the stylus as well.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Habit would probably be the best answer. I came to the Note 8 from a hacked Nook Color running CM10. I got accustomed to waking the device with the "n" hardware button. Like my old Nook, I put a non-slip bumper case on my Note 8 which makes pushing the power button to wake a little tedious. I also like to read in the dark and like the hardware key as a landmark for orientation when I pick it up with the lights off. Finally, I use the tablet in the kitchen on a stand for displaying recipes. I use a cheapest of the cheap $5 stylus in the kitchen to wake it up by pushing the hardware key and for scrolling pages so I don't get the tablet or the S-pen all gunked up with cookie dough from my fingers.:silly:
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROM
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMT Pie
MikeChelen said:
The Note 8 looks great except for the hardware Home key. It's annoying to need physical force for a frequent task that should only take a slight touch.
Is there some way to work around the hardware Home key and avoid using it? Some of the reviews have mentioned on-screen keys, is it possible to keep those enable in all orientations & applications? Alternatively, is it possible to remap one of the capacitive keys to become a Home button?
Any methods or tips about how to avoid using the hardware Home key would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
tokugawa said:
If you use your Note 8 in landscape mode, you'll soon wish all keys were physical, not capacitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
hertsjoatmon said:
This is my concern, Im hoping that by using a case that goes over the bevel rather than sits flush with it, my palm will be less likely to brush against the back and menu capacitive buttons when playing games or drawing. My device should be arriving this evening so I will have to experiment to find my best solution. I dont want to mod the software to disble the buttons and get the traditional menu bar on the screen. I value the screen real estate. If they were physical buttons I wouldnt have this issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's still a bit annoying to me in landscape mode, but in Portrait mode it's been actually quite fine (even drawing). Perfect would be an app that could just temporarily disable/toggle it (maybe via a small 1x1 widget). Then if I want to use it in landscape mode (or whenever Im going to use it in a way that could be annoying with the capacitive keys), I could simply turn it on.
I do like the physical/capacitive keys in general too, since I also value the screen real estate so I guess for me a toggle solution would be best. Maybe I'll investigate into it and make it myself...
Or you can add Home button as Multiwindow "app" with this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t2.shome
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Hi, there's a way for disabling the capacitive keys, just look under development here on this forum. The mod will disable the keys and require the S Pen to make them work (quite useful for landscape) to enable On-Screen Buttons you should try this (works on the Galaxy S3/Note/Note II) I haven't tested in the Note 8 but I will as soon as I get mine (by the end of this month).
Enable on-screen buttons:
You will need root access for this.
Install ES File Explorer File Manager on your Note from the Play Store. This is a file manager that will be used to edit those system files to enable/disable on-screen/soft buttons.
Open ES Explorer. Then, click the menu button on your device and click Settings. Here, tick the “Up to Root” option. Then go down and tick the “Root Explorer” option, then press Allow/Grant button when prompted to grant it root access. Then, tick the “Mount File System Option” as well. Once all three options are selected, press back to exit the settings.
Hit the Up on top in ES Explorer till you reach the outermost folder (till it says / at the top).
Go into the system folder, then scroll down to find the build.prop file (Copy this file to a Safe location!!).
Tap on this file to start editing it. If you get an “Open With” prompt, select “ES Note Editor”.
Now, at the end of the file (at the bottom after the last line), add the line “qemu.hw.mainkeys=0″ (without the ” quotes), then save the file (press the Menu button to see the Save option).
Then, reboot. After the boot up, you should have the virtual on-screen buttons on your screen.
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app
EDIT
How-to: disable the home button
The thread that Samper was referring to is at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2250941
I can't post there yet, so I would like to add here that after disabling the menu/back buttons as described there, I worked out how to disable the home button. Following the same instructions as in the above link, also edit the gpio-keys.kl, changing the last line by adding a # to the beginning, so it looks like this:
Code:
#key 172 HOME WAKE
Now that all three buttons are completely dead (though the pen will still activate the menu/back buttons), I use LMT Launcher to provide pie controls at the bottom of the screen. Get it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150. PieControl from the Play Store is an easier-to-configure but less powerful alternative to LMT.
Related
So I love my s3 but one thing I hate and I think a lot of u do as well is the physical home button...the solution to this annoyance of having to press the home button two apps one is LMT the other button savior...both apps need root...I used LMT on my gnex...on my s3 using button savior and its great. I have it set to auto hide and appear on a right edge swipe...with no icon overlay to trigger..the soft keys are customizable in the pro version...its not for everyone but for me makes using the phone a bit easier.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using XDA Premium HD app
Nice find i hate the physical home button personally wish it was all capacative buttons and in the pro version would i be able to use one my capacative buttons to wake the device isntead of using the home button ?
EDIT-tried the pro version the capacative buttons cant be changed to do another function
I had the same complaint and so I figured out how to re-enable the softkeys that are built into ICS. I used to have a GNex and I really missed the softkeys. The only issue I have is that the touchwiz apps are built using an absolute size meaning that they get cut off when the touchkeys are enabled but Its not a big deal to me.
I actually like the home button.. It's really convenient if your feeding your baby or your hands are full to just tap the button to wake the phone up.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Nova Prime allows you to remap the Home button function.
The home button isnt bad but it doesnt seem like it will hold up for long
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
impossible to put my hand in bottom of the phone while writing in s-note, stupid thing when you know that you can disable hand-writing and use only the s-pen, is there any way to lock the 2 tactile buttons while writing???? thanks
ketchupyx said:
impossible to put my hand in bottom of the phone while writing in s-note, stupid thing when you know that you can disable hand-writing and use only the s-pen, is there any way to lock the 2 tactile buttons while writing???? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually annoyed that I couldnt tap on the menu button and back button with the s-pen and found that there is a command for back and menu.
Open the help from your apps and choose s-pen and then commands to see it. You basically have to click on the button on the s-pen and while holding it down draw a command which is from right to left diagonally down and then to the right again for back. For menu if I recall its the top of a triangle from bottom left diagonally up then down right...I should have used my note to respond and paste an image in here
harpocrates said:
I was actually annoyed that I couldnt tap on the menu button and back button with the s-pen and found that there is a command for back and menu.
Open the help from your apps and choose s-pen and then commands to see it. You basically have to click on the button on the s-pen and while holding it down draw a command which is from right to left diagonally down and then to the right again for back. For menu if I recall its the top of a triangle from bottom left diagonally up then down right...I should have used my note to respond and paste an image in here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think you understood me, but thanks anyway.
My question was, when i'm writing with my s-pen, i always accidentaly touch the back button, or the home or the menu button (physical and sensitive) . IS there any way to lock these buttons???????? like when watching a video and locking with power button, you canot anymore touch the home/back button, is there any way to do that in s-note? or any other apps
When I use the S Pen, the menu and back buttons are automatically disabled.
As a test, just on your home screen, hover the pen so the blue circle appears, then try and press the back and home buttons, they should not work.
Move the pen away, and they work again.
I too would prefer a way to lock the hard menu any back buttons. It is true that they don't work when the pen is in hover range but the moment it is out of hover range there is a high possibility that you hit them and they respond. It is impossible to always stay in that small range.
This feature would be really of great help when using the camera also. I keep accidentally touch the back button when trying to use the camera.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
richlum said:
When I use the S Pen, the menu and back buttons are automatically disabled.
As a test, just on your home screen, hover the pen so the blue circle appears, then try and press the back and home buttons, they should not work.
Move the pen away, and they work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confirmed, thanks.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
I understood the opposite of what you wanted
Mainly because as other member posted these buttons are locked while using the s pen. . However, if the s pen is not in range then they can still be pressed so you do have a point. . Maybe a customization feature in a rom. . ?? Feature request from the dev of the rom you are using?!
Well if you didn't know the s-pen shortcuts. . Now you do. .
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
harpocrates said:
I understood the opposite of what you wanted
Mainly because as other member posted these buttons are locked while using the s pen. . However, if the s pen is not in range then they can still be pressed so you do have a point. . Maybe a customization feature in a rom. . ?? Feature request from the dev of the rom you are using?!
Well if you didn't know the s-pen shortcuts. . Now you do. .
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea thanks
I'm not sure if that's possible but i know there's a post in the" how satisfied are you with your note 2" (or something like that) thread which has instructions on how to enable the on screen keys and disable the capacitative ones.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
the problem is for me that my hand touches the back button before the pen is close enough to the screen...
stupid that there is no real setting in S-Note to disable the back + menu completly...
yeah I want that option too
Bulut.O said:
the problem is for me that my hand touches the back button before the pen is close enough to the screen...
stupid that there is no real setting in S-Note to disable the back + menu completly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah stupid, I'm just looking all over to solve this, but nothing yet. I also post two threads on other forums, maybe someone from SAMSUNG realize this is pretty stupid issue here,
that in writing phone, you have problems with writing. :laugh:
1.Make sure you have on-screen buttons enabled i recommend: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1940842
2. Download a root file explorer. Root Browser Lite --> http://goo.gl/b9ISW This is what I will use.
3.Load up Root Browser and navigate to system>usr>keylayout. We will be looking for a file called "clearpad.kl".
4. Select it and hit "Open as..." then "Text file" then "RB Text Editor"
5. Now we see this:
key 139 MENU VIRTUAL
key 102 HOME VISUAL
key 158 BACK HOME
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you have to do is option out the keys you don't want to work with a #. So if you are like me and think the home button is fine, it will look like this.
#key 139 MENU VIRTUAL
#key 102 HOME VISUAL
key 158 BACK HOME
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6. When you have the ones you want optioned out just tap the little disk icon in the top right. It will ask for root rights, grant it, saved.
7. Now just reboot and DONE!
tut copied from http://rootzwiki.com/topic/31065-tu...acitive-buttons-lights-and-use-on-screen-nav/ so i didn't have to rewrite it, but modified for xperia s....
peace out.
Thanks man,was looking for it
This is perfect for XZXperience 2!
Thanks for the tutorial man works like a charm.:thumbup:
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
Can this work to remap the menu key to the app switcher key?
I find the appeal for the soft/screen buttons really inexplicable. I have an Xperia TX and, really, this is the only thing that puts me down in that phone - I really wish it had capacitive buttons, much like the acro S. The most annoying thing about software buttons is that it takes up valuable screen area, leaving me with a sub-HD area available for other stuff. The interference with screen size in some apps is extremely annoying.
I'm thinking of getting an acro S solely because of this. And you guys here trying to disable your capacitive buttons! Taste really is something funny, I guess.
DeathMetalDiamond, once you see how difficult to operate and unpredictable in behavior the capacitive keys on the Xperia S are; you'll wish you had on-screen buttons as well!
Same goes for Ion.. its simply a nightmare especially in the dark. I literally have to guess where the buttons are. If they are well built, they are an asset. If not, they just screw u up.
i just recently tried out the OSB and i found it appealing, albeit lessening the screen space but i'll live with the trade off..capacitive buttons on the Acro S is sometimes none sensitive as i find myself tapping the back button 2x or 3x before i get it right..thanks for this tutorial :good:
edit: i got systemui FC [im using @niaboc79 's tab-n-grid sysui] when trying to access options menu in CyberShot 5.7.2 mod..everything else is good
I keep managing to hit (with my palm) the capacitive back button (right capacitive touch press to the home button) when taking notes through the note taking application. Is there anyway to disable the back button when taking notes?
Thanks in advance for any kind assistance.
arsi123 said:
I keep managing to hit (with my palm) the capacitive back button (right capacitive touch press to the home button) when taking notes through the note taking application. Is there anyway to disable the back button when taking notes?
Thanks in anticipation for any assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had this problem too and the only way I have found to overcome it is with GMD Pen control which allows you to temporarily disable the buttons. You do need to be rooted and it is a paid app, but well worth it in my opinion. The Play store link is:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...1bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwiY29tLmdtZC5zcGVuY29udHJvbCJd
There is also a forum thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1990386
The developer is very responsive to issues and ideas.
I hope this helps.
One option is to use a program like 'ultimate rotation control' to temporarily flip your screen 180 degrees.
That way the capacitive buttons are on top, away from your palms.
- Frank
Census Taker said:
I have had this problem too and the only way I have found to overcome it is with GMD Pen control which allows you to temporarily disable the buttons. You do need to be rooted and it is a paid app, but well worth it in my opinion. The Play store link is:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...1bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwiY29tLmdtZC5zcGVuY29udHJvbCJd
There is also a forum thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1990386
The developer is very responsive to issues and ideas.
I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a million mate! That application has solved the issue.
Great. I'm glad I was able to help!
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Hold on a sec, if the air view is tuned on (or maybe with off too) the capacitive buttons are automatically deactivated, at least that how it works on mine!
jujuburi said:
Hold on a sec, if the air view is tuned on (or maybe with off too) the capacitive buttons are automatically deactivated, at least that how it works on mine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, doesn't deactivate in my case, and apparently, it's not an issue solely affecting me. It's an issue that affects everyone. I'm surprised how your phone manages to deactivate the touch buttons?
I'm generally very happy with my galaxy note 10.1, but often find myself unintentionally pressing the home button or menu/back button. This happens especially often in portrait mode, but also in landscape mode, as I tend to hold the tablet with one hand with my thumb on top.
I've searched the forums, and haveroot, but with the kitkat update, I'm not sure what the proper way to mode and disable capacitive and physical buttons are. Even if I lose some screen space, I'd prefer to have soft keys like a nexus tablet, for ease of use in both portrait and landscape mode.
All help and leads very much appreciated!
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
[Q] how to space onscreen navigation buttons (softkeys)
Digging around the Internet and other forums, found the answers to my questions (since solutions for other galaxy devices work on ours too). So, in the spirit of sharing,
So, assuming one has root and a file explorer to exploit root and edit texts,
To disable the capacitive menu and back keys:
Add "#" in front of "key 139 menu" and "key 158 back" in the Generic.kl file in system\usr\keylayout folder.
To disable the physical home button:
Delete "WAKE" behind "key 172" in the gpio-keys.kl file in system/usr/keylayout/ folder.
To add onscreen softkeys for back / home / recents:
Add "qemu.hw.mainkeys=0" to build.prop file in the system folder.
One remaining problem, as you can see in the screen shot below, is that the soft keys are spaced out as if the tablet was a phone.
If anyone knew how to fix this, I'd n really appreciate the help! Thanks
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Any Apps??
Is there is any app to disable to soft key?
aaurnab said:
Is there is any app to disable to soft key?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gott solution here.... no editing buikd.prop... just installing Gravity Box. and all is well.