Develop Bugs

[Q] menu button question

so i'm currently using a t-mobile g2, but i'm definitely considering the galaxy nexus being my next phone. might even switch to verizon for it (but most likely will just wait for it on t-mobile).
my question is, and this really probably applies to all ICS phones, but for now, mainly to the galaxy nexus, is what happens with the menu button with all my current apps? i'm sure that many devs will be updating their apps to take advantage of and deal with any and all changes, but as it is, like 99% of my apps using the menu button, and since there is none now, i was curious how that works... i know from what i've read that alot of the main system apps (browser, camera, email/gmail, calendar, etc) have a menu button built into the layout... but what about 3rd party apps?
this is just something i was wondering about. i'm sure once i have one in my hand it will all make sense, but figured i'd ask
Dave

My best guess is it will show up in the bottom bar, similar to how it works in Honeycomb.

jayzeroeee said:
My best guess is it will show up in the bottom bar, similar to how it works in Honeycomb.
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ok now i haven't messed with honeycomb at all, so does that mean the bar with the back/home/multitasking buttons is context sensitive and it could potentially change to include a menu button when needed with older apps?
thats what i was guessing...

polarbearmc said:
ok now i haven't messed with honeycomb at all, so does that mean the bar with the back/home/multitasking buttons is context sensitive and it could potentially change to include a menu button when needed with older apps?
thats what i was guessing...
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Click to collapse
Menu button will be there most of the time like in honeycomb
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

rdy2go said:
Menu button will be there most of the time like in honeycomb
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i saw three or four hands-on and the bottom bar buttons have always been those three.
as far as i could understand, the menu is now raised by the "three dots" that appears contextually, often in the upper-right...
if i am right, it is at least a questionable choise i guess.

lorenx said:
i saw three or four hands-on and the bottom bar buttons have always been those three.
as far as i could understand, the menu is now raised by the "three dots" that appears contextually, often in the upper-right...
if i am right, it is at least a questionable choise i guess.
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Click to collapse
I think you are right.. menu is going to be included in the app itself.

androidbuff123 said:
I think you are right.. menu is going to be included in the app itself.
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Click to collapse
That only works for apps that are built for ICS. For apps that still rely on the hard menu button there will have to be some way to bring up the menu.

In honeycomb if there is a menu button present in the app there wont be a menu button on the bottom of the screen. If there is no menu button present in the app there will be one on the bottom of the app.
I'm sure it'll be just like that.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

In ICS applications the menù button is "3 dots" in somewhere in the app.
In Gingerbread applications that runs in ICS, in the bar with back, home and multitasking buttons, will appear the "3 dots" button, that is like the "menù" button in GB.
esxuse me for my english.
source: hdblog.it

if the app doesn't support the menu button within the app, then you'll see a "three dots button" near the three soft button.

yea looks like a few of you have confirmed what i thought. the main "button" bar at the bottom is context sensitive and as needed a 4th, menu button will appear. but i'm sure most devs will start rebuilding their apps for ics in the future to not need it.
thanks!
actually starting to get really excited for this change.

I got a certain idea that since the buttons are from the screen, and therefore, rendered, modders will find a way to include more or less buttons, and even change their icon. I wouldn't be too surprised.

Quick screenshot from the second video of the mentioned HDblog showing the "three dots" menu button in apps that are not optimized for ics.
You can find it in the second video at around 7min 30 sec.

Here's also some good info regarding the soft-buttons and ICS from the SDK.
Controls for system UI visibility
Since the early days of Android, the system has managed a UI component known as the status bar, which resides at the top of handset devices to deliver information such as the carrier signal, time, notifications, and so on. Android 3.0 added the system bar for tablet devices, which resides at the bottom of the screen to provide system navigation controls (Home, Back, and so forth) and also an interface for elements traditionally provided by the status bar. In Android 4.0, the system provides a new type of system UI called the navigation bar. You might consider the navigation bar a re-tuned version of the system bar designed for handsets—it provides navigation controls for devices that don’t have hardware counterparts for navigating the system, but it leaves out the system bar's notification UI and setting controls. As such, a device that provides the navigation bar also has the status bar at the top.
To this day, you can hide the status bar on handsets using the FLAG_FULLSCREEN flag. In Android 4.0, the APIs that control the system bar’s visibility have been updated to better reflect the behavior of both the system bar and navigation bar:
The SYSTEM_UI_FLAG_LOW_PROFILE flag replaces the STATUS_BAR_HIDDEN flag. When set, this flag enables “low profile" mode for the system bar or navigation bar. Navigation buttons dim and other elements in the system bar also hide. Enabling this is useful for creating more immersive games without distraction for the system navigation buttons.
The SYSTEM_UI_FLAG_VISIBLE flag replaces the STATUS_BAR_VISIBLE flag to request the system bar or navigation bar be visible.
The SYSTEM_UI_FLAG_HIDE_NAVIGATION is a new flag that requests the navigation bar hide completely. Be aware that this works only for the navigation bar used by some handsets (it does not hide the system bar on tablets). The navigation bar returns to view as soon as the system receives user input. As such, this mode is useful primarily for video playback or other cases in which the whole screen is needed but user input is not required.
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The Settings problem.

Dear friends,
for an unknown reason I cannot access my " Settings" whatever you call it from the below right hand corner of the screen as it used to be, it's no longer there. The only other option of getting the phone settings is from on top of the screen which I do not like. Thanks for your help.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

In ICS Android no longer has the menu button. Instead, apps now use the action bar. Any overflow from said bar now displays as 3 dots, which include actions such as settings.
Apps that haven't been updated to the new API's will display the 3 dots next to the multi-task button.
However, some custom roms allow you to persistently add the menu button to the navigation bar.
So, the short answer to your question would be to flash a custom rom.

Better get used to hitting the 3 dots, as Google is intent on phasing out the menu button

If you install a custom rom you can add the menu as a soft key

El Daddy said:
In ICS Android no longer has the menu button. Instead, apps now use the action bar. Any overflow from said bar now displays as 3 dots, which include actions such as settings.
Apps that haven't been updated to the new API's will display the 3 dots next to the multi-task button.
However, some custom roms allow you to persistently add the menu button to the navigation bar.
So, the short answer to your question would be to flash a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I have always had the Menu Bar since when I bought it and there is no software upgrade up till now.

Navigation Bar Questions

Got my G3 today and have been spending a good amount of time setting it up.
I am rooted and have Xposed w/G3 Tweaksbox.
I have a couple of things that still annoy me.
Is there a way to swap the behavior of the recent apps button? I want short press to be menu and long press to be recent apps. I figured out I can add a menu button using G3 Tweaksbox that does exactly that, but I can't remove the stock recent apps button, so I have 4 buttons there and I don't really like that.
When I drag up the recent apps button, I get a little semi circle selector with voicemate, search and quickmemo+ options. I have no intention of ever using voicemail or quickmemo+. Is there a place to change the 3 things that come up there?

lexluthor said:
Got my G3 today and have been spending a good amount of time setting it up.
I am rooted and have Xposed w/G3 Tweaksbox.
I have a couple of things that still annoy me.
Is there a way to swap the behavior of the recent apps button? I want short press to be menu and long press to be recent apps. I figured out I can add a menu button using G3 Tweaksbox that does exactly that, but I can't remove the stock recent apps button, so I have 4 buttons there and I don't really like that.
When I drag up the recent apps button, I get a little semi circle selector with voicemate, search and quickmemo+ options. I have no intention of ever using voicemail or quickmemo+. Is there a place to change the 3 things that come up there?
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Click to collapse
Most modern apps use the 3 dot menu button in the app interface and that is why most modern phones tablets do away with dedicated menu button so why would you want to do this?

rkirmeier said:
Most modern apps use the 3 dot menu button in the app interface and that is why most modern phones tablets do away with dedicated menu button so why would you want to do this?
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Probably because I'm used to it coming from the Galaxy S3.

lexluthor said:
Probably because I'm used to it coming from the Galaxy S3.
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Click to collapse
You'll get used to the new buttons in no time. Just give it a little time and you'll look back at the S3 thinking the button layout was dumb.i had an S3 and S4. Love the G3 and the on screen buttons!

rkirmeier said:
You'll get used to the new buttons in no time. Just give it a little time and you'll look back at the S3 thinking the button layout was dumb.i had an S3 and S4. Love the G3 and the on screen buttons!
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Click to collapse
We'll see.
Anyone have a solution to my other issue?
When I drag up the recent apps button, I get a little semi circle selector with voicemate, search and quickmemo+ options. I have no intention of ever using voicemail or quickmemo+. Is there a place to change the 3 things that come up there?

I have the exact thing you want; but I don't want it. I'm rooted with Xposed framework and I randomly rebooted my phone earlier to have it turn back on with a functioning menu button. I looked through all the modules I had downloaded and even booted into safe mode but to no avail. I desperately need help with this.

Sorry that's not what you want, but if anyone knows how to get that, that's why I want.

I'm rooted with Xposed framework and I randomly rebooted my phone earlier to have it turn back on with a functioning menu button. I looked through all the modules I had downloaded and even booted into safe mode but to no avail. I desperately need help with this.
Sorry for reposting this... Thought I posted in a different thread but I guess I'm wrong. Please don't crucify me

As a long time samsung user, I'd say try without the menu button and see how you get on first.
But you can change the swipe up (and thats a swipe up from anywhere on the navigation bar btw, try it out), using tweaksbo, it's under:
theme > ring pad
And you can either turn it off, or add up to 5 custom apps.
The recent apps button is kinda key to android, it's like asking to remove the home button. Maybe instead of adding a menu button, make double tap on home be the menu button instead? Then you'd still have your three icons, and wouldn't lost out on recent apps, which you should end up using more now it's easier to reach (as opposed to a long press on the home button on samsung).

As noted most apps should use the 3 dot menu button so unless you have an outdated app you use regularly you really shouldn't even want a dedicated menu button. Ask the developer to update the app. It's the way forward and most all modern phones don't have a dedicated menu button, even the S5 replaced the menu button with the multitask button. It you really can't adapt ask the G3 Tweaks xposed developer if he can add a menu button option as the G3 already has the framework to change nav buttons.

How can you change them?

steviewunderr said:
How can you change them?
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Click to collapse
Just use the LG Display menu in settings to remove that button and xposed to add other button options. I'd like to know what people use, I'm on a 4 button system. I'll post pics when I get a chance

I somehow managed to change them on a system level if that's even possible. I disabled all modules and even booted into safe mode and they were still there. I'd like to change it back on whatever level it got modified. And the settings app crashes when I try to change the button combination.

The OP did not want to replace the resents button with menu, but only change its behavior: short press - menu, long press- resents. I am very interested in the same setup.

lexluthor said:
When I drag up the recent apps button, I get a little semi circle selector with voicemate, search and quickmemo+ options. I have no intention of ever using voicemail or quickmemo+. Is there a place to change the 3 things that come up there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In TweaksBox under theme tweaks, then ring pad. It let's you select one in the free version. In the donate version you can select up to 5 shortcuts in the ring pad or disable it altogether.

settings / display / home touch buttons / button combination
I think they are standard options and not something I've added in. let's you add/remove a button such as the menu button or recent apps. screen is wide so I use 5 buttons.
Sent from my LG-D855 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

personally don't use program #1 the ring selector as it is accidentally opening all the time with use of the back button.
Sent from my LG-D855 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Hold the recents and thats your menu button. Thats a default setting i believe. No need for g3 tweakbox unless a longpress isnt what you want. Idk which model you have but the tmobile version doesnt let you add the menu button on the nav bar.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app

lexluthor said:
We'll see.
Anyone have a solution to my other issue?
When I drag up the recent apps button, I get a little semi circle selector with voicemate, search and quickmemo+ options. I have no intention of ever using voicemail or quickmemo+. Is there a place to change the 3 things that come up there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find an answer that I'd love to able stick a few more bits on there seems like the only thing lg have forgotten let customise! Lol

jonny_blagwind said:
Did you ever find an answer that I'd love to able stick a few more bits on there seems like the only thing lg have forgotten let customise! Lol
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Click to collapse
G3 Tweaksbox,theme, ring pad, disable ring pad.

Any new navigation bar solutions?

I'm currently using a fake navigation bar that I've had to shrink down real tiny so it doesn't cover much of the screen. I don't want solutions that add extra swipes before clicking back/home/recent. So that rules out pop up menus and such.
Thanks for any suggestions.

i am using this xposed mod (http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/themes-apps/xposed-remove-navigation-bar-t2552745) and using xposed addition to navigate through the single button(single press to back, double press to app-switcher and hold to return to home)

that's actually not bad. However, my home button has gotten a little wonkey, on a physical level. It just feels weird to press now, like it rocks to the left and the right just slightly. I do like it as a single click home, but any other usage feels awkward.

I use all in one gestures for navigation and I've started using smart task launcher to own recents and a selection of most used apps.

ratbags said:
I use all in one gestures for navigation and I've started using smart task launcher to own recents and a selection of most used apps.
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Click to collapse
I use Pie controls from Gravity Box. Though you can install them separately

disable Navigation Bar in LineageOS

Hello! I'm hoping that I can disable the soft navigation bar, and go to a more traditional Fire OS style of navigation, using swipe navigation.
I found a post caliming that "PImp my rom" can disable the nav bar, but it didn't seem to respond to the tweak option, and I still have the soft nav bar
Thank you,
cheers
***Solved***
Chocolina said:
But expandable Desktop doesnt set the on screen keys to disable, only hide. They'll still show if you're swiping up.
Adding a new line with qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 to root/system/build.prop with a text editor Will permanently disable on-screen keys. It would have been handy if there was a UI shortcut for that somewhere.
Anyway I force-disabled Screen buttons, set Double tap to recent apps, and hold button to google now. Then bought the app you suggested to set all 3 swipe from bottom gestures to mimic the back function. Now the navigation feels just like FireOS's except amazon search assistant is replaced with google and I love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using a prop editor, I was able to add h qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 to root/system/build.prop <-- fantastic fix
I then customized the home button to do double tap-- app library, and hold-- switch back to last app.
Swipe Navigation works wonders, just as Chocolina stated above

Better solution
If you want to completly disable navigation bar soft keys then you must install slim kat,you can easily completly disable the soft keys and can add swipe up navigation just like amazon..i m also using slim kat rom and i have personally tested all roms but look wose slim kat is the best rom and no bugs in it..i have also disabled the system navigation keys and added swipe up to go back and hold home button for recent apps.

Hussain_97 said:
If you want to completly disable navigation bar soft keys then you must install slim kat,you can easily completly disable the soft keys and can add swipe up navigation just like amazon..i m also using slim kat rom and i have personally tested all roms but look wose slim kat is the best rom and no bugs in it..i have also disabled the system navigation keys and added swipe up to go back and hold home button for recent apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how to add "swipe up to go back"?