Develop Bugs

Why has no one worked out how to add desktop widgets!!!

xda-dev is one of the best forums ever and the people here are amazing i just can't seem to understand why no-one has worked out how to add desktop widgets, i mean i know were waiting for the sdk to allow us but with some of these great minds surely we can make do it i mean whats holding us back come on jesusfreke . Also i know its adding to launcher.apk i know its difficult but surely if we can add multi-touch we can add desktop widgets
excuse me btw for being a bit of a **** i just cant seem to get why we can work it out
all hail Jesusfreke lol

I think the problem is they haven't released the source for widgets yet. I could be wrong but i think that's what i read awhile back.

That is exactly it. Google / Android Devs haven't yet released the tools or code required to do so. Once it hits, I expect the widgets to blow up though. Tons will be released overnight if you ask me.

i suppose what he's saying is, although we don't have the source code for widgets, do we actually need it? could someone find a way to add 'hacked' widgets without it? there must be a way round the source code issue

If it could be done, it would have already been done.

First widget I make is going to be a flashlight, tip calculator right on the desktop, that way I can delete all 96 apps of both. (true reason I moved apps to SD)

hehe.... all i want is a weather widget..... seriously......
but i really do think there is a market for a tip calculator! esp. here in australia where you don't normally tip!

ive been thinking of a myfaves widget ....that way you dont have to go into the app itslef to see them ...that way you can actually just move the little cricle thingy right on the page

They'll get around to it when they do. If you want them that bad, why don't you make them yourself?

Thats what the whole response to this thread is, we can't make them yet. You typically can't open a lock without a key.

dom2684 said:
ive been thinking of a myfaves widget ....that way you dont have to go into the app itslef to see them ...that way you can actually just move the little cricle thingy right on the page
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a very cool idea!

forceshield said:
Thats what the whole response to this thread is, we can't make them yet. You typically can't open a lock without a key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you pick the lock. But I think its been made clear that's not possible or people would rather wait for the source code than waste so much of their time trying to crack it instead of building more apps!
Hope this comes soon. aHome is lame (its a G1 not an iPhone) and so is only 3 default widgets, only one of which I actually use..

Also if go like dxtop web page. Andorid peps said not to make anymore widgets becase to do so creats some kind of law that could leave ur phone open for attack. And also I don't the battery life on the g1 will suport widgets very well. But I could be wrong.

Theres are huge concerns from a security standpoint when it comes to opening up the ability to add 3rd party widgets, thats why it hasnt been released yet. The new cupcake branch added more secure widget support.
Per http://betterandroid.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/open-home-faqs-where-are-widgets/:
"Home runs with quite a few permissions, most notably the ability to
read contacts. With your implementation of widgets, any application
can offer a new widget that, once installed by the user, will silently
use Home’s permissions to achieve whatever it needs. For instance,
a widget could be easily modified to read all the
contacts and upload them silently to a website. At no point the user
will know that the widgets will make use of the “read contacts”
permission.
The second security hole is the ability you give the widgets to spoof
any other app. A widget could for instance find shortcuts on the Home
screen and change their Intent or attach a different click listener to
execute something entirely different. This way, a widget could for
instance execute a fake Email app and grab the user’s password and
emails. A widget could do much more too since they have access to all
the information stored in the Home screen UI.
These two very important issues are the reason why widgets were not
implemented in Android 1.0. We need to implement them correctly to
guarantee the privacy and safety or the user’s data.
As your application currently stand, I would strongly advise you to
disable the widgets support until you come up with a secure
implementation of widgets. You have customers who paid for your
applications and it would be really bad both for them, you and Android
if a malicious widgets started taking advantage of these security
holes"

[REQ] Timetable program that's finger friendly

Hi guys,
Unfortunately it's that time of the year again where students go back to their universities and begin the process of temporarily absorbing material so that they can pass exams in order to get a piece of paper (Certificate) =P.
I have been looking for a program that will list all of my lectures/tutorials in a way that will integrate with TF3D, but unfortunately, most of the programs do more than I need and don't really look nice. I don't want to use the Home Screen for this because it would be too cluttered, and I don't want to use the Calendar for this because I want to reserve this for important/once-off events.
I am wondering if anybody would be willing to make me/teach me how to make a program that will simply list all of my lectures/tutorials for the day? Ideally it will be accessed through an additional tab in TF3D (using Singh's 15 tabs? or something else?). I am thinking that the list will give the subject name/title, location and time details. There is no need for things like assignments, due dates, etc, as this can be done through Calendar. Preferably this program will also be finger-friendly!
Is there something I can use to program it myself (I have basically no programming experience)? Or is someone able/willing to help me? I am willing to help out with the interface.
I think that this may be a relatively simple program to write, but I have no idea how to do it. Or is there something out there that does this already? I have searched the forums for "timetable", and also Google for "timetable windows mobile app", but nothing seems to suit.
Thanks guys!

Okay, by the number of views on this thread, I can probably guess that this is something that people are interested in...
...but nobody seems to know how/interested in doing it =S.
I am also thinking that this can be expanded into other uses, say, a To-Do list that's available at a glance, or a shopping list. I think it would be look best if it looked like the other TF3D tabs, both icon-wise as well as the theme wise (ie: see-through/big entries/smooth scrolling).
If anyone is willing to point me in the direction of how to make an app like this, I am more than willing to give it a shot. I only have a basic understanding of Visual Basic (from high school, lol ). But I can give it a shot.
Can someone point me in the direction of how to make this app? Or better yet, do it for me?
My bad about the double-post, but nobody seems to want to post!

A mini Weather Apps review

I have been looking for a nice today screen weather app for some time. I don't use the TF3D interface and did not like the built in app anyway. It had that really pesky problem of limited city selections. Anyway this is not intended to be a full comparison but just some comments I hope you will find useful in selecting a solid today weather app.
Tools I looked at:
-HTC TF3D app
-MSN Weather app
-Elocent Weather: http://www.elecont.com/weather-for-pocket-pc.aspx
-Weather to go: http://tonaya.com/products/wtg/index.php
-PocketWeather: http://www.sbsh.net/products/windows_mobile_pocket_pc/pocketweather
Indirectly looked at:
-Fizz Weather
-SPB Weather
Through this nice "shoot out": http://www.mytodayscreen.com/shootout-weather-applications/ (also included PocketWeather)
MSN Weather: Way too simple only the basics, not a today screen app.
Elocent: Looks like a solid contender, nice time history graphs, full featured, $10.
Weather To Go: Nice basic today screen, FREE, not maintained. Had some issues with memorization of the default city.
PocketWeather: Pricier at $15 but nice free eval period. Is both a nice light today app and provides more details than most will ever need. The winner for me.
PocketWeather provides current conditions, forecast, descriptive icons, customizeable icons, customizeable today details, sunrise/sunset, wind, humidity, direct METAR reports from nearby airfields, radar pictures, world daylight map, earthquake data and auto updates, strong control over data sources and download frequencies. UV index would be a nice feature that is missing.
In short an amazing little app. Do note I have no affiliation, stake nor conflict of interest with any of the products nor companies mentioned here.
I hope you found this useful in selecting a weather app. Feel free to add reviews, links or comparisons, whatever.

Have you tried WeatherPanel. I think its the best one out there and its free.

^ Looks very solid. I think you have the price wrong. Perhaps you can download for free or perhaps payment is optional but the site ( http://www.marsware.net/WeatherPanel/purchase.htm ) says $13. Moon phase info by any chance - it did not look like it. Lastly it does not appear to be maintained (not since 2005). Thanks.
Edit, update. I DL-ed this but no matter how I choose the two uddate options I can not even get a single data update to populate the today page. Bummer.

Ive been trying to find a good weather app as well. I also have TF3D disabled.. Ive been looking for something that will add in to my zune-ish today screen and has nifty animations. I've been checking out this one which allows to find location by GPS. Not free but has a really nice layout and functionality. Might go with this one..
edit: have new user restrictions and cant post a link. Google GWeather Ageye

I use WeatherBug (free):
http://weather.weatherbug.com/mobile/weatherbug-windows-mobile.html
and SPB's weather plugins.

swamp2 said:
^ Looks very solid. I think you have the price wrong. Perhaps you can download for free or perhaps payment is optional but the site ( http://www.marsware.net/WeatherPanel/purchase.htm ) says $13. Moon phase info by any chance - it did not look like it. Lastly it does not appear to be maintained (not since 2005). Thanks.
Edit, update. I DL-ed this but no matter how I choose the two uddate options I can not even get a single data update to populate the today page. Bummer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was discontinued by the writers but was picked up and supported by PPCGeeks and Storyr in particlular.
This is a great thread on it at PPC Geeks although the same info in here on XDA. http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=7357&highlight=weatherpanel
Try this cab. Weatherpanel 2010 with moon phase fixed until end of 2012.

I have an idea for a really cool application, need help developing it.

Hello all
I have been using XDA for years, and yet this is my first post. I have always felt inferior to the development genius's on this site, so I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and just marvel at all of you.
I think I can now give something back.
I have an idea for an application that I have not seen on the market (I am from South Africa so we only get free apps here, but I have used google and can't find something similar)
I think this idea would be quite successful on the market, and therefore can not describe it openly.
If there is an application developer (not a newbie like me) who is interested in helping design this application, please let me know.
Thank you

You should just share it right here. The more people that can freely see it, the more would be interested.
All that secret stuff will only work in your disadvantage.

Hi there
You may be right. I have not done this before. How do protect your idea? Or is that not done on this forum?
Maybe you can explain how application development works and how to you protect it if and when the application is a success and goes to the Andorid market.

Explain why this needs to be a secret. Are you looking to make a profit from it? If you're thinking that way you will make very little as a non-functioning member of the application development team.
Just say what your amazing idea is.

Thanks Gazebee, since you put it like that.
I have a desire and when I received it, swore to myself that I would never 'fiddle' with the Rom, like I did with my Windows mobile devices. Well, that was then...
I really liked HTC sense, but have in the interim, moved over to Froyo (Currently using Open Desire1.5).
I miss Sense very much. One of the main reasons for this is that, with Sense you can custom design your Scenes. You can save your back ground, widgets, shortcuts apps etc for all your homescreans, and go back to a previouly saved scene if you wish.
The items that you may wish to have on your homescreans will vary dependant on a variety of factors.
For example, in the week when I am at work the most important items are email, calander, weather(we work outdoors often), messaging, work contacts etc.
On the weekend there are other things that are more important, Photo album, camera, family and friend contacts, music etc.
There may even be times each week when your phone needs to be in airplane/ silent mode etc.
The application I was hoping to develop would allow the user to set scenes for himself, based on the day of week.
So for example, on Monday morning at 6AM, your phone swithces from the 'weekend' scene that the user designed to its "workday"scene. (either needing confirmation or automatically depending on the settings previosly stipulated).
Perhaps when you leave work at 5pm, your phone switches to "evening scene"
The user can stipulate /design as many as he wants and set timed controls to switch between the scenes.
The above was my initial thoughts, but why stop there.
It is surly possible to use Gps location to contol the scenes. When you pull arrive at work, the appropriate scene is activated. When you get to Church on Sunday morning your phone goes into airplane mode so that you don't get struck down by lightning because your phone interupts the sermen.
It may even be possible to take this one step further.
Integrating with applications like Rom Manager it may be possible to use a different THEME for the weekend, work week or whatever, depending on you mood.
Hell, if that is not enough, you may want to switch Roms for the weekend. Perhaps you prefer using the Sense UI at work, but want FROYO on the weekend. These choices can be set in advance and timed based on previously set perameters.
Please let me know what you think of this, it was something that I definitly thought was missing from the Sense UI.
Thank you

tyronius said:
Please let me know what you think of this, it was something that I definitly thought was missing from the Sense UI.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like that you took the idé and threw it out there. A great step forward. I like that you understood that finalizing the idé will be hard since you, the "inventor" don't have any development skills, such as programming.
This idé, almost excist. Based on different set of logical operations, like if it's 8 AM and my GPS position tells that I'm at work, it turns the phone down to silent for example. You can also connect different types of applications that should interact with this application, i.e. develop your own plugin for this program.
The app is called Locale and can do a **** load of things; http://www.twofortyfouram.com/
What it doesnt have is the personlization of the homescreens depending on logical operations. Sounds cool, but to get this to work with Sense will take a ****load of work, I would think that implement it to a launcher i.e. will be much easier. Maybe tip the guy behind http://www.launcherpro.com/ to have a look on this.
Cheers!

Something that may be easier than fiddling with homescreens is having a full screen widget that had a 4 x 4 grid of configurable shortcuts that you can setup as you wish for each "profile".
Developing a widget will be far easier than trying to interface with the large number of launchers/interfaces around.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

This is actually a great idea. SPB Mobile Shell on Windows Mobile has a similiar function. But doesn't do it automatic. What it has is a Lifestyle Home and a Professional Home. In each of them you get 3 screens left and right. But if you flick the screen up/down. it switches to the screens of Lifestyle and then to Professional.
While this idea is good, it's too much work to start it from nothing. It would be best do integrate it with one of the already homescreen alternatives out there (e.g. LauncherPro and the likes)

I used to love Locale until they started charging $10 for it... It's useful, but not THAT useful... Am I being a tightarse?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

streetdaddy said:
I used to love Locale until they started charging $10 for it... It's useful, but not THAT useful... Am I being a tightarse?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it also drains battery like crazy

First time with....well everything almost.

I've been with Sprint for almost 9 years now, and before my Evo 4G in 2010 all I had were the old Nextel i95's...so needless to say I'm at a complete loss with WP7. I tinkered and tailored with Android ROM's for years now and have loved a lot about the OS...but I just couldn't pass up this deal for the Lumia 900 on AT&T. I'm beyond satisfied after having set everything up and loving how tightly knit and integrated a lot of the features are. But I still have some questions:
1) Can i screen capture with the stock rom? I don't want to have to unlock this phone (That was one of the reasons I left Android, you needed to unlock to do ANYTHING)
2) Are there any apps beyond the 3 that use a double tile? Is this a setting somewhere that I'm missing on? Kinda like resizing widgets?
3) Are there different themes, beyond the color switching pallete, that can be used with WP7? And while we're at it, is there a different lockscreen or anything else that can be done from it besides unlocking it? (Such as unlocking to text, email, custom app?)
4) What's up with the notifications disappearing after a while before I get a chance to check em? Is there a way to check them besides going to their respective clients to see what I missed?
5) Can you guys point me towards some alternative apps or settings to replace some of the stock feaures?
6) Besides having to login to AT&T all the time, is there a different way to monitor my data usage? A simple app perhaps?
7) Oh and how could I forget....do I have to go all the way to the settings every time to see what the percentage on my battery is? I found a couple threads saying that you have to unlock the phone for this feature but I refuse to believe that something this simple needs a workaround like that.
Thanks in advance guys, loving this OS and looking forward to some of the changes.

1) Unfortunately not. Most screen captures you see on the net are done using the development software.
2) Tiles sizes are determined by the developers. I wish there was a way of making them single or double too.
3) The colours are the only customisation you can do right now without unlocking the device other than changing the lock screen. The lockscreen I like, as it unlocks to the "desktop" when there is no notifications but if you unlock it as a notification happens then it will take you the application required to see the notification.
Also for some awesome lock screens go to the deviantart website.
4) This is my one and only gripe with WP7. Having said that after unlocking the notication is either facebook or twitter (the only ones not shown on the home screen) and both of those show on my "ME" tile. So really if I want to see anything I missed I go to the "ME" tile and slide across to notifications.
5) What stock features do you need help with?
6) Im not on AT&T and my phone provider has an app to do this so I would be contacting AT&T about this.
7) They do not show a % because its not very accurate I think. This is something I at first hated but I don't care that much any more. This is not like my Samsung Galaxy II which wouldn't last a day. I usually get over a days use out of my Lumia so I don't have to look all the time and be worried. When the love heart goes on the battery I know its getting low but still I have HOURS left.

In terms of number 5 I just meant is there an alternate keyboard, browser, gallery, search feature/marketplace etc. Not that I have a problem with any of these (although I do miss haptic feedback on my keyboard) I just wanted to know if there were alternatives.
EDIT: I do have a problem with ONE of those things I mentioned. The marketplace...it seems too cluttered and feels like the phone is always zoomed in with the way everything looks...but that looks like it was done on purpose.

You.can get two off your list with a Developer unlocked device. Think of it this way. Nokia is giving you a $100 credit because of the data issue. Use it to purchase a legitimate Dev key from Microsoft. Can sideload apps, and also develop with it.
1) can do it with homebrew Screen Capturer app.
2) Only Microsoft or OEMs can develop double wide tiles.
3) Need to have an interop unlocked device to add colors, etc. More involved than dev unlocked and not yet available for the L900.
6) The AT&T myAT&T app will give you the info you need. Nokia is also releasing a data tracking app. Coming soon.
7) Homebrew Battery Meter app. Updates a Live Tile every 10 minutes. Pretty accurate. Good history charts.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

There are a few other browsers and such but they are all just front ends for the existing apps supplied with the device. There is also a few marketplace apps which you might find better. I use AppTastic every now and then purely as it shows what's on sale. There might be an app which I don't think is worth $5 or $6 after the trial but would happily purchase to support the developers for a few bucks.

iiDeadSeriousii said:
In terms of number 5 I just meant is there an alternate keyboard, browser, gallery, search feature/marketplace etc. Not that I have a problem with any of these (although I do miss haptic feedback on my keyboard) I just wanted to know if there were alternatives.
EDIT: I do have a problem with ONE of those things I mentioned. The marketplace...it seems too cluttered and feels like the phone is always zoomed in with the way everything looks...but that looks like it was done on purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are alot of the things that are different. Can't/Won't say if its better because thats a personal choice. I've grown to love the look and feel now. So has my daughter...but my son hates it. I gave them both 2 weeks to like it or I would buy them their next phone. My daughter converted...my son did not, and did not want new phone. But, with that said, there are some things I miss from Android....not much, but some. I do wish Live Tiles were a touch more customizable. I wish I could have some more color schemes instead of the just the current ones. I'd love to have a Black/White and/or Grey/white combination of colors also.
Otherwise....its a matter of just trying and getting used to it. I think it took my daughter 3 days to get used to the tiles and groupings of the hubs and what they are designed for. Her original list of must haves went away....

Thanks for all the help guys, yea I figured that most of my complaints/issues could only be solved with an unlock phone but I figured I'd ask. I've got another question, do apps auto update or do I need to manually check em every time?

Your marketplace tile will have a number on it showing the number of updates available. So no you never need to go check but you do need to initiate the update manually when you see that there is some waiting for update.

Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.

iiDeadSeriousii said:
Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know if someone mentioned this, but you're in the droid mentality right now. Like Apple, alot of the framework is locked down. Even with sideloads, alot of the framework is not available. HTC Hub is one of those. MS did not want that kind of screen and they don't allow it. WP is based on Live Tiles and they are sticking with it...for now.
You can change the lock screen pic by going to settings and Lock+Wallpaper. You can change the timeing settings and the picture. If you have a picture you want to use, go to your pictures hub and simply long press on the pic, use as wallpaper is an option.
But mostly, do not expect alot of hack/modding on these phones. For the most part, most of Windows phones, were Android phones at 1 time...ie the Samsung focus line. HD7 was the HD2 line which has been successfully ported to Android and WP7. If you want android type functionality in terms of look and feel...probably not gonna get it here. Of course, I could be wrong....but...who knows.

iiDeadSeriousii said:
Again thanks guys for getting me started with the phone. Just a few more questions:
1) Is there a way to set a tile to immediately turn on/off either Bluetooth or Wifi? Or am I stuck with the default settings tile?
2) Can I save a setting where I don't have to download my pictures every time I open an email? I used to just pit "Always show pictures" on the Android GMail client.
3) I've looked and looked and still cant find a tile to just show battery. Can someone link me to an official one that I don't have to side load?
4) Is the app Bandwidth the only app for network speed test? Its kinda glitchy for me.
5) Is there a way to get that HTC Hub on this Lumia or is that another thing where I gotta unlock the phone? I really like the look of it.
6) Someone mentioned that you can change the lockscreen, or at the very least the wallpaper, how do you do that?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have answers for all of these, but here's a few (and fwiw I agree
with alodar1). But before I begin, not sure if you're aware of the Marketplace online (http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/marketplace) - might make searching easier as you're starting out.
1) "Settings Tile" is 1 such app (I don't use these, so I can't recommend which one to install, but I've seen this one recommended... *shrug*) http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/102014a6-156e-4604-8f1a-2a86e4edf191
2 & 3 don't know, sorry
4) TestMyNet works decent: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/a25ec139-fc33-4571-9425-cf031a3312bb
5) No, sorry (I had it and never really used it...)
6) Answered above =)
You may also want to check out 'AppFlow' (http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/578ef361-c265-46b7-b6f4-63cbd7fbefe0) or some similar application recommendation app.

alodar1 said:
Dont know if someone mentioned this, but you're in the droid mentality right now. Like Apple, alot of the framework is locked down. Even with sideloads, alot of the framework is not available. HTC Hub is one of those. MS did not want that kind of screen and they don't allow it. WP is based on Live Tiles and they are sticking with it...for now.
You can change the lock screen pic by going to settings and Lock+Wallpaper. You can change the timeing settings and the picture. If you have a picture you want to use, go to your pictures hub and simply long press on the pic, use as wallpaper is an option.
But mostly, do not expect alot of hack/modding on these phones. For the most part, most of Windows phones, were Android phones at 1 time...ie the Samsung focus line. HD7 was the HD2 line which has been successfully ported to Android and WP7. If you want android type functionality in terms of look and feel...probably not gonna get it here. Of course, I could be wrong....but...who knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I realize I still kinda am in that mentality. It's just there's so many little things I took for granted that I never realized were there until this happened. I love this platform so far though, I have no major complaints, just small issues with it. But thanks for the tip, yea I know about the HD2 cause the first thing my brother did when he got that a couple years ago was have me put Gingerbread on it lol. I'll stick with what I've got for now tho, this is a ridiculously smooth experience and if I've gotta make some sacrifices, oh well. I still get everything done that I want throughout the day...I just wished some apps were better supported.