Related
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"
As the title says, Im a developer but I dont know anything majorly complicated.
I want YOUR ideas for something to make.
Stuff I know:
Things to do with the file system - copy, paste, delete, create etc
Read/write/create text files
Simple or even more complex UIs (nothing too extreme though)
most of the basic stuff
Heres a video of stuff Ive done before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3_5xBqf-eQ
If you have any idea for simple apps, please let me know and Ill tell you if I can make them or not
Thanks
Maybe a new app to replace and improve SmileySMS ( development is stopped, and on windows mobile we can't have smileys in sms without this buggy app).
I wish a prog for my HD2, very simple : Use Webradio (with url) as ringtone !
Hi Cris,
I am looking for an app that can do the following:
Disable the touchscreen.
Why?
It's annoying when you watch movies and accidentaly touch the screen (especially with core player).
The app would have to disable the touchscreen after a set time, so you have enough to start the movie (or other application).
A certain area of the screen would have to be defined as touchable, so that you can disable again. Maybe with a gesture? ie. swipe from bottom left hand corner to top right???
just an idea
idea
it would be amazingg if you could make an application that allows the drag down notifications panel like android has
antdawg702 said:
it would be amazingg if you could make an application that allows the drag down notifications panel like android has
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know what, im gonna look into this one.
I cant promise anything.
I cant say I have any idea how to do that.
but I can say that im gonna look into it ^_^
wm7
can you make a windosmobile7series for nontouchscreen windowsmobile.need help with it.its just navigaating threw it with the arrow keys
Hi Cris,
Can I suggest a application that can do 2 things which I can't find something similar to this (suggestion).
To create a application for both "Shopping List" + "Inventory".
Let me know if you interested, I can share the idea ..
Hope you can consider it .. thanks
antdawg702 said:
it would be amazingg if you could make an application that allows the drag down notifications panel like android has
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have a screenshot?
how about an application like e-mail and walk for the iphone..........so that wed be able to type and walk at the same time with the background being whats in front of us fed by our camera....
I would like a app that does the following:
All for the Sense music tab!
When NOT in a call:
Long press : Play / pause
Pressed twice : Next song
(If possible:
Pressed three times: previous song
pressed shot : call)
When you are being called:
short press: pickup / hangup
PLUS
The hardware buttons (buttons on the PHONE) MUST be disabled,
But ONLY when the headset is plugged in!
With no headset plugged in everything should be as normal!
Could some developer please make this?
Maybe you can use code from the following:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=502881
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=556801
Great Greet Giblet
I've actually been pitching this one around but no luck yet ... A small GPS toggle cmd app. Here's an OSS project that may have usefull code.
What I would like it to have is:
1- Commands to toggle GPS on or off
2- Stay running and output number of connected satellites and connection status (position fixed/not fixed) as a reg name/value
3- Maybe other stuff (like coordinates, hour/date, update system time... but what I really want is the first point 1 and 2).
Why would I want such an app? To add a GPS connection manager to my today screen HS++ skin (also maybe make a script that will only launch my device navigation software when it has a position fix).
PS:
Other stuff I'd like to see are either other small cmd apps or small updates/fixes of some OSS apps like GSFinder+ or even emulators (small stuff like adding onscreen controls using existing sources, emulate mutli touch or improving controls by mixing the use of oncreen keys with hw ones or minor GUI standardization and fixes related with new devices screen resolution).
cris_rowlands said:
As the title says, Im a developer but I dont know anything majorly complicated.
I want YOUR ideas for something to make.
Stuff I know:
Things to do with the file system - copy, paste, delete, create etc
Read/write/create text files
Simple or even more complex UIs (nothing too extreme though)
most of the basic stuff
Heres a video of stuff Ive done before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3_5xBqf-eQ
If you have any idea for simple apps, please let me know and Ill tell you if I can make them or not
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK here is an idea for a simple but useful application please would you consider making this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5711236&postcount=1
Slide2Action
Hi cris, How about a simple slide to do anything? Just a scrollable list of blank sliders that you can assign a function too, eg launch an app, blank screen, reset, close all, new message, WiFi, bluetooth etc. the list could be endless. Just a scrollable action screen with sliders instead of buttons. Transparency would be a bonus for a nice visual.
well folks, youve given me plenty of ideas.
A few of them ill try to work on, sadly many of your ideas are a little beyond me
Anyway, Ive got some stuff to be doing so I wont be checking out this thread anymore.
If any developers feel they want to take up any of these, please feel free ^_^
zinconnu said:
Maybe a new app to replace and improve SmileySMS ( development is stopped, and on windows mobile we can't have smileys in sms without this buggy app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to make this same suggestion. I hope somebody with the skills stumbles upon this and can continue the development for this.
cris_rowlands said:
well folks, youve given me plenty of ideas.
A few of them ill try to work on, sadly many of your ideas are a little beyond me
Anyway, Ive got some stuff to be doing so I wont be checking out this thread anymore.
If any developers feel they want to take up any of these, please feel free ^_^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Cris,
if you can consider my suggestion to develop a "shopping List" + "Inventory" apps I think is not that difficult to develop. It almost similar to like any shopping list app & you be able to keep track of the inventory list maybe with photo or pic is good enough.
pls do consider this apps, as both iPhone & WinMo still do not have such app yet. If you do build up, you will be the 1st to come out with.
Lockscreen Slider
Please try to do a Lockscreen Slider for WM 6.5
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=638230
Thanks
salo1 said:
Please try to do a Lockscreen Slider for WM 6.5
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=638230
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes let's steal some more apple patents!!! The idea is great! Few months ago I already asked this topic in the S2U thread but no response, probably my request got overseen or the guy is just too busy with other stuff.
A Small Story to serve as an introductory:
So a while back, when I got my brilliant Excalibur, I started developing small applications. Some of you may recall the, now long dead , thread I had called CycloneApps [By Request]. I started with C#, and did some ok things [in my opinion] and they helped serve as a learning block for bigger and better developments. I have gone from CMail.exe, the command-line replacement to tmail.exe, all the way to FFP_LockScreen [Fake FingerPrint LockScreen], which unfortunately was aimed at Touch-Screen phone users as a project I undertook as I showed interest on a thread in the Software Development sub-forum. I got my original inspirations and 'drive' to develop from this here community, the Excalibur owners or supporters, and I thought it be best that I now fulfill a request made by Ookba, the great Chef who has brought our phones new life.
See, shortly after I started taking requests, Ookba suggested I re-make SMSBubbles to be more functional with the ROM. At the time, with the speeds of the .NET CF, it seemed impossible to really do. But I come back to you all now with the knowledge of C++ So as a token of my appreciation to all Excalibur owners, I want to develop CycBubbles, an SMSBubbles remake with features YOU want!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having said all of that, I ask now that if anyone has any interest in such a program becoming available to the Excalibur, they reply to this thread with Ideas concerning one of the following:
Soft-Keys: What should the LEFT soft-key and RIGHT soft-key do [ and under what circumstances] ?
Look and Feel: Do you like the SMSBubbles 'bubble', or do you want something different? [Realize that more complex designs = slower speed]
Rules: How about some filter-rules about when the bubble should or should NOT appear.
Positioning: Do we all like the bubble at the bottom of the screen? Maybe we can make it more PPC-Like if it were in the Center, or from the TOP.
Extra Functions: What kind of extras would you like? (i.e. Should I utilize the 0 - 9 keys on the keyboard to do something?)
Once I get the ideas from YOU guys/girls, on what YOU want this program to do, I can start developing
Please consider
if you want to see this program really flourish
Reserved for later use
Rules would be awesome. How about setting bubbles only for certain contacts? Would the .cab install work for other ROM's besides ookba's?
I would most definitely aim to make the program ROM INdependent.
Thank You for the feedback
it would be interesting to make the left and right soft keys customizable...
and as for the location/look of the bubbles, that to would be nice to customize and to relocate wherever the user feels. top, bottom, left, right, center...
the rules sounds good, and maybe apply an ignore feature to certain annoying contacts lol. like a black list on contacts that the bubbles won't show up for.<-- pretty much what Frostmoon said. lol
pretty much make it user customizable friendly.
nice to see you around these parts again.
Due to the rather disheartening amount of feedback on this thread, I will most likely not develop this in the near future .
I am currently consumed with finishing up my next version of Fake FingerPrint LockScreen for Touch-Screen phones, but that should be over in about a week.
I have been pondering re-starting development on my Horizon Home-Screen, if any of you remember that (if not, you can search it). My further knowledge of C++ will most definitely assist me in making this HomeScreen I had dreamed of making a while back when I only knew C#.
So I suppose be on the lookout for any news on that, and check here occassionally to see if I post back. For now, I am going to leave this on Stage 1 (Gathering Ideas), NOT DISCONTINUED, because I do hope to have the time to come back to this soon and give back to the community that started me off
Cyclonezephyrxz7 said:
Due to the rather disheartening amount of feedback on this thread, I will most likely not develop this in the near future .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's a real shame as the idea was requested by users yet response so small, no longer have an Excalibur but think that the development of a SMS bubble app with more configurable options would be welcomed by many smartphone users and not just Excalibur, maybe worth thinking as a project for D&H rather than just Excalibur users.
>sms bubble duration
>marque of sms
>if recived multiple sms we shuld b able to select the one to view....
>customizable soft buttons becoz diffrent user wants different settings..
>user created themes
> rules is another great idea... coz somtimes service provider sends lots of annoing sms + others
>hide the vip sms.. and it requires password to view the sms( it can b a seperate function to lock the sms bubble with password)
>photo of the sender... if it is from the saved contact...
> a floating bubble would b great the flows from up-down or vice versa.... until the user press a button..
somecuitears said:
>sms bubble duration
>marque of sms
>if recived multiple sms we shuld b able to select the one to view....
>customizable soft buttons becoz diffrent user wants different settings..
>user created themes
> rules is another great idea... coz somtimes service provider sends lots of annoing sms + others
>hide the vip sms.. and it requires password to view the sms( it can b a seperate function to lock the sms bubble with password)
>photo of the sender... if it is from the saved contact...
> a floating bubble would b great the flows from up-down or vice versa.... until the user press a button..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good ideas!
stylez said:
Yeah it's a real shame as the idea was requested by users yet response so small, no longer have an Excalibur but think that the development of a SMS bubble app with more configurable options would be welcomed by many smartphone users and not just Excalibur, maybe worth thinking as a project for D&H rather than just Excalibur users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it is a shame. i was really looking forward to this.
best of luck with you home screen development, will check in on that time to time.
somecuitears said:
>sms bubble duration
>marque of sms
>if recived multiple sms we shuld b able to select the one to view....
>customizable soft buttons becoz diffrent user wants different settings..
>user created themes
> rules is another great idea... coz somtimes service provider sends lots of annoing sms + others
>hide the vip sms.. and it requires password to view the sms( it can b a seperate function to lock the sms bubble with password)
>photo of the sender... if it is from the saved contact...
> a floating bubble would b great the flows from up-down or vice versa.... until the user press a button..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated above, good ideas!
@Cyclonezephyrxz7 - This can be a good start don't you think?. Thanks for your work dude, I hope to see this project rolling out
@Mr.Clown (and all others too)
Yes, it did serve as a sort of inspiration to start up. Thank You to those who did contribute ideas thus-far. I have not started up a thread yet, but http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7166724&postcount=39
Expect something soon (Within a month maybe?)
Also, I am now officially a co-founder, and primary developer for Chicken-Egg Solutions. This will become my main venue for application development and requests, as well as web-design, computer repair, and problem solutions (Most of these will be taken care of by my friend, the other Co-Founder). The website will be up soon (www.chicken-eggsolutions.com), check back every so often
Hi Cyclone,
We met in another thread. But I would like to raise my function request here for your consideration.
I am looking for a delivery note management function that allows my to keep track of my sms receiver. I would like to know who, by name, have received my sms and at what time. I don't know if such function is appropriate for the software you are developing. If so, please consider to add this function into it. If not, appreciate if you can point me to the right direction.
So are you requesting, as opposed to the normal Delivery Requests that Windows Offers, to make a type of 'Delivery Notification' that gets stored in some XML-like file for future reference?
It will be great if the software can list out the receiver name and date/time of the delivery notification. It will ever greater if it can match the sms/delivery notification with the acknowledgement send out by the receiver after receiving my sms.
If it only output an XML, user will have to figure out how to display it on a mobile phone.
how about an option of reading the incoming sms....like in nokia mobiles
Like Text-To-Speech?
Cyclonezephyrxz7 said:
Like Text-To-Speech?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya... how about that.. i think it shuld be customizable soft button or a different button..
I will see. I feel that that may increase the size of the app distinctly, and also distinctly reduce the speed. Although I could probably figure a way to not let it be affected.
Anywho, Thank you, ALL, so much for these ideas. I suppose that I will start attempting to make this once I am fully done with my FFP_LS pro (Which, by the way, works on Excaliburs! and other non-touch-screen phones ) and when I get my internet back fully.
Cyclonezephyrxz7 said:
I will see. I feel that that may increase the size of the app distinctly, and also distinctly reduce the speed. Although I could probably figure a way to not let it be affected.
Anywho, Thank you, ALL, so much for these ideas. I suppose that I will start attempting to make this once I am fully done with my FFP_LS pro (Which, by the way, works on Excaliburs! and other non-touch-screen phones ) and when I get my internet back fully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your work and for sharing it, we will wait then
Revised Idea, and then some
Okay, so this post contains a little meat to it
1) I want to let people know about FFP_LockScreen Pro 2.0, now available on my website( www.chicken-eggsolutions.com ). My partner and I do app development as well as web design/development. FFP_LS Pro 2.0 is fully based on C++, has many customizable components, and best of all it is (what I consider to be) a pretty legitimate replacement lock for our phones. I have made this version (and all future versions) compliant with our lovely Excaliburs. Instead of having to press the screen, trick people with a "slight of hand" by putting your finger on-screen while pressing the space-bar with your knuckle (thats how it works for me) and it will start scanning. Trust me, it mystified half my family already haha. Anywho, it is shareware, so there is a free NON-EXPIRING trial. THe trial has its limiatations however. Also, another feature that is in this for our lovely Exca's that is currently NOT available to TOuch-Screen phones is true replacement (sorta) of the default lock. By using specific API commands, I was able to get it to run when we initiate the default lock! Cocky as it may sound, I feel this lockscreen beats S2U2 in 3 ways: (1) Tests have shown it to boot faster, (2) it actually replaces the default lock, and doesn't use some timeout trick, and (3) is actually blocks other windows [unlike S2U2 which can be overridden by pressing the TaskManager key or Messaging Key (on my phone at least)]. So yeah, personally I recommend it, but I made it. I will extend the same challenge here as I did on the Development forums: If you can make an interesting skin for the program, you can win a free license (3$ value)
2) So recently I have become extremely pissed off with tmail.exe. When I have actual 'conversation - length' messages, it is slow and just overall frustrating! So I thought, "Hey, I am already starting CycBubbles...why not make it a whole 'suite' type thing". So I am considering making my own Messaging Client EXE. It would be a major switch, as it would eliminate CE MAPI for the most part (it would keep messages stored there, but its main access would be via XML). Then as an extension to this I can h ave CycBubbles. Generally, I find, SMSBubbles works...and it is reliant on CE Mapi, so I can make one reliant on XML, not CE MAPI, that works comfortably with my own client. What do you think of that idea? This would obviously require a lot more time. But if it is what I imagine I can do, it will be faster and better
So I guess that is it really... If i remember anything else I wanted to say, I will post back again!
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
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.
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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.
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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.