My Idea for a Change to the Start Screen - Windows Phone 7 Development and Hacking

I've been thinking about the start screen and how many of us thing there is a lot of wasted space on it because of the long black area on the side that is supposed to indicate that there is something there (the apps).
Honestly I think this start screen looks out of place compared to the rest of the phone. But I've though of a way to make it look like it's part of the rest. Why not instead of having the arrow on the side and all that wasted space but one of those pan bars at the top (like in messages that say Unread->all->flagged->Etc) and have it say Tiles->Apps. I think that would bring just a bit of the Metro UI into it and no long black area of wasted space.
Just an idea what do you guys think?

Totally agree!

That space is saved for a version 2 feature that is going to blow all of our minds
Leave it alone for now.

Yes, the mighty phone wallpaper in v2

If they do the wallpaper thing the should just add alpha filter to the boxes to make then semi-tranparent.

Related

why not 4 COMPLETE tiles display on home screen

I know this may have been mentioned before but I feel it is worth starting a thread to see what other users think. When in the home screen the very end of the fourth tile is not displaying. I find this really annoying because, when I have the likes of the Samsung "Now" app tile there I can hardly see the weather temp. Now I know you can scroll and all that but why not make the 4 tiles fit perfectly on to the screen, seems a no brainer to me. MSFT, can this be fixed in future upgrade???
Can you post a screenshot ? Its bit confusing
I believe 17-apg is saying that on the home screen, the bottom two tiles are cut off.
I doubt it will be "fixed", I think it's part of metro's design aesthetic, as an indication that there is more to be seen underneath.
I suppose they could move it up a tad and have the tops of the next two tiles peeking through...
I know exactly what you mean..
But doesn't this depends on the screen size ?
I should be nicer if all the tiles fit in the screen.
Cut off words and tiles are there on purpose, that's how Metro was thought out. It was the case on the Zune HD and it carried out to WP7. Didn't you notice that when browsing the marketplace you always get bits of information on the right hand side? Well it's like this by design
Designed that way to make sure you know there's more stuff when you scroll down
Put less important tiles there....
problem solved
As stated, its by design so you intuitively know what direction to scroll for more information.
If you have a live tile with something on the very bottom you need to read then you'll just have to move it up to one of the first three 'lines' or be ok with making a slight movement to see it.
timmes said:
I know exactly what you mean..
But doesn't this depends on the screen size ?
I should be nicer if all the tiles fit in the screen.
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Click to collapse
It would be dependent on resolution, not screen size
Hey man I like to hav a peek of the 5th row tiles rather than the current plan---"4th row tiles being cut a little bit"
Cuz I think, for normal daily use, 6 tiles is not enough, 10 tiles should be just fine.
But does Microsoft told us, this design means for Windows Phone, it's GREAT to hav 1 16:9 resulution screen??
So WP7 can display more tiles!!!
TheContact said:
I believe 17-apg is saying that on the home screen, the bottom two tiles are cut off.
I doubt it will be "fixed", I think it's part of metro's design aesthetic, as an indication that there is more to be seen underneath.
I suppose they could move it up a tad and have the tops of the next two tiles peeking through...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly my thinking as well.
I beleive it was designed like that to let you know that you can scroll down to see other. Wont you just move your tiles around since the weather is that important to you. Its not much cut off but if it bothers you, move it
Peew971 said:
Cut off words and tiles are there on purpose, that's how Metro was thought out. It was the case on the Zune HD and it carried out to WP7. Didn't you notice that when browsing the marketplace you always get bits of information on the right hand side? Well it's like this by design
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ding
and as far as preference I actually enjoy what metro entails for a variety of different design reasons but hey my preference
I never really enjoyed the 4 icon thing or the derivatives based on it. While it gives familiarity due to the pc era things, I always thought Microsoft's stance was the smart phone isn't a computer since its rebranding

I'm seeing some status bar "Burn-In"

Please read everything before posting an insulting comment towards me for sharing an observation I've had.
I love this phone, and what I love most is the beautiful display. One thing concerns me though.
Reading Google Currents which removes the status bar to go full screen, I noticed what I thought was a blue haze border at the top of the screen. At closer inspection it wasn't a border...it's where the status bar should be, and it was putting off a noticeable light blue haze across the screen which persisted when going landscape. I cranked up the brightness to full, and it had little effect on it.
I kind of shake my head at people who load up a pixel checker app in a dark room and analyze every last pixel on the screen in every color. But, if it is already noticeable in normal use after a few weeks... it concerns me what the top and bottom of the phone may look like in a year.
I know the black bar should be turning the pixels off, which should result in no burn in... I can't explain why it is leaving a mark...but it is obvious that it is doing something.
Yes I'm seeing some slight burn in as well on my notification bar, specifically the click numbers on the right. I just make sure I have the web browser on full screen so it hides the status bar and gives those pixels a break.
My nexus one had burn in within the first month. So with this phone I make sure to avoid this immediately.
And yes the on screen buttons was my first concern about burn in. That white icon on black contrast is just asking for burn in. My criticism of these on screen keys is that Google didn't take advantage of them at all. They never move at all and never change, and they only disappear in one place during video. What a waste. Might as well have regular keys if that's all you're gonna do as it just wastes screen space.
Wow. I see it too.
:/
I thought I noticed some burn-in the other day but wasn't sure, since no one was complaining I assumed that I'm imagining things. The "all applications" button from the bottom-center of the home screen is visible like a ghost on the grey background of the settings application.
Do you guys see it as well?
Just a suggestion (and i'm not claiming this is a real solution)...
Download ADW and turn the status bar off. Swipe-down for notifications. That's what I do, at least.
bennettm89 said:
Just a suggestion (and i'm not claiming this is a real solution)...
Download ADW and turn the status bar off. Swipe-down for notifications. That's what I do, at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your input.. but as you stated I don't see it as a solution. The status bar is a rather important part of the OS. Not to mention if that tiny black bar is causing it to distort...I can't imagine wast the on screen buttons will look like when apps start using that real estate (like games)
Grims said:
I appreciate your input.. but as you stated I don't see it as a solution. The status bar is a rather important part of the OS. Not to mention if that tiny black bar is causing it to distort...I can't imagine wast the on screen buttons will look like when apps start using that real estate (like games)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand. Just trying to promote a temporary solution to a possibly permanent problem
I have horrible burn in on my N1 - both the status bar and keyboard keys have burned in..
It doesn't really bother me though as it is only visible in certain situations..
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
OP I don't think what you are seeing is burn in. I think that is just how the screen is. I have the same slight blue hue at the top of the screen when I'm using the browser, and it has been there since day one. Every GNex that I have seen also have this. I think that is just how the screen is, I don't think it has anything to do with burn in or the status bar.
That sucks. I am not seeing any burn in on my GNex, but maybe I don't use mine as much as you guys.
Outside of the ADW solution is there anything else we can do about this...seems like a big design flaw if this is really the case.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
no issues here at all. in addition, to all the burn in complaints on the nexus one, i had that for 20 months, and never got burn in. and always had the statusbar shown.
I think the problem lies with the technology itself. The Super AMOLED displays, like the base OLED technology, use organic material that degrade over time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED
So, there is something of a trade off between the vibrant Super AMOLED displays with deep blacks and the lifespan of them.
There also the problem that although the Super AMOLED display consumes less power when displaying dark images it can consume more power when displaying light images like you see on many web pages.
Brian
Raptor1956 said:
I think the problem lies with the technology itself. The Super AMOLED displays, like the base OLED technology, use organic material that degrade over time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED
So, there is something of a trade off between the vibrant Super AMOLED displays with deep blacks and the lifespan of them.
There also the problem that although the Super AMOLED display consumes less power when displaying dark images it can consume more power when displaying light images like you see on many web pages.
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is what we were seeing here, wouldn't the status bar actually be more white than the rest of the display, due to it getting much less use because of the black bar?
I have screen burn in that fades away after time on my G2 as well. I noticed a slight bit on the GN, but it fades away too.
neok44 said:
no issues here at all. in addition, to all the burn in complaints on the nexus one, i had that for 20 months, and never got burn in. and always had the statusbar shown.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, I have some pretty significant burn in on my N1. On a pure grey screen, I can see the keyboard and the keyboard keys as well as the status bar...
However, I really don't care 99% of the time it is unnoticeable.
I just took my GN out of the box and the bottom bar is burned in. On a pure grey screen, I can actually see the home icon burned in... Does samsung run these screens before shipping?
However, it is very insignificant so I do not mind. This screen is simply amazing! I have no extreme banding or other issues mentioned here. I also got a yakju device
mysterioustko said:
OP I don't think what you are seeing is burn in. I think that is just how the screen is. I have the same slight blue hue at the top of the screen when I'm using the browser, and it has been there since day one. Every GNex that I have seen also have this. I think that is just how the screen is, I don't think it has anything to do with burn in or the status bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its burn in, I can actually see the clock numbers on a white background. This isn't a new issue, all Samsung amoled screens have dealt with this over the years. My nexus one also has the entire keyboard permanently burnt in after a year of use.
ADW launcher was a good solution back in the day as hiding the status bar gave those pixels a break and broke up the constant static image.
I'm just making sure to rotate the screen and hide the bar often.
NPuter said:
Like I said, I have some pretty significant burn in on my N1. On a pure grey screen, I can see the keyboard and the keyboard keys as well as the status bar...
However, I really don't care 99% of the time it is unnoticeable.
I just took my GN out of the box and the bottom bar is burned in. On a pure grey screen, I can actually see the home icon burned in... Does samsung run these screens before shipping?
However, it is very insignificant so I do not mind. This screen is simply amazing! I have no extreme banding or other issues mentioned here. I also got a yakju device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes most manufacturers run each phone with the screen on for a certain number of hours for testing and loading the factory image etc. But I thought it was usually special diagnostics tests and not just displaying the regular home screen. Maybe its both?
No burn in here. Also still have the Vibrant and no burn in on that either.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
RogerPodacter said:
yes most manufacturers run each phone with the screen on for a certain number of hours for testing and loading the factory image etc. But I thought it was usually special diagnostics tests and not just displaying the regular home screen. Maybe its both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who knows. I just know that I noticed the burn in within ~3min of turning it on...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I see it on mine too :/ All these small issues are begining to build up....

New screen is terrible.. I think. Help?

Can people please post pictures of their phones so I can see the grays? My keyboard and my menus all look TERRIBLE. And I just got this phone today... The store said call them tomorrow if I want to go back out and get a new phone so id like to see if its just me being crazy or if my first galaxy nexus was really better... Thank you for any help
Sounds like you may have banding? Give this thread a look
My issue is with my first one the menu was basically black at the top. and the bottom wasnt too too much lighter. This phone starts out at white on the bottom and is just washed out the entire way up. Idk if its normal or what but my other one was definitely better. I was running ARHD which i dont believe would have really helped. I just wanna see some keyboards and settings menus to see whats going on... The pictures came out a bit darker than real life but I believe they show how off the grays are. The blacks are pretty spot on its just once gray hits its washed out.
Anyone I only have till tomorrow so im gonna unfortunately be persistent.
Gahh Its Lee said:
My issue is with my first one the menu was basically black at the top. and the bottom wasnt too too much lighter. This phone starts out at white on the bottom and is just washed out the entire way up. Idk if its normal or what but my other one was definitely better. I was running ARHD which i dont believe would have really helped. I just wanna see some keyboards and settings menus to see whats going on... The pictures came out a bit darker than real life but I believe they show how off the grays are. The blacks are pretty spot on its just once gray hits its washed out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uh, thats by design. the menu is supposed to fade from black to gray going down.
I wish I could better explain... My other phone just flat out looked better... I just wanna see phones so I can tell if im going to even find one that looks good again... And my keyboard the top bar where the symbols are is the lightest part... I doubt thats by design.
The stock keyboard has a gradient. Rotate the phone and you'll see it in any orientation...
Another way to test is to take a screenshot with the phone and view it on the computer, then you'll see the true gradient that it's supposed to have so you can tell if your screen really is showing what it's supposed to or not.
Gahh Its Lee said:
I wish I could better explain... My other phone just flat out looked better... I just wanna see phones so I can tell if im going to even find one that looks good again... And my keyboard the top bar where the symbols are is the lightest part... I doubt thats by design.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the point is quickly getting lost... I know for a fact that my other phone had a better looking screen. I just want to see other peoples phones... Im not asking if mine should look this way as far as im concerned it shouldnt if my original didn't... The verizon tech support agreed but said this may just be how 99% of these phones are.
Great way to put it finally came to mind... The screen has the same amount of wash out at 10% brightness on this one as my old one did at 100%
Quality sucks but it was the best I could do on shorthand. Mine has the gradient as well...definitely by design and I think it looks good.
Edit: This is on auto-brightness, lowest level.
*shrug*
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
Thank you... Mine doesnt actually look like that. my grays are all out of wack
Accused187 said:
Quality sucks but it was the best I could do on shorthand. Mine has the gradient as well...definitely by design and I think it looks good.
Edit: This is on auto-brightness, lowest level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gahh Its Lee said:
Would it be possible for you to take a picture of your entire phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh, maybe. Let me try.
Edit: Not at this time. I am getting blue tinted pictures in my current lighting.
Thanks anyway man. The one person showed me my grays are definitely lighter than they should be. I was told by tech support I can demand to be shown the phones until I find one I like... Tomorrow shall be fun

Slight light bleed and banding on screen. Should I still keep it

So I ordered a galaxy nexus on google play.
The screen for the most part looks great.
The greys are better than the galaxy nexus that my mom uses.
However I have noticed two issues.
There is some banding that you can see sort of in the pictures that i attached. Of course it is easier to see in real life than the pictures. IT doesn't really bother me that much though and I think my mom Gnex also has it. Seems to be in all GNex's.
The other issue that bothers me more is the light leakage in the lower left corner of the screen(looking at it in portrait). It is hard to tell in the pictures.
It doesn't really show on a black screen or during anything with colors.
The only time it seems to be very obvious is when in the settings menus. The grey background there for some reason shows it. The lower left corner is just brighter than the rest.
The one pictures shows the phone in landscape orientation, so the bottom left corner is the bottom right of the picture.
I am wondering whether I should return it at this point. It seems silly to me since everything else is pretty acceptable and its really not such a big deal. I don't want to be overly perfectionist with this cause its never gonna be perfect.
What do you guys think?
Thanks for your thoughts.
I think what you're seeing is normal. Mine looks like that from day one. I have slight purple at lowest brightness. Welcome to the internet. The world where normal phenomena can easily be turned into an epidemic and 1WS rules.
...of the people, by the people, for the people...
I don't see any unevenness on either of mine in the same settings menu. If you're wanting encouragement to exchange it, then I would offer that encouragement.
The grainy-ness and banding, as you said, seems to be in all of the panels, but i've yet to see one that has brighter spots.
I know the average person wouldn't in a million years notice it.
But I inspect a device when it arrives and look for things like that.
I may just end up giving it to my dad for whom I plan to order a Gnex in any case.
But for me, I can deal with normal imperfections but I don't like things that are obvious like that.

[Q] Faint black line on screen issues

I just got my GN2 today and I noticed pretty fast that there's a constant faint black line that runs across the width of the screen and has one dead pixel on it.
I know I probably cannot fix this without sending the phone away to get repaid. I emailed in to get this seen to. But has anyone had this problem before, and possibly found a solution/cause for it? This is quite annoying, considering it's such an expensive phone.
I don't have any dead pixels and my screen is excelent, but I have this exact same issue that I had with the Note 1. While I'm on my bed about to sleep (what I mean is.. you can only see this when on a dark room, almost pitch black) and I have a grey background I can see black lines on the screen, on my Note 1 they looked like stains, like little drops and on my Note 2 they are lines , 2 on the left corners (bottom and top). They never bottered me because you can't see them under normal use and they don't even seem to affect the screen in any way, but when I found my Note 2 had it too, I don't know, felt a bit dissapointed since it is such a great -and expensive- piece of work. I don't care about it but I though I was the only one. Clearly I'm not. But like I said it doesn't affect my screen in any possible way and you can't see it 99& of the time so I don't care =)
RodriTihuana said:
I don't have any dead pixels and my screen is excelent, but I have this exact same issue that I had with the Note 1. While I'm on my bed about to sleep (what I mean is.. you can only see this when on a dark room, almost pitch black) and I have a grey background I can see black lines on the screen, on my Note 1 they looked like stains, like little drops and on my Note 2 they are lines , 2 on the left corners (bottom and top). They never bottered me because you can't see them under normal use and they don't even seem to affect the screen in any way, but when I found my Note 2 had it too, I don't know, felt a bit dissapointed since it is such a great -and expensive- piece of work. I don't care about it but I though I was the only one. Clearly I'm not. But like I said it doesn't affect my screen in any possible way and you can't see it 99& of the time so I don't care =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I seen a lot of people complaining about that on the original Note. The line doesn't cause any screen issues, it just really irritates me because now that I've seen it, I can't unsee it. That, and a dead pixel is just poor show! Once I return this I'm going to buy the UK LTE version, if possible. The UK LTE situation is terrible right now, though.

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