Related
For those of you who dont like the SenseUI...
Last night i was playing around with my brother's new galaxy and installed aHome Lite (free from android market) to gain extra screens for him to use. I then decided out of curiosity to install it on my hero (this will probably work on all ROMs but i have a pre-rooted 2.73.405.5 ROM ala Modaco just for the record)
Those who have used open home or ahome will know that after installation the the home key brings up the option to choose what home panel to use, same thing happens with the hero but not only does it bring up TouchFLO and aHome options but also the standard Home option.
Simply uninstall aHome and your stll left with the to remaining options, 'Home' and 'TouchFLO'. By clicking on 'Home', you will get the default android home screen, simply kill the TouchFLO process in Taskiller (once inside the default Home interface) and voila
I'm not sure this has already been discovered...if so mods please delete this thread.
Peace.
i want to customize the app/dialog which is displayed when pressing home key (normally touchflo starts, but as we can see this can be modified).. any1 knows how to?
go into settings->Applications->Manage. Scroll down to TouchFLO and go into it then click on "Clear Defaults". Now press home button and it'll give you the option to choose which one to go to and you can also tick the "Use this as default" or whatever it says.
thx but this is not what i meant.. i have another app, which should be displayed after a long press on the home key..
felikz said:
thx but this is not what i meant.. i have another app, which should be displayed after a long press on the home key..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
longpress home only shows recently started apps. i don't think there is a way to modify that behavior yet.
for those using multiple home apps i would recommend Home Switcher. useful little app
But surely the recently started apps are also the currently running ones too
I'm just thankful the press and hold of Home actually does what it should now and act as a switcher.
It still acts as "apps currently running" for me.
robertosandros said:
go into settings->Applications->Manage. Scroll down to TouchFLO and go into it then click on "Clear Defaults". Now press home button and it'll give you the option to choose which one to go to and you can also tick the "Use this as default" or whatever it says.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to try this, see what the Hero looks and runs like with standard Android interface.
If I do, and I want to return to the standard Hero setup, do I just reselect "Use this as default" when selecting TouchFlo after pressing the home key?
there must be the ability to change the behaviour of long pressing home key, since at least on rooted phones everything at software level can be modified..
coercri said:
I would like to try this, see what the Hero looks and runs like with standard Android interface.
If I do, and I want to return to the standard Hero setup, do I just reselect "Use this as default" when selecting TouchFlo after pressing the home key?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, thats right. If you do find u have accidentally set the Android interface as default, just clear the default the same way you had with the TouchFlo from the 'Manage Applications' menu.
Peace.
ZenorGR said:
It still acts as "apps currently running" for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you know and why there are always max 6 of them ? You think, but for sure this is a list of last used applications ... try to kill some of them and see the list - they are still there.
What I was thinking is a "short home press" usage, which has no function if you are already at "home" ...
Actually I wanted to write "apps recently run".
People claiming they changed it to "apps currently running" with the new update but I am not sure if that's the case.
Lets say you have your notes, opera browser and a e-mail message all open. Can you "minimize" them and switch between them. I tried, but it kept closing them. I my previous phone (htc fuze), there was a "home" button on the button that you could hit at any time and it would take you to the main screen, then you could click up on the taskbar at the top and choose what open app you want to go to.
Am I missing something here? How do you do it on this "better" phone.
Thanks.
Go to your Task Manager settings. In the "Button" tab, either select "End programs by tapping and holding "X"" or disable "Enable the "X" button to end running programs".
Or you can just press the Home/EndCall button and then switch to the application you want using the HTC Task Manager.
Personally, I copy the file "TaskMgf.lnk" from the "\Windows\" to "\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\". And then I map the mute button to this link. So I just press the button when I want to switch between several opened applications.
i use this program...has a really nice and smooth transition between windows...
heres the write and the cab...
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-task-facade.html
sweet, thanks for the help guys. will try these out.
jdmsleepr said:
i use this program...has a really nice and smooth transition between windows...
heres the write and the cab...
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-task-facade.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fails to install on my Tilt2 stock ROM (Installation failed). I tried from both the SD and system and I am running .NET 3.5
when you're in those programs, just hit the home botton to get out of it but minimize it. Then you can click on the top right of the screen which is the taskbar, and you see a list of your programs running so you can click on whichever one you want..
Search for a file called ALTTAB.exe.
It will pop u a small window and show an icon where you can click.
It works exactly as it does in Windows, when you press "Alt" + "Tab"
sudge3 said:
when you're in those programs, just hit the home botton to get out of it but minimize it. Then you can click on the top right of the screen which is the taskbar, and you see a list of your programs running so you can click on whichever one you want..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the "home" button would be which one?
task facade looks cool but how much memory does it use?
i like to keep it simple. I use Spb's Alttab (attached) and have Rhodium Keyboard Controller map my PTT button to alttab.
so when ever i wanna switch apps, just tap the PTT button and icons of all open apps show up on the screen, then either tap on the icon i want to open it, or press the PTT button again for the selection to move over. works perfectly!
BehindTheLight said:
And the "home" button would be which one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the botton right on the phone in the middle of the phone and back bottons
sudge3 said:
when you're in those programs, just hit the home botton to get out of it but minimize it. Then you can click on the top right of the screen which is the taskbar, and you see a list of your programs running so you can click on whichever one you want..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I opened up Opera and then clicked the "home" button. It shuts down the Opera browser.
---
Deafcyclist said:
the opera browser is usually still running. it is just hidden from the task list. I remember that there was a registry tweak somewhere to force it visible and some cabs made for it. so you would have to try another programs to test this function.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you're right. It actually stays open although you don't see it in the taskbar.
Hi!
Was wondering if we could somehow override the home button long press to run a custom application instead of showing the recent apps list? This way, we could develop a custom application which shows more stuff rather than just 6 recent apps.
Some ideas are - integrating a task manager which shows running apps, favorite apps shortcuts, shortcut to app drawer etc.
I could develop the application but I wouldn't know how to override the home button long press! Any ideas anyone?
Cheers,
San
Well, there is at least one (paid) app that already does this (could be more but i don't know of them) - "MultiTasking Pro" http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.tkdtnek23.app.multitaskingpro
It would be nice to have extra functionality though, such as a clock (say, if you're in the middle of a game and want to check the time).
As for how it works, just from testing it out, it appears to act as a launcher (given that single home button press takes you to home launcher). I gather this as I had to set it as the default app when i pressed home button for the first time, aswell asthe fact that you have to select the home launcher in the app settings.
The way the app works is, press home button once brings up the menu (overlaying existing app). press it a second time and it takes you to the "default" home launcher as selected in settings. If you hold down home, the original app menu pops up, reinforcing the fact that this isn't a replacement per se.
Of course, overriding the original home button hold function menu would appear to be a much cleaner solution, and I welcome any info on that... whether its integrated into touchwiz or what not... One things for sure, is that samsung modified it to include a link to their "task manager" app.
TaskSwitcher is better, faster, uses less memory and it's completely free.
However no app can replace the long press. It needs kernel/system file modding.
Bec07 said:
TaskSwitcher is better, faster, uses less memory and it's completely free.
However no app can replace the long press. It needs kernel/system file modding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, not possible. Does anyone know if it was implemented in other android phones?
PS. Power strip is better =) Very very fast and you can see 12 recent apps + widgets. Itching thumb is very promising, but its a plain beta for now.
Yeah but itching thumb uses a LOT of memory.
Bec07 said:
Yeah but itching thumb uses a LOT of memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me Itching Thumb is currently the only task switcher style thing I find good enough (interface, functionality) to run next to Launcher Pro... I uninstalled all others I tried before.
But if I could have Launcher Pro on short press home, and Itching Thumb on long press home, that would be exactly how I would want that . Because I think optimizations such as memory use will come in time anyway.
I hope for the visual style to be integrated in android and have a real preview, live of the app.
Bec07 said:
However no app can replace the long press. It needs kernel/system file modding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea on what would need to be modified?
I'm hoping the discussion in this thread can inspire devs to really tweak Android.
An article I read a while back through Daring Fireball really got me thinking on how to fix the back button. This quote in particular:
They’ve replaced dumb hardware buttons with equally dumb software buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://daringfireball.net/linked/2012/01/16/android-buttons
This is also a good discussion on the topic:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/10/2...uidelines-update-settings-navigation#98209921
This is what I've come up with:
The back button should be dimmed or not visible at all when looking at the home screen.
This should also be the case for looking at the home/main scene of an app, for this reason:
The back button should never take you out of an app to the home screen, that is what the home button is for.
Instead of using the back button to close apps, use the task switcher to swipe away and actually close unwanted apps.
I know all this is possible, I just don't know how feasible it would be. I would love to see these changes in Android, what do you think?
I actually use the back button to exit out of applications, this way the app get's a chance to save any information to files. if it's forced closed, these writes can sometimes get missed and cause inconsistencies in the app (or lost time if game progress is not saved).
Having it on the home screen maintains a consistent look that many people appreciate. What i find is fantastic now is how the button rotate to the right place regardless of orientation, I KNOW that if I'm in landscape, the buttons will always be on the right hand side.
The buttons also dim down to dots in some applications (not sure if it's a new API) look at the camera app to see this in action. This removes the aesthetics of the bright buttons while leaving the functionality.
I guess you can argue about anything these days. The software keys will work better as apps are updated to 4.0 API, but to get full use out of them use AOKP, or just remove them altogether and use LMT's Pie menu. Problem fixed.
If the user accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to where he was before. If the user opens Maps from the Gmail app, and the user wants to go back, the only way to do so is by pressing the back key.
If the user is in the App Drawer, accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to the app drawer, and not back to the home screens.
The home button doesn't close the app, but tells the app that it's moved to the background.
The back button closes the app, tells the app it is being destroyed and lots of memory will be given back to the system.
With Android, it's possible to open app X within app Y(if the developer of app Y wants the user to do so). It wouldn't make any sense if the user had no way to undo that operation.
In my opinion, the navigation buttons are used properly.
EDIT:
Matridom said:
I actually use the back button to exit out of applications, this way the app get's a chance to save any information to files. if it's forced closed, these writes can sometimes get missed and cause inconsistencies in the app (or lost time if game progress is not saved).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Android Documentation states that developers should save their data when onStop is called. onStop will be called both when user presses the home button, and when users presses the back button. So in theory, both buttons should work fine.
The buttons also dim down to dots in some applications (not sure if it's a new API) look at the camera app to see this in action. This removes the aesthetics of the bright buttons while leaving the functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's an API. It's possible to dim those buttons in some apps(like gallery/camera), and it's also possible to hide those buttons. The buttons will re-appear as soon as the user touches the screen. Look at the YouTube app if you want to see the buttons disappear and re-appear.
fifarunnerr said:
If the user accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to where he was before. If the user opens Maps from the Gmail app, and the user wants to go back, the only way to do so is by pressing the back key.
If the user is in the App Drawer, accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to the app drawer, and not back to the home screens.
The home button doesn't close the app, but tells the app that it's moved to the background.
The back button closes the app, tells the app it is being destroyed and lots of memory will be given back to the system.
With Android, it's possible to open app X within app Y(if the developer of app Y wants the user to do so). It wouldn't make any sense if the user had no way to undo that operation.
In my opinion, the navigation buttons are used properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I dont think it is "broken". It works well for me and I hate using my friend iPhone because it doesnt have a back button and I have to find it on screen.
Matridom said:
I actually use the back button to exit out of applications, this way the app get's a chance to save any information to files. if it's forced closed, these writes can sometimes get missed and cause inconsistencies in the app (or lost time if game progress is not saved).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not talking about force closing apps, just regularly exiting apps only when they are swiped away from the multitask menu. I agree with everything else.
miketoasty said:
I guess you can argue about anything these days. The software keys will work better as apps are updated to 4.0 API, but to get full use out of them use AOKP, or just remove them altogether and use LMT's Pie menu. Problem fixed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not talking about removing the icons altogether, just make them contextually aware.
fifarunnerr said:
If the user accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to where he was before. If the user opens Maps from the Gmail app, and the user wants to go back, the only way to do so is by pressing the back key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't the case anymore with ICS. I think the multitask button should be utilized instead. Granted, it's one extra tap, but I think it's more consistent.
fifarunnerr said:
If the user is in the App Drawer, accidentally opens an app, it wants to go back to the app drawer, and not back to the home screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that should happen. I realize that I'm arguing against actions Android has done since it's inception, but I believe that they are wrong now.
fifarunnerr said:
The home button doesn't close the app, but tells the app that it's moved to the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The home button shouldn't close an app, they should never have to unless the system decide when it needs to close an app, or the user does by swiping it away.
juliano_q said:
I hate using my friend iPhone because it doesnt have a back button and I have to find it on screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same is for me as well, muscle memory is much faster. I just think the potential of the virtual back button is not even being scratched at yet.
thereddog said:
This isn't the case anymore with ICS. I think the multitask button should be utilized instead. Granted, it's one extra tap, but I think it's more consistent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Android, there are 2 ways of launching an app:
- As a new Task, this will add the app to the multitask interface
- As the same task, the new app won't be added to the multitask interface.
If you would like to see the second one, go to the Play Store, and click on the Email button. The Gmail apps opens. Now press the home button and open the multitask interface. You won't see the Gmail app, only the Play Store. If you open the Play Store, it'll open the gmail app, since it's the same task.
Press the home button again, and open the Gmail app(from the app drawer). The draft of the Play Store email won't show up, but it'll open the Gmail task that you opened before(for example, your latest received mail).
So, the multitask button won't work properly when the second way of launching an app is used.
The home button shouldn't close an app, they should never have to unless the system decide when it needs to close an app, or the user does by swiping it away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some cases, the back button would fit better. When you're in the Paypal app and want to close it, it's much easier to press the back button(then the user logs out), instead of pressing home, multitask button, and swipe away(thats 3 times as much time/energy).
In Android, there are 2 ways of launching an app:
- As a new Task, this will add the app to the multitask interface
- As the same task, the new app won't be added to the multitask interface.
If you would like to see the second one, go to the Play Store, and click on the Email button. The Gmail apps opens. Now press the home button and open the multitask interface. You won't see the Gmail app, only the Play Store. If you open the Play Store, it'll open the gmail app, since it's the same task.
Press the home button again, and open the Gmail app(from the app drawer). The draft of the Play Store email won't show up, but it'll open the Gmail task that you opened before(for example, your latest received mail).
So, the multitask button won't work properly when the second way of launching an app is used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually agree with this. The back button would be used to to back into the store. GMail was never really opened though so it wouldn't have to be closed.
When you're in the Paypal app and want to close it, it's much easier to press the back button(then the user logs out), instead of pressing home, multitask button, and swipe away(thats 3 times as much time/energy).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In this case, I believe it is up to PayPal to have a Log Off button on the main scene of their app, and possibly in a context menu in other scenes.
although I get your main premise, I think it might be extra confusing when you have buttons just "randomly" disappearing and reappearing.
martonikaj said:
although I get your main premise, I think it might be extra confusing when you have buttons just "randomly" disappearing and reappearing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe not disappear, dim would work
thereddog said:
Maybe not disappear, dim would work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly. But I think what you're looking for is a fundamental reworking of the OS here. The "Back" button is meant to work a certain way (completely at the OS level), and changing that changes everything.
What you're really looking for is the iPhone setup, where all you have is a "Home" and "Multitasking" (just double tap home, could be a separate button). All "Back" functions are handled at the app level, not the OS level. Back buttons are placed at the discretion of the developer.
The consistency provided by the Android way of handling "Back" at the OS level has many advantages I think.
The software keys actually work great. I've never had a problem with them. The menu key always comes up when its needed and I'm not finding myself missing the search key either.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
the whole back button talk has got me thinking. do you guys think the back virtual button will go away any time soon since the new style guides want a back button in the top left corner.?
The way the android back button works is simply brilliant and I hope it never changes. The application stack is very thoroughly thought out and designed for a specific reason. As already mentioned there are many examples/situations that wouldn't be possible if there was no activity stack history with the back button function. You just have to learn how the activity stack works.
And yes you should ALWAYS use the back button to leave an app, never home. It clears that activity stack. Only time to use home is when you want to background said app to come back to later, ie multitasking.
I pray to god they don't change the way the back button functions. I like having all my keys lit up whenever I'm not using a full screen application. I like that the back button goes through different apps/pages when you close out of it. This just integrates multi-tasking soooo much better. I don't want to have to wade through different clicks and apps just to get to a place I was before (i.e. backing into a different application). I'm not sure I understand the premise of this... please elaborate?
It is entirely possible to implement this in the OS, it's just a question if Google wants to do this. I personally am well adapted to Android's back button, and find it much better for multitasking than Apple's iOS design. Example:
1. Open Twitter, click on link from Tweet
2. Android opens the browser, I read whatever was posted, then hit back
3. I return to my Twitter feed, ready to move onto the next Tweet
This works in a multitude of apps, from Reader to Google Music to anything that wants to keep the previous app alive in the background. Can you imagine having a back button in the Browser that could both take you back a page and also take you back to the app you used to launch it? Apple's iOS solves this by eliminating any form of efficient multitasking in my opinion, as you have to double press home and select the previous app. The iPad does it better with gestures, but a soft back-key would easily suffice.
Additionally, Apple's iOS also has a varying design for the back-key, it's in different places for different apps. I personally love the static back-key on Android, and I've used both on a daily basis. You could dim the back button when on the home screen, but that would leave a gaping hole in the Navigation bar, in addition of wasting RAM/Processing power continuously disappearing and reappearing the key when you move from home-screen to app.
My phone is rooted,
How do you multitask? For example if I am using Chrome or the stock browser, how do I switch to a app without exiting the browser? I thought it was long press the back button but it does not work. And how do I change the icons on my lock screen? Ive looked through all the setting and cant find it.
1. Press and Hold the HOME button (the physical button in the middle)
2. Settings --> Lock Screen --> Lock Screen Options --> (press) Shortcuts (not the on / off button .. the word)
If you dont have the multiwindow , you need to update firmware to get it.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Ghetto Geeksta said:
My phone is rooted,
How do you multitask? For example if I am using Chrome or the stock browser, how do I switch to a app without exiting the browser? I thought it was long press the back button but it does not work. And how do I change the icons on my lock screen? Ive looked through all the setting and cant find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
multitask maybe not supported in Your phone.
and to change lock screen icons go to Settings > lock screen > lock screen options Shortcuts Drag any icon to delet it/Arrange it.
i hop i helped you.
*sorry for my English*
ameralkial said:
multitask maybe not supported in Your phone.
and to change lock screen icons go to Settings > lock screen > lock screen options Shortcuts Drag any icon to delet it/Arrange it.
i hop i helped you.
*sorry for my English*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks you did help me with lock screen icons.
Why would multi-task not be supported by my phone? This should be a basic capability with smart phones these days.
MohJee said:
If you dont have the multiwindow , you need to update firmware to get it.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I have multi-task, when I press the Home button I just get recently opened apps. I am rooted, what firmware would I upgrade to?
Ghetto Geeksta said:
I don't think I have multi-task, when I press the Home button I just get recently opened apps. I am rooted, what firmware would I upgrade to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That IS multitasking. You're in the browser, then you want to switch to for example the S Note app without exiting (as in closing down/quitting) the browser. You press and hold the home button and select S Note in the app list that pops up. Then when you're done you do the same thing to get back to the browser.
If you're talking about dividing the screen in two and having two apps visible at the same time, that's a different thing, it's called multi-window and is done by pressing and holding the back key, then in the list that pops up, drag for example YouTube and drop it on the top of your screen, then do the same thing again to drag some other app to the bottom of the screen.
If you don't have the multi-window feature, you need to update your firmware.
Kiahnlliya said:
That IS multitasking. You're in the browser, then you want to switch to for example the S Note app without exiting (as in closing down/quitting) the browser. You press and hold the home button and select S Note in the app list that pops up. Then when you're done you do the same thing to get back to the browser.
If you're talking about dividing the screen in two and having two apps visible at the same time, that's a different thing, it's called multi-window and is done by pressing and holding the back key, then in the list that pops up, drag for example YouTube and drop it on the top of your screen, then do the same thing again to drag some other app to the bottom of the screen.
If you don't have the multi-window feature, you need to update your firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I press the Home button in my browser I don't get a list of apps on my phone I only get recently opened apps. When you say update my firmware do you mean OTA updates? Will this affect my root?
Ghetto Geeksta said:
When I press the Home button in my browser I don't get a list of apps on my phone I only get recently opened apps. When you say update my firmware do you mean OTA updates? Will this affect my root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. Forget about the whole update thing. I don't think we're talking about the same thing here.
Long pressing home = list of recent apps
Long pressing back = multi-window app selection bar
If you want a list of apps on your phone, you press the home button once to get back to your home screen, and from there open the app drawer.
Is that what you meant?
Sorry for my original post above, I misread what you said. I thought you were talking about the multi Window feature in note 2 which can be activated by long pressing the back button.
The multi tasking is when you long press the home button, correct. You get the list of recently opened apps. That's how it works and how it always worked.
If you want a customizable pad that's let's you switch to other apps on the fly, then I highly recommend SwipePad. You can find it in the market and it's free.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Kiahnlliya said:
OK. Forget about the whole update thing. I don't think we're talking about the same thing here.
Long pressing home = list of recent apps
Long pressing back = multi-window app selection bar
If you want a list of apps on your phone, you press the home button once to get back to your home screen, and from there open the app drawer.
Is that what you meant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me
Long pressing Home= list of only recently opened apps (not all the apps on my phone).
Long pressing back= does nothing on my phone when I long press it.
Long press home button gives you a list if recently opened apps, yes. That's how it works. It doesn't, in any version of android, give you a list of all installed apps in your phone. I don't know where you got that idea.
Second, if you want the multi Window feature (which opens when you long press the back button) then check OTA update. If there are no updates for you, then wait for it in the future.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Ghetto Geeksta said:
For me
Long pressing Home= list of only recently opened apps (not all the apps on my phone).
Long pressing back= does nothing on my phone when I long press it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To open any other app on your phone, just press Home button and then run any app you wanted, and if you want switch back to your last app long press Home.
If you still dont get it, than search in youtube for Android multitasking.