Develop Bugs

[REQUEST] Changing brightness using Vol Keys?

Hi developers!
Would anyone be able to develop a tweak for the Desire so that we could use the volume keys to also modify the screen brightness up and down.
I'm thinking of something like when you first press the + or - button, a pop-up appears on the screen asking you whether you want to switch to brightness control and tapping on the screen would effectively switch to brightness control, while not tapping the screen but keeping pressing on the + or - button would maintain the default volume control (so that people who do not need the brightness control would not suffer the hassle of this additional option).
I think such tweaked feature would be a great addon to our phone. I'm used to use the lowest brightness possible in order to save battery but once I go outdoor or in any bright environement, I need to rapidely increase the screen brightness without the hassle of having to go through Settings etc...
Unfortunately, I'm no developer myself
Surfinette

You should try Brightness Profiles

Surfinette said:
Hi developers!
Would anyone be able to develop a tweak for the Desire so that we could use the volume keys to also modify the screen brightness up and down.
I'm thinking of something like when you first press the + or - button, a pop-up appears on the screen asking you whether you want to switch to brightness control and tapping on the screen would effectively switch to brightness control, while not tapping the screen but keeping pressing on the + or - button would maintain the default volume control (so that people who do not need the brightness control would not suffer the hassle of this additional option).
I think such tweaked feature would be a great addon to our phone. I'm used to use the lowest brightness possible in order to save battery but once I go outdoor or in any bright environement, I need to rapidely increase the screen brightness without the hassle of having to go through Settings etc...
Unfortunately, I'm no developer myself
Surfinette
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why dont you use power control from widgets.

So brightness can be changed without exiting apps.
A bit like in-app wifi switch (switch wifi with search button)
The dev of this app is on this forum and may be able to help.

spooky75 said:
You should try Brightness Profiles
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know, I'm already using it
It is the best thing I found so far for my need, but it is still not perfect!
Because when I'm using an App requiring more brightness, I still need to "quit" it go to Home, hit the Brightness Profiles widget, change the brightness and switch back to the App.
For ultimate convenience, I wish I could just use the volume control buttons so that I would never have to go back and forth off my App screen...
I'm probably too lazy but still, that would be a cool feature (not less useful imho than using than tweaking the trackpad to make it a power button).

mercianary said:
So brightness can be changed without exiting apps.
A bit like in-app wifi switch (switch wifi with search button)
The dev of this app is on this forum and may be able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly the philosophy behind what i'm looking for... and I was thinking of using the volume keys because brightness needs to be set up and down just like volume...

I think a switch may be better. Pressing it forces 100%. Then you could use a less used key. Like holding search.
Search for in-app wifi toggle in the market and email the dev. You never know he may develop the app you want if it only involves changing a few lines in his existing app.

Surfinette said:
Yes I know, I'm already using it
It is the best thing I found so far for my need, but it is still not perfect!
Because when I'm using an App requiring more brightness, I still need to "quit" it go to Home, hit the Brightness Profiles widget, change the brightness and switch back to the App.
For ultimate convenience, I wish I could just use the volume control buttons so that I would never have to go back and forth off my App screen...
I'm probably too lazy but still, that would be a cool feature (not less useful imho than using than tweaking the trackpad to make it a power button).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I get round this is using Bar Control to put a shortcut to Brightness Profiles in the notification window shade - so changing the brightness is only ever a drag then tap away. You never have to leave your current app at all.
Tbh though, I would rather a hardware control like the vol key - the other day I had gone outside in the bright sun, and I honestly thought my phone had switched itself off cos I couldn't see the screen well enough to perform this simple procedure.
It's pretty rubbish imho that the battery life/poor AMOLED screen tech mean we have eff around changing screen brightness manually. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's a major fault with the phone...

Disable screen time out while charging

Is there a mod/app for this? When using navigation the screen dims after 2 min which is ideal when not charging buta pain when on charge in the car
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I use Caffeine. You need to load it if you reboot the phone, but once it's running it works perfectly.

Maybe not exactly what you need, but "Keepscreen" can disable screen time out for programs (like your navigation software) seperately.

smileandnod said:
I use Caffeine. You need to load it if you reboot the phone, but once it's running it works perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm pain. i have to do this with swype too

There's a setting in Settings > Applications > Development to have the screen stay on while charging. Have you tried that?

cr1960 said:
There's a setting in Settings > Applications > Development to have the screen stay on while charging. Have you tried that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that feature is so the screen doesn't sleep which is different to screen timeout
i.e the brightness level dims
caffiene works great btw altho it doesn't run at boot even tho there is a check box for it
no big shakes

Touch Key Light Duration (ICS)

I posted in another thread about a problem with ICS concerning "Touch Key Light Duration", but feel it needs it's own thread.
My problem is "Touch Key Light Duration". Seems to be a problem with the little bit I googled. I can set it the duration to "Always On, but it has a mind of it's own. Somethings will turn off the light; I have to go back into the settings to reset the light.
I've played with all of the power setting, power saving, display settings I can find, but cannot find a way to keep the lights on the way I want. I've done Factory Reset, I've changed the duration, changed power settings,etc to no avail.
Anybody else having this problem?
Anybody have a solution, or an app to fix this?

Same problem here.....I had to choose 6 seconds option in order to get it to work.

I have exact same thing as droid_ra.
I hope somebody will come up with a fix, it's really annoying.

Are you guys running Stock? If so ICS or GB?

alphadog32 said:
Are you guys running Stock? If so ICS or GB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't have the problem with GB.
Now I'm running stock ICS. I even tried to do a wipe and reinstall with no success. May try it again.
Haven't tried rooting yet, although I've read in another thread that it may fix it.

I'm running stock ICS rooted, but the problem started right after I upgraded from GB to ICS.
So this problem is not ROOT dependent, but rather ICS's fault.
Like a someone else said, if you adjust it to 6 seconds delay, it will work properly.
However, I like to keep it at "Always On".
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

I too have the same problem. I'm running stock ICS that has been rooted. I did not have the problem when I was running stock GB that was rooted. Hmmm....

I was looking for confirmation and a fix when I created this thread.
Looks like a bug and Samsung/T-Mobile needs to fix this one.
Perhaps a dev can look into this?

yeah this is quite annoying. "always on" just simply doesn't work. 6-seconds is what I use now but I really wish I could go back to "always on" and have it work. Again, all since ICS update. Overall pretty please with the update but this and the mobile-life sync thing are annoying...

Same problem here, not rooted but happened going from GB to ICS, will have an Siii this week so hoping it's not an issue there.

Work Around
Hey guys I found a work around.
I used tasker and screen filter together to make the backlights light up whenever I turn the screen on.
I made a new tasker profile with the event Display On then put one screen filter task set to 96% and softkey lights off and another screen filter task right after it at 100% and softkey lights on. It takes a split second after turning the display on but 90% of the time it works every time.

jgbenito7 said:
Hey guys I found a work around.
I used tasker and screen filter together to make the backlights light up whenever I turn the screen on.
I made a new tasker profile with the event Display On then put one screen filter task set to 96% and softkey lights off and another screen filter task right after it at 100% and softkey lights on. It takes a split second after turning the display on but 90% of the time it works every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies in advance for my ignorance, but how does one go about creating a "tasker profile?"

rabilancia said:
My apologies in advance for my ignorance, but how does one go about creating a "tasker profile?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You go into your tasker app then hit new. Then after you name it, it will pop up with "first context" and choose event--->display--->display on.

jgbenito7,
Thank you VERY much! I had no idea that there was such an app. It's been a while since I've used anything like tasker so I'm going to go slowly: read, read some more, then experiment. Thank you again,
Rich

rabilancia said:
jgbenito7,
Thank you VERY much! I had no idea that there was such an app. It's been a while since I've used anything like tasker so I'm going to go slowly: read, read some more, then experiment. Thank you again,
Rich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem!
Did you get it to work? The only problem is that tasker is a paid app but its great for little workarounds like these.

I'm still reading how to use the tasker app. I think I understand the event section figured out but having some trouble figuring out the actions (e.g., "filter task set to 96% and softkey lights off....").
LifeHacker has two great articles: here http://lifehacker.com/5599116 and here http://lifehacker.com/5601133. I also downloaded the 14 day trial here: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/download.html . That way I can decide if I want to spend the money. Right now, it looks like I will.

rabilancia said:
I'm still reading how to use the tasker app. I think I understand the event section figured out but having some trouble figuring out the actions (e.g., "filter task set to 96% and softkey lights off....").
LifeHacker has two great articles: here http://lifehacker.com/5599116 and here http://lifehacker.com/5601133. I also downloaded the 14 day trial here: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/download.html . That way I can decide if I want to spend the money. Right now, it looks like I will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I could have been a little bit more specific...
There are two apps to download "Tasker" and "Screen Filter."
You open up Tasker then hit "new". After naming your profile hit okay then "First Context" window will appear. Hit "event". Then "Select Event Category" will appear. Hit "Display" then "Display On". The priority box will pop up but just hit "done". That is your event that triggers the actions. You should then be in "Task Edit". Click the "+" sign then "Plugin" then "Screen Filter". You should see "edit" across from "configuration". Click on edit then adjust the brightness to 96.1% (not 100% on the first one because it wont work right) then uncheck the "enable soft-key backlight" box. Hit save. Now add the second action by hitting the "+" sign again and do the same steps except this time have the brightness at 100% and the box checked for "enable soft-key backlight". The second action toggles the backlight therefore enabling it and also gets rid of the notification in the status bar. After you are finished hit "done" and then make sure to hit "apply". Test it out!

Got it! Thanks again. I was missing the "Screen Filter" app. I have the Task (event and action) up and running. It didn't work first try because the "Settings / Display / Touch key light duration" was set at "6 seconds." When I changed it to "always on" it started working. I'm looking forward to really getting into "Tasker!"

Had the same problem on every single rom!!
Posted in general, q&a and the rom threads abt this
A clean stock gb/ics doesnt have the problem i tested it for days
Seems like no dev cares abt the problem so i got used to the 6seconds option, i suggest that u do the same
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Same problem here with rogers Official ICS on the Skyrocket, tried Google & saw lots of posts about the problem, but no real solutions. I don't think that it's carrier related... It's either Samsung or Google's problem. It's a pita!
Sent from, The Eclectic Chair.

Any way to keep screen always on for some apps?

Now on ICS, my screen turns off while driving on every app other than Navigation or Vlingo. Any way to keep the screen on while charging or running specific apps like Maps or Music?
Thanks in advance...

Before you use them go to settings and change your screen timeout. Under settings you can also change it so your screen stays on while charging. Other then that check the settings for the app. I know Pandora has a setting to keep the screen on or let it auto dim.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

GiantJay said:
Under settings you can also change it so your screen stays on while charging.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is this option in settings? Used to be there in GB, cannot find it in ICS.

Download Screen On from the market. That's what I use to keep my screen on while charging. You can set it to stay on for whatever app you want.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

Several options...Screebl, Screen On, and my favorite...Tasker
Funny you ask this question. I've been struggling to keep my phone awake when on a phone call via bluetooth. I work out of my home office and use my phone with a bluetooth care speakerphone. Unfortunately the usual timeout settings don't work when in a phone call, so I couldn't simply set my screen timeout for, say 1 hour, and keep it on during a call. It would still turn off in both stock OS and CM9, which I'm currently running.
Yesterday I figured this out. I now use Tasker with the Secure Setting plugin. Secure Settings has a setting for "Wake Device" and I use the options of "Screen Bright" for Wake Type and "Manual - On" for Duration. When the call ends, I have an exit task for "Wake Device" with options of "Screen Bright" (not sure it matters) and "Manual - Off". Works very well.
But for other apps (that don't overide the system timeout settings), I simply have a Tasker profile that sets my timeout settings to 10 minutes. Could set it longer, but that's sufficient for me.
If you have Tasker, I recommend using it for this purpose...one less app needed. However, I've read good things about Screebl and Screen On, so both are worth a look.
btw -- be careful in leaving your screen on. The Amoled screens suffer from burn-in.

Just a word of advice you shouldn't leave the screen on for amoled devices. I have had this phone for about 6 months and my notification bar is slightly burned it but not to annoying since its always there. However my ex girlfriends samsung fascinate had icons burned on the screen. You could always see them. That was pretty annoying.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

Another vote for Screen On. I've been using it for a while with great results.

Battery Tips

Hello all. I just decided to retire my Vibrant yesterday and got an S3. I haven't changed much on it. I'll run it stock for quite a while. I am using a custom launcher, etc.
My battery life is horrible though! It's not even noon and I'm already down to 35%. I've made sure S Voice is not set to wake up when I talk to it. My weather was set to update every 15 minutes by default, but I've changed it to every hour. I charged it in the van on the way to take kiddos to school, and it was at 80ish percent. So that's quite a drop in not a long time. Granted, it's new, so I'm playing with it.
What tips can you give me to get the best battery life I can out of it? Besides custom ROMs. I'm not even rooted. Yet.

Well how long has your screen been on? That will be the determining factor in your battery life. Like you said, it is new and you are playing with it so I am willing to bet that probably has something to do with it.
Otherwise, turn data off when you aren't using it and keep the screen brightness as low as possible.

Here's what I do with a freshly flashed rom. I pretty much drill down through every setting turning off what I dont need.
WiFi - turn off network notification.
More Settings - Everything off
Sound - turn off everything below "System"
Display - Auto brightness off. Timeout 1min. Smart Stay off. Touch key always on or off. Auto Adj Screen Tone off. Battery% on.
Power Saving - Off.
Accounts and Sync - Off
Location Svcs - Off
Language and Input - Voice Cmd off. Voice Recognizer (all off for google and Samsung). Voice Search all off. TTS driving mode off.
Backup and Reset - can't remember what its listed under but below carrier data press to open and uncheck collect data (this is carrier iq, so I removed it asap once rooted)
Accessory - all off
Developer Options - set animation scales to 0.5x.
Hope that helps. I keep a lot off and only turn stuff on when I need it. There's some pretty cool features but for me it doesn't hurt my experiance with the phone to not use a lot of them.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

joshnichols189 said:
Well how long has your screen been on? That will be the determining factor in your battery life. Like you said, it is new and you are playing with it so I am willing to bet that probably has something to do with it.
Otherwise, turn data off when you aren't using it and keep the screen brightness as low as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. My screen was set to stay on for 10 minutes. That, I would imagine, was a large part of my problem. At least according to my battery stats. Why do they set that as default??
My screen brightness is now set to low. What is this with the data? Doesn't that mean I would not receive email, google talk messages, etc?
DocHoliday77 said:
Here's what I do with a freshly flashed rom. I pretty much drill down through every setting turning off what I dont need.
WiFi - turn off network notification.
More Settings - Everything off
Sound - turn off everything below "System"
Display - Auto brightness off. Timeout 1min. Smart Stay off. Touch key always on or off. Auto Adj Screen Tone off. Battery% on.
Power Saving - Off.
Accounts and Sync - Off
Location Svcs - Off
Language and Input - Voice Cmd off. Voice Recognizer (all off for google and Samsung). Voice Search all off. TTS driving mode off.
Backup and Reset - can't remember what its listed under but below carrier data press to open and uncheck collect data (this is carrier iq, so I removed it asap once rooted)
Accessory - all off
Developer Options - set animation scales to 0.5x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did almost all of these. With the WiFi detection off, will I need to manually find my home network each time I get back home?
Also, if I turn Voice Command off, I won't be able to push the button and say "Listen to blah blah blah" or "Navigate to ....." correct?

The_MamaBee said:
Ah. My screen was set to stay on for 10 minutes. That, I would imagine, was a large part of my problem. At least according to my battery stats. Why do they set that as default??
My screen brightness is now set to low. What is this with the data? Doesn't that mean I would not receive email, google talk messages, etc?
I just did almost all of these. With the WiFi detection off, will I need to manually find my home network each time I get back home?
Also, if I turn Voice Command off, I won't be able to push the button and say "Listen to blah blah blah" or "Navigate to ....." correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on CM10 so I am not sure where it is for stock Touchwiz, but I would assume you could go to settings > display > screen timeout and change it there.
Yes, turning off data would mean no push email or Google Talk messages. You could download an app that turns off your data when you turn the screen off, then on when you turn the screen on and your emails and messages would come through then.

joshnichols189 said:
I am on CM10 so I am not sure where it is for stock Touchwiz, but I would assume you could go to settings > display > screen timeout and change it there.
Yes, turning off data would mean no push email or Google Talk messages. You could download an app that turns off your data when you turn the screen off, then on when you turn the screen on and your emails and messages would come through then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aah. Okay. Thank you! Yes, I fixed the screen timeout.

The_MamaBee said:
I just did almost all of these. With the WiFi detection off, will I need to manually find my home network each time I get back home?
Also, if I turn Voice Command off, I won't be able to push the button and say "Listen to blah blah blah" or "Navigate to ....." correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have also mentioned I turn off wifi and data when I don't need it to, which is rare but it happens at times!
By turning off the wifi notification, the only change is it won't give you a notification in status bar that there's an open network nearby that you could connect to. Itll still auto connect to any network you've already got configured.
For voice cmd, it won't let svoice open apps for you. But for example in navigation you can still hit the mic button on keyboard and speak your destination.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Can you upload a Screenshot of your battery screen... It will make it a lot easier to look at
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

On the Wifi issue. What I do with regards to wifi, is if I know that I am not going to be near an open connection, I turn it off. When I am at work, there is no wifi nearby that I can connect to. So I use Mobile Data instead. Why you ask? It is because when you have your wifi on, in the back ground it is always scanning for a signal. Turn that off and no scan, then no drain for something that you are not using at moment.
I know that this is a bit deeper than you wanted to go, but in the Build.Prop you can put a setting [wifi.supplicant_scan_interval=] and you can set that out. The time in there is the time duration on scanning intervals based on seconds. So the setting wifi.supplicant_scan_interval=180 means that it scans for wifi and doesn't find one, then counts off 180seconds and scans again.<--This is what I have mine set too, btw.

Disable the wifi when your not using it.