Develop Bugs

Where's 'Menu'?

Looking at the softkeys, where is the Menu key? I see Home, Back, and the new Multitasking key, but no Menu. How can this be? The iOS method of integrating all menu options into the application UI is terrible, and what about apps made before ICS? Lack of a Menu key would make them unusable. I must be missing something here, but I can't see what it might be.

A virtual menu button appears in the form of 3 dots. It can be seen in this photo.

Tung_meister said:
A virtual menu button appears in the form of 3 dots. It can be seen in this photo.
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Nice catch. Was wondering about that.

Menu items are represented by the 3 vertical dots at the top right corner of apps.
The indication is that new apps should no longer hide their menus, but rather make them intuitive to access in the app's UI.
For legacy apps, we'll probably see a menu button of some type appear along with the 3 softkeys at the bottom.

On my Honeycomb tablet either a button is in the top right corner or another is added to the bottom when menu is needed... I'm guessing HC is a good example of what we'll be getting, and if so I look forward to it

Thanks so much for a useful thread. I was actually wondering about that myself. Glad to know its non-obtrusive and clean
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.

TonyHoyle said:
You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.
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The idea is if the app needs search in order to function properly, you just put the search button up in the menu bar, just like they're doing with settings buttons.
Otherwise, the google search button is at the top of every homescreen now.

martonikaj said:
The idea is if the app needs search in order to function properly, you just put the search button up in the menu bar, just like they're doing with settings buttons.
Otherwise, the google search button is at the top of every homescreen now.
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The menu button happens automatically (technically, since 2.3 android has called onCreateOptionsMenu at activity startup so it knows you need it already).
There simply is no search button in Honeycomb/ICS - you have to stick it on the options menu, the action bar*.. somewhere the user can reach it. That needs code (not much.. respond to 'search' in the options menu by calling onSearchRequested()).. existing apps will simply lose that function if they run on ICS assuming a button exists.
We're not talking about a lot of apps here.. Not much point in a search function in 'Angry Birds' for example. Just something to bear in mind when developing a new app or trying to work out if your favourite app will work without issue on ICS.
Home screen search is totally different.. that searches the global search (emails, contacts, etc.). Different class of app entirely.
* The honeycomb search widgets are really flexible, but of course not available unless you break compatibility with <3.0.

TonyHoyle said:
You have lost the search button though. Not all apps will handle this well... I had to tweak an app I was writing because of this (luckily found fairly early during testing on Honeycomb).
Of course for most apps search isn't useful - probably why they removed the dedicated key.
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There are already quite a few phones out there without a search button. My almost 2 years old X10 doesn't have a dedicated search button and i never missed it. The search function is bound to long-press menu at the x10. Given the fact that ICS has a dedicated task switcher button, they could bind the search to long-press home for example. Just an idea though
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

qwer23 said:
There are already quite a few phones out there without a search button. My almost 2 years old X10 doesn't have a dedicated search button and i never missed it. The search function is bound to long-press menu at the x10. Given the fact that ICS has a dedicated task switcher button, they could bind the search to long-press home for example.
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Hmm.. news to me - I've never seen an android phone without one. Lucky I was doing tablet compatibility testing then
There will probably also be custom roms that put it back (since a custom rom can do anything it likes with the buttons.. change their apparence, colour, hide them completely, make them dance up and down..).

TonyHoyle said:
Hmm.. news to me - I've never seen an android phone without one. Lucky I was doing tablet compatibility testing then
There will probably also be custom roms that put it back (since a custom rom can do anything it likes with the buttons.. change their apparence, colour, hide them completely, make them dance up and down..).
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The Galaxy series in general (SGS1, SGS2) do not have a dedicated search button. They have just the menu, home and back buttons. However search is bound as a long press to the menu button which I guess won't be possible anymore. Haven't really found search to be that vital (maybe because I don't want to long press the menu button just to bring it up when I can search in other ways)

Since it's purely software, I know for a fact someone will mod in a search key.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using XDA Ultimate App

That would be pointless. When search is available, the search box will appear in the menu bar of the app.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

[Poll] Search?

Where would you rather have the "search" bar/icon?
Honestly, the search bar at the top of the home-screen is pretty ridiculous. Yes, I know, I know, they wanted to put the search bar on every homescreen, so you can search easily, and from a business standpoint, it would result in a lot more mobile searches. this way people don't have to go hunting for a search box.... But, is that really the best they can do? It intrudes the screen real-estate, and you still have to exit an app, and go to the homescreen to search for something. since searching is googles #1 priority, it should be easier than that.
what they should have done is put a search icon at the bottom, next to the 'back', 'multitask', and 'home' keys. the US carriers did this the right way. With it being down there, we would free some screen real-estate, and we would be able to search something with just one tap. Another benefit would be the "voice" search. I know a lot of people don't use this feature (as i have to tell and remind all of my friends about voice actions), but this is a huge feature, whether people realize it or not. we would be able to use 'voice actions' simply by holding down the search key. ANYWHERE we are in the OS. if we're playing a game, and we want to send a quick text message, just use voice actions and send a text message without even leaving the game! Also, with the button at the bottom, we can search within apps without having to hunt for the "search" key within the app.... some apps don't even have a "search" key visible! For example, if i want to search for a previous text message about a party in Austin, i can simply tap the "search" key at the bottom and search.... The button would be in a universal spot throughout the whole OS, and we wouldn't have to go hunting around finding it.
tl;dr version:
Search key should be on the bottom, next to the home, menu, multitasking buttons.
Pros
search anywhere in the OS
Search within apps (songs, files, text messages, etc)
saves homescreen real-estate
easier to search on the web
can conveniently do voice searches anywhere in the OS, even when in a game.
Cons
adds a fourth button at the bottom?
???
there is really no reason to disagree. I really hope someone figures out a way to add that button at the bottom. It's extremely useful.

bump.
&10char

I think you need a 3rd option, neither. If I want to search the web, I can click on the icon for it. Should be a users choice, what goes on their screens.

i voted at the bottom, as i use the "press and hold the search button" a lot in the car for navigating. what i'm sure i'll end up doing is dragging the voice search shortcut from the app drawer to the launch dock to mimic the way i'm used to using it on my nexus s and nexus one.
eric b

I never really used the actual button that often. I know it's there but I always find myself going to the search widget. The only times I really hit the button was when I was in an app like the music app and searching for a song or artist. I assume that's just going to be done with the press of the app menu button and the hitting search (making it now two button presses) but I don't really mind that. They are software buttons after all so they can totally be patched in with an update if the demand for them is large enough.

I wouldn't have minded the google search bar, if it were a "true widget", i.e. when you tap on it, the cursor would appear whilst you are still in the homescreen. But, correct me if I'm wrong, but the search bar simply takes you to a google search page, so it's not even a widget!! I felt the same way when using it in Gingerbread.
What they should have done, is to create a proper active widget and given us the choice to install it on the homescreen. I probably would install the widget on each homescreen.
Alas, we have to wait to a developer to release a ROM that takes the bugger off.

The fun thing about this is that it's all software; a custom lanucher can be used, and an adventurous (Depends on the way it was written; it could be very easy or very hard) dev could add a search button. Hell, El Goog themselves could even change this if they see it fit and there's enough community support for such a change.

Bmerz said:
I think you need a 3rd option, neither. If I want to search the web, I can click on the icon for it. Should be a users choice, what goes on their screens.
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that's the thing. the "search" button isn't just for searching. the same button doubles as a "voice actions" button. it's like an extremely convenient way to text, set reminders, notes, call "walmart" or "pizza hut", or even search where the nearest olive garden is, and navigate to it. all these options from the touch of one button. I personally use voice actions A LOT. they're extremely useful if you remember the feature is there.

Lieu10ant said:
that's the thing. the "search" button isn't just for searching. the same button doubles as a "voice actions" button. it's like an extremely convenient way to text, set reminders, notes, call "walmart" or "pizza hut", or even search where the nearest olive garden is, and navigate to it. all these options from the touch of one button. I personally use voice actions A LOT. they're extremely useful if you remember the feature is there.
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True, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more thinking it would be nice to have a choice if it's at the top - as it's my understanding that it's at the top of all 5 screens fixed.
No biggie, and certainly not a deal breaker for me - just thought it would be nice to remove it of one wanted to.

Bmerz said:
True, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more thinking it would be nice to have a choice if it's at the top - as it's my understanding that it's at the top of all 5 screens fixed.
No biggie, and certainly not a deal breaker for me - just thought it would be nice to remove it of one wanted to.
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agreed. i would have thought the main reason of having "virtual" buttons was so we could be able to modify them. it only makes sense.

MoDaco moved the location of the menu bottons and forced them always on so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a search button down there and a long-press couldn't simulate what we have now with capacitive buttons.
This is the best part of Android -- everything can and will be fixed by a Dev to make it work.
http://android.modaco.com/topic/348762-21-nov-legacy-menu-patches-lhs-rhs-both-normal-always-on/

I might be a minority but I abuse the search feature on android so having it on the top is actually much better for me, i use it for even find apps that are already on my phone, I can't remember when was the last time i've seen my app drawer.

Didn't have a search button for almost two years (Galaxy S), never missed it. But the positioning on every homescreen is not ideal either.
Voted option one since I'm not a fan of the search button and don't need it as a software button.

Stigy said:
MoDaco moved the location of the menu bottons and forced them always on so I don't see why it would be impossible to put a search button down there and a long-press couldn't simulate what we have now with capacitive buttons.
This is the best part of Android -- everything can and will be fixed by a Dev to make it work.
http://android.modaco.com/topic/348762-21-nov-legacy-menu-patches-lhs-rhs-both-normal-always-on/
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wow! that's amazing. that shows a 'search/voice' key is definitely plausible.

[Q] Voice actions trigger icon?

I've noticed that I can't seem to get an icon on my home screen (besides in the search bar) for Voice Actions. Its installed, according to the Market, but I can't seem to add it to stock or to Nova for me to trigger it without using the search bar. Advice?

Is there really no way to get voice actions as an easy-to-hit widget or button? I know it's in the search bar, but that's difficult to hit with a thumb or while driving.

I've been searching all over for this as well, and I wish I had some good news for you but all I can give is a bump!
This really has been driving me mad. The Icon is so damn hard to hit, it makes voice commands impossible to use while I'm driving!

Yes, I put in a request for this in the Themes and Apps section.
Soft key support with short press = search and long press = voice search would be ideal.

Have we still found no solution for this? It'd be great to have a voice search command which works without the google bar and within thumb's reach.

It's not soft key support, but you can put a shortcut on your home screen using this xShortcut: https://market.android.com/details?id=ex.chinyang.android.xshortcut&hl=en -- and the voice actions shortcut will stay on your home screen even after uninstalling xShortcut.
And naturally, after using Voice Actions once, you can then access Voice Actions using the multi-tasking button from any app.
Or, as per this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420277 you can use Launcher Pro to create a custom shortcut.

rjax said:
It's not soft key support, but you can put a shortcut on your home screen using this xShortcut: https://market.android.com/details?id=ex.chinyang.android.xshortcut&hl=en -- and the voice actions shortcut will stay on your home screen even after uninstalling xShortcut.
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That worked like an absolute charm. Thank you so much!

[Q] Fastest Method to doing a Voice Search?

Hi Everyone!
I wanted to ask if anyone knows the fastest way to access the voice search on our phones? I currently unlock my phone and hold down the search button for it to open. Couple questions...
1. Is there some kind of shortcut I can map to one of the lock screen shortcut (octo lock) that will open voice search?
2. Any possibility of having a visible "search" soft key at the lock screen?
3. Maybe there's a hardware mod that lets you hold down the volume key to execute a command?
Just throwing out random ideas if any of these exist. My goal is to basically open a voice search from the lock screen if possible. If anyone knows a better method then unlock and hold down the search soft key, Please let me know...
Thanks everyone!!
Galaxy Nexus LTE
AOKP Build 26
Stock Kernel

Just set one of your applications to voice dialer/ search and then slide to said application on the lock screen.
I'm assuming your on aokp?
Edit: they already have led flashlight from the lock screen by long pressing lock button... wonder if they could mod it to launch apps.
Sent from my francoPhone

add it to your navigation bars.

the softkeys mod offered with this ROM (not sure if you can use it by itself) makes the third softkey a dedicated search button and if you long press it at any point it does a voice search. also if you long press middle button it gives you the recent app list. ideal imo.

Thanks for all the responses!
I already have my nav bar at the bottom set up with a dedicated search key. I was looking for more of a method of accessing the voice search without unlocking the phone (from just the lock screen). I was hoping to map a app/command to one of the lock screen shortcuts that would open the voice search. Not a big deal... just wondering if I could access voice search even faster than just unlocking and holding the search button on my nav bar.

Shooshi said:
1. Is there some kind of shortcut I can map to one of the lock screen shortcut (octo lock) that will open voice search?
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I used this to create a shortcut on my launcher home screen, so I assume you can use it to make a shortcut for octo lock: QuickShortcutMaker: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sika524.android.quickshortcut&hl=en -- use the Voice Search entry that ends in RecognitionActivity.

rjax said:
I used this to create a shortcut on my launcher home screen, so I assume you can use it to make a shortcut for octo lock: QuickShortcutMaker: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sika524.android.quickshortcut&hl=en -- use the Voice Search entry that ends in RecognitionActivity.
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Perfect solution!! This is exactly what I wanted. I was able to add a shortcut through activities and found the voice search with the recognitionactivity at the end. Now I can slide to the shortcut and it opens a voice search. Thanks dude!

[Q] Change Navbar Swipe up Shortcut

I've done some searching but haven't found anything, so:
Has anyone figured out how to remap the Google Now shortcut that pops up when swiping up from the navbar?
I would like it to go straight to voice search instead of having to say "Google" first.

creeve4 said:
I've done some searching but haven't found anything, so:
Has anyone figured out how to remap the Google Now shortcut that pops up when swiping up from the navbar?
I would like it to go straight to voice search instead of having to say "Google" first.
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Bump. and also if possible to add more shortcuts to it as there is plenty of space on the right and left of it.

Codename Android has this functionality