Related
I will update this thread as I found issues.
1. Middle of downloads the phone turned off and refused to switch on. Taking the battery out enabled restarting the phone again.
2. Despite of master reset/factory reset the phone is really laggy. Freezing applications made Defy very responsive but under 2.2.2 it appears no difference at all. (Second factory reset seems brought back somme life to my phone now...)
3. Definitely something is causing an annoying delay at startup even though the phone appears to be ready to use.
4. I have noticed once after a restart the capacitive buttons didn't light up for 1-2 minutes even though I was using the phone. The LauncherPro is installed and I'm suspecting that is the culprit here.
5. Once a number is dialed the phone locks itself. This is rather inconvenience when you need immediately use the key pad to select options. (20 June 2011)
Guidelines - 20 June 2011
I decided to write a guideline for Defy users. The information provided here have already been mentioned by others but normally not in one place. Please follow the steps below every time you flash a new ROM.
1. Master Reset (Whether you like this step or not this is required to do. Imagine upgrading a windows machine, it would be simply a mess in most cases. Any pro users would tell you always to do a clearn install. The same principle with Android applies)
2. Discharge the battery (It seems flashing a ROM messes up the battery calibration. Drain the battery to the point it won't boot then recharge it from the wall socket)
3. Avoid Restoring Apps (Only if is a must. Since Android 2.2 is different to 2.1 many apps might not work very well with the same settings restored from 2.1. Some vendors also offer different version for Android 2.2 or higher. Installing from market is best practice)
4. Avoid using widgets (They are simply battery eaters. Avoid them if they don't provide useful functionality to you)
5. Don't trust all vendors (Many apps placed on Android Market is written by programmers with no experience at all. A badly written app not only drains more battery but also takes up more precious RAM than it should. The less RAM you have, the slower the phone performs)
6. Don't keep large number of emails in your inboxes (They simply take up more memory)
7. Charge your mobile from wall socket when you can. It really does make a difference and also a recommended method by Motorola.
8. Put the Mobile Network to 2G when you can. It does save considerable amount of battery.
9. Switch off the phone once per day for 30 seconds before switching it on again.
Any chance to get hands on SBF for this release
Download available : Here http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/support/update/#
CSharpHeaven said:
4. I have noticed once after a restart the capacitive buttons didn't light up for 1-2 minutes even though I was using the phone. The LauncherPro is installed and I'm suspecting that is the culprit here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I notice on my handset (UK T-Mobile eclair) that the capacitive buttons sometimes dont light up when holding the phone landscape. I think there is a light sensor somewhere which detects the ambient light and adjusts the capacitive button lighting.
techguyone said:
Download available : Here http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/support/update/#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on cm7 not sure if the phone will be detected by the msu. Will try once getting back home.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
techguyone said:
Download available : Here http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/support/update/#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will get you the motorola update software.
During the update the .sbf is downloaded. We need to get the sbf, however it is deleted once the update has finished. I think this happens when the motorola software asks to "reboot phone, connect usb and verify update".
Please, if anyone does the update make sure to find the .sbf file and copy it somewhere safe before the update is verified. Then post to xda of course
Olly
binodnepal said:
I am on cm7 not sure if the phone will be detected by the msu. Will try once getting back home.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure either, I reverted to 2.51 and did the update form that point.
Anyone installed CM over 3.4.2_177-3?
Olly
kashavsehra said:
I notice on my handset (UK T-Mobile eclair) that the capacitive buttons sometimes dont light up when holding the phone landscape. I think there is a light sensor somewhere which detects the ambient light and adjusts the capacitive button lighting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. I can actually reconfirm the issue. Last night when I was setting my alarm, with no lights in the room, I noticed once again the capacitive buttons' led were off. I was helding the phone in portrait and I know for sure this problem wasn't there in 2.1 because I always set my alarm after I turn the lights off (Bedroom's). When I press the Home Key to come out of the Alarm app the capacitive buttons lit up again.
binodnepal said:
I am on cm7 not sure if the phone will be detected by the msu. Will try once getting back home.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the msu is compiled by Motorola then I'm sure you won't be able to upgrade. The .msu can contain many other smaller installers that can do all the checking, exactly the way the update program does. Your only solutuion is to revert back to Motorola's stock ROM and give it a try.
Two more very annoying Defy/Froyo issues:
1) You can't disable the lockscreen anymore, so prepare for a lot of annoying swiping. Yes, you can get rid of the slider with an app called "No Lock," but this will also disable your security lock (pin code or pattern) which leaves your phone wide open.
2) The new gallery has more eye candy but less functionality, and it got slower too. If you open the folder list you can't read long folder names anymore. Is there is a way to run the old 2.1 gallery on Froyo?
I found the gallery the worst bit. So poor, I can't believe they let it go out like that. Runs like a dog.
I feel embarrassed for Motorola. Or I would if they were not working hard every day making their great hardware under-perform!
Seriously what a phone once CM is on it!
Olly
Use quickpic off the market, best gallery around
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
rogier666 said:
Two more very annoying Defy/Froyo issues:
1) You can't disable the lockscreen anymore, so prepare for a lot of annoying swiping. Yes, you can get rid of the slider with an app called "No Lock," but this will also disable your security lock (pin code or pattern) which leaves your phone wide open.
2) The new gallery has more eye candy but less functionality, and it got slower too. If you open the folder list you can't read long folder names anymore. Is there is a way to run the old 2.1 gallery on Froyo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I'm concerned Motorola has degraded the phone and I'm not too sure if that is legal or not. I'm referring to the apps Motorola developed such as the video player and the gallery that you pointed out, not the Android itself. The additional Task Manager that was shipped with 2.1 in US is a welcome.
I have found my defy is performing slower, unless those claim Defy performs better with Android 2.2 has some settings that I don't. I ended up installing SetVSel to speed thigns up. It seems to me I'm getting 1/4 less juice out of my battery. I can reconfirm it once I play music on it for a couple of hours.
Not wanting to sound negative all the time, here are some positive things I found so far. I'm very happy with this update because now I got all my emails working on my handset which was important to me which missed the feature for the past 6 months. The browser appears to work very smoothly in most cases. I haven't used the Tasks app yet but that is another welcome addition as I always have a need for such features on portable devices. Other positive things about Android is to thank google not Motorola anyway. The slightly improved dialer worth just mentioning about it.
If Motorola refuses to give us Gingerbread then I hope they provide an update to fix some minor issues that either annoying or impacting the user experience soon enough.
I gotta say I'm pretty surprised about all the issues people are facing with the Froyo update everywhere. I had the french update installed which was one of the first available in Europe before moving on to the leaked 2.3.3 and it was smoother than ever. No bug at all except for the space touch getting a bit crazy while typing a text a few times. I didn't have many applications installed. A few people mentioned the update's fine as long as you don't have much installed on the phone but it starts getting extremely laggy when you keep installing more and more applications. After a factory reset there shouldn't be any lags though !
MrBelter said:
Use quickpic off the market, best gallery around
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QuickPic would be the best gallery app if it would let us change the grid size (the thumbnail previews are too big now) and if it had "all photos" and "all videos" views. Unfortunately QuickPic only does folders.
lotfib said:
I gotta say I'm pretty surprised about all the issues people are facing with the Froyo update everywhere. I had the french update installed which was one of the first available in Europe before moving on to the leaked 2.3.3 and it was smoother than ever. No bug at all except for the space touch getting a bit crazy while typing a text a few times. I didn't have many applications installed. A few people mentioned the update's fine as long as you don't have much installed on the phone but it starts getting extremely laggy when you keep installing more and more applications. After a factory reset there shouldn't be any lags though !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your post. In my experience there was a noticeable performance difference between 2.1 and 2.2.2 before a single application was installed. One theory to why some people are happy with the performance and others are not could be down to different components used in Defy. No one knows for sure if all Defy around the globe use exactly the same components or not. As you pointed out installing apps appears to effect the performance so we can conclude those that are not experiencing performance decrease are not power users.
rogier666 said:
QuickPic would be the best gallery app if it would let us change the grid size (the thumbnail previews are too big now) and if it had "all photos" and "all videos" views. Unfortunately QuickPic only does folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am confused, all my photos and videos are in folders anyway and all the previews load like lightning so i fail to to see the problem, it is better than any default gallery whichever way you look at it.
Anyway only issue i can find with the retail 2.2 is how low highest screen brightness setting seems to be, the display is really hard to read outside now.
If you have a hundred pictures scattered over ten folders, would you want to tap into those folders one by one to browse all your photos?
Just like there's a unified inbox for mails from many accounts so you don't have to jump from one mailbox to the next, the stock gallery has a unified pictures view (all pictures in one grid) for all your folders.
If you want to swipe through lots of pictures from a bunch of different folders, having them all in one grid beats having to open all the different folders one by one.
If QuickPic would have the same unified picture view and custom picture grid sizes I would throw the stock gallery out. While QuickPic is working on it (are they?) I'll keep both apps.
The problem with the capacitive buttons that not lighting up is worse than I thought. It happens all the time, it doesn't light up and the only way to make it to work, when it gets really bad, by locking the phone (power switch) and unlocking it again.
The battery life noticeably shortened after the update. What I have done today was to completely discharge the battery to the point it doesn't turn on. Recharged it fully again without turning it on and from the wall socket. I'll report back if there was any improvements on Monday.
I also uninstalled VSel and set it to default CPU speed again. Despite of freezing so many apps and services the start up is really slow and I really feel the lag with the phone.
Another Defy/Froyo bug:
Dial *#*#4636#*#* to get into a service menu. From there battery_history/network_usage would tell you network traffic per app since last boot/unplugged/all time.
In Eclair all data was counted. In Froyo it usually doesn't count anything.
http://chameleon.teknision.com/
Anyone hear about this app? I read on another forum it works with Nexus7 now. What are your thoughts?
It hasn't been released yet. It looks good i would def but it ones is out.
I'm thinking about preordering it. It looks too boss!
If the pre-order would give me an apk after my payment I'm in.
Preorder gives out early access to the app, which is n august. It will officially launch at play store n sept
Thanks guys...yeah looks like I'll think about it when it does come out. Got too many other things to worry about when my Nexus 7 arrives tomorrow!
I'm definitely going to be looking at this when it comes out. I'm looking to use my $25 play store money on tablet apps and might have to save some for when this gets released
Yeah same...don't see any other must have apps that can't be downloaded.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Chameleon is useless
phoneaddict13 said:
http://chameleon.teknision.com/
Anyone hear about this app? I read on another forum it works with Nexus7 now. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you ask yes I have used it I have been trying it for two days now. Chameleon is not worth your time or money and despite the intention of the creators is NOTE deeply customizable. What it is is a series of widgets on a a couple of nice looking backgrounds. That's it in it's entirety. You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern) and when you resize them smaller these widget they lose a lot of info (ie what they display). Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future. These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway. Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five. Have multiple gmail accounts and would like notifications for each one better be prepared to have multiple large widgets taking up screen real estate or your out of luck. As for the supposed context wonderfeature, it's been tried before. Do you really want to have to jump through extra hoops to do something because it is a certain time of day or you are logged on to a certain network, if you like those extra steps then this is for you, if you like everything ready to go at your finger tips when and where you want it then this is best left alone. For crying out loud hitting the home button at the bottom of your screen doesn't even take you to your homescreen. This home screen replacement has limited functionality, so unless twitter, facebook, and instagram updates are your entire world (and even then there are better widgets included with other apps) this app will not be worth even 15 minutes (the refund window) of your time. If you have broader interests, and need something that you can set up exactly how you want it, to be useful for work and play AVOID THIS HOMESCREEN.
Druter said:
Before you ask yes I have used it I have been trying it for two days now. Chameleon is not worth your time or money and despite the intention of the creators is NOTE deeply customizable. What it is is a series of widgets on a a couple of nice looking backgrounds. That's it in it's entirety. You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern) and when you resize them smaller these widget they lose a lot of info (ie what they display). Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future. These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway. Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five. Have multiple gmail accounts and would like notifications for each one better be prepared to have multiple large widgets taking up screen real estate or your out of luck. As for the supposed context wonderfeature, it's been tried before. Do you really want to have to jump through extra hoops to do something because it is a certain time of day or you are logged on to a certain network, if you like those extra steps then this is for you, if you like everything ready to go at your finger tips when and where you want it then this is best left alone. For crying out loud hitting the home button at the bottom of your screen doesn't even take you to your homescreen. This home screen replacement has limited functionality, so unless twitter, facebook, and instagram updates are your entire world (and even then there are better widgets included with other apps) this app will not be worth even 15 minutes (the refund window) of your time. If you have broader interests, and need something that you can set up exactly how you want it, to be useful for work and play AVOID THIS HOMESCREEN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are however going to (have already?) release an SDK that allows developers to develop their own widgets so hopefully you won't be stuck with just the ones they provide. Whether this actually takes off is another matter. I might well buy it myself to try it out but at $10, and, currently, a limited widget selection, can't see it really flying off the shelves myself.
Yeah. I can't believe anyone funded this. What a joke.
Easily done with minimal effort on existing, free software.
I searched for a Chameleon thread in all the Nexus 7 forums and didn't see one, or I wouldn't have created a new thread. However I made a video for anyone interested to see it working.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUI2oPNqBW4&hd=1
But as everyone else is saying, its very limited, and after using it for over a day I am getting bugs and the out of the 5 widgets I have 3 broke and I had to recreate it to make it work again.
They had a concept video that looked very promising and one of the reasons why I wanted to support. Wireless Media streaming while still being able to use your tablet for other things, separate user profiles, and a stylish looking UI that can evolve to what you need. You can see that here: http://youtu.be/eWZ7guxro2g
So many flaws with your statements I have quoted.
Druter said:
You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Apex, Nova, GoLauncher, LauncherPro, etc. all force you to use a "grid" for your widgets. This isn't a flaw with Chameleon, it's called Android. YOu can have a widget take up th whole screen or just one single square. f course, most the widgets will be useless taking up just one square, but that's the case for most widgets unless the app maker made a 1x1 specific idget. Great thing with Chameleon though is that the widgets adapt to what size you make them. THe overwhelming majority of widgets you use on Apex or any other launcher don't unless the appmaker designed multiple size widgets.
Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2) Right NOW the only widgets that are available are from Chameleon. It's a BETA. It's goin to ave limited functionality. They haven't released the API yet. Once they do that, which they will, anyone that can code HTML5 can create a widget for Chameleon. One will not have to know how to code for Android. Saying that the only widgets you'll ever get are from Chameleon is a 100% lie unless not another single sole on the face of the earth decides to make a widget.
These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3) It's a beta. The app and the widgets are not finalized. Just because you can't edit it now doesn't mean you will never be able to. They have a very long list of things they still want to do with it. That's why it's called BETA.
Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Partially false. You can have a lot more than five. THe bottom dock scrolls, you can put as many apps as you want in the dock.
Seriously, if you are going to come on here and criticize an app, at least learn a thing or two about it instead of spouting out a bunch of false and/or misleading statements.
scottharris4 said:
So many flaws with your statements I have quoted.
1) Apex, Nova, GoLauncher, LauncherPro, etc. all force you to use a "grid" for your widgets. This isn't a flaw with Chameleon, it's called Android. YOu can have a widget take up th whole screen or just one single square. f course, most the widgets will be useless taking up just one square, but that's the case for most widgets unless the app maker made a 1x1 specific idget. Great thing with Chameleon though is that the widgets adapt to what size you make them. THe overwhelming majority of widgets you use on Apex or any other launcher don't unless the appmaker designed multiple size widgets.
2) Right NOW the only widgets that are available are from Chameleon. It's a BETA. It's goin to ave limited functionality. They haven't released the API yet. Once they do that, which they will, anyone that can code HTML5 can create a widget for Chameleon. One will not have to know how to code for Android. Saying that the only widgets you'll ever get are from Chameleon is a 100% lie unless not another single sole on the face of the earth decides to make a widget.
3) It's a beta. The app and the widgets are not finalized. Just because you can't edit it now doesn't mean you will never be able to. They have a very long list of things they still want to do with it. That's why it's called BETA.
Partially false. You can have a lot more than five. THe bottom dock scrolls, you can put as many apps as you want in the dock.
Seriously, if you are going to come on here and criticize an app, at least learn a thing or two about it instead of spouting out a bunch of false and/or misleading statements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is though that if I run Apex, Nova...etc. the majority of widgets in the play store work with these but wont with Chameleon? ..because they are written for Android and not html5? Now forgive as I dont know much about how it all works but are you saying that from now on anyone making an app and a widget for that app must build their widget to work with all standard launchers and then re-build it again to work with Chameleon seperately? How many app Devs are actually going to go through this much trouble? I'm starting to feel like I have been suckered out of 10 bucks for an app I will most likely never use now. I should have read the fine print because all I saw was a really cool looking launcher that I assumed ran all the current widgets like any other launcher.
look very nice
its not worth it tried it out myself big dissapointment. grab a couple nifty backgrounds and use the widgets out in andriod market and you can basically have same thing. what a joke this was.
emmabellachristian said:
its not worth it tried it out myself big dissapointment. grab a couple nifty backgrounds and use the widgets out in andriod market and you can basically have same thing. what a joke this was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Do you know of an app that changes the theme/home screen your Nexus 7 based on the time of the day, or based on your location, etc.?
Update.
I received my registration and was able to install and test the Chameleon beta launcher. I have tested plenty of beta and even alpha ROMs and apps over the last few years and this is a first. Most betas of anything I have ever tested were buggy at times but you still got the feel and general idea for what the ROM or app was about. In fact a beta of anything generally has the look and functionality of the finished product with maybe still needing some bug fixes and tweaks here and there.
So how is this a first? Its the first time I have seen any Android developer take an idea and spend an hour to code into something that will at least boot or load and call it a beta. The crap I just tested isn't even an alpha!!! Honestly I don't even know what it was??? The only thing I can compare it to would be to take your home computer, uninstall windows 7 and then install one of the earliest version of windows from like 1992. Sadly I'm not even exaggerating a little bit. I'm confused!! This has to be some kind of joke or at least a scam. I still can't wrap my mind around what I saw other then I added 3 of the 5 or so silly widgets to the 3 ridiculous screens and didn't get much farther then that before the app crashed. The wallpaper has the resolution of a flip phone and was apparently made in windows paint using the paint brush tool. You do however have the option of changing the wallpaper to something exactly like it in a different color.
This has to be a scam. I'm worried because they make you authenticate using your Google credentials, password and all through their app. If you haven't spent the 5 or 10 on this yet then nows your chance to run from this as fast as you can. I'm not so worried about the 10 bucks I lost as much as I'm about what it was I really installed, what was running in the background that I don't know about and is my identity at risk. Yes folks it was that atrocious.
Pretty much you guys have posted my disappointments with the launcher. I am going to uninstall and keep up to date as to how it improves over time. I had been stock jb and was satisfied but will give nova or apex a try now.
So far, like many others, I am unimpressed with the launcher and sort of expected a bit more from it even if it is only in BETA but I don't mind. I am interested to see in what comes of it... so far, stock Android launcher suits me just fine and has done so since flashing Oxygen ROM for my HTC Desire way back when.
Hello,
I am currently on SlimICS, but since the beginning I am really annoyed by the ICS recent apps menu (when long pressing the home button), which shows minatures of the recent apps.
The thing takes several seconds to pop up, and then you need to scroll up and down to find the app you want to fall back to ; usually it also lags quite a lot when doing that (different roms, same issue, don't think it's my phone).
Besides having miniatures being irrelevant in my opinion, switching to a different application became rather long with ICS, and I really miss the Froyo/GB way, with just the list of icons popping up instantly --all the icons showing up in the screen.
I am looking for a mod that could change that ICS recent app menu to the one used in earlier versions of Android. Does anyone know if that exists, or would know how to create it ?
Cheers
I'm using an app called "morerecent" from the market. Same recent view as gb. I've linked it to another app called "swipestarter" so I can launch it from a screen swipe.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium
not a bad workaround, yes. However I had tested an AOKP rom few months ago, which I remember was offering different kinds of such list, including the Froyo/GB style. Maybe I can try to extract the relevant files from the rom and push them to my own.
I don't think that could work at all given my current knowledge though
UPDATE: Focal apk landed in the play store as a beta, link to play store:
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FxBSX8mx0c
Can I install with JWR66V??? 4.3 stock??? And it will remplace the stock camera???
aleespa said:
Can I install with JWR66V??? 4.3 stock??? And it will remplace the stock camera???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using 4.2, try it, no it wont replace it, its a separate app :laugh:
Works fine front camera doesn't work (android 4.3)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
:S
The facing camera works but sometimes it makes force close!
Gave it a whirl on the latest 10.1.2. Got some force closes as well, and odd behavior. Sometimes when starting up Focal, the torch turns on and stays on, with just a black screen. Backing out causes a force close. It's a nice app but I think it could use some refinement, especially the menus. I'm sure they'll keep on improving it.
One hell of a camera. Can't wait to see it work I perfect in an official cm mako 4.3 build.
It's good to be nexus.
Front facing works for me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
My first impression is that the framerate is significantly lower than with the stock camera - making for an overall sluggish experience.
Some random impressions while checking out its features:
- the Photosphere feature looks like a quick addition/afterthought, as the 'dots' you have to connect are just jagged sprites/images, instead of smooth circles - perhaps not that important functionality-wise, but it looks sloppy to me.
- The interface might work after a while of practice, but for now it forces me to hunt around for options too much - the ability to open more than one 'toggle group', seems more like a necessity (so that I can find the option I want) than a feature I'd use after I know where each toggle can be found (I compare it to finding a file on my computer, I know where each file/folder is, partly due to descriptive names and a clear structure. But if I needed to find something fast, I would not open all the folders until I found the file, I would just use a search function).
And I too have had the forced closes, black screen when opening it until I close the process, but that I can forgive of an... alpha-quality release.
I'm on stock 4.3 if that makes any difference.
naenee said:
My first impression is that the framerate is significantly lower than with the stock camera - making for an overall sluggish experience.
Some random impressions while checking out its features:
- the Photosphere feature looks like a quick addition/afterthought, as the 'dots' you have to connect are just jagged sprites/images, instead of smooth circles - perhaps not that important functionality-wise, but it looks sloppy to me.
- The interface might work after a while of practice, but for now it forces me to hunt around for options too much - the ability to open more than one 'toggle group', seems more like a necessity (so that I can find the option I want) than a feature I'd use after I know where each toggle can be found (I compare it to finding a file on my computer, I know where each file/folder is, partly due to descriptive names and a clear structure. But if I needed to find something fast, I would not open all the folders until I found the file, I would just use a search function).
And I too have had the forced closes, black screen when opening it until I close the process, but that I can forgive of an... alpha-quality release.
I'm on stock 4.3 if that makes any difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's alpha, sure, and it won't be in mainline CM for a while, but it's brilliant. This is more of a functional mockup than a daily use cam. Can't wait for the final release and next things to come in CM!
Well, I will keep an eye on it, but I myself will hold off on calling it rubbish/brilliant (or anything in between) until a later release
I love the app, the way everything is set up. I am having issues (on 4.3) with force closes, and my N4 restarted twice - once after tapping on a color option, and again when I tried to switch to Picsphere mode. But not again after the first two times.
It's crazy quick when snapping (non-HDR) pics, and I'm a sucker for nice animations, so I love the one this camera has. I really, really cannot wait until a beta, then a full, release is available. It's certainly heading in the right direction!
Works on 4.3 running cm 10.2 (JWR66V)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
In 4.3 stock works, but I don't like too much. But it's an alpha, so Focal is a good start
I thought it would be a bit faster but it seems a little laggy but I love to get my hands on this kind of projects that look so promising
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Surely this is the first step of many new things we'll begin to see for our devices and be able to get even more out of them than we thought we could
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Focal is pretty cool. Two things I noticed tho, one is that it doesn't play nice with Halo. If I opened focal with Halo active, it started snapping pics nonstop soon as it launched.
And two, its a RAM hog.
With Focal
W/O Focal
Other than that, it ran well. No FC's and what not.
Thanks for the hu.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
This is the only free camera app that won't crop the 4:3 image to fit our 15:9 screen ratios. I don't know if you can toggle it to do so, but I don't really care for cropping in the viewfinder.
Whom do I direct my comments since OP has no affiliation with the CyanogenMod team? If they are going to use black bars, then they might as well have a bevy of persistent settings; rather than having to tap multiple times to achieve minute adjustments. Further, I don't understand why this app isn't called CMera. Please call it CMera.
BlackElvis79 said:
And two, its a RAM hog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Introduction: Half-assed truths
I agree that CMera does not play well with HALO, but I don't agree with your second comment. Your screen caps show a very vague idea of what is actually eating your RAM. It might have something to do with the three simultaneous downloads/downloaded files (which might also be app updates) in your notification bar.
Results; and Why You're Always Wrong and I'm Always Right
For a slightly more rigorous exploration of RAM usage for the app CMera, refer to Figure 1. Strangely, the app in question is only visible in Cached Processes, not Running Services. Both apps were open simultaneously and could be swapped in and out of activity with no lag in launch or usage.
Figure 1
For even more rigorously collected evidence, please refer to Figure 2. Upon a fresh boot, my device had 1241MB of RAM unused.
Figure 2
Following three photos (8MP, 100 quality) and a precisely 60 sec video (1080p, 20 Gbps, 192 kbps audio), my device dropped to 1187MB of unused RAM (Figure 3).
This is a difference of (1241MB - 1187MB =) 54MB. No where close to the (680MB - 197MB =) 487MB purported by BlackElvis79's screen caps
Figure 3
Conclusions: What Does This Mean to America's Youth?
From the evidence gathered, the most reasonable conclusion is that BlackElvis79 is a poopyhead.
Source(s): Original Screen Caps and Cropped for Her Pleasure
Is there a tutorial on what all these settings do? There are so many... Lol. And I don't know what half of them are...
Also on a side note when will we know when it's no longer Alpha? Will it be built into the roms or something?
I'm so excited about this... My wife has been boasting her Galaxy S4 camera for awhile.. Lol. Isn't there supposed to be a slow motion video?
*Edit* I seem to have a buginess with the video. Running PAC Man version 23.0.0. It force closes sometimes for no apparent reason.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Hung0702 said:
This is the only free camera app that won't crop the 4:3 image to fit our 15:9 screen ratios. I don't know if you can toggle it to do so, but I don't really care for cropping in the viewfinder.
Whom do I direct my comments since OP has no affiliation with the CyanogenMod team? If they are going to use black bars, then they might as well have a bevy of persistent settings; rather than having to tap multiple times to achieve minute adjustments. Further, I don't understand why this app isn't called CMera. Please call it CMera.
Introduction: Half-assed truths
I agree that CMera does not play well with HALO, but I don't agree with your second comment. Your screen caps show a very vague idea of what is actually eating your RAM. It might have something to do with the three simultaneous downloads/downloaded files (which might also be app updates) in your notification bar.
Results; and Why You're Always Wrong and I'm Always Right
For a slightly more rigorous exploration of RAM usage for the app CMera, refer to Figure 1. Strangely, the app in question is only visible in Cached Processes, not Running Services. Both apps were open simultaneously and could be swap in and out of activity with no lag in launch or usage.
Figure 1
For even more rigorously collected evidence, please refer to Figure 2. Upon a fresh boot, my device had 1241MB of RAM unused.
Figure 2
Following three photos (8MP, 100 quality) and a precisely 60 sec video (1080p, 20 Gbps, 192 kbps audio), my device dropped to 1187MB of unused RAM (Figure 3).
This is a difference of (1241MB - 1187MB =) 54MB. No where close to the (680MB - 197MB =) 487MB purported by BlackElvis79's screen caps
Figure 3
Conclusions: What Does This Mean to America's Youth?
From the evidence gathered, the most reasonable conclusion is that BlackElvis79 is a poopyhead.
Source(s): Original Screen Caps and Cropped for Her Pleasure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went thru all apps that I'd installed since installing Focal. I uninstalled them one by one and still had extremely low RAM with no running apps. I uninstalled Focal last, cuz it was the first installed, and suddenly my RAM was back to normal. I didn't think it would need that much of an explanation, my apologies, but thank you for your creative and entertaining response.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
jcnbama said:
Is there a tutorial on what all these settings do? There are so many... Lol. And I don't know what half of them are...
Also on a side note when will we know when it's no longer Alpha? Will it be built into the roms or something?
I'm so excited about this... My wife has been boasting her Galaxy S4 camera for awhile.. Lol. Isn't there supposed to be a slow motion video?
*Edit* I seem to have a buginess with the video. Running PAC Man version 23.0.0. It force closes sometimes for no apparent reason.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I´ll try to make a list with all the options it has or even better I´ll contact CM team to have the info from first hand :laugh:
I've always been a lover of Android in the regards of how customizable it is. I've released a few custom roms in my time, mostly for the Galaxy S5 since the battery life on it was kind of honestly terrible when it came out. My roms were all based on Android 4.4.2 as 5.0 just seemed to kill a lot of my battery saving techniques. I figured I'd make a small post about my favorite ways to save on battery.
By the way, sorry if this is an incorrect section. Feel free to move it if needed. Been awhile since I've been on here...
Simple Methods
These methods don't take any special 3rd party app installs or file tweaks. These are simple adjustments you can make in your Settings application right on your device!
If you aren't using your GPS/Bluetooth/Wifi, Turn it off!
A lot of people just leave these things running constantly even when they aren't needed. I look at my fathers S3 and always cry a little inside because EVERYTHING is turned on. The reason its bad to leave these on even when not being used is because Wifi and GPS scan for a connection/location every 180 seconds (depending on phone model). This KILLS battery life so much. It takes a lot to power that little gps, and honestly even more to power that scan for Wifi to connect to. If you're feeling gutsy, you can even turn off your Data connection, but you'll still get text messages and such. Just can't browse facebook.
Haptic Feedback
You know, when you touch your screen and it vibrates. Doesn't seem like much but think about how much you use your phone. How many text messages are you typing? Facebook posts? Twitter posts? Your phone is basically constantly vibrating as you tap tap tap away at that little virtual on screen keyboard. Can we go back to hardware keyboards please?
Screen Wallpaper
This is a biggy, especially on high end phones. That HD screen takes a lot of power, but most of these screens on our phones like the Nexus, Galaxy, and high end LG's all have high end AMOLED screens. These screens work in a really cool way honestly. The darker the color on your screen being displayed, the less power the screen needs to actually show that color. White takes the most power, so if you have a brightly colored wallpaper and are wondering why your phone is dying quickly, this is definitely contributing. I always personally use a textured black background. 100% black (#000000 for you nerds out there) uses literally no power to display. The pixels actually turn off to display that color. The more 100% black in your background, the less battery power you use to display that background.
Screen Timeout Timer
Not using your phone? Turn off the screen. That easy. My timer is set to 30 seconds. I don't have a pass code on my phone because frankly, I don't care if someone gets into it. There's nothing weird on my phone that I know of. This is just one of those simple things that generally slip the mind of some people.
Fancy Features
Do you really need Multi-Window or that fancy Toolbox setting turned on? Just use your multi-tasking and switch back and forth. I use multi-window rarely. It feels like a gimmick to me personally.
Themes and Design
This harbors back to what I said about the whole "the darker the better" above with wallpapers. Using Material Design on your Android 4.4 or 5.0 will save on life because the colors are darker over all for almost everything. Anything white is going to use more power... Sound familiar? Alright, racist jokes aside, this is the truth. More power to display brighter colors. If you have the option, change the theme. A lot of apps have a built in theme changer. Things like Custom Launchers, GO SMS, Textra and many more have the customize ability to set those bright colors at bay.
Multi-Tasking, can you live without it?
This is a BIG saver on your battery, but also one you might realize you really might want to skip. I do a lot with my multi-tasking. Switching from Mobile Chrome to Text messages to a game I'm playing, this can take its toll. Turning off Multi-Tasking entirely isn't exactly the easiest to do either. You need to enable your Developer Settings on your device. If you're curious, go into your Settings App, open About Phone/Device, and tap repeatedly on Build Number. This should unlock Developer Settings. Once in there, you can scroll through and you'll find something with a name like "Limit Background Processes." If you tap on that, you'll be able to control just how many background apps can be running at a time before it starts auto-closing apps. I believe standard limit is fairly high, so setting it to 2 or 3 should help on battery usage.
Installed Apps
This is a big one. There's a lot of apps out there that when using them, or even NOT using them, they eat your battery, RAM, and processing power, alive. They just kill it. The Facebook's apps, Messenger and Facebook itself, were rated in the Top 5 for worst battery hogging apps of 2012, 2013, 2014 AND 2015. Delete those 2 apps and simply use your web browser to login to your facebook. Also, Mobile Chrome is a huge battery hog. Switching web browsers can help a lot. You can see which apps are using the most battery in your Settings by looking at the "Battery" section in your Settings app. Also, don't fall for the "Battery Saver" apps. They use more battery than they're worth and often just "emulate" some of the things I listed here that you can do yourself.
That's really about it for what you can do on a non-rooted devices without 3rd party apps. In the next section, I'll go over a lot more options with Root options and 3rd party apps.
Rooted options and 3rd Party Apps
This is the section that you'll want a little experience with. Backing up your phone entirely before continuing may be a smart option. Check XDA for the easiest way to back up your device before continuing.
Are you rooted? Kill that Bloatware!
A HUGE plus in Rooting is the fact you can remove a lot of the crap-ware that companies like Samsung, Verizon, AT&T, LG and many more of the cell phone companies out there install on your device. Not sure what you can delete? Look for things with something like "Samsung" in its app name. Or, you can go on the Play Store and grab an app called Root App Deleter. This is what I use. It has a nice Junior mode, for those who are new to this, and a Pro mode, for those experienced users. This will help you identify what you can and can't delete.
Type of root You have
There's always some sort of exploit to get root opportunity on a device, but what a lot of people don't know is that most of the Root exploits out there are called "live root" exploits. What is a "Live Root?" Well, that means the process of needing root is constantly being ran and controlled in the background while you may not even realize it. Running a Live Root will usually make your device run hot and slower. A big complaint of a lot of Rooters. Within the last few years, root exploits have gotten better, and there aren't as many Live Root exploits left, but for some devices, its the only way. To know if you have a Live Root, simply check your settings and see if your Android System is using a lot of battery power. That'll tell you. The best and I'm pretty sure only non-Live Root exploit out at the moment is KingRoot and TowelRoot. TowelRoot I trust more than KingRoot because KingRoot was made to attempt to work with ALL devices, where as TowelRoot was mainly focused on 1 specific Kernel version and Android version. Thank you GeoHot for TowelRoot. What a LIVE Saver.... get it? ... I'll see myself out.
Custom Roms
A lot of Custom Rom dev's out there focus on MORE instead of less, and those are the roms I usually steer clear of. These "more" options use a lot of battery power, even though they usually claim it uses less. The best Roms to install, in my opinion, are the ones that don't have many "new" features applied. Build.prop edits are alright, things like init.d support don't hurt anything, that usually helps honestly. The simple Debloated Dex'd Base roms are the best. You can always customize it later. A great example of a good base rom that gets good battery life is one I released a long time ago when the S5 was released. I'll leave the link below to XDA. The project is dead, but I may revive it
XDA BoxxiRoms v2.0.2
I'm in no way bashing custom rom development. New features are always awesome to have. They're cool, they bring new life to an old device.
PixelBatterySaver...
This is the ONLY app I trust to SAVE battery life because I've proven myself how well it works. While I said above that Apps don't work and use "more power than they're worth," this is the exception. This app, when activated, leaves a black mesh over your screen. and turns off pixels, but its enough that you won't notice during regular use. There's also multiple levels you can use. If you're interested in this, check it out on the play store and give it a go
Pixel Battery Saver Playstore
This is just the tip of the Iceburg for what I know honestly. I'll post more soon.
Can you help with galaxy s4 as well? Battery drains too fast..
Btw are you still using your s5 or still have it?
Sent from my unknown using XDA Free mobile app
blandead said:
Can you help with galaxy s4 as well? Battery drains too fast..
Btw are you still using your s5 or still have it?
Sent from my unknown using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use my S5 daily and actually just released a new ROM in the Verizon Galaxy S5 section for it based on NCG firmware and ROM.
There's many more ways to avoid battery drain than I have posted here, but these were the best top of the line ways I could think of. That being said, also check your battery for any pops and bubbles in the plastic wrapping around it OR for it being bloated in anyway. If you have had that S4 for a long time, its probably time for a new battery, which you can find on Amazon for probably less than 10 bucks.