Develop Bugs

Volume Keys Feature

Hey all, I am an iphone convert. Recently purchased the HTC outright. Great phone. Coming from a jailbroken iphone there are a couple of features that I miss. They're not deal breakers but they are really convenient in my opinion..
I love using my phones as a media player. And although there's no equalizer on the desire, I think the quality is pretty good assuming you're using reasonable earphones.
I found an app on cydia for iphone which reassigned my volume rocker.
If I just tap the volume up or down, it changed the volume as normal.
If I hold the volume key up or down, it skipped the track forwards or backwards.
I was hopeful that a developer might see this as a good addition to the Desire and be able to emulate such a function for the volume keys.
Thanks!

Hmm i'm guessing that you don't use the stock headphones with inline controls then. I'm hoping when the device is rooted a lot of hacks should surface. I want to use the optical trackpad press to bring up the lockscreen for instance. And a flashlight app that actually uses the flash and not a bright white screen lol.

nope. Those earphones are way to large for my ears! I can't even fit the buggers in!
But I agree, being able to wake the phone with the trackpad is a must.
Here's hoping sooner rather than later

ephumuris said:
Hmm i'm guessing that you don't use the stock headphones with inline controls then. I'm hoping when the device is rooted a lot of hacks should surface. I want to use the optical trackpad press to bring up the lockscreen for instance. And a flashlight app that actually uses the flash and not a bright white screen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drewsta_j said:
But I agree, being able to wake the phone with the trackpad is a must.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grab the application "No Lock" from the market - works perfectly on my Desire.
drewsta_j said:
Hey all, I am an iphone convert.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drewsta_j said:
If I just tap the volume up or down, it changed the volume as normal.
If I hold the volume key up or down, it skipped the track forwards or backwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent idea. There is currently application with proves key rebinding is possible without root (Tasker), unfortunately it doesn't have volume keys and I do not have time now to try implementing a solution for this.
I will personally look into this in a month (extremely busy atm) as a hobby, and hopefully the device will have been rooted by then making this definitely possible. I'm not an amazing dev., but I can hack around to make things work

Went from Dream to iphone, but Android pulled me back with the Desire.
We are all waiting for root indeed! Shouldn't take too long I reckon. It is definately a must to wake up on menu/trackpad or home key. Anyone has some ideas?
No lock also bypasses the lockpattern, too bad. And it looks as if it runs in the background and only turns off the screen. Feels like it wil drain the battery, but maybe I am mistaking.

NoLock is okay, but any key turns the screen on. This could be a pain if it's in your pocket and you accidentally press the volume keys, for instance.
When I had the tweak that allowed me to skip tracks with the volume keys, it took away most of my needs to turn the screen simply to skip tracks. This helped save the battery.
Not only that, it also helps if you are running a different application. You wouldn't need to go back to the home screen to use the widget.
Just a couple more benefits

Hi all,
My 1st post on xda
I'm no developer, and haven't coded anything since ages, but after some digging I think may be possible to implement such a feature.
According to the android developer reference on (sorry, I'm a new user so I can't post links)
KeyEvent
KeyEvent.Callback #onKeyDown
Dialog #onKeyDown
And those forums (search for this on google)
anddev org disable_volume_keys-t10191.html
google groups android developers Long-press hard volume keys
Tell me if I'm wrong, but those links indicate that it is possible to replace the behavior of a key press ("intercepting" it before it gets interpreted by the system that changes the volume setting). Then once you intercepted it, you can check if it is a normal key press (short), in which case you would still allow to "forward" the information to the system. BUT, if you detected that it is a long press, you activate the action "next track" and do not forward the volume information to the system.
Something like (syntax is nor correct, of course)
Code:
public boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event) // the way I understand this line, it will replace the default behavior of the onKeyDown routine
{
if (keyCode == KeyEvent.KEYCODE_VOLUME_DOWN // if the key pressed down is vol_down
...
if the key press is long // don't know the code for that
do the action for next track
return true; // means that you do not forward the keypress to the system
else // if the keypress is not long
return false; // you have not intercepted the keypress, so you forward it to the system
...
else return super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event); // if any other key is pressed, forward it directly
}
Any opinions on that? Is the xda forum the right place to talk about code, or are other forums more suited to discuss about that?

Interesting..
If the code looks like that I might have to take up a hobby in learning how to code. It doesn't appear to be tooo difficult at all.
It does look like you may be on the right track there Bricolo_fr..
Cheers for looking into it.
Drew.

I see a potential problem though. You'd need to know what media playback program is actually being used, and it needs to support receiving messages from other programs so that you can tell it to skip to the next track. This might even require different coding for every player program available, if they receive messages in different ways.
In other words, you could end up having to write your own media player program.

FloatingFatMan said:
I see a potential problem though. You'd need to know what media playback program is actually being used, and it needs to support receiving messages from other programs so that you can tell it to skip to the next track. This might even require different coding for every player program available, if they receive messages in different ways.
In other words, you could end up having to write your own media player program.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, well surely there must be a simple solution?
Why can't we say create an app where you could select which media player you are using (only have a few of the main ones) then we would be able to amend the code as per which option they select before it was implemented?

drewsta_j said:
Ok, well surely there must be a simple solution?
Why can't we say create an app where you could select which media player you are using (only have a few of the main ones) then we would be able to amend the code as per which option they select before it was implemented?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you can do that; buy you'd have to examine each of those apps, work out if they accept messages, and work out what format said messages need to actually be in.
One would hope they would implement standard interfaces, but that's all it is, a hope.

Well personally, I use the stock player. It ain't the best but it gets the job done. So if it was just created for that at least I'd be more than happy

Thanks for the comments.
FloatingFatMan you are indeed right. I didn't know that all media players don't behave the same. So not all of them accept incoming messages, and not with the same protocol? Hum...
Does that mean that widgets for media player control are only compatible with a specific media player, also?
About the code itself, do you guys think can work?
I'm quite new here, is xda a place about writing code or should we discuss that in another place where people are more used to that?
Cheers

now that the Desire can be rooted...
on the Nexus one (probably other devices too) with the cyanogenmod roms, this feature is availale. just long press vol+ or vol- and you get next/prev track
can this be done with a moded rom on the desire also? what kind of changes need to be applied to the stock rom to add this function?

Bricolo_fr said:
now that the Desire can be rooted...
on the Nexus one (probably other devices too) with the cyanogenmod roms, this feature is availale. just long press vol+ or vol- and you get next/prev track
can this be done with a moded rom on the desire also? what kind of changes need to be applied to the stock rom to add this function?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. am really liking forward to his feature now the phone is rooted.

ephumuris said:
Hmm i'm guessing that you don't use the stock headphones with inline controls then. I'm hoping when the device is rooted a lot of hacks should surface. I want to use the optical trackpad press to bring up the lockscreen for instance. And a flashlight app that actually uses the flash and not a bright white screen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try Flashapp on the Market. I can post URL yet but you'll find it...]

Another excellent example that long press on a hardkey can be implemented without root is Quick Settings (great app btw): it can be brought up anytime, no matter what app you are running by longpressing the search key.

Did anyone ever get any further with this?

ephumuris said:
And a flashlight app that actually uses the flash and not a bright white screen lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies as I know it's a bit OT for this thread, but just wanted to make sure you were aware of the LED Desire Light app (http://www.appbrain.com/app/nostovic.android.desire.ledLight) - the latest version even has a nice wee widget to put the flash on/off, but the main app also offers SOS and turning text into Morse code!!

oxygen mod - based on cyanogen has:
* Skip tracks with long press volume up/down
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=829734
update: it's a cyanogen feature, so all mods based on cyanogen have this
it works with screen locked.

Use volume up/down as shutter button

Hey
I was holding my phone, taking some pictures and I though to myself, wouldn't it be a lot better if the volume up or down key could be used as a shutter release button, rather that the stiff, hard to press trackpad.
Now my question is, is it TECHNICALY posible to do this?
Is there anyway to "map" thoses keys to do something else but just in the camera app?
If you think it is possible, then I might try to document myself and hack this into the desire.
But if you are positive that it is impossible then ... I won't ^^
Bye

I'm not sure if you know that you can touch the screen for a half a second or so and then let go (wherever you want to focus) to take a picture by default already ?

Yes I know that, it was the same on the hero. The thing is, the phone focuses on whatever you are pointing at so you have to get your hand in an ackward, shacky position in order to focus on the right object/region.
On the other hand, the sound up button is easily accesible and can easily be pressed without shaking the phone to much. I going to read through the Android doc, si if I can find anything.
This would be even more awesome as the sound up/down buttons arent used for anything in the camera app

I totally agree. That would be the best way to reduce camera shake. You would get a significantly higher sharp picture ratio this way.
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Sent from my HTC Desire

Would it be somehow possible to decompile the HTC camera apk and had code to it?

I don't find the trackpad a hard to press button, in fact it's nicer than camera phones I've had in the past.
http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f44/app-to-remap-physical-keys-28868/
Over here someone mentions 'Button Shortcut' on the market, haven't tried it myself but if it does what they say it does, it might be exactly what you're looking for.
EDIT: Also just from reading through this thread again, are you guys holding the camera with the trackpad button on the left? Try holding it the other way (if you're right handed).

I had found that thread before posting this question (yes I did do research beleive it or not), has it turns out it is not relevant to what I want to do.
I am holding the phone the way the camera app wants you to hold it, hence trackpad on the right. The trackpad isn't hard to press per se, but the amount of pressure you have to use to press it means that the phone is more shacky than if you had to press the volume key.

This sounds like a very good idea. Keep us posted if you find anything.

Yes, I agree with all of your aforementioned points.
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- Sent via my HTC Desire -

I was looking around the forum and noticed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=850464 It's called ButtonRemapper. It's in Beta and it should work for your purpose if your phone is one of the supported devices and is Fully Rooted.

I too agree with all mentioned issues/drawbacks at the present and possible benefit of using vol-up key for taking photos. There are already some apps giving user a similar option to change vol rocker buttons functionality for instance some browsers have this option to scroll up-down pages whilst some keyboard apps have it to move cursor upper-lower lines within a text. You dont need to root to use those apps. So, why not?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

EVO camera questions

Is there any way to turn off the screen while recording video?
Is there any way to remap the power button as the shutter when taking photos?
I know some other Android phones have apps and mods but I havent found anything for the EVO.

Is there any way to turn off the screen while recording video?
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Click to collapse
I dont think so, but there are apps in the Market that allow recording with the screen off.
Is there any way to remap the power button as the shutter when taking photos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power button, no. There are ways to use the volume keys or the search button, however they require root and a custom rom.

Lmao sounds like your trying to make a dirty video candid style .

reaper24 said:
Lmao sounds like your trying to make a dirty video candid style .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my first thought too.
I too would like something to make my volume buttons a shutter button when the camera is activated. Self pics are a nightmare when you have to try to push the screen when it's turned away from you. I'm rooted running Chogardjr v3.12 on an Evo 4G if it matters.

reaper24 said:
Lmao sounds like your trying to make a dirty video candid style .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not everyone on this board acts like a two year old in the real world.
I actually use the phone to log track sessions on a dashboard mount in my car. The video screen always on can be distracting.
The shutter button is a no brainer. The touch screen button is a PITA to use since you have to hold the camera a certain way to take any picture.
Thanks for your lack of help, Ill search around for some apps.

[Q] How to take a screenshot on HTC Desire HD

Hi, I recently found an album in my gallery with 4 screenshots of my homepage. I must've took them without noticing. So I would like to know how I did that. My HTC Desire HD is running on 2.3.5 with htc sense 3.0. It is also NOT rooted and I did not flash any roms. So if anyone could tell me the shortcut to take a screenshot, I'd appreciate it very much! THANKS IN ADVANCE!

thought this wouldnt be possible without root or special apps("No Root Screenshot it")...
on my rooted phone i just press "power-button+home soft-key" to make a screen shot.

oh. that's cool. Did you use an app for that? Because I have a rooted htc incredible s and I usually need to long press my search button and choose ( screen grabber ( an app from market ) ) and it'll take a screenshot..

There are many apps available in the market to do this, and in some rom's it is included (MIUI for example).

No Root ScreenShot Is The Only App That Can Take ScreenShots without Root

AYKJ said:
Hi, I recently found an album in my gallery with 4 screenshots of my homepage. I must've took them without noticing. So I would like to know how I did that. My HTC Desire HD is running on 2.3.5 with htc sense 3.0. It is also NOT rooted and I did not flash any roms. So if anyone could tell me the shortcut to take a screenshot, I'd appreciate it very much! THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a new feature on the new DHD stock ROM with sense 3.0. DHD owners can now take scrrenshots by holding the power button and the home key at teh same time.

On the ICS beta roms floating around for Desire HD, you can just hold the power + volume down key and a screenshot will be taken.

When i try to press the power button and home button at same time..it does not take a screenshot.....am i missing something here..
BTW..i have coredriod rom installed..

chaturvedi007 said:
When i try to press the power button and home button at same time..it does not take a screenshot.....am i missing something here..
BTW..i have coredriod rom installed..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask in coredroid thread.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Well I found the solution...nothing to do with rom,just press the power key and before the power menu pops up press the home key....just posted to help others..
Sent from my MZ601 using Tapatalk

I use Screecast Video Recorder. It records video and you can also take screenshots by long-pressing the search button.
It does exactly what it says.
There is a free (demo) version if you don't want to pay for it.
However you need to be rooted for this one.
I hope this is what you're looking for..
(Question: is it against the rules to post android market links on xda?)

mr_makulit said:
It is a new feature on the new DHD stock ROM with sense 3.0. DHD owners can now take scrrenshots by holding the power button and the home key at teh same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa... had ARHD 6.3.1 for about a month now and I never knew you can take screenshots just by doing that

I use the Screecast Demo to generate a video record, but it was taken with a short duration, Can you help me to increase the duration of my Demo?

thanks dada!!!
dada means in persian brother!!!

Love the screen capture feature ,,, I use it alot ..
BUT I wish you could turn off the camera snap sound, as it looks suspicious if you're making a screen capture in public, like on the train, people will think you're taking photo's of them
Anyone kno how to turn off the sound ?
I think it still comes up even with media/phone volume muted

Feel stupid for posting this but...

I haven't read this anywhere, and I may have skipped it when I didn't bother to look at the manual...
But did everyone notice that in camera mode, the volume key acts as a hard camera shutter button.
Anyway, I apologize in advance if it's been posted somewhere before.
But if you didn't know, it can be pretty handy.

l0ng0ne said:
I haven't read this anywhere, and I may have skipped it when I didn't bother to look at the manual...
But did everyone notice that in camera mode, the volume key acts as a hard camera shutter button.
Anyway, I apologize in advance if it's been posted somewhere before.
But if you didn't know, it can be pretty handy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes in camera mode volume keys can as a shutter button
Sent from my L-01E using xda premium

l0ng0ne said:
I haven't read this anywhere, and I may have skipped it when I didn't bother to look at the manual...
But did everyone notice that in camera mode, the volume key acts as a hard camera shutter button.
Anyway, I apologize in advance if it's been posted somewhere before.
But if you didn't know, it can be pretty handy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, much nicer than having to press the on-screen shutter button. Way easier to keep the shot framed and less motion.
And thanks a bunch for the help on IRC today, got my device downgraded and re-rooted.

Ok here is an another one.
Vol down + up opens the qmemo, but its kinda complicated to press both buttons, so you can just press them at middle

Tim4 said:
Ok here is an another one.
Vol down + up opens the qmemo, but its kinda complicated to press both buttons, so you can just press them at middle
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Click to collapse
Ah, so that's why quick memo kept popping up. Good to know.
Sent from my 101D using xda app-developers app