Develop Bugs

[Mod][Guide][ICS]How to fully replace S-voice with Google Now voice search

This is simply a tutorial on how to replace Samsung's crappy s-voice with the amazing Google Now voice search!
In order to follow this guide you must be rooted, if you are not and wish to do so, follow the guide here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426 If you are already rooted, then continue with the guide!
Step 1: Installing Google Now:
1.)Download the Google now flashable zip here (download the one entitled mikey7 online/offline voice) XDA Google Now Download Thread
2.)Make sure they are on your internal SD card and reboot into recovery
3.)choose install zip file and navigate to wherever the file is (if you are unsure then there is a good chance that it is filed under downloads/mikey7_offline.zip)
4.)once you are done with this, turn your device back on and verify that the app "Google" is in your app drawer
5.)If so then continue with the tutorial, if not then retry and if that does not resolve the issue then post questions in this forum.
Step 2: Activating Google Now
1.)Make sure you have Google latitude installed and have set up your account for latitude before continuing just to be safe.
2.)Launch the Google Now app and go through the setup until you click the "Yes, I'm in." option and your cards appear
3.)Continue to the next and final step or, if you are happy with not being able to launch Now via double tapping the home button, stop here and have a nice day!
Step 3: Replacing S-Voice
1.)Go into S-voice settings and uncheck the option "Launch S-Voice"
2.)Download a free app from the market called "home2 shortcut" (or link here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eikatou0.appspot.home2shortcut ..)
3.)Set the double tap home option (Home> Home) to launch "Voice Search" from installed applications. (make sure it displays a blue microphone when you do this)
4.)Continue with the instructions for the app and close the app.
5.)Test it out, if it doesn't launch directly into the voice search after doing the double home then follow the next few steps, if it does then skip to step 8.
6.)Open the Google Now app (it will be listed as "Google" in your app drawer)
7.)Press menu>refresh.
8.)Reboot
9.)Enjoy having Google Now on your Ice cream sandwich Samsung Galaxy S3!
Don't Forget to hit the thanks button if this helped you!
Credits go to:
SilentStormer - kept the Google Now for ICS thread up to date
Slickdaddy96-helped me find apps
Google- For making this awesome Program
Samsung- For the hardware!

Thanks this worked perfectly!

Great post! Thanks!

Thanks for this...is there a way to set this up so that a single press while in my launcher (Nova Launcher) returns to the default screen? Single presses in the launcher do not currently do anything.

OpaqueEcho said:
Thanks for this...is there a way to set this up so that a single press while in my launcher (Nova Launcher) returns to the default screen? Single presses in the launcher do not currently do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You maybe can go into gestures settings in nova and set up the double tap for voice search in nova. However, you may have to triple press. This was actually my work around for a small time. You may have to buy the premium nova in order to use gestures though. Hope this works!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

the manual search is working perfectlly on my tab 10.1 running 4.0.4.
but the voice function is not. the message of "shell has been granted in su perm" kept appering for tens of times. then the app get forced to close.
thanks for the great effort...

Ghstudent said:
You maybe can go into gestures settings in nova and set up the double tap for voice search in nova. However, you may have to triple press. This was actually my work around for a small time. You may have to buy the premium nova in order to use gestures though. Hope this works!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply...should the Back button be doing something in Google Now? It doesn't seem to back out of the application...

OpaqueEcho said:
Thanks for the reply...should the Back button be doing something in Google Now? It doesn't seem to back out of the application...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had any problems with it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

So is this more useful than S Voice?

613BulletProof said:
So is this more useful than S Voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incredibly more useful
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

thank you so much it work great!!!

Thanks! It works but unfortunately the home button goes back to home really jerky and unsmooth along with a slight lag. Any fixes?

jfp999 said:
Thanks! It works but unfortunately the home button goes back to home really jerky and unsmooth along with a slight lag. Any fixes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the same thing on my wife's phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Everything went smooth, just "Step3/#6". I don't have Google Now icon in my app drawer, but I do have "Voice Search" icon.
Is it the same?

ighost77 said:
Everything went smooth, just "Step3/#6". I don't have Google Now icon in my app drawer, but I do have "Voice Search" icon.
Is it the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be labeled as "Google" if it isn't then try reflashing the package
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Is it easy to revert back to S-Voice? Not saying i would but if you have to.
Edit: Never mind. Doing the guide in reverse order works.
Sent from my SGSIII with the XDA Premium App

This is awesome, the best search experience out there by far, works perfectly thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

tjb433 said:
This is awesome, the best search experience out there by far, works perfectly thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing fc on rooted stock rom...reverted back to google search
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

ak789 said:
Seeing fc on rooted stock rom...reverted back to google search
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try a reinstall? Havent tried it on stock rooted, I'm running wanamlite 1.2 and it works perfectly, I Also have s-voice disabled if it matters
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

ak789 said:
Seeing fc on rooted stock rom...reverted back to google search
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running stock rooted Rom..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Other ways to access app switcher

Recent iphone convert here. Already tried searching and surprisingly got no results on the forums. Are there other ways to access the app switcher than holding down the home button? Are there finger gesture apps or something?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Yes there are, a couple in fact. Forgot there names however. Google it up.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Are you rooted and have you flashed a new rom yet?? I assume no seeing as you say you are a recent iPhone convert.. Try looking into rooting and flashing and you will discover a WHOLE new world of fun stuff with your new Galaxy! Welcome to Android, where you can play with just about every aspect of your user experience. :good:

Check out apex, nova, or holo launcher. They allow gestures on the home screen.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

[Request] Stock Samsung apps for CM10

Hey guys, just quick request on my part. I was wondering if anyone could upload the stock Samsung apps (specifically s voice and memo) for cm10. The only link I found to them anywhere was a drop box that had been removed or deleted at some point.
Thanks much
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

The stock Samsung apps require the TouchWiz framework and will not work on CM10.

In the other thread I found it seemed to be working for the other guys. But isn't Google now supposed to work in essentially the same way? Although googles servers are on the fritz right now
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Do you mind linking me to the thread? I know most stock features like Smart Stay and the wave hand over phone won't work on CM10 and when I originally did my research before flashing CM9 I was told very specifically that most of the stock Samsung apps were built into the TW framework.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788749
From July but it seems like s voice was hit or miss from the responses
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

I vaguely remember that thread. I think there were so many bugs and things going on people just gave up trying to force it to work. If you're just interested in S-Voice and Memo try searching the Play Store. You won't get the exact apps, but I'm sure there's similar apps that have the same features. And now that Google Now is working on CM10, I really don't see too much of a point in S-Voice.

achmedclaus said:
Hey guys, just quick request on my part. I was wondering if anyone could upload the stock Samsung apps (specifically s voice and memo) for cm10. The only link I found to them anywhere was a drop box that had been removed or deleted at some point.
Thanks much
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HERETry this one.

One finger zoom feature? ...Grrrrr...

I brought this up as a response in the bugs/fixes thread in General, but thought it deserved its own thread here. I'd like to know if this is a TW "feature" or something else that Sammy or T-Mo has baked into the ROM...
On a zoomable page, such as in a browser or in an email, if you swipe up/down along the left or right edge of the screen it zooms in/out as if using a pinch gesture. It gets really (really really really) annoying to have to be so careful of WHERE my finger is on the screen when I want to scroll and to not end up zooming. Are others being driven crazy by this?
I already spent time with Samsung Support to see if there was a way to toggle the "feature" and they told me I was SOL . I put in a feature request with them to add a toggle FWIW.
(this is on a stock, unrooted T-Mo GN2)

This may or may not be helpful, but regarding Google Maps.. Which you may or may not be using while driving: they recently added a double tap hold, slide up and down to zoom. I'd love that feature to be implemented into browser and others with pinch to zoom, but that's gonna be up to the developers.
Sent from my Paranoid GNex

I had this issue too. I flashed a different ROM (the hacked ROM by cnmard (forget his username) ) in the development section and it doesn't seem to have this "feature." You can flash the ROM or ask in the thread how to turn it off. But it seems you'll need root regardless....

I was wondering why ive never had this accidental zoom...then I realized I have been using a 3rd party browser all along.. doesnt have this feature
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

lalab0y said:
I was wondering why ive never had this accidental zoom...then I realized I have been using a 3rd party browser all along.. doesnt have this feature
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the feature to be active on both stock and Dolphin browsers. Haven't tried any other ones yet. Which 3rd party browser are you using?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

grimmjaw said:
I had this issue too. I flashed a different ROM (the hacked ROM by cnmard (forget his username) ) in the development section and it doesn't seem to have this "feature." You can flash the ROM or ask in the thread how to turn it off. But it seems you'll need root regardless....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying to keep the GN2 unrooted (company mobile device policy), but this issue may force me to temporarily root to apply a fix if any dev can provide one that doesn't require a full ROM flash.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

arschend said:
I found the feature to be active on both stock and Dolphin browsers. Haven't tried any other ones yet. Which 3rd party browser are you using?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Chrome
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Enable Swype/Trace/Path input on stock keyboard

I I decided to do a little messing around on my phone today. The lack of Swype features on the stock keyboard irritated me. Lol So I was messing with build prop.
First you must be rooted, second get a Build Prop editor, or something like ROM Toolbox, third be sure to make a back up in case you mess something up.
Open your build prop and look for these lines: ime_trace_apply and ime_trace_menu. Tap one to open it up and you'll see Property Value:false and Default Value:false. Click the selection box under Default Value and change it to true. Save and go back into the build prop.
Do the same thing for the next line. So now both of your items (ime_trace_apply and ime_trace_menu) will read True. Be sure to save Build Prop and reboot. Once you do that, try to use the keyboard.
You should see a quick pop up explaining what Trace Input is. If you don't, then check in your setting and make sure you have it checked. That's all there is to it. I'm so much happier with the stock keyboard now.
*Try not to screw up any settings please!*
FYI - I am not responsible for you messing with your Build Prop, screwing up your device, bricking it or Grumpy Cat coming to your front door, to call you a failure.
***Edit - in the example provided, ROM Toolbox Lite was used. ***
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Work perfectly

Works great! Now if only I could find a way to unlock the phone... dang sprint not wanting to unlock mine! -_-

Glad it worked for you guys. I actually like the stock keyboard. The lack of Swype irked me though.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Great find!
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

This worked like a charm. Thanks!

Why would you want this? swiftkey works like a dream, and Google Keyboard also works Wonderfully

maxter5080 said:
Why would you want this? swiftkey works like a dream, and Google Keyboard also works Wonderfully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Because I like it.
2. Because it has a dedicated Number Row.
3. Because it has built in Emoji's.
Swiftkey is supposed to get #2 and #3 soon, until then...see #1 - #3.

KB112 said:
1. Because I like it.
2. Because it has a dedicated Number Row.
3. Because it has built in Emoji's.
Swiftkey is supposed to get #2 and #3 soon, until then...see #1 - #3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. ?
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

This is very cool! Why would they hide this feature?
I also like the dedicated number row... Only complaint is that the space bar is too narrow (I also have that complaint for the swype keyboard).
I've been using Kii - space bar is wider, and it also allows you to backspace after autocorrect to revert to the original word (if you don't want it uncorrected). But I'd switch to stock full time if only the space bar were wider.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using xda app-developers app

I'm looking for the value for the brightness slider in the notification drop down, it might be in the frameworks it self. Actually if you play with the xposed modules it will bring it back but the minute you slide it, it will crash the system UI

Big Boy Laroux said:
This is very cool! Why would they hide this feature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if they have an agreement with Swype to allow it to be the only tracing keyboard installed by default?

Darth Pooh said:
I'm looking for the value for the brightness slider in the notification drop down, it might be in the frameworks it self. Actually if you play with the xposed modules it will bring it back but the minute you slide it, it will crash the system UI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem too. I ended up using the GravityBar module in Xposed, which happens to have the feature to slide your finger across the statusbar itself to change brightness (under Statusbar tweaks, at the bottom). Works perfectly, no crashes. Not sure if everyone will find this to be an acceptable alternative, though.

Weird cause Swipe was enabled by default on the Verizon model. I actually had to go in and turn it off in the settings.
So funny how the G2 does all these great things yet every version this, this, and that disabled. It would be cool to find a rom that has everything enabled to let US pick and choose what features we want to use.
It's like the AT&T version doesn't have launcher themes. I'm not sure if they even have Keyboard, SMS, or launcher themes. Those are pretty buried too.

player911 said:
Weird cause Swipe was enabled by default on the Verizon model. I actually had to go in and turn it off in the settings.
So funny how the G2 does all these great things yet every version this, this, and that disabled. It would be cool to find a rom that has everything enabled to let US pick and choose what features we want to use.
It's like the AT&T version doesn't have launcher themes. I'm not sure if they even have Keyboard, SMS, or launcher themes. Those are pretty buried too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in agreement with you. Give it all to us and let us choose what we want. lol
Does Verizon have group messaging enabled? I'm really irked thats not in the stock messaging app either. I was hoping one of the models had it, I was gonna try to swap messaging apks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Used this and works great, thx
Sent from my LG-LS980 using xda app-developers app

Omg thank you for posting this! This is a life saver.

KB112 said:
I decided to do a little messing around on my phone today. The lack of Swype features on the stock keyboard irritated me. Lol So I was messing with build prop.
First you must be rooted, second get a Build Prop editor, or something like ROM Toolbox, third be sure to make a back up in case you mess something up.....
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was waiting a bit to see if anyone else reported an issue, because I don't want to come off as a noob . Anyways, I'm using the same Build.prop editor that you are using in your screenshots, but my changes to ime_trace_apply and ime_trace_menu are not saving. I'm rooted, so I'm not sure what's wrong. Any ideas why I can't save? I'm wondering if some other mods are causing conflict....namely: Auto Hide Softkeys, LMT, and G2 Xposed. Thanks in advance!

KB112 said:
I am in agreement with you. Give it all to us and let us choose what we want. lol
Does Verizon have group messaging enabled? I'm really irked thats not in the stock messaging app either. I was hoping one of the models had it, I was gonna try to swap messaging apks.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does. I've group messaged several times.
Except I use Hangouts now for primary messaging... although I found the stock SMS app more feature rich (and has the popup sms). Hangouts just has the AOSP feel to it, plus it keeps my actual hangout chats in one place = 1 less icon on the desktop.
The LG Stock Roms are pretty feature thick, its just hit and miss what each variant has enabled. AT&T disables the Launcher Themes?! Some disable Group Messaging?! Some have a QuickApp Stock Browser that is windowable (Verizon doesn't have this)?!!!! Some have FM Radios?!
Just gimme everything please!
[New Thread Topic]
I'm creating a thread about the Group Messaging. I'll upload a picture and my APK here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47629560

TumTum101 said:
I was waiting a bit to see if anyone else reported an issue, because I don't want to come off as a noob . Anyways, I'm using the same Build.prop editor that you are using in your screenshots, but my changes to ime_trace_apply and ime_trace_menu are not saving. I'm rooted, so I'm not sure what's wrong. Any ideas why I can't save? I'm wondering if some other mods are causing conflict....namely: Auto Hide Softkeys, LMT, and G2 Xposed. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to change your system to RW (read/write) as it may be on RO (read only) right now.
player911 said:
Yes it does. I've group messaged several times.
Except I use Hangouts now for primary messaging... although I found the stock SMS app more feature rich (and has the popup sms). Hangouts just has the AOSP feel to it, plus it keeps my actual hangout chats in one place = 1 less icon on the desktop.
The LG Stock Roms are pretty feature thick, its just hit and miss what each variant has enabled. AT&T disables the Launcher Themes?! Some disable Group Messaging?! Some have a QuickApp Stock Browser that is windowable (Verizon doesn't have this)?!!!! Some have FM Radios?!
Just gimme everything please!
[New Thread Topic]
I'm creating a thread about the Group Messaging. I'll upload a picture and my APK here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47629560
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, I'd love to be able get group messaging on stock. I totally agree with you. Weird that each handset has different features enabled or disabled. I guess that's why we have XDA.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app