Develop Bugs

[Q] shortcuts on the home screens?

Been playing with my new phone for less that 24 hours. Something has been bothering me and I don't know if I am going crazy or not. Where did the shortcuts go? on gingerbread when you long pressed on the home screen you had the option to do widgets, and also application shortcuts... I don't know where those are now since widgets are now in the app drawer. Did they kill the shortcut in ICS?

they did, but somehow you can still do it since people have said they have desktop visualizer and folder organizer working.

If anyone knows how to do it please share.

Hold down on app icons in the main app directory. Widgets are also in this directory by using the widget tab at the top of the directory or swiping right beyond the apps.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

rob6raham said:
Hold down on app icons in the main app directory. Widgets are also in this directory by using the widget tab at the top of the directory or swiping right beyond the apps.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will just add a shortcut to the app on the main screen. I am looking for info on how to activate the shortcuts that some apps have. IE with touchdown email you can have a shortcut to your inbox... I can't find that functionality in ICS.

EDIT: Nevermind, misunderstood. No delete function here?

Most of the shortcuts seem to now be classified under Widgets. If a third party app is missing a shortcut it should have then that app will probably need to be updated for ICS.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Chrono_Tata said:
Most of the shortcuts seem to now be classified under Widgets. If a third party app is missing a shortcut it should have then that app will probably need to be updated for ICS.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found that GO laucher brings back many features that I was used to in Gingerbread...

Please post questions in Q&A
Thread moved

balto said:
Been playing with my new phone for less that 24 hours. Something has been bothering me and I don't know if I am going crazy or not. Where did the shortcuts go? on gingerbread when you long pressed on the home screen you had the option to do widgets, and also application shortcuts... I don't know where those are now since widgets are now in the app drawer. Did they kill the shortcut in ICS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on JB 4.2.1 and I have just downloaded "Touchdown" software to understand your problem because I never used this software
Anyway, maybe what you want to do can be accomplished by a Widget called "Touchdown for Smartphone" (1x1). I have selected it, placed it on the main screen then it asked me to "Select the shortcut you want to add".
I hope this solves your issue

Double click or gesture to bring up Task Manager?

I don't like to hold the home button to get the task manager. Are there other options like double clicking or maybe a gesture? I'm using Go Launcher EX.

I had Apex Launcher on captivate and saved my settings from there where swipe up would bring up my task manager. It worked on my S3 as well but if i reset my settings to blank i wouldnt be able to save it...
the best thing to do that might work which im gonna try since i just switced to Go Launcher is to bring my settings over to my captivate and then use the task manager as the swipe up gesture and then load the settings saved from there back on my device.

I'm using nova prime and I have double tap to open up recent apps works perfectly
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Check out this app called task changer in the market. You can set swipe gestures to open ics switcher.

os91 said:
Check out this app called task changer in the market. You can set swipe gestures to open ics switcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BEST RECOMMENDATION EVER.
Back in the Nexus S days I'd always hope that a dev would switch out the search key for recent apps, but this app totally makes up for the lack of that hardware key!
THANKS

os91 said:
Check out this app called task changer in the market. You can set swipe gestures to open ics switcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find that app?
task+manager search results:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=task+changer+&c=apps
edit: N/m, Google Play buried it on the second page.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...mNvbS5mdXRvbnJlZGVtcHRpb24udGFza21hbmFnZXIiXQ..
edit 2: I see why now.
* This app is no longer supported. It will be taken off the market in a few months. Thank you for your support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So this is how I run my phone. I gesture everything from the right side of the phone since my thumb is always there. Lower half leads to 12 shortcuts that I always use. Swipepad beats going to the homescreen. And top half has multitasking options. Remember to hit the thanks button if you use either of these apps. Both are free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pacosal.taskchangertitanium

try apex. I have double tap on homescreen to open facebook. Should work for the task manager too
Sent from my SGH-T999

You could always put a shortcut to the taskbar onto your desktop.
I put all my favorite apps into folders on my launcher.
The stripe at the top left is a slider for my screen brightness.
This keeps my desktop clean for when I use my animated fishtank desktop.

You can also use wave launcher btw. You can just swipe to bring it up
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Thanks everyone. I went with Wave Launcher. Very easy to set up.

CZ Eddie said:
I can't find that app?
task+manager search results:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=task+changer+&c=apps
edit: N/m, Google Play buried it on the second page.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...mNvbS5mdXRvbnJlZGVtcHRpb24udGFza21hbmFnZXIiXQ..
edit 2: I see why now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is called Task Changer, and search for it by:
"task changer"
With the quotations. Otherwise the stupid play store doesn't give you the exact hit.

I got the Samsung task manager to be a gesture when I swipe up in Go Launcher ex
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

grkmaster said:
I got the Samsung task manager to be a gesture when I swipe up in Go Launcher ex
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahhhh i use apex launcher which also supports gestures but theres no way for it to take me to the built in samsung task manager, i also use swipepad and cant find a shortcut to take me to the samsung task manager....very frustrating =/

I'm not sure if its considered a task manager, but my newest app does contain a Recent Apps feature.
Here's a link to a preview video I made http://youtu.be/UIEIqQYU0ZI
You basically create gestures to do all kinds of things and you're also able to move the little Trigger to quick-activate a gesture.
In the video, you'll see that if I drag my Trigger icon up and release, it'll launch out Recent Apps even if I didn't create a Recent Apps gesture. You can customize that part however you want.
Besides Recent Apps, other features are
Launching Apps
Changing Settings, including a whole Profile
Creating and launching App Panels (In the video I set the drag right action to be launch an App Panel that holds all my apps, so I can access all my apps no matter where I am)
Pulling Notification Bar
Opening a Webpage
And just... a whole lot more. The beginning of the video is a preview of the gestures that can be created.
The app will be released as soon as I am able to fully test out all its features on my Galaxy S III that is arriving tomorrow. Release date should be in the next 2-3 days and no later than the 15th.

erikikaz said:
The app is called Task Changer, and search for it by:
"task changer"
With the quotations. Otherwise the stupid play store doesn't give you the exact hit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all,
the Task Changer Titanium is better http://market.android.com/details?id=com.pacosal.taskchangertitanium
Try it for several days and you will see.
BTW, I am the developer.
Thanks

MMontanez347 said:
ahhhh i use apex launcher which also supports gestures but theres no way for it to take me to the built in samsung task manager, i also use swipepad and cant find a shortcut to take me to the samsung task manager....very frustrating =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you can do that i did is you can save your Launcher settings to your SD card and go back to your previous galaxy S and load it there.
I had Slim ICS on my Captivate and had gotten Task manager to install on the phone. Since it became a actual app it showed on my list for gestures. I saved the settings back to the SD and transferred back to the S3 and works .. just dont remove the gesture in the options in your launcher on your S3 or youll have to reload the settings again !

how to input license number?
pacosal said:
Hi all,
the Task Changer Titanium is better
Try it for several days and you will see.
BTW, I am the developer.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mr "Task Changer Titanium" Developer
I just bought a license and gave 5 star reviews on the app and the license app .... I got the thank-you pop up with the license number, telling me to enter it into the settings ... but I don't see anywhere in the TCT settings to enter it and I am still getting the periodic pop-up saying "you need to buy a license to run this ...."
JUST SO happy to have a touch/capacitive HOME solution again !!!
Thanks for you help
Alice the Brit - in currently sunny, steamy & wet Florida
- wanting to get above minimum posts so I can post pics of home screens and such

Also guy's there's a app made just for the Galaxy S III to provided this shortcut. It's in the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/...5kcm9pZGFoZWFkLmdhbGF4eXMzX3Rhc2ttYW5hZ2VyIl0.

Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G (solved)

I'm going to give my son my Epic, he's a toddler and he's all about playing on my phone..well, of course I want to disable certain features, password lock settings and play store etc, is there any 'kids corner' like apps or setups that I could use?
I'm on CM10.1 with it right now, one thing he loves doing is dragging apps from the drawer and making folders with tons of the same app in them..lol so want to cut that out, maybe require rolling back to GB where folders were not able to be created..of course having the ability to stop him from dropping shortcuts on the home screen at all would be best..
Any ideas?

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
I believe adw launcher has the option to lock the desktop
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
Nova and Apex can do it as well
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
Here's my current issue, if I could get around this I've got the perfect setup..
I want to use a password locker app to lock settings, which I can do, but I cannot lock nova settings, the app does not show up in the list on app lock apps even though it's in the app drawer. Doesn't make sense honestly.
The only other hurdles are disabling the long press home key/recent apps, although if I lock everything but his games it won't matter..just need to lock nova settings and if possible wallpapers, system settings and manage apps both require pin from the menu touch key.
I removed the notification bar and all quick toggles and the dock, going to add all games to desktop and lock it and delete the app drawer icon as well as hide and/or lock all apps like play store etc. Then putting on the otter box and putting some tape around it so he can't open the keyboard. I think he will enjoy having his own phone to play with, he loves the puzzle apps

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
luna_c666 said:
Here's my current issue, if I could get around this I've got the perfect setup..
I want to use a password locker app to lock settings, which I can do, but I cannot lock nova settings, the app does not show up in the list on app lock apps even though it's in the app drawer. Doesn't make sense honestly.
The only other hurdles are disabling the long press home key/recent apps, although if I lock everything but his games it won't matter..just need to lock nova settings and if possible wallpapers, system settings and manage apps both require pin from the menu touch key.
I removed the notification bar and all quick toggles and the dock, going to add all games to desktop and lock it and delete the app drawer icon as well as hide and/or lock all apps like play store etc. Then putting on the otter box and putting some tape around it so he can't open the keyboard. I think he will enjoy having his own phone to play with, he loves the puzzle apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova Settings is not an independent app, so...
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
Hmmmm...no way to lock or hide it...or disable the hardware keys (or at least the menu key)?
I just don't want him fiddling with the settings
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Re: Best setup for a kid on the Epic4G
luna_c666 said:
Hmmmm...no way to lock or hide it...or disable the hardware keys (or at least the menu key)?
I just don't want him fiddling with the settings
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A more unpleasant news: even you disable hardware menu key somehow, Nova Settings is still accessible via the app list - 3-dot button on the top right corner
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1

AndyYan said:
A more unpleasant news: even you disable hardware menu key somehow, Nova Settings is still accessible via the app list - 3-dot button on the top right corner
Sent from HTC Incredible S @ CM10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there's no app list button there I can delete the only shortcut to the app drawer. Not sure which version you are running or if you are thinking of ADW or Apex, one of which I do recall has the app list persistent on the homescreen as such. Novaprime does not have that..you can add one, but if I can lock the settings with a pin and lock desktop it will be quite locked down. Amy ROMS that have Navbar added in and disable the hardware keys?

Aha found a way to disable the Hardware keys....
"delete the text in /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchkey.kl and then save changes in a root explorer app."
Now to figure out how to build a flashable file to replace said file with original file so touchkeys can be re-enabled so I can further modify the device...figure I could get it where I needed it and push a blank file via ADB or use a flashable zip like villianROM theming flash files to disable/enable them from recovery.
I could make a step-by-step once I figure this out, I'm sure there are lots of homeless (deactivated) Epics that would love to be cuddled by some toddlers lol

Well I gave my Epic to my son several months ago and it is still running strong the only thing he's managed to change is the wallpaper (I'm not sure how, but he did it from within the game 'Where's My Water' somehow, that is currently the background).
So step by step what I did was- Downloaded a favorite app blocker tool that requires a PIN to launch apps (the Audio Manager secret app is a great one IMO) and removes them from the app drawer (so far he's not been able to access it once anyway). I have another app locker that prompts with a fake 'Force Close' screen, you have to long-press OK to access the PIN entry dialogue, just another layer of security.
Put Google Play and any other app possibly triggered by a game/link into the 'Locked' section of your app locker.
Install Nova (I have the Prime version, it will likely be required) and in Settings, hide dock with a swipe gesture (I use two fingers rotated counter-clockwise), put 5 pages on the dock.
Place links to the app drawer and the Nova Action Hide/Show Notification Bar on the far right page of the dock (or far left will work as well), to hide the dock, slide over to the far-left page and use your swipe gesture. That way the dock can only reveal the app drawer and Hide/Show Notifications if you use your swipe gesture and then scroll 4 times to the right- something my son is almost certain not to accidentally do.
Next, navigate to the aforementioned folder (/system/usr/keylayout/ or similar) and delete both the menu touchkey line and the search touchkey line in the layout file. This will disable the actions, but will still respond to touch and blink/vibrate.
Remove any quicksettings accessible via notification menu- some apps are still programmed to be in regular view mode instead of fullscreen and a toddler will occasionally be able to access the notification menu- like Netflix, for example. Remove any actions and block any apps that can be triggered from the notification menu.
Finally, set up your desktop with all games and links your child would use and lock it from within Nova settings and lock desktop. You will still be able to access your dock, but you will not be able to add/delete apps or move them around on the desktop without long-pressing the lock icon, which doesn't resemble a button so my son hasn't figured that out yet either. (I'm screwed when he learns how to read, and he already knows his letters so it's only a matter of time now!)
I also used a piece of 3M double-stick adhesive strip (1/8" thick foam) and cut it so it covers both menu/search buttons and leaves home/back exposed- I didn't want him to get frustrated trying to tap the buttons and nothing happens since they still react to touch- I could have hidden the buttons, disabled them, enabled a navbar and only added those two buttons (home/back) but that would take up valuable screen real-estate for his movies and games. Then I finished by installing an OtterBox cover and taping the sides so that the phone will not slide open any longer.
He has access to one main screen and anything the phone can do, at least that he knows it can do, is located on that main screen, and he can't customize anything but the background image, apparently, lol.
It's pretty much like an iPhone now.

Invisible PIE with LMT launcher

Hi I've been trying endlessly to completely hide my pie controls, a.k.a. make them invisible. I'm using lmt v1.99 and when I put 3 in the pie colors menu I am still left with the shortcut icons. How can I get rid of these?
On a side note I've also experienced issues with getting my pie up while the keyboard is up. I toggle the keyboard listener and that works but only for a short period of time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Dankstogin said:
Hi I've been trying endlessly to completely hide my pie controls, a.k.a. make them invisible. I'm using lmt v1.99 and when I put 3 in the pie colors menu I am still left with the shortcut icons. How can I get rid of these?
On a side note I've also experienced issues with getting my pie up while the keyboard is up. I toggle the keyboard listener and that works but only for a short period of time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just set custom icons like described in lmt's OP and set pngs with 0% alpha.
Sent from my Nexus 4

noname81 said:
Just set custom icons like described in lmt's OP and set pngs with 0% alpha.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that seems like it would be a simple solution. I have looked all over this app I Dont see any place to set custom icons. I remember doing this at some point in time but can't remember. Can't you help me navigate to it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Dankstogin said:
Yea that seems like it would be a simple solution. I have looked all over this app I Dont see any place to set custom icons. I remember doing this at some point in time but can't remember. Can't you help me navigate to it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's written in the OP:
To have custom icons for the pie items create the following folder structure and put your own png images into it: "/sdcard/Android/data/com.android.lmt/files/". The default icons have the size 120x96px but other image sizes should also work (they will be resized). You can define custom icons for every pie item and/or for every action (LMT first tries to load the icon for the pie pos, then the custom icon for the action and will use the default action icon if no other icon is defined). To set custom pie pos icons name the png pie[0-19].png where e.g. “pie0.png” will be the icon for pie item level1, item1, shorpress and “pie1.png” will be the icon for level1, icon1, longpress. To set custom action icons just name the png [actioname].png (see command section in the OP for action names – use lowercase, e.g. back.png). Please restart the TouchService after you changed the icons, so that LMT can recreate the pie.

Thank You. Worked like a charm! Gesture control all the way now.

This app can put an appdrawer on the edge. Great for secondary launchers.

If you want an app drawer on your edge screen use this....
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=JakedUp.AppDrawer&hl=en
It should of been an option from stock... Just add it to your quicklauunch edge screen.,
It works great with a secondary launcher if you wanna hide the dock on the homescreens.
Note: Hold the menu button within the app to change settings and font.

mas5acre said:
If you want an app drawer on your edge screen use this....
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=JakedUp.AppDrawer&hl=en
It should of been an option from stock... Just add it to your quicklauunch edge screen.,
It works great with a secondary launcher if you wanna hide the dock on the homescreens.
Note: Hold the menu button within the app to change settings and font.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I Just changed dpi to 300 with Xposed App Settings and it looks pretty good too!

Thanks for posting, but the drawer takes forever to load and can't be customized. There are much better options available.

pieces of cake said:
Thanks for posting, but the drawer takes forever to load and can't be customized. There are much better options available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. That's weird. Mine comes up immediately. For customization you need to open the app drawer and then do a long press of recent apps to get to a menu to select settings. Then you can change fonts, background color and such. What are some of the better options available? Always interested in checking out new apps! Unity launcher is nice in that you can set up shortcuts (including floating windows with the use of the app "floating window shortcuts")

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.altlimit.applauncherplus

mscion said:
Hi. That's weird. Mine comes up immediately. For customization you need to open the app drawer and then do a long press of recent apps to get to a menu to select settings. Then you can change fonts, background color and such. What are some of the better options available? Always interested in checking out new apps! Unity launcher is nice in that you can set up shortcuts (including floating windows with the use of the app "floating window shortcuts")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mentioned holding the button in the OP. Thanks for reposting though. Thought it was a bad omission on Samsung's part.
Yeah didn't know about the paid one either, but hey its what this forums for, right? Mine is quick as well. Easy to customize.

I'am looking for a way that i can make on my home screen 5x5 for my icons.
Is this possible and what i can used for it.?

Ehhh... Is there a way to just have a "system" friendly shortcut icon to launch the app drawer? In other words, I already use a nice launcher app and I like its look and want to just open my app drawer to be the same as when I open it using the android app dock, not having this whole miui layer...
Currently using Next Launcher, but the launcher I use is irrelevant, I just want a system level call to open my normal app drawer rather than have an entire app represent the drawer. Another UI to manage is not what I want, as it is unaware of theme or font changes.
Isn't there a way to simply make a shortcut icon and put it in my edge bar.????????
---------- Post added at 04:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:10 AM ----------
leonlfm said:
I'am looking for a way that i can make on my home screen 5x5 for my icons.
Is this possible and what i can used for it.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried or are willing to use a replacement launcher? I use Next Launcher which lets you control the icon grid spacing both on the home screen desktop and in the app drawer plus let's you have fine pixel resizing of widgets (widgets normally only resize in blocks spaced as wide as your icons, but this app lets you resize widgets pixel by pixel for finer control)
Many launchers also offer this flexibility not just the one I mention. Check them out! I hope I understood your question properly! (Next launcher also let's you change the icon look, the screen transition animation, and many other things. It looks great and is compatible with all themes made for Go launcher. Furthermore, it restores touch wiz's lost wallpaper scrolling function! But like all launchers, it does nothing for the look of the edge bar unfortunately, since the edge bar is basically an unsupported hack on the O.S. which has to be programmed for specifically...)

Tarototh said:
Ehhh... Is there a way to just have a "system" friendly shortcut icon to launch the app drawer? In other words, I already use a nice launcher app and I like its look and want to just open my app drawer to be the same as when I open it using the android app dock, not having this whole miui layer...
Isn't there a way to simply make a shortcut icon and put it in my edge bar.????????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+infinity
I agree. I would love nothing more to have a shortcut to my 360 Launcher app drawer on the "Edge". The app drawer app the OP provided is fine in a pinch, but nothing beats the app drawer transitions on 360 Launcher.

I have found a not ideal work around, which is to use the gesture shortcuts in Next Launcher so that whatever homescreen I'm on, I just swipe up to open my app drawer. However my ultimate goal is to be able to open the apps from the edge bar.. Why is this so important?
Because, the whole killer app feature of the edge bar, which I keep stressing to people who ask what the point of it is, is that I can open or switch to other apps from whatever app I'm in without exiting to the home screen first or scrolling through the recent apps.
My workaround still doesn't allow this.. But it DOES allow me to completely hide the dock bar at the bottom and have a FULL screen of widgets on my home screen. Which is pretty
I now have all my most used apps on the edge bar so I no longer need the android app dock on the bottom. It's really pretty and ergonomic.