Develop Bugs

ICS Wasted Screen Space?

So here's a thing.
I've been using and loving my Galaxy Nexus since launch day but one thing has always nagged me. I've always felt that this expansive screen didn't seem that big. I was caught up in the novelty of Ice Cream Sandwich's 'On Screen Buttons' and this new screen relative navigation paradigm to a point that I was glad to give over a large percentage of screen real estate to something that was new and novel.
I now suggest that after prolonged and optimistic use this paradigm is a waste of screen space.
I was swayed by the promise that this section of my precious screen would dynamically adjust and adapt to app specific requirements but as far as I can tell all it does is turn from icons to dots while running some apps and graciously disappears while using 2 (two) other apps (YouTube and Video).
For the most part it stays EXACTLY as it normally appears completely negating the whole point of moving these buttons to the screen!
With the reveal of the HTC OneX, which has pretty much the same sized screen, I've seen what properly used screen real estate can look like. It 'looks' bigger. The screen looks much bigger.
I think Google is wrong in promoting this screen based button layout. Either they change how these buttons persist in the interface and this is supported by 3rd parties or they give the 'whole' screen back to apps. The Galaxy Nexus has a beautiful screen but a 'not insignificant' portion of it is practically useless.
As GNex user what do you think about this?

I'm rooted and running aokp b27 so can hide the navigation buttons at a click of a button and have the full screen for all apps. Can then use button savior or similar or the options in the power menu for home back etc.
Want the navigation buttons back again, click of a button again.
Give it a try
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I think swiping up and down (like the notification pull down) would be awesome
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium

This would be awesome indeed!
So you guys know what I mean right? Seems like a waste right?
monoxide.tryst said:
I think swiping up and down (like the notification pull down) would be awesome
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Click to collapse

ShiroEd said:
This would be awesome indeed!
So you guys know what I mean right? Seems like a waste right?
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Click to collapse
Nope...I I like the sleekness of the front without ant buttons on it when it is off.

dave83uk said:
I'm rooted and running aokp b27 so can hide the navigation buttons at a click of a button and have the full screen for all apps. Can then use button savior or similar or the options in the power menu for home back etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The half pint mod (reducing the nav bar height) is mush more useful. I'm using it at 24dpi and I hardly notice its there and keeps the functionality.

ezcats said:
Nope...I I like the sleekness of the front without ant buttons on it when it is off.
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Click to collapse
Yeah me too but I wish they would disappear more often than they do ala Gallery,Video,Youtube.
The HTC OneX is sleek when it is off too. It's only when you turn it one do you see the buttons so its exactly like the GNex but with more usable screen space.

dave83uk said:
I'm rooted and running aokp b27 so can hide the navigation buttons at a click of a button and have the full screen for all apps. Can then use button savior or similar or the options in the power menu for home back etc.
Want the navigation buttons back again, click of a button again.
Give it a try
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This...I have no on-screen buttons on my GN. 4.65 inches of pure ICS beauty!

But you gain screen space in the same sized chassis because you don't have capacitive buttons down below the screen... You're not any better or worse off screen size-wise when you use on-screen buttons. Its really a wash if you think about it...
I prefer on-screen because they hide when you've got something full-screen up, and they rotate with the UI. And when you turn off the screen, the buttons 100% disappear.

is also use AOKPs setting to hide the nav bar but only when im gonna play games pretty much
theres a way also to use the volume rocker as back and home buttons
here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1521252

I too think the screen buttons are a wasted opportunity and would disappear more often.

RogerPodacter said:
I too think the screen buttons are a wasted opportunity and would disappear more often.
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Click to collapse
I think they could do it a little bit more, but remember ICS is meant to be more "user friendly" and not as technical. You shouldn't have to read a user manual to know the gestures to hide and restore the buttons.
I think it would be a very very poor decision on Google's part to just have the phone hiding and restoring buttons "randomly" when you enter different apps or modes.
The best thing about this paradigm is that the buttons can be updated with the OS. We aren't stuck with the buttons that come on the hardware. For example right now 2.3-optimized apps rely on the placement of a "menu" soft key in the action bar at the bottom, but as apps are updated we'll no longer see that button.

While do agree to TS in a certain capacity but I also think it would make the device very unintuitive for new users which is the point of ICS.
That's why we have custom roms. At least now with gnex, we have the hardware that to make it happen if the user choose to
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

The lack of physical buttons was one of my major considerations in getting the Galaxy Nexus rather than waiting for the HTC One X. That and the lack of removable battery. And the not wanting to wait. But I digress
ICS is designed to work with the soft buttons, and I've been enjoying how well they work on my Touchpad. So far I'm loving them on the Galaxy Nexus. To me they seem to get out of the way fairly often.
Another thing - I'm coming from a Nexus One. The funny thing about the Nexus One's capacitive buttons are that they do not work very well while wearing gloves. Even thin gloves. The rest of the screen works just fine, but switching apps, or bringing up the menu, or starting a search are all near impossible with gloves on.
With the Galaxy Nexus' soft buttons, everything is screen, so everything always works!

One thing for sure, youtube videos on wifi HQ look friggin FANTASTIC on this phone. No buttons and pure minimal black front, its truly beautiful. Buttons would diminish that effect/look.

martonikaj said:
But you gain screen space in the same sized chassis because you don't have capacitive buttons down below the screen... You're not any better or worse off screen size-wise when you use on-screen buttons. Its really a wash if you think about it...
I prefer on-screen because they hide when you've got something full-screen up, and they rotate with the UI. And when you turn off the screen, the buttons 100% disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HTC One X is actually slightly shorter than the Nexus, while having a slightly bigger screen.
On-screen buttons are a better solution to physically separated buttons in my opinion. The issue is that the Galaxy Nexus should be considered as a 'beta' for this type of implementation. Not only because the software isn't perfect, but also because of the physical attributes of the device. The space above and below the screen is far too much, and perhaps this is due to current technological limitations. Look at the space below your screen - you 'could' easily get a set of capacitive buttons in there.
If the spaces below and above the screen were reduced by 0.5cm each, the OP would have never made this complaint, as his device would be much more compact than a device with equivalent screen size and capacitive buttons.

Evangelion01 said:
The HTC One X is actually slightly shorter than the Nexus, while having a slightly bigger screen.
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Click to collapse
This is true and when I saw a video on YouTube comparing the GNex with the OneX it just struck me that the on screen buttons of the GNex were just taking up screen for no real functional gain whatsoever.
They rotate. Big deal. That makes no difference to functionality. I'd rather more screen.
They disappear. Rarely. When they do we all love how the screen looks. The OneX will be like that ALL THE TIME.
Their behaviour is inconsistent across applications. They disappear completely when viewing video (awesome) but we get three dots when viewing images. Why?
Check out the side by side comparison between the GNex and OneX and you can clearly see that both are the same sized phone but the OneX has SIGNIFICANTLY more available screen real estate. A LOT MORE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF9bhcNV5wU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
One of the things I love the most about the GNex is how minimalist it looks when turned off. Just a black slab. No buttons. But this is the same for many phones with capacitive buttons that turn off with the screen.
I simply cannot see any benefit to having on screen buttons *as it is currently implemented* in Ice Cream Sandwich.
Another thing to consider with persistent on screen buttons is the issue of screen burn in on AMOLED screens. A lot of GNex owners have started to see this already myself included. While this is an issue with the hardware it is a well know issue with AMOLED screens yet Google went ahead regardless.
I love the GNex but I'm now waiting to see what the SIII has to offer. If I'm going to the trouser busting bother of carrying around a large screen I want to get use out of it!

Changing the scaling of objects on screen will allow for more space on the screen. Plus, I think it looks nicer. Why not utilize the screen? xD
This thread covers how todo so. Though, some roms do have a modification option built in.

I've just Rooted (Finally!) and flashed AOKP b27 and IT'S AWESOME!!!
Amongst many other cool things it enables you to change the dpi for the Nav Bar making it really thin and freeing up loads of screen space while keeping full functionality!
Sha-WHEET!

monoxide.tryst said:
I think swiping up and down (like the notification pull down) would be awesome
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With nova launcher you can do that
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Hi all ..if there is a way to have cm9 on screen buttons like reloaded mod ..thx

Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

i _think_ i know what you are referring to, the toggle switches in cm9-reloaded right?
if so, that's the only cm9 mod that offers that and at this time, it does not work, the dev has recently said he is rebuilding the whole whirliebird and apparently won't be updating the current v

like samsung galaxy nexus
On-Screen Buttons on CM9, like the Nexus

well i guess i don't know what you are talking about, the screen cap you added doesn't have any onscreen buttons, at least what i consider onscreen buttons.

scott0 said:
well i guess i don't know what you are talking about, the screen cap you added doesn't have any onscreen buttons, at least what i consider onscreen buttons.
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Click to collapse
It's the three icons at the bottom...they're literally generated on the screen itself

scott0 said:
well i guess i don't know what you are talking about, the screen cap you added doesn't have any onscreen buttons, at least what i consider onscreen buttons.
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Click to collapse
The bottom three icons on the screen. Those are present on the Galaxy Nexus because it doesn't have any hardware buttons (back, home, menu, or search). He's asking for that on Nitro, even though the Nitro does have hardware buttons.
I'm guessing there is a way to override the default setting and enable them, but I'm not sure.

nevermind is not for cm9 nightlies
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1531222
only slould work on all CM9 RC....this is Reloaded Mod

Virtual buttons instead of capacitive?

Hi.
Been searching around the net but could not find anything.
Is there some mod for the One X international to disable the capacitive buttons and instead get on screen buttons like on the Galaxy Nexus?

follow this thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1554111#23780933

Lazarux said:
Is there some mod for the One X international to disable the capacitive buttons and instead get on screen buttons like on the Galaxy Nexus?
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Click to collapse
Just to know, why do you want to disable capacitive buttons as virtual buttons will reduce the space available on your screen ?

metadroid said:
Just to know, why do you want to disable capacitive buttons as virtual buttons will reduce the space available on your screen ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do i.

metadroid said:
Just to know, why do you want to disable capacitive buttons as virtual buttons will reduce the space available on your screen ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to know if it's possible I'm a flashoholic with all sort of roms and mods so the tought just came to my mind the other day.

[Q] Kernel for Logo2Menu

Hi Guys,
I haven't found anything about this topic so I want to ask you if it's possible to realize the LOGO2MENU, which was very popular at the M7.
It would be very cool if the logo bar is still touch sensitive. :victory:
Of course it would be even cooler, if the 'back' and 'home' button would also work, so I can get rid of those stupid softkeys.
PLEASE DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME!
Looking forward for everything what's coming for the M8.

0025 said:
Hi Guys,
I haven't found anything about this topic so I want to ask you if it's possible to realize the LOGO2MENU, which was very popular at the M7.
It would be very cool if the logo bar is still touch sensitive. :victory:
Of course it would be even cooler, if the 'back' and 'home' button would also work, so I can get rid of those stupid softkeys.
PLEASE DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME!
Looking forward for everything what's coming for the M8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not a developer at all - but I am 99.9% sure that this is not possible.

Flar2 has stated that the bottom of the screen where the HTC logo is isn't capacitive

Insert Coin lets you change what the nav buttons do. I have it set so long press recent apps is menu.
Sent from my Renovated Elemental M8

Also if you use xposed, and download the xblast module you can change the size of the soft keys. I love it. Picture attached for you to see.
Sent from my Renovated Elemental M8

[Q] Home button sensitivity -> spacebar :(

Is there any way to reduce the sensitivity of the home button?
I cant compose a single email without accidentally hitting the damn thing, which is getting very frustrating.

I'm in the same boat... without the swipe capability, typing would be tough...I might reroute the home action to a different key.

raynan said:
I'm in the same boat... without the swipe capability, typing would be tough...I might reroute the home action to a different key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Urgh! I might try a swipe keyboard and see if that helps, because this is driving me nuts.
Previous phones had physical home buttons, so never had the problem before.
I have resorted to typing in landscape mode, but that cuts off the message thread in email/sms/whatsapp, and the labels in most web forms.
I am suprised there are not more people reporting this issue.

l3msip said:
Urgh! I might try a swipe keyboard and see if that helps, because this is driving me nuts.
Previous phones had physical home buttons, so never had the problem before.
I have resorted to typing in landscape mode, but that cuts off the message thread in email/sms/whatsapp, and the labels in most web forms.
I am suprised there are not more people reporting this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having even come from phones with soft home keys, this is an issue for me, as well...You're not alone :good:

If space bar and home button are too close together, possibly adjusting keyboard height may help. Go to Apps/Settings/Language & Input/ASUS Keyboard/Preferences/Adjust keyboard height. Also ASUS Keyboard has a feature like swype. To do this just enable 'trace input' in the same path as above.
Sincerely
ASUS_USA

l3msip said:
Is there any way to reduce the sensitivity of the home button?
I cant compose a single email without accidentally hitting the damn thing, which is getting very frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use fleksy it might help u workd for me

Asus_USA said:
If space bar and home button are too close together, possibly adjusting keyboard height may help. Go to Apps/Settings/Language & Input/ASUS Keyboard/Preferences/Adjust keyboard height. Also ASUS Keyboard has a feature like swype. To do this just enable 'trace input' in the same path as above.
Sincerely
ASUS_USA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Setting the keyboard height to the higher setting helped a little. Still definitely an issue. Basically my only issue with this fone... I've KIND OF gotten used to it, but it still happens daily.. just not as bad as before..
-Casey

Scoop3 said:
Setting the keyboard height to the higher setting helped a little. Still definitely an issue. Basically my only issue with this fone... I've KIND OF gotten used to it, but it still happens daily.. just not as bad as before..
-Casey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely run into this problem using the Google keyboard since there is a row of quarter inch of space between the bottom edge of the space bar and home key.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD

cmendonc2 said:
I rarely run into this problem using the Google keyboard since there is a row of quarter inch of space between the bottom edge of the space bar and home key.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh thank { deity }!
Yes that makes all the difference.
Adjusting the ASUS keyboard height may well have the same effect, but i'll stick with Google Keyboard for now.

It annoyed me and I adjusted SwiftKey height and now no issue.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk

Haha, I'm just using an Xposed module to remap the homekey to a double-tap gesture. I really like the stock keyboard.

raynan said:
Haha, I'm just using an Xposed module to remap the homekey to a double-tap gesture. I really like the stock keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do that? Care to share? The lack of a physical home key and hitting home by mistake while typing is the thing stopping me from buying this phone. I have the same problem on my Asus Fonepad 7

If you have xposed, activating the soft nav keys (via GravityboxLP) is a good way to avoid this frustrating problem. You can also set expanded desktop mode so that you can then hide the soft keys at will.

There was also a flashable zip to enable softkeys in the Themes & Apps Section

galaxyms said:
How did you do that? Care to share? The lack of a physical home key and hitting home by mistake while typing is the thing stopping me from buying this phone. I have the same problem on my Asus Fonepad 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In just using a module called xposed additions.

HA! i thought im the only one having problem with this friggin space and home issue... i read something about disabling home button while keyboard is on, i think that would be great...

Use swiftkey with arrow keys enabled