Develop Bugs

My experiences and quandaries with lower pixel density settings

Hi peeps,
I expect to get flamed for posting a repeat thread, for not fully searching the forums before posting, etc etc,
So instead of asking anything specific I'm just gonna share my experience so far with my Sprint Galaxy Note 2 and if any of you have any helpful tips for the issues I'm encountering, fire away.
I have searched for a few weeks now, and what I'm about to describe is where I'm at AFTER lots of experimenting and searching both this and other forums as well as plain old google web searches.
I researched devices before buying for something with enough processing power and RAM to replace my ASUS netbook, which, though small, wouldn't fit on my bike handlebars and was all around too bulky for outdoor adventures. Offline GPS app use, bike computer apps, taking videos in its handlebar mount as I rolled down the highway, etc, etc. I also fancied the idea of connecting it to the (usually 1080 16:9) TVs found in the hotel rooms across the country, most of which these days have an HDMI port on them. Also in my plans is to hack together some kind of case with a mini bluetooth keyboard in it.
I use Photoshop all the time on my Windows machines so I wanted something that would run Photoshop Touch. I downloaded PS Touch from the Amazon app store (paid for it legally) since Google Play wouldn't let me download it. I knew it was't officially supported before purchasing.
Then I set about hacking into things to get more content, icons, menus visible on the screen and tried to get PS Touch to display properly.
First I rooted the phone, installed super user, etc. Left the stock ROM on there. Then I modified the Build.prop for 180 pixel density, and voila, Photoshop Touch worked great, the full menus were visible. But a host of other problems presented themselves.
Some of the UI elements scaled to the display fine. 3rd party apps ALL look fine. They all scale correctly. The most obvious issue was that the home pages were still showing the same amount of icons, the grid count was the same, but all the icons where in the middle of the screen with lots of space around them. I noticed that the clock on the lockscreen was now in the upper left corner, and that Chrome was now showing (desktop/tablet style) tabs at the top. So I realized that some aspects of the UI and certain apps were coded to display different depending on the pixel density.
I'm wondering where in the APK's manifest.xml (or elsewhere) this is specified.
To get things looking better on the home screens and to enable landscape homescreens, I installed Nova Launcher, and I prefer it over the stock launcher. It's a more desktop like environment. I figured I could set up a homescreen page with lots of big widgets on it for fumbling with it on the go (making things big and easy to touch like with a 320 pixel density setting), and then I could have a bunch of icons on another homescreen page for the "desktop" style view when close to my face or connected to an external display.
All of this was fine except several of the widgets not longer worked, or didn't even show up in the widget list anymore. My list of issues follows:
- The multi-window app-chooser bar scales correctly when it's at the top or bottom of the screen, but does not completely span the display when on either side of the screen (in portrait OR landscape mode).
- The multi-window separator bar (between the 2 displayed apps) does not span the entire display, though it works otherwise
- In the stock e-mail app, landscape view works fine, but portrait view of the messages list and of the emails themselves is cropped to only the left side of the display, with blank space on the right.
- The drop-down notification drawer is the same number of pixels as it used to be (I believe) and therefore no longer scales to the entire display. In landscape mode, it's not only too small, but off-center as well. This is something I haven't been able to hack, there doesn't seem to be any notification drawer replacement apps.
- The alarm clock app (which honestly I liked better than any thrid party ones) stopped working completely. When I tap the Clock icon in the apps drawer, it starts up but only displays a black screen and then I get the error message that Clock has stopped. Bummer.
- The numeric keypad for the stock dialer app is up in the middle of the screen (vertically) and at the left edge.
- The UI elements, buttons, etc on the camera app don't scale, leaving buttons floating off of the gray background strips and over the top of the image viewfinder area. I prefer the interface of Camera JB+ anyway, which works great. But you can't use Camera JB+ with the stock messaging app if you wanna snap a quick pic to attach to a message. Unless you take the pic with Camera JB+, then go to messaging, then attach it from the stock gallery app. This leads me to one of my biggest questions. I'm sure it's been covered, but I don't know the terminology and numerous searches have yielded no answers...if someone just tell me what it's called, I'll do my best to search for it myself...I wanna know how to tell one app to allow me to use another app to import content What I mean is when, for instance, I go to attach a pic to a message, a list of sources comes up, gallery, camera, etc. But certain apps are't on that list...only the stock camera shows up, only the stock gallery app...sometimes this isn't the case...when I am in the stock contacts app, and I go to add a photo to a contact...it lets me choose from the various camera and gallery apps I have installed...when I click on the little button to message the contact, it lets me choose Handcent, etc...but the messaging app and the lockscreen wallpaper chooser in the settings menu don't let me choose images from anything but the stock gallery app, wheras the homescreen wallpaper can be chosen from any of my gallery apps. I want to know where to hack in and change this to "link" or "associate" the apps. Or at least I wanna know what this type of link between apps is called so I can search for it myself.
- The stock weather widget is just plan missing now. Don't know where it went. I liked it better than any of the ones I've downloaded.
I'm also noticing decreased battery life...not sure why, as I have a bunch of bloat apps removed and I'm running the same ROM. Maybe that's in my head.
So I'm looking at installing a custom ROM...but not sure where to start...I have searched and read about a bunch of ROMs for the Note 2. But nowhere did I see anything about how well the ROM's UI elements and included apps would scale to a 180 pixel density display...
I'd like a ROM that works well with my display settings, includes options for the number of icons on the home screen, where all the included apps see each other, and where I can ad any program to the multi-window list without hacking into each and every APK to enable it (I know there's really no way to do that, but perhaps an included feature to help you through the process without using a PC would be cool). I want everything deodexed so backups and restores are easy (I backed up a bunch of system apps and uninstalled them, creating a backup from ES File Explorer, AND saving the APK and ODEX files...but was unable to re-install them...).
Anybody have a good suggestion for a ROM that works well with different pixel settings?

jd14771 said:
I think you would REALLY benefit from installing the XPOSED app mod. Essentially, it changes the DPI value, but instead of changing the DPI for EVERY app, it only changes the dpi for the app you select.
so assuming you start from the normal 320 dpi, you can then assign Photoshop touch to run at 180 dpi, therefore ONLY affecting that app and leaving everything else the same.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2067303
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWESOME tool to know about, thanks. That sounds like it would do what I need...though I'd still like more/smaller icons on the home screen....Which I think you can do at stock pixel density with Nova Launcher paid version...
Researching XPOSED now...some people complain about longer phone startup...is it the kind of thing where you can use the app to modify the APK, then uninstall the app? I'm gonna find out...THANKS.

There is also a thread in the app/theme section regarding resized stock apps. The dialer, camera, keyboard etc were are scaled to a lower dpi. That might help some of your issues
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 07:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:38 PM ----------
Here's a link to that thread I referenced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001143
[MOD] 240 DPI apps for samsung roms [updated 30/11/12]
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

KB112 said:
There is also a thread in the app/theme section regarding resized stock apps. The dialer, camera, keyboard etc were are scaled to a lower dpi. That might help some of your issues
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 07:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:38 PM ----------
Here's a link to that thread I referenced.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001143
[MOD] 240 DPI apps for samsung roms [updated 30/11/12]
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate y'all takin the time to help me with this, Helps me out a lot......I have one question about android and scaling of graphics in general...The notification drop-down drawer...is that technically an "app"? Like is it one of the services, or hidden system apps or something...or is that "part of the frame work" and not skinable or changeable without changing ROMs? because I'm wondering how to scale that...but also just so I understand the OS better, what is that status drawer part of? Cause it's obviously not part of the launcher...
I'm about to try all these things out...thanks.

For email, pull the note 10.1 email apk and exchange apk from a 10.1 rom and put it in system/app reboot and enjoy!
That and as mentioned...xposed app is full of win. I personally use go launcher or apex launcher to fix the whole launcher issue.
The drop down is customizable. .you may really benefit from spending an hour or so reading through the themes and apps section
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

spaceturd3000 said:
I appreciate y'all takin the time to help me with this, Helps me out a lot......I have one question about android and scaling of graphics in general...The notification drop-down drawer...is that technically an "app"? Like is it one of the services, or hidden system apps or something...or is that "part of the frame work" and not skinable or changeable without changing ROMs? because I'm wondering how to scale that...but also just so I understand the OS better, what is that status drawer part of? Cause it's obviously not part of the launcher...
I'm about to try all these things out...thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its part of systemui.apk which includes the status bar, notification pull down, etc
I like to break stuff!

Android ui is the lock screen and context menus btw.
System ui for task bar.
Xposed is awesome for low dpi settings
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

Dudes....thanks a ton. I got all of that up and running. I'm able to set it up just as I want and with the tip about which app controls the context menus, that answered my next question. Totally tweakable. My only issue is that the stock dialer and stock contacts are really within the same app...I wanted to keep the dialer at default dpi and scale the contacts to be smaller....I'm guessing that's what a "shared package" is....which isn't supported yet....but I'll try that 240 dpi version mention above and see how that works.

[Q] Quick circle service

Hello guys,
i'm here to find the service behind the quickcircle case, I want to know wich app activate it or manage it.
I changed the resolution of my G3 and the quick circle is quite messed up. i'd like to add the app in the App Setting so it can look as usual.
So can anybody help me out?

Thil3000 said:
Hello guys,
i'm here to find the service behind the quickcircle case, I want to know wich app activate it or manage it.
I changed the resolution of my G3 and the quick circle is quite messed up. i'd like to add the app in the App Setting so it can look as usual.
So can anybody help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is build in the lockscreen, but not sure
try the lgkeyguard.apk and Lg lockscreensetting.apk

suljo94 said:
I think it is build in the lockscreen, but not sure
try the lgkeyguard.apk and Lg lockscreensetting.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tried these 2 but it didn't do it.. thanks for the help

Very intersted in the lower resolution option to save battery. would you post back your findings if you can get the majority of the LG apps to work? namely the Quick Circle case app, and the messaging app that you have to use with it, to see your mesages.

Well for the resolution i put 1080x1920 with 480 dpi with Nomone
After that installed xposed with App Setting and change the dpi of the lg app (like phone, message, etc.) to 530, which is the minimum for the lg app.
Also, you should change the launcher for the Nova launcher
For the quick circle im still trying to figure out wich service/app it is running
The game poppy pop is working great even with the lower resolution.

Thil3000 said:
For the quick circle im still trying to figure out wich service/app it is running
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You ever find out the answer to this question? Or anyone else know?

Protonus said:
You ever find out the answer to this question? Or anyone else know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah sort of, but it's a bit disapointing. I found out that the quickcircle is actually implemented in the launcher or something like that like suljo said, making it very hard to get to change its resolution. I eventually got a new phone and stop looking into that.

[Q] Increase Toolbox App Limit?

Hello everyone,
Is there a way to increase the Toolbox app limit from the current 5?
Thanks

Kalikazoo said:
Hello everyone,
Is there a way to increase the Toolbox app limit from the current 5?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting for answer too

Kalikazoo said:
Hello everyone,
Is there a way to increase the Toolbox app limit from the current 5?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
salahfathi said:
Waiting for answer too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here u go guys...just to be clear i havent tested either of these. i will also look into including this mod into the next version of my SuperSamsung rom...hope this helps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.xperiacle.s5toolbox.addon&hl=en
^REAL TOOLBOX ADDON (its a paid app but exactly what u want...just so u know its out there)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784205
^COPY TOOLBOX APP FREE

THEDEVIOUS1 said:
here u go guys...just to be clear i havent tested either of these. i will also look into including this mod into the next version of my SuperSamsung rom...hope this helps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.xperiacle.s5toolbox.addon&hl=en
^REAL TOOLBOX ADDON (its a paid app but exactly what u want...just so u know its out there)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2784205
^COPY TOOLBOX APP FREE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply THEDEVIOUS1.
The S5 Toolbox addon doesn't work properly. After you add more then 5 apps the toolbox only shows 5 and the top of another one but you are not able to scroll to access it or any of the other apps you've added so app is unusable.
Floating Toolbox Pro: Everything works except changing the Floating Toolbox icon color.
Tip: Swipe sideways for more options including the settings lol

all of the mentioned above are working, you have to scroll to last page inside of the app to go to settings page. Please quote me back so i can be able to comment back

k0sh said:
all of the mentioned above are working, you have to scroll to last page inside of the app to go to settings page. Please quote me back so i can be able to comment back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for quick reply k0sh. Everything works on my Tab S 10.5 except for changing the Floating Toolbar icon color. No matter what color I set it to it never takes. Changing the background color works fine though.
I have a couple of requests if you decide to continue to refine the app:
-Allow user to set the Floating Toolbox icon even smaller then it is now. I have it all the way down and I still find it big on the tablet in comparison the the OEM Toolbox.
-Allow user to change icon transparency as I find it too bright
-Allow alternate icon or little round button like OEM.
The app is already a winner but those changes above would seal the deal for me.
Good job k0sh. (please remove my quotes from your post above since they don't apply -sorry)
**For anyone with a Tab S looking to increase the app limit; Floating Toolbar WORKS.

Kalikazoo said:
Thanks for quick reply k0sh. Everything works on my Tab S 10.5 except for changing the Floating Toolbar icon color. No matter what color I set it to it never takes. Changing the background color works fine though.
I have a couple of requests if you decide to continue to refine the app:
-Allow user to set the Floating Toolbox icon even smaller then it is now. I have it all the way down and I still find it big on the tablet in comparison the the OEM Toolbox.
-Allow user to change icon transparency as I find it too bright
-Allow alternate icon or little round button like OEM.
The app is already a winner but those changes above would seal the deal for me.
Good job k0sh. (please remove my quotes from your post above since they don't apply -sorry)
**For anyone with a Tab S looking to increase the app limit; Floating Toolbar WORKS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your suggestions and support, i will be doing a massive update tho, just give me two days , im doing my practical now and i find it hard to update all of my applications which they really need an update 'trust me i know'.

please do check the latest version 2.3, it shall be updated within two hours, so please check the play store after two hours.

k0sh said:
please do check the latest version 2.3, it shall be updated within two hours, so please check the play store after two hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just bought the Floating Toolbox Pro app after the changes and everything works.
GREAT JOB k0sh!!

Changing QuickCircle App DPI

After rooting the ATT 810 G4, I figured I'd go ahead and change the DPI settings through the build.prop. This has been a great improvement of the UI experience, however it looks like the QuickCircle app becomes unusable. Just wondering if anyone else has changed the DPI setting and knows how to keep the normal DPI setting for the QuickCircle app. It seems like per app DPI would be the way to go, but I'm not quite sure how to achieve that right now on the G4. Many thanks in advance!

Without xposed, it's quite difficult to change individual app dpi

skeliton lord said:
Without xposed, it's quite difficult to change individual app dpi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be the case. Thanks. I think I'll be waiting until xposed comes out for the G4 until I start using my circle case again.

willmayah said:
That seems to be the case. Thanks. I think I'll be waiting until xposed comes out for the G4 until I start using my circle case again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found that if you use a digital clock for it just the white circle is off Center (accuweather one works fine)

The weirdest thing about this is that the call handling part of the quick circle (I.e. if you are on a call, the phone is ringing etc.) fits absolutely fine.
The circle highlight swish (technical term) doesn't line up either, but the call stuff does. Very odd

Has anyone figured out how to get the circle highlight light working the correct way?
I got the clock aligned correctly but i didnt find the app responsible for the light circle.
/edit
Got it
These are the apps which i changed to stock DPI via App Settings:
com.lge.lockscreensettings
com.lge.provider.lockscreensettings
com.lge.sui.widget
com.lge.smartcover
com.lge.clock

Is One UI Home modding possible ?

Hi,
I'm a bit upset because at some point samsung reduced the icon size on their one ui home app,
I liked them bigger and would like to mod the app if it was possible,
I'd found my way in the code but I'm not sure if and how it's possible to install a rebuilt version of the APK as we can't uninstall the original one,
Could someone tell if it can be or has already been done ?
Thanks

Just get nova launcher prime and call it a day. You wont be disappointed. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en_US
50 million cant be wrong. Anything can be done then.

Not what I was asking for but thanks ^^, I just need info about apk repacking / refactoring, I'm not interested in other launchers

r4dius said:
Not what I was asking for but thanks ^^, I just need info about apk repacking / refactoring, I'm not interested in other launchers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you go to developer options and you can change your sizing their

[email protected] said:
Did you go to developer options and you can change your sizing their
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you have to enable developer options by pressing your build number 7 times

r4dius said:
Hi,
I'm a bit upset because at some point samsung reduced the icon size on their one ui home app,
I liked them bigger and would like to mod the app if it was possible,
I'd found my way in the code but I'm not sure if and how it's possible to install a rebuilt version of the APK as we can't uninstall the original one,
Could someone tell if it can be or has already been done ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to mod the OneUI launcher...its not perfect though.
I have modded it to have the app drawer as 6 columns and 8 rows.
However, the setting of changing the grid in the launcher setting is goofed up, it only still shows 4x5, 4x6. 5x5 and 5x6. if i choose any of these, i do not have any way of getting it back to 6x8 unless i reset the app....
i am not sure if my mod will work on every phone...i can probably prepare a guide on how to mod it.

Good day.
Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but here goes a sugestion anyway.
Samsung has an app called Home Up, that can change some paremeters of One UI launcher, like app drawer grid, folder presentation and backup your layout.
If you are interested, here is the link, and some screenshots
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsung-electronics-co-ltd/home-up/home-up-1-0-01-17-release/home-up-1-0-01-17-android-apk-download/
Hope it helps