Hello,
I'm thinking of purchasing a Fire phone and have a few questions.
1. What's it like having no back & recent apps button?
2. Have you managed to install any launcher that makes it look like what Android normally looks like with working widgets and kitkat/lollipop notification bar?
3. Anyone tried Nova Launcher?
4. I read you can sideload google play without root, does that work properly?
I currently have a Moto G, I like it but at times I wish it was more responsive.
I don't take many pics but when I do I often wish they were a little clearer.
I'm looking for a phone that isn't too expensive and isn't too big (most phones seem to be getting huge).
Thanks
I wouldn't. For the price, any phone with android would be better.
Find one that you can unlock the bootloader and your in business.
IMHO.
I am happy with it and the specs are great... not any android is better. Just need to get used to ir... back button is not necesary as you swipe from the bottom of the screen up and the job is done. And the price is really good... i paid 99 pounds...
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Free mobile app
Sergiales said:
I am happy with it and the specs are great... not any android is better. Just need to get used to ir... back button is not necesary as you swipe from the bottom of the screen up and the job is done. And the price is really good... i paid 99 pounds...
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried any launchers to make it look more like normal Android?
It's a good looking, very fast smartphone that is hamstrung by the OS. Amazon will not unlock the bootloader and let folks root it. If these things don't bother you, and you're willing to try something new, then for $99 it is an incredible deal. Although the same great specs in a true android phone would be better at this price, such a thing doesn't exist: the specs to price ratio is tremendous.
Finally, although I use it as a second phone, I have grown to like some of the apps I'm stuck with. For example, I like the phone's email app as much as the gmail app. The feature's on the phone's email app work better for me across various email accounts.
G-STAR01 said:
Hello,
I'm thinking of purchasing a Fire phone and have a few questions.
1. What's it like having no back & recent apps button?
2. Have you managed to install any launcher that makes it look like what Android normally looks like with working widgets and kitkat/lollipop notification bar?
3. Anyone tried Nova Launcher?
4. I read you can sideload google play without root, does that work properly?
I currently have a Moto G, I like it but at times I wish it was more responsive.
I don't take many pics but when I do I often wish they were a little clearer.
I'm looking for a phone that isn't too expensive and isn't too big (most phones seem to be getting huge).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had the unrooted unlocked 3.6.8 version for a few months now. I had no issues side loading any of the Google products to the phone. I did have install older android 4.2 versions of the 4 files and that worked on the AT&T version. Google Maps have the double texted which is annoying but i have been using either the chrome version or Here app for navigation. Weird thing i could be wrong but my Zillow app has a map feature that does not have that issue. Not sure if it using GMaps but I thought it did. Someone smarter than me might want to see what the Zillow app does differently. My home screen is the Google Launcher with Zooper Widgets. IT runs and fells like a normal android device. Not having a back but does cause issues with some apps that have their own back button. If you press the home button once it takes you to the main screen you set in the launcher just like normal Android devices. If you double tap the home button it opens the FireOS recent app/app killer menu which I like MUCH better then the Lolliop way. The camera is great it takes wonderfulphotos much better then my Nexus 4.
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---------- Post added at 01:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 AM ----------
Here is an image of my home screen.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3THqMxSQFNHenhHR2plLVlPeDQ/view?usp=sharing
For me this phone was a no brainer at the price
I have installed a back button apk, which works well
I have also installed lightning launcher, i wasnt after the pure android look, but i never went back to the main screen always stayed in the app drawer, so thought why not
Nova didnt work, the wallpapers didnt.
G-STAR01 said:
Hello,
I'm thinking of purchasing a Fire phone and have a few questions.
1. What's it like having no back & recent apps button?
2. Have you managed to install any launcher that makes it look like what Android normally looks like with working widgets and kitkat/lollipop notification bar?
3. Anyone tried Nova Launcher?
4. I read you can sideload google play without root, does that work properly?
I currently have a Moto G, I like it but at times I wish it was more responsive.
I don't take many pics but when I do I often wish they were a little clearer.
I'm looking for a phone that isn't too expensive and isn't too big (most phones seem to be getting huge).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Actually, you can wipe from bottom to up to perform a BACK operation.
2. I tried google now launcher. No widget and no wallpaper.
3. Not yet..
4. Google play actually works for most of the apps. I'm trying to figure out how to back up photo to google photos, as google+ can't be installed.
I think fire phone has a great camera. And if you're a heavy amazon prime user , I mean things like instant video and prime music, maybe getting one is pretty good.
RRRRico said:
1. Actually, you can wipe from bottom to up to perform a BACK operation.
2. I tried google now launcher. No widget and no wallpaper.
3. Not yet..
4. Google play actually works for most of the apps. I'm trying to figure out how to back up photo to google photos, as google+ can't be installed.
I think fire phone has a great camera. And if you're a heavy amazon prime user , I mean things like instant video and prime music, maybe getting one is pretty good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the google plus you need. hope i'm sharing it right.... http://1drv.ms/19usj1W
---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 PM ----------
I dont regret getting it. My prime was up soon so at a hundred bucks i say its an awesome phone. I did use google now launcher for a couple weeks but then decided to give the amazon launcher a try and i'm still using it two months later. The swipe up to go back isnt perfect but you do get used to it. I have a pretty thick case on my phone so the only time i have a hard time is in landscape cuz my finger hits the case. For notifications I use heads-up and it works really well. You really just need it for for apps you load through google play. If you use facebook messenger you can use the bubble thing. I dont use it but i have. You just have to mess with the messenger app settings. As far as sideloading... what do you want to sideload? I gave the link of google plus that works so that fixes that... hangouts notifications is fixed by heads up cuz the regular notifications disappear in one sec. Maps doesnt work cuz of the text but nokia here works really well and i've come to really enjoy it and dont miss maps at all. Other than that everything I loaded through google play works very well... clash of clans, pebble watch app. youtube, drive,google play music, keep, gmail. The only app I havent had the opportunity to use is wallet but i did install it and it loads fine. Just not sure if the nfc side of it works. If anybody has info on that it would be appreciated.
---------- Post added at 10:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------
Oh and the firefly app is awesome plus the amazon prime music app has gotten really really good. Maybe theres room for improvement but I love it now. You dont have to add each song to your library to listen. You can just search and play and there's a lot of music included and new stuff is added all the time.
Which widgets are you referring to that don't work with the Google launcher? My Zooper, Hangouts, CNN, and Google Music widgets work for me.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Buzz launcher is awesome, nova worked but no wallpaper or widgets, I tried like 30 launchers but because we're stuck on 4.2 we can't do much for now.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Related
How are you guys liking 4.2.2 so far? Are there things you think google could have done better?
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4.2.2 Google Factory Image
Takju
Yakju
4.2.2 Takju & Yakju OTA
Takju OTA
Yakju OTA
4.2.1 Google Factory Image
Takju
Yakju
4.2.1 Takju & Yakju OTA
Takju OTA
Yakju OTA
4.2 Google Factory Image
Takju
Yakju
4.2 Takju & Yakju OTA With Instructions
Takju OTA
Yakju OTA
Maroon Mushroom said:
-make sure you're on the latest STOCK android image for TAKJU or Yakju (whichever OTA you want to flash)
-move .zip to your phone
-boot into CWM recovery
-install zip from SD card
-choose the fie
the install takes a few minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't seen any other thread so I'm posting here.
To start off, playing with the swiping keyboard is troublesome for me... I never liked Swype and I suck at swyping anyway tapping seems faster... Or maybe my finger isn't greased properly...
Otherwise, I have noticed that Agent Dash seems to stutter less in my 5 minutes of testing. The kernel's changed so I don't get those frequent flashing and random reboots (not yet anyway) (knock wood!).
No miracast streaming. No change in the radio performance thus far. There's a new antialiasing option in the Dev options though.
Seems alright, I'll say. Sans the swiping (which is a personal preference, cause it slows me down if I type carefully... Which you need to do if you want to make any sense... Go figure!)
sent from my mini tractor
I sense a lag after the update; even after two reboots.
The lock screen is almost rubbish IMHO. Its like having multiple screens with widgets.
As for the toggle I was expecting much much more. Don't mind the keyboard at all.
I don't have a 4.2 OTA, but I've been running the leaked apps on my Gnex for weeks.
Here's my impressions:
Keyboard is great for one-handed typing, I don't care who you are you have to admit that it makes it a little easier to type when you only have one had available and I'm a fan of it.
Camera is alright, I feel like the pictures (at least on the Gnex) didn't look as good as they should've but that was a .apk from a Nexus 4, so it's understandable. Also Photo Sphere works pretty well if you know how to take the pictures correctly and not move the phone around too much.
From what I've seen of the official 4.2 features, lock-screen widgets look really unfinished, quick settings needs some work and the ability to customize it, and I still don't know if HDR is on the Gnex yet.
Overall I'm a little skeptical if this will be a definitive "upgrade" or not.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app
SilentStormer said:
I don't have a 4.2 OTA, but I've been running the leaked apps on my Gnex for weeks.
Here's my impressions:
Keyboard is great for one-handed typing, I don't care who you are you have to admit that it makes it a little easier to type when you only have one had available and I'm a fan of it.
Camera is alright, I feel like the pictures (at least on the Gnex) didn't look as good as they should've but that was a .apk from a Nexus 4, so it's understandable. Also Photo Sphere works pretty well if you know how to take the pictures correctly and not move the phone around too much.
From what I've seen of the official 4.2 features, lock-screen widgets look really unfinished, quick settings needs some work and the ability to customize it, and I still don't know if HDR is on the Gnex yet.
Overall I'm a little skeptical if this will be a definitive "upgrade" or not.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stopped reading here.
Bad one, downgraded to 4.1.2
First thing is, that you cant use gesture typing on my languange (finnish) so useless feature. Locksreen is crap i think like comparing the ways to widget locker, android loses 5-0. the build is also laggy, and apps is crashing and i get reboots. Would not recommend this, maybe later when batter version is avaible
turmoil86 said:
I stopped reading here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol
Everything seems to be running smoothly so far. I flashed 4.1.2 stock, unrooted, flashed the 4.2 zip and re-rooted and all that jazz.
Starting from new sucks (have to re-do screends and such), but it's also nice to start over fresh.
Lock screen are interesting but I find myself trying to swipe to the next one, but registers as a pattern instead (pattern password lock). When I start getting more texts/events I'll be able to find the usefulness of it all.
Swipe is really nice on the keyboard. I'm a button-press guy, but this is sort of refreshing. I like seeing the word develop as I move my finger around. Will I use the all the time? Maybe. I'll give it this week to test out.
Pull-down with quick settings is a useful feature. If it had data as well, that'd be amazing. I usually turn on wifi, turn off data just to make sure I'm not wasting it on my ATT plan. The icon for my name in the top left is kind of useless though. Just shows a small amount of contact information. Maybe it'll be the spot for profiles in the future.
Speed and performance is amazing as always. Ever since Jelly Bean it's been responsive and quick to load apps. Only when something is downloading in the background does the OS get a little sketchy. That's nothing to worry about though.
Remember to tap 7 times on About > Build Number to enable Developer Options. It's only been maybe half an hour, so I'll keep running through the various features to get the full experience down. Next up: Photo Sphere.
It's really smooth and stable for me. Even better than 4.1.2. I like the new styling and I fell in love with new additions right away. Like I mentioned before, I'm a bit bothered by a "recent apps" menu. Everythime I close (slide) an app, it laggs. The whole thing just blinks for a bit. Otherwise, everything runs well.
Oh, and I don't have "pinch to zoom" in Gmail.. checked in the settings, if I missed anything, but nothing... any ideas?
Joplisan said:
It's really smooth and stable for me. Even better than 4.1.2. I like the new styling and I fell in love with new additions right away. Like I mentioned before, I'm a bit bothered by a "recent apps" menu. Everythime I close (slide) an app, it laggs. The whole thing just blinks for a bit. Otherwise, everything runs well.
Oh, and I don't have "pinch to zoom" in Gmail.. checked in the settings, if I missed anything, but nothing... any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In GMail settings enable Auto-fit messages to enable pinch zooming.
Lesicnik1 said:
In the GMail settings enable Auto-fit messages to enable pinch zooming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, I must be blind... thank you so much!
Not particularly impressed with the lockscreen widgets. And the colors are terrible! Can't wait for a custom kernel to drop so I can get that sorted! Apart from that, it's been okay so far, except for the slightest bit of lag, which seems to have settled in now. I guess it's a little too early to tell since most of us would still be installing our apps and customizing it, etc. Can't say much about the keyboard since I'm not a very big fan of the swipe keyboard. I'm happier with SwiftKey!
Swype feature is working well. Camera looks good but forced closed few times. Once it hung and I had to take out my battery to restart.
Setting panel is a disappointment ..was expecting toggle to be available. Didn't face any lag.
Btw i don't see the thumbnail of clicked snap when my camera is on so I had to go to gallery to check the clicked snap.
Also new play store doesnt show manual updates seperately.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
anil76 said:
Setting panel is a disappointment ..was expecting toggle to be available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just realized those aren't toggles. Disappointed as well. It's just telling me what is on instead of allowing me to quickly chance. Well, back to power toggles again.
---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 AM ----------
On another note, zoom/fit-to-screen isn't enabled in Gmail by default. Go to Settings > General > "Auto-fit messages" to enable it. Now those HTML formatted emails from companies looks decent.
This build is so ****ing slow! I can't even tap on the keyboard because it's very very very lag guy, seems like this room makes my nexus touch screen a hundred times slower then it should be
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
hows thw battery life so far?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Can anyone tell me if wireless display is activated via the OTA? Am extremely interested to know if Miracast is a software feature or not.
The Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S builds still use the old 3.0 Linux kernel. Only the Nexus 4 build uses the newer 3.4 kernel. Is there a good reason why the new kernel isn't used in the other builds?
djfoo000 said:
Can anyone tell me if wireless display is activated via the OTA? Am extremely interested to know if Miracast is a software feature or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can't be activated since the GN chipset doesn't support it.
bozzykid said:
It can't be activated since the GN chipset doesn't support it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been apps available for years that accomplish the exact same thing, I can stream music/video to my AppleTV & PS3. So I see that as a total cop-out, if true.
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Tried it and its pretty good. Love the new holo theme! grab its only $1.02 for CAD its only a limited time offer before it goes up to probably $4 like swiftkey
prasanthlt said:
Tried it and its pretty good. Love the new holo theme! grab its only $1.02 for CAD its only a limited time offer before it goes up to probably $4 like swiftkey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...figured it would eventually come to this. I have been using Swype on all my phones because I love it. Just purchased it while the price is still low. Sucks they finally made it a paid app but all good things must come to an end.
Yes, it is great and I have found it at the post "Best 5 Android Keyboard App" and then I have tried it on my Android, really cool.
Love this keyboard. Soooo much better than default. Voice text seems better than beta.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
but our phone already has this installed
whats the difference?
xisruno said:
but our phone already has this installed
whats the difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A more refined and ultimately more usable experience so far as I can tell from using it/reading through the description. Sadly, it went crazy and rebooted my phone along with some potentially seizure inducing flickering of the screen. I'm on a nightly CM10.1 ROM though, stock ROMs should be fine with it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Anyone else having issues with this version and having the default keyboard switch back to Samsung after reboot? It does it everyone I reboot and it's getting annoying. I'm on stock rooted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
accrews2001 said:
Anyone else having issues with this version and having the default keyboard switch back to Samsung after reboot? It does it everyone I reboot and it's getting annoying. I'm on stock rooted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it seems to be a common problem, I just froze the stock keyboard with tb and voila! problem solved.
BTW OP this should be in themes and apps section. Just saying.
mrnovanova said:
Yeah it seems to be a common problem, I just froze the stock keyboard with tb and voila! problem solved.
BTW OP this should be in themes and apps section. Just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried an older version of Swype and sort of liked it. Is the new one much improved?
I'm currently using Kii Keyboard and find that the word prediction is good for the most part and the swipe functionality works well.
Max Rebo said:
I've tried an older version of Swype and sort of liked it. Is the new one much improved?
I'm currently using Kii Keyboard and find that the word prediction is good for the most part and the swipe functionality works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's much improved from beta. Love the halo keyboard. Also the voice recognition is better as to it being able to tell when you stop talking
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
mrnovanova said:
Yeah it seems to be a common problem, I just froze the stock keyboard with tb and voila!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping I could do it with the free tb but apparently that's no longer possible. Used to be able to. Ultimate backup lite allowed me to freeze it though and it worked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
accrews2001 said:
I think it's much improved from beta. Love the halo keyboard. Also the voice recognition is better as to it being able to tell when you stop talking
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
I was hoping I could do it with the free tb but apparently that's no longer possible. Used to be able to. Ultimate backup lite allowed me to freeze it though and it worked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its much better
it would be great if they could implement the longpress duration.
mingan84 said:
it would be great if they could implement the longpress duration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
accrews2001 said:
Anyone else having issues with this version and having the default keyboard switch back to Samsung after reboot? It does it everyone I reboot and it's getting annoying. I'm on stock rooted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play has had problems installing keyboards into the right directories since the JB update (which is why your selection wont stick with reboot). Another fix (besides freezing default), is to backup Swype with an app like TiBackup or ROM Toolbox, and then restore the backup. The restoration should put the app in the correct location and will allow the selection to stick
corbn89 said:
Google Play has had problems installing keyboards into the right directories since the JB update (which is why your selection wont stick with reboot). Another fix (besides freezing default), is to backup Swype with an app like TiBackup or ROM Toolbox, and then restore the backup. The restoration should put the app in the correct location and will allow the selection to stick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That didn't work. I unfroze the samsung keyboard, rebooted (samsung now switched to default), backed up swype, restored app+data, set swype to default, rebooted phone, and the samsung keyboard is the default again. What step did I miss that would put it in the correct location? (fyi, still using Ultimate backup lite)
Update. Okay for some reason ultimate backup lite didn't see "swype+dragon" For some reason, even though I deleted swype beta, it's somewhere on my phone and that's what ultimate saw. Now, the bad news is that I re-downloaded TiBu, and it found swype+dragon. I backed it up and restored it. Now all it does is tell me "Unfortunately Swype+dragon has stopped working." HELP!
Update 2: Mini-heartattack averted. I thought maybe there was a directory conflict, so I uninstalled "swype+dragon" via TiBu, checked that the app was no longer listed in the app manager, and then restored "swype+dragon" via TiBu. It worked and I set it to default. Restarted my phone and it stuck without freezing the samsung keyboard. Whew! Thought I would detail out my steps unless anyone else tried this.
Thanks for the idea corbn89
Android 4.2 keyboard > swype
sent from a guy living in a van down by the river
jriv said:
Android 4.2 keyboard > swype
sent from a guy living in a van down by the river
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought so too for a while as i have been using the 4.2 KB since CM10.1 got to 4.2. prior to that i used all iterations of swype for the past 2.5 years. i liked how the 4.2 KB looked, and thought their swiping implementation was 'good enough', not quite as good as swype but i saw no reason to go and install swype anyway.
however now that they released swype on Play, I DLed it again and the swyping accuracy, corrections and even ease of use of the swype KB is far better. i had almost forgotten how much i liked swype until I stopped using it in lieu of the 4.2 KB. i'm gonna stick with swype again (but I wish their Holo theme was blue instead of orange)
I love this keyboard, it is much better than swiftkey.
I do like swype but miss having the voice type button and use SwiftKey instead because I do use a lot of voice typing.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
ajsedlacek said:
I do like swype but miss having the voice type button and use SwiftKey instead because I do use a lot of voice typing.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swype has voice typing. It's the little fire icon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Hey, where can i get JY Launcher, as separate app? I currently have KLD and i wont reinstall firmware to change the Launcher.
A Launcher Collection would be nice. I'm interested in the JY Launcher, too.
In general I like the Smart Launcher and the Total Launcher.
Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk
I sincerely recommend Nova launcher. Fast boot (same as JY, at least on my unit), way more customisible than JY, all in all, much better deal...
Apex for me... Working well
Sent from my TF300T using Tapatalk
dgcruzing said:
Apex for me... Working well
Sent from my TF300T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried both, "pro" versions... same functionality, but I found Nova boots some 5-10 seconds faster than Apex.
Hey Folks. The absolute best Launcher at the Moment is for me the Automate Launcher. Its really new. in Playstore since 12-28-15. It easy, beautiful and safe to use in Car. I really like it a lot, you should give it a shot.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/1...-out-of-beta-and-available-in-the-play-store/
michael08071984 said:
Hey Folks. The absolute best Launcher at the Moment is for me the Automate Launcher. Its really new. in Playstore since 12-28-15. It easy, beautiful and safe to use in Car. I really like it a lot, you should give it a shot.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/1...-out-of-beta-and-available-in-the-play-store/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did try this app (free) and not the launcher (3,5 euro) but i dont know if it makes any difference. The voice commands are not working properly on my device (also without this app), the navigation didn't work well either, when i enter the name of my village i can't navigate to it, there no option to select the city you enter in the searchfield (and the voice command does not work like i mentioned).
The only thin what was working was spotify. But i i think this is the best app / launcher to use in the future. It looks good, and when the voice search is working right this is the app you want.
Witch device are you using and what is working properly and what not in your automate app?
AutoMate has great potential. It has been written with phones/tablets in mind rather than MTCB HU's and so a number of things don't work for my Joying unit (eg. calls, SWC), but the maps and music player UI's are superb while driving. One to buy/watch and keep encouraging the developer to add support for MTCB.
i have a JY Rk3188 1024x600 Head Unit with a 3G USB Stick
working for me:
-swc in Background
- search an Address and it starts nokia here and has automaticly the Adress, you only have to choose car (instead of walking or Transit)
- the map thats just shows the area when you are driving
- spotify
- gmail with adresses
- events
- voice commands (i choose google in the settings), like how is the weather etc...
Other Functions i have to check.
its far the best launcher for me. Its much safer while driving.
jbleasdale said:
AutoMate has great potential. It has been written with phones/tablets in mind rather than MTCB HU's and so a number of things don't work for my Joying unit (eg. calls, SWC), but the maps and music player UI's are superb while driving. One to buy/watch and keep encouraging the developer to add support for MTCB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fully agree. The developer is very responsive and has confirmed he is working on launcher functionality. I have bought the premium version to help with development and hopefully see it evolve beyond an Android Auto clone.
+1 to nova explorer
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Using Apex with themes..
So far happy with how it feels while flipping it as I drive..
Sent from my K00C using Tapatalk
I've had Nova running on mine for a while but swapped back to stock to see if there were any performance differences. From my non-scientific evaluation, uninstalling Nova and leaving the stock launcher seemed to make the head unit faster in general - especially when switching between apps. My thoughts are that the small amount of RAM these head units have causes keeping two launchers loaded takes its toll. This is assuming that the stock launcher is always running, which I think it is. What do you guys think?
Tumke32 said:
i did try this app (free) and not the launcher (3,5 euro) but i dont know if it makes any difference. The voice commands are not working properly on my device (also without this app), the navigation didn't work well either, when i enter the name of my village i can't navigate to it, there no option to select the city you enter in the searchfield (and the voice command does not work like i mentioned).
The only thin what was working was spotify. But i i think this is the best app / launcher to use in the future. It looks good, and when the voice search is working right this is the app you want.
Witch device are you using and what is working properly and what not in your automate app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fixed the voice search problem by installing the velvet.apk mentioned in the "oke google" topic. Navigation is also working oke now!
Hope there is a solution for the calling issue. I'm going to try tablet talk that should be a solution
Does anyone else just use CarHomeUltra? I have it setup to launch at startup and take over the home button (soft not hard button on front of unit) and it integrates well with google music (which I use), I can display all the relevant info for driving and it has awesome shortcut functionality for anything you can think of. I even a have shortcut button to open my garage door which is done through a raspberry pi garage door opener which communicates with my veralite home automation server. This is important because I find that the wifi from my car interferes with the normal garage door opener button but this setup does its magic over the internet which controls a physical switch.
Anyways, I have tried a number different launchers so far, I cannot stand the stock ones that come with these head units, I prefer the customization of CarHomeUltra and how it simply displays the stuff that you would want to see while driving.
Now that's a connected system!!!! Nicely done.. Grab some screen shots and upload them if you.. Be interested to see your layout
Sent from my K00C using Tapatalk
Here are a couple pics is a pic I snapped this morning, sorry for the quality but you get the idea.
dgcruzing said:
Now that's a connected system!!!! Nicely done.. Grab some screen shots and upload them if you.. Be interested to see your layout
Sent from my K00C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brownstein72 said:
Does anyone else just use CarHomeUltra? I have it setup to launch at startup and take over the home button (soft not hard button on front of unit) and it integrates well with google music (which I use), I can display all the relevant info for driving and it has awesome shortcut functionality for anything you can think of. I even a have shortcut button to open my garage door which is done through a raspberry pi garage door opener which communicates with my veralite home automation server. This is important because I find that the wifi from my car interferes with the normal garage door opener button but this setup does its magic over the internet which controls a physical switch.
Anyways, I have tried a number different launchers so far, I cannot stand the stock ones that come with these head units, I prefer the customization of CarHomeUltra and how it simply displays the stuff that you would want to see while driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running Action Launcher with no issues, but really dig this setup better for the head unit. Can't wait to give a try after work
brownstein72 said:
Does anyone else just use CarHomeUltra? I have it setup to launch at startup and take over the home button (soft not hard button on front of unit) and it integrates well with google music (which I use), I can display all the relevant info for driving and it has awesome shortcut functionality for anything you can think of. I even a have shortcut button to open my garage door which is done through a raspberry pi garage door opener which communicates with my veralite home automation server. This is important because I find that the wifi from my car interferes with the normal garage door opener button but this setup does its magic over the internet which controls a physical switch.
Anyways, I have tried a number different launchers so far, I cannot stand the stock ones that come with these head units, I prefer the customization of CarHomeUltra and how it simply displays the stuff that you would want to see while driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work with steering wheel controls in the hard buttons?
Geekybiker said:
Does it work with steering wheel controls in the hard buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have that setup, so I honestly couldn't tell you.
I use automagic (like tasker) to startup my phone's wifi hotspot as soon as bluetooth connects to the stereo, then I set it up so that google music starts up automatically. The only annoying thing right now is that seems to take well over a minute (maybe 2) to actually start playing music. I LOVE using CarHome Ultra as my main screen though and that fires up automatically as well. That app offers a huge amount of tweaking and functionality geared toward driving (no affiliation, it just seems to be the only thing that works 'just right' for me).
Hi HTC 10 users. Can Blinkfeed be replaced with Google Now. Currently have a Nexus 6p and do love swiping right to quickly find my weather, travel etc information. Cheers for the help
You could simply press and hold home button for Google Now. Just a thing to get used to. Since blinkfeed is a part of prism HTC launcher, I don't think this can be easily done
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Sure you can. Just install GNL. takes about 30 seconds.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Google Now Launcher.. Will be just like the nexus.
I am also interested in using Sense and replacing the Blinkfeed window with Google Now Tabs. You can easily turn off Blinkfeed tab and add a blank screen next to it and apply the Google Now widget. The problem with this appears to be that while the GN widget shows weather or one tab, you need to click the screen to get the 'More cards'. Even tho the widget reports using whole screen when you press and hold on it, during actual use it only shows a 4x1 or 4x2 size. Is anyone else experiencing this?
The GN Launcher is nice, but if you use that you can't use the HTC clock which I do like too. It seems like the widget should work.
If you root and flash xposed, you can install "Sense Toolbox." There is an option under "Various mods" to unblock HTC widgets for use in other launchers.
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bsims85 said:
If you root and flash xposed, you can install "Sense Toolbox." There is an option under "Various mods" to unblock HTC widgets for use in other launchers.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, thanks for the tip. Having ran deep down the rooting and romming trail years back on my Evo, I'm not ready to do that yet.
Suppose I stick with Sense, is there a way to get the Google Now screen to work properly, or is it just not working properly on my phone?
Google launcher
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Android The Greek said:
Google launcher
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, GNL works as directed, but then HTC widgets don't without rooting. The question here is about the functionality of the Google now screen under the Sense Launcher...it only seems to half work and doesn't take up whole screen. Trying to get a confirmation on that from another 10 user, maybe it's just me.
Post a screenshot I have no issue with mine
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I personally don't use GNL, but I just installed to see if it I had any issues and it seems to be working fine.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Having come from a GPE Rom on my M8, I missed having Google Now on the pane to the left as well. I installed Nova Launcher and placed the Google Now widget on the left swipe pane and I was also able to place the HTC weather clock widget on my home screen. While it is true that the GN widget only shows a few cards, at least it's right there and no need to retrain my muscle memory...
One more note, I actually really liked the Sense Blinkfeed on my M8, but I had a hard time falling in love with the new News Republic service. I actually hated it, hence the switch to a different launcher. Unfortunate...
Android The Greek said:
Post a screenshot I have no issue with mine
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------
bsims85 said:
I personally don't use GNL, but I just installed to see if it I had any issues and it seems to be working fine.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, GNL works fine as designed. That's not quite the issue. I am trying to determine if the widget works the same in Sense and GNL.
Ok here's two screenshots.
First, using the GNL, this is what Google Now screen (swipe left screen): All cards are there if I scroll down etc.
Using default Sense launcher with GN widget, this is what my GN screen looks like (swipe left screen): Only shows a 4x1 card, yet whole screen is active if, I click anywhere on screen, it launches GN. then looks like first pic. If you click and hold the widget, it outlines as if it is taking whole screen. Yes, it works, but there's an extra step, and wasted screen, may as well just use an icon.
thebbbrain said:
---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------
Agreed, GNL works fine as designed. That's not quite the issue. I am trying to determine if the widget works the same in Sense and GNL.
Ok here's two screenshots.
First, using the GNL, this is what Google Now screen (swipe left screen): All cards are there if I scroll down etc.
Using default Sense launcher with GN widget, this is what my GN screen looks like (swipe left screen): Only shows a 4x1 card, yet whole screen is active if, I click anywhere on screen, it launches GN. then looks like first pic. If you click and hold the widget, it outlines as if it is taking whole screen. Yes, it works, but there's an extra step, and wasted screen, may as well just use an icon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually referring to downloading GNL and using the sense widgets within that. But I guess that wouldn't really interest you since you're not rooted. As far as the GN widget on sense, you can resize that widget to get rid of the wasted space.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Android The Greek said:
Post a screenshot I have no issue with mine
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bsims85 said:
I was actually referring to downloading GNL and using the sense widgets within that. But I guess that wouldn't really interest you since you're not rooted. As far as the GN widget on sense, you can resize that widget to get rid of the wasted space.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears to be sized to take whole screen already, when I press and hold the grips are full screen sized. Hence the confusion.
replacing blinkfeed with google now
1st, i was/am a long time xda member with hundreds of post. somehow my account got messed up. xda would not reply to any of my emails to fix it so i had to start over as new user. useless info to most of you. i get it. just want get the "newbie" issue out of the way. looooong time nexus 5 owner. just got the HTC 10. love it. rooted and leedroid custom rom. i'm also a lover of google now. i hate blinkfeed. i didn't see the answer i was looking for. if i missed it, my apologies. i want to keep the sense launcer, but replace the blinkfeed panel with google now like i had on my nexus 5. the sense toolbox says that it's not compatible with android 6. so long question short, is there a way of keeping the sense launcher and replace the blinkfeed panel with google now? thanks and sorry for the long post.
bsims85 said:
If you root and flash xposed, you can install "Sense Toolbox." There is an option under "Various mods" to unblock HTC widgets for use in other launchers.
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that wasn't for HTC 10?
i tried as well
tabp0le said:
I thought that wasn't for HTC 10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just downloaded it and it says not compatible with android 6.
Jim.yes said:
1st, i was/am a long time xda member with hundreds of post. somehow my account got messed up. xda would not reply to any of my emails to fix it so i had to start over as new user. useless info to most of you. i get it. just want get the "newbie" issue out of the way. looooong time nexus 5 owner. just got the HTC 10. love it. rooted and leedroid custom rom. i'm also a lover of google now. i hate blinkfeed. i didn't see the answer i was looking for. if i missed it, my apologies. i want to keep the sense launcer, but replace the blinkfeed panel with google now like i had on my nexus 5. the sense toolbox says that it's not compatible with android 6. so long question short, is there a way of keeping the sense launcher and replace the blinkfeed panel with google now? thanks and sorry for the long post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your ability to ask the exact same question as the original post may have something to do with the life story you gave prior to repeating it.
If you're going down the gnl route then check out the pixel launcher. It's quite slick and intuitive, especially if you're left handed (Google on the left for some reason) also if you do use a second launcher, iirc you lose your HTC widgets, as in theyre not selectable.
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I just found two really good apps from Samsung that can be sideloaded to increase functionality and efficiniy of the Tab S4.
One is called Multistar, that makes both apps in a multiview setup active at the same time. Normally the inactive app is frozen and does not recieve new info untill its activated again. So you wont see incomming text chats in the inactive app. Same goes in DEX enviroment. With Multistar the apps will behave like in a windows enviroment, staying activte. They also included a floating notifiction bubble that can be set up to open the pointed app into a floating app mode. Really handy!
Secondly, is the Task Changer apk, this changes the layout of the recents view. Also adds more functions to setup multiview. Design wise it looks really nice, I think Iphones have the same layout? Anyways check em out in the links provided from APKmirror.com.
Multistar:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsu...elease/multistar-1-0-16-android-apk-download/
Task Changer
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsu...-task-changer-1-3-01-65-android-apk-download/
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/...roved-split-screen-multitasking-apk-download/
love that Samsung does this. has anyone tried these on their tablet yet? any impact on performance?
These are all available in the Galaxy App store in the Goodlock app and include a bunch more features such as a new lockscreen and notification tray themes.
AM Radio said:
love that Samsung does this. has anyone tried these on their tablet yet? any impact on performance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using them both on my tablet. I also have the new Task Changer view on my S9 phone, but sadly cant use MultiStar on the phone yet. Android 8.1 requirement.
Anyways, no impact on battery what I have noticed.
As someone mentioned, this is a part of Samsung Good Lock, but Europeans dont get to install Good Lock from Galaxy Store yet. Only Asia and America has support for it.
cool. didn't even know what Good Lock was!
https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-good-lock-2018-878036/
Made my night. The app pausing was one of the more annoying issues with multi window. Now my game is active and running in background as I type this. Like the task switcher too.
okay, this is a pretty amazing suite of apps. the multi-window is pretty much the best feature of DEX ... but without DEX running!
very cool. just opened a video in Netflix, plus Gmail (composing opens up another window, smart!), the Google app, Google Keep and a settings app ... piece of cake
AM Radio said:
okay, this is a pretty amazing suite of apps. the multi-window is pretty much the best feature of DEX ... but without DEX running!
very cool. just opened a video in Netflix, plus Gmail (composing opens up another window, smart!), the Google app, Google Keep and a settings app ... piece of cake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to set multistar?
batmar333 said:
How to set multistar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. open your apps.
2. in your Recents / Task Changer, drag an app into the center box (you'll see where, there's an outline), and then BOOM, that app is windowed -- and resizable!
3. go back into Recents / Task Changer, repeat for your other apps.
i haven't done it for more than five at a time, but i'm curious how many windows could be opened.
it's crazy why Samsung doesn't make a big deal about features like this and the notification customizations! SO MUCH potential here. this is not in DEX, it's not in a "desktop mode" like Huawei. and of course iOS can't.
this is genius stuff. i used to hate TouchWiz, but i'm digging Samsung Experience.
HEADS UP: LockStar doesn't work well the Tab S4. tried it, uinstalled it.
On my tab s4 it worked for one day. After that i reinstalled multistar and task changer. But the apps doesn't seem to work anymore please help. I have tried a reboot and reinstall them both. Even tried to install Goodlock 2018, but that didn't help either. I've got it working again with nova.
These are both great, thanks for sharing
There's no need to sideload, they're both avialable in the Galaxy Apps Store
And if you also install 'Good Lock 2018' (also avialable in the Galaxy App Store) it lets you customise the settings for 'MultiStar' and 'Task Changer'
Edit: Samsung should have just built these features into the rom
puppettestpilot said:
These are both great, thanks for sharing
There's no need to sideload, they're both avialable in the Galaxy Apps Store
And if you also install 'Good Lock 2018' (also avialable in the Galaxy App Store) it lets you customise the settings for 'MultiStar' and 'Task Changer'
Edit: Samsung should have just built these features into the rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but GoodLock is not visible outside Korea and USA at the moment. So Europeans can not install it the proper way yet =)
Another thing I did, was sideload the app QuickStar. That way I could change the color of the quicksettings.
https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=Quickstar
corb06 said:
True, but GoodLock is not visible outside Korea and USA at the moment. So Europeans can not install it the proper way yet =)
Another thing I did, was sideload the app QuickStar. That way I could change the color of the quicksettings.
https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=Quickstar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow, that's strange that they would restrict them. maybe there's some kind of licence/patent issue in some countries.
They're avialable here in Australia =)
Otherwise you can find them on APKMirror or similar
(technically, sideloading is different to installing apps outside of Google Play/Galaxy Apps, and usually requires a PC)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading
Quickstar to change theme color
Sent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk
Also ( One Hand Operation+) is working great
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsu...hand-operation-2-0-65-0-android-apk-download/
Just installed... Working great. I'll report back if I notice anything detrimental. Watching YouTube as I write this. Very sweet. I've never been this impressed by Samsung... The s4 is a treat. Thanks corb06!
Usually when I see these posts I think, "What a buncha crap!", but dammit these should be on everyone's to install list. Thanks for the heads up on these.
corb06 said:
I just found two really good apps from Samsung that can be sideloaded to increase functionality and efficiniy of the Tab S4.
One is called Multistar, that makes both apps in a multiview setup active at the same time. Normally the inactive app is frozen and does not recieve new info untill its activated again. So you wont see incomming text chats in the inactive app. Same goes in DEX enviroment. With Multistar the apps will behave like in a windows enviroment, staying activte. They also included a floating notifiction bubble that can be set up to open the pointed app into a floating app mode. Really handy!
Secondly, is the Task Changer apk, this changes the layout of the recents view. Also adds more functions to setup multiview. Design wise it looks really nice, I think Iphones have the same layout? Anyways check em out in the links provided from APKmirror.com.
Multistar:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsu...elease/multistar-1-0-16-android-apk-download/
Task Changer
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsu...-task-changer-1-3-01-65-android-apk-download/
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/...roved-split-screen-multitasking-apk-download/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install Good Lock 2018 from Samsung App store and both of the mentioned apps can be installed without having to sideload.
anaschillin said:
Just install Good Lock 2018 from Samsung App store and both of the mentioned apps can be installed without having to sideload.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on the nation, here in Italy it's not visible on Samsung app store and goodlook doesn't work (I'm using badlook from xda)
Anyway task changer have been updated for pie but work also with oreo and have new type of multitasking, one similar of the official that we'll have with pie on tablets (I'm using it: 2 column/lines of app)
Tapatalked with A8 2018
Hey all
Figured I'd post here. Is there any app out there that allows the ability to turn off finger print touching when in a certain app
My issue is in one note I use my pen and at times it detects my palm first and zooms in. I want to stop that's. I still want to use my fingers to move along the page but maybe with 2 fingers?
Hope this makes sense