invisible cursor? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is anyone else getting an invisible cursor on the default launcher? The cursor appears for me inside all apps, but becomes invisble on the home screen of the default launcher.

I also just realized that the cursor will also disappear if any system menu pops up. Example, if I try to install an apk the first menu pops up and I can use my mouse to click install, but when the next menu pops up that says next/install, the cursor disappears. The cursor does not become disabled, it just becomes invisable, but its kinda useless if you can't see it. I hope this is just a bug and not amazons way of saying they do not want us to use a mouse. Like I said, it still works in apps, but not on the home launcher or system menus.

A lot of people have looked at the thread, but nobody has replied so either I did not explain well enough or nobody is having the same problem. I'll explain again. When I updated to the latest firmware my cursor is now a smaller blue ring, is this normal? Also the cursor no longer appears on the default launcher or any system menus. If I go to home the cursor simply disappears, is this normal on the latest update? My cursor always appeared throughout the OS on past updates. This happens with my USB mice and my bluetooth mouse so its not the mice causing this to happen. The mouse cursor does appear on the home screen if I use wukong, but its a different cursor then the default cursor. Will someone please let me know if their cursor is also invisible on the default launcher after the latest update so I will know if this is normal or if something is wrong?

porkenhimer said:
A lot of people have looked at the thread, but nobody has replied so either I did not explain well enough or nobody is having the same problem. I'll explain again. When I updated to the latest firmware my cursor is now a smaller blue ring, is this normal? Also the cursor no longer appears on the default launcher or any system menus. If I go to home the cursor simply disappears, is this normal on the latest update? My cursor always appeared throughout the OS on past updates. This happens with my USB mice and my bluetooth mouse so its not the mice causing this to happen. The mouse cursor does appear on the home screen if I use wukong, but its a different cursor then the default cursor. Will someone please let me know if their cursor is also invisible on the default launcher after the latest update so I will know if this is normal or if something is wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It disappears for me too, using a K400 for mouse duties.

porkenhimer said:
A lot of people have looked at the thread, but nobody has replied so either I did not explain well enough or nobody is having the same problem. I'll explain again. When I updated to the latest firmware my cursor is now a smaller blue ring, is this normal? Also the cursor no longer appears on the default launcher or any system menus. If I go to home the cursor simply disappears, is this normal on the latest update? My cursor always appeared throughout the OS on past updates. This happens with my USB mice and my bluetooth mouse so its not the mice causing this to happen. The mouse cursor does appear on the home screen if I use wukong, but its a different cursor then the default cursor. Will someone please let me know if their cursor is also invisible on the default launcher after the latest update so I will know if this is normal or if something is wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I tried it with k400 and yes the cursors changed to blue inside screen I was currently on (Netflix) But its not appearing on homescreen. You say invisible but I can't seem to get anything to click there. But, in fairness, I hadn't used the k400 much up to this point.
Anyways, you're not the only one experiencing this.

​
KLit75 said:
Well I tried it with k400 and yes the cursors changed to blue inside screen I was currently on (Netflix) But its not appearing on homescreen. You say invisible but I can't seem to get anything to click there. But, in fairness, I hadn't used the k400 much up to this point.
Anyways, you're not the only one experiencing this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say invisible, cause the mouse is still functioning even thought you cannot see it. I have the app store apk instlled so all of my apps are on the home screen and I can still click on them with the mouse, but its pointless to open apps not knowing which app you are clicking on. I also have Dock4Droid installed and can activate it by using the mouse even though the cursor cannot be seen, so its clear the cursor is becoming invisible for some reason. I am sure this can be fixed on rooted devices, but I am not rooted. There are other devices where the manufacture has made the cursor invisible on certain parts of the OS. Now that I know its happening to others I am inclined to think Amazon has done this to force people to use the remote. If it still happens after the next update then it will be clear that amazon doesn't want us to use a mouse to click on system menus and wants us to use the remote instead. Its kinda weird that they would add support for bluetooth devices like mice, but take away the ability to use a mouse on system menus, but maybe that was the reason they didn't have support for bluetooth devices in the past. Hopefully its just a bug. Not being able to use a mouse throughout the OS has ruined the experience for me since the last update.

porkenhimer said:
​I say invisible, cause the mouse is still functioning even thought you cannot see it. I have the app store apk instlled so all of my apps are on the home screen and I can still click on them with the mouse, but its pointless to open apps not knowing which app you are clicking on. I also have Dock4Droid installed and can activate it by using the mouse even though the cursor cannot be seen, so its clear the cursor is becoming invisible for some reason. I am sure this can be fixed on rooted devices, but I am not rooted. There are other devices where the manufacture has made the cursor invisible on certain parts of the OS. Now that I know its happening to others I am inclined to think Amazon has done this to force people to use the remote. If it still happens after the next update then it will be clear that amazon doesn't want us to use a mouse to click on system menus and wants us to use the remote instead. Its kinda weird that they would add support for bluetooth devices like mice, but take away the ability to use a mouse on system menus, but maybe that was the reason they didn't have support for bluetooth devices in the past. Hopefully its just a bug. Not being able to use a mouse throughout the OS has ruined the experience for me since the last update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. Im pretty ticked off if this isnt a bug. Just purchased a keyboard/mousepad specifically for aftv. I might contact them. Theres nothing nefarious about keyboards, but whenever i contact them i get the feeling the rep has no clue.
More i think about it...i doubt its intentional. This was a big update.

KLit75 said:
yes. Im pretty ticked off if this isnt a bug. Just purchased a keyboard/mousepad specifically for aftv. I might contact them. Theres nothing nefarious about keyboards, but whenever i contact them i get the feeling the rep has no clue.
More i think about it...i doubt its intentional. This was a big update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its intentional, cause I remember this happening on other devices and people having to edit a file to get the cursor to appear on certain part of the OS. It makes sense for them to hide the cursor now that they have given us the use of bluetooth mice etc. Its kind of like they are telling us that we need to use the remote that they supplied with their device. It sucks because installing apks basically has to be done with the remote now, cause as soon as the next/install menu pops up the cursor disappears making it hard to know where to click install. Now I have to pickup my remote everytime I install an app. Also with Dock4Droid I was always able to force close apps from anywhere, but now as soon as the app info menu pops up the cursor disappears, which is crazy, cause if you click the wrong spot you could accidentally uninstall an app. The new update is nice, and I have noticed a slight upgrade that is actually good that I have not heard anyone mention, they made the navigation sounds louder on the home screen. I like that and I like the other upgrades, but the cursor becoming invisible is irking the hell out of me. Now I know why the invisible cursor made everyone mad on other devices. At least the mouse still works just does not appear on any system menus or default launcher. I have a feeling that this problem is here to stay unless someone fixes it for rooted devices. It wouldn't be that big of a problem if we could enable seeing touches, but there is no option for that in the developer options like there is on normal android devices. I am very surprised that nobody else has mentioned this, cause I have a feeling that if enough people do not complain about it then nothing will be done to change it. I want my cursor back on every section of the OS, not just inside apps. I rarely used my remote before, but now I have to use it, which I do not like.

Just updated to the 51.1.5.0_user_515030720 firmware and the cursor is still invisible on the Fire TV Lancher and on system menus. Was hoping it was just a bug, but now I am sure its not a bug and Amazon does not think our cursors should be visible on their launcher or their menus.

Related

[Q] Apple Wireless Keyboard on (rooted) EVO?

Hello all. Is it possible to pair the Apple Wireless Keyboard with a rooted EVO? Of course, a ROM supporting HID would be necessary (CM6?). I would love to use my EVO to take notes in class. I know that there are keyboards such as the Freedom Pro, but I already own an Apple Wireless and would rather not buy another keyboard if at all possible.
Thanks!
I don't see why not. The Ctrl key won't work, and neither will the Apple-specific keys (Option/AppleKey/Whateveryouwanttocallit).
Great to hear. Every time I've attempted to root I've come across various annoying errors (mostly "Main Version Is Older") so I gave up for a while. Hearing that the Apple Keyboard works gives me the motivation to try rooting again.
Thanks
This is exactly what I am thinking of doing. Especially with the kickstand of evo and the larger screen I would be able to take notes in class with a portable keyboard instead of an iPad or a laptop. The quesiton is, does it truly work or will I have issues...
I do have CM6 and apparently HID is enabled so I am hoping nothing goes wrong. I will report back.
Holy ****, I am in love. Got my phone rooted (with CM6) and am currently typing this on my Apple Keyboard.
I am nerdgasming everywhere right now.
Please go in details on what works and what doesn't. Perhaps a video?
I haven't had the time to fully test it, but it works for the most part. You have to get used to the idea of the keys working as if it were a physical version of the on-screen keyboard (things such as pressing shift twice goes to caps lock). One annoying thing is that option-delete won't just backspace through the previous word, but instead will delete the entire row of text. Obviously, all mac-specific keys don't do anything.
Lastly, the arrow keys are mapped differently than you'd think. I think it's "up" to scroll backwards through text in one line (changing cursor character by character), "down" to scroll forward through text in a line, "left" to scroll to the next line of text, and "right" to scroll to the previous line. Bit confusing tbh.
Right now it's very usable, but it'd be really great if someone could find a way to change the keymappings for the little nuisances.
Tickitata said:
Lastly, the arrow keys are mapped differently than you'd think. I think it's "up" to scroll backwards through text in one line (changing cursor character by character), "down" to scroll forward through text in a line, "left" to scroll to the next line of text, and "right" to scroll to the previous line. Bit confusing tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that change depending on what your screen orientation is?
Good call. You're right, the arrow keys work correctly when the orientation is in portrait mode. Unfortunately, the kickstand makes it so much more convenient to keep it in landscape.
Any devs think it could be possible to whip up an app to fix this?
Sent from my EVO, typed on my Apple Wireless Keyboard
My evo doesn't seem to pair with the keyboard. Any steps?
0000 as the password?
Type a passcode on your EVO, then type that (followed by Enter/Return) on your bluetooth keyboard. It took me a couple attempts, but I got it to work using either 1234 or 0000 (I forget which).
I took notes in my math class today, using VerbTeX (a LaTeX for Android application). It worked really, really well for the most part, except for an annoying bug I noticed: everything seemed to map correctly except for the less-than and greater-than signs (that is, SHIFT-, and SHIFT-.) The keyboard types ";" for shift-"," and ":" for shift-".". Frustrating...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Anybody else having these issues? (incorrect mappings for the < and > keys, and the arrow keys in landscape mode)
For those unsure of how to connect mac bluetooth keyboard to EVO. Its similar to actual set on the mac. You have to key the passcode in on your EVO 0000 or 1234 then initiate the same sequence on the keyboard itself and press enter. It will then confirm you are connected to a HID device. I'm using CM7 wish I had a mouse pointer right now.
soxozor said:
Please go in details on what works and what doesn't. Perhaps a video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wanted a video? Here you go. I'll be updating the vid here soon as I've been using my Evo in the "Desktop" config for a week now and have harld touched my regular PC.

keyboard one handed operation toggle?

HI all,
I'm so confused about this. I know you can go to settings (both one handed operation and keyboard setting) and turn on/off one handed operation, but how do you toggle back and forth without going into settings?
Apparently pinch to zoom on the keyboard works for some people. It does NOT work for me.
others saying you need to hold shift, then press space then "L", again never worked once for me
I've also seen people saying use 2 fingers to slide left or right. Not working for me.
Some saying it switches on its own while typing (which annoyed them), but they are not sure how it happened.
Does anyone know? One handed is useful in some situations, but going to settings to change it just seems too hard.
Thanks,
You are not alone with this problem. I first read about the pinch toggle feature in a forum post and decided to try itiimmediately. No luck. No luck. No luck. Success. It was just as hard to toggle back to the normal keyboard. I had the most luck pinching my fingers together near or on the spacebar.
I personally use a wierd but brilliant keyboard called "messagease". I have the 4.2 android keyboard installed, SwiftKey Flow, Keymonk and Samsungs stock Swype keyboardbut I still end up using messagease for 90% of my writing.

[Q] Black bar on bottom of screen when connected to BT keyboard?

I've been using an old Palm bluetooth keyboard with my android devices since switching from a Palm device several years ago. I just recently purchased a BT keyboard specifically designed for the Note 10.1 2014 and from first connection noticed this bar that pops up at the bottom of the screen whenever the keyboard is in use. The little button with the "^" in the corner doesn't seem to do anything. Not sure what it's for. Is this something that normally happens with BT keyboards and I haven't encountered it because I've been using an older Palm BT keyboard?
Looks like a placeholder for a nav bar, which the note don't need, or ads. Ad blockers which work with non-rooted devices produce such empty placeholders.
I'm not running any ad blocker (even though my device is rooted), but this only shows up when I first connect the BT keyboard??? Weird stuff.
Well, the black bar still persists except that I figure out a workaround to get rid of it. It's just a matter of connection order. I have to turn on the keyboard first, then turn on BT on the tablet, go to a text field and when the onscreen keyboard pops up just press the spacebar and on the external keyboard and I'm good to go -- no black bar and a completely functional external keyboard.
internetpilot said:
Well, the black bar still persists except that I figure out a workaround to get rid of it. It's just a matter of connection order. I have to turn on the keyboard first, then turn on BT on the tablet, go to a text field and when the onscreen keyboard pops up just press the spacebar and on the external keyboard and I'm good to go -- no black bar and a completely functional external keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this didnt work, did you end up figuring oout whwat causes this? im usung a galaxy note pro 12.2
I did not figure out any other way to avoid it happening other than the work-around I mentioned. I believe it's the auto-spelling-correct or maybe the auto-complete, but don't know for sure.
I have the same problem on my note 12.2. Simple install "External Keyboard Helper" from Play Store and enable the on screen keyboard and choose "External Keyboard Helper" if you will be asked. Now your BT keyboard is a soft-Keyboard and no black bar was seen again.

screen shot with aftv remote?

Been playing around with my new Bluetooth keyboard and really like the easy screenshot option by pressing ctrl + s. Is there anyway to configure the stock remote to do this?
Also, there is one obvious flaw with web browsers Ive tried. The on-screen keyboard pops up, blocking a good deal of the page and its also very awkward. How do i disable this? And while im at it...having a web browser loses some of its convenience when you need to navigate the deep forest of crap that is the fire os ui. How do i get a shortcut in the recent apps section? Would i need to install appstore then sideload a web browser from amazon? Or maybe theres a llama event that can be used?
Id appreciate any tips. Itll save lots of time in trial & error. Thanks.
KLit75 said:
Been playing around with my new Bluetooth keyboard and really like the easy screenshot option by pressing ctrl + s. Is there anyway to configure the stock remote to do this?
Also, there is one obvious flaw with web browsers Ive tried. The on-screen keyboard pops up, blocking a good deal of the page and its also very awkward. How do i disable this? And while im at it...having a web browser loses some of its convenience when you need to navigate the deep forest of crap that is the fire os ui. How do i get a shortcut in the recent apps section? Would i need to install appstore then sideload a web browser from amazon? Or maybe theres a llama event that can be used?
Id appreciate any tips. Itll save lots of time in trial & error. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not a browser flaw, it works the same way on all android devices. You tap the text area, the keyboard pops up. Some browsers do it automatically on sites if you enter a site that is already setup for you to start typing. Youtube, Facebook and several other sites are already setup for you start typing when you enter the site so they keyboard pops up automatically. A way to stp this is to tap anywhere on the screen before the keyboard pops up. That why I use Maxthon browser cause it does not auto popup the keyboard on those sites like Firefox and Chrome do. Also, if you wanna type without the keyboard popping up all you have to do is hold down on the text area for a few seconds and the little placer and the word paste should popup, then let off the text area and you can type without the keyboard popping up. It works the same way on all android devices except you use your mouse button instead of your finger. So all you have to do is go to the text area you wanna type in and place your cursor there, hold down on the mouse button for a couple seconds, the placer and the word paste will popup, depress the mouse button and you can type without the keyboard popping up. Just like on all android devices this method does not work for all apps, but it does for most apps. I type 90% of the time on the Fire TV without the keyboard ever popping up. Advice, try it on your phone first to get the hang of it. Open your browser, hold down on a text area and you will see that after a couple seconds paste will appear and the keyboard does not popup, which means if you had a keyboard you could type without the onscreen keyboard popping up and it works the exact same way on the Fire TV.
porkenhimer said:
It is not a browser flaw, it works the same way on all android devices. You tap the text area, the keyboard pops up. Some browsers do it automatically on sites if you enter a site that is already setup for you to start typing. Youtube, Facebook and several other sites are already setup for you start typing when you enter the site so they keyboard pops up automatically. A way to stp this is to tap anywhere on the screen before the keyboard pops up. That why I use Maxthon browser cause it does not auto popup the keyboard on those sites like Firefox and Chrome do. Also, if you wanna type without the keyboard popping up all you have to do is hold down on the text area for a few seconds and the little placer and the word paste should popup, then let off the text area and you can type without the keyboard popping up. It works the same way on all android devices except you use your mouse button instead of your finger. So all you have to do is go to the text area you wanna type in and place your cursor there, hold down on the mouse button for a couple seconds, the placer and the word paste will popup, depress the mouse button and you can type without the keyboard popping up. Just like on all android devices this method does not work for all apps, but it does for most apps. I type 90% of the time on the Fire TV without the keyboard ever popping up. Advice, try it on your phone first to get the hang of it. Open your browser, hold down on a text area and you will see that after a couple seconds paste will appear and the keyboard does not popup, which means if you had a keyboard you could type without the onscreen keyboard popping up and it works the exact same way on the Fire TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info! And that's a cool trick (holding down to avoid pop up). Still I have questions just not real techy ones. Essentially android is made for mobile so not being able to disable the keyboard wouldn't make sense. But now that its branched into set top boxes and some people are installing this on PC, not to mention chrome books...I can't believe the os isn't slightly modded for these platforms. If I'm not mistaken, I may have seen a xposed module that let's you do that? But the xposed mods I've tried on aftv have been limited to rbox TV mods and the necessary settings for playstore to work but itll be worth looking into. For now its not a big hardship.
Its not a trick. Android is made to do that. If you hold your finger/cursor over the text area, option will popup instead of the keyboard, and its always been that way.

[Q] 51.1.5.0_515020820 and Logitech K400

Is anyone else having issues using a Logitech K400 on 51.1.5.0_515020820? ( or any usb wireless device?)
Definitely worked prior and now it doesn't.
NxtGenCowboy said:
Is anyone else having issues using a Logitech K400 on 51.1.5.0_515020820? ( or any usb wireless device?)
Definitely worked prior and now it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have usb debugging adb (or something like that option) enabled. disable it and the keyboard will function. Its the middle of the three options in the option list.
I am having a problem. My mouse and keyboard work, but the cursor is invisible on the home launcher and when system menus popup. The cursor appears in all apps except the home launcher since the latest update. The cursor is invisible with USB and bluetooth mice, but the cusor will appear with wukong remote, but the cursor is an actual mouse pointer like on a PC. I have also noticed that when I go to settings/system/about/controllers that my USB device no longer shows up in the list since the latest update. Not one USB controller I have tried has shown up in the list, but it always showed my USB controllers in the controller list on all past updates. All of my USB controllers (mice keyboards) work they just no longer show up in the controller list. Something has either gone wrong with the last update or amazon has intentionally made the cursor invisible on the default launcher, and my guess is they have done it intentionally, cause there are other devices too that companies have hidden the cursor on certain parts of the OS, so its not unheard of for companies to hide mouse cursors on their android devices.
NxtGenCowboy said:
Is anyone else having issues using a Logitech K400 on 51.1.5.0_515020820? ( or any usb wireless device?)
Definitely worked prior and now it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I have the keyboard and functionality has gone way down hill.
Not to put out false hope but a new update is rolling out with bug fixes. That's all the info I have now. Please let me know if there's a fix. I'm rooted so I won't be getting the update unless a preroot version is produced.
Ah thanks!

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