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Does anyone think that there could be great potential in the Galaxy Nexus' soft key area at the bottom of the screen? As soon as they announced that the GN would have on-screen buttons, customization came to mind right away.
We've already seen Paul O'Brien's begin with his UI patches here, but I feel like we are only scratching the surface of what can be done.
For example, with my limited pondering, I was hoping that a dev or maybe CM could soon allow us to put shortcuts on that bottom bar for quick access to the certain apps that you always use. For me, I would love for Google Talk to have a permanent shortcut on that bar that I can access from anywhere as I use it almost religiously. Also, a shortcut that emulates the power button would be highly convenient as well so that I don't have to reach up to the side button as often. I can also foresee some themeing or button rearrangement and so forth.
Do you guys have any other ideas? As I'm not a dev of any sort, maybe I'm out of line in thinking that the bottom bar is flexible enough to customize. However, if it could be done (and Paul O'Brien already has demonstrated that maybe it could), the possibilities could be endless.
As a webOS user, I'd love some swipe gestures implemented for 'back' and a swipe up to open the app drawer
a swipe up for the drawer would really nice
Damn, I didn't even think of swipe gestures at all. Now my mind is really running wild.
bump for more ideas!
swype gestures are already available on go launcher
subxero123 said:
swype gestures are already available on go launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But we're not talking about the launcher. Didn't read the post huh?
I wish we could swipe down to make the thing disappear, which allows us to take advantage of the full 4.65 inch screen.
Swipe down - disappear
Swipe up - appear again
I think would be awesome if we could swipe the regular buttons to the side, showing new options (like we do with dock bar in almost every popular launcher). There, we could use app shortcuts, power widgets and other stuff, like the search and the option buttons.
I agree, I hope this is just a tip of the iceberg, it seems pointless to have all this potential and not utilize it.
how about instead of the soft keys have it scroll:
"wwwwwaaaaaasssssssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!" w/ flashing text.
seriously though, being able to make them appear/disappear anytime would be a big plus in my book.
or say if you're playing a game/watching a movie, and someone calls you... rather then having the call notification pop up & take over, have the notification just appear in the soft key area.(i guess same for texts)
I think instead of putting toggles with the notification bar, a scrolling dock with these would be even better.
Like you guys said, swipe on the dock to the left or right to reveal Wifi/BT/GPS/etc. This seems easier than swiping down on the notification bar to bring it down.
On honeycomb we could hide them and theme them. Change animations and icons.
They didn't figure out how to add more or change up the order or add functionality because honeycomb wasn't open source like gingerbread and ICS.
So yea. Expect lots of cool stuff.
-Galaxy Nexus
-Asus Transformer
Since Android came out, I was hoping we would switch to soft-keys. Now we can fully customize the buttons, select preferred positions, preferred icon style, and which icons you actually have...
I'd be pretty content to just Swap the Menu and task manager buttons... I dont need a permanent task manager button that takes as much time to operate as it does to just navigate to the apps icon itself.. the menu button on the other hand I use in just about every app I launch.
sodequis said:
I'd be pretty content to just Swap the Menu and task manager buttons... I dont need a permanent task manager button that takes as much time to operate as it does to just navigate to the apps icon itself.. the menu button on the other hand I use in just about every app I launch.
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Click to collapse
I thought this too until I actually got down to using it on the GN.
I never used the task switcher on my other Android devices as it seemed too difficult and took too long for it to be worth it. However, having been using the GN for a couple of days now, I find its implementation (just a single tap) to be much more friendly and useful. I find myself using it all the time now to switch between what I am doing and can't imagine not having it.
player911 said:
On honeycomb we could hide them and theme them. Change animations and icons.
They didn't figure out how to add more or change up the order or add functionality because honeycomb wasn't open source like gingerbread and ICS.
So yea. Expect lots of cool stuff.
-Galaxy Nexus
-Asus Transformer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd just like to know what devs to talk to in order to make it happen
I was hoping for some app specific keys. For instance in the browser have a Forward, Back, Stop/Reload, Home, etc.
id love to see the buttons replaced with like gif animations. so cool
Enhanced said:
I thought this too until I actually got down to using it on the GN.
I never used the task switcher on my other Android devices as it seemed too difficult and took too long for it to be worth it. However, having been using the GN for a couple of days now, I find its implementation (just a single tap) to be much more friendly and useful. I find myself using it all the time now to switch between what I am doing and can't imagine not having it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, why not just allow the "Home" button to be the task-switching button via long-press like before? Is that extra pause for the long-press what you're referring to when you say it took too long?
Anyway, I, too, would like the Menu button back, but more importantly I want the Search button back. I can't wait for the ability to get rid of the G Search widget, put a dedicated Search button back in the soft touch area, and have the Home button as the task-switcher.
Brandon
AOKP lets you hide the nav buttons completely, only problem is to use the keys, you have to hold power - and I'm wary of pressing a hardware button constantly.
BUT
I found a neat app called zMooth, which puts a tiny bar on the bottom of the screen to gesture back/home/menu/lock screen.
It doesn't appear to work well on GN yet, just the home/lock works from my testing. But this gives me great hope that once it works on GN, we can get rid of the native nav buttons completely and fully utilize the full screen.
Here's how it looks for me:
http://phota.me/ZFM4
That just seems really unnecessary.
wonshikee said:
AOKP lets you hide the nav buttons completely, only problem is to use the keys, you have to hold power - and I'm wary of pressing a hardware button constantly.
BUT
I found a neat app called zMooth, which puts a tiny bar on the bottom of the screen to gesture back/home/menu/lock screen.
It doesn't appear to work well on GN yet, just the home/lock works from my testing. But this gives me great hope that once it works on GN, we can get rid of the native nav buttons completely and fully utilize the full screen.
Here's how it looks for me:
http://phota.me/ZFM4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use LMT Launcher or Button Savior for the galaxy nexus. I use LMT launcher and it works great. You can use the 'pie' navigation that is used in the stock browser for home, back, menu, and recent. I've read that the ones that put overlays on the screen can cause lag.
pwnasaurus said:
That just seems really unnecessary.
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Click to collapse
All in the eye of the beholder. I like using the mod and didn't take too long to get used to.
I've been looking for a way to multitask more easily than holding down Home, which i find a bit uncomfortable.
After trying wave launcher, Home2, and many other multitaking-ap switching etc. apps, I've now found a solution that I like, and thought I'd share with you all.
What this solutions allows, is that you swipe your finger from the bottom of the screen and up, and the default multitasking bar appears. (You can swipe/press anywhere.)
I've used an very smart litle program called "Swipe Starter" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tora.mamma.swipestart&feature=also_installed
Don't let the logo fool you it's very good. The only thing is that it's translated to english very poorly, so I dont think I know all of the dunctions, but it works.
Once installed, open the app and go to "markersetting". Press "The first marker". Check start. Choose to start, select "activity", and select "Recent apps" ( which is multitask shortcut). Position; I've chosen bottom center Marker colour: none Marker thick: large.
(vibration also has to be ticked, then unticked, under "Appsetting", and then it won't vibrate).
Then you swipe from the bottom, and your multitask menu will appear!
Link to multitask shortcut: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=grandmastersoftware.togglerecentapps&hl=da
I use Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher can also do the same.
Depending on what launcher you use there are ways to do it without the need of this app. Nova launcher has a few was to do this. 1st is Gestures and Buttons options in setting menu. Alternatively you can set a gesture to any of the icons you have in the dock .This is the one i us ,touch my apps icon it opens the drawer ,swipe on it it shows recent/open apps .
But good find all the same for those that choose not to use differing launchers.
The launcher can only do their gestures if you're on the home screen as far as I know ?
Making them pretty much useless multitasking..
This works in every app.
real_per said:
The launcher can only do their gestures if you're on the home screen as far as I know ?
Making them pretty much useless multitasking..
This works in every app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sad how they didnt realize this
real_per said:
The launcher can only do their gestures if you're on the home screen as far as I know ?
Making them pretty much useless multitasking..
This works in every app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, so it does. But do you not find it very laggy?
jhericurls said:
Ah, so it does. But do you not find it very laggy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Laggy ?
No, the multitasking menu pops up instantly. Have you tried it ?
Try GMD Gesture and you will love it. Much more customizable than you mentioned in your post.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I can't choose recent app for somehow? I'm running a custom ROM..
Sendt fra min GT-I9300
oakgrove said:
I can't choose recent app for somehow? I'm running a custom ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why you need to install the second app "multitask"
alfred5191 said:
Try GMD Gesture and you will love it. Much more customizable than you mentioned in your post.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ty
Pitnefor said:
ty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nd that! :good: GMD Gesture just scored another buyer!
Give Trigger a try
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.varience.triggerlimited
You can create gestures for a lot of settings including things like pulling the notification bar or switching to the previous app.
Recent apps is one of the possible gestures.
For this app, you could create a gesture to be drawn or you can set one of the quick-actions to be one of the actions.
I set the swipe up action to be Recent Apps, swipe left to be go back to the previous app, swipe right to show All My Apps, and swipe down to lock the phone.
Give it a try. Its unbelievably useful!
Varience said:
Give Trigger a try
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.varience.triggerlimited
You can create gestures for a lot of settings including things like pulling the notification bar or switching to the previous app.
Recent apps is one of the possible gestures.
For this app, you could create a gesture to be drawn or you can set one of the quick-actions to be one of the actions.
I set the swipe up action to be Recent Apps, swipe left to be go back to the previous app, swipe right to show All My Apps, and swipe down to lock the phone.
Give it a try. Its unbelievably useful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trigger is like My Gesture Shortcut Launcher where there's something permanent on the screen that you have to click to activate the gestures.
GMD is better because you can do it without clicking on anything but GMD doesn't support custom gestures unless you pay.
I personally use LMT that can be downloaded from XDA itself. It's similar to GMD but we can't create custom gestures though..
lukesky said:
Trigger is like My Gesture Shortcut Launcher where there's something permanent on the screen that you have to click to activate the gestures.
GMD is better because you can do it without clicking on anything but GMD doesn't support custom gestures unless you pay.
I personally use LMT that can be downloaded from XDA itself. It's similar to GMD but we can't create custom gestures though..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, there's a difference.
With the app, Trigger, you don't have to click on anything to activate gestures.
That's only if you want to activate the actions that you've drawn gestures for.
There's another feature, called "Pulling the Trigger", which is pre-setting 4 actions. Then when you just swipe the trigger in the pre-set directions and let go, it'll activate that action.
In that aspect, its similar to the GMD part about activating without clicking anything. The real killer part is that any of the actions that can be set as gestures can also be set as a quick-action. So you can customize everything freely. That feature is available in the free version.
Maybe with SwipePad?
On my SGSII I used SwipePad to make a "hot corner" on the upper left side of the screen (statusbar) which triggered a menu-selection of apps and shortcuts.
I just tried it to trigger the "nova launcher recent apps" shortcut but it doesn't work right (not every time) but maybe with the "multitask shortcut" you mentioned...
EDIT: SwipePad is the more beautiful app but it seems to have problems with ICS. I've tried the nova launcher shortcut and the mentioned app "multitask shortcut" -> both doesn't work reliable.
jhericurls said:
I use Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher can also do the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one! I didn't know Nova Launcher did this, much better than long pressing that awkward home button!
Varience said:
Actually, there's a difference.
With the app, Trigger, you don't have to click on anything to activate gestures.
That's only if you want to activate the actions that you've drawn gestures for.
There's another feature, called "Pulling the Trigger", which is pre-setting 4 actions. Then when you just swipe the trigger in the pre-set directions and let go, it'll activate that action.
In that aspect, its similar to the GMD part about activating without clicking anything. The real killer part is that any of the actions that can be set as gestures can also be set as a quick-action. So you can customize everything freely. That feature is available in the free version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow ok, I'll give it a shot then, though I don't think it'll be better for me than LMT but let's see how.
Update : Ok after trying I think the pulling the trigger is pretty good.. it's like the double finger gestures in LMT except it's with 1 finger. only thing the trigger icon is quite ugly and even if i change it to something more discrete, I still have something always there on the screen. I love the "switch to previous app" function, very handy for multitasking.
Pros and cons I guess.
The multitask app is a paid one. Any alternatives for free?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Very similiar
real_per said:
I've been looking for a way to multitask more easily than holding down Home, which i find a bit uncomfortable.
After trying wave launcher, Home2, and many other multitaking-ap switching etc. apps, I've now found a solution that I like, and thought I'd share with you all.
What this solutions allows, is that you swipe your finger from the bottom of the screen and up, and the default multitasking bar appears. (You can swipe/press anywhere.)
I've used an very smart litle program called "Swipe Starter" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tora.mamma.swipestart&feature=also_installed
Don't let the logo fool you it's very good. The only thing is that it's translated to english very poorly, so I dont think I know all of the dunctions, but it works.
Once installed, open the app and go to "markersetting". Press "The first marker". Check start. Choose to start, select "activity", and select "Recent apps" ( which is multitask shortcut). Position; I've chosen bottom center Marker colour: none Marker thick: large.
(vibration also has to be ticked, then unticked, under "Appsetting", and then it won't vibrate).
Then you swipe from the bottom, and your multitask menu will appear!
Link to multitask shortcut: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=grandmastersoftware.togglerecentapps&hl=da
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest this looks very similar to the already well known and supported Swipe Pad, i havent tried this myself yet but from the screen shots it doesnt look as polished as Swipe Pad is. It gives you the option of setting a corner or spot on the edge of the screen to swipe from. you can select set shortcuts, apps, widgets, multitask apps, recently and favourite contacts if you get the addons.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&feature=more_from_developer#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwMiwibW9iaS5jb25kdWN0aW9uLnN3aXBlcGFkLmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
So, I don't know 'bout you, but I use my S2 in landscape mode more often than not and find it a bit awkward using the capacitative buttons on the side for navigation. I've used the recommended app on nearly every device I've owned but never have I found it more useful than on this tablet vs. anything else. The app is called Button Savior and it puts three pages of (configurable w/ pro version) navigation buttons on your screen. There are some cool themes with the free version and the pro version allows you to add an HD theme pack (see screen shot - that one's called Liquid Metal 2). It rarely gets in the way of screen content, but just hitting the circled X at the top collapses the panel into a small tab with an arrow that has configurable size and transparency. Of course there are other methods for soft key navigation but I'm a big fan of Button Savior, and to summarize... I would recommend it!
*As I mentioned there are other "soft key" solutions for navigation, but I find the above mentioned app the most convenient/intuitive. I actually have a few installed myself but don't really use them unless I need a particular function that Button Savior lacks (such as "kill app"). As you can see in the screen shot, I have a navbar courtesy of Gravity Box. For some reason though, the keys are only present in portrait mode, when I don't really need them. What's up with that? Anyways, I also use LMT (the actual app, not the Gravity Box version because it's much more configurable), but a lot of apps have slide-out menus from the left (these days...) which interferes with triggering it sometimes. However, using the LMT app, you can basically add whatever you want such as scripts and other such fanciness; I use it mostly for "kill app" whenever (rarely) something's non-responsive. Anyway, I can upload the apk if anyone wants it, but there's probably a newer version so you might be better off tracking it down. Here's a Play Store link for Button Savior: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey&hl=en Check it out!
Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.
The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.
For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.
All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.
hasenbein196601 said:
Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.
The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.
For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.
All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like GMD too. I have GMD S-pen Control and have used it on all of my Note devices. I've found that I prefer soft key solutions though for the following reason: I tend to set up GMD and use it for a while, then take a break from using it for whatever reason, then tend to forget most of the gestures that I set up.
GMD is definitely awesome, IME it just needs to be used consistently though. I might give Gestures a try as it might be more practical than S-pen control
Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???
You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious
(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )
I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...
hasenbein1966 said:
Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???
You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious
(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )
I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL :laugh: I think it has to do with the S-pen. Normally I just go through periods where I use it more or less. I think that it'd be easier with gestures.
Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store
James.Markham0757 said:
Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed I have Button Savior set to trigger on the right side of the screen which I use mostly for "simple" navigation (although it has many more functions... 3 pages that you can scroll through) and PIE set to trigger on the left side. I mostly use PIE for more complex functions that I have mapped to long presses. I like Button Savior because the pro version looks nice with the HD themes, is completely unobtrusive, and faster and slightly easier to trigger than PIE even if collapsed. PIE definitely comes in handy if I ever need to kill an unresponsive app or something like that :good:
A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.
tsg2513 said:
A better solution..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd agree that the already *build in* navigation assistant is better but, NO. You cannot change the background color (it is snow white). You cannot change the color of the floating navigation assistant button nor does it auto hide itself.
All other suggested apps need *root*. :x
I use this. It's simple and no root. I just need back, home and recent, but you can set more. Its completely transparent. The app is called "all in one gestures" and free.
tsg2513 said:
A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to be gone with the Nougat update...
I found a much better one,
Handy Soft Keys Pro.
Small, ultra fast, no ads and with fade out feature.
You guys using them?
It is good and I wanted to use them badly but one main thing I am missing is the additional gestures that the navigation buttons had with them.
I use to double tap on recent button to switch screen off which is not possible to do with new gestures.
Having additional app or using the physical button is what I wanted to avoid.
have been using them long time ago with the app swipe navigation. Works perfectly once you get used to it.
I'm a minimalist. I have my dock & notification bar hidden also. Love that clean approach. Best part is if anyone finds/steals it, that are clueless.
Has there been a port of the new swipe guestures to nougat? I'm on 7.1.1
I am using gesture swipes, it is nice way to use phone without buttons... For double tap to lock, there is way if you are using Nova for example.....
With Beta 7 you can double tap to sleep without nav bar
You lose all of the additional gestures you have with the navbar, but in my opinion it looks way cleaner and really emphasizes the big display. And also one less spot risking permanent burn-in!
While I do like the off-screen gestures, and do use them, I actually prefer Motorola's gestures where you can quickly 'wave' you're phone in the air and the flashlight turns on, or how you can give the phone a flick and the camera app open. It's faster IMO.
But I still would prefer a Oneplus 5t over any Motorola anyday.
Love em, with an advanced launcher like Action or Nova you've got a ton more gestures that can be assigned covering the lost shortcuts on the nav buttons and then some. Speaking for myself I've got leftover swipes and taps that remain unassigned and can get to anything I use with regularity with a single touch. I liked some of the Motorola stuff myself, like Oneplus they've kept to a mostly stock experience with genuinely useful adds that don't detract from the "stockness". For some reason I really liked being able to change the ok google command to whatever I wanted and that would probably be my top pick if Oneplus were to, ahem, borrow, something from them.
Disabled them all got tired of accidentally turning the flashlight on
What I think would be the most useful feature is iPhone's double tap (not click) to bring down UI on top. Android should support this native long ago...
Needs tweaking..Still using xposed edge gestures, because I'd like for swipe up Near back button for back, swipe up near home bottom to home, and swipe up near recents to recents. i only use this mode to disable annoying nav bar easily
Siljorfag said:
What I think would be the most useful feature is iPhone's double tap (not click) to bring down UI on top. Android should support this native long ago...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This can be done with many of the launchers although swipe down (anywhere) fits in better with the notification shade as it already expands via swipe down. I suspect the reason it and many other things aren't standard is a lack of consensus. With the shade already working with swipes many of us have double tap allocated elsewhere the most common usage probably being for sleep and wake purposes.
It's always hard to tell the level of experience users have so don't take this the wrong way... Your post suggests you might want to consider taking a few launchers for a test drive because no matter what you like there is one that works better than what came stock.