Develop Bugs

TaskViewer for WP7

Hi all
No, it's not a task switcher (still working on that one ) but here's a little something I thought I'd share, as much of the knowledge/code put into it came from here on XDA.
First off, this uses fiinix's amazing DllImport library, so check that out.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Here's what it is. I was curious to see how WP7 handled memory usage and running applications, and this program made it much easier to view this information in a convenient manner. After some cleaning, I figured I'd share it with you guys, and see if anyone has some suggestions. No, this is not a task manager, as I don't know how to get around the privilege issue. But once I do, I'll be sure to update it.
Also, it served as a basis to experiment with background threads. If you have dehydration enabled, I've programmed it to listen for the VolUp/VolDown combination. If detected, it'll bring up a message box in any running application with the current memory information.
But enough rambling Here's a video of it, and a download link. If you have any questions regarding it, feel free to ask
Features:
-Displays memory load and total physical memory
-Displays device uptime
-Lists all running processes
-Displays a message over the current application with memory load information upon pressing VolUp+VolDown (dehydration hack must be enabled)
Enjoy!
Download

hey i'm using samsung omnia 7 dehydration hack enabled, is it unable to have the memory load information functionality by pressing volup+down? ):

wch1703 said:
hey i'm using samsung omnia 7 dehydration hack enabled, is it unable to have the memory load information functionality by pressing volup+down? ):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The application has to be running in the background, eg open up the task manager and press Start. It should then work. Let me know how it goes.

Apparently it doesn't work, even in the task manager app, nothing pops up! Is it only me? :/

wch1703 said:
Apparently it doesn't work, even in the task manager app, nothing pops up! Is it only me? :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you holding down both Volume Up and Volume Down? Are you sure dehydration is working and the app is running in the background? It's worked on my Samsung Focus during testing, so I don't know why an Omnia wouldn't.

yeah i'm sure i'm on dehydration and the app is in the background. i followed the things you did in the video and can see the multiple taskhost.exe in the task viewer..but the memory load info just doesnt pop up anywhere..is it because i'm on 7390 nodo?

Very cool. Keep up the great work Jaxbot!

wch1703 said:
yeah i'm sure i'm on dehydration and the app is in the background. i followed the things you did in the video and can see the multiple taskhost.exe in the task viewer..but the memory load info just doesnt pop up anywhere..is it because i'm on 7390 nodo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NoDo shouldn't be a problem, something else must just be strange. What happens when you hold both Vol Up and Vol Down? Does the volume pop-up come up with the numbers changing rapidly?

Sometimes the volume pop up comes up but the volume doesn't change at all. Other times nothing comes up not even the volume..could u make one that uses the half shutter like on the task switcher u previewed? It seems more reliable to me..

This is intresting.
These are my suggestion (for a graphical taskviewer):
Auto update the list when the program gets active.
List only the hwnds of the running apps.
Keep track of the app that had last focus before opening this app (this maybe a bit tricky and is to render the latest state of the app before exiting)
Say im running facebook app and now open the taskswitcher it should make a screenshot of the facebook app the moment my active app changes when clicking the taskswitcher
Do you mind if I can do some experiments with your code? I can build it myself since I need only some parts of it, but your basically does half what I wanted to experiment so it will save time

Works sometimes on my HD7 when I press vol up/down great app though !
Sent from my HD7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Marvin_S said:
This is intresting.
These are my suggestion (for a graphical taskviewer):
Auto update the list when the program gets active.
List only the hwnds of the running apps.
Keep track of the app that had last focus before opening this app (this maybe a bit tricky and is to render the latest state of the app before exiting)
Say im running facebook app and now open the taskswitcher it should make a screenshot of the facebook app the moment my active app changes when clicking the taskswitcher
Do you mind if I can do some experiments with your code? I can build it myself since I need only some parts of it, but your basically does half what I wanted to experiment so it will save time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking along the same lines, too. If I have time tonight, I'll clean up my example project and send it to you, otherwise I'll get it to you sometime tomorrow. Cheers

For those of you having issues:
Try this XAP. It will enable the focus key to pull up the dialog, as well as do some debug stuff. To help me out, try pressing the Debug button, then go to Start and press random hardware buttons. This *should* display a messagebox with the appropriate keycode. Let me know how it goes, thanks
http://windowsphonehacker.com/files/taskviewerdebug.xap

thanks a lot! it works like a charm now
well heres some of the keycode i get on my omnia 7
start = 91
back = 27
search = 124
voldown = 118
volup = 117
really loving the memory info pop up!

Jaxbot said:
For those of you having issues:
Try this XAP. It will enable the focus key to pull up the dialog, as well as do some debug stuff. To help me out, try pressing the Debug button, then go to Start and press random hardware buttons. This *should* display a messagebox with the appropriate keycode. Let me know how it goes, thanks
http://windowsphonehacker.com/files/taskviewerdebug.xap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is your problem with the omnia:
up is 117 and we get like 2/3 messageboxes per single press.
down is 118 same story 2/3 pop ups.
However this is why it does not work when pressing up and down at the same time. We get nothing, no popup messageboxes, only the volume thing comes up, other than that nothing. It seems like it does not register a keypress when both at the same time.
The focus button works flawless indeed.

I know it's not a priority but in case that you need them, I made some more Metro like icons for the app

uptime counter problem ?
Hello,
I think there is a problem with the uptime counter. If the counter reaches 23hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds it resets to 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds.
Has anyone else mentioned this problem ?

Sotos183 said:
Hello,
I think there is a problem with the uptime counter. If the counter reaches 23hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds it resets to 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds.
Has anyone else mentioned this problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's because it ticks over into Days. Just a problem with the display, technically speaking, though I tend to restart my phone quite often

task switcher
Hi,
I got an questions:
1. How lond it could take to finalize the task switcher development ?
2. Is in your interest to do task switcher event if mango update have
task switcher ?
Thanks for answers.

seems not working for lumia 800. disappear at lanched

[APP] Themes for Windows Phone

Hey
Ducking out of coursework for a minute to write this post.
I've constructed a little hack using fiinix's custom tile system. It's actually super simple, where it loads generated data in for tiles, pins them, and then upon loading, redirects the user to the app.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
It's a little glitchy and could use some improvements, but I figured I'd get it out before the holiday season Feel free to share any thoughts, comments, bug reports, etc., and feel free to share themes here, too.
As for the source, I don't have it packaged up currently, but if anyone wants a look, let me know and I'll share it. Nothing fancy.
Here's the links:
Download: http://windowsphonehacker.com/articles/themes_for_windows_phone_first_release-12-12-11
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=audIpFTqUC4&feature=player_embedded

Delta Theme
Let me introduce you:
The Windows Phone 7 Delta Theme.
This Theme is based upon the Photographs of ... myself. So basicly I tried to bring several new aspects into the design of Windows Phone without ruining it with odd-looking glass effects etc.
Hope you like it!
Shameless-Advert: As stated above, Photographs are done by myself, check my portfolio at klaus-widraw.de.
To download the xap visit the theme thread.
Cheers.

It's really well put together, however there are a couple of things wrong
No Large Tiles (eg Calender)
No Email Tiles (Individual or Linked)
Some System Tiles are Image Less (eg Office)

CruciasNZ said:
It's really well put together, however there are a couple of things wrong
No Large Tiles (eg Calender)
No Email Tiles (Individual or Linked)
Some System Tiles are Image Less (eg Office)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working on adding some system items and larger icons. Biggest issue here is email, which we can't seem to find a way to link to, as it's on a per-account basis, and we don't know the tokens for them

i have this program on my device but i cannot open any of the applications that i applied this theme to. Is this normal or have you not implemented this?

lovenokia said:
i have this program on my device but i cannot open any of the applications that i applied this theme to. Is this normal or have you not implemented this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not normal. Did you make sure to add /_default to the GUIDs?

Just so I make sure I hear this right your app basiclly just launches itself right away? Also does this mean when I press the start button what is really happening is i am being directed to the homescreen and then the homescreen is directing me to your app?

starsoccer9 said:
Just so I make sure I hear this right your app basiclly just launches itself right away? Also does this mean when I press the start button what is really happening is i am being directed to the homescreen and then the homescreen is directing me to your app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...No?
This is the actual homescreen.

Jaxbot said:
...No?
This is the actual homescreen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. that would be a homescreen in layers and I immediately thought of....
Shrek: [peels an onion] NO! Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.
[walks off]
Donkey: Oh, you both have LAYERS. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions. What about cake? Everybody loves cake!
Shrek: I don't care what everyone else likes! Ogres are not like cakes.
Donkey: You know what ELSE everybody likes? Parfaits! Have you ever met a person, you say, "Let's get some parfait," they say, "Hell no, I don't like no parfait"? Parfaits are delicious!
Shrek: NO! You dense, irritating, miniature beast of burden! Ogres are like onions! End of story! Bye-bye! See ya later.
Donkey: Parfait's gotta be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyway, can't wait for the next version with fixes. The background image spanning over tiles is Parfait. thank you!

derausgewanderte said:
LOL. that would be a homescreen in layers and I immediately thought of....
anyway, can't wait for the next version with fixes. The background image spanning over tiles is Parfait. thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been.. trolled? Or more... ogred
Anyway, new version with fixes is up. Rush job, but it should clean up most of the common issues.

Lmao ok I understand now. On a differnt note if I install this app and then unistall it will it remove all the custom tiles I have. Also is the xap file just the one theme you select.

Jaxbot said:
Working on adding some system items and larger icons. Biggest issue here is email, which we can't seem to find a way to link to, as it's on a per-account basis, and we don't know the tokens for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers for the reply, that's unfortunate regarding the Emails. Perhaps you should focus on linked inboxes. Just say the Themes only support fully linked email boxes.
The commands for linking should make it easier to locate the app (at least in my mind it would oO)

Jaxbot said:
Not normal. Did you make sure to add /_default to the GUIDs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am not sure what you mean? can you explain?

ok, just tried this but I am having problems. I can apply my own background image to the default theme, however when I click "Background Theme" and add an app from the market I get the app but as soon as I add one single app, I cannot apply a background image. When I get out of this window and back to main, nothing changed. Still shows the default. Shouldn't it now show the newly added app and the arrangement I made under "Background Theme"? It doesn't.
When I add an app from the main window and remove apps it works fine. I cannot reorder apps though. When I then open "Background theme" to reorder what I just added and apply a background, I only see the default list. I can add a background and it's applied to the main window, however the app order is from the default and my added apps are at the end of the list. I cannot re-arrange in the main window. Again, as soon as I add an app in "Background Theme" I cannot apply a background. None of the apps added on that level are reflected in the main window.
Several times now I added my apps in the main window and was able to apply a background, however the tiles and apps in the main window reverted back to default as soon as I applied the background. I give up for now.
I am clearly missing something.
Never mind, just saw this post by Joe on Jaxbot's site.
"As of now, you have to manually add them to the "customs.txt" file in order for them to become default when making a new theme."

first off, ten thousand thanks for this, and second of all, does anyone have a link to where I can download the wp7 default app tiles (just the tiles in .png form) in the many different color schemes of wp7? a google and bing search yielded nothing useful. Thanks again!

what about the homebrew live tiles?

Dyskmaster said:
first off, ten thousand thanks for this, and second of all, does anyone have a link to where I can download the wp7 default app tiles (just the tiles in .png form) in the many different color schemes of wp7? a google and bing search yielded nothing useful. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try search for metro icons
deviantart.com could be a good place to try

My first attemt on skinning tiles
To bad we cant do live tiles and double tiles yet...

Hmmm who can make Office icon theme for WP7? I'd like all icons like Office icon.
I mean background.

Jaxbot, shocked to see that you haven't received more "Thanks" for this. I just added my daily limit
Looking forward to version 2 no rush! It's great to see that this actually works.

[APP] Standby Touch - simple app for a simple job

Today I got a little bit bored and decide to make this simple app. As the name says, it allows to put the phone in Standby (Lock) with the touch of app's icon. I know that there are many many apps that do this, but maybe in the future I could add other options to it. So far it seems to work fine, I tested it with Jellbro latest nightly and works like a charm. Maybe I am too lazy, but because my phone is on the desk most of the day, I find it not very convenient to press the Power button...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Changelog for version 1.4:
1.4
- added Tasks feature
- on some ROM versions the screen my try to turn itself on again after lock, the app will double check and try to lock it again. Please provide feedback if it still does not work.
- minor graphic tweaks
You can find it on Google Play at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alinberce.standbytouch
Feel free to give me suggestions . Also a high rating on Google Play would help. Thanks.

App looks fine and the design is not too bad, however I do not see a point in such Apps, since a simple press on the power button does the same. It is even faster, since one of my fingers is usually very close to it anyway.
But as I said, nice work.

Thanks for this! Just got a metal bumper and its annoying to press the power button.
This works great, nice icon !
Edit: don't know why but sometimes the screen wakes up Again right after sleeping. I can't seem to reproduce the problem, seems random.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Wow that does look pretty nice.Thanks.

Quite good idea
any I like your design and interface. it's nice!

Thank you all for your kind words.
@FC1032: I never had my screen turning on after lock, but I did with other apps. I am using a clean install with no apps installed (except keyboard app). Maybe there could be a conflict with other app ? I will restore a bunch of the apps I use and see if I can manage to reproduce this. The app code is fairly simple, just access basic android functions and close itself on clock. Even the Settings page is closed when you leave it
I was thinking of adding some extra features on shutdown... what would you like to do extra, when you send your phone to standby ? How about this: if I set some interval, for instance 10 pm-8am, add some functions like: switch to silent, disable data... etc.
PS: please don't be shy, spread some 5 stars in Google Play, it will help the app to get more users. Thank you all again.

FC1032 said:
Thanks for this! Just got a metal bumper and its annoying to press the power button.
This works great, nice icon !
Edit: don't know why but sometimes the screen wakes up Again right after sleeping. I can't seem to reproduce the problem, seems random.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me guess...running trinity kernel?
I was on franco and switched to trinity and i have the wake ups hahaha
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Good job man see your post on forumcomputergames and find you here.(5 stars)

Thanks a lot

Feature request: dubble or triple tap to shutdown the phone with a warning popup hahha could be nice
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

demon2112 said:
Let me guess...running trinity kernel?
I was on franco and switched to trinity and i have the wake ups hahaha
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, stock.
I think I'll see if another application I recently installed. Thanks for the help guys
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Just downloaded the app. Seems to work fine. One thing that will make it more professional is if you proof read your description on the Google Play page.
For example:
Responsibility, not Responsability
Installation, not Instalation
And the word nasTy, unless that T is supposed to be there.
These are nit picky things, but it makes the app and developer look more polished
Good luck!

Interesting request... I see one way of doing this: there is no way I could catch a double/triple touch on the app's icon, as the icon is in a Launcher app. However I could add in Settings an option with Re-Touch for Shutdown popup. Basically the App would start with a black screen, waiting for 1 seconds for another touch, if no touch it goes to standby, if touch it shows the popup. The only downside would be the shutdown command can only be run on a Rooted device (not really a problem for Nexus ).
Are there other users who would find this feature useful ?
@Cyberdan3: thank you for your corrections. Now it's fixed.
PS: thank you all for your ratings in Google Play... the app is starting to get some stars

@FC1032 do you still have screen wake-ups ? I am using the app since release and not even once the screen opened after lock.

alinescoo said:
@FC1032 do you still have screen wake-ups ? I am using the app since release and not even once the screen opened after lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed a new rom, seems to be fine so far... maybe it was just an app
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Thanks for confirming it.

Nice, this along; with "PGM slide2wake" eliminates most power-button presses.
thanked+rated

Unfortunately it seems that depending on ROM version (I've tested quite a few), sometimes there is a issue with screen starting again after lock. There are two ways of making things, one simpler and one more complex. I will go with the simpler one first and see feedback. I am preparing a new version which will add a really neat feature... but because I want to keep the design path of the settings page, also on the new feature, I will need to spend some time in the drawing app

Sneak preview of the new version... it just entered testing phase

Ok guys, new version is on Google Play. I did not have enough time to make extensive testing so this may have some bugs on the tasks feature. The Task feature allows you to define intervals in which the Sound/Data/Wifi are On or Off. The app, when you perform a lock will check and update the device of the status as set in Tasks. In order to avoid repetitive operations and prevent battery usage, the check is made only ONCE per interval. So for example if you set the phone to be silent from 22 - 07 and you lock your phone at 22:15, if you reopen and use it, when you lock it again, the app will only make simple lock without all the checks again. If some of you prefer it otherwise, please let me know so I could add an extra setting for it.
As I said earlier, there are some ROM versions where the screen comes On again after lock. The only way I found to handle this is to relock the device after half of second again. So you may notice a slight screen on, but most of the time it will not.
Please let me know if you find any bugs. Thanks.
LE: updated first post with new images

[App] Kickstarter Browser

Hello fellow windows developer.
I guess I'm not a frequent poster but I need your help!
I need your feedback on my latest Windows 8 app: Kickstarter Browser. The thing is, I just got it release just to have a initial release but I need feedback on it. It's easy to feel satisfied with your app because you are familiar with it. I do have a general idea where I want to go with the app (adding twitter share, add favorites) but as far as GUI I'm not really sure. So any critic is welcome to just post here, perhaps even screenshots if there is anything specific you want to point out. If you have good things to say you can also review it windows 8 store. (Please do not post reviews/low stars saying it's bad, remember this is just my first release and I will improve it over the coming months using your feedback and then you can give a proper review ) If you give me feedback which I'll use to improve the app I will, if you want, add you to a thank you list in the App description.
As far as adding, login/pledging from the apps etc. there are no official Kickstarter API and the API I'm using is Very restricted.
Anyway, please give me feedback and I will be very thankful.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

hmm, well I tried to install your app but the MS store is insisting that I am not connected to the internet, it worked fine 2 days ago on the same connection and I am clearly on the internet right now. I'll have to takes its suggestion of trying again later.
Picture looks alright but I cant see myself using the app if I'm honest, I just dont browse kickstarter. If I can get it to download I will pop back with something more useful to you

SixSixSevenSeven said:
hmm, well I tried to install your app but the MS store is insisting that I am not connected to the internet, it worked fine 2 days ago on the same connection and I am clearly on the internet right now. I'll have to takes its suggestion of trying again later.
Picture looks alright but I cant see myself using the app if I'm honest, I just dont browse kickstarter. If I can get it to download I will pop back with something more useful to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for trying and thank you for giving me you 2 cents on the screenshot, hopefully you will be able to download it soon. I am at hard work to bring another release of this app within two-three weeks, but I do hope some more people would give me their opinions.

Update
I've made an update for this app. Though I have not received a single piece of feedback.
This time I bring the ability to see videos in the app and to search through descriptions of projects to find specific words (This is something the normal kickstarter.com website cannot do). I also updated to GUI to look much better and fixed bugs, you can find the app update here:
Please download, try it and give me some feedback.
Thanks.

Nice! Just gonna give some friendly feedback here: first, it would be nice to have the spotlight words in the top-left clickable, so I could select technology or whatever. Second, the tiles for each result could use a little more modern. By this I mean separate each tile a little, get rid of the rounded effect, and maybe make the background for each tile the project picture. Other than that, maybe some more background colors on the app would help. But really, nice work!

Thanks
C-Lang said:
Nice! Just gonna give some friendly feedback here: first, it would be nice to have the spotlight words in the top-left clickable, so I could select technology or whatever. Second, the tiles for each result could use a little more modern. By this I mean separate each tile a little, get rid of the rounded effect, and maybe make the background for each tile the project picture. Other than that, maybe some more background colors on the app would help. But really, nice work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thank you. It was very observant of you to notice the kind of "Rounded effect". I have taken your advises into consideration for my next release. I will be releasing a Halloween update within the next few days and will post here when it is certified and live. Thank you SO MUCH. You are the first to give me some suggestions, and I've asked for help on quite a few forums.
The next update will have many new features I hope you all will enjoy.

Update!
Well, you could say I really buckled up last night and started my code, because here is the halloween update!
I focused on customization and user experience this time. The change log follows:
-Changes in version 1.2.0-
Big GUI update
Multitask support added (view video while using other apps)
Added tool tips
Added FAQ to project description
Significantly improved search times when searching through descriptions (by 20 percent)
Search now list projects as they are found (not when search is done)
Added settings for spotlight
- It's now possible to add/remove and enable/disable individual spotlight categories (found under settings)
Added the possibility to to favorite projects
Added favorite page (accessed by swiping down from top or right click the top of the screen)
Removed crash bug when no internet connection
Anyway I hope you all will download it and try it (and tell me what you think). I will be taking a one week break from coding Kickstarter Browser to recharge my batteries and get inspired to do some more work.

Update
I hate how it feels like I'm spamming/bumping my own thread but I just want to keep you guys updated and hopefully get more feedback from you guys!
So I've just got the post-Halloween update certified. Change log:
Revamped start screen
Added playback controls (Play, stop, mute, video time bar)
Added video full screen playback
Added sorting projects in search
Added backgrounds
Added browsing categories in search screen/start screen
Squashed bugs
So this is the first update based on feedback from users and feedback I've asked for from various forums. One point of feedback was really important. The user felt that when you first start the app you are welcomed with a screen with a huge gap in the middle. So I made the middle part dedicated for browsing through categories and all the searching should be done through the search screen. Another user told me that the app doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of searching and finding, so I added more search options. The third big feedback I got was that the app was boring, colorless and not nice to look at, so I reworked the layouts and made it possible for the user to change background color/add background image. The last feedback I did take into consideration for this update was that the search screen was a bit confusing and that the video playback lacked features, so I rearranged the search screen a bit and added video playback features (it now has play, stop, mute, full screen and a timeline)
So you see, I use the feedback I get to make the app better, please keep it coming and I will possibly implement it.
Thanks

Live tile update
I guess you all know what this post mean by now.
I've just release update 1.2.5. Inspired by another app this update brings the ability to create live tiles of projects to have them on the system's start menu screen and keep track of projects. Change log:
Added more backgrounds
Added ability to create live tiles of projects
Added all subcategories to browsing
Refined browsing
Fixed bugs
Added Help/FAQ to top appbar
Moved settings to top appbar
Thanks

This is the last update this year. Well, it's a few updates since I last posted but I thought I might as well post now
-Changes in version 1.2.7-
Revamped most pages for a more unified look
Fixed FAQ/Description load bug due to changes of kickstarter.com
Removed "find atleast xx projects" slider
-Changes in version 1.2.6-
Separated browse and search, added browse screen
Made search faster
Fixed bug where background color wouldn't load
Many minor bug fixes and clean up code

Question Google Messages

Hey all,
I got my Fold4 a little over a week ago. The version of Google Messages on my Fold3 has a few additional features that are missing on the Fold4. The feature with which I'm primarily concerned is the reminder function. On the Fold3 I can long press on any individual message within a conversation and a little clock appears up at the top of the app. Tapping on the clock gives me the option to schedule a reminder to respond to the message. There is no such feature available on the version of the app installed on the Fold4. Anyone else missing this? I want it back.

I could be wrong, but I think this was a Samsung Messenger feature and not Google Messages. I just tried it on my S22 Ultra and Fold 4, neither worked in in google, but the long press both worked in the Samsung app.

Matth943 said:
I could be wrong, but I think this was a Samsung Messenger feature and not Google Messages. I just tried it on my S22 Ultra and Fold 4, neither worked in in google, but the long press both worked in the Samsung app.
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Click to collapse
I'm looking at both phones right now. I appreciate the input but, yes, you're wrong.

pieces of cake said:
I'm looking at both phones right now. I appreciate the input but, yes, you're wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copy that! In all fairness, I wasn't aware that this was a feature until tonight lol. Kinda disappointed I can't get the extra features in google too.

I'm pretty sure I've figured out the explanation now, but it still doesn't make good sense. The version installed on my Fold3 is "messages.android_20220822_05_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic" whereas the version installed on my Fold4 is "messages.android_20220822_05_RC00.phone_samsung_dynamic." The menu icon has changed from the Google Account Profile icon to the typical 3 dot button. When using Messages with the phone closed (just the front cover display), the conversations are shifted down lower on the Fold4's version, making it easier to reach the top conversation without using two hands. And there are a few other minor but convenient feature changes. But none of these changes should necessitate the removal of reminders. Screenshot of the reminder button on my Fold3 is attached.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

More screenshots comparing the two builds attached here

I've also noticed the fold4 specific changes. I hate the new wasted space on the contact menu. I wonder if we can install the Fold3 apk on the fold 4.

YellowGTO said:
I've also noticed the fold4 specific changes. I hate the new wasted space on the contact menu. I wonder if we can install the Fold3 apk on the fold 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried and was unsuccessful. I'm sure the Samsung-specific version of the app will be updated and fixed fairly quickly. Not sure what your talking about with respect to the contact menu. What the heck is the "contact menu?" If you're simply referring to the message list on the cover screen, I think the design/layout update makes sense. I can now reach the top conversation with my thumb when using a single hand.

Yes i'm referring to the messages list. I think It is a terrible design choice to force people to only be able to see 6 text messages at start. This should be a checkbox option.

I've hadn't have any issues sending timed messages. I know in the Google Messages version, after typing out your message, press and hold down on the send arrow and it lets you set a specific time to actually send the message.

mprunty said:
I've hadn't have any issues sending timed messages. I know in the Google Messages version, after typing out your message, press and hold down on the send arrow and it lets you set a specific time to actually send the message.
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Click to collapse
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about setting reminders for individual messages within a conversation. You're talking about scheduling messages to be sent automatically at a later time.

YellowGTO said:
Yes i'm referring to the messages list. I think It is a terrible design choice to force people to only be able to see 6 text messages at start. This should be a checkbox option.
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Click to collapse
I disagree. It's a much better design. You can easily scroll down if you want to see more conversations.

pieces of cake said:
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about setting reminders for individual messages within a conversation. You're talking about scheduling messages to be sent automatically at a later time.
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Click to collapse
My apologies. I misunderstood. The closest thing I could find to what you are looking for is in relation to the app itself and not individual messages within the conversation....
Settings
Notification
Advanced Settings
Notification Reminders

mprunty said:
My apologies. I misunderstood. The closest thing I could find to what you are looking for is in relation to the app itself and not individual messages within the conversation....
Settings
Notification
Advanced Settings
Notification Reminders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at the screenshots I shared earlier in this thread

Uninstall the app and download the Google beta version from app mirror. Done and dusted.

TechSilver13 said:
Uninstall the app and download the Google beta version from app mirror. Done and dusted.
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It has to be removed via ADB, as it's a bundled app. Admittedly, I haven't yet tried that.

Use adb appcontrol. It's free and you can just disable it. It's a windows app.

Google finally fixed this issue with the latest version of the app.

pieces of cake said:
Google finally fixed this issue with the latest version of the app.
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Not for me .
Can you share your version please ?