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[THINK TANK] Remap Power/Lock to Camera Functions & Remove Low Battery Limitations

[THINK TANK] Remap Power/Lock to Camera Functions & Remove Low Battery Limitations
Hi all, i've had a thread about this in general for a while, but i think I would get more attention to this matter here.
I may not be a dev, but I do believe this is very doable, especially because Ive read this in a thread posted by rhcp0112345 titled Debug Codes which proves that the power button can be remapped to do certain functions just like my old G1 could do:
*#*#7594#*#*
This one is my favorite one. This code can be used to change the "End Call / Power" button action in your phone. Be default, if you long press the button, it shows a screen asking you to select any option from Silent mode, Airplane mode and Power off.
You can change this action using this code. You can enable direct power off on this button so you don't need to waste your time in selecting the option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also remember devs adding support for a Reboot Option to the Power Off Menu, so I think if that is possible, then it should be possible to add a Camera option to that list, and when the Camera is open, rather than use the power button to lock the screen and capacitive buttons, we can allow it to take pictures, and if you long press it, it will show the usual Power Off Menu plus the Lock option.
Also I was wondering if it was possible to remove what I call the Low Battery Limiter which denies the user access to the Camera, Avatar, Video Player and Music apps.
Opinions? Ideas?
Thanks for your time everyone! Our community is awesome!

speedysilwady said:
Hi all, i've had a thread about this in general for a while, but i think I would get more attention to this matter here.
I may not be a dev, but I do believe this is very doable, especially because Ive read this in a thread posted by rhcp0112345 titled Debug Codes which proves that the power button can be remapped to do certain functions just like my old G1 could do:
I also remember devs adding support for a Reboot Option to the Power Off Menu, so I think if that is possible, then it should be possible to add a Camera option to that list, and when the Camera is open, rather than use the power button to lock the screen and capacitive buttons, we can allow it to take pictures, and if you long press it, it will show the usual Power Off Menu plus the Lock option.
Also I was wondering if it was possible to remove what I call the Low Battery Limiter which denies the user access to the Camera, Avatar, Video Player and Music apps.
Opinions? Ideas?
Thanks for your time everyone! Our community is awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I remember correctly, the key mapping is actually in the kernal, which means that someone who was cooking up a full blown ROM would directly have to go in and map the driver function to the kernal. I don't think this is impossible, but it may not happen for a while. I do agree though, this is a very good idea except for moving Screen Lock to the menu for holding the power button. I think something simple like double press or Power+Volume Up. If I ever find time to muck around in the kernal source, I'll give this a look

speedysilwady said:
Also I was wondering if it was possible to remove what I call the Low Battery Limiter which denies the user access to the Camera, Avatar, Video Player and Music apps.
Opinions? Ideas?
Thanks for your time everyone! Our community is awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be great!

Tydiz said:
If I remember correctly, the key mapping is actually in the kernal, which means that someone who was cooking up a full blown ROM would directly have to go in and map the driver function to the kernal. I don't think this is impossible, but it may not happen for a while. I do agree though, this is a very good idea except for moving Screen Lock to the menu for holding the power button. I think something simple like double press or Power+Volume Up. If I ever find time to muck around in the kernal source, I'll give this a look
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah so its all in the kernel i see. Yeah your idea the double tap sounds good too! I appreciate your interest in the idea! Do you know how to disable the Low Battery Limiter? would that be in the kernel too?

While they might not be in the right place, I think remapping the volume keys for the camera just makes more sense.

thegreatcity said:
While they might not be in the right place, I think remapping the volume keys for the camera just makes more sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe someone could make an apk along with the kernel to remap it to any button you want. i remember the g1 had a hack that allowed that possibility so im sure the vibrant can do it if someone had the will and know-how

The battery thing is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=748400

rhcp0112345 said:
The battery thing is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=748400
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not quite what I think they are talking about. That will simply make the popup that says "battery full, please unplug" go away. The issue is when your battery is low, the phone will deny you going into certain applications, such as the video player or other things.

Any progress on the low battery limiter?

thegreatcity said:
While they might not be in the right place, I think remapping the volume keys for the camera just makes more sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what would you do with the zoom in/out function that's currently mapped to the volume rocker?
I think the current "Lock Screen" function of the power button is useless, and would make way more sense as a physical button for the shutter.

While they might not be in the right place, I think remapping the volume keys for the camera just makes more sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what would you do with the zoom in/out function that's currently mapped to the volume rocker?
I think the current "Lock Screen" function of the power button is useless, and would make way more sense as a physical button for the shutter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this statement.
No offense to anyone, but using the volume buttons is a stupid idea!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

so i tried contacting JAC about this through a Private Message a few days ago, he hasnt responded yet but he's been active on twitter lately, so maybe he doesnt check his PMs, i dont have a twitter so i was wondering if anyone that does could tweet this thread to him and ask if he would be interested in implementing it in his kernel?

remapping the volume keys isn't necessarily in the kernel. just install adw launcher or launcher pro and add the camera app to your dock. it's easier.

xREVOx, I think you misunderstood the OP. I believe he is suggesting the power button be remapped to the camera shutter, which I believe is an excellent idea. I would love to help, if I could. I know c++, but have never messed with the linux kernel or android rom dev so I doubt I would be of much use. Either way, I would lover to see it a part of CM 6.1 when that comes out
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

xREVOx said:
remapping the volume keys isn't necessarily in the kernel. just install adw launcher or launcher pro and add the camera app to your dock. it's easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like MinosDis said I was thinking of having an option to add Launch Camera to the power button menu, and once the camera app is launched the power button could be used as a physical shutter button.
Also I really wanna get rid of that low battery popup that prevents access to the music player video player and camera.
If anyone with a twitter echoes my sentiments perhaps they can retweet this thread to @wesgarner or @justanotherdev because I can't get ahold of them on here and I have no twitter.

I use mixzing, and it will play up until you phone powers off. Not quite a hack, but a viable workaround for now
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

adamcooks said:
I use mixzing, and it will play up until you phone powers off. Not quite a hack, but a viable workaround for now
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, I use rock player for videos, and I tried some free camera apps but they all aren't as good as the stock one so I'm hoping jac or kingklick will implement this into one of their kernels

Did you guys Manage to Remove Low Battery Limitations? If not I have, mine is now set to warn / warning level at 5%

eugene373 said:
Did you guys Manage to Remove Low Battery Limitations? If not I have, mine is now set to warn / warning level at 5%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey eugene thanks for your input and contribution I don't think anyone made any progress on this front. JAC told me it is rom AND kernel related if I wanted the battery limits removed and the camera button remapped so it's not that easy. I'm very glad and thankful that you handled the low battery limitations thank you so much!

Just in case anyone subscribed to this thread.
There's an app in the market called "SGS Tools". You can now use the power button as a shutter button, take pictures when battery is low, and pinch to zoom on the camera (it's a little sluggish). Thanks to Fr4gg0r for developing this.
Article here
http://androidspin.com/2010/12/12/update-your-galaxy-s-camera-to-support-push-to-zoom/
Edit:Do Not Download. There has been reports of it messing up the camcorder and force closes.

[Think tank] Map menu long press to keyboard (not search)

Since the vibrant doesn't have a secondary input like most android devices, it's even more vital that we have unfettered access to the keyboard and its soft arrow keys. Unfortunately long pressing the menu button in some applications (notably the browser) brings up SEARCH rather than the keyboard by itself. That means no arrow keys for text selection or link highlighting.
This has been discussed previously in general at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=776792
How difficult would it be to remap the long press of the menu key to bring up the keyboard by itself?

After researching it some on my own, it looks like I need to come up with a way to call showSoftInput() from one of the softkeys. It'd be ideal if I could get that to happen on menu long press, but if that's too far buried in proprietary configuration I'd settle for replacing the google voice search app mapped to the Search button long press.
Anyone have any tips on mapping system functions to a hardware key normally used for app launching? The lack of any keyboard in the browser is seriously inhibiting my ability to use this phone.

Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

fit333 said:
Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, buth then you have to use dxtop. *non fan of dxtop*

fit333 said:
Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dxtop takes over the long press of buttons only in the home screen context, and it doesn't use any of them to launch the keyboard. Plus there's no way to configure any of it so it's not really the same at all.
What I'm looking for is to alter one of the long press actions in a system-wide way to launch the soft keyboard.

cbisquit said:
After researching it some on my own, it looks like I need to come up with a way to call showSoftInput() from one of the softkeys. It'd be ideal if I could get that to happen on menu long press, but if that's too far buried in proprietary configuration I'd settle for replacing the google voice search app mapped to the Search button long press.
Anyone have any tips on mapping system functions to a hardware key normally used for app launching? The lack of any keyboard in the browser is seriously inhibiting my ability to use this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried emailing Anderweb? ADW launcher intercepts the home button. You might be able to do something similar. It might only work on the home screen though, as his app is running there. For a system wide thing you might need to mod the underlying OS files, framework maybe? I'm not sure where that stuff launches. You could try asking one of the Cyanogen devs, they might have found it. They add stuff to the power button long press menu at least.

Certain apps (Visual Task Switcher and Itching Thumb) remap the search and home buttons to open themselves. I imagine this same idea could be used for the menu button, but I've never seen it.
I don't always complain, but when I do, I #BlameWes

some success...
Well I got a little app to work at opening the keyboard on long press of the SEARCH key. I don't want to override the home function, which is what ADW for instance does. The only other button that has an available intent as far as I can tell is search. This is my first java anything, so I wouldn't expect much out of it (it may not even work on anyone's phone but mine) but maybe someone with better android chops can use it as a proof-of-concept for what I was thinking. Install it and when you long press the search key you can choose "Search for Keyboard!"
One pretty major caveat... the swype soft cursor doesn't act anything like I'd wanted when I was envisioning this. There's no "execute" button that works like a click, so while you can use the soft arrows to select links it's not gonna do you much good. Also there's no way to effectively use "select text" in the browser. Concept 2, if I ever get around to it, would probably be more like a replacement touchpad area below the current application window.

i would like to see an app to remap long press menu on my i9000, anyone has success? thx

Another reason to ditch Samsung firmware and use AOSP-based ROMs, like CyanogenMod or MIUI.
FYI, nearly every "ROM" made for Galaxy S phones are Samsung firmware. They're not built from source like ROMs for other decent Android phones, they are just original Samsung builds being modified like nuts. And they use the same Samsung framework (though usually customized for themes and removing of annoyances like battery-full popup), and usually still include most of Samsung's stupid fixes that make their Galaxy S system software the most different in structure compared to any other Android system.
By using AOSP firmware like CyanogenMod and MIUI, these problems (like menu-button keyboard binding getting screwed up by Samsung) don't exist, because they were never present in official Android release. When problems do come up for AOSP, they get fixed quick because the source code is actually available.
Summarized process of development:
Samsung-based ROMs: What's broken or runs like ****? Try to fix it. Hack hack hack, hope it works, if it fails try again. Submit to XDA
CyanogenMod (in general): If there is a problem, try to fix it. Write code, build, test. Make sure it works before putting it in "stable" branch. After that think of brand new useful feature to implement, code it, bug test a lot, request it to be used in official releases or just make your own CyanogenMod-based ROM with your own enhancements, like BiffMod for the HTC Dream.
Btw, the reason why Samsung put this keybind is because the original international Galaxy S doesn't have a dedicated search key, so they set the search function up with the menu button. Our problem is that Samsung was a lazyass and forgot to change back that binding to the original for the Vibrant, which does have a dedicated search button and doesn't need the menu binding to search.

But aosp roms have other problems like poor 3d performance and no gps/compass. If the issues get worked out, I suspect many devs will be switching to aosp builds.

The useless "Search" soft key.

Any apps to make it open something else?
Thanks.

there are plenty
quicksettings
quickdesk
handcent sms
are a few off the top of my head
i used to have a bunch more, but i have since uninstalled after trying nearly all the apps i want to try
(these will allow you to launch them by long press. i dont know if you can replace the short press)

Pretty sure short press is not easily changed. With froyo though longpress opens Google voice commands.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Nice.
Thank you.

id be interested in a kernel or rom that would allow this to be changed. long press on menu opens search so why a seperate key that can be usefull as something else? can any of those apps change the short press? ive only seen long press on search and on home.

I use visual task switcher and assigned the long press of the search key to bring up a list of currently running apps. Pretty handy.

I installed "screen lock" and assigned it to screen lock to take some stress off the power button.

I don't remember where, but I found a post somewhere on how to change it, short press on mine opens camera.

Button Shortcut in the market.
Sent from my Captivate.

Dani897 said:
id be interested in a kernel or rom that would allow this to be changed. long press on menu opens search so why a seperate key that can be usefull as something else? can any of those apps change the short press? ive only seen long press on search and on home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AReynante said:
I don't remember where, but I found a post somewhere on how to change it, short press on mine opens camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, this is an old thread, for those interested dragon remaps the key as camera launch.
can be done in button remapper. also touch jestures can be mapped as keys in galay tuner.
for people who want to get custom and dont see the otions they want in button remapper, i think the key table is in /system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl
this is good for fixing i9000 roms (partially) when no kernel is available for those who want to try samsung gingerbread

I like the long press for google voice search. Thanks for the idea.

If you end up flashing a ROM, CM7 has a way to change the search key in the settings menu

I took a look at the system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl file but I'm having trouble figuring it out. Anyone know how to get more info on it? Would love to map QuickDesk to it

Dani897 said:
wow, this is an old thread, for those interested dragon remaps the key as camera launch.
can be done in button remapper. also touch jestures can be mapped as keys in galay tuner.
for people who want to get custom and dont see the otions they want in button remapper, i think the key table is in /system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl
this is good for fixing i9000 roms (partially) when no kernel is available for those who want to try samsung gingerbread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.. I have the issue, seems quite random with the Search button. Am wondering if it is related to moisture from my palm (right-handed)... not sure. Will have to try the rice trick.
Have also taken a look at the remapping option, but don't seem to have write permissions to any of the files, much less, what values to place in the file(s).
Any assistance would be appreciated on teh edit option.
BTW: Captivate with CM7.1 (and a functional GPS after a number of patch/fixes applied)

cm7 has this option.

Why is soft keys necessary on stock rooted NC?

Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?

doncaruana said:
Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.

I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.

ewong90 said:
I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Button Savior looks like much nicer than Soft Keys - what basic steps to remove Soft Keys and run Button Savior instead? Any gotchas? Im also using the Gingerbread keyboard and hope this change wont affect that?

timekeeper said:
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can always use the home button (and then a task killer if needed) to get out of the few full screen apps that won't let me back out.
But softkeys is part of the autonooter package, which a lot of people use - I didn't specifically install it. I haven't used the other 'packages' - not sure if it's included there as well. It's positioned as a "must have", but doesn't really seem to be. So someone thought it was important enough to include there and so I wanted to know why.
Gee. I'm sorry. I guess I'm not allowed to ask questions? Should I ask you if you deem an issue important first before I ask a question in the future?
Here's my next question - let me know if it's important enough: Why did you have to be an ass about my previous question?

timekeeper said:
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense timekeeper but I was wondering the same thing, so I found this helpful.

It's not just the back key that's important.
Most apps have additional functionality that you can only access via the 'menu' key.
That's the one I find most needed.

ewong90 said:
I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto. Soft Keys does a passable job, but the attractive design and customizability of Button Savior makes it a better choice.

I wasn't a fan of the softkey button size and could never find a place on screen that i liked it. Button Savior is much better. Both add a huge amount of functionality to a rooted NC.

Except you don't see any silly on-screen buttons with SoftKeys if you set it up properly.. Then you just press the N key once or twice, depending upon config, to get the pop-up with back, menu, etc..
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Default_Launcher
As for the Op saying "Can't I ask questions?" Sure you can, just don't act like a free piece of software which is VERY useful is somehow killing you .

ajaik said:
Button Savior looks like much nicer than Soft Keys - what basic steps to remove Soft Keys and run Button Savior instead? Any gotchas? Im also using the Gingerbread keyboard and hope this change wont affect that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make sure you have USB debugging enabled. You don't have to uninstall softkeys, just disable it. Button Savior should run normally from startup and shouldn't affect anything else.

doncaruana said:
Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know you could swipe to go back, so thanks for that.
There are some apps that run full screen and the status bar isn't visible which then you would need either soft keys or button savior.

I went ahead and uninstalled SoftKeys. Button Savior rocks.

Power Button Camera Button

I know it has been discused on other phones that also dont have a camera button but i failed to get the answear i was looking for. So it is possible to modify the power button to be used as camera button while in camera app and still remain a power button in the other apps?
Rly sry i wanted to post this in thr Q&A Section but i accidentaly posted here if anyone can move it pls do so.

I think you would need some kind of app (or even a custom rom/root). I have never seen that done, but in theory it could be possible

No, well yes, but remapping that would mean you would have no power button. And it would be a lot harder to try and get it to only be when the camera is open, so the solution is to: instead of wanting the power button to control camera, why not use the volume buttons instead?
You can try button remapper(ing) I forgot the exact name, its an app. I forgot where I got it from. Only thing is I've never tried it on this phone so I'm not sure if it'll work or not.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App. Developer of brickROM, and OP of XDA Thread of The Year 2011.

CM7 has this featrure. You can use volume buttons or power button to take a photo.

If you can do it without the standard app, you could try this: https://market.android.com/details?...DEsIm5ldC5tcnBsdXMuYW5kcm9pZC5kZWZ5cGhvdG8iXQ..

You kind of need a power button - unless you are talking about really changing the behavior.

i think the OP wants a temporary change in the behavior of the button (i.e. only acts like a camera button when you have the camera app open and are using it). That should be entirely possible given the fact it was already mentioned as a feature in CM7, which is now "old"

i would actually appreciate that. obviously its a pain to take pictures of yourself with the back camera without camera button.
it would be great if some kind of addon would change the power buttons function as long as the camera app is opened.