Database Develop

Wizard as a flashlight?

I didn't get the wizard for the camera, so the fact the flash is really nothing more than a flashlight doesn't bother me. However, it did occur to me that it would be really nice if you could turn that light on/off with a softbutton or from the start menu.
I know, it sounds weird, but I find myself using it as one periodically.
I guess I ought to look around and see what it takes to code for this thing ...

I wanted to use it as a flashlight, but I got more light from the front screen so I never got around to turning on the flash.

bkeahl said:
I didn't get the wizard for the camera, so the fact the flash is really nothing more than a flashlight doesn't bother me. However, it did occur to me that it would be really nice if you could turn that light on/off with a softbutton or from the start menu.
I know, it sounds weird, but I find myself using it as one periodically.
I guess I ought to look around and see what it takes to code for this thing ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bad idea ...the camera flash/led will only last 10 minutes of continuous use then get dim and die. the led is crap. it a known fact .
sorry

A program that would make the screen completely white would work well. I had a similar program on an old Nokia phone I used to have.

if you start the camera and turn the flash on, then hit the power button on top it will put the phone it sleep mode. as soon as you need the light again, hit the power button and it comes right back on. works great when im djing and i forgot my mini flashlight or those batteries died.

aron7awol said:
A program that would make the screen completely white would work well. I had a similar program on an old Nokia phone I used to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you are

This app made the screen white on my Compact to use as a torch, no idea if it works with the Vario as well.
edit: Meschle beat me to it. Some people can't be beaten by a humble noob like me.

Koksie said:
Meschle beat me to it. Some people can't be beaten by a humble noob like me.
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Click to collapse
lol koksie! I had that one too lurking somewhere :wink:

meschle said:
Here you are
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It takes surprisingly long to load for some reason, but it does accomplish the task.

aron7awol said:
meschle said:
Here you are
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It takes surprisingly long to load for some reason, but it does accomplish the task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one koksie posted loads faster, but the advantage with torch is that you can also use it to keep the backlight on, for say when you are playing a game and the backlight keeps going off - i find that so irritating! To do this you need start menu mapped to a hardware button - i use the comm button.

Ah, what a crew! I agree the screen can act as a good light as well, just seemed like I could put the virtually useless LED to use .
I'll give these a try, and thanks!
Brian

faria said:
bad idea ...the camera flash/led will only last 10 minutes of continuous use then get dim and die. the led is crap. it a known fact .
sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One day before I went to sleep, I put my wizard to charge and, dont ask me how, accidentally pressed camera button and somehow got the LED on. When i woke up 8 HOURS LATER i found my wizard sitting there with the LED on. It was turned on all night.
2 months later, It still works to date.

Perhaps they had a bad production run of them. Of course, with my luck, that's what I would have gotten!

zeuzinn said:
faria said:
bad idea ...the camera flash/led will only last 10 minutes of continuous use then get dim and die. the led is crap. it a known fact .
sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One day before I went to sleep, I put my wizard to charge and, dont ask me how, accidentally pressed camera button and somehow got the LED on. When i woke up 8 HOURS LATER i found my wizard sitting there with the LED on. It was turned on all night.
2 months later, It still works to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LED should have a very long life of about 100 000 hours at normal voltage. It will be excellent if somebody can develop a software to turn on/off the flashlight. I always us it as a torch.

biolover said:
zeuzinn said:
faria said:
bad idea ...the camera flash/led will only last 10 minutes of continuous use then get dim and die. the led is crap. it a known fact .
sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One day before I went to sleep, I put my wizard to charge and, dont ask me how, accidentally pressed camera button and somehow got the LED on. When i woke up 8 HOURS LATER i found my wizard sitting there with the LED on. It was turned on all night.
2 months later, It still works to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LED should have a very long life of about 100 000 hours at normal voltage. It will be excellent if somebody can develop a software to turn on/off the flashlight. I always us it as a torch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Biolover there are enough stories on the forum of device led's burning out to put one off this idea - do a search and you will see what I mean :wink: The quality seems to vary.

Its not hard to replace the LED though, the wizard can easily be taken apart.

anyway to keep the 4 lights on at the bottom?

I looked/searched but i cant find a way to keep the lights on longer then 5 secs. the bottom five buttons.
any ideas?

I've read that its controlled by hardware and cant be changed, which would suck. Cant say for sure though.

I have seen a lot of complaints on this but all the hacks and mods I've tried have the same issue. It seems like another thing to get used to (like no notification led and no flash)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

i think the kernel has been modded to use as a notification led, but anyway if you touch the screen the lights come back on and how long does it take to learn the buttons any way?
we can hope that an experianced dev can work that into there busy schedules i wouldn't count on it

ThisWasATriumph said:
I've read that its controlled by hardware and cant be changed, which would suck. Cant say for sure though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can be changed...atleast they can on the i9000 which means all you need is patience...quite a bit of patience
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=772672
If the backlight notifications can be used based on calls to notifications, a call can be created to something related to screen/power/time etc to keep the lights running.
Ive managed to get used to it but the button press area is quite small too, meaning sometimes it takes a couple of tries to press it right, esp when you are holding the phone at funny angles.
Wish phones would come with real buttons again. I loved the layout and buttons on the Topaz.

ozy944 said:
They can be changed...atleast they can on the i9000 which means all you need is patience...quite a bit of patience
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=772672
If the backlight notifications can be used based on calls to notifications, a call can be created to something related to screen/power/time etc to keep the lights running.
Ive managed to get used to it but the button press area is quite small too, meaning sometimes it takes a couple of tries to press it right, esp when you are holding the phone at funny angles.
Wish phones would come with real buttons again. I loved the layout and buttons on the Topaz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there a kernel update or something that had this update? (unless your running Froyo) You can at least use them for notifications lol. This:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=762171
And yea, as much as i know where the buttons are, I still fail at exactly hitting them every now and then too lol.

Dino. said:
Isn't there a kernel update or something that had this update? (unless your running Froyo) You can at least use them for notifications lol. This:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=762171
And yea, as much as i know where the buttons are, I still fail at exactly hitting them every now and then too lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just touch the screen first, they'll light up!

Dani897 said:
just touch the screen first, they'll light up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even when they are lit! lol I think its cuz i tap a lil too high from time to time; then happen to hold my phone funny like 50% of the time lol.\
Edit: spelling fail lol

yeah this is a pain in the balls. drives me nuts

[Q] Issues with new HTC One

I just upgraded to an HTC One, but am having issues with this one and may need to exchange it. Before I do I wanted to see if the issues were at all common or if there is a fix for any of them.
Issues:
1. The power button is sunk in a bit. Not flush, but below the hole. It is very difficult to push and has been driving me nuts.
2. The front buttons do not light up. I saw them light up once, but most of the time I have to guess where the buttons are. Also very annoying as back, home, and power are used frequently.
3. Over half of my text messages need to be resent multiple times. This did not happen with my previous phone.
4. Smaller issue but the volume rocker is difficult to press. Big difference from the HTC EVO 4G LTE
5. Do I have to force close the power app everytime I restart the phone?
6. How do I recent apps? Holding down home goes to Google Now.
Thank you for any help.

FrankthaTank said:
I just upgraded to an HTC One, but am having issues with this one and may need to exchange it. Before I do I wanted to see if the issues were at all common or if there is a fix for any of them.
Issues:
1. The power button is sunk in a bit. Not flush, but below the hole. It is very difficult to push and has been driving me nuts.
Me too. I am gonna RMA it, this is a QC issue. Two of my other ones are fine, this one is bad.
2. The front buttons do not light up. I saw them light up once, but most of the time I have to guess where the buttons are. Also very annoying as back, home, and power are used frequently.
Does your auto brightness work properly? Many people were reporting problems with the ambient light sensor.
3. Over half of my text messages need to be resent multiple times. This did not happen with my previous phone.
I have no idea what this is. Google voice probs?
4. Smaller issue but the volume rocker is difficult to press. Big difference from the HTC EVO 4G LTE
HTC has sacrificed functionality for aesthetics. You'll get used to it, though.
5. Do I have to force close the power app everytime I restart the phone?
Why would you do this? Does the power saver notification bother you so much?
6. How do I recent apps? Holding down home goes to Google Now.
Double tap home.
Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..

The volume rocker is flush to the body of the phone but Ive had no problems using it? Maybe because I'm using a case I'm not too sure
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

joshiy99 said:
The volume rocker is flush to the body of the phone but Ive had no problems using it? Maybe because I'm using a case I'm not too sure
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, a case makes it much easier because then there is nothing to stop your fingers from pressing the volume buttons. The bezel is the culprit here.

True, but I can't imagine not having a case for such a beautiful phone
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

joshiy99 said:
True, but I can't imagine not having a case for such a beautiful phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's oxymoronic, not to mention a double negative.

FrankthaTank said:
I just upgraded to an HTC One, but am having issues with this one and may need to exchange it. Before I do I wanted to see if the issues were at all common or if there is a fix for any of them.
Issues:
1. The power button is sunk in a bit. Not flush, but below the hole. It is very difficult to push and has been driving me nuts.
2. The front buttons do not light up. I saw them light up once, but most of the time I have to guess where the buttons are. Also very annoying as back, home, and power are used frequently.
3. Over half of my text messages need to be resent multiple times. This did not happen with my previous phone.
4. Smaller issue but the volume rocker is difficult to press. Big difference from the HTC EVO 4G LTE
5. Do I have to force close the power app everytime I restart the phone?
6. How do I recent apps? Holding down home goes to Google Now.
Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: How flush is it? Mine is flush but I can still press it easily without a case on. With a case on, I have to place my finger a certain way.
2: The buttons are light sensitive. So if you're in the dark, they will light up. If you're out in the sun or in a room with the light on, they won't light up. That's one thing I love about HTC.
3: Umm maybe spotty coverage? Or it could be a defect. Not sure about that one.
4: Volume rocker is fine if you don't have a case on. Just try hitting it near the very top or bottom to make it easier.
5: Are you asking about the power saver notification? If yes then yeah, every time you reboot. Or you can just leave it there. I don't mind it as I am switching the power saver on and off quite often.
6: You double tap the home button.
Hope this helps!
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium

OP, if it is hard at all to press the power button, return it or exchange it. My other Ones are SUPER easy to press. I have to get around to mailing this one in, but I'm not sure if I should because everything else about this phone is pretty much perfect.
And to see if your button lights are working, just cover the ambient light sensor with your finger. The one at the top left. Hold it for about 3 seconds. The lights should turn on. It think it's very smart that they only turn in when there is very little light.
I would have like a nav bar better though.

Okay so I'm exchanging the phone for the power button issue. Sad that the volume rocker issue will continue, but I can handle that one. The power button on mine is an absolute nightmare. I have to jam a fingernail in there to turn it on and half the time it doesn't work. Have to hit it just right.
The capacitive buttons do not light up in the light, dark, whenever. I cannot see the buttons and have to guess. Believe me, no one would love this feature. On my HTC EVO 4G LTE the lights came on. It gets annoying having to guess every time. I want the lights to come on.
My other big problem has nothing to do with google voice. I'll have full reception and not be able to make calls and text messages have to be resent. Seems like the phone is not working with the network correctly.
Yes the power saver notification is unacceptable. It is annoying to have a useless notification in the status bar. I'm not the only one it bothers and it needs to be removed permanently. Also I need Sprint ID to stop changing my custom screens. I would like my phone to work the way I want it to. I wanted an upgrade not a downgrade. When I get one with a working power button rooting should solve this, but if that wasn't an option I'd be shopping for another phone.
Figured out the double tap on home shortly after, but thanks. I still need to figure out how to stop Sprint ID from messing up my home screens. I tried disabling the icon pack for now.

FrankthaTank said:
/snip
The capacitive buttons do not light up in the light, dark, whenever. I cannot see the buttons and have to guess. Believe me, no one would love this feature. On my HTC EVO 4G LTE the lights came on. It gets annoying having to guess every time. I want the lights to come on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's sure not right. Hopefully your exchange doesn't do that, because mine lights up at all times of day.
FrankthaTank said:
My other big problem has nothing to do with google voice. I'll have full reception and not be able to make calls and text messages have to be resent. Seems like the phone is not working with the network correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, not an issue here. Hopefully something your first unit just struggled with.
FrankthaTank said:
Yes the power saver notification is unacceptable. It is annoying to have a useless notification in the status bar. I'm not the only one it bothers and it needs to be removed permanently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gone in 4.2, I believe. In the meantime though, you can long-press on the notification, head over to App info, and force stop the relevant app. Kills the thing quite nicely.
FrankthaTank said:
Also I need Sprint ID to stop changing my custom screens. I would like my phone to work the way I want it to. I wanted an upgrade not a downgrade. When I get one with a working power button rooting should solve this, but if that wasn't an option I'd be shopping for another phone.
Figured out the double tap on home shortly after, but thanks. I still need to figure out how to stop Sprint ID from messing up my home screens. I tried disabling the icon pack for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't really help you here. First thing I did when I got the phone was disable all of the bloatware (built-in Android disable function), although I later killed it off with Titanium Backup. Never had much an issue there though. Tried another launcher, maybe?

sauprankul said:
That's oxymoronic, not to mention a double negative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First a double negative is the only way this phrase works. Otherwise it's "I imagine having a case." which does not convey the point. Sure could go with "can't imagine leaving the phone unprotected" which is still a double negative without another "not" but that just seems nit-picky.
Also the first thing I do with phones when I get them is put a case on them. After many beautiful phones becoming banged up, scratched, ugly phones you learn that a case keeps them beautiful. The aluminum will scratch easily so putting a case on it is a good idea. There are clear cases so you can still see through. You could just be really careful and paranoid with it though it will probably get scratched anyway. It's up to you, but in no way is it odd or a contradiction to protect the appearance of a beautiful phone with a case.

FrankthaTank said:
First a double negative is the only way this phrase works. Otherwise it's "I imagine having a case." which does not convey the point. Sure could go with "can't imagine leaving the phone unprotected" which is still a double negative without another "not" but that just seems nit-picky.
Also the first thing I do with phones when I get them is put a case on them. After many beautiful phones becoming banged up, scratched, ugly phones you learn that a case keeps them beautiful. The aluminum will scratch easily so putting a case on it is a good idea. There are clear cases so you can still see through. You could just be really careful and paranoid with it though it will probably get scratched anyway. It's up to you, but in no way is it odd or a contradiction to protect the appearance of a beautiful phone with a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just poking, mate. :s
Anyway, OP, I hope you can resolve these issues. The bloatware can easily be removed via root. The Power saver notification is gone in the 4.2 update. (We'll get that soon, hopefully)
The texting thing is bizzare. I really don't know what that was.

Button-less Wake!

The main defect with the Note 3 is that it requires a button-press to wake-up.
Let this thread be a collective bounty of alternative solutions until we can Slide2Wake which requires kernal changes and AT&T to unlock the bootloader.
Sign this petition in the meantime while you read on:
http://www.change.org/petitions/at-t-unlock-our-samsung-galaxy-note-3-bootloader
Working solutions:
-Use a proximity sensor app (very hit and miss) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.omd.autoscreenon&hl=en)
-Use the S View cover (also hit and miss and unpreferred by many)
Any other solutions please add!

Why would you want a huge wake lock like that? A simple press of the home button is much easier IMHO. I'd rather not have to swipe across the screen to turn the screen on

RErick said:
Why would you want a huge wake lock like that? A simple press of the home button is much easier IMHO. I'd rather not have to swipe across the screen to turn the screen on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. It's a considerable battery drain. The surprising thing is.. in the end, the smoothness of button-free operation becomes *worth it* IMHO.
I turn my phone on and off a lot to check stuff. I'll look at my to do list then press the corner SwipePad shortcut to turn it off. Then I'll remember something while moving up a bit in the line and **without even looking down for a button** and half-entranced in contemplation still I'll swipe from one side of the phone to halfway to the other and it is ON by the split second both my hands hold it to to make a note or reminder, look up something, etc. after which i'll immediately press the corner shortcut again to turn it off and my phone stays in one hand while I people-watch.
For some reason this is much more relaxed and makes me feel like the phone is like a second brain where I don't even need to create mnemonic devices called loci as much like I used to.
Maybe that's what's making my memory kind of crappy. Maybe should go back to doing that for my to-do lists. Might improve my memory. ANYWAY. my point is:
(1) it's less mechanical effort to swipe and
(2) I like to save my buttons and don't want to eventually have to replace the home button on the Note 3 for like $50 or whatever.
I guess it's not that big a deal.
If I did have that feature though I wouldn't miss anything else from past phones especially since the Note 3 is big enough to fit in one hand BARELY and could do a HALF-swipe to wake feature.
**pretends to do it now**
I'm crazy.

I would like a solution to this as well. Tried the light sensor app but that wasnt working well. Really wish we had tap-on.
I really like not hitting any physical buttons because this phone is huge and unwieldy. Still love it though.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spazedog.xposed.additionsgb
I assigned the power button to holding down the back button. That saves a little bit of button-life.
The app also is designed to support the same while the screen is off... but it doesn't seem to work yet.
Would be super awesome though to be able to turn the screen off and on while the back button is held. Just not there yet.
Screen on with swipe is the next best.. though much more battery intensive.

Has anyone just simply tried pressing the simple wake button on the side of the phone once? I mean you already have your hand on it most of the time since it is where your fingers are if you are holding the phone in one hand.
Also for you slider guys, it takes many more muscles to frown and it is the same to slide. Much better to smile and press one single button already under your thumb when you are holding the phone.

Solarenemy68 said:
Has anyone just simply tried pressing the simple wake button on the side of the phone once? I mean you already have your hand on it most of the time since it is where your fingers are if you are holding the phone in one hand.
Also for you slider guys, it takes many more muscles to frown and it is the same to slide. Much better to smile and press one single button already under your thumb when you are holding the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations Captain Obvious. You are the first person to ever think of that!
/\/\ sarcasm /\ /\
Read above about my experience with button-less waking in the SGS2.
Besides that, you're wrong, my thumb is actually closer to the screen than the power button when I am holding it.
And it's no effort at all. That's the whole point. It's the same slide necessary in receiving a call. No physical PUSHING required.
I can turn my phone on twice per second easily by linking one of the touch buttons to "power" as well. With zero concern for screwing up any physical buttons.
Anyway please only write in this thread if you have something that will contribute to the idea of "button-less wake"
I'm only looking for creating solutions to that.

megamorphg said:
I can turn my phone on twice per second easily by linking one of the touch buttons to "power" as well. With zero concern for screwing up any physical buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it looks like you've solved your own problem right? So should this be closed? I'll answer my own question, yes
Sent from my SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

Roundtableprez said:
Well it looks like you've solved your own problem right? So should this be closed? I'll answer my own question, yes
Sent from my SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm talking about my SGS2 (last phone).
If Note 3 has a button-less wake feature then can close this.
I think that won't happen till ATT lifts the lock tho..

Best buttonless Wake Achieved
S View cover
P.s.: for those who prefer a different case: just wait till bootloader is unlocked > kernel unlocked > slide function can be made.
thread closed.

[Q] New to s 4 active, question about navigation buttons

Are the hardware navigation buttons not supposed to light up? I get that you could potentially use them by feel in the dark but i never even considered they wouldn't be back lit when i purchased it. If they can light up, where is the option to turn them on?

thejase said:
Are the hardware navigation buttons not supposed to light up? I get that you could potentially use them by feel in the dark but i never even considered they wouldn't be back lit when i purchased it. If they can light up, where is the option to turn them on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do not light up. They also do not move or change. Menu, home, back. Took me a few years but I finally have that memorized, sometimes I can even remember in the terror of the inky black of night.
Edit: Wow just reread this post sorry for the unnecessary sarcasm, been a rough day. But no they don't light up, there is no way to make them light up, but it's never given me a problem and I've never heard anyone else have issues with it

thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
They do not light up. They also do not move or change. Menu, home, back. Took me a few years but I finally have that memorized, sometimes I can even remember in the terror of the inky black of night.
Edit: Wow just reread this post sorry for the unnecessary sarcasm, been a rough day. But no they don't light up, there is no way to make them light up, but it's never given me a problem and I've never heard anyone else have issues with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Guess I'll just have to learn. I guess I could just use on screen nav if it bothers me that much.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using XDA Free mobile app

Yes