http://www.cyrket.com/package/uk.co.neilandtheresa.Vault
I tried this out today. Its claim is to "[d]isable apps and remove them from the launcher, without uninstalling them. Stow away apps you rarely use, or hide built-in apps you never use.." Also good for T-Mo US Rom root users to hide that useless Amazon MP3s app.
I tested it out by hiding (the app uses the term 'stowing') a Better Keyboard Skin shortcut, a widget shortcut and normal application.
The App Vault app does have an issue with requesting root permission, it requires it for stowing/unstowing each app (and multiple times for each app) it adjusts instead of having a global permission. Think of it as Vista's UAC for Android, compared to Windows 7's.
Stowing a Better Keyboard skin shortcut does not change any of your Better Keyboard settings. If you had that skin selected, it is still in use. However, you cannot reselect that skin in the app's skin manager anymore. The shortcut was successfully hidden from the launcher.
Stowing a Widget shortcut (I used Battery Status) was less successful than the Better Keyboard Skin. The widget remained on the home screen, but it no longer updated. I could also add the widget to my home screen still, so I did, but it remained at 0%, unable to update to the real percentage. The shortcut was successfully hidden from the launcher, however.
Stowing a normal application (I used the Babbler Facebook app) worked the same as uninstalling the app. Its home screen shortcut turned into the default APK icon and was unable to launch. It's widget remained on the selection screen for widgets, but like the Battery Status widget, it would not update. And like the others, the shortcut was hidden from the launcher.
Overall, it seems the vault is useful when hiding applications you don't use (especially stock apps), but not widgets or commonly used applications. As the Better Keyboard Skin was the only app that was successful in stowing and still being usable, and caused the least upset to me, I think I'll refund the application.
I hope someone can find a better use for it than I can.
[delete this post]
hmm i wonder if i put something like set cpu or autostarts or something that you only configure once and then dont touch if the configurations will stay .. going to try it out
Why wouldn't you just use the modified launcher, you have root already, CM has it as default along with some others.
Caution when using this application.
DO NOT HIDE THE USER PERMISSIONS APPLICATION
if you do this, the app WILL become unusable and you will not be able to access root permissions in any way. the app should really be disabled from being hidden from the get go just to be on the safe side
Does anyone know of an application in which you can disable Auto-Rotation on just the Home Screen instead of disabling it altogether?
It disables the Auto-Rotation in all of your programs if you disable it in settings. This gets annoying if you go into your gallery.
Maybe there is a program that can change the auto rotation properties of specific apps.
Thanks for your help guys.
crecsky said:
Does anyone know of an application in which you can disable Auto-Rotation on just the Home Screen instead of disabling it altogether?
It disables the Auto-Rotation in all of your programs if you disable it in settings. This gets annoying if you go into your gallery.
Maybe there is a program that can change the auto rotation properties of specific apps.
Thanks for your help guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
depends on what launcher you are using....what launcher are you using?
Beautiful widgets has a toggle widget for disabling/enabling auto rotation. But I'm pretty sure there's no app to apply rotation restrictions to specific apps. But search google and see if you can find anything. It also does depend on the launcher in some cases. Are you rooted, running 2.1/2.2/2.2.1 roms or anything?
This would be a great idea for someone to make into an app if it doesn't exist. I too would like to disable home screen rotation, but still be able to use the landscape keyboard and such in other apps without having to change the settings.
if you use a different launcher like launcher pro or adw, those settings are available to you. if you use froyo or gingerbread launcher, it doesnt rotate.
I guess I didn't make myself clear enough. I run the stock 2.2 launcher and I prefer it over LP and ADW. I know I am able to completely turn Auto-Rotate on or off, but I would just need it off for the home screen (maybe the browser and messaging too). It gets annoying turning it off and going into the gallery and not being able to view in landscape mode. I also don't want to have to continuously be toggling a widget or going into my settings. I'm rooted, and I assume such a program would require full permissions.
I guess it hasn't been made yet.
crecsky said:
I guess I didn't make myself clear enough. I run the stock 2.2 launcher and I prefer it over LP and ADW. I know I am able to completely turn Auto-Rotate on or off, but I would just need it off for the home screen (maybe the browser and messaging too). It gets annoying turning it off and going into the gallery and not being able to view in landscape mode. I also don't want to have to continuously be toggling a widget or going into my settings. I'm rooted, and I assume such a program would require full permissions.
I guess it hasn't been made yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stock 2.2 launcher? like the froyo launcher? or touchwiz?
We are in the Captivate thread, so... Touchwiz. It's the "stock" launcher of the Captivate.
Not that your question needed to be answered because it doesn't have any relation about what this thread is about.
If you're running 2.2, the pulldown menu at the top should have the auto rotation toggle in it. It's really not that much of a hassle. Swipe down. Disable. Swipe the menu closed. Carry on about your business. If there's an app or one gets created, it's always going to be running in the background no matter if you have the "disable app" to work with one app or forty apps, and it's just gonna be lurking there in the bushes, getting ready to take your battery from behind with no lube. No lube at all.
crecsky said:
We are in the Captivate thread, so... Touchwiz. It's the "stock" launcher of the Captivate.
Not that your question needed to be answered because it doesn't have any relation about what this thread is about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow. i apologize for trying to understand what you are running....you know, since 'STOCK' means different things around here....and it absolutely pertains to what this thread is about
carry on. sorry to be of some major burden to you....
Honestly, "stock" does have about 6 or 7 different meanings and implementations around here.
I dont know what you are necesarily refering to here, but what I would like is a widget or icon that I can put on my homescreen that would allow me to just move from auto sensor to portrait only for my homescreen, not the whole system. I know that it can be enabled through most launcher settings, like LP and ADW and GO Launcher, but if there were to be a shortcut to toggling this it would be awesome
Word to the wise. When asking other people a question you really want the answer to, don't act like an arrogant sob. Be it one sentence or an entire explanation. There taking time out to help you. Take me for instance. I was going to dig pretty hard for a solution to this partly for you and partly for a friend that likes stock over lp. But after reading all your posts you just come off as an obnoxious brat. Of the two of you Im only going to give the solution i find (if any) to one of you. Take a wild guess at who won't get it.
All I was getting at is he's asking these questions when I was just wondering if there was an app that would stop the home screen from auto rotating but leave everything else defaulting.
It's a simple question. It has nothing to do with running a different launcher, I already know LP and ADW do such a thing, but I don't want to use them. That's why I was asking.
I wasn't asking for a launcher, I was asking for a background app like "Keep the Lights on" or "Set CPU."
I'm sorry for coming off as "arrogant" or a "snob" but he's digging too deep, asking questions he doesn't need the answer to. As well, his questions came off kind of rude to me. That's probably why I responded the way I did.
Anyways: Simple app that stops home screen rotation.
Smart Rotator (SmartDog Studio HK) and Smart Auto-Rotate (Asteri Software) are possible solutions.
Enough of the Off Topic posts and rudeness, I will not tolerate it.
Also to solve the problem, not sure if this is available on the Captivate, there is an extra button you can enable in the Power Control widget that allows you to lock the screen vertically.
Hopefully I get bonus points for not posting the typical 'Halp! I bricked my Gear!' or 'Halp! I can has no roots!' type threads. :laugh:
I've been searching and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I've got my Gear rooted w/Recovery & null 23 flashed. Generally that's the hard part of rooting but I've never done this on a watch before and now I'm not sure how to set it up. I have a Sony Smartwatch 2 also and really like most of the functionality of that watch but wanted something that didn't look quite so... dated. I got a Gear and the functionality was a joke in comparison so I opted to root/flash it to get it to do what I want it to do. Now that I've done that I'm not really sure where to go but I'd like it to function similar to my SW2 with a little bit more customization. For instance, when I flashed null 23 there were a LOT of options I wasn't sure if I wanted and needed. I did some searching but all I could find was mostly people having difficulty doing the processes I've already done. Nothing on post-root/flash setup.
Which launcher do I want? I have Nova & Apex and I'm not really sure which one is better and why.
Notifications? How do I set these up? On my SW2 I really like how it handled notifications for apps like Gmail, Hangouts, SMS, etc. and I'd like to replicate this on this watch too. When I go into my Gear Manager on my phone all of the apps under notifications are grayed out. I'm assuming this app no longer controls my watch or perhaps it does when the stock launcher is activated?
Is there a description somewhere that explains each of the options when you flash the ROM? I have a feeling that I installed a LOT of things I don't need but since it was my first time and I hand't yet messed with it I erred on the side of more than less so I could maybe see what it all was.
I would like a home/watch screen with a custom watch of some sort, the current weather conditions, & a few shortcuts maybe. I miss how I could double tap the power button and set that to launch an app. I used this for the Media Controller app which allowed me quick access to controlling the audio on my phone which is one of the big features I need.
I guess in all I'm just confused by what all I want/need since it's basically a Motorola Droid on my wrist w/o a cellular or WiFi radio or GPS and rather than a full featured device I just need a better smartwatch. If someone can point me in the right direction via some links or something or if a few people want to hold my hand through a few more specific questions I have while I get this figured out I would appreciate it.
Thanks for reading.
OstrichSak said:
Which launcher do I want? I have Nova & Apex and I'm not really sure which one is better and why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Up to the user. I like apex these days (phone and watch), used to use nova
Notifications? How do I set these up? On my SW2 I really like how it handled notifications for apps like Gmail, Hangouts, SMS, etc. and I'd like to replicate this on this watch too. When I go into my Gear Manager on my phone all of the apps under notifications are grayed out. I'm assuming this app no longer controls my watch or perhaps it does when the stock launcher is activated?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't sound right. What phone/rom are you using?
Is there a description somewhere that explains each of the options when you flash the ROM? I have a feeling that I installed a LOT of things I don't need but since it was my first time and I hand't yet messed with it I erred on the side of more than less so I could maybe see what it all was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trial and error. I haven't installed it ina long time, but I'm pretty sure it was self explanatory
I would like a home/watch screen with a custom watch of some sort, the current weather conditions, & a few shortcuts maybe. I miss how I could double tap the power button and set that to launch an app. I used this for the Media Controller app which allowed me quick access to controlling the audio on my phone which is one of the big features I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using custom launcher allows you to add any widgets you like to a home screen. Power button [annoyingly] isn't really a power button; there is details how to change this in null faq. People like gesture or pie control type apps for launcher programs
[/QUOTE]
Brendo said:
Up to the user. I like apex these days (phone and watch), used to use nova
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? What would you say are the primary differences?
Brendo said:
That doesn't sound right. What phone/rom are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SGS4. Rooted but factory ROM still.
Brendo said:
Trial and error. I haven't installed it ina long time, but I'm pretty sure it was self explanatory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they aren't. I watched a video on how to install and all of the options he had while installing were self explanitory. My install of null 23 had lots of screens of options and I only understood what about half of them did. I would like a page somewhere that explains what they all do so I can make up my mind prior to installing and know what I want & don't want.
Brendo said:
Using custom launcher allows you to add any widgets you like to a home screen. Power button [annoyingly] isn't really a power button; there is details how to change this in null faq. People like gesture or pie control type apps for launcher programs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand adding any widgets I want but I see other people's screens and their screen looks much different than anything I've seen on an Android device so I'm not sure how to go about that.
1. Can't remember. They are similar
2. Hmmm... 4.3+ rom? Latest gear manager?
3. The few I can remember; choice of launcher, gapps (google based apps - people, calendar, play services, etc), power button mod (power button turns screen on/off), stock Samsung apps
4. No matter how it looks, it's exactly the same as phone if not using touchwiz launcher. Touchwiz launcher is not really customisable. I use the stock weather clock widget on home screen, shortcuts on second screen (app drawer, media controller, notifications, camera, tasgear), zooper widget with notification counts on third screen
I'd like to know the differences because I can choose which one of the two to install during ROM flash and I'd rather not flash the one that I'm not going to use.
Yes, 4.3 and the latest version of Gear Manager. However I just noticed something quite odd... the 'Other Notifications' on/off slider was set to off this time. I know for a fact that it wasn't last time because I checked that when I checked on 'Additional notifications' and they were gray. I went back and for a few times checking and it was set to 'on' and green. After a reboot they were grayed out again but this time I noticed that little slider on the previous screen was set to off. Slid it on and now all of my additional notifications are active and I can check and uncheck them. So I've got Gmail, Hangouts & one other one checked. I should be getting notifications on the watch now?
I know what Gapps is and I found what the power button mod thingy does in another thread. Seems if you want the power button to function on the 3rd party launchers the way it does on the stock launcher you need that installed. I did see where this can create issues at times with other functionality so I will keep an eye on that to see if it's going to create any issues for me. Still not 100% clear on that but I think I chose the right option. I also installed the stock apps because there's a media player controller and a couple of others that I really like as they are.
I guess I just keep seeing people with screens that look entirely different than mine. Mine the clock is kind of cut off on the top and the bottom and I know the top is cut off because I selected to install the status bar at the top (which I would likely not do next time I flash the ROM.. kinda pointless) but I can't understand why the bottom part is cut off. I disabled the little dots that show which home page you're on and it still gets cut off by the dock. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong.
So how will this work for notifications and phone controls? Like I know with my SW2 I could enable/disable WiFi, BT as well as a few other options and even mute, silence and normal my ring tone. Can I do this somehow from this watch with these launchers? What about notifications? I've enabled those as I stated earlier while I was typing this and still haven't got a single notification on the watch. Do I have to install the full Gmail & Hangouts APK to get the notifications and if this is the case I'm not sure it's going to behave the way I'm looking for. I really just want basic popups with the sender and the message the way my SW2 does and I'm not sure that a miniature Android device is going to be able to do this. Edit: while I was typing this I just got a notification for Hangouts & it was a full screen pop-up with the sender and the message for a few seconds so maybe this will do what I need it to do. Nothing for Gmail yet though.
Also, since I know I want the status bar across the top gone I will likely boot into recovery & flash the ROM again with that feature disabled. When I do that I will take the time to list each option that I see as well as if I know what it is or not and maybe someone can answer the questions I have about it and then I can go through with the flash with the options I want and don't want correctly set.
You'll really have to have a play yourself. I'd suggest downloading both to your phone and checking them out on an easier to use (ie bigger) screen
Yeah, sometimes it can turn off like that. I'd suggest clearing gear manager data/cache, uninstalling gm, reboot, install gm. If it's ticked, you should get notifications (when screen is off)
Correct. It's either one or the other
You'll need to play with settings to get that correct. Widget padding I believe
I think you may need to reset watch as well as reinstall gearmanager just to get rid of the gremlins it sounds like you have. The watch hardly controls anything on the phone (only what you see in gm). For bidirectional stuff, give tasker a try and check apps in themes and apps section
Yep, just reflash if you want to change any settings
Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.
vercetti said:
Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, here in the UK on the latest build for Lollipop I was unable to install Fancy Switcher, as it said it wasn't compatible with my device.
I'm not very keen on the stock recents however I believe the marshmallow update change's this from 4 apps on a screen to a single app per screen
Lock screen, not very nice and ability to set apps as sensitive to stop them displaying the app sender or message (for example in WhatsApp) which is something I really miss from previous Lollipop and Marshmallow that I had on a HTC One M8 running Google Play Edition. I've tried 'Next' lock screen app from Microsoft but unable to unlock with fingerprint so its probably only a function that works with the stock lock screen. As Marshmallow has native support for fingerprint sensors maybe the update will bring additional functionality however we will have to wait and see.
I did register for Marshmallow beta testing but don't appear to have been selected unless rollout is slow.
I like the phone but almost wish I had waiting and tried a Mate 8. The extra battery size and already on Marshmallow may make it a better choice.
I've always been a stock android or custom ROM person however I quite like some features of the EMUI skin...just wish there were a few more customisations and built in features that were enabled as standard...like the ability to change the cycle date of your mobile data plan.
Gavin
hey gavin,
thx for the nice reply.
the recent apps menu in marshmallow makes it even worse if only 1 app is available per screen. to get to the 5th app you'd have to swipe 5 times (compared to now with just one swipe)! that really sucks - 1 app per screen?!?
too bad about fancy switcher, that would look nice if it worked. i found switcher so far but it doesn't work 100% on my note 2. would you try that one out for me?
lock screen - how are notifactions presented? would you have a screenshot? and they can be swiped away right from the lockscreen?
thx for your help,
vercetti.
hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.
vercetti said:
hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin
brumgav said:
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
I guess if you dont set a PIN or fingerprint then it will just open the app but i prefer the security of having my phone locked securely with fingerprint.
brumgav said:
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.
brumgav said:
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.
vercetti said:
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
I'm really hoping that the MM update and EMUI 4.0 update bring lots of new features.
I brought an iPhone 6 Plus a month ago to have a look at it, as I had the opportunity to buy one, have a play and sell it without making a loss and I admit I really quite liked some of its features...considering the CPU the iPhones are so fast but I hated the notification centre, Android really have a great notification system and I prefered being able to customise lots of features, particulary with ROMs like Cyanogen. I sold it and after seeing the Mate S online thought it looked great and thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
I have seen youtube videos comparing Galaxy S6 and Mate 8 (yes the bigger Mate S with better CPU) however the S6 still wsa very powerful on graphics.
Like I said, hopeing the MM and EMUI update brings some improvement however, for jsut a normal phone user that uses phone on train during morning commute for 40 minutes I'm more than happy with it. Finger print sensor on the rear is perfect, I've barely opened the front cover of my phone case and just natural position of my hand and first finger is perfect so the phone is unlocked ready for me. I think my thumb was at risk of being strained on my HTC One M8 which I had pattern unlock....when I look back I don't know how I managed to keep doing that pattern so many times, and also the risk that a pick pocket could learn my pattern over time.
Hope this is helping you.
brumgav said:
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably not out yet...
thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
Hope this is helping you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.
vercetti said:
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
probably not out yet...
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.
brumgav said:
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and take a look at a different launcher and the themes thing later tonight when home from work.
Just a quick point though, the lockscreen notifications only work with a particular lockscreen type called Magazine Unlock... This is a type of lockscreen that cycles through a gallery of images....not sure if the images are customisable.
Here is a snapshot of a normal lockscreen with limited notification details compared with the magazine lockscreen. You can see one has the message details and the other is very basic with just an icon.
hey, now that sucks! only magazine lockscreen gives you more info on notifications? all the others simply show the icon?!? wow, that is really disappointing...
thx for trying later today, can't wait!
from a quick internet search I think it's possible to stop the switching pix in the magazine lockscreen. also which pix should be used. so you can actually control which and also how many (or only 1) are used.
The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
vercetti said:
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.
Thx for clarifying this suprman.
Lockscreen doesn't sound very good unfortunately...
which theme and lockscreen do you use?
I read in older Huawei threads that one can change the lockscreen style. "halo" style got rid of the 4 standard shortcuts on the bottom (which to my knowledge are also not modifiable...) and instead let's you set up 4 custom shortcuts. but maybe huawei did away with this feature nowadays.
which design (theme) do you use?
thx,
vercetti.
suprman said:
The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comments, that summarised what I was going to so with the themes later.
Did you know you can open the app from the lockscreen by swiping it to the right...and then touching fingerprint sensor?
Samsung released their major update for GoodLock and the associated widgets this morning (i got them in UK at least anyway)
The new HomeUp is great ... adds a major element which makes the app tray so much nicer ... VERTICAL scrolling in one long list instead of pages.
I already really like the ability to make the home screen & folders support many more rows/columns -- but this no more horizontal app tray = best bit ever
Makes OneUI finally for me a decent launcher
Why they just don't incorporate GoodLock and the extras into the main codeline i have no idea
What version of GoodLock and HomeUp do you have?
About the vertical scrolling, I can't the "priority app list" on the top of the drawer, why they didn't add a switch for that... Anyway I'm back to Nova hehe
Dizzyrul3z said:
What version of GoodLock and HomeUp do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good lock new modules are now up on apkmirror
Thx 4 info but I need patched one from here https://downloads.corsicanu.ro/GoodLock/12/
EDIT: patched new versions are available. I had hoped for option to remove priority app list but not this time (again)
I use Fine Lock, it's a Good Lock launcher that lets you launch any module and it comes with some additional features like customizing the UI of the app and let you know when a module has been updated.
ryupunk said:
About the vertical scrolling, I can't the "priority app list" on the top of the drawer, why they didn't add a switch for that... Anyway I'm back to Nova hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, so good change but still unusable, why the hell that part is not optional as it take nearly half of the screen -.-
They even fixed my problem of being unable to save and restore setups - something triggered by the OneUI 4.0 update. Finally sorted out.
Agreed that most of the HomeUp features should be integrated in Home UI settings. I guess Samsung thinks users would be overwhelmed if they cram all the options in.