Help with "back" and "menu" buttons? - Nook Color General

I'm an amateur at all this I've managed to get my nook color rooted, and I've installed a few apps. I've tried softkeys, but I'm not 100% happy with the result. First it wouldn't start on its own after a reboot. I reconfigured it following some directions form another user, and it starts now, but it's still too "busy", with bars and buttons popping up all over.
ALL I WANT is an app or some way to configure a "back" button and "menu" button in the lower black bar where the clock, bettery meter, etc are? Any ideas?
Either that, or is there a way to turn off ALL THE OTHER FUNCTIONS AND DISPLAYS of softkeys EXCEPT the ability to go "back" when pressing the physical "N"/home button, which is how I have it now.
In the end, I don't want any "back" or "menu" buttons on the actual viewable screen except the lower black bar.
THANKS a million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

not quite what you asked for but i remapped my volume keys for menu and back. works great for my needs. i control volume with a widget now.
hxxp://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Remap_volume_buttons_for_back_and_menu
hope this solves your frustrations with hotkeys.
nookcolor
zeam launcher

Well, if all you want is a back button on the notification bar..... you have one. Not talking about the back button that appears on there either. Just swipe left on the notification bar and it should always work as a back button.
Other than that, there's an app you can try called Button Savior you can get from the Market. It has a small launcher button that appears on the edge of the screen. You can move it around a limited range as you see fit. It's not as complicated or as "busy" as Softkeys.
If you find the visible button not to your liking, you can try this modded version of Button Savior. The button is invisible. You can see where the button actually lies by switching to the Sense UI theme. Then back to the default or Froyo theme to make it invisible once more. The modded version of Button Savior can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=897253
I suggest you try the Market version of Button Savior first.

I'm going to second Button Savior. It hasn't let me down once
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App

g-costanza said:
I'm an amateur at all this I've managed to get my nook color rooted, and I've installed a few apps. I've tried softkeys, but I'm not 100% happy with the result. First it wouldn't start on its own after a reboot. I reconfigured it following some directions form another user, and it starts now, but it's still too "busy", with bars and buttons popping up all over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have Softkeys set up properly..
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Default_Launcher

I understand what you are looking for. I would like the same thing, but I do not believe there is anything out there for us..
I may end up remapping the volume keys myself.

spikey911 said:
I understand what you are looking for. I would like the same thing, but I do not believe there is anything out there for us..
I may end up remapping the volume keys myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With SoftKeys you can put the menu and back buttons in the notification area, since ver. 1.0.8 I believe. Then, disable the popper, and you are good to go.

Related

change button layout

just wanted to see what everyone thinks about the button layout.
should we keep it?
should we change it?
how can we change the button layout ourselfs?
is there any progress on making an application to allow us to change our button layout?
what does everyone think?
im used to the button layout now but i would love to customize it to my liking.
There needs to be a third option. "Allow for customization"
Everyone perceives their needs differently.
EDIT: Should also mention that I'm fine with it the way it is, but the way your post is worded makes the third option necessary.
Leave it,
Its perfect.
leave it. Only add button combination for running apps.. If everyone's is different, you will have a hard time giving directions based on buttons.
i like it the way it is as well. the only thing nicer would be more buttons; if we were able to get the red button to "go home, then sleep" it would allow long press camera to be used to display running applications.
a program to modify the keymap was in the works. don't know what happened to it.
i think it would be awsome if the keymap were like this. power is power, volume is volume, 1 tap camera goes to landscape, long press camera goes to camera, left d-pad is back, right d-pad is forward, up d-pad is menu, down or center d-pad to go home, red end button as is, green button as is.
cp0020 said:
i think it would be awsome if the keymap were like this. power is power, volume is volume, 1 tap camera goes to landscape, long press camera goes to camera, left d-pad is back, right d-pad is forward, up d-pad is menu, down or center d-pad to go home, red end button as is, green button as is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't change dpad function - need it for many games. for those who don't play games, would be great. once again, individualizable keymap seems best.
I personally like it.
We used to have an older configuration but this current one seems very usable making efficient use of the keys we have.
I like it as it is.
myn said:
I personally like it.
We used to have an older configuration but this current one seems very usable making efficient use of the keys we have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean the original, menu on the volume slider, that was THE worst. Last year I quit Android as soon as I started because I hated using the volume slider all the time.
slow88lx said:
If you mean the original, menu on the volume slider, that was THE worst. Last year I quit Android as soon as I started because I hated using the volume slider all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
personally i was in love with the old layout
i loved how holding the home button showed all running apps and made switching between them a breeze
if we could somehow incorporate the old layout
id be all for it!
even though i'm accustomed to the current one
cp0020 said:
i think it would be awsome if the keymap were like this. power is power, volume is volume, 1 tap camera goes to landscape, long press camera goes to camera, left d-pad is back, right d-pad is forward, up d-pad is menu, down or center d-pad to go home, red end button as is, green button as is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be cool to have that button layout and make the center d-pad to swith back to the current button layout so we can use the d-pad for games and whatnot.
cp0020 said:
it would be cool to have that button layout and make the center d-pad to swith back to the current button layout so we can use the d-pad for games and whatnot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That just seems overly complicated.
When I first switched to Android, I hated the layout, but it's grown on my now. Only thing I wish is for a spare button that could be made into a search button so I could have working quick compose in chomp sms.
preardon said:
That just seems overly complicated.
When I first switched to Android, I hated the layout, but it's grown on my now. Only thing I wish is for a spare button that could be made into a search button so I could have working quick compose in chomp sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if we can put android on our phones i think we can do that
cp0020 said:
if we can put android on our phones i think we can do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was saying more from a user standpoint than a development standpoint.

Software key panel

Don't know if anyone has tried this on there Nook but I got it up and running. Progam is call Button Savior and can be found in the market. Really liking this program versus soft keys. I have it set to trigger on the left versus the right. Right side was semi hidden versus the app launch button.
Here's a link from the HTC thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525another
rswain64 said:
Don't know if anyone has tried this on there Nook but I got it up and running. Progam is call Button Savior and can be found in the market. Really liking this program versus soft keys. I have it set to trigger on the left versus the right. Right side was semi hidden versus the app launch button.
Here's a link from the HTC thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525another
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no experience with button savior. Softkeys can do this as well though. You can drag the little launcher button as well as the pop up softkey panel anywhere you like, and it will remember that position.
rajendra82 said:
I have no experience with button savior. Softkeys can do this as well though. You can drag the little launcher button as well as the pop up softkey panel anywhere you like, and it will remember that position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats exactly why i picked this over softkeys, going to the circle in some games ended with it just following my finger and no reaction on the game. Not knocking it, still have it, but this is another good one if you like lack of choice.
(Hit thanks instead of quote -_-)
Thanks for this post. I have button savior on my HD2, but completely forgot about using it here. Great reminder. I will hit the thanks button next time I'm on the computer.
Sent from my Nook Color using XDA App
I love having this set up on the left versus the right. You know us lefties can't do anything right!
I have softkeys set up to use the "n" button so i don't have the little on screen button anymore. Very convenient
posted from my nook color using the official xda app
themirthfulswami said:
I have softkeys set up to use the "n" button so i don't have the little on screen button anymore. Very convenient
posted from my nook color using the official xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to try this, but my physical button is mapped to ADW launcher. How can i change it?
thereddog said:
I'd like to try this, but my physical button is mapped to ADW launcher. How can i change it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the app "homeswitcher" it will allow you to change it.
-CC

[Q] Apps won't rotate to landscape

Hi guys, I didn't see this asked anywhere else. If I missed it, feel free to lock or delete this post.
Rooted my Nook with AutoNooter, all has been perfect for days. Now, all of a sudden, none of my apps will rotate to landscape: Market, Gmail, built in browser, Opera, nothing. The weird thing is my homescreens will rotate (I'm using Zeam), and things like angry birds that load in landscape are fine. Any suggestions?
Have you checked your settings? There is a setting that can be toggled under display to enable auto rotation. I would give you the specifics but my NC is at home.
I saw that option in the Zeam settings, and it is enabled, that's why my homescreen still rotates. I can't find a setting that would control the apps rotation. I don't know if this is a Zeam issue, since everything on my homescreen is okay. And it happened all of a sudden, I hadn't changed any settings or fiddled with anything anywhere else. All I did yesterday was check my email and play angry birds
It should be a setting for your Nook Color not Zeam. In your apps drawer find NookColorTools. Then look for a display setting.
Okay, here is another stupid question... when I go into my nook color tools, my "back" and "menu" buttons dissappear from the bottom of my screen, so how do I back out of a menu? The only thing I can do is hit my n button to go back to the home screen, and when I go BACK into nook color tools, it is still in the same menu I was at before. I can't find a way to get to the main color tools menu. I've killed all my running apps, and color tools still wont go back to it's main menu. Shutting the nook off works, but that's a pain in the butt. I don't want to remap my volume buttons, because I use them all the time. Is that my only option? I don't have this problem with any other app, just nook color tools.
Thanks guys!
Edit: Found the setting in Color tools, so that problem is fixed. I don't know how that setting got "unchecked" I haven't been in the settings recently???? oh well, it's fixed.
...but I still don't know how to back out of a menu in nook color tools without shutting down the device.
MissKristine said:
Okay, here is another stupid question... when I go into my nook color tools, my "back" and "menu" buttons dissappear from the bottom of my screen, so how do I back out of a menu? The only thing I can do is hit my n button to go back to the home screen, and when I go BACK into nook color tools, it is still in the same menu I was at before. I can't find a way to get to the main color tools menu. I've killed all my running apps, and color tools still wont go back to it's main menu. Shutting the nook off works, but that's a pain in the butt. I don't want to remap my volume buttons, because I use them all the time. Is that my only option? I don't have this problem with any other app, just nook color tools.
Thanks guys!
Edit: Found the setting in Color tools, so that problem is fixed. I don't know how that setting got "unchecked" I haven't been in the settings recently???? oh well, it's fixed.
...but I still don't know how to back out of a menu in nook color tools without shutting down the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can go back a screen anywhere as long as you can see the black bar on the bottom of the screen. All you have to do is swipe your finger from right to left and it will go back. You can also get Button Savior or SoftKeys from the market and they will allow you to have buttons display over the top on the screen so they are always there
Thanks! I forgot about the swipe feature. I have softkeys but i don't like the additional buttons hovering. I just use the back and menu buttons on my status bar and have my n button programmed to go to my launchers homescreen. Nice and clean and simple. Just the way i like it
Thanks again everyone!!
Sent from my Nook Color using XDA app

Would you recommend remapping the volume buttons?

Just wondering if people have done it and didn't like it, or vice-versa. It does seem bad for the hardware, but I can't stand softkeys/button saviour.
If you're using nookie Froyo, you can try the MENU/BACK soft buttons in the status bar mod, instead of remapping the vol+/- buttons. I've been using it since it came out, and can confim it works for nookie Froyo 6.7. Here's the link to the original thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=932631
It does have it's issues, mainly with the stock browser, and causing it to FC. Other than that I have not noticed any other problems.
If you are interested in useing the mod, but don't know how to install it, let me know. I'll pm you or post instructions.
I absolutely recommend remapping the volume buttons. Softkeys is nice, but kind of a pain sometimes. For instance, when I would view pictures in the XDA APP, I would have to restart the app instead of backing out, for some reason softkeys wouldnt let me back out of the picture viewer. It's just much easier to have the menu and back buttons always available than rely on software. I installed volume volume control if I need to adjust volume for some reason.
Is there an app that puts volume in the status bar that anyone knows of?
buffnutz1 said:
Just wondering if people have done it and didn't like it, or vice-versa. It does seem bad for the hardware, but I can't stand softkeys/button saviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup... I've got a Pandigital Novel(white v2) w/custom fw and it'd be essentially useless w/o re-mapping the vol keys to menu and back along with soft-keys in the notification bar...
NC has one up on the WPDN though, it has the n home key plus the 2 vol keys and volume can be controlled through setting or a quick-settings app anyways or by adding soft-keys... still no substitue for physical keys or capacitive screen keys though, unfortunately... (spoilt by gtab with the full complement...)
-------------
buffnutz1 said:
I'm sure you guys know where I'm screwing up. After I adb pull, I only get this
/system/usr/keylayout/twl4030-keypad.kl -> ./twl4030-keypad.kl
/system/usr/keylayout/qwerty.kl -> ./qwerty.kl
/system/usr/keylayout/AVRCP.kl -> ./AVRCP.kl
but it says to edit " 'TWL4030_Keypad.kl' and 'omap_twl4030keypad.kl' "with your text editor of choice; I used vi, always a safe choice.
I don't have the omap. what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just modify the qwerty.kl in the place of omap. That's what I did and things are working fine.
--ex
Love my remapped buttons and i saved the originals so i can go back anytime i wish.
buffnutz1 said:
Is there an app that puts volume in the status bar that anyone knows of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on the stock 1.1 rooted and have mapped my volume buttons - I have tried the other ones, and I MUCH prefer having hard buttons.
I downloaded a volume app "Volume Master Free". It has about 5 different volume controls, but I only use the system volume and the media volume controls.
I use Zeam as home screen; and I put a shortcut to Volume Master on the bottom right of my Zeam shortcut bar. It works very well. I do need to go to the home screen to change volume; but I can tap on the notification bar and toggle mute, so that works for me.
Yes, it makes a huge difference on the stock rom and froyo -- though honeycomb's soft buttons eliminate the need to do so.
Can't recommend remapping the keys enough. On froyo it makes a huge difference in functionality on. The device, life is a pain without it.
how do you remap the vol buttons? i would love to do it
TweetyBear said:
how do you remap the vol buttons? i would love to do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here for instructions:
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Remap_volume_buttons_for_back_and_menu
--ex
I remapped.
I also recommend remapping your volume buttons. It's handy having tactile buttons for the back and menu functions.
What really sold me on remapping was that I didn't like to have a Softkeys button floating on the home screen. Without a floating button, I would have to double tap the hardware "N" button to bring up the Softkeys interface, then hit "menu" or "back." If I have to double tap a hardware button to use "menu" or "back," I might as well just remap those functions to the volume buttons and use a single tap.
evilxenu said:
Go here for instructions:
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Remap_volume_buttons_for_back_and_menu
--ex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. will attempt over the weekend
can remapping the volume buttons be done when running cm7 nightlies off SD ?
I didn't find a definitive answer
I ran with the CM7 softkeys, Button Savior, remapped volume keys and I just finally settled on zMooth.

CM7 "N" Key / Back - best options?

I'm not running any extra virtual key apps... What I want to do... is have the physical N button do a BACK on 1 click, and HOME on 2 clicks... Or normal click BACK, and LONG click HOME...
I've looked through some of the settings - can't tell how to set that up (if at all).
Any thoughts?
Why not use the soft keys built in to CM7?
Sometimes the status bar is gone... either because something causes it to hide, or because I hide it.
MHotovec said:
Why not use the soft keys built in to CM7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best setup so far (imho), is to set the soft keys show up at volume button press.
Since the power button or N button tend to fail sometimes.
By doing that, you can hide soft keys with no fear and just presse volume button to bring they back to the screen, flawless.
@blauson
I hate doing that because if I need to change volume I need to leave the app, go into settings, and change it manually. :/
Somehow my "n" button got turned into a back button. Weird. Would much rather haave it be a menu button. but I dont even know how it changed in the first place! lol
DiscoPh3v3r said:
@blauson
I hate doing that because if I need to change volume I need to leave the app, go into settings, and change it manually. :/
Somehow my "n" button got turned into a back button. Weird. Would much rather haave it be a menu button. but I dont even know how it changed in the first place! lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run phiremod so it's in: settings, phiremod settings, tablet tweaks, choose unhide button
DiscoPh3v3r said:
@blauson
I hate doing that because if I need to change volume I need to leave the app, go into settings, and change it manually. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My volume still works when I use it to recall the status bar.
Rodney
rhester72 said:
My volume still works when I use it to recall the status bar.
Rodney
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Then I will have to see what's up, last time I was always running around the settings and stuff to change the volume.
Blue6IX said:
I run phiremod so it's in: settings, phiremod settings, tablet tweaks, choose unhide button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using Rooted Stock 1.2, way better battery life IMO.
rhester72 said:
My volume still works when I use it to recall the status bar.
Rodney
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second on that.
I'm running nightly 131.
No problem to change the volume neither to show up soft keys.
I use the N key to cancel full screen. Its more comfortable to use than the volume keys for me.
Hrm.. that would work... Where do I configure what the N key does?
dalingrin said:
I use the N key to cancel full screen. Its more comfortable to use than the volume keys for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dalingrin said:
I use the N key to cancel full screen. Its more comfortable to use than the volume keys for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how I've been doing it as well, but sometimes it brings me all the way back to home after showing the status bar. Do you ever experience that? Any tips if so?
Regardless, I like my volume buttons to be... well... volume buttons.
You could use button savior to have a never-hide home only option button located on the very right side by the N button, leaving that slot unused on adw launcher and treat it as a "permanent" home button.
TheAmazingDave said:
This is how I've been doing it as well, but sometimes it brings me all the way back to home after showing the status bar. Do you ever experience that? Any tips if so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's precisely why I haven't used the n button - if there is a way to avoid it, that would be fantastic!
Rodney
The best thing I ever did was install zMooth. Its a gesture bar that lets you draw the buttons. Almost like my old pre.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
jeremymahoney said:
The best thing I ever did was install zMooth. Its a gesture bar that lets you draw the buttons. Almost like my old pre.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks interesting, but the only gesture I can manage to make it recognize is home. Any special tricks to this?
Rodney
It has always worked well for me. Have you used the nook screen recalibrate app? Before I ran that I had a really hard time getting the lower part of my screen to recognize my touch. I think there are some sensitivity settings in the zMooth app you can play around with too.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

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