Does anyone know if a wallpaper is available that allows you to apportion areas of the screen to launch an app, ie an office background, touching the clock opens the clock app, the desk opens your office app, etc? I assume it's possible with live wallpapers that interact with touch?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I don't think you can do this with a wallpaper/live wallpaper, but you can do it by using Desktop Visualizer. (In the Market)
Once you've download the app, you can use the DVRSizeConfigTool (in the Market) and the Image-Crop tool to create a cool looking portioned out screen with different widgets. It's kind of hard to explain, but once you watch the video, you'll see what I'm talking about. The process is pretty confusing, but I was able to do it using a tutorial on YouTube. I hope this is what you were thinking of..
Edit: I don't have enough posts to be able to post links, but if you PM me, I will send you the link to the YouTube video tutorial. You can also search "How To Use DVR Image Crop - Desktop VisualizeR" in YouTube and the video is by 'biipub'.
Look at "Launcher Wall" in the market.
I haven't actually used it, but it can launch apps apparently.
Thanks guys, I think either one of these will suit, just gonna have to pick which one....
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Does anyone else get this?
When the 'my library' widget updates from a something like a new played song, my home screen suffers terrible lag until I remove and re apply the widget to my home screen. I notice this happens most when adding or playing a new song. I live in the UK and so dont have google music, so all my songs are from my computer.
Also the widget doesn't load the song thumbnail previews?
Someone please reassure this isn't just me?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I was getting the same thing, it was slowdown the whole device even on the app tray. Removed that widget and all is well again. Same when leaving the Play store sometimes too.
Swiping left and right and opening and closing the app drawer with this widget on my home screen was causing stutter - like above, removed and now its smooth as butter
Lag Fix
I posted this fix in another thread about lag, but it may help you too. I found that disabling auto-sync in Google "Currents" helped improve speed a good bit.
I have the media widget and the stuttering has def minimized after doing this.
You can see a video of the fix here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnJRYTKqnRc
i.amtom said:
Does anyone else get this?
When the 'my library' widget updates from a something like a new played song, my home screen suffers terrible lag until I remove and re apply the widget to my home screen. I notice this happens most when adding or playing a new song. I live in the UK and so dont have google music, so all my songs are from my computer.
Also the widget doesn't load the song thumbnail previews?
Someone please reassure this isn't just me?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Mine won't show thumb nails now.. it did in the first few days then stopped...? Likewise a UK user... just deleted the widget and re added it, solved my lag so far, but not solved the thumbnails...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I have the same problem with both my gnex and my n7. if I remove the widget and 're add it to the home screen it goes.smooth again but if I click on anything on the widget the lag returns.
+ the apps are free
+ widgets, icons and the user interface is beautiful
- many Sony and Google apps have become big and heavy pigs in terms of app size as wll as memory foot-print
- user interface, settings and options have been stripped down or hidden, sometimes to a level that cripples the app
- permissions required are numerous, sometimes without any connection to the function of the app
I personally found that functionally there are sometimes better alternatives. I personally like the VLC player much better than Movies and Walkman, even though it still has some rough edges.
What clever replacements are you using for Messenger, Album, Calendar, Phonebook, Musik Player, Movies, Barcode Scanner, File Browser, Internet Browser, Contacts, Email, Maps, Notes and the likes?
Album - Quickpic
Video - MX Player, because can be used together with Bravia (HW+)
Music - PowerAmp Trial Version, it's free but trial XD But you can still used =)
File Browser - ES File Manager and X-Plore
Browser - Baidu Browser and Opera Mini
Notes - Sony Note stock and Colornote
Personally, I don't care about beautiful UI, what I need is easy and simple navigation =)
Jet Audio Plus and Root Explorer are must have apps for me, along with Chrome!
thedisturbedone said:
Jet Audio Plus and Root Explorer are must have apps for me, along with Chrome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Jet Audio. It would be a typical example of what I mean. Walkman has 11 Mb and not even half of the functionality. I am looking more for "lean" alternatives. But for someone who loves listening to music Jet Audio is a great alternative, same as PowerAmp.
Personally I don't like Chrome. I am using Dolphin. It is the best I found for me, but not completely happy.
Yenkazu said:
Album - Quickpic
Video - MX Player, because can be used together with Bravia (HW+)
Music - PowerAmp Trial Version, it's free but trial XD But you can still used =)
File Browser - ES File Manager and X-Plore
Browser - Baidu Browser and Opera Mini
Notes - Sony Note stock and Colornote
Personally, I don't care about beautiful UI, what I need is easy and simple navigation =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the long run what works best has a straight design. Bauhaus. I think an app can be beautiful and not be worthless eye candy at the same time. I tried some Notes apps and found you are right, Sony Notes is among the best, and it IS simple and beautiful.
QuickPic is a golden tip. 0.5 Mb vs. 13 Mb of the Sony Album. For what? Memory foot print in operation is similar, only that QuickPic unloads from my memory immediately. And it has only the permissions which are needed for it's function. More over, the Sony Albums thumbs are to tiny for my taste. To me, QuickPic is really a worthwhile alternative.
It was already worth to open this thread
peter-k said:
Jet Audio Plus would be a typical example of what I mean. Walkman has 11 Mb and not even half of the functionality. I personally am looking more for "lean" alternatives, but for someone who loves listen to music on the on that's a great alternative, same as PowerAmp.
Personally I don't like Chrome. I am using Dolphin. It is the best I found for me, but not completely happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I used to love PowerAmp. But switched to JetAudio because it made me remember the old days (on pc) and completely forgot about it now. JetAudio offers a few additional features to PowerAmp anyway. Walkman is all about looks and animations. If you want slim players you check stuff like Shuttle.
I used chrome because it syncs across my phone, windows laptop and ubuntu laptop as well and has all my bookmarks and history.
peter-k said:
More over, the Sony Albums thumbs are to tiny for my taste. To me, QuickPic is really a worthwhile alternative.
It was already worth to open this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just resize thumbnails with two fingers.
but when you try to name alternatives, for example jetaudio, then its only the half truth. the full functional jetaudio costs 2,99euro. so this is a minus....compared to walkman app. isnt it?^^
I saw the word "Bauhaus" ...maybe take a look into NexMusic. am using that. and it has a really nice feature: it not uses much battery
also when you speak about quickpic, you have to speak about the functions of the sony album. without sony album you will not be able to change lockscreen background wallpaper.
so you have to keep it on phone, if you need it for that. and if you keep it on phone, then you dont need quickpick, or you like to use two galleries?
for the notes, i use google keep. yeah i know privacy and all that stuff. but i use it only for useless "lists". not for private stuff.
its functional, you not have to use the sync. it looks good...and its fast.
the sony weather app/widget. i not like it. i love it clean and fast. i guess many use the same like me, 1weather?
the first thing i deleted was the smallapps and smallapps manager. and also the calculator, im usign a calculator from playstore, the one i use need NO privacy rights.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android2.calculator3&hl=de and it has a pretty light theme, important for me
a sony app i like? smart connect.
Am i the only one that likes most of stock Sony apps?i really like Album app cause its different and unique.i dont care for memory footprint that much.but thats my opinion,i know alot of people prefer alternatives
josephnero said:
Am i the only one that likes most of stock Sony apps?i really like Album app cause its different and unique.i dont care for memory footprint that much.but thats my opinion,i know alot of people prefer alternatives
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love most the sony apps too, walkman and album especially
josephnero said:
Am i the only one that likes most of stock Sony apps?i really like Album app cause its different and unique.i dont care for memory footprint that much.but thats my opinion,i know alot of people prefer alternatives
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No You're not alone bro!
I Guess SONY Walkman,Album,Launcher & Stock keyboard Are Very nice
immerblind said:
snip ...
I saw the word "Bauhaus" ...maybe take a look into NexMusic. am using that. and it has a really nice feature: it not uses much battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, that's one of the important features I am searching for. Next on my list for trial.
also when you speak about quickpic, you have to speak about the functions of the sony album. without sony album you will not be able to change lockscreen background wallpaper.
so you have to keep it on phone, if you need it for that. and if you keep it on phone, then you dont need quickpick, or you like to use two galleries?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally don't have any interest changing my lockscreen wallpaper. For me it can be a black screen.
the sony weather app/widget. i not like it. i love it clean and fast. i guess many use the same like me, 1weather?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1Weather was my previous favourite. It is one of those apps that are created to harvest user data. I mean I agree it's great no-cash app and for those who don't mind, that's the price for it. I used it in a sort of modified state (Permissions, I found 3 data collectors there). Lately they implemented a lot of bloat into it. I tossed it and now I am having EZWeather. That's a sparse weather app. Arcus is also fine for a richer weather app, but still has some rough edges (in oarticular the widgets). The near future weather data is good.
the first thing i deleted was the smallapps and smallapps manager. and also the calculator, im usign a calculator from playstore, the one i use need NO privacy rights.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android2.calculator3&hl=de and it has a pretty light theme, important for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Small apps -> same here. I don't see why it is there in the first place. I'd rather like to have this space available for launching 4 or so selected apps from my regular collection, or direct access to some settings.
The calculator is brilliant.
Thanks for the tips! Useful.
Mahthenewgamer1998 said:
No You're not alone bro!
I Guess SONY Walkman,Album,Launcher & Stock keyboard Are Very nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.i tried many keyboards but keep going back to stock
josephnero said:
Yep.i tried many keyboards but keep going back to stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me Too but I Already using cm11 and I cannot use stock keyboard
But Album and Walkman Are Installable on it and I Using them
Waiting for official 4.3
Sony Home is awesome, especially 6.1. I tried a number other launchers but returned. The Sony Home is really good, considering the small app size it offers a lot, foremost a high level of easy functionality. For me the only other one that seems to be a keeper is Sicksky.
I like the phonebook, the keyboard, and conversations, too. Most of the Sony apps are actually pretty good. So are Google apps. They are good, but some of them have become hefty items. That applies even more for the Google apps. And also, I like manual not automatic. I know there are others, too.
Mahthenewgamer1998 said:
Me Too but I Already using cm11 and I cannot use stock keyboard
But Album and Walkman Are Installable on it and I Using them
Waiting for official 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is ported Z1 keyboars in general android apps section.i guess it works regardless of rom
Yenkazu said:
Album - Quickpic
Video - MX Player, because can be used together with Bravia (HW+)
)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using VLC Player which is simple and works pretty well. But it's big. MX is very nice and works really well. However, as well too big for my taste. I am still looking for a kind of QuickPic equivalent but for video. UPDATED COMMENT: I see now why VLC is big. It opens everything available on Earth, Venus and Mars. The only thing it failed to open was a can of worms.
Shall strip down the entire ROM and and just leave it with core functions, then load apps that only use permissions needed for their function and are lean and muscular.
Alternative Apps: Small - Simple Interface - Least Permission
Album: QuickPic
Barcode Scanner: Barcode Scanner (by Zxing), or QR & Barcode reader (Secure)
Calculator: Calculator (CyanogenMod)
Calendar: Google Calendar
Browser: Tint for small + pretty + privacy, Boat for a medium sized better featured browser
Display Adjustment: Yet Another Auto Brightness
File Manger: inKa File Manager
Keyboard: OEM 6.1
Launcher: SickSky for Small, clever and elegant, otherwise hand s down Xperia Home 6.1
Messaging OEM (Conversations.apk)
Mobil Data Counter: Data Counter Pro
Music Player: NexMusic
Navigation: Mapfactor GPS
Notes: OEM 9.1
Screen Lock: EZ Screen Off
Text to Speech: Google Text to Speech
Video + Music Player: VLC
Weather: EZWeather or Notification weather for minum weather app, Arcus (but not finished)
Widgets: Wizz Widget
Wifi: Wifi Manger
More suggestions welcome!
immerblind said:
snip ...
also when you speak about quickpic, you have to speak about the functions of the sony album. without sony album you will not be able to change lockscreen background wallpaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We were talking abt photo album previously. I hope I don't sound too patronizing but to everyone who hasn't done so, I would suggest to try QuicPic. I dare to say it is better than the Sony Album at much much smaller size and with no obscure permissions.
The Tint browser is another top recommendation. Now that I got the hang on it, it just works beautiful.
Who knows a good calendar? Not 16 Mb, just a simple calendar which syncs with Goggle calendar and shows an agenda, too.
Or, alternatively a semccalendar.apk (together with the calendarprovider)?
HELLO GUYS,
i installed the nexus 7 2013 in my Mercedes E-class.
i wanted a good looking interface. searched a lot but didnt find something cool so started to work on it.
combination of some apps and widgets came up with this interface.please share any ideas to make it better.
Beautiful interface. What apps are you using?
tomothy23 said:
Beautiful interface. What apps are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks..
i am using
music visualizer..live wallpaper
nova launcher
buzz widgets for custom widgets
car widget
digihud
digital car
drivers widgets
musixmatch player
navier hud
nice simple photo widget
sygic maps
talk and drive
ulysse speedometer
torque pro
uccw and
xwidget
Nice work, do the tire pressures actually show on the screen like that? I noticed they are all currently zero? However, for me personally I would try to go with a less is more approach to make it easier to use while driving. I attached a copy of the launcher that I use in my car, hopefully you can see what I mean by looking at them. One is a slightly older version before I changed the labels to be more generic, but shows the music player, temperature etc.
These were made using an image I found via Google of the Audi MMI screen, I cleared off the icons and then re-created labels of my own using Photoshop. Each of these then has a hotspot widget using UCCW to open the app.
naiku said:
Nice work, do the tire pressures actually show on the screen like that? I noticed they are all currently zero? However, for me personally I would try to go with a less is more approach to make it easier to use while driving. I attached a copy of the launcher that I use in my car, hopefully you can see what I mean by looking at them. One is a slightly older version before I changed the labels to be more generic, but shows the music player, temperature etc.
These were made using an image I found via Google of the Audi MMI screen, I cleared off the icons and then re-created labels of my own using Photoshop. Each of these then has a hotspot widget using UCCW to open the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tyre presure is just a n image....main functions on first screen is music controls,time and speedo display..i liked yous clean interface..
I suspected it might be just an image, would be nice to have the pressure monitored there. It's a shame that the tire pressure is not monitored via OBD otherwise I am sure Torque could pick it up and you could then set it as a widget.
Obd 2 adapter I am using is the cheap eBay one it's not picking all information from car ecu
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Coming from Cyanogenmod on my S4, I noticed that I cannot not choose a default application. Before with Cyanogenmod, I could not choose one and just be given a list of possible apps to open it. For instance, I like to use MX Player for all my video needs, but sometimes I like using my Cardboard (just for the novelty of it) with Cardboard Theater. With what I have seen so far, I would have to clear the default in the settings first (The app's own file menu is pretty bad, so I like using QuickPic or ES File Explorer to browse)
So I was wondering if this was possible with Touchwiz or some third party launcher.
Brinith said:
Coming from Cyanogenmod on my S4, I noticed that I cannot not choose a default application. Before with Cyanogenmod, I could not choose one and just be given a list of possible apps to open it. For instance, I like to use MX Player for all my video needs, but sometimes I like using my Cardboard (just for the novelty of it) with Cardboard Theater. With what I have seen so far, I would have to clear the default in the settings first (The app's own file menu is pretty bad, so I like using QuickPic or ES File Explorer to browse)
So I was wondering if this was possible with Touchwiz or some third party launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They removed this for some strange reason. Very annoying indeed.
Sent from my Gorgeous Note5
Brava27 said:
They removed this for some strange reason. Very annoying indeed.
Sent from my Gorgeous Note5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh. Well that sucks. Hopefully they put it back or some third party launcher has it. Sigh if only they were not so defiant against rooting, I would have been happy to flash Cyanogenmod on.
I know. This is annoying the heck out of me. I prefer to choose different apps to open different files all the time. If the new Huwaii Nexus weren't so blooming ugly, I'd ditch Samsung..... Again.