Database Develop

[REQ] Trackball Home Button

I think having the trackball function as the home button would be a feature many would like to have. Any developer out there willing to take on this function?

What would be the point of the actual home button then? This seems pointless

what would be more useful is if the trackball can be programmed for stuff then we can use it to launch apps and do all sorts of things.

PhantomRampage said:
What would be the point of the actual home button then? This seems pointless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 3 things for my home button now, Quickdesk on dubbletap, recent apps on hold in, and singletap for launcher pro. for me it would be awesome to have quicker access to the recent apps, by putting the home to the trackball. and have recent apps on single click. wouldnt hurt to have the option. and it should also be available to bind the trackball click to anything u like.

I agree, or trackball to answer a call, I don't use the trackball that much.

Creating a service to run in the background wouldn't be too hard to do. The only problem is that you wouldn't be able to use your trackball to select links in the browser, for example. Good in theory, wouldn't work great in practise i don't think.

Here are the reasons why this would be a great function, and how it should go down:
The capacitive home button is not as responsive as it should be. I think we all use it A LOT, so making sure it worked perfectly everytime would be awesome. Especially when accessing "recent apps" and long pressing the home button, the capacitive button will occasionally take you home before you see your recent apps.
Double tapping can be incorporated into the home button. With the capacitive button, double tapping it has an almost 50% chance of failure. The trackball home button would fix this.
I don't know about you guys, but I usually dont use the trackball to select things on the screen. Touching it is so much easier. The trackball would be much more usefull for notifications, scrolling, and as a home button.
I agree with a previous poster, the trackball should be given to option to route to anywhere the user would like it to... Though I don't know what else there is to route to...
The ACTUAL home button can also be routed to anything the user would like. Maybe to recent apps, changing of brightness, a favorite app, an alternate launcher... ANYTHING.
This is all hypothetical of course, and as a non-dev, I actually have no clue how hard or easy this would be to create.
But what do you guys think? I know this a feature that would be really useful to me at least, and sound like some other people too.

sorry, there was a double post due to the server upgrades/issues on XDA.

Sorry to revive an ancient thread.
My N1 had a broken trackball, and in the process of replacing it i managed to kill both my home button and my seach button.
I can live without the seach, but not without the home.
Is there any progress on this topic ?
tia

John_duh said:
Sorry to revive an ancient thread.
My N1 had a broken trackball, and in the process of replacing it i managed to kill both my home button and my seach button.
I can live without the seach, but not without the home.
Is there any progress on this topic ?
tia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, it was a software problem caused by an incomplete flash. (wiped everything separately, but that wasn't sufficient. Returning to factory settings did the trick)

All I want is trackball to blink beautifully for me!
That's all, baby.

+1
I would also like trackball mods such as
double tap to go to an app and other tap patterns for the trackball

[SOLUTION] Button Savior On-screen Softkeys - Utility Updated on Market

For those that would like some onscreen softkeys that you can even see in the dark.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525
I have been using this little utility on my Android HD2 for a while now and figured I would give it a shot on my Gtab. Works Great! Merry Christmas to All!
[UPDATE Dec 30th 2010]
This great utility is now on the Android Market. Install it from there and you will get prompts for updates when they are released. I had an update yesterday that added a couple of skins and a few new features. It also has a new settings interface and it still works great on the G-Tab!
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b3 using Tapatalk

Work great.
thanks.

Awesome find!

great find..... I wish we could now disable the buttons on the side that are so annoying when you hit them accidentaly

insight3fl said:
great find..... I wish we could not disable the buttons on the side that are so annoying when you hit them accidentaly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was thinking of trying to find a way to disable the right side hardware buttons myself. They are fine until you are trying to reposition the tablet and accidentally press one. Or lose your grip and are grasping for purchase and press one then. Very annoying for sure.

Great find. Whose up for doing a YouTube review?
Scott

cscotty said:
Great find. Whose up for doing a YouTube review?
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would do one myself but have no dock or easel at this time that would provide the necessary stability for video purposes.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b3 using Tapatalk

Neat app I like it. I put 4 very tiny adhesive dots on the side of the case so I know where everything is at night. This app works too though

TeamSpeed said:
Neat app I like it. I put 4 very tiny adhesive dots on the side of the case so I know where everything is at night. This app works too though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.

hitekredneck said:
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a quick market search for button savior and got nadda. What's It called there?

Allenfx said:
Did a quick market search for button savior and got nadda. What's It called there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows up in market for me. Have you done the market fix (clear cache, etc.)? It's exactly as spelled above.
Jim

hitekredneck said:
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried fluorescent reinforcement stickers, but you can not see them that well in total darkness. As far as disabling the keys you have to cover them with something thick like leather or many layers of paper. I tried sticky notes.... several layers of them but they still pick up your touch

this app is a lifesavor! Streaming vids crash alot due to that damn cooliris.com gallery association. Button Savior is the only escape when gallery decides FC.
Sent using Tapatalk

I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!

reynwrap582 said:
I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How easy is it to revert back to stock button action? Or do you turn this function ON each time you boot and then run this program?

At each bootup there's a notification item that you can select to restore to your defaults, which you can clear until the next restart, in case something gets borked.

I have 4 very small black metal "nail covers" that I superglued directly on the side next to each soft button. Now I just feel the button with my index finger and use the side of my thumb to press the screen next to it, works great in the dark, better than the adhesive pads I had. Very small and black and low profile...

reynwrap582 said:
At each bootup there's a notification item that you can select to restore to your defaults, which you can clear until the next restart, in case something gets borked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running tnt lite 3.1.4 and just downloaded button remapper. It loaded, but when I went to run it it FC and never let me set any buttons. Now each time I run it it FC.
What rom are you on?
Thanks
EDIT:Working fine for me now. Don't use galaxy tab version. Download standard.

reynwrap582 said:
I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is button remapper free?

I'm on Vegan B3.
ButtonRemapper is US$1.03

[Q] Changing the default menu / task bar

Hi, is there a way to change the buttons in the bottom black menu on a stock rooted nook? Not sure what the proper term for that menu is. But it needs a back button. I don't like having softkeys running and would prefer to just add the button to the strip at the bottom of the screen.
Thanks.

Personally, I don't get everyone's fascination with soft keys on a stock-rooted nook. You can just swipe right to left on that bar you are talking about and it *is* a 'back' key. I shut off soft keys right away and have yet to actually need it.

doncaruana said:
Personally, I don't get everyone's fascination with soft keys on a stock-rooted nook. You can just swipe right to left on that bar you are talking about and it *is* a 'back' key. I shut off soft keys right away and have yet to actually need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's mainly for apps that use full screen. Since you have access to the Market, and there are so many apps that use full screen, it's a must have. For example, Angry Birds. With just the hardware key, you would not be able to go back or use the menu. Also, any non native nook apps lose their menu without them. For things that came with the nook, it doesn't matter.

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

remap s-pen button

Anyone ever heard of a way to remap the button on the S Pen?
I rarely use the Air menu in fact I actually disabled it in options.
I do however use the pen in my hand probably 95% of the time, I love the precision as well as having the ability to hover over something without clicking it like a mouse can.
My only thought is that it would be amazing to be able to press the button and have it register as a tap at the current location instead of having it pop up in the air menu.
I also would love to be able to modify that SVG Circle that Prince the current pin location on screen to something more visible and possibly add a trail or something. I'm guessing this would require rooting. I am a long time desktop developer but this is my first time really delving into Android and I have noticed so many hidden services and apps that I would love to kill but I can't so it looks like I may have to root anyway.

That prints* sorry I tried to edit the typos but the save wouldn't send. I'm assuming my you block extension here is blocking some script. I've pretty much disabled 90% of the functionality on this phone just to help secure it that's another thing I need to look into browser security.

+1 on remapping the pen button

bober10113 said:
+1 on remapping the pen button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I think there's a lot of potential for some really helpful and amazing functions. First time I used this and noticed it could track on screen without touch I thought that was something very special. And then when I found that it could register a button press while hovering I immediately thought of thousand applications for this.
Just one off the top of my head. Imagine having an actual useful text to clipboard function where you simply hover the cursor over text you wanted and click the button to highlight and let go of button to stop highlighting. It would make copying text on the phone just like using a mouse. I am so sick of having to long press and stay completely still for the damn thing to register. We shouldn't have to do that with this s pen.

I have tried before on rooted note 3 to remap the s pen button but the phone didn't recognize the command... always pop up s pen menu. I think surely you need root before trying or try adb push.
Regards

Conito, I would love to hear more in-depth description of your attempt to remap it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmd.spencontrol
this might be an option if you have rooted your phone.
it doesn't outright remap your button, but does let you execute commands by drawing lines or symbols while holding the button.
I haven't tested it since the note 2 though because I no longer root devices.

I have even wrote to Samsung asking for this. I want to be able to remap it for the eye dropper to when I'm drawing. It's set as the eraser from Samsung so hopefully someone will one day find a way to at least change the default tool (eraser) That might be easier than a whole other app or something.

cricketpaddleinmyhand said:
Conito, I would love to hear more in-depth description of your attempt to remap it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate you have to quote, I didn't see your post until now.
I just try to remap with applications like xposed additions and stuff like that. But the app didn't recognize when I pressed the button. So the only thing we can do is get into the app that manage the spen command and edit it with tools or things like that. I remember that some guy in the note 3 forum develop a simple app that can launch that application. So maybe that could be the solution: edit the behavior of the original spencommand app.
My best regards.