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Hi all,
I cannot but tell you this huge doubt that has been haunting me since I got my Nexus 4: is this new 4.2 lockscreen really an improvement?
For me, it can be considered as a step forward (widgets) and two steps backward (camera and Google Now).
Let me explain:
Step back 1: the camera is now accessible only by swiping the screen to the right
Step back 2: Google Now is hidden as a tiny, little, dotted ring in the far bottom of the screen (see attached image)
Step forward: widgets to the left screen
This is all related to the new circle lock widget, that now allows you only to unlock the phone by dragging the center to whatever position in the borders (see attached image).
And you wanna now why Google did this? I'm strongly convinced they did it because of Apple's lockscreen patent. No joke and no flame intended here. If you read the patent, it clearly says that
The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with this upgrade the "predefined gesture" exists no more. Before Android 4.2, the only way you could slide to unlock was to move from point A (center) to point B (right): that's exactly what we call a "predefined gesture". Now you can slide to unlock from point A (center) to point B (right), or point C (left), or point D (bottom), and so on. In Android 4.2 the user is free to unlock to whatever position he or she feels like, Google is safe from Apple lawtrolls, but my impression is that we all lose here.
If this is not the reason, I can't figure out why they did this.
Honestly, who cares to unlock to whatever position? It is an automated gesture, I hardly see anyone saying "Oh, thank God, I really needed to swipe left and now I can, good job Google".
Now, instead of having three of the most useful apps in one place, and unlocking them immediately, we have to break this process in three different procedures. This is not immediate, this is awful and I'd like Google to revert to how things were before. They can leave the widgets, but the circle lock widget has to be restored as we have seen it in 4.1.
What do you think? Is this new lockscreen really this big improvement or, like me, do you see more cons than pros?
overall, im ok with it. like the google now thing is fine. but sliding left and right can sometimes be bothersome, but it wont kill me
It is just the start. They will build on it.
sent via xda premium with nexus 7-Xbox live-loneleppard add me
I was worried as well, After using it on my GNex i have to say i like it, Alot of 3rd party apps have updated and are usable like Hd Widgets and Falcon for twitter. Im sure many more will follow.Getting to the camera and google now still only take 1 swipe. I see where you are coming from but adding functionality is hardly a step back. You dont have to use widgets and getting to Gnow and the camera are just as simple
i really do like the google now being down there. its where the home button actually is, which makes sense since you do drag up from the home button to get to google now quickly when on any screen (besides the lock screen of course). a bit more organized and less confusing for those who are coming to this phone for the first time
I just want my clock widget to get better from the black eye it's got.
What I'm saying is that the overall third party widget idea is more than welcome, but Google could have done much better by keeping Google Now and the Camera app within the lock circle and giving more space to widgets: that would have been accessible not only by swiping to the left, but also to the right.
0.0 said:
i really do like the Google Now being down there. its where the home button actually is, which makes sense since you do drag up from the home button to get to Google Now quickly when on any screen (besides the lock screen of course). a bit more organized and less confusing for those who are coming to this phone for the first time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, at first I thought they had eliminated Google Now completely, then a friend of mine told me that it was in fact hidden behind that little dotted circle.
Every time you unlock in 4.1, you see a giant Google Now logo; in 4.2, if you want to get access to it in the lock screen, you have to go figure it out.
UltimateGoblin said:
You know, at first I thought they had eliminated Google Now completely.
A friend of mine had to tell me that it was in fact hidden behind that little dotted circle.
Every time you unlock in 4.1, you see a giant Google Now logo.
In 4.2, if you want to get access to it in the lock screen, you have to go figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but youre used to it being on the lock screen, like sliding it up. im saying more for those who are new to the phone. they may be like "oh, sliding up on the home button gives me google now. cool!" then they will think that, and when going to the lock screen, it'll be the same process for them. now thats only my speculation. but i understand what you mean
It looks like a bug for me!!! The 4.1 lockscreen was way better!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Old lockscreen found running on 4.2 Nexus 4
Thought this might interest you, also I would love to know how this is possible.
Here in the UK I tried out a Nexus 4 in a Carphone Warehouse store yesterday. We opened the box for the first time, booted up the phone and it presented us with the 4.1 version of the lockscreen .
The thing is, the phone was running on Android 4.2, I checked the settings, it was confirmed to be Android 4.2.
I am desperately trying to find a way to restore the old lock screen. The camera loads slower, the widgets are rubbish and I hate the new clock typeface.
Does anyone else know how this could be possible? The phone was unboxed and came straight from Google.
alexmasters said:
Thought this might interest you, also I would love to know how this is possible.
Here in the UK I tried out a Nexus 4 in a Carphone Warehouse store yesterday. We opened the box for the first time, booted up the phone and it presented us with the 4.1 version of the lockscreen .
The thing is, the phone was running on Android 4.2, I checked the settings, it was confirmed to be Android 4.2.
I am desperately trying to find a way to restore the old lock screen. The camera loads slower, the widgets are rubbish and I hate the new clock typeface.
Does anyone else know how this could be possible? The phone was unboxed and came straight from Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you read reviews on the device, they were running 4.2 without the lockscreen widgets. the OTA implemented the functionality. idk why everyone thinks its bad. im ok with it. maybe the devs will include the option to have the old lockscreen in a custom ROM in the future
0.0 said:
if you read reviews on the device, they were running 4.2 without the lockscreen widgets. the OTA implemented the functionality. idk why everyone thinks its bad. im ok with it. maybe the devs will include the option to have the old lockscreen in a custom ROM in the future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh now that is interesting, I'm very surprised Google didn't allow people to retain the old lock screen. One can only hope they listen to complaints and roll out an option to toggle widgets, customise clock typeface, etc.
I find accessing the camera by swiping to be a slower experience than before. It makes all that work speeding up the shutter seem a little pointless.
Not only that but sliding between widgets is very awkward when you have a phone case on. Step backwards indeed.
Initially I didn't like it, but it's kinda grown on me now. And I actually like the look of the clock with the hour in bold :victory:
If it's ever too humid or I'm too sweaty, making the phone that easy to unlock one way or another leads to some nasty accidents in the pocket. One time I ended up pocket calling two people over 20 times in the period of an hour. And that was with the original slide to unlock. It was so bad I had to put a pin lock on it temporarily.
For those complaining about the bold hour font on the clock you can easily download a mod to change it.
I didn't like the two flashing boxes that appeared for the widget screens so I downloaded a mod and now I just see the clock and the pattern unlock.
mshaw03 said:
For those complaining about the bold hour font on the clock you can easily download a mod to change it.
I didn't like the two flashing boxes that appeared for the widget screens so I downloaded a mod and now I just see the clock and the pattern unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds great, which specific mod is that good sir?
I dont Understand why People are complaining about Smth so small
Sent from my Apple iPhone using Tapatalk 2
The lock screen is too buggy
Posted from my Sweet Lil' Nexus
arzbhatia said:
The lock screen is too buggy
Posted from my Sweet Lil' Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I haven't found any bugs whatsoever in 4.2 so far.
Google’s latest Android version 4.2 may not be a major upgrade from 4.1, but it sure does come with unfinished work and some improvements to be done. This update feels like it’s in beta with random restarts and lag issues. Here’s my list of improvements that I’d love to see in 4.2.1 - Warning: Some of you may not agree with the following.
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
The new Notification Bar brings some improvements to 4.2, with the setting shortcut placed nicely on the right corner for easy thumb access; instead of on the middle-left, like on 4.1
But, there’s a missing link to the 2nd Notification Bar; instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Lock Screen + Widgets:
Yet another slight improvement. With the changes to the Roboto font and alignment of your security pin-box, the system seems to look sleek, professional and welcoming, rather than the clunky look and feel of 4.1
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Image: http://bit.ly/ScjVr2
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Image: http://bit.ly/RRuoIv
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Image: http://bit.ly/QWcmaU
7-down said:
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
... instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thougths here. I miss the TapToToggle-HoldToEnter-functionality of the S III
======
EDIT:
On the Nexus 7 with 4.2 you can choose which view you pull down.
Pull down in left part => Notifications
Pull dwon in right part => Settings
That would be nice on the Nexus 4 too
======
7-down said:
Lock Screen + Widgets:
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the fast camera access. Swipe to left, take photo :good:
But the Lockscreen-Widgets are lame. The "FastEnter"-Apps like in AOSP/CM10 or Stock SIII are much better
7-down said:
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
... blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh: You made my day :good:
7-down said:
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% agree. Google-Cloud for save files, app settings, etc would be very nice
I felt like Lockscreen widgets and quick settings are responses to what the community are customizing. You have a wildly popular app called WidgetLockr, and all skins are placing toggles on the status bar. I can see how they are not willing to copy what others did directly but really, those are the best solutions out there. So I'm still gonna root, install widgetlockr and power toggle for those stuff.
xXSturmiXx said:
EDIT:
On the Nexus 7 with 4.2 you can choose which view you pull down.
Pull down in left part => Notifications
Pull dwon in right part => Settings
That would be nice on the Nexus 4 too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings
xXSturmiXx said:
:laugh: You made my day :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HA! It's true... I cannot unsee it, now lol
Lockscreen widgets aren't my type of thing, like OP said, it'll be fun for a few weeks then just get boring, never used lockscreen "widgets" that came with sense either. I also favor 4.1's status bar+toggles, compared to 4.2 which is slightly still an attractive approach to switching things up(or on...pun intended) and making more room.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app
Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
babalonius508 said:
Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that was tripping me out as well...it was better when only the icons rotated.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I'm not sure how lock screen widgets defeat the whole purpose of the lock screen? The whole point of the lock screen to me is a buffer screen that stops you from accidentally activating your phone by making you perform specific actions on the screen. The new lock screen still does that quite well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Chrono_Tata said:
I'm not sure how lock screen widgets defeat the whole purpose of the lock screen? The whole point of the lock screen to me is a buffer screen that stops you from accidentally activating your phone by making you perform specific actions on the screen. The new lock screen still does that quite well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, the lockscreen widgets allow you to look-but-no-touch. The appeal is still there, in that you cant accidentally mess things up with screen widgets in your pocket because they require unlock before you can mess with them.
Except for the camera, but there isn't a whole lot of bad that could be done with that.
xXSturmiXx said:
I like the fast camera access. Swipe to left, take photo :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me what you had to do on lockscreen to take picture on 4.1?
7-down said:
Google’s latest Android version 4.2 may not be a major upgrade from 4.1, but it sure does come with unfinished work and some improvements to be done. This update feels like it’s in beta with random restarts and lag issues. Here’s my list of improvements that I’d love to see in 4.2.1 - Warning: Some of you may not agree with the following.
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
The new Notification Bar brings some improvements to 4.2, with the setting shortcut placed nicely on the right corner for easy thumb access; instead of on the middle-left, like on 4.1
But, there’s a missing link to the 2nd Notification Bar; instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Lock Screen + Widgets:
Yet another slight improvement. With the changes to the Roboto font and alignment of your security pin-box, the system seems to look sleek, professional and welcoming, rather than the clunky look and feel of 4.1
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Image: http://bit.ly/ScjVr2
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Image: http://bit.ly/RRuoIv
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Image: http://bit.ly/QWcmaU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree 100% with all. Can you talk to the Common Sense department at Google and get this stuff worked on
crawlgsx said:
Agree 100% with all. Can you talk to the Common Sense department at Google and get this stuff worked on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also posted this on Google+, hopefully Google sees this
2nd thought... I don't think they'll care lol. :silly:
7-down said:
(If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 31 years old; I understand references to Snarf and Optimus Prime. Poke-whatever did not factor into my childhood.
EDIT: I guess I should actually post something constructive:
- I also wish the second notification bar was more than just shortcuts. Why aren't they buttons? I put the Power Control widget back on my phone for the first time since in quite a while
- I don't ever imagine using the lockscreen widgets; at least not the ones that are available now. I absolutely despise the bolded first digit in the clock widget. Despise it. It looks ugly and I can't understand why they did that. It's stupid and I'm getting mad just thinking about it again. F***.
- Haven't tried photosphere yet; it's not something that I think about
- Extra download page...I dunno, something else I haven't thought about at all.
My own thing:
- Swiping keyboard is the bees knees.
7-down said:
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me this is no gimmick at all. I frequently have to resort to drawings and painstaking email descriptions to describe physical spaces in my line of work. As imperfect as Photo Sphere is at the moment, it's a quantum leap ahead in terms of camera usefulness for me. It's quite literally a 'worth a thousand words' thing.
The only lockscreen widget I have is a clock from HD widgets that looks nicer than the stock one and shows battery %. Other than that I don't see much point to it.
The settings pulldown on the n7 did annoy me at first as it is positioned where I would normally have pulled down for notifications. I wish it would toggle WiFi/Bluetooth rather than going to settings. Maybe short press to toggle long press for settings.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Fully agree on the notification toggles and lockscreen.
Notification toggles should work like they do in CM, press to toggle, long-press to visit the settings.
Without getting into a debate on the usefulness of lockscreen widgets, the design and layout of the lockscreen is convoluted and messy. Definitely needs to be refined.
Two places to swipe from (Lock and Home button)
Interface to add widgets is odd, why do they appear small on the clock screen first after they are added?
Way too much flashing with the white boxes, feels like it's perpetually in an edit/drag to adjust mode
I say at a minimum, drop the soft-nav keys on the lockscreen and return to have Google now being a swipe upwards and kill the flashing white boxes.
babalonius508 said:
Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Harry Pothead said:
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to use two hands
Harry Pothead said:
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Life feels good again. Thanks bro!
I honestly feel that Google did send this update out as an almost unfinished product, and will be fixing this later. Only question is, how long will it take. Those with Galaxy Nexus', are updates pretty frequent?
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?
Hi,
I do not receive lockscreen notifications on my P9.
According to the Huawei rep in their Brussels flagship store this is due to the fact that I use fingerprint unlock.
It is "unsafe" according to them to see or have access to the notifications or even my musicplayer or podcast player controls on the lockscreen when locked...
Is this possible? It's annoying altough the fingerprint unlock is really, really quick and 100% correct (in contrast to the iphone 6S or Samsung S7)...
thanks,
Pieter
I disabled the huawei lockscreen notifications all together and using this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roymam.android.notificationswidget
Works quite well and even supports music controls (the standalone Sony Xperia from xda works great).
It's a workaround but it does the job and is fully customizable.
Thanks, works good indeed, still a pity that the emui 4.1 does not do the job, I like this version of Android a lot, no lag and stutter and more options than stock Android...
Yeah options are always nice but they tend to forgot the option to turn stuff off you dont need stock Android notifications are pretty much perfect imho.
But I think this phone is gonna be popular at least here in central Europe. It's all over the shops right next to the apples and Samsungs. Which means mods are likely to happen.
My P9 now states that the Nils app is using lots of battery...
I sold my iPhone 6sPlus and I'm very satisfied with the P9. I owned only android phones before (nexus 4, Note 3 and 4) but wanted to try out ios, I did for 5 months but never again... -
But for all the things I did not like about ios and iPhone hardware (fingerprint on forefront and body/screen ratio) I have to admit that on the software front everything works on ios as it should...
I start noticing that the camera takes some time loading as well, 2x pushing volume down and it takes 2s for the picture to be taken...
FutureYota said:
My P9 now states that the Nils app is using lots of battery...
But for all the things I did not like about ios and iPhone hardware (fingerprint on forefront and body/screen ratio) I have to admit that on the software front everything works on ios as it should...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree some things are annoying on the software side with Android and especially with custom skins like emui. But just because a mechanism informs you that a certain process uses more battery than others doesn't mean it's bad. On ios there might be processes draining your battery like crazy but they never tell you about it. Just food for thought.
If someone asks me what phone they should get and they say that it should just work and do basic things and money doesn't matter I often suggest apple. But that is not my cup of tea.
All you need to do is change the lockscreen to a magazine lockscreen in the designs app. After that there's an option in the settings to enable them. They won't work with the iPhone style lockscreen for some reason.
Thanks, that does work indeed
But I still don't get my Pocketcasts and Google play controls on my lockscreen...
but well it's already better now
MoervYO said:
All you need to do is change the lockscreen to a magazine lockscreen in the designs app. After that there's an option in the settings to enable them. They won't work with the iPhone style lockscreen for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where in settings? Set alot of apps to notifications on lock screen in the notification center. But still doesn't notify me Got magazine lock screen chosen, but my own picture.
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 PM ----------
Figured it out. Have to go in and deny and then allow apps that has been allowed to send notifications as standard to make it work...
Magazine lock screen is amazing with notifications showing up BUT it darkers the background so hard its ridiculous. I'd like to use other lock screens like one of the defaults where the clock shows up on the top side of the screen, but sadly that one doesn't show notifications T_T
iaitoo said:
Where in settings? Set alot of apps to notifications on lock screen in the notification center. But still doesn't notify me Got magazine lock screen chosen, but my own picture.
---------- Post added at 11:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 PM ----------
Figured it out. Have to go in and deny and then allow apps that has been allowed to send notifications as standard to make it work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't find the option to deny and then reenable notifications. Any help pls?
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MoervYO said:
All you need to do is change the lockscreen to a magazine lockscreen in the designs app. After that there's an option in the settings to enable them. They won't work with the iPhone style lockscreen for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! that did the trick...I was driving crazy to make notifications work on lockscreen... (even if it is better for battery to do now awake the display) but now is a choice..!!! before werent working!!
Hard to find what "hell" was those magazine on spanish translation i took me days to find the workaround until I found your post!!
Thanks... could be useful for those are are new on EMUI to have some screenshots about the lockscreen mode
Thanks agian.
I can get notifications to show but they are not expandable or actionable. Is there a way to make them work as per stock or is this as good as it gets?
Roboffabike said:
I can get notifications to show but they are not expandable or actionable. Is there a way to make them work as per stock or is this as good as it gets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree it's annoying if you are used to a stock behaivour... This point is a point to improve...
Enviado desde mi EVA-L09 mediante Tapatalk
Hello everyone,
do you know a way for disabling lockscreen notification white to white, changing text color in black? Default EMUI lockscreen magazine is impossible to read.
Thanks
Hi,
I am playing around with this lock screen/magazine/ ... for a day now and can't get notifications on my lockscreen. E.g. the netflix controls are also missing.
I have a Mate 9 with Emui 5.
This really sucks, I would prefer the stock lock screen from the nexus/pixel devices a lot.
Could please someone write in detail how to get the notification working?
The NiLS App works like a dream.
Pitscho said:
Hi,
I am playing around with this lock screen/magazine/ ... for a day now and can't get notifications on my lockscreen. E.g. the netflix controls are also missing.
I have a Mate 9 with Emui 5.
This really sucks, I would prefer the stock lock screen from the nexus/pixel devices a lot.
Could please someone write in detail how to get the notification working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The NiLS App works like a dream... I am using Huawei P9 Plus - (EMUI 5.0 / Android 7.0) Go for it guys....
I was sick tired of making the notifications to work on Lockscreen other than the Magazine. I guess I finally found some solace.
Nils definitely works but I was bothered by not getting the normal android notifications. They seem to be working well now. This is my environment - B138, running Dark Theme and lockscreen Magazine with changed wallpaper. I enabled all apps to show lockscreen notification. I prevented wanted apps from being closed in power management. I locked wanted apps in recent drawer. I downloaded Blue Mail & Yaata sms and all notifications are immediate. I favor these apps anyways and want push email. Gave up on the stock sms and Gmail as they would not show on lockscreen. If using themes, make sure to keep magazine lockscreen. Just change wallpaper later. Not sure about other apps. Irritating project for sure!
Make sure you Use the theme that has magazine style lockscreen. That allows the apps with lockscreen notifications to work.
Settings-> Lock screen and password-> screen lock style-> magazine style lock screen
This is the key to get the notifications to work. Under lock screen and password you can also turn on screen when receiving notification.
I have just upgraded to Android 7 and the notifications used to show a tiny Icon at the top of the lock screen but no message detail ie if ifs a whatsapp persons pic would show. With the upgrade it either shows the whole message nothing at all or contents hidden, is there any way to amend the notifications to just show the whatsapp logo or email logo or whatever?