Database Develop

[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

multiple apps, minimized?

I seem to be only able to have 1 app open at a time?
I have to backbutton the app, then go to main screen to start another app..
How do i have 3-4 apps running, with the minimized apps that i can grab up top like my phone...
thanks

I'm not exactly sure what you are requesting here, but applications can run in the background. While you may need to go the Home screen to get back into an application you were previously in, it can still be running from before.
You mention of minimizing applications, which doesn't happen with the android system in terms of windows (min/max), but some applications open can be accessed throught he notification bar, if they have a ongoing notification.
Maybe you're talking of pressing and holding the N button to bring up the 8 most recent applications to easily switch between them?
If that is the case, there is also a nice application called Swipepad that may help you as well.

My android phone, with the slide down window at top is what i was referring to, where you can "pull" down the top of window,, and see your running apps...
thanks

jlm86 said:
My android phone, with the slide down window at top is what i was referring to, where you can "pull" down the top of window,, and see your running apps...
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone is that? It must be a customization of some sort since Android doesn't normally work that way. Like biohazrd51 said, just hold down the physical "n" button for short second and a "running" app list will pop up no matter what program you're in and even if the status bar you're talking about is hidden

jlm86 said:
I seem to be only able to have 1 app open at a time?
I have to backbutton the app, then go to main screen to start another app..
How do i have 3-4 apps running, with the minimized apps that i can grab up top like my phone...
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Back button = Exit. Just push the N button to go Home.. And as said, sounds like your phone is some tweak to Android, until Honeycomb there was no method provided by the OS itself to show "running apps" besides in the Settings->Applications view.

Sounds like something from HTC Sense. What phone/ROM you have?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Just long press the N button you should get recent apps
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

Remove navigation buttons when playing games?

Hey forum.
Had XZ för about 2 weeks now and I'm happy with it... but;
Is there any way to remove the navigation buttons when you play games?
I mean, when you look at videos, they are hidden.
This is so disturbing when you play a game where the controls are pretty much at that location, and you accidently
press "Home" and leaving the game, or "Back" button to go back

fieskmask said:
Hey forum.
Had XZ för about 2 weeks now and I'm happy with it... but;
Is there any way to remove the navigation buttons when you play games?
I mean, when you look at videos, they are hidden.
This is so disturbing when you play a game where the controls are pretty much at that location, and you accidently
press "Home" and leaving the game, or "Back" button to go back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha I made the same mistake yesterday while playing Mario on my phone, it can be annoying indeed.
Btw, wrong section.

fieskmask said:
Hey forum.
Had XZ för about 2 weeks now and I'm happy with it... but;
Is there any way to remove the navigation buttons when you play games?
I mean, when you look at videos, they are hidden.
This is so disturbing when you play a game where the controls are pretty much at that location, and you accidently
press "Home" and leaving the game, or "Back" button to go back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But how to exit the game later if there is not buttons
Sent from my C6602 using xda app-developers app

Dsteppa said:
Hahaha I made the same mistake yesterday while playing Mario on my phone, it can be annoying indeed.
Btw, wrong section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ye, really a pain in the ass sometimes.
Got the thread moved my moderator ^^
abd_alazeez2002 said:
But how to exit the game later if there is not buttons
Sent from my C6602 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, as far as I know, all the games got menu that allows the player to exit the game.
You could mention one that doesn't have it?

fieskmask said:
Well, as far as I know, all the games got menu that allows the player to exit the game.
You could mention one that doesn't have it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
devil's attorney for example

Check this topic: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39249117#post39249117
This app "full!screen" temporary hides the notification bar and replaces the navigation buttons, but does require root.
Did not really bother with the app "buttonsavior" because "full!screen" covers all functions I need.
All you will have left is the BACK button and HOME button, you can set size and transparency \ color.
(These should be set kinda small and transparant and placed in the left and right corner so you do not see them to much.)
Then you can as assign long press and swipe up to each button, so you basically have all functions covered.
- Restore systembar (So you can get your original navigation buttons back anytime you want.)
- Open apps menu (Opens the option menu of the current app.)
- Show notifications (Shows the on-going events of the notification bar.)
- Show recent apps
The only downsides I found are:
- When you restore systembar the battery percentage no longer shows on the official notification bar.
(This is fixed after rebooting the phone, perhaps anyone knows another way of getting it back?)
- I did not find out how to close apps from the recent apps function like you can with the build in task manager.
(This is not a big problem as you can regain the official bars anytime you want.)
I really love using the browser and games using this.
Kind regards, Stefan.

Thaevil0ne said:
Check this topic: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39249117#post39249117
This app "full!screen" temporary hides the notification bar and replaces the navigation buttons, but does require root.
Did not really bother with the app "buttonsavior" because "full!screen" covers all functions I need.
All you will have left is the BACK button and HOME button, you can set size and transparency \ color.
(These should be set kinda small and transparant and placed in the left and right corner so you do not see them to much.)
Then you can as assign long press and swipe up to each button, so you basically have all functions covered.
- Restore systembar (So you can get your original navigation buttons back anytime you want.)
- Open apps menu (Opens the option menu of the current app.)
- Show notifications (Shows the on-going events of the notification bar.)
- Show recent apps
The only downsides I found are:
- When you restore systembar the battery percentage no longer shows on the official notification bar.
(This is fixed after rebooting the phone, perhaps anyone knows another way of getting it back?)
- I did find out close apps from the recent apps function like you can with the build in task manager.
(This is not a big problem as you can regain the official bars anytime you want.)
I really love using the browser and games using this.
Kind regards, Stefan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I will for sure check this out :good:

[launcher] AppDrawer (MIUI App Drawer)

I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:

This is the best app for a rooted NSTG No need to fiddle with different launchers, it just works as an extension to the B&N homescreen. Thanks for the tip!
johnseeking said:
I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

johnseeking said:
I recently rooted my NST with NookManager, and was looking to run a "stealth" root under stock. I used the Nook Touch Mod Manager to change the LONG PRESS on the 'n' button to launch THIS. After some fiddling with the options, it pops up a single 5 x 8 grid of apps on a white background with black text. You can long press on an app to hide it. Simple and fast.
I'll be happy to post a screenshot if I can figure out how to take one! :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly do you 'fiddle with the options'? The app opens in fullscreen mode, and i can't find the way to get the status bar to show up, tried everything...
my nook simple touch rooted with nook manager, so relaunch is the shell(or whatever it's called) from which i run app drawer...
Thanks!

nnbveh said:
Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly do you 'fiddle with the options'? The app opens in fullscreen mode, and i can't find the way to get the status bar to show up, tried everything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this issue with another app and here is what I did:
Temporarily assign the "Menu" function to one of the hardware keys using NookTouchModManager (unless you have it set up that way already for other purposes--I keep a long-press on one button this way just in case).
When you launch your app you will now have a way to access menu functions even though it is running full-screen. In my case I was able to change the settings on my app so it would *not* run full-screen by default, but that is probably not what you want in this instance. After you have made your adjustments, you can change the hardware key back to its default, although I think keeping both a "Back" and "Menu" option around is not a bad idea.

VERY late reply...
I use an app called Button Savior which lets you add a set of software buttons which expand or collapse when you touch an assigned target point on your screen. (I have mine set to a long press in the lower left corner, and since I bought the pro version I can customize my target to be invisible.) That way I can always get to a menu button if I need one.
Don't have my NST with me, so I can't tall you what version I'm running, but I'm pretty sure it's the current version on Google Play.

I came across this old post and thought I'd look up the app to see what it was like. I've attached a copy below.
This is not actually a "launcher" despite what the thread title says. It is plain-and-simple an App Drawer. But as the OP said, it can provide almost a "stealth" modification of the NST. To me it seems ideal for the person who says "I only want to root so I can run app x--I don't want a lot of stuff on it."
There are a few hurdles to get to that point, so here is a brief outline of steps to get it working:
1. Root with NookManager (update it first if you're rooting FW 1.2.2)
2. Install the app along with a good file manager like ES File Explorer which will give you root access when you need it (ReLaunch can't).
3. Use Nook Touch Mod Manager to assign a button press (maybe a long-press?) to the MIUI app. You can use one of the hardware buttons or (less "stealth") one of the QuickNav buttons you don't use like Social, or Shop or Search.
4. Temporarily assign one of the hardware buttons to "Menu". This is needed because the MIUI app opens in full screen by default and you can't get at the settings without the Menu button.
5. Run the MIUI app and configure as you want (there is an option not to hide the status bar). Once you have the appearance you are after note that you can long-press on an app to (among other things) hide it from the drawer or even uninstall it. I suggest you uninstall ReLaunch.
6. Go back to Nook Touch Mod Manager and remove the temporary "Menu" button assignment.
And you're good! Your NST still looks and works like its old self but you're one button-press away from accessing any apps you may want to install. And you have a decent file manager

Bottom Part of the Screen Not Working

I damaged the bottom part of my phone
I wanted to know a few applications that can help me use the phone for basic functions like WA and calling.
I am on MIUI8 and I have enabled the Quick Ball, any other such applications will be helpful.

You could try a couple of different things.
Pie controls app lets you access a lot of things by touch.
Swiftkey in floating mode to type
Screen rotation controls app to rotate screen 360 degrees depending on how much the bottom part is broken. (Be careful else you will be stuck 360 until in uninstall the app, as the shortcut to switch back is in the notification bar)
Arrow launcher from Microsoft . Access as lot of things from the home screens.
I will let u know if I remember more applications.

Deathonator said:
You could try a couple of different things.
Pie controls app lets you access a lot of things by touch.
Swiftkey in floating mode to type
Screen rotation controls app to rotate screen 360 degrees depending on how much the bottom part is broken. (Be careful else you will be stuck 360 until in uninstall the app, as the shortcut to switch back is in the notification bar)
Arrow launcher from Microsoft . Access as lot of things from the home screens.
I will let u know if I remember more applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

Do you have root access?
Let me know coz that opens up a wide new horizon

Deathonator said:
Do you have root access?
Let me know coz that opens up a wide new horizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could get it