[request] older version of ES File Explorer - Nook Touch Themes and Apps

I regret thoughtlessly letting my ES File Explorer update whenever it wanted. The newer versions seem to have a lot of problems with updating the screen and are, in general, sluggish on my NST.
I currently have version 3.2.5.1. Does anyone have an older version on hand?

nmyshkin said:
I regret thoughtlessly letting my ES File Explorer update whenever it wanted. The newer versions seem to have a lot of problems with updating the screen and are, in general, sluggish on my NST.
I currently have version 3.2.5.1. Does anyone have an older version on hand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The version I am currently using (attached) I've had for at least a year, and it has never failed me. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what the version is, since I'm using your framework-res mod and the gray text blends in with the gray background
Hope this helps!

To my aging bi-focal enhanced vision that is version 3.0.9.0. It would likely be completely unreadable without the framework mod.
Thanks a bunch. It's much better behaved. No more updates on that one!

nmyshkin said:
To my aging bi-focal enhanced vision that is version 3.0.9.0. It would likely be completely unreadable without the framework mod.
Thanks a bunch. It's much better behaved. No more updates on that one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to be of assistance. Don't forget that you can turn off Auto-Update by navigating [Quick Access Menu > Settings > Update settings > Uncheck "Auto check"]. That way, you aren't ever "tempted" to update to the next version

ИΘΘK¡€, is that version working properly when you choose "view" button on the bottom of the screen? Every version I have tried to this point crashed when I tried to change the view,

thrackanomir said:
ИΘΘK¡€, is that version working properly when you choose "view" button on the bottom of the screen? Every version I have tried to this point crashed when I tried to change the view,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very odd. It almost never works, but once in a blue moon, I'll try it, and it functions correctly. I've just resorted to ignoring it and using the "swipe to the left or right" function to change the view.

I am not sure that we are thinking about the same thing. I'll try to explain. In default mode when brosing directories I see an icon grid with very limited space for filenames. It is irritating when I try to choose the correct one from whole bunch of similar named ones, when the differencr is at the end of their file name, which is shortened/hidden. I want to change the vie mode from grid to list or something similar that would allow the filenames to be displayed fully. Do you have any solution for this? (Now I switch to Root Browser when I really need the list view, but that is quite an inconveniance)

thrackanomir said:
I am not sure that we are thinking about the same thing. I'll try to explain. In default mode when brosing directories I see an icon grid with very limited space for filenames. It is irritating when I try to choose the correct one from whole bunch of similar named ones, when the differencr is at the end of their file name, which is shortened/hidden. I want to change the vie mode from grid to list or something similar that would allow the filenames to be displayed fully. Do you have any solution for this? (Now I switch to Root Browser when I really need the list view, but that is quite an inconveniance)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh - pardon my mistake, there, I had forgotten what the view button actually did!
I do know to what you're referring, but I can't say that I know of a way to do that at the moment. However, I'm doing some research and experimentation to see f I can find out either an alternate way to switch views or a way to fix the f/c hitting "View" gives us. I'll keep you posted.

Not sure why I didn't find this the first time I went looking, but here is a place with many older versions of the app. Scroll down the page until you get to "previous versions" then hit the "view more" button.
I tried the earliest v. 3.x and it still produced the crash on "view"--something I had never noticed before with whatever version I originally had. Probably I never tried it.
The last 1.6x version (1.6.2.3) is stylistically a little different but has the (crashless) option to change from icons to list format AND the settings menu system is like the native B&N settings menu (yay!), i.e., you can read it easily.
Not sure about all other capabilities, but I'm easy on what I ask it to do. I use Root Browser for the heavy duty stuff.

Thanks, guys (sorry for the delay)!

Thanks - the newer version does work, but requires a lot of patience until screens are displayed correctly. I was always wondering why eStrongs still pushes updates to 2.1 devices that are too memory hungry to run properly - but here we go.

another reason to love this old version
I went to do some file cleanup this morning and made the discovery seen in the attached screen image: -)
No similar behavior on current market versions.

Related

Eink [NST] Optimizations (Apps, launchers, SetCPU...)

So there are a few threads of apps that plain work on the NST, but I want apps that are optimized (i.e. black and white/no animations/useable). Below are my findings.
Battery drain
First off, let's say you've rooted and installed some basics gapps. I found that some things seems to cause some pretty fierce battery drain (I remember on my G1 that calendar sync was buggy, resulting in constant syncing attempts and bad battery drain). Now this is on a per-user basis, but I basically removed everything but the core gapps files and gmail. Here's a list of stuff you can "safely" remove (remember, ALWAYS backup).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Launchers
I've tried them all, but the ADW with the minimalistic black theme is the best IMO. You can make the background white of the app drawer, remove all but one page, and turn off everything that moves (I set all the options to max/0 to ensure that I do not see any animations of any sort).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Navigation
So depending on how you achieved root, you may or may not have button savior installed. I didn't want extra stuff cluttering up my screen, so I removed it. For those of you who want a high contrast eink button savior, you've got it here. Buy the pro and support the dev. If you want to use the hardware buttons, you have to get this (which you may already have if you have rooted via Nooter).
I set the top left button as back, top right as menu, bottom left as pagedown, and bottom right as pageup. The page up and page down are from the normal left side, so they appear as LEFT_PAGEDOWN and LEFT_PAGERIGHT. I also disabled the BN menu when you press the N and made it just go to ADW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps
Sorry to disappoint, but since I want to get rid of as many distractions as possible, I only have a few:
Android PDF Reader: Has optimizations for eink devices, is quick to redraw, and page up and down work.
Sparse RSS: I've been working with the dev and have gotten page up/down to work. I have a dev build if interested, but I'm sure he'll publish an update soon with it working on the market (1.3.1 does not work, but the next version should have the fix).
Some of the other random eink optimized apps floating around the Apps section here.
SetCPU: Allows for changing the governor and you can underclock if you wish. I have to 600 MHz, and it's fine for reading. I setup the scale up preference to 80, and the Powersaving Bias to 300. Feel free to look up and mess around with these...it's pretty safe.
Coolreader: Has some nice eink optimized settings (can change how the page is partially refreshed/how often/etc. You can also set it as the main reader app in the NookSimple Tools apps, so when you click the book in the top left if opens Coolreader. The standard BN library and reader aren't bad, though (except for PDFs that are not meant for reflow, like tech. documents).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Here is a NST optimized (and slightly customized) version I did for Simon Tatham's Puzzles Collection (including source).
github.com/marspeople/sgtpuzzles/downloads
ace7196, could you post the "page up/down" patch for Sparse RSS? Also, I've noticed a interface bug (also present in NewsRob) when you go back to the article list, it loses which list position it was previously, that is pretty annoying.
Here's the latest release dev build of Sparse RSS.
I know the left side buttons for page up/down are mapped, not sure if he mapped the right side equivalent as well.
Also, I've noticed on a few rss readers (as mentioned above) that once you touch the screen and make is scroll, the titles of the articles change, but not that content. I only plan on using the hard keys, so now that I have an RSS reader that works with that...
What is the checkbox under Feed URL when you're adding a feed? Other than that, seems to work great!
Tired_ said:
What is the checkbox under Feed URL when you're adding a feed? Other than that, seems to work great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure....try checking it
ace7196 said:
Not sure....try checking it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installed it on my phone, turns out it's "Only Sync over Wifi". Kind of a useless setting for us Nookies, but it's good to know I guess.
Sparse RSS is really great though the right buttons are not mapped.
Also, is there a way to remove the "Goto link" bar at the bottom of each page?
It blocks the last line of text on every page. It is also kind of distracting and I will never need to go to the full page or use the onscreen touch buttons since the buttons are mapped
Got email from the author that right button support will be added, and will be published this week (will let you know when).
Latest Sparse RSS Reader with left and right button support:
http://code.google.com/p/sparserss/downloads/list
Launcher
too add...
I'm finding Relaunch as optimized launcher.
I'm happy with it, give it a spin.
(well you might need to spend some time in enabling adb to install non market apps)
I've attached the screens (not screenshots taken in nook, but a pic by phone)
the home, app list and the settings
marspeople said:
Here is a NST optimized (and slightly customized) version I did for Simon Tatham's Puzzles Collection (including source).
github.com/marspeople/sgtpuzzles/downloads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone happen to have an APK kicking around for this eink optimized version of Simon Tatham's Puzzle Collection that MarsPeople made so long ago? I've been using the regular version for years and just ignoring about half the puzzles since they require color. It would be great to have an eink version.
I contacted the author, but he doesn't have an APK anymore. He did point me to his other GitHub, which is still up and has his modified forkof the source, but no APK. I don't have any environment for building Android apps and I don't relish trying to set one up for Eclaire.
https://github.com/marcelogp/sgtpuzzles

Lollipop Touchwiz questions

It might be a bit soon since the update just came out, but maybe some have already been playing with the new touchwiz on other devices.
2 things I'm looking for.
1, The lockscreen music widget, is there any way to make it or the next and previous buttons larger? I play music when I'm driving, and the widget is so small it's difficult to press the next track button.
2, Is there a way to ignore certain wifi networks? We have a couple of secure access points in my office, and I am constantly dismissing the message about wifi found.
Thanks,
bobbylx said:
It might be a bit soon since the update just came out, but maybe some have already been playing with the new touchwiz on other devices.
2 things I'm looking for.
1, The lockscreen music widget, is there any way to make it or the next and previous buttons larger? I play music when I'm driving, and the widget is so small it's difficult to press the next track button.
2, Is there a way to ignore certain wifi networks? We have a couple of secure access points in my office, and I am constantly dismissing the message about wifi found.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Will probably require decompiling one of the system apk's with apktool and modification either to res/values or some of the smali code. I'd be happy to give it a look-see once we can get stock deodexed (I'll start looking for methods). If you've never heard of this kind of thing, check out this thread I've learned so much from it and most of their hacks and mods are completely workable on our phone.
2. Settings > Wi-Fi, hit the menu hardware button. My guess is you want to disable any combination of the following: Network notification, Always allow scanning, Auto connect.
Hope that helps
thisisapoorusernamechoice said:
1. Will probably require decompiling one of the system apk's with apktool and modification either to res/values or some of the smali code. I'd be happy to give it a look-see once we can get stock deodexed (I'll start looking for methods). If you've never heard of this kind of thing, check out this thread I've learned so much from it and most of their hacks and mods are completely workable on our phone.
2. Settings > Wi-Fi, hit the menu hardware button. My guess is you want to disable any combination of the following: Network notification, Always allow scanning, Auto connect.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take a look at that link. I used to be more active, compiled my own CM roms, modding apks, etc. but just don't seem to have the time anymore. I might be able to tweak it. I was hoping the was some obvious resize option I was just missing.
I just disabled network notification. Would have been nice to choose specific networks to ignore, but this works also.
thanks.
bobbylx said:
I'll take a look at that link. I used to be more active, compiled my own CM roms, modding apks, etc. but just don't seem to have the time anymore. I might be able to tweak it. I was hoping the was some obvious resize option I was just missing.
I just disabled network notification. Would have been nice to choose specific networks to ignore, but this works also.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently deodexing using this tool
How's it coming along?
NGD1 said:
How's it coming along?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh sorry no update, I haven't had any free time in days and I was already testing various crap. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow, no promises

[APP][NST/G] Reading Now button menu

See post #50 for a new user-customizable version, RN Menu 2.0!
*Updated to v. 1.1.1--more accurate placement of menu in landscape*
Version 1.2.1 substitutes FastMode2 for NoRefresh.
This app is a toggle which places a small menu directly below the status bar "reading now" button and extends the function of that button. While the app can be used as a stand-alone toggle, it is best used by reassigning the "reading now" button with Nook Touch ModManager to the app. No function is lost, as the first item on the short menu is "reading now". As currently configured, the menu options are:
1. Reading Now (same as original stock button function)
2. Orientation (a landscape/portrait toggle using Rotation Locker)
3. No Refresh
4. Set Cover (which potentially sets the screensaver image to the current book cover)
See screenshot below.
While the app is not user-configurable (maybe some day, probably not) now that I have produced a template to work with it is reasonably easy to customize and I would entertain requests for specific items--assuming I can figure out how to implement them! There have been other approaches to setting a menu in this position, but they have involved modding jars and have been limited to specific firmwares. This app should run on all firmwares and does not require modification of any jar files. If you don't like it, you just uninstall it and it's over and done with. For me, this project has been a proof of concept and I've learned a lot. Maybe an extended power menu is next?
Requirements
--Rotation Locker (attached below) (required for Orientation option)
--No Refresh Toggle (I am running NoRefreshToggle-debug2, but it may not matter--someone can let me know?)
--Root (required for Set Cover option and for menu itself as of v.1.1.1)
--sqlite3 (available in this post where the screensaver option setup is explained in detail)
--As this is a Tasker-generated app (but does not require Tasker to run!) there is a dependency on two library files normally installed with GApps. If you do not have GApps installed on your device, you can still use this app by copying the two attached files into the locations shown below (the xml file is zipped so you can download it rather than view it):
/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml
/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
Set permissions for both files to rw-r--r-- and reboot. Without these files resident, the app will not install.
---------------------------------------------------
How to use
The best implementation is to reassign the "reading now" button to this app using Nook Touch ModManager. When that is done, tapping on the "reading now" icon will produce the menu and you can make your selection from there. If you inadvertently tap the icon, you can dismiss the menu by tapping again. It's a toggle. Starting with v. 1.1.1, root is required to allow the app to query the current screen orientation. This enables a more accurate placement of the menu in landscape mode.
The screen orientation by default is, of course, Portrait, so the toggle goes immediately to Landscape. Landscape runs as a background service (notification) to lock in the feature since some apps resist the change. Selecting orientation again returns you to Portrait and ends the background service until the next selection. It's also possible to exit Landscape by tapping on the notification. This brings up the three-line menu (invisible text unless you have altered your background image colors). The top option is Portrait.
The first time you select Set Cover you will be asked to allow root access. This part of the app includes shell commands and thus needs root access.
That's it! I'd appreciate bug reports and/or suggestions and welcome requests for customized menus (at least for now!). Enjoy!
@nmyshkin I really appreciate you continuing to develop this wonderful device. Thank you for everything you've done on the NST.
I have a request, if you have time and it's not too much trouble.
1. Reading Now
2. Renate's Temblast Library (which I use as a quick list of what I'm currently reading)
3. Fastmode2
4. Your new USB Audio Toggle
ALinkToTao said:
I have a request, if you have time and it's not too much trouble.
1. Reading Now
2. Renate's Temblast Library (which I use as a quick list of what I'm currently reading)
3. Fastmode2
4. Your new USB Audio Toggle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can do that easily if I know how the library is supposed to work. Is it just sending an intent, starting an app or....?
Also, there's nothing magic about 4 items, so if you want fewer or more, that's doable.
Edit: I've looked at the Library app. Very straightforward tap-and-go. So just let me know if you want any more (or fewer) items and I'll get on it.
nmyshkin said:
I can do that easily if I know how the library is supposed to work. Is it just sending an intent, starting an app or....?
Also, there's nothing magic about 4 items, so if you want fewer or more, that's doable.
Edit: I've looked at the Library app. Very straightforward tap-and-go. So just let me know if you want any more (or fewer) items and I'll get on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! That's awesome! Yeah, I think those four would be awesome!
Could you also make one with
1. Reading Now
2. Renate's Temblast Library
I have bought and rooted many NST's for friends and having just those two options will be very convenient for them... They aren't really techy, so too many options would just confuse them.
That would be useful for them when I make other NST's. I'm planning on making 3 more, so I think that would be great! The one with 4 options on it, I'd be using personally.
ALinkToTao said:
Wow! That's awesome! Yeah, I think those four would be awesome!
Could you also make one with
1. Reading Now
2. Renate's Temblast Library
I have bought and rooted many NST's for friends and having just those two options will be very convenient for them... They aren't really techy, so too many options would just confuse them.
That would be useful for them when I make other NST's. I'm planning on making 3 more, so I think that would be great! The one with 4 options on it, I'd be using personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the apps you're looking for {waves hand vaguely}.
Thanks so much! I'll put it to use and see how it runs. I'm sure it will be great.
It runs great! I have noticed that this theoretically could be used to have a second quicknav menu. You can activate it also by programming one of the side buttons to show/hide it. Great job!
If someone didn't want to run the launcher, this could save them from using it with their most used apps on this.
@nmyshkin ... thanks ... I would be interested in this app, I wanted to have the default 'reading now' on nook reader ... and a customizable option so i can probable configure some other reading apps and their last read book directly opening when the option is invoked ...
Update
_____________
I tried installing your app from OP for 1.2.1 ... but it did not install ... If its not too much trouble can you make one that runs on 1.2.2 and share the same ?
thank.s
aiamuzz said:
@nmyshkin ... thanks ... I would be interested in this app, I wanted to have the default 'reading now' on nook reader ... and a customizable option so i can probable configure some other reading apps and their last read book directly opening when the option is invoked ...
Update
_____________
I tried installing your app from OP for 1.2.1 ... but it did not install ... If its not too much trouble can you make one that runs on 1.2.2 and share the same ?
thank.s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app should run on FW 1.2.2. If you can't install maybe you forgot to copy the two small dependency files?
nmyshkin said:
/system/etc/permissions/com.google.android.maps.xml
/system/framework/com.google.android.maps.jar
Set permissions for both files to rw-r--r-- and reboot. Without these files resident, the app will not install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: or, did you forget to install Rotation Locker first? Because that app is one of the menu options, it's seen as a dependency and my app will not install if it doesn't see it there.
As I made it, however, the app will not do what you want. It is not programmable by the user. At the time I made it I was just starting out with making apps with Tasker. I suppose it would be possible now to produce an app that is more flexible, but it would not be very user friendly because there is no way to predict what someone might want to do and therefore code would almost certainly need to be sussed out and written in by the user. That doesn't sound like something people would really want. In any case I'm still bogged down in my Dictionary project so.....
If you have a static set of wishes, that would be easier.
In any case I'm still bogged down in my Dictionary project so.....
If you have a static set of wishes, that would be easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Dictionary project for our Nook Simple Touch and Glowlight ?
Is it interesting ? If so pleas share the link to ...
Static set of wishes ... It has a limitation of 4 buttons only ?
1. Nook continue to the Last read book and position.
2. Amazon app so that will direct the user to the amazon app with the last book open.
3. App Drawer
4. Nook Clear Screen
these would be my 4 if 4 is the limitation ... however if more were to be accommodated then ...
5. File Manager(Root Browser)
6. Statusbar - Glowlight
Would a cleaner implementation for the 5th & 6th options and others separately as an app that can be mapped with NTMM to the Statusbar - Glowlight button(primarily because this part is accessible directly from the book you are reading in the default nook reader, some ting of a quickaccess tiles/lists with the below ...
1. Glowligh & Wifi
2. File Manager(Root Browser)
3.
4.
5.
aiamuzz said:
Oh Dictionary project for our Nook Simple Touch and Glowlight ?
Is it interesting ? If so pleas share the link to ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not ready yet, but slowly getting there. The app is complete. Still testing to be sure it won't destroy the NST/G. I have a few more dictionaries to complete.
aiamuzz said:
Static set of wishes ... It has a limitation of 4 buttons only ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how it is now, but any number of buttons can be added. Do you really want a laundry list?
aiamuzz said:
1. Nook continue to the Last read book and position.
2. Amazon app so that will direct the user to the amazon app with the last book open.
3. App Drawer
4. Nook Clear Screen
these would be my 4 if 4 is the limitation ... however if more were to be accommodated then ...
5. File Manager(Root Browser)
6. Statusbar - Glowlight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmmm.... See below.
aiamuzz said:
Would a cleaner implementation for the 5th & 6th options and others separately as an app that can be mapped with NTMM to the Statusbar - Glowlight button(primarily because this part is accessible directly from the book you are reading in the default nook reader, some ting of a quickaccess tiles/lists with the below ...
1. Glowligh & Wifi
2. File Manager(Root Browser)
3.
4.
5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you seem to be describing (kinda) my QuickTiles app. Have you looked at it?
Take a look at that (which includes the Nook Clear Screen option and the Glowlight and WiFi controls, but not a file manager option) and see if that would meet your needs. Modules could be added but I did sort of want to keep it to display/mode functions, rather than turning it into a sort of launcher.
After that, confirm your choices for the ReadingNow menu and I'll see what I can come up with. Not sure about the Kindle app opening to the last book, but the info must be somewhere that could be poked at.
Not ready yet, but slowly getting there. The app is complete. Still testing to be sure it won't destroy the NST/G. I have a few more dictionaries to complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's good to know ... its for NST/NSTG ... I just can't seem to part with this device myself ... and you are developing things for it ... can't get any better than that !
After that, confirm your choices for the ReadingNow menu and I'll see what I can come up with. Not sure about the Kindle app opening to the last book, but the info must be somewhere that could be poked at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as far as the kindle app and its last read book is concerned, you don't have to dig deep ... when i read a book on kindle and exit out of the app without hitting the back button ... the app will start with the last book open.
The following sequence/order should be good enough for 4 entries ...
1. App Drawer
2. Nook continue to the Last read book and position.
3. Amazon app so that it will direct the user to the amazon app with the last book open.
4. Nook Clear Screen
thanks for all the help ...
(the xml file is zipped so you can download it rather than view it):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't seem to extract the xml file from this zip file ... or ... should i just rename the extension to .xml ?
aiamuzz said:
I can't seem to extract the xml file from this zip file ... or ... should i just rename the extension to .xml ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh. Wonder how/when that happened? Try it again. I uploaded a new copy and downloaded it to test. Worked fine this time.
nmyshkin said:
Huh. Wonder how/when that happened? Try it again. I uploaded a new copy and downloaded it to test. Worked fine this time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem ... i was able to download that xml file from one of your other threads whose pre-requisite too was to have these very same 2 files to be present on the device.
I opened your RN app and the drop down did open on the top left book icon ... but this opens only one time ... Does one have to reconfigure using NTMM so it opens every time ?
aiamuzz said:
No problem ... i was able to download that xml file from one of your other threads whose pre-requisite too was to have these very same 2 files to be present on the device.
I opened your RN app and the drop down did open on the top left book icon ... but this opens only one time ... Does one have to reconfigure using NTMM so it opens every time ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded and installed the apk (1.1.1) from the first post. It runs fine for me. Did you get and approve the SU prompt?
There's nothing special to be done with NTMM other than assign the app to the "reading now" soft button.
Did you by any chance reinstall over a previous installation when you were having trouble? If so, you need to do a complete uninstall before reinstalling on apps like this with toggles. If the toggle variable has been messed up it will stay that way unless you do a fresh install since installing over an existing app of the same version preserves the data (like the state of the toggle variable).
@nmyshkin ... thanks i figured ... Is it just me or the Nook Book Button app seems to be a little quicker(about 2-3 seconds) quicker than your RN app to show the drop down menu on invocation.
Not sure if its just me and my device or its across the board.
Cheers.
aiamuzz said:
@nmyshkin ... thanks i figured ... Is it just me or the Nook Book Button app seems to be a little quicker(about 2-3 seconds) quicker than your RN app to show the drop down menu on invocation.
Not sure if its just me and my device or its across the board.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not just you. I could change it like I did QuickTiles so that it responds more quickly but as I don't use it any longer, I have never revisited it. It would involve an "always on" overlay of the button.
The following sequence/order should be good enough for 4 entries ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. App Drawer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. Nook continue to the Last read book and position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. Amazon app so that it will direct the user to the amazon app with the last book open.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. Nook Clear Screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh you can make it snappy ? Thanks whenever you find time to work on this request, please do remember to make it fast and responsive ...

[NST/G] R.I.P. WeatherACE for the Nook Simple Touch

Another one bites the dust.
It took awhile for Wunderground's API to actually die, but it finally did and I used my last data point yesterday. None of the other APIs in the app (OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET, Yahoo) have worked for awhile. I tried the obvious with OWM and N-MET, getting new API strings, decompiling the app, replacing the APIs and stitching it all back together. But no joy. The data structures in the new APIs are probably different and that's way beyond me. The jiggered app ran, but it was unable to gather data from anywhere (other than what my location is).
Too bad. Nothing left like it, AFAIK.
Yeah, I'm bummed. Weather Ace was one of the few apps that had nice widgets appropriate for the eInk screen.
scotte9999 said:
Yeah, I'm bummed. Weather Ace was one of the few apps that had nice widgets appropriate for the eInk screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
It works, which is rare for something so old, but the widgets are butt-ugly on the NST
Looks like I'll be researching changing colors, etc. So far it looks like the icons could be easily replaced, but the most offensive part is the widget background which is a 9-patch png (of course...).
The WeatherACE developer is a nice fellow but it would be ridiculous to contact him over this. So we move on.
nmyshkin said:
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
So we move on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. I spent some time yesterday exploring web-based widgets, thinking we could just point the browser at a URL, but most widgets use HTTPS and Javascript, neither of which are the strong suit of the NST, even with Opera Classic instead of the native browser.
Did this work?
disTrck33 said:
Did this work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what "this" is.
I eventually wrote my own weather widget app for the NST/G: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/themes-apps/app-nst-weather-widget-t3946270
This works.
nmyshkin said:
I came across this: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jsharkey.sky/
It works, which is rare for something so old, but the widgets are butt-ugly on the NST
Looks like I'll be researching changing colors, etc. So far it looks like the icons could be easily replaced, but the most offensive part is the widget background which is a 9-patch png (of course...).
The WeatherACE developer is a nice fellow but it would be ridiculous to contact him over this. So we move on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link said USA only . There is a weather app that can be used for Europe which uses yr.no site for data. It runs on my tablet and should work with Android 1.5+. Nothing special but good enough. Might require some customization to e-ink display though. That needs to be checked.
SJT75 said:
Link said USA only . There is a weather app that can be used for Europe which uses yr.no site for data. It runs on my tablet and should work with Android 1.5+. Nothing special but good enough. Might require some customization to e-ink display though. That needs to be checked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't remember the US restriction, but all of the potential apps I looked at back then looked terrible on the NST or required network location. That is why (shameless promotion...) I eventually worked up my own Weather widget/app just for the NST. It lacks many bells and whistles but will work for any locale that OWM has stations. And, if I say so myself, looks pretty good on the NST.
nmyshkin said:
Another one bites the dust.
It took awhile for Wunderground's API to actually die, but it finally did and I used my last data point yesterday. None of the other APIs in the app (OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET, Yahoo) have worked for awhile. I tried the obvious with OWM and N-MET, getting new API strings, decompiling the app, replacing the APIs and stitching it all back together. But no joy. The data structures in the new APIs are probably different and that's way beyond me. The jiggered app ran, but it was unable to gather data from anywhere (other than what my location is).
Too bad. Nothing left like it, AFAIK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is not dead.
I working on adding more weather sources. Atm, the app has 5 weather sources worked correctly - NOAA (USA only), OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET (yes, its back to work again, I switched WeatherACE to the their new API), Weatherbit.IO (new weather sources that added to WeatherACE in last build 1.12.30) and Forecast.IO (they are not provide new keys atm). Currently I working on 2 more weather source.
As for Wunderground, they were bought by IBM. The lowest price for weather data from IBM is around of $10000 per year, for a limited set of data. They also provide some weather API for people that provide them data from personal weather stations, but its just current and few days weather and no hourly data forecasts...
So, please check the app again.
mycodefab said:
The app is not dead.
I working on adding more weather sources. Atm, the app has 5 weather sources worked correctly - NOAA (USA only), OpenWeatherMap, Norwegian MET (yes, its back to work again, I switched WeatherACE to the their new API), Weatherbit.IO (new weather sources that added to WeatherACE in last build 1.12.30) and Forecast.IO (they are not provide new keys atm). Currently I working on 2 more weather source.
As for Wunderground, they were bought by IBM. The lowest price for weather data from IBM is around of $10000 per year, for a limited set of data. They also provide some weather API for people that provide them data from personal weather stations, but its just current and few days weather and no hourly data forecasts...
So, please check the app again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not dead. In fact, I run it on most of my devices. I really appreciate the clean-looking widgets and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good weather app with widgets.
Sadly, in the context of this forum, it is "as good as" dead since the old version that would still run on Android 2.1 can't connect to any of the weather services any longer
I'm sorry if Google-bots picked up this posting and are making it seem like the app is non-functional. I've edited the post title so that maybe in the future that will be corrected.
nmyshkin said:
No, it's not dead. In fact, I run it on most of my devices. I really appreciate the clean-looking widgets and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good weather app with widgets.
Sadly, in the context of this forum, it is "as good as" dead since the old version that would still run on Android 2.1 can't connect to any of the weather services any longer
I'm sorry if Google-bots picked up this posting and are making it seem like the app is non-functional. I've edited the post title so that maybe in the future that will be corrected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... What version of WeatherACE you use on the old device? Its too bad that I didnt used VCS (version control system) in the time (like I do it now). But I still have backups of source code of some really old versions of the app. The oldest is 1.6.2, then 1.7.4, 1.80, etc.
Not sure if Google will allows me to make it (uploading to Google Play will not be possible for sure), but I could try at least. If everything depended on me, the application would continue to support android 2.1 (or 2.3 was in the very first version, I don't remember exactly). Unfortunately, Google constantly demands to gradually raise the minimum API, and with it, support for older devices decreases.
mycodefab said:
Hmm... What version of WeatherACE you use on the old device? Its too bad that I didnt used VCS (version control system) in the time (like I do it now). But I still have backups of source code of some really old versions of the app. The oldest is 1.6.2, then 1.7.4, 1.80, etc.
Not sure if Google will allows me to make it (uploading to Google Play will not be possible for sure), but I could try at least. If everything depended on me, the application would continue to support android 2.1 (or 2.3 was in the very first version, I don't remember exactly). Unfortunately, Google constantly demands to gradually raise the minimum API, and with it, support for older devices decreases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I completely understand that. It's why I said in post #3 that it would be silly to contact you about this. I still remember how promptly and helpfully you responded to a question I had about more recent versions of the app I was running on my tablet. But restructuring an app that, in Android terms, is nearly an archaeological artifact, is not, I'm sure, a simple matter.
In any case, it looks like this version (1.4.4) is earlier than anything you may still have source code for.
nmyshkin said:
And I completely understand that. It's why I said in post #3 that it would be silly to contact you about this. I still remember how promptly and helpfully you responded to a question I had about more recent versions of the app I was running on my tablet. But restructuring an app that, in Android terms, is nearly an archaeological artifact, is not, I'm sure, a simple matter.
In any case, it looks like this version (1.4.4) is earlier than anything you may still have source code for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like the last version that support Android 2.1 and 2.2 is version 1.7.4 and I have sources for it. The changes log for 1.7.4 has mention about such fixes "Hotfixed crash on devices with android 2.1 - 2.3.X for weather alerts"." The version support WeatherACE API for external apps/widgets/early verions of tasker plugin, weather alerts and Forecast.IO source.
Luckily, there is a place where you can get almost any version of this app https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=511055&st=0 The last spoiler in the start post has links to my posts with most of the versions of WeatherACE. So, if you will have time, please try 1.7.4 from the post https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=511055&view=findpost&p=32402422
If 1.7.4 will work for you. I could try to build it from the sources I have. In case it will build correctly, it will not be so hard to update support for OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET.NO weather sources. Probably I also could add support for Weatherbit.IO.
mycodefab said:
Seems like the last version that support Android 2.1 and 2.2 is version 1.7.4 and I have sources for it. The changes log for 1.7.4 has mention about such fixes "Hotfixed crash on devices with android 2.1 - 2.3.X for weather alerts"." The version support WeatherACE API for external apps/widgets/early verions of tasker plugin, weather alerts and Forecast.IO source.
Luckily, there is a place where you can get almost any version of this app https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=511055&st=0 The last spoiler in the start post has links to my posts with most of the versions of WeatherACE. So, if you will have time, please try 1.7.4 from the post https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=511055&view=findpost&p=32402422
If 1.7.4 will work for you. I could try to build it from the sources I have. In case it will build correctly, it will not be so hard to update support for OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET.NO weather sources. Probably I also could add support for Weatherbit.IO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be amazing. Unfortunately I get a 404 error when I try to download the app. I always get the error on that site. Not sure if you have to be logged in or what. I'll keep searching for the correct version.
nmyshkin said:
That would be amazing. Unfortunately I get a 404 error when I try to download the app. I always get the error on that site. Not sure if you have to be logged in or what. I'll keep searching for the correct version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please try http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4.apk
mycodefab said:
Please try http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much. I tried this version on two NSTs, one with Network Location enabled and the other without. It works on both to the extent I can judge without any weather data being fetched. No sudden crashes or odd behavior. The map at the initial setup is blank, but that was the case in 1.4.4 (something to do with e-ink and the assumptions for default themes, I guess). Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
So this looks like a good candidate.
nmyshkin said:
Thanks so much. I tried this version on two NSTs, one with Network Location enabled and the other without. It works on both to the extent I can judge without any weather data being fetched. No sudden crashes or odd behavior. The map at the initial setup is blank, but that was the case in 1.4.4 (something to do with e-ink and the assumptions for default themes, I guess). Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
So this looks like a good candidate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks. In case you have DarkSky API key (the app know it as Forecase.IO, it was an old name of the DarkSky API) please use it with the version 1.7.4, the app version support the weather source. Once purchased by Apple, DarkSky (Forecast.IO) no longer give out free keys. But any old keys continue to work atm, as far as I know.
Building a new version with updated support for weather sources will take some time. As usual, most problems in the case are not related with app itself, but with other libraries. For example, a library that provided map does not support Android 2.1 anymore, so probably I will need to completely remove map from the app. Google libraries related with analytics and ads - also does not support old android versions anymore. I will work on it this weekend.
nmyshkin said:
Anyway, the map does not matter if you can type in your own geocoordinates which is what I did on the device without Network Location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need GPS.
nmyshkin said:
So this looks like a good candidate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, seems like its done http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4v2.apk Hope it will work, because I dont have Android 2.1 devices to test. In case of problems, I will try to find something.
The version support 2 weather sources - OWM (open weather map) and Norwegian MET.NO.
Limitations:
1. Removed weather map and adding locations via map. I cant find any android weather libraries that support Android 2.1 devices.
2. Removed ads for same reason.
3. Weather icons limited to the small set of icons inside the app + 1 custom icon set.
As for custom icon set, its mostly same as for latest versions of WeatherACE, just a bit different directory for images. Directory is "Android/data/mycodefab.aleph.weather/files/custom/icons/". It use same format as for the latest versions. So, for example, for "clear sky in day" condition it will use "d_100.png" file, "clear sky in night" will look for "n_100.png" file, "overcast" will use "d_104.png", etc.
In case the version of the appt will start, but not show the weather after weather info update, please get to Menu->Settings->Advanced->Weather Sources. Here you could see Active weather sources on the top. Tap on it. Uncheck OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET, tap OK. Enter Active weather sources again. Set check OpenWeatherMap and Norwegian MET, tap OK. It will recheck availability of sources for existing locations and will update the weather info.
mycodefab said:
OK, seems like its done http://mycodefab.com/files/WeatherACEv1v7v4v2.apk Hope it will work, because I dont have Android 2.1 devices to test. In case of problems, I will try to find something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the app on both devices (with and without Network Location). Unfortunately it does not want to run
There is immediate funny business as the package shows in the file manager as a generic "package" icon rather than the app icon. Also, the package name (and generic package icon) are displayed in the launcher rather than the app icon and name.
I've attached a section of a logcat for trying to open the app. I don't know whether it has information that is helpful.
It may or may not have any bearing on what you have done, but as you're already going way beyond any expectations, I would suggest that leaving the app alone except for fixing the weather sources would be more than enough. I can understand your desire to have things "right". I have that same problem , and I do appreciate it, but maybe without so many changes there would be a better chance of the app still working, which is what it did even now, except for the access to weather sources. Of course, it's probably not that simple.
Thanks for your efforts.

Latest AlReader and RelaunchX

Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX, for which there are still relatively recent apk's to be found. I haven't seen them mentioned here a lot, so here's the link to the latest Alreader that still works on Android 2.1 (hard to find if you don't speak Russian):
http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=http://a...340035&usg=ALkJrhhH03h-JtOUNtSq7Dy0YRE5zt-deQ
And here's ReLaunchX, a fork of ReLaunch:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gacode.relaunchx/
I just fixed my Nook after it stopped working with the 1.2.2 update that I hadn't installed yet, so I'm updating it with some recent apps that still work on it.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
STEELBAS said:
Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX, for which there are still relatively recent apk's to be found. I haven't seen them mentioned here a lot, so here's the link to the latest Alreader that still works on Android 2.1 (hard to find if you don't speak Russian):
http://4pda.ru/pages/go/?u=http://a...340035&usg=ALkJrhhH03h-JtOUNtSq7Dy0YRE5zt-deQ
And here's ReLaunchX, a fork of ReLaunch:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gacode.relaunchx/
I just fixed my Nook after it stopped working with the 1.2.2 update that I hadn't installed yet, so I'm updating it with some recent apps that still work on it.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is also an English version of the Alreader website with app downloads: http://www.alreader.com/?lang=en
nmyshkin said:
There is also an English version of the Alreader website with app downloads: http://www.alreader.com/?lang=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, but despite what it says there, the version up for download there is not actually compatible with Android 2.1. I had to use Google translate on their support forum to find the above version.
Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
STEELBAS said:
That's true, but despite what it says there, the version up for download there is not actually compatible with Android 2.1. I had to use Google translate on their support forum to find the above version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you are correct. I've been trying out v. 1.7.7, which is that same as in your link.
I like it a lot except for two minor issues: the TTS does not work (a very minor issue) on the NST, although if you install the app on another device with native audio support it does work properly, and (more significantly for me), there is no way to address the Library directly. Unlike the author of FBReader, this author has made all of the various activities private so there is no way of accessing them from outside the app. I've been looking at the Android Manifest in the decompiled app, trying to decide if this can be "fixed". I've seen references to dealing with this issue before but now when I want then I can't locate them
nmyshkin said:
Yes, you are correct. I've been trying out v. 1.7.7, which is that same as in your link.
I like it a lot except for two minor issues: the TTS does not work (a very minor issue) on the NST, although if you install the app on another device with native audio support it does work properly, and (more significantly for me), there is no way to address the Library directly. Unlike the author of FBReader, this author has made all of the various activities private so there is no way of accessing them from outside the app. I've been looking at the Android Manifest in the decompiled app, trying to decide if this can be "fixed". I've seen references to dealing with this issue before but now when I want then I can't locate them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yes... Well, I would never use the NST for TTS, so that's no problem for me. As for the library... I take it you mean in the underlying code? Out of interest: what would you use it for? I basically use ReLaunchX to locate the book I want (in my own directory-based library) and open it with Alreader.
The one thing I wish Alreader would provide, myself, is a cover image of the current book to use as a screensaver on the Nook. But that's a minor issue.
STEELBAS said:
Ah, yes... Well, I would never use the NST for TTS, so that's no problem for me. As for the library... I take it you mean in the underlying code? Out of interest: what would you use it for? I basically use ReLaunchX to locate the book I want (in my own directory-based library) and open it with Alreader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to confess that I hate Relaunch. I use a more traditional Android structure, including ES File Explorer, but that's not a nice way to browse for books. On two devices I have the B&N system and on one for experimentation I have removed all that and am trying out different readers. I miss the Library.
The one thing I wish Alreader would provide, myself, is a cover image of the current book to use as a screensaver on the Nook. But that's a minor issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, but it does! Take a look in /media/screensavers and you will discover that it has created a new folder and there is a cover image there for the book you are currently reading. All you need to do is select that folder from the NST Settings app.
nmyshkin said:
I have to confess that I hate Relaunch. I use a more traditional Android structure, including ES File Explorer, but that's not a nice way to browse for books. On two devices I have the B&N system and on one for experimentation I have removed all that and am trying out different readers. I miss the Library.
Ah, but it does! Take a look in /media/screensavers and you will discover that it has created a new folder and there is a cover image there for the book you are currently reading. All you need to do is select that folder from the NST Settings app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aaaaah. Here I was looking all over for that folder, but for the place where you'd expect it. Well. Great, then.
I never really used the B&N Library app in the first place, I always immediately rooted my Nook and browsed for books in the directory structure, so that helps... Also my meta-data is always a mess so using a real library app wouldn't really work well for me, anyway.
STEELBAS said:
Two apps that I use on my NST (glowlight) are AlReader and RelaunchX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably have more experience with AlReader than I do so I thought I'd pose a question which I have not been able to answer.
Is there a way to center the page number in the status bar? I don't have any of the other stuff showing in the status bar but I do want to see the page number, even in full screen. What I don't like is to see it floating at some small indentation from the left margin. You can center the title/author in the Header (which I do not have visible in full screen), but why not the page number? I think the answer is perhaps that the developer wanted to cram in all the other possibilities in the status bar and so each has a certain space allotted to it. I hope not.
I've pored through the settings xml file for AlReader but I can't make sense of much of it. Too many obscure abbreviations. I can't even find the line for centering the title/author in the Header.
Any ideas?
Edit: I made a tiny bit of headway, identifying variables in the xml file that control some aspects of the header and footer. However, as sometimes happens with these files, when you make a change and save the file, the values have reverted back if you return for another look. I'm assuming that the master data must be held in a database so I'll look at that tomorrow.
Edit-Edit: Nope, nope and nope. The databases are all about books. So the values are hidden in the app itself (library files or jars perhaps, who knows?). I spent way too much time squinting at the smali files from the decompiled app but it's just all so much mush to me. Not even a hint that resembles English as to how items are positioned. It's a pity that one of the choices in the Header was not "page". If that were true I'd switch the Header with the Status bar and the problem would be solved. The "page number/chapter" I find useless. Oh well....nothing is perfect.
External library app
I have a ton of bookmarks for NST/G stuff that I was reorganizing this morning and in the process came across this app: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/themes-apps/library-app-t2823169
I haven't put it through the wringer yet, so to speak, but it looks reasonably good and books open in whatever the default reader is. If it's reliably functional it may serve as a general library app for whatever reader one chooses. Perhaps worth a look.
I'm trying to install v1.77 on NSTG 1.2.2 but I got error: Parse Error
try the
mrhamed said:
I'm trying to install v1.77 on NSTG 1.2.2 but I got error: Parse Error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the attached. It works for me.

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