Database Develop

[REQ] Trackball Home Button

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] Difference between Android Back button and WP8 back button

What is the difference between Android back button and WP8 back button?
I need to know this because I want to buy WP8.
Please explain the difference between the functionality, how they function?
Thank you.

The back button in WP8 behaves actually very cool and has 3 functions. First off it obviously takes you one step back Second, and what I find really cool, is that let's say you open an app and use it, then go back to your home screen with the windows button; now if you press back it takes you directly back to this app and exactly where you were in it. The third function is the multitasking. If you longpress the back button it opens the multitasking panel. There is something interesting to note regarding multitasking - by using the longpress function of the back button you get true multitasking - apps are resumed. But if you open an app and use it, then go back to home screen and start app from there or from your application list to the right, the app will launch again, not resume. That is basically it. If you have other questions, pls. say so - I got a lumia 820 right now and playing around with it, soon we will hopefully get some 920s here! :highfive:

An interesting situation

For the second time since starting all the work I've done on my phone, I flashed a ROM without launchers. The first time I have a video of, and learned a few things about dealing with this. So I choose not to fix the phone this time. I knew it was easy to fix, but I wanted something fun to do on vacation. So I ran with no launchers. Found ways to remap hard keys, and knew about a ton of apps to look into. I've been running launcherless for the whole time, have easy access to all of my apps, and can do mostADB/Bash work from inside the phone now. I've replaced all stock apps, including the camera with really nice apps of my choosing, but still no launcher.
Just thought that was interesting, it's been a lot of fun. I wish my phone was anything but what it is, SM-727P only offered by virgin, and boost. Would be interesting to share more than just the story with people. I could post the video of the first time, and pics of my current setup. No homework too show off, but prime space to appreciate a good wallpaper.
I occasionally have problems with all perms resetting, so it was important that the may all in charge of everything also be the default assistance app.I first went with the home key launcher, but it was very clunky. I settled on radsofts app drawer got assistance, wheel launcher for my main functionality, and apps, VM for most everything else. Also made use of Oreo nougat quicksetings.
Button mapper, and button remapper, mapper pro would do it all, but I wanted to make the idea available to anyone.
Volume+
Press: default
Double tap: flashlight
Long press: es file explorer
Volume-
Press: default
Double tap: screenshot
Long press: brave launcher
Recent apps
Press: default
Long press: L speed
Back
Press: default
Long press: bash shell
Home
Press: terminate foreground process
Long press: Launch app drawer/default assistant if one of the main goes down.
VM swipe pulls out from the side, offers a ton of app space.
Wheel launcher opens when shaking the phone, has built in shortcuts for basic phone functions, all apps, and customizable shortcuts.
So the home screen is completely empty, and you get tons of access.
took a few pictures

sounds interesting, but are you not concerned about the physical buttons ageing faster than usual this way?

Home button single press not working sometimes

Since I recently switched to a Galaxy S10+, I donated my Mi A2 to my girlfriend. After I fully wiped my phone, she installed it like any other new phone and finished the wizard. All her apps got reinstalled nicely and everything looked nice.
But now the home button (3 button nav) sometimes just stops responding to a single press. When I hold the button I do get the Google Assistant as expected, but single press doesn't take me to the home screen. After a reboot everything is back to normal, but only for a while. The button does show the colored dots when I press it.
What could be wrong? It looks a bit like some process is blocking it to prevent exiting a wizard or something (I had it once on a Pixal tablet, which thought I had the setup wizard open), but the back button does work as expected and I can navigate using different methods.

amelsfort said:
Since I recently switched to a Galaxy S10+, I donated my Mi A2 to my girlfriend. After I fully wiped my phone, she installed it like any other new phone and finished the wizard. All her apps got reinstalled nicely and everything looked nice.
But now the home button (3 button nav) sometimes just stops responding to a single press. When I hold the button I do get the Google Assistant as expected, but single press doesn't take me to the home screen. After a reboot everything is back to normal, but only for a while. The button does show the colored dots when I press it.
What could be wrong? It looks a bit like some process is blocking it to prevent exiting a wizard or something (I had it once on a Pixal tablet, which thought I had the setup wizard open), but the back button does work as expected and I can navigate using different methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to.provide more info to get the right answer ..just use full screen navigation ...in settings try reassigning it different actions to see what happens ...but sounds like the delay between single press / long press for assistant is what is screwing you ...i disabled long press for assistant cos it kept giving me the assistant when i was trying to get home ....
but still.hard to say since you have 0 info about your problem here

The problem is that I don't have much more information as well. It's hard to reproduce the issue. We tried pinning and unpinning an app, opening different apps, changing the gestures, but nothing seems to trigger the issue.
I also tried gesture navigation, but that doesn't have a gesture for going directly back home. Also I think it's not possible to reassign the buttons on stock rom.
When I used the phone I never had this issue.

amelsfort said:
The problem is that I don't have much more information as well. It's hard to reproduce the issue. We tried pinning and unpinning an app, opening different apps, changing the gestures, but nothing seems to trigger the issue.
I also tried gesture navigation, but that doesn't have a gesture for going directly back home. Also I think it's not possible to reassign the buttons on stock rom.
When I used the phone I never had this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on my phone if i swipe up from bottom i go straight home ... by more info i mean
1. device/rom/version/root status/ launcher/ ...stuff like that
2.relevant fixes you tried ...
3. short video of when it happens
anyway .. i don't understand because you can choose what actions you want to happen in relation to the gestures ..so if you wanna go home in one shot assign that action to a specific gesture
have you ACTUALLY tried my fix of disabling google assistant ..so you don't trigger assistant or freeze by holding home button too long ..
try assigning double tap on home to go home ..as a workaround

The phone has no customizations at all: stock rom (Android One), no root, default Xiaomi launcher.
Version: Android 10, march security update (up to date according to Xiaomi)
With the gestures I can choose between:
- navigation using gestures
- navigation using 2 buttons (this is selected)
- navigation using 3 buttons
I have tried the first option. Swiping up does indeed go to the home screen when I'm in an app. But not to my default screen. Like when I swiped right to a different home screen page, it doesn't return to the first one.
I will try disabling opening the Assistant using the home button.

amelsfort said:
The phone has no customizations at all: stock rom (Android One), no root, default Xiaomi launcher.
Version: Android 10, march security update (up to date according to Xiaomi)
With the gestures I can choose between:
- navigation using gestures
- navigation using 2 buttons (this is selected)
- navigation using 3 buttons
I have tried the first option. Swiping up does indeed go to the home screen when I'm in an app. But not to my default screen. Like when I swiped right to a different home screen page, it doesn't return to the first one.
I will try disabling opening the Assistant using the home button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should downgrade to pie because in 10 many people have lag , ui feezing and later on random reboots.. i think you will find in a month or two the UI will freeze up ..like what is happening now may be a "mini" freeze
pie is stable.. im on miui 12 official pie for wayne and wow am glad i dithed android1 and gave up my obsession of having 10 ..

I just upgraded because Xiaomi pushed the upgrade. And my girlfriend doesn't know how to downgrade.
Besides, I have been using the same phone with the same Android version for a few months without any issues. It's only since she started using it. That's why I was thinking about some wizard/setup preventing the use of the home button, which we had a few years ago on a tablet. But that was blocking more buttons then, so not exactly the same.

amelsfort said:
I just upgraded because Xiaomi pushed the upgrade. And my girlfriend doesn't know how to downgrade.
Besides, I have been using the same phone with the same Android version for a few months without any issues. It's only since she started using it. That's why I was thinking about some wizard/setup preventing the use of the home button, which we had a few years ago on a tablet. But that was blocking more buttons then, so not exactly the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok no worries... maybe the work around will work ..have tried to plau around with lawnchair as launcher and using its own built in gestures to trigger home

Guide installing android apps on the lenovo smart clock 2.

Hello, in this guide I am going to describe how to side load android apps on the lenovo smart clock 2.
Requirements.
A device to use the google home app.
A List of apps you want to install, make sure you have a keyboard and home screen launcher in mind.
Not a requirement but basic understanding of the talk back screen reader will be helpful.
Next some things to be aware of.
While ADB is in developer settings I haven’t found a way to connect the clock to a pc using the dock I tried a usb C to A cable but that did not work.
The draw over other apps permission is unavailable.
Here are the specks that we are working with.
Processor
MediaTek™ MT8167S Processor (1.50 GHz)
Operating System
Android 10
Display Type
4.0" LCD IPS Touchscreen
Memory
1 GB
Hard Drive
8 GB Flash We have about 3.3 GB free.
Finally, I am visually impaired so the way I describe things may not make sense for some. If you have trouble understanding please let me know.
Note You are doing all this at your own risk. However, everything is easy to undo with a factory reset.
Instructions for factory resetting.
Flip the mute switch to muted.
Press both volume buttons for ten seconds.
A window should now come up asking if you want to reset. If nothing is pressed the device will auto reset in a minute.
OK, let’s start.
Find a website where the apk is that you want to install.
Now find a way where that website will come up in a google search.
Note do to how google displays the search button may not be available, so we will have to rely on Google’s auto complete feature.
Examples:
If you were looking for nova launcher, you would be using nova launcher.ap we will want google to finish adding the K.
Add this word to your calendar. For example,nova launcher.ap
Make sure this is the same calendar that the clock is signed in to.
Next open the google home app. Find your device click on settings then accessibility.
Next click the switch next to screenreader.
Your clock should now start talking or making sounds.
If so, ask google “what’s on my calendar?” Swipe right until the event you added is spoken or highlighted.
Next swipe down and right in a single motion an L shape.
Swipe right until copy last utterance is selected double tap, if successful the menu should disappear.
It may take a few tries to get it.
Next open the same menu, (swipe down and right.)
Swipe until talkback settings is selected. Double tap again.
A new screen should appear.
Now swipe, swipe a lot until privacy policy is selected.
Double tap, a browser should now open.
Swipe and double tap to allow all the permissions.
Next swipe until google apps is selected. Double tap then find search and double tap to activate.
Find the search box, double tap to get into it.
Now swipe up and right in a single motion
If successful a new menu should come up. Find edit then activate paste.
If the text gets pasted in the search box, you can now turn off talkback.
Back on your phone flip the switch next to screenreader.
Now here is where things get difficult, the text should be in the box, But I was not able to see the search button with talkback. If you see the button, try turning off
talkback and pressing it
If the search button does not show up here is where you will have to rely on Google auto complete suggestions.
You should have a pretty good idea of what to do from here.
Note that when you download something a window will come up with all downloaded files. The first time you install an apk you will have to click allow from this source when that window comes up.
Notes.
I recommend you install something like nova launcher, for a replacement home screen.
When you install a replacement home screen you will have to click always on the new window that will pop up.
If you want to get back to the regular clock interface, launch the home app.
Any questions feal free to ask.
Remember doing a factory reset will clear all changes made.

What apps have you found that work well and are useful?

Most apps should work, since this is basically android 10, but here are some ideas.
1. Aurora Store
auroraoss.com
Allows you to download apps from google play without play services installed.
2. any voice recorder, you can record audio, but I recommend turning the microphone gain up since the microphone is a little quiet. Note, that when recording Google assistant will not be listening.
3
Ultimate alexa.
Allows amazon alexa to be used. with wake word and all.
4. Last launcher.
Last Launcher | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository
Faster than Light
f-droid.org
A simple and small launcher that will show all apps on one page.
The built in browser seems to work well.
You could also install youtube vanst so that youtube could work on the clock.

Mainly want to get the Google home app on there.
Need some help. Got nova launcher running. Then when I applied my nova settings, it went back to the Lenovo home screen. How do I get it back to nova? Lol
Nevermind. I found it.
willbilec said:
Most apps should work, since this is basically android 10, but here are some ideas.
1. Aurora Store
auroraoss.com
Allows you to download apps from google play without play services installed.
2. any voice recorder, you can record audio, but I recommend turning the microphone gain up since the microphone is a little quiet. Note, that when recording Google assistant will not be listening.
3
Ultimate alexa.
Allows amazon alexa to be used. with wake word and all.
4. Last launcher.
Last Launcher | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository
Faster than Light
f-droid.org
A simple and small launcher that will show all apps on one page.
The built in browser seems to work well.
willbilec said:
Most apps should work, since this is basically android 10, but here are some ideas.
1. Aurora Store
auroraoss.com
Allows you to download apps from google play without play services installed.
2. any voice recorder, you can record audio, but I recommend turning the microphone gain up since the microphone is a little quiet. Note, that when recording Google assistant will not be listening.
3
Ultimate alexa.
Allows amazon alexa to be used. with wake word and all.
4. Last launcher.
Last Launcher | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository
Faster than Light
f-droid.org
A simple and small launcher that will show all apps on one page.
The built in browser seems to work well.
You could also install youtube vanst so that youtube could work on the clock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a quick way to get back to nova launcher when I decide to be on the clock for a while.
You could also install youtube vanst so that youtube could work on the clock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If you open the home app, not assistant core. their is a app called home, this app should allow you to get back to the default launcher if you do the back gesture.

I am trying to get Ring in it!

Any chance you can do a YouTube guide on how to do this. I would love to be able to install Auora OSS to easily install other apps. Thanks.

I am going to make a YouTube tutorial and how to connect Bluetooth keyboard! NOT USB !!!!!!DONGLE!!!!!!

How can I enable notification toggle ?

willbilec said:
Hello, in this guide I am going to describe how to side load android apps on the lenovo smart clock 2.
Requirements.
A device to use the google home app.
A List of apps you want to install, make sure you have a keyboard and home screen launcher in mind.
Not a requirement but basic understanding of the talk back screen reader will be helpful.
Next some things to be aware of.
While ADB is in developer settings I haven’t found a way to connect the clock to a pc using the dock I tried a usb C to A cable but that did not work.
The draw over other apps permission is unavailable.
Here are the specks that we are working with.
Processor
MediaTek™ MT8167S Processor (1.50 GHz)
Operating System
Android 10
Display Type
4.0" LCD IPS Touchscreen
Memory
1 GB
Hard Drive
8 GB Flash We have about 3.3 GB free.
Finally, I am visually impaired so the way I describe things may not make sense for some. If you have trouble understanding please let me know.
Note You are doing all this at your own risk. However, everything is easy to undo with a factory reset.
Instructions for factory resetting.
Flip the mute switch to muted.
Press both volume buttons for ten seconds.
A window should now come up asking if you want to reset. If nothing is pressed the device will auto reset in a minute.
OK, let’s start.
Find a website where the apk is that you want to install.
Now find a way where that website will come up in a google search.
Note do to how google displays the search button may not be available, so we will have to rely on Google’s auto complete feature.
Examples:
If you were looking for nova launcher, you would be using nova launcher.ap we will want google to finish adding the K.
Add this word to your calendar. For example,nova launcher.ap
Make sure this is the same calendar that the clock is signed in to.
Next open the google home app. Find your device click on settings then accessibility.
Next click the switch next to screenreader.
Your clock should now start talking or making sounds.
If so, ask google “what’s on my calendar?” Swipe right until the event you added is spoken or highlighted.
Next swipe down and right in a single motion an L shape.
Swipe right until copy last utterance is selected double tap, if successful the menu should disappear.
It may take a few tries to get it.
Next open the same menu, (swipe down and right.)
Swipe until talkback settings is selected. Double tap again.
A new screen should appear.
Now swipe, swipe a lot until privacy policy is selected.
Double tap, a browser should now open.
Swipe and double tap to allow all the permissions.
Next swipe until google apps is selected. Double tap then find search and double tap to activate.
Find the search box, double tap to get into it.
Now swipe up and right in a single motion
If successful a new menu should come up. Find edit then activate paste.
If the text gets pasted in the search box, you can now turn off talkback.
Back on your phone flip the switch next to screenreader.
Now here is where things get difficult, the text should be in the box, But I was not able to see the search button with talkback. If you see the button, try turning off
talkback and pressing it
If the search button does not show up here is where you will have to rely on Google auto complete suggestions.
You should have a pretty good idea of what to do from here.
Note that when you download something a window will come up with all downloaded files. The first time you install an apk you will have to click allow from this source when that window comes up.
Notes.
I recommend you install something like nova launcher, for a replacement home screen.
When you install a replacement home screen you will have to click always on the new window that will pop up.
If you want to get back to the regular clock interface, launch the home app.
Any questions feal free to ask.
Remember doing a factory reset will clear all changes made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my issue here is how to enable the screen reader using the google home app on iOS. I think they removed it

So after installing Nova Launcher there will be a pop-up we always have to click? Is that the choose default launcher pop-up?

@willbilec Could you please list what software build version you have? Because I can get to auroraoss and nova launcher but when I click the download APK button the button flashes (so I know it was clicked), but nothing happens? No pop-up to click install. What am I missing?

I am facing the same problem, after clicking on the download link nothing happens. Has the download capability been disabled on the latest build? I know that as soon as I turned on the device and got it connected it performed an update

After I've added the link to my calendar and ask google to show my calendar she says she can't find anything in my calendar. Is this patched?

I followed this guide again and it worked totally fine. I went into settings and disabled auto update and turned on OEM unlock.

This is a really cool solution that almost worked with the mi smart clock.
Unfortunately the xiaomi(or google?) guys have scraped everything that resembles a browser or could possibly open a link.
Also, went trough all the settings (using the method described above, and searching for settings, apps, etc.) Everything that's USB or Bluetooth related is severely cut down to only work as needed for the intended functionality. Can't attach a keyboard. Can't transfer a file trough Bluetooth. So, although in theory you could install anything, u can't get any new files downloaded on the device.

When i get to the paste section, it seems somehow "Home" has been copied instead of my event name.
When i'm copying i've checked "repeat last utterance" before i "copy last utterance" and it's correct, but when i go to paste in the search box, i get "Home"
is this happening to anyone else?

Nice work!

ggreenwood334 said:
Need some help. Got nova launcher running. Then when I applied my nova settings, it went back to the Lenovo home screen. How do I get it back to nova? Lol
Nevermind. I found it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...So what did you do? I can't figure this part out either.
edit 1:
ok for anyone else, follow the instructions again right up to install, but instead of "install" select "open". Then when I rebooted the device i was able to tell it to use nova launcher "always", and then using the launcher home to get to the android settings, I was able to connect a bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
However, short of rebooting every time the clock home screen or browser comes up, I haven't figured out a quick way to exit that and return to the nova launcher home.
edit 2: Ok with the screen reader enabled, you can swipe up and left (L shape rotated 180 degrees) to return Home, then set Nova7 as Home. If you add a bluetooth keyboard, you can also alt+F4 to return home.

Has anyone been able (A) to get ride of the "muted microphone" screen overlay icon or (B) prevent the google home setup screen from taking over when trying to connect to a wifi ssid without internet access?