[Q] Note 2: The ultamite mobile desktop - Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

So recently I had to send in my laptop for repair and do not have a replace ment for college that starts back up in a few days. I figured this would be the ultamite test for the note 2 to use it as my personal computer for a week. Does anyone have any ideas to make it more desktop friendly? Ex pop up browsers. ( I already have the hardware to put it on a monitor and add a mouse and keyboard)

Nebula rom, every app is floatable, and dockable. Some have trouble installing it, but it would work nicely as a alternative desktop.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Trebe94 said:
So recently I had to send in my laptop for repair and do not have a replace ment for college that starts back up in a few days. I figured this would be the ultamite test for the note 2 to use it as my personal computer for a week. Does anyone have any ideas to make it more desktop friendly? Ex pop up browsers. ( I already have the hardware to put it on a monitor and add a mouse and keyboard)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, the whole pop-up think isnt as useful as one might think..the screen just isnt big enough for individual windows to be usable, at least to the extent of replacing both a desktop UI AND your phones UI.
A better alternative is to use a few tools that will allow you to switch between apps easily. This way you retain all the usability of whatever application youre using, while being able to flip through apps quickly.
I would recommend using "Swipe Home Button" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matthewma.swipehomebuttonfree)
I disable all the functions except for the simple "Swipe up" to get to the "Recent apps". This way anytime i want to switch, i just swipe up, and tap on the app i wanted. Its MUCH faster than pressing and holding the home button.
Also, SwipePad (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android)
This allows you to have a grid accessible anywhere, by swiping from any place of your choosing and getting to any app you want. Not just apps that are open.

Check out this guy Coldfustion on YouTube. He's got great videos explaining in detail how to use your Note 2 as a pc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkgmqOrpKyc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nh2NSLgaII&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Related

Easy note to use?

When I need a note, it needs to be very simple to use. Simple to open, simple to type, simple to save and simple to find.
One tap from the homes screen, no title to fool with, auto save on closure and easy to find later.
I have tried several of the note apps but none seem to meet all these things
AK notepad almost does this and I use it but there are two issues I have with it.
It takes two taps to open from the home screen and the notes are embedded in the program are are not visible as separate files.
Any thoughts?
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.socialnmobile.dictapps.notepad.color.note
Great and pretty simple, one click for open and another to edit , than back key to save.
The best is Motorola Widget "sticky note" that comes with the stock Motorola roms.
*Don't get too lazy
Have you tried Evernote?
IMO "Colornote" is the best and it only uses a couple permissions, which makes me like it even more...
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
I agree with the color note. One tap on home screen opens app to your list of notes and one tap to open individual note. If only using one note it will open right to that note. Autosave on close. Simple easy...
Sent from my MB200 using XDA App
Perhaps I am do not have these setup right, but..
Using a shortcut from Home...
Colornote requires one tap to open from Home, a second to select new note, a third to select Text
Evernote requires one tap to open from Home, and a second to select new note. But the curser defaults to a title field, requiring a third tap.
Geesh, I don't use notes very often but when the need arises there is a little stress to get something down fast without fumbling with the software. A note app that opened to a new note on a single tap would be sweet.
rlridgeway said:
Perhaps I am do not have these setup right, but..
Using a shortcut from Home...
Colornote requires one tap to open from Home, a second to select new note, a third to select Text
Evernote requires one tap to open from Home, and a second to select new note. But the curser defaults to a title field, requiring a third tap.
Geesh, I don't use notes very often but when the need arises there is a little stress to get something down fast without fumbling with the software. A note app that opened to a new note on a single tap would be sweet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like one of those non-issue issues. You have to tap to type. Right? Short term memory?
What were we talking about?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
You can try mine I have some reviews in the description that you can check out too:
https://market.android.com/details?...s.app.enotesclassiclite&feature=search_result

Gestures for multitasking?

I dont know if this is possible within the framework of Honeycomb, but I was wondering if I was possible to add gesture control using a root-access app?
Personally, I'm only looking for one feature: WebOS style task switching. I love the way Honeycomb multitasks, but I wish I could just swipe up from the bottom of the screen (starting on the bezel below the screen) and have it open up Honeycomb's app switcher. For reference, WaveLauncher implements similar WebOS-lite utility with a similarly implemented gesture implementation.
And just for the hell of it, I think it would be great if there could be an option to open the task switcher horizontally across the middle of the screen. I know I know, "Go buy a touchpad!" I'm just saying I think it would be awesome, and I'm certain others would think so too.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
there's this app call dock4droid. you can find it in the market. some member post about this app some time ago here. I am using that app now. it works great.you can choose to put it on left/right top or down, anywhere you like. it will show recent app, and you can customize what app to appear on that dock.
sorry for my poor explanation. download it and have a try, it should fits what you want. I think. There's a free version of it.
p/s : i never touch the multitask button ever since i used this app it's kinda lag for me
I am I afraid there is no good solution, and each app that overlay your screen like this one will make your tablet lag :-(
Normaly I switch betwen 2 apps, it would be nice being able to one click switch between them
Patrul said:
Normaly I switch betwen 2 apps, it would be nice being able to one click switch between them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Just a "Quickswitch" button that switched between the last 2 used apps would be awesome.
irishtexmex said:
I agree. Just a "Quickswitch" button that switched between the last 2 used apps would be awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, we already have something like a "2-click-switcher"...
but the idea of swithcing tasks like in webos is really charming )
would love to have this, too.
hebbe said:
hmm, we already have something like a "2-click-switcher"...
but the idea of swithcing tasks like in webos is really charming )
would love to have this, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking more along the lines of an individual button next to the task switcher. It's surprising how much quicker & intuitive things feel when there is only one action needed to be performed (one swipe, one button press, etc.).
Anyway, I'm just sorta spitballin' in this thread. I've been using an Android phone for over a year now, and my tablet for a few months, and I still haven't been able to get over missing WebOS style multitasking. That's not to say I'm dogging on Android's, it works well, it's just not the absolute best.
Is there any minimize button? It wold be what I need
Patrul said:
Is there any minimize button? It wold be what I need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The home button
This is a great idea, but may only be possible on rooted phones with custom ROMs. I am going to look into an implementation that does not toll performance or battery. Perhaps a simple widget at the bottom of the home screen? Then again that would require going home first, making the widget redundant.
irishtexmex said:
I dont know if this is possible within the framework of Honeycomb, but I was wondering if I was possible to add gesture control using a root-access app?
Personally, I'm only looking for one feature: WebOS style task switching. I love the way Honeycomb multitasks, but I wish I could just swipe up from the bottom of the screen (starting on the bezel below the screen) and have it open up Honeycomb's app switcher. For reference, WaveLauncher implements similar WebOS-lite utility with a similarly implemented gesture implementation.
And just for the hell of it, I think it would be great if there could be an option to open the task switcher horizontally across the middle of the screen. I know I know, "Go buy a touchpad!" I'm just saying I think it would be awesome, and I'm certain others would think so too.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So exactly like the blackberry Playbook... that's exactly what it does ... swipe from bezel to open multitasking
The only thing I miss from IOS is ACTIVATOR.
So many options.
You could hook any action/gesture to any app.
It was awesome.
Sometimes is cumbersome to hit the home button located at the bottom when I'm holding the tab with both hands on the sides.
Would pay money for an activator equivalent.
.torrented said:
So exactly like the blackberry Playbook... that's exactly what it does ... swipe from bezel to open multitasking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and just like the TouchPad/WebOS.
A swipe gesture from the bezel is inherently easier than almost any other single input option because when holding the tablet there is at least one digit within an extreme proximity to the bezel & screen. I would say over 90% of my usage patterns are with me holding the tablet in at least one hand, and a large majority of me holding it with both hands. In my case, gestures like that are accessible from any direction and any side of the screen, and would be superior than having to click a 20x20 pixel button in a single location that isn't near either of the places where my hand naturally holds the tablet.
Again, for other people their usage patterns may dictate a better option. I just happen to think most people use their tablets in a manner similar to mine, which would make these gestures extremely useful.
Gesture Control
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1535740

Life After Rooting (please contribute)

For those new to the world of rooting or just not sure what to do next, please add to this thread what you think are "must haves" or "must do" after rooting the nook tablet. I am sure there are awesome apps and tricks etc out there and nobody knows everything so please post what you feel is something one shouldbdo or get or install after rooting.
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
npw1138 said:
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I agree that is a good one. Another is AnyCut. Anycut let's you place shortcuts to virtually anywhere including settings menus that are normally hidden or hard to find otherwise.
Titanium Backup and AdAway are a couple of my favorite root applications.
AdFree, TitaniumBackup, Root Explorer, ButtonSavior, Terminal Emulator.... Those a just a couple that I would consider necessities.
Great idea for a thread. This was my first time rooting. I agree with all of the above and there are a couple I want to check out as I hadn't heard of them. Other than that I would say MyBookDroid as it lets you not only keep track of what books you own, but have read, want to read, want to buy, or are in the middle of reading etc. I have gotten OverDrive for the first time for reading library books and am enjoying that. I would like to locate an 'office suite' for some of my take a long projects. Other wise I think that is all I'm aware of so far but will be watching this thread for more suggestions.
Use bettercut instead of any cut it will give you access to more options and shortcuts that even anycut cant get you
ianc125 said:
Use bettercut instead of any cut it will give you access to more options and shortcuts that even anycut cant get you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for bettercut! There are things in there I've never seen so if you recommend using it for anything specific, let me know.
Screen Filter. Great app, I love it. It will allow you to lower the screen brightness below the default-allowable levels.
Most have been mentioned.
Right after you Root:
Definitely: Root Explorer and ES File Explorer. I use one or the other just about every day. Button Savior is a must.
Screenshot (app from kastor soft). Helps greatly when seeking help with OS/app issues to include a screencap if possible.
Use Anycut (or Bettercut) to make yourself a bunch of oft-needed shortcuts, like 'Home' (for the stock launcher), Appmenu, Debug Mode, Accessibility, etc. Put the shortcuts in a folder in GoLauncher for less clutter and convenient access.
If you think that you later may do some more in depth mucking around, Get SQLite Editor.
Cloud yourself up: Get Dropbox, Sugarsync, Box.net. and 4Shared. Together it's something like 20GB of cloud storage you can share directly with your NT. Very convenient to send yourself .apk, document, and media files via the cloud vs. USB.
Once you're feeling fairly confident:
1. Replace your stock keyboard with an alternative like Swiftkey Tablet X, hacker keyboard or whatever else is compatible. Read this thread, follow all the tutorial steps. This is a very forgiving hack, and you likely can't boot-loop your device even if something goes 'wrong'. Still, know what you're doing.
2. If you're using GoLauncher and having problems with widgets not loading after a reboot, follow the instructions in this thread to fix it. As above, read up and know what you're doing first.
3. Unless a more current Root method includes these: replace some system apps with stock Gingerbread versions. IE: email, keyboard, gallery 3D. Read through and understand the methods/files needed in this thread first.
Once you *really* know WTF you're doing:
Edit your build.prop file to spoof another device to add extra things to the Market. Build.prop can be safely changed in place (many other system files can't and can boot-loop your NT if you mess with them).
I've taken to keeping several build.prop files on hand- the stock, one to emulate a Nexus S, and one to emulate a Droid 3. I rename/switch them out and reset the Market, depending on what I'm trying to install directly from the Market. (For example, many Gameloft games show up when spoofing the Nexus S.)
Read up and know what you're doing before attempting. It's not a hard 'hack' but understand that applied incorrectly this could boot-loop your NT. When editing your build.prop file, ever point, every space, every character counts, so tripple-check your mods before committing and rebooting your NT. Backup and keep .bak copies of your working 'spoofs' and switch them if/when needed.
zaptoons said:
Screenshot (app from kastor soft). Helps greatly when seeking help with OS/app issues to include a screencap if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unnecessary; you can take screenshots by hitting N + Volume Down.
Edit: Sorry if that sounded dickish, it's kind of late and I was distracted by The League.
As I use my NT mainly for entertainment while at work, the FIRST thing I researched how to edit my build.prop to spoof a Nexus S. Opened up a whole WORLD of compatible games!
Also, I got Mx Player, as an alternative to the stock video player. Mx is compatible with all of your major video codecs, and for the most part they play flawlessly. Occasionally, I find a vid that doesn't work with it, but that is largely due to the way the video was compressed.
Next thing I'm researching---Vuze ;-)
Sent from my rooted Nook Tablet using Tapatalk 8)
I recommend Opera Mobile for internet. It has great copy and paste function.
Swype keyboard is a must for me.
Taptu is an awesome way to consume information on your favorite topics.
Smart Rotate allows you to choose which apps rotate and which ones don't.
Quick Pic for a super fast gallery replacement that doesn't mess up wallpaper settings. (select the floppy icon to set the wallpaper)
any.do for an awesome to do app that is a joy to use.
Tapatalk of course.
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
SG Pillar said:
Unnecessary; you can take screenshots by hitting N + Volume Down.
Edit: Sorry if that sounded dickish, it's kind of late and I was distracted by The League.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely forgot about that! Not dickish at all, thanks.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
deralaand said:
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Never knew this! Very informative thread.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
deralaand said:
...
Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, great eye! I will be using this quite a bit.
Sent from my rooted BNTV250 using Tapatalk
The ones I couldn't do without are:
1) Go Launcher EX
2) Homecatcher - now the nook button takes me to my GoLauncher home screen and bypasses the stock nook screen altogether. It also eliminated my need for button savior. Not bashing the app, just didn't need it anymore since I wasn't using it for anything except getting back to my GL home screen anyway. I use the right to left swipe or even one press of the nook button in most every program to go back if I need to.
3) MX Video Player - like people are saying, plays anything and does it better than stock video player
4) ComicRack - suggested by people here on the boards, and again, better than the stock program for reading comics (more file types supported, better resolution, better functionality)
If you have access to a rooted phone and the app 'root explorer', you can capture many apps that would be 'incompatible' on the market.
This is how I originally got the Facebook and Twitter app working.
If you attempt this, you must be very careful using root explorer. It could allow you destroy your device.
Here are the steps I used.
1. Make sure the app you want, is loaded on the rooted Android device. (other than Nook)
2. Use root explorer on that Android device.
3. Navigate to data/app and search for the apk of the app that you want.
4. Long press on that apk and choose send.
5. I have dropbox installed, so I send apps to that so I can easily retrieve them whenever I want. You should be able to use gmail to mail them to your self on the Nook.
6. On the Nook, download the apk using whatever method you chose.
7. Install the file. Make sure to choose 'Package Installer'.
8 Enjoy!
Groove Ip
Im trying to get mine to make free VOIP calls. I have tried several different programs. With Groove Ip from Google Ive gotten it where I can hear the call over my nt but cannot seem to get the app to recognize the mic.
Any ideas how I can do this?
npw1138 said:
I think the Button Savior app is a nice one to have. It lets you set up transparent "buttons" on the side of your screen enabling you to go back, or to your chose home screen, without hitting the "n" home button. Having this app enables you to use said "n" home button to take you only back to the original, stock Nook home screen.
Just my two cents....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the "recent apps" button (the four squares icon) work for anyone? If so, how did you configure to get it going? For me it does nothing.
Note, I have granted BS superuser permissions, so it's not that.
Edit: now I find "Also, long press on the home button in button savior to access six previous apps." Excellent; solves the problem, but what is the 4-squares icon if not that?

[IDEA][APP] auto hide widget widget

I'm not sure if it is possible but I have an idea of a widget:
It's a widget that contains another widget that will auto after a specific condition (perhaps with llama/tasker?)
Examples:
hide music widget of choice if there's no music playing or headset plugged in.
Hide (school) timetable if you're not at that location.
Show GPS/traffic widget if not at home/school/work.
You might think of another great use yourself.
This is just an idea, and since I'm no app developer myself, (at least not yet) I hope one of the great android developers that are on these fora will take an interest in this project.
Sent from my SHV-E160L 32GB with XDA HD
But why hide the widget? That space where the widget that hid the other widget is still unusable because the widget can become transparent, but it can not remove itself from the home screen and then put itself back, since adding widgets is a system level command. And if it could do what I just said it can't, what if you put apps/shortcuts/widgets in its place, where would they go? I might be over thinking this whole idea a little but that's just my two cents. I do have a similar idea now that I read this, though. Use Tasker to restore backed up Nova/Holo/Adw/Apex/Etc, settings and home screen layouts based on what you said in your first post. That is probably going to take way longer to do, but it get the same effect and could probably save battery that way too. I mean, if I make a Tasker profile set up so that whenever I connect to my schools wifi, that it restores a previous backed home screen and settings layout. My phone always dies at school, so my home screen would become blank, with no dock or status bar, and just have gestures set up so that I can still get to my apps (swipe up for drawer, down for notifications, two fingers up for phone app, and two fingers down for messaging). With nothing on my home screen, I save battery because the Launcher does not have to load any thing. Android itself might be a limitation for what we're saying here, but maybe Key Lime Pie could bring us closer to that.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the reply!
PenguinxEnjoi said:
But why hide the widget? That space where the widget that hid the other widget is still unusable because the widget can become transparent, but it can not remove itself from the home screen and then put itself back, since adding widgets is a system level command. And if it could do what I just said it can't, what if you put apps/shortcuts/widgets in its place, where would they go? I might be over thinking this whole idea a little but that's just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply, PenguinxEnjoi
I can see now that my idea can be a bit confusing.
I just had the idea to hide the widget when I don't need it so it doesn't clog up my lock/home screen.
If it means turning it invisible I'd like that just as much as removing it. I just don't want to see it.
PenguinxEnjoi said:
I do have a similar idea now that I read this, though. Use Tasker to restore backed up Nova/Holo/Adw/Apex/Etc, settings and home screen layouts based on what you said in your first post. That is probably going to take way longer to do, but it get the same effect and could probably save battery that way too. I mean, if I make a Tasker profile set up so that whenever I connect to my schools wifi, that it restores a previous backed home screen and settings layout. My phone always dies at school, so my home screen would become blank, with no dock or status bar, and just have gestures set up so that I can still get to my apps (swipe up for drawer, down for notifications, two fingers up for phone app, and two fingers down for messaging). With nothing on my home screen, I save battery because the Launcher does not have to load any thing. Android itself might be a limitation for what we're saying here, but maybe Key Lime Pie could bring us closer to that.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is possible it would totally be an option. Especially since I'm using widgetlocker and nova launcher.
This will probably be done using intents (if it's supported) but I've only begun using tasker (after llama) so I'm still not sure how they work.
Have you found the way to auto hide widgets for example with Tasker?
extension!?
I have been trying to find a way to recreate a menu pop down resembling the app drawer menu on my desktop and yes...there are many hurdles to be made through an auto hide feature. Why there cant be an app writin that works along with zooper pro or uccw (or done internaly themselves) that can acknowlege a widget name and link it to a static bitmap/icon within another widget as in a"press on" action is beyond me. I know that is probably the last thing those two companies wanna do but it would really make it fun for the average joe just trying to create something fresh and different for their own pride and joy. I havent had much luck getting any reaponse on this. Lol obviously due to a lack reason. And no im not talking about the chocolate covered carmel candy. Bit if any of you developers out there want to take a stab at it. Looks like there is a code writtin in a somewhat similar context that i believe could work. In the end. Its us vs. Them. Hope to see something more happen with this.
And of course..i am mot allowed to copy and paste outside links yet. Thanks XDA. but if you type in."auto hide widget" in google it should be the second link you see. Hope someone makes this a reality. Will be watching for developments.:silly:
Pop up widgets from the developer of the sslauncher. Does the trick nicely. Also you can use swipepad with the widgetpad addon. Works nice for me. Widget here, widget gone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
tie7 said:
Have you found the way to auto hide widgets for example with Tasker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could use overlays (paid version) which integrates in tasker (free version does not)

[Q] Is there a good thumbwheel UI I can use with one hand?

I've been using my HOX+ for almost six months now, fairly light use but I'm mostly happy with it. I'm still running unrooted stock, just installed the official 4.2.2 update. This is my first real smartphone, I had an unsubsidized $100 3.14" Android smartphone last year that I don't think really qualifies.
The big complaint I have with the jump to a 4.7" screen is that one-handed use is uncomfortable and requires me to stretch to reach the corners, where the buttons are often stupidly located, or sometimes even to slide the phone up and down in my hand to make the buttons accessible, not exactly easy to do with one hand without dropping the phone. I would really like a phone that is comfortable to use one-handed, but I don't want to compromise by buying a smaller screen phone, say 4.3" or god forbid the 4" size of the iPhone, as I'm not exactly thrilled with the "looking through a keyhole" quality of 4.7" either.
I think the right solution would be a thumbwheel UI in the bottom right corner, placed in the arc right where my thumb is, so I can use it one-handed with my thumb and not have to reach with my fingers. As long as it let me virtually hit all the buttons on the screen, even native app buttons like the menu button at the top or the tab switcher button at the top in Chrome, I could even buy a phablet if there was something like this, maybe a 5.5+ inch screen that I could use comfortably one-handed with just my thumb in the bottom-right corner.
The closest thing I've been able to find like this is the Splay launcher, but I don't think such launchers actually let me control menus within apps, only launch apps. This guy wrote a small app earlier this year to do something similar, seems to be a great article talking about the idea but I don't think that effort went anywhere.
Is there any effort within the xda community to integrate a one-handed control interface like this? This is a feature that would actually make me root and install a ROM, as I haven't had the need to go to the trouble yet. I'd love to see an effort like this on Android, wonder what everyone else thinks.
joakim_one said:
I've been using my HOX+ for almost six months now, fairly light use but I'm mostly happy with it. I'm still running unrooted stock, just installed the official 4.2.2 update. This is my first real smartphone, I had an unsubsidized $100 3.14" Android smartphone last year that I don't think really qualifies.
The big complaint I have with the jump to a 4.7" screen is that one-handed use is uncomfortable and requires me to stretch to reach the corners, where the buttons are often stupidly located, or sometimes even to slide the phone up and down in my hand to make the buttons accessible, not exactly easy to do with one hand without dropping the phone. I would really like a phone that is comfortable to use one-handed, but I don't want to compromise by buying a smaller screen phone, say 4.3" or god forbid the 4" size of the iPhone, as I'm not exactly thrilled with the "looking through a keyhole" quality of 4.7" either.
I think the right solution would be a thumbwheel UI in the bottom right corner, placed in the arc right where my thumb is, so I can use it one-handed with my thumb and not have to reach with my fingers. As long as it let me virtually hit all the buttons on the screen, even native app buttons like the menu button at the top or the tab switcher button at the top in Chrome, I could even buy a phablet if there was something like this, maybe a 5.5+ inch screen that I could use comfortably one-handed with just my thumb in the bottom-right corner.
The closest thing I've been able to find like this is the Splay launcher, but I don't think such launchers actually let me control menus within apps, only launch apps. This guy wrote a small app earlier this year to do something similar, seems to be a great article talking about the idea but I don't think that effort went anywhere.
Is there any effort within the xda community to integrate a one-handed control interface like this? This is a feature that would actually make me root and install a ROM, as I haven't had the need to go to the trouble yet. I'd love to see an effort like this on Android, wonder what everyone else thinks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A "Whole" UI made especially for one hand usage? Well I know the second best solution.
Install "Pie Controls" and assign it to any corner/side of the screen, it will allow you to launch apps but for the function that you want, you will need to root. Once you are rooted PIE has extra features like "Back, Home, Sleep, Menu, Recent Apps" ..etc.
A Second best is "LMT" launcher ALSO requires root. Once you have it, you will be able to have PIE Controls as well, PLUS a unique feature to have gestures working in all screens. You can swipe down to bring up the notification bar or swipe up for recent apps. The reason i put it as second best was because I don't really like it ..
Ofcourse there are normal launchers , like nova launcher ..etc. that allows you to swipe down to bring up the notifications but sadly that only works on the home screen.
There are also ROMS like AOKP (For us Carbon rom or something similar) which has a stock feeling but extra buttons in the Power menu. When you hold down the power menu , under the normal "Power off, restart, screenshot, airplane" you will also find "Back, Home, Recent apps"
I honestly think that PIE Controls is the best app to have out of them all since it works on all ROMs . Though for full features you should buy the Pro version.
P.S: All apps that you are looking for will require ROOT access.
Ghand0ur said:
A "Whole" UI made especially for one hand usage? Well I know the second best solution.
Install "Pie Controls" and assign it to any corner/side of the screen, it will allow you to launch apps but for the function that you want, you will need to root. Once you are rooted PIE has extra features like "Back, Home, Sleep, Menu, Recent Apps" ..etc.
A Second best is "LMT" launcher ALSO requires root. Once you have it, you will be able to have PIE Controls as well, PLUS a unique feature to have gestures working in all screens. You can swipe down to bring up the notification bar or swipe up for recent apps. The reason i put it as second best was because I don't really like it ..
Ofcourse there are normal launchers , like nova launcher ..etc. that allows you to swipe down to bring up the notifications but sadly that only works on the home screen.
There are also ROMS like AOKP (For us Carbon rom or something similar) which has a stock feeling but extra buttons in the Power menu. When you hold down the power menu , under the normal "Power off, restart, screenshot, airplane" you will also find "Back, Home, Recent apps"
I honestly think that PIE Controls is the best app to have out of them all since it works on all ROMs . Though for full features you should buy the Pro version.
P.S: All apps that you are looking for will require ROOT access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the info. I tried the Pie Control app by coolace based on your recommendation, but it didn't seem to do anything on my unrooted HOX+. I'll look into the other stuff you talked about.
joakim_one said:
Thanks for all the info. I tried the Pie Control app by coolace based on your recommendation, but it didn't seem to do anything on my unrooted HOX+. I'll look into the other stuff you talked about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How didn't it function?
Well here is a good video that will help you install it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBud1hk27Rw
Although to have full features you will require to BUY the pro version and root, the free version on an unrooted version should have some functions that will work like launching apps and other stuff. Try to clarify what you meant
Ghand0ur said:
How didn't it function?
Well here is a good video that will help you install it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBud1hk27Rw
Although to have full features you will require to BUY the pro version and root, the free version on an unrooted version should have some functions that will work like launching apps and other stuff. Try to clarify what you meant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the app and set it to work on the left, right, and bottom, then configured two short-click apps in level 1. I would then long-press at those edges and nothing happened with pie control: HTC Sense would send me to widget configuration instead.
I just watched your video and he does a slight swipe from the edge, instead of the long-press I was trying. I just installed the app again and tried that on the home screen and within a couple other apps, again no pie controls. If I do it on the home screen, it starts to scroll to the next home screen, as it always did.
There may be something about HTC Sense that it's not giving control to the pie app for gestures, or maybe there's some other switch I have to hit somewhere to actually enable the pie gestures?
joakim_one said:
I installed the app and set it to work on the left, right, and bottom, then configured two short-click apps in level 1. I would then long-press at those edges and nothing happened with pie control: HTC Sense would send me to widget configuration instead.
I just watched your video and he does a slight swipe from the edge, instead of the long-press I was trying. I just installed the app again and tried that on the home screen and within a couple other apps, again no pie controls. If I do it on the home screen, it starts to scroll to the next home screen, as it always did.
There may be something about HTC Sense that it's not giving control to the pie app for gestures, or maybe there's some other switch I have to hit somewhere to actually enable the pie gestures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Although HOX+ and S3 have the same screen size, for the PIE to activate you just need to increase the activation area width. Just thought of installing Pie again after a while of not using it and just remembered. Now it's working fine
I remember there was a small bug of the activation area width being reset everytime you open the app if I can remember correctly. That or everytime you press on the activation width area. Can't really remember but my point is, while using the app if it suddenly doesnt appear anymore just increase the width again and it will work.
Sorry it took me a while to reply since I couldn't really remember
Sent from my HTC One x+ using XDA developers app
Ghand0ur said:
Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Although HOX+ and S3 have the same screen size, for the PIE to activate you just need to increase the activation area width. Just thought of installing Pie again after a while of not using it and just remembered. Now it's working fine
I remember there was a small bug of the activation area width being reset everytime you open the app if I can remember correctly. That or everytime you press on the activation width area. Can't really remember but my point is, while using the app if it suddenly doesnt appear anymore just increase the width again and it will work.
Sorry it took me a while to reply since I couldn't really remember
Sent from my HTC One x+ using XDA developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, now it shows up. I'll mess around with it and let you know what I think.

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