New Youtube UI...is terrible. [Removed the Navigation Drawer] - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I don't even know what to say...
The Navigation Drawer has got to be one of the best UI designs in Android... and now the youtube app has removed it.
"Slide, Scroll, Tap" has now turned into
"Tap, Tap, Tap, Back, Tap, Tap Tap, Back, Tap" .....
Why... why on this good green earth would they ruin the application like this?
Is Google going to drop the Navigation Drawer? In all seriousness if this is true (And I didn't know about it) then I am just done with Android... I just cannot put up with another "Change for the sake of change" that ruins the innovation.
Anyone have more information on their official stance with the Navigation Drawer Ui element?
I am at a loss for words... this is as bad as removing the start button from Windows... just... why? Why would you remove the best UI navigation tool?
I cannot understand.

It is indeed a little perplexing why they changed that due to the nav drawer being such an integral part of almost every one of their other apps. We will have to wait and see how this plays out, and whether its a single app thing or not. That said, the new control over notifications from specific channels is much better.

nickervision said:
It is indeed a little perplexing why they changed that due to the nav drawer being such an integral part of almost every one of their other apps. We will have to wait and see how this plays out, and whether its a single app thing or not. That said, the new control over notifications from specific channels is much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but why not improve things and keep the Navigation Drawer? I keep reinstalling an old version because this "new UI" keeps auto updating even without updating the application.
Ugh. I am in a point where I am needing to get a different device to replace a failing one...and if Google is dropping their advanced layouts and UI navigation for "Apple simple" ones, then I am done with android. I just cannot handle any more stupidity.

Related

[APP] zMooth use gestures to replace hardware keys

zMooth works on nook's with rooted android 2.2+.
zMooth lets you use gestures to mimic your device's hardware keys (back, home, menu and power(in Pro)), you will be able to use very intuitive gestures to navigate your device.
zMooth is unobtrusive and uses minimum amount of screen space but very easy and intuitive to use. If you use for couple of days you won't even think about using the buttons.
After you install the app you will see a blue area at the bottom of the screen, swipe left on this area to go back, swipe right for menu, gesture a up-arrow(^) for home and gesture a lightning strike/thunderbolt to power off. Please check the screen shots and video for more info.
App website
App market link
Support is built-in to the app, "Preferences->Help" will resolve most issues. If not resolved just contact me through "Preferences->Help->Contact Support" and I will be happy to resolve any issues.
Thanks.
it works, its kinda cool but being able to move the gesture area would be great
Can you provide screenshot of your nook, never tested on it so was wondering on how it looks.
Would you mind if I use your screenshot in other places? (hope your screenshot doesn't show any personal details)
windroidHD said:
Please check out my app to replace hardware keys using gestures. I tested it on HD2 and don't have a nook, would appreciate any feedback if you could try it on your nook.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1027112
App website
App market link
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really awesome application. I'm the kind who can't stand having soft buttons popping out by the side. This works wonderfully for me. Didn't know how to use it at first though. There should be a quick guide in this app without having to connect to the internet to view the FAQ.
However, with that said, this is still awesome. Love it.
WOW! I'd say I spend about 1/1000th of my time on XDA in the themes and apps section...Now..in one day..the sense icons for settings..the honeycomb style softkeys are here (which are awesome..but now obsolete IMO...because of THIS! this is EPIC!)...It took me about 1 minute to get so comfortable w this that I completely hid my dockbar and statusbar...Now I have ALLmy screen real estate, except for a thin blue line at the bottom of my screen that does it all. This is going straight on my EVO...and I'd bet you start seeing something like this on factory releases or at least as an option. A very simple yet brilliant idea. It actually makes me feel a little bit sad for Murdock...he accomplished so much for CM7 in SO little time..and now this comes along.TRY this NOW.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
It's OK but interferes with stuff on the bottom - there should be an option to move the swiping area. Also, it doesn't always register touches.
Wow!!!
Sounds awesome, i'm trying this straight away
Looks like I won't be having to double click my home screen button anymore
+1 for being able to move the swipe area. I don't like gestures over my dock.
Yeah, I Sent an Email
to the developers to enable the gesture area to be moved - until the app is useless and will probably get hammered on ratings in the market. I'm giving it one star until they do this.
docfreed said:
to the developers to enable the gesture area to be moved - until the app is useless and will probably get hammered on ratings in the market. I'm giving it one star until they do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't Even NEED to use the launcher's dock...that's why there's an option for losing it under a launcher's settings....Eliminate the dock...Put a shortcut or action butons to whatever you want on either side of the "thin blue line", and you're golden. The gesture area can be adjusted to where its about a third of the size of a dockbar anyway, so I don't really understand that issue...I set my swipe options to hide/unhide my notification bar (which now lives at the top)..so my end results look like these before and after shots: From A to B to C....Who likes C?
Sent from my PC36100
Moving of swipe area is under development in Pro version. I wanted to make the moving very intuitive/configurable so it's taking time.
To people who are threatning with 1 * rating, you are just being mean.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Awesome app, got the pro verison. Keep up the good work.
1 bug to report. When modifying the display of the bar, values seem to constantly reset when going into the sliders, though the physical bar won't change itself until you return. You might want to make the sliders default to the currently set points when entering the screen.
Ceger
Ceger said:
Awesome app, got the pro verison. Keep up the good work.
1 bug to report. When modifying the display of the bar, values seem to constantly reset when going into the sliders, though the physical bar won't change itself until you return. You might want to make the sliders default to the currently set points when entering the screen.
Ceger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
incorrect value issue is on my list.
mazook98 said:
You don't Even NEED to use the launcher's dock...that's why there's an option for losing it under a launcher's settings....Eliminate the dock...Put a shortcut or action butons to whatever you want on either side of the "thin blue line", and you're golden. The gesture area can be adjusted to where its about a third of the size of a dockbar anyway, so I don't really understand that issue...I set my swipe options to hide/unhide my notification bar (which now lives at the top)..so my end results look like these before and after shots: From A to B to C....Who likes C?
Sent from my PC36100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get what you are saying, but it's a to each his own thing. Maybe some people REALLY like their docks. I actually do hide my dock, but I don't want to have to do all of my gestures on the bottom of the screen. I already use gestures in ADW. Swipe up for notifications (notification bar on the bottom), swipe down for my app drawer. I would like to use this app for side to side gestures, and preferably I would like the gestures to take place somewhere in the center.
..and windroidHD, just to be clear. Your app is awesome. I would just like to see the additional functionality. It sounds like you're on top of it, and I gladly await the arrival of a pro version that will allow me to move the swipe area.
regarding why it's at the bottom of the screen to start with...
Why not left?. because when you think about back, intuition is to swipe back, if gesture area is on left side then you can't swipe left as your finger will move out of screen and gesture can't be recognized.
Why not right?, same as above but for menu.
Why not top?, If it's at the top then your hand has to obstruct the screen and do a gesture at the top of screen, this breaks the visual link of your eyes with screen.
Google knew that they made a mistake with android hardware buttons, that's why honeycomb has fewer hardware buttons and soft buttons at the bottom.
The "standard" way of designing in android seems to be let user configure everything and figure out the layout of app, that to me is absolute crap. Developer has to think what makes most sense and let the user not worry and do trial and error out the position of gesture area.
That said, I don't have nook so I don't know the general workflow on it. Configuration of position still under development.
windroidHD said:
regarding why it's at the bottom of the screen...
Why not left?. because when you think about back, intuition is to swipe back, if gesture area is on left side then you can't swipe left as your finger will move out of screen and gesture can't be recognized.
Why not right?, same as above but for menu.
Why not top?, If it's at the top then your hand has to obstruct the screen and do a gesture at the top of screen, this breaks the visual link of your eyes with screen.
Google knew that they made a mistake with android hardware buttons, that's why honeycomb has fewer hardware buttons and soft buttons at the bottom.
The "standard" way of designing in android seems to be let user configure everything and figure out the layout of app, that to me is absolute crap. Developer has to think what makes most sense and let the user not worry and do trial and error out the position of gesture area.
That said, I don't have nook so I don't know the general workflow on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense, but you're not giving your end users very much credit.
...it's all about options.
Give me the option to do it whichever way I want, and let ME figure out which works best for my setup.
philburkhardt said:
No offense, but you're not giving your end users very much credit.
...it's all about options.
Give me the option to do it whichever way I want, and let ME figure out which works best for my setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand if it sounded like I was "not giving credit", but do you see why I picked bottom to start with?. On contrary to not giving credit I have added options in the first Pro version itself to let user pick his colors and size which suits their theme and finger size.
Can you let me know which of my points about position are incorrect?, may be I am wrong, but which one will work for nook workflow?.
Thanks.
philburkhardt said:
No offense, but you're not giving your end users very much credit.
...it's all about options.
Give me the option to do it whichever way I want, and let ME figure out which works best for my setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a perfect option: Write your own app or don't use this one. OP..purchasing pro now...(and I almost NEVER buy apps)....and telling everyone I know to do the same. Change things if you want, but this version is quite perfect in my opinion. Off to Reddit to absolutely honk this. Great Job.
Sent from my PC36100
mazook98 said:
Here's a perfect option: Write your own app or don't use this one. OP..purchasing pro now...(and I almost NEVER buy apps)....and telling everyone I know to do the same. Change things if you want, but this version is quite perfect in my opinion. Off to Reddit to absolutely honk this. Great Job.
Sent from my PC36100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Don't forget to rate the app .
Just for future reference support is built-in to the app, "Preferences->Help" will resolve most issues. If not resolved just contact me through "Preferences->Help->Contact Support" and I will be happy to resolve any issues.
mazook98 said:
Here's a perfect option: Write your own app or don't use this one. OP..purchasing pro now...(and I almost NEVER buy apps)....and telling everyone I know to do the same. Change things if you want, but this version is quite perfect in my opinion. Off to Reddit to absolutely honk this. Great Job.
Sent from my PC36100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty harsh buddy. All I did was request a feature. That is what happens in every other app thread I have been in. I wasn't rude, I didn't threaten to leave a crappy rating.
...I also stated my intent to get the pro version.
I am glad it is perfect for you. Enjoy.

ROM feature and MOD interests/requests

Though I am not a developer, I think it would be nice to start a thread for ideas to be thrown out on what people would like to see in development for the EVO LTE so developers can get an idea of MODs and features this community is interested in. Not that every single feature/MOD should be in one single ROM, but just an idea of what MODs have interest. I think I make sense.
This list reflects my suggestions as well as member's posts through this thread as of 5/31/12.
While the phone is locked, pushing the dedicated camera button for XX amount of seconds wakes the phone and opens the camera app, but doesn't necessarily unlock the phone
Quicksettings/Quick settings tab in notification area
Ability to place the 1x1 widgets (such as Sync All) into the Rosie
A MOD for a curved, classic EVO 4G Rosie
Increase the transparency of HTC widgets
A MOD to create a white pull down notification area as opposed to the black space
Multitasking "issue" to be resolved
A MOD to force the screen to stay locked after a call ends
Tthe ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume
Get rid of the app association feature
Volume wake
CRT Animations
Long press volume keys to skip a track forward and back in Music apps
Ubuntu development
Other interests?
I'd like to get a mod to force the screen to stay locked after a call ends. If you're talking hands free with phone in pocket, it will unlock when your call ends. Should be a straightforward fix to force lock after call if screen is off.
someone to dig through the android code change from GB to ICS and see wtf Google changed that borked the ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume...I'd LOVE to have that back....from what ive been told it isn't in stock ICS nor is it even able to be controlled via 3rd party apps on devices running 4.0.X like they could in GB and previous versions...
^^^^^^ agreed.
And how to get rid of the black menu bar and incorporate longpress for menu somehow.
Lastly, (well, for now, lol)
Brightness slider in notification bar (may have to wait for AOSP for that), but actually, it was something else, oh, yeah, how to get rid of the damn app association feature that HTC had to develop to get around apple patent BS. I've read that simply removing htclinkify.all does not accomplish this. I hate what apple forced on Android.
Oh, and CRT animations.
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Would be nice to be able to adjust the auto-brightness levels like Cyanogen.
Volume wake
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
scottspa74 said:
^^^^^^ agreed.
And how to get rid of the black menu bar and incorporate longpress for menu somehow.
Lastly, (well, for now, lol)
Brightness slider in notification bar (may have to wait for AOSP for that), but actually, it was something else, oh, yeah, how to get rid of the damn app association feature that HTC had to develop to get around apple patent BS. I've read that simply removing htclinkify.all does not accomplish this. I hate what apple forced on Android.
Oh, and CRT animations.
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Long press volume keys to skip a track forward and back.... CRT animations.... and The HTC Shortcuts and Clock widget!
sgt. slaughter said:
someone to dig through the android code change from GB to ICS and see wtf Google changed that borked the ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume...I'd LOVE to have that back....from what ive been told it isn't in stock ICS nor is it even able to be controlled via 3rd party apps on devices running 4.0.X like they could in GB and previous versions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an app that takes care of it already, actually:
ICS Enhanced Ringer
Like most people, I'd like to see the recent apps button become the menu button and get rid of the damn triple dot bar. The recent apps should be a long press of the home button like it was on the OG EVO.
Now, if I'm dreaming big dreams, this is what I really, really want:
I want Ubuntu for Android on my EVO. The demos I've seen so far have Ubuntu activated when the phone docks, but who needs that when you have HTC Media Link. I envision hooking a media link up to a monitor, and pairing it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse (maybe a DLNA hard drive). Obviously you'd have to manually launch the Ubuntu desktop, but in that case, you could even have a popup option that offered you Ubuntu desktop, or the Ubuntu TV interface.
sgt. slaughter said:
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck watching YouTube videos in the YouTube app when they're posted as a link. Chrome often launches the YouTube app when trying to play a video, but isn't always consistent. It's an improvement over the stock browser... But I'd rather it launch the app than try and render it on the page. If we get prompted, we can pick every action as they occur, or even leave some options open so you can use a couple different apps for one choice (ergo, click a phone number and add it to contacts/call the number/send that number a text message. I like that much more. I imagine most do too.
Tapatalked from my shiny new HTC Evo LTE
sgt. slaughter said:
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean the app association? If so, how do you figure? I really like when I click on a link, when it asks me if I want YouTube or browser. Right now, I'm not allowed to change anything. Defaults are set, and I don't get a choice. A total Fn joke, in my opinion. I can only imagine many others agreeing (unless I'm missing something)
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
scottspa74 said:
Do you mean the app association? If so, how do you figure? I really like when I click on a link, when it asks me if I want YouTube or browser. Right now, I'm not allowed to change anything. Defaults are set, and I don't get a choice. A total Fn joke, in my opinion. I can only imagine many others agreeing (unless I'm missing something)
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you get a choice in the defaults...?
I'm not arguing against you, but I can't agree that you have no choice.
Sent from my EVO using XDA
No. In my defaults, I see no other choices. For links it says browser. No option for YouTube (even though I wouldn't want to pick it because of course some links shouldn't open with YouTube). IDK, am I missing something?
Edit: I know, buddy. You and I have been on the same page on lots of stuff
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
w3r3wolv3s said:
Like most people, I'd like to see the recent apps button become the menu button and get rid of the damn triple dot bar. The recent apps should be a long press of the home button like it was on the OG EVO.
Now, if I'm dreaming big dreams, this is what I really, really want:
I want Ubuntu for Android on my EVO. The demos I've seen so far have Ubuntu activated when the phone docks, but who needs that when you have HTC Media Link. I envision hooking a media link up to a monitor, and pairing it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse (maybe a DLNA hard drive). Obviously you'd have to manually launch the Ubuntu desktop, but in that case, you could even have a popup option that offered you Ubuntu desktop, or the Ubuntu TV interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check the dev sections this is already done!
These are great and I believe very plausible.
Some of these features have already been done
RegnierD said:
Good luck watching YouTube videos in the YouTube app when they're posted as a link. Chrome often launches the YouTube app when trying to play a video, but isn't always consistent. It's an improvement over the stock browser... But I'd rather it launch the app than try and render it on the page. If we get prompted, we can pick every action as they occur, or even leave some options open so you can use a couple different apps for one choice (ergo, click a phone number and add it to contacts/call the number/send that number a text message. I like that much more. I imagine most do too.
Tapatalked from my shiny new HTC Evo LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I get the frustration with youtube....but seriously do you go to youtube and watch a ton of vids every day?
If they added youtube as one of the association types and let you pick youtube app or browser that would solve that...
still able to long press on phone number in your address book and send text message...you couldn't go directly to text message form a phone number from within gmail email message before from what I can tell on my 3D...though it takes no time to long press and copy it then go to messages and send that copied number a txt...
gianmarco00 said:
There is an app that takes care of it already, actually:
ICS Enhanced Ringer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
48hr preview?.....ehh ill pass on that esp at $3 for full version....I love supporting Dev's for their work but $3 is wayyy too high for that small added feature i'd be getting out of it...

[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.

Onscreen navigation bar feels somewhat broken.

I actually like the stock launcher/UI, it is amazingly clean and while I miss several key Nova Launcher capabilities I am trying to stick with it for natural theme options, etc. Clearly the launcher was designed for gesture navigation, something I have always found quite repulsive even with nicely done variations we have seen over the years. The typical Samsung style three icon onscreen navigation icons work 'fairly well', but they are buggy. (I wish I could swap the outside buttons around, but...)
In games, they do what they are supposed to do - slip away entirely unless you brush them back up with a minor swipe. The problem is that they don't go away in most apps otherwise - which they kinda should. Even if they simply barged their way onto the screen transparently, it wouldn't be so bad (although they are an ignorant shove to any other existing lower control mechanism). In some apps they may even be necessary, although I thought it was sorted out a long time ago that if they weren't onscreen, there would be a generalized triple dot alternative in the upper right of whatever you were doing.
The biggest problem of them all is that regardless of theme, battery dark settings, or any options to do with navigation or the home screen, this navigation bar is sometimes not only glaringly white against an otherwise well sorted out 'dark theme', there are many apps I load up where they aren't just white - the icons themselves turn perfectly white as well.
On any other device I have owned in recent times (and let's assume they were all on custom roms), even if you had actual hardware touch buttons (like my last daily, a 1st gen OPO) you could always enable onscreen navigation buttons. They would slip away by themselves in nearly any app or game you could possibly run.
Opera is a perfect example of every problem I have listed at its worst - they barge in, they are blindingly white, and the icons are white as well. Opera already has a rather beefy UI bar on the bottom, so this ends up quite broken. Will Nova Launcher solve these issues for me? Are we at a point where we can even use Nova Launcher without several nasty traps snapping shut when it comes to recent apps, orientation, etc?
As I said, with the app drawer enabled I like the stock launcher. I just want navigation buttons that behave. Am I missing anything or is the implementation of this kinda broken even though the protocols for this have been sorted out several generations of Android ago?

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