My HD2 "Frankenphone" (it's built from no less than 3 other HD2's) has no working hardware keys on the front of the phone. The volume keys, however, do still work. I therefore want to cook a rom based on an existing one that has Volume up/down mapped to HOME/Back.
Furthermore, I was wondering if I could somehow get the MENU button implemented as well. I understand that this is not possible through the SDK, but perhaps it can be done by writing native C code. E.g. a longpress Volume-up could be menu, a long-press Volume-down could be search.
I'm not asking for someone to do this for me, I'd like to do this myself. What I'm looking for are a few quick pointers to how to start this endeavor. I have previous experience cooking custom roms using toolchains under linux, and also experience writing C (non-gui) code under linux. So useful pointers would be :
* Where can I find the key mappings? I suppose this is part of the kernel/user space?
* How would I go about implementing the long-press feature? Or can you hint towards another possible solution that does not involve the front hardware keys (touchscreen snooping for gestures? accellerometer? Any other sensor?)
Take a look here:
http://source.android.com/porting/keymaps_keyboard_input.html
Hope that helps.
One thing I do in most builds is change my call key to a search key.
Hi!
Take a look at the following thread! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=740629
paalkr said:
Hi!
Take a look at the following thread! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=740629
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks! That worked like a charm. Mounted the system.ext2 loopback, patched the keys, and tadaah, working home + back. That at least makes the phone usable again.
Can anyone recommend a solution to get a working MENU action? It looks like long-press back is handled by apps individually (e.g. in the browser it will show a history), while long-press home displays a task switcher. I could live with long-press back being handled by android itself to implement the menu function.
(edit) looks like this is possible, e.g. here it mentions "including some special features to support the virtual hard keys that are appearing on recent devices such as Droid." Now how did they do that?
Does anyone know if it would be possible to write an app that would re-map the nook "n" (home) to open up a small popup, that would give access to all four of the main android buttons? i.e., home, back, menu, search. (similar popup to the long press home to 'recent programs' list that android has), maybe even adding the recent programs too?
That way we could still get home, but it wouldn't be impossible to use standard android programs because of the lack of hardware keys.
I loaded "Alidko," which works great, but once I open a book, I have to read the whole thing to get back to the main app screen since there is no 'back' button.
EDIT:
Someone made it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860153
I am an iOS coder, but, looking at the docs, not only does this appear possible, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult for an android coder that knows their way around.
I believe the right thing to do would be, in order of preference/elegance:
1. Have a "long press" on the nook/home key expose the status bar via a "service" that listens for and captures this even
2. Have a "long press" on the nook key display a window that shows a set of "soft keys"
kaicherry said:
I am an iOS coder, but, looking at the docs, not only does this appear possible, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult for an android coder that knows their way around.
I believe the right thing to do would be, in order of preference/elegance:
1. Have a "long press" on the nook/home key expose the status bar via a "service" that listens for and captures this even
2. Have a "long press" on the nook key display a window that shows a set of "soft keys"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A solution was posted here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9556837&postcount=1 to remap the volume keys. Although not as elegant as an app would be, it works great. I have my volume up key remapped to "MENU" and volume down as "BACK".
In Aldiko it works perfectly.
That is a good temporary solution, but I would personally not like to loose the volume functionality.
Anyone think they could make a pop-up like that? I am not sure how hard it would be to make the pop-up send the 'softkey' to the other app and not just close itself (i.e., back)...
Answered!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860153
Just wondering about the feasibility of (someone with the know-how) creating a background app/service that could monitor and intercept the Nook's Vol+ and Vol- buttons, and if held down for a certain amount of time, perform Menu or Back actions as well.
I would think this possible, based on CM ROMs' ability to skip forwards/backwards from the lockscreen when music is playing, as well as the official XBMC Remote's abililty to change the volume for media playing on an XBMC box without interfering with the volume on the actual Android device.
Under the stock BN ROM I had remapped the Vol buttons, which wasn't a problem since the speaker was barely audible in the first place, but since flashing Dalingrin's OC kernel with the increased volume, I (happily) find the need to be able to change the volume levels easily.
I can't be the only one who's pondered this, but I've read through most of the threads and don't recall seeing this anywhere... If I've missed it, please point me in the right direction.
Thoughts? Takers?
Thanks.
You mean like this easily flashable script in the development forum (page 2).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=965023
I am talking an app which would retain volume functionality if the buttons are pressed briefly, as well as implement menu / back functions if held.
Unfortunately it looks like that script you linked to simply remaps the volume keys to menu and back -- without retaining volume functionality:
EpicFail236 said:
[...]
I find that my need for physical menu and back buttons is greater than my need for physical volume buttons.
[...]
This zip is CWM flashable, and simply overwrites the keymap kl files with ones that have the volume buttons remapped.
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly what you want, but a simple solution.
see this, tip #7. Its a simple edit to a text file.
Worked on CM7, heres my edited /system/usr/keylayout/qwerty.kl vol up=menu, down=back
Thanks; unfortunately that is the essentially same as sparhawk's solution, and what I did under the BN ROM.
What I'm looking for is a solution via an application that retains the volume button functionality and augments the buttons with menu/back ability and does not simply remap the volume buttons.
If I had the slightest inkling as to how to do this myself, I would. Unfortunately I've tried and failed (miserably) so far at attempting to learn coding for Android.
I was hoping someone might be familiar with the way CM and XBMC Remote handle these intercepts and be able to adapt code, or create something similar for menu/back functionality.
I get what you are saying, but I don't think it would be possible. Notice how if you hold it down now, it will turn the volume down all the way step by step. When the screen is off, it doesn't do anything. If it was made to be held down to switch function, you would lose the ability to turn down the volume by holding it down. I know what I said is confusing, but just think about it lol. Have you thought about remapping tthe keys totally to menu/back, and then having a sound toggle in the pull down widget for the notification bar? You wouldn't have total control over the levels, but at least its something.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Xephik said:
I get what you are saying, but I don't think it would be possible. Notice how if you hold it down now, it will turn the volume down all the way step by step. When the screen is off, it doesn't do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running CM7 n11 on the nook, and regardless of whether the screen is on or off: if music is playing, when I hit the volume button, the volume level is changed. Not sure what you're referring to.
Xephik said:
If it was made to be held down to switch function, you would lose the ability to turn down the volume by holding it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't necessarily think that's the case.
Example: somehow CM is able to retain volume functionality and add skip next/previous track in music player. When I refer to the ability of CM to skip forward/backwards when music is playing, I am basing this on my experience with CM6.12 on my Droid1.
Xephik said:
Have you thought about remapping tthe keys totally to menu/back, and then having a sound toggle in the pull down widget for the notification bar? You wouldn't have total control over the levels, but at least its something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, done that and didn't love it. I believe a solution such as I'm suggesting would be much more "integrated," elegant, and convenient.
Basically the app would intercept a volume button press:
- brief press: button release < 300ms, app performs volume function
- long press: button held down or release > 300ms, perform back or menu
Are there any experienced devs who provide some insight?
tj!2k7 said:
Thanks; unfortunately that is the essentially same as sparhawk's solution, and what I did under the BN ROM.
What I'm looking for is a solution via an application that retains the volume button functionality and augments the buttons with menu/back ability and does not simply remap the volume buttons.
If I had the slightest inkling as to how to do this myself, I would. Unfortunately I've tried and failed (miserably) so far at attempting to learn coding for Android.
I was hoping someone might be familiar with the way CM and XBMC Remote handle these intercepts and be able to adapt code, or create something similar for menu/back functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen this behavior to control the Android music player. And honesty I don't see why it couldn't be adapted to throw a back or home interrupt. But to implement it is beyond me!
Here is a GitHub repo to handle the Android player on long press up and down but also still handle volume changes on short press.
https://github.com/metalhead8816/android_frameworks_policies_base
And I'm pretty sure the specific commit would be
https://github.com/metalhead8816/an...mmit/7504617a9211a65ce767281c59668e8641b8a14d
Mat Sumpter said:
Here is a GitHub repo to handle the Android player on long press up and down but also still handle volume changes on short press.
https://github.com/metalhead8816/android_frameworks_policies_base
And I'm pretty sure the specific commit would be
https://github.com/metalhead8816/an...mmit/7504617a9211a65ce767281c59668e8641b8a14d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're on a better path now. Thank you for posting concrete evidence of the volume buttons serving two simultaneous functions.
Could that code be used as a base for a standalone background app/service to implement the desired functionality? Better yet if it could be built into a ROM such as CM, but a standalone app would be perfect.
As this is really a question for devs, should I have posted this thread in the dev forum?
This code was put in for eclair so it won't apply cleanly to the Froyo code. But I'm sure a DEV with good Java knowledge could hack this into the current policy framework. From the code this appears pretty integral so I doubt this could be an outside apk that we install. This would likely be an alternate framework we'd need to apply to a ROM much like a style. But again I'm not an Android developer so I don't know for sure.
Button remapper works for the simple remapping, but not for the longpress actions.
I have half a mind to attempt writing a simple service for this
long press menu->vol up in 20% increments
long press back->vol down in 20% increments (may interfere with CM7 long press to kill functionality)
http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/12/back-and-other-hard-keys-three-stories.html
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4983605/send-button-volume-button-action-listeners
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/KeyEvent.html
A service sounds (to a non-programmer such as myself) like it would be less involved than framework modifications, and portable across ROM updates.
And personally, I don't mind "losing" long-press-kill functionality as I never use it anyway... I'd love to see some progress along these lines... go for it. =)
If you decide to attempt create a service for this, could you be make the long/short actions customizable?
i.e. :
Short press Vol+: Volume up / Long-press Vol+: Menu
Short press Vol-: Volume down / Long-press Vol-: Back
vs.
Short press Vol+: Menu / Long-press Vol+: Volume up
Short press Vol-: Back / Long-press Vol-: Volume down
In most applications, Menu and Back are usable via the status bar; since that functionality would be redundant, it would be nice to retain quick access to volume for short presses. For instances where Menu and Back are not usable in full-screen applications, long-pressing the buttons to perform menu and back actions doesn't seem like much of an issue.
Actually, if the Menu and Back were long-press actions, couldn't you implement functionality to kill the current app if Back was held for a specific amount of time?
Just thought I'd bump this back to the top... any devs out there who might want to take a crack at something like this?
Until we get Honeycomb AOSP this "hack" would be perfect!
I'm on the lookout too. I'd much rather have my vol up and down keys then have them as back and home. Unfortunately I lack the skills to code it so far!
My prayers, answered. Thanks mad-murdock.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1002000&page=23
AT&T Galaxy Note Tips,Tricks, and Tweaks
Overview
I decided that I would make a simple tweak thread for our AT&T Galaxy Note so they're easy to find and all in one place to reduce clutter. I will post simple tweaks that I find that may be useful to other users. I encourage everyone to also help the development of this thread and to post any tweaks they know of or find. I will update the OP as these new tweaks come in, I will post them as links with descriptions. Also I will organize and shorten/ simplify descriptions as needed.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything that may happen to your device when using any of these tweaks nor is anyone that has posted them we did not force you to perform them on your device, the only person responsible is You.
Credits: Will go here for the finder/ creator of tweak.
First credit to SysAdmNj for giving me the idea to create this thread.
Thank you Irishwake83 for Screenshot methods and quick changing of brightness also for ideas to expand thread.
And don't forget the thanks button for the discoverer/ creator of the tweaks you use. I only want thanked for thing I post or if you're thanking me for the organization of the information. I want credit, where credit is due.
My Contributions: Soft Button Remapping
I am open to ideas to make this thread better. Please PM me with any you may have.
Tweaks
Soft Button Remapping
This is the first tweak that I see many people complaining about the soft button search key should be swapped for the Menu key so it would be easier to press. This is a very simple and safe tweak. First you'll need root and rootexplorer application. Next open rootexplorer and go to /system/usr/keylayout/sec_touchkey.kl. Before long pressing the file in the top make sure you have it set to read write. Then long press the file and go to open in text editor. Then simply replace the word "search" with any of the others. Mix and match all you want. Then save and reboot. Done you have now remapped your touch keys.
Tricks/Tips
3 methods to take a screen shot
1) Take out the S-pen, then push the S-Pen button and hold the S-pen on the screen. This will also pull the image up into an editor.
2) Using the pinky side of your hand start at either edge of your screen and slide your hand across the screen. This works either direction.
3) Hold down the Home and Power Button then release them.
Quickly Change Brightness
Simply place any finger or your thumb on the task bar and slide left to decrease brightness, right to increase.
Quick Access to recent apps and Task Manager
Hold down the home button and it will pull up in an overlay.
S-Memo Lite
Can be accessed by Holding the S-Pen Button and Double Tapping the screen rapidly. It will then pull up no matter where you are in the OS. Then a cool function while in S-Memo Lite is putting the S-Pen above S-Memo Lite hides it allowing you to see what is on the screen.
S-Pen and soft keys
By now many of you have found out that you cannot use the pen on the soft keys such as Home, Back, and Menu. But with the S-Pen Button you can use these functions. While Holding the button simply swiping up along the screen is the menu function, swiping down is the Home function, and Finally swiping right to left is the Back Function.
S-Pen writing off of actual position
When drawing/ writing in some positions the S-Pen will write above the actual pens position this is fixed by holding the S-Pen back at an angle to the Bottom Right corner and for the left handed the bottom Left. It takes some getting used to for some depending on how you write/ draw but does solve the issue.
And one more...
sweet
Is it possible to create an action for the long press of menu or back button?
I was considering a similar thread, but we need to consolidate all the things that people keep repeatedly asking or projecting as new information like the 3 different ways to take screen captures, the quick way to dim the screen.... This might be a good thread for all of that.
BigBison420 said:
sweet
Is it possible to create an action for the long press of menu or back button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I'll have to look into it tonight I'll update if I find a way.
Irishwake83 said:
I was considering a similar thread, but we need to consolidate all the things that people keep repeatedly asking or projecting as new information like the 3 different ways to take screen captures, the quick way to dim the screen.... This might be a good thread for all of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome Idea thank you! I added it in. I would love the help to hopefully get this stickied and become a big help to users.
Holding the home button for me brings up the most recent apps and task manager.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
I've read a lot of really good info on this site, but can't seem to find exactly what i'm looking for. i have a cheap Visual Land Connect table that runs ICS. It was dropped on the power/lock button and now the button has no resistance. It doesn't click anymore. I rigged my tablet so i can still use it but it isn't great. what i'm looking to do is disable the power button and us the Back button instead. is this possible. Using ES File Explorer, i've gone into the key layout files and tried a few things in there but nothing i do there seems to work. Each time i manipulate a file it creates a .bak file. i think this is normal. do i need to delete this? Also, there are a bunch of key layout files in there. not really sure which one to do. even if i can disable the power button once its turned on, and map a different button to do this, that would work. any suggestions?