Database Users

Poor Exec ergonomics? Just me or everybody?

There are a few things I'd change about the ergonomics of the Universal. I'm right-handed so I hold the thing in my left hand and operate with my right. Before this I had an XDA2.
- on/off switch should be on the right-hand side of the case, under the 'Enter' key and should be easier to find without looking (i.e. by feel only). In portrait mode it should be at the top of the machine
- the pen should come out of the case in the same location as it does for the XDA2, i.e. under the '->' key on the keyboard. In portrait mode I have to reach over the top of the Exec and fumble the pen out from the left side of the machine
- the phone answer/end buttons on the hinge are exactly where my thumb is located when I hold the phone while talking in portrait mode (I listen through my left ear), so I often press them by accident while talking. They should be at the opposite end of the hinge IMHO and they should light up when a call comes in
- camera lens is at the wrong end of the machine: in tablet mode but landscape (which is the only orientation the camera seems to allow :roll: :?: ) I hold the Exec with my left hand and press the shutter button with my right and in this position my left-hand fingers often obscure the lens. If the lens was at the SD-card end of the case I could hold the Exec comfortably in my left hand without obscuring the lens
I love this machine but I'm curious to know whether I'm the only one who finds it slightly awkward to use in some circumstances. Maybe because of the dual format (tablet/laptop) it'd be impossible to get perfect, but the above changes would help me a lot.

Kind of agree, but I'll adapt.
The other niggle - my lovely Proporta case, complete with belt clip - you leave the device in the case to use it. Perfect! Except the toggle for the belt clip is, of course, on the previously "flat" camera side, so I can no longer sit the thing on a desk to type without first unscrewing (and probably losing) the belt clip toggle...
Pah.

It seems that space issues dictate where the pen went.
Infact, if you look the end curves to go above the usb socket!
I used to laugh at the Magician owners when I had XDAII, i had a real stylus and they had a stubby little square thing.
Bah, i feel foolish now.

On the positive side though, just how many speakers does this thing have? I've counted four so far...
Two on the side edge (stereo), plus one above the screen in tablet mode, and then another one in the plain side where the holes are (above the Enter key when the clamshell is closed).
Just answered a phone call with the case closed and the sound was coming from those holes. So we can answer it both when the clamshell is closed and when it's in tablet mode. Awesome! No more dirty screen!
Does it automatically answer the phone if you open the clamshell to view the screen when it rings? Haven't tried this yet.

SiliconS said:
Does it automatically answer the phone if you open the clamshell to view the screen when it rings? Haven't tried this yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ive been meaning to do that for months.
and yup. ive just tested it, you can open and close as many times as you like, then close and press the green button.
no worries
the caller detials are nicer in wide and the pic is bigger im sure

Front aluminum sheet!!
Has anyone encountered the same?! I have used the phone with closed clamshell and many times when my sideburners got stuck in between the slight attachement edge of the metal sheet on the clamshel!
I thought it is inconvenient and now I believe it is so! The metal sheet is not properly glued to the phone body!!
Poor craftwork

Re: Front aluminum sheet!!
Cyber-mate said:
Has anyone encountered the same?! I have used the phone with closed clamshell and many times when my sideburners got stuck in between the slight attachement edge of the metal sheet on the clamshel!
I thought it is inconvenient and now I believe it is so! The metal sheet is not properly glued to the phone body!!
Poor craftwork
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehehe :lol:
It sounds funny, but I guess (like the points I made in my original post) it's a small irritation for you. Wonder whether they have bearded testers in the HTC factories...

Re: Front aluminum sheet!!
SiliconS said:
Hehehe :lol:
It sounds funny, but I guess (like the points I made in my original post) it's a small irritation for you. Wonder whether they have bearded testers in the HTC factories...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although it is funny but way too serious :wink:
Yet your suggestion for beard testers is recommended

No LED on answer/hangup buttons on hinge

Hi,
When i first setup my Exec using personal mode, the answer and hangup buttons on the hinge woudl illuminate when a call came in (when the unit is closed like a laptop). Now i am using it in corporate mode, the LED's don't illuminate. They only illuminate when the screen is rotated into PDA mode.
I am assuming this is a reg hack. Does anybody know what it is? or has anybody else got this problem?
Cheers
Paul

They don't illuminate when the device is closed, only when you have the screen open or facing outwards.

hollinshead said:
They don't illuminate when the device is closed, only when you have the screen open or facing outwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And very annoying it is too - especially when both buttons look so similar when not illuminated. This must be hackable?

This has got to be one of the most annoying features of the exec.
Also i have found that if the device is closed, MSVC does not recognise anything you say when activated via BT.
I have never really played with the device in personal mode as the GUI is bollox so cannot comment on if the buttons light up or not when the device is closed. But what i do know is that when it is closed the screen is switched off as if the device is in standby mode, maybe this has something to do with it.

I try to memorize the position of the green button in relation to how I always hold the phone and feel for it like a Braille board. So far I get it 75% of the time.

is anybody using the 'Personal' install on their exec? can they confirm if the LED's are illuminated or not when the phone rings when it is closed?
Cheers
Paul

Someone who's actually opened the Universal may be able to confirm this, but I suspect that the answer/hang up buttons on the hinge don't actually have LED's. I believe that they simply use the light from the screen's backlight to illuminate. As near as I can tell, they're only on when the screen backlight is on.
If that is the case, then there probably won't be a way to get them to illuminate when the case is closed, unless someone can figure out how to get the backlight to stay on when the case is closed (which would also be a big battery waster)
Brett

Yup, i can confirm this. I've just removed the cover on the top of the hinge. There is one wrapped cable coming out of the base at the right hand side. This then splits off, the main part goes up into the pivot hole, and a thinner wrapped wire brakes away from this and attaches to a small pcb which has the buttons and the LED's mounted on it.
Yes, the buttons are only illuminated when the backlight is on, but the brightness of the buttons remains constant even when the backlight brightness is turned down.
Cheers
Paul

As far as I see it, even if the backlight has to come on that wouldn't be a problem - after all, the phone is waking up in order to ring. I also often open up the screen slightly to see who's calling, then close it and press the answer button - therefore switching on the backlight initially would actually save time!

Maybe somebody knows of a "wake-on-ring" hack :lol:

I've just noticed it with my new Qtek 9000 and I was very worried, because I thought my device is broken.
But now I know this is "normal", but it's very annoying :?

I wish I had this problem! .. since yesterday my JJ seems to have those lights permanently on even when I switch the device off

Guys, I've made a program that will keep the hinge leds on all the time.
Actually this is an accidental discovery for a program I'm working on for this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=37201&highlight=
Those guys want to be able to use the keys and phone functions with the lid closed.
I'll post more in that thread, but basically closing the lid puts the hardware keys in a special state such that they are not responsive at all until the device is woken internally (eg by an incoming phone call). Actually, can someone confirm that the hinge keys work when a call comes in but the lid is closed. I presume they must, since they don't do anything else!
So, the hinge lights are on when the screen is on. But the screen is switched off when the lid reaches about 10 degrees to closing. But the hinge lights can be kept on nevertheless
Grem: are you using TCPMP or a similar program to play music etc in the background? Anything that tries to keep the phone "on" when the lid is closed will keep the hinge lights on.
V

Hi vijay555
I've actually just done a complete cold re-boot and reflashed to the original i-mate factory ROM to see if that would help, then came here in search of anyone having a similar issue.
It started yesterday, i suspect I've had an internal meltdown somewhere, plugged it into sync, noticed a few minutes later it had randomly done a warm reset and appeared stuck on the blue i-mate screen, picked it up and the sucker was hotter than an AMD without a heatsink! I suspect it's warranty time for this unit

Grem, that's worrying. What were you doing at the time? What brand/operator etc is the phone? It might be worth posting batch numbers or whatever for people that have this kind of problem so we can identify if some are worse then others.
V

It's an i-mate straight from the wholesaler no particular operator. Had it a couple of months, have seen other reports on the forum here which sound perhaps similar in that they've overheated.

Smart use of Proximity sensor can kill the need for the lock screen

The main need for the lock screen is in the following situation:
Phone is in your pocket (or bag), a hard key is accidentally pressed, the device wakes up. This by itself is not a problem, since without anything else happening the device will go back to sleep, but, if another hard key is pressed while the device is active (screen press can not happen while in pocket, since it's capacitive), the device can start do annoying things.
Now, if the proximity sensor can be designed to switch on when device wakes up, and put it back to sleep (immediately) if device is in pocket/bag, this will kill the need for a lock screen. This is totally possible and just awaits the programmer who wants to make our lives easier...

hm. try pocketShield?
it locks and unlocks your device by use of the light sensor.

Interesting. I will use it for now.
The problem with using a light sensor is that if you use the phone in the dark it won't unlock. Proximity sensor won't have this problem hence it's a better sensor for the task.

Apparently this will happen even without the help of the XDA community...
I've just sent the following email to PocketShield:
Hi,
I would like to know if you are working to utilize the HD2's proximity sensor for unlock (like you did for Omnia). If so, when should we expect a version with this feature ?
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is their answer:
That’s the idea, but can’t confirm that yet because we are not sure if hooking into the proximity sensor will be possible. Hope yes, as in Omnia2. Just received our new HD2 today and will start to dive into it next week.
Best Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

so has anyone tested this for the hd2?
http://www.pocketshield.net/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpxY9t34TTI

Noam23 said:
The problem with using a light sensor is that if you use the phone in the dark it won't unlock. Proximity sensor won't have this problem hence it's a better sensor for the task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use TouchLockPro. It has both light and proximity sensor and it is free.

kweiss10 said:
....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpxY9t34TTI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like the guy from the answering machine has found a new job

won't this increase battery drain dramaticly? i think it will becouse it will be constantly looking for light and using that proximity sensor..

Noam23 said:
The main need for the lock screen is in the following situation:
Phone is in your pocket (or bag), a hard key is accidentally pressed, the device wakes up. This by itself is not a problem, since without anything else happening the device will go back to sleep, but, if another hard key is pressed while the device is active (screen press can not happen while in pocket, since it's capacitive), the device can start do annoying things.
Now, if the proximity sensor can be designed to switch on when device wakes up, and put it back to sleep (immediately) if device is in pocket/bag, this will kill the need for a lock screen. This is totally possible and just awaits the programmer who wants to make our lives easier...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong about one important detail though. The screen is very sensitive and can easily be pressed through the lining of your pocket, and even through fairly thick fabric like jeans.

it's a capacative screen...
capacative scree = no stylus/fingernail/penny/spoon
it wont be acvitating throught screen contact.
impossible. (unless you have rrrrrealy thin pants, and the current can pass throught them)

saintnickxiii said:
it's a capacative screen...
capacative scree = no stylus/fingernail/penny/spoon
it wont be acvitating throught screen contact.
impossible. (unless you have rrrrrealy thin pants, and the current can pass throught them)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, the pants didnt have to be that thin. i think the hd2 screens also vary a lot, in being more or less sensitive. another thing is that people are deifferent when it cames to electric fields. also sweating can affect the display. i startet programs and other touchscreen things already, when the device was in my pocket.
regards mad

jamieeeee said:
won't this increase battery drain dramaticly? i think it will becouse it will be constantly looking for light and using that proximity sensor..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the case of Pocketshield, it won't. Because all sensors only turn on during a short period of time (seconds). Once you unlock or turn off, sensors go to sleep. This is one of the reasons why "auto lock" is not possible, because that will indeed involve a permanent monitoring on the sensors.

saintnickxiii said:
it's a capacative screen...
capacative scree = no stylus/fingernail/penny/spoon
it wont be acvitating throught screen contact.
impossible. (unless you have rrrrrealy thin pants, and the current can pass throught them)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't know what you're talking about. I didn't say it was sensitive to pressure, but rather that direct contact between skin and the screen is not necessary. Holding my finger on one side of the fabric, and the other side of the fabric touching the screen, this is registered by the screen as a touch EVERY TIME. There are maybe materials that completely isolates the screen, for other materials it probably depends on how thick they are. For me it is certainly possible to influence the screen even through pretty thick cotton fabric (maybe other types of fabric too, I wear mostly cotton), leather, and even paper. Just to test it, I just did a slide to unlock my HD2 through a pile of papers (granted it wasn't a very thick pile, only six sheets of paper thick), and through my leather shoes (this was a little trickier, I had to to make sure that my foot made good contact with the leather at the point where I was sliding my phone across the shoe). i can interact with the screen through normal denim jeans fabric without any problem, and the pocket lining of trousers are usually quite thin, so accidental interaction with the screen seems almost unavoidable if the screen is unlocked in the pocket.
I have actually had some problems a couple of times when the slide to unlock had been deactivated on my HD2. I once took my phone out of my pocket and it was at the confirmation screen for factory reset, and I have actually had the phone hard reset on me once which I suspect may have been caused by the slide to unlock being deactivated. I would never knowingly put an unlocked phone in my pocket, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but you're welcome to do as you please.

X1-owner said:
You don't know what you're talking about. I didn't say it was sensitive to pressure, but rather that direct contact between skin and the screen is not necessary. Holding my finger on one side of the fabric, and the other side of the fabric touching the screen, this is registered by the screen as a touch EVERY TIME. There are maybe materials that completely isolates the screen, for other materials it probably depends on how thick they are. For me it is certainly possible to influence the screen even through pretty thick cotton fabric (maybe other types of fabric too, I wear mostly cotton), leather, and even paper. Just to test it, I just did a slide to unlock my HD2 through a pile of papers (granted it wasn't a very thick pile, only six sheets of paper thick), and through my leather shoes (this was a little trickier, I had to to make sure that my foot made good contact with the leather at the point where I was sliding my phone across the shoe). i can interact with the screen through normal denim jeans fabric without any problem, and the pocket lining of trousers are usually quite thin, so accidental interaction with the screen seems almost unavoidable if the screen is unlocked in the pocket.
I have actually had some problems a couple of times when the slide to unlock had been deactivated on my HD2. I once took my phone out of my pocket and it was at the confirmation screen for factory reset, and I have actually had the phone hard reset on me once which I suspect may have been caused by the slide to unlock being deactivated. I would never knowingly put an unlocked phone in my pocket, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but you're welcome to do as you please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, i didn't know it was that sensitive, then, i can really see a need for an apps like this.
but, what about just a normal case? slip it in and out? i mean, i think that COULD solve your problem in a 'no thrills' sorta way... but it wouldnt be as exciting now would it?

madbird said:
hi, the pants didnt have to be that thin. i think the hd2 screens also vary a lot, in being more or less sensitive. another thing is that people are deifferent when it cames to electric fields. also sweating can affect the display. i startet programs and other touchscreen things already, when the device was in my pocket.
regards mad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this of course is also true.
taking this into account, i would suggest everybody ground themselves. lol, no... just kidding. i don't even think that would help.

phone disconnecting while on a call

Hi everyone--
I just got my HD2 a couple of weeks ago, and there is one problem that is consistently driving me NUTS. Because the screen is so large, while I am on a phone call, some part of my ear (and they are a normal size) is touching something on the screen that disconnects the call. Is there a way to cut down on the screen sensitivity while on a call, or simply disable the screen while I am on the phone? I've searched in many places, and can't find an answer anywhere. Please help, if you are able, before this problem drives me insane! Thanks in advance--

I would say something else is going on, as the HD2 has a proximity sensor that is "supposed" to switch off the screen when it is at your ear ...
And Mine does, so if yours is not then something else may be going on ...

trippster, test it like this:
call your voicemail, and keep the phone in your hand away from your face. once the call is connected, hold your thumb over the spot on the face of the phone just to the left of the ear speaker and tmobile logo...that should trigger it to switch the screen off until you move your finger

sirphunkee said:
trippster, test it like this:
call your voicemail, and keep the phone in your hand away from your face. once the call is connected, hold your thumb over the spot on the face of the phone just to the left of the ear speaker and tmobile logo...that should trigger it to switch the screen off until you move your finger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a REALLY awkward way to hold your phone while you're attempting to speak, don't ya think?

trippster said:
That's a REALLY awkward way to hold your phone while you're attempting to speak, don't ya think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was just a suggestion to make sure the proximity sensor is working, not a way to talk on the phone all the time ....

watcherhd2 said:
That was just a suggestion to make sure the proximity sensor is working, not a way to talk on the phone all the time ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, bingo, winner winner chicken dinner

automatic screen shut off

So I've browsed around and there are plenty of screen issues, but I haven't seen the one I'm experiencing nor have I seen a solution. When I press the power button my screen comes on and turns off right away. Sometimes a few seconds after I hit the power button sometimes even longer. Most times I won't even be able to put in my security pin to unlock the phone. I see people saying Verizon will do an update soon but that isn't good enough considering I can't use the phone. I did find a loop hole to this problem. Quick start the camera with the volume down button then press the home button after the camera loads and it won't shut off by itself. I thought I'd post this method up for others having this frustration.
If this particular problem has been discussed and beaten to death then the mods can close the thread.
I've got a YouTube link but I don't have 10 posts to show you. Search for user name "vfreeza" and it is the only video I've uploaded. You'll see my first time turning the screen on was using the quick camera method and the times after is with just the power button. The screen turns off without even my hand touching the phone.

don't cover the sensor on the upper left hand side

Yup I read that too. My fingers rest at the corners of the phone and I've tried the not cover sensor thing as well, makes no difference.

Wish I could disable the sensor. I hate this problem
Sent from my LG-D802

Just a quick update. I bought a Diztronic tpu case and the moment I put it on all the problems went away. Screen acted nornal and knock works. My guess is without the case my hand is making some kind of connection it shouldn't be when I'm holding it without a case.

wholemilk said:
Just a quick update. I bought a Diztronic tpu case and the moment I put it on all the problems went away. Screen acted nornal and knock works. My guess is without the case my hand is making some kind of connection it shouldn't be when I'm holding it without a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did your old case hug the bezels tight? because it tends to mess with the digitizer perhaps the incipio feather case? or a plastic case of some sort? just curious im pretty sure that was your problem cause if you barely press on the screen youll notice waves in the lcd screen and since the bezels are so small on this device some cases can do that.

Cyko.Tech67 said:
Did your old case hug the bezels tight? because it tends to mess with the digitizer perhaps the incipio feather case? or a plastic case of some sort? just curious im pretty sure that was your problem cause if you barely press on the screen youll notice waves in the lcd screen and since the bezels are so small on this device some cases can do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone was naked, no case at all.

wholemilk said:
The phone was naked, no case at all.
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Click to collapse
thats extremely odd but im glad you got it fixed!

Thanks! This case is never coming off! haha

My phone has that very problem and it's driving me insane.. i love this phone, but it truly is a hassel to use it after its been idle for awhile.. or at night... hands no where near the sensor or anything, it could be laying straight up or down n itll still have that problem.. thanks for reading.
I normally just wipe the sensor area, n it magically starts working again.. n i don't touch it, n the problem comes back after awhile....
Also naked phone besides screen protector, but it's not covering up the sensor.

My phone does the same thing. It's so ****ing annoying.