Database Users

app needed to use universal as a night time clock

Hi all.
Dont flame me for this strange request.
My bed side clock is about to die so instead of getting a new one, I am thinking of using my universal as a replacement. My problem is that having the display on even with the backlight set to minimum is too bright for night time use.
With the backlight turned off the display is useless when pitch black so does anyone know of an application I can use that'll allow me to have the backlight on all night whilst charging on a very low setting so that it can be seen in the dark but not light up the whole room.
I assume the built in alarm function will wake me in the morning so dont need to replace that...
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Good luck trusting any Windows Mobile-powered device to wake you up reliably. I thought my Exec was better than my XDA2 but no. It still fails from time to time.
However, if your machine is to be left turned on all night (on charge) then there's a possibility it might be reliable. I'd run it alongside your alarm clock for a while though before trusting it.
I like the idea of the app you request. vijay555 managed to get the screen backlight to respond to settings above the normal control panel range with his VJLumos app - perhaps it can also be set lower using a similar method.
You'll still need a large enough clock display to be readable with blurry eyes at night though.

Incidentally, you can set your Exec to turn the backlight off after (say) 30 seconds of inactivity, but then use the backlight hardware key (next to the volume slider) to turn the screen backlight on again when you need to know the time in the dark.
Just a suggestion

ptravelalarm is an app that displays big clock digits, in landscape mode too. Perhaps worth checking out in conjunction with the backlight hack? oh, and it features loud alarms with volume override too.
Pocketclock is another app but is only 2003 compatible though i kow there is a beta wm5 version available. Not sure when it will be released fully, or if it will support landscape mode (which the beta didn't).

Have a look at 'stoptime'....
And yes it's reliable ! I used it for months for taking my medication (and it's dosing was quite time-dependant !)

jpiek said:
Have a look at 'stoptime'....
And yes it's reliable ! I used it for months for taking my medication (and it's dosing was quite time-dependant !)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are u using this app on a wm5 pda? I checked out the site and it seems to mention 2003 and earlier, plus no updates since 2004?

No, on a WM2003 ...

jpiek said:
No, on a WM2003 ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the thread title it's for use on a Universal, therefore wm5 (unless he's seriously tweaked his roms ). Shame, because it looked interesting...

Here's what I have as my Alarm.....
It is SPB Time v.1.1 which you can find here :
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/time/?en
In the picture below, it is set as BLACK CLOCK and also displays the calendar aside from the time in Digital format.
There a lot of diffeent skins available for free and also you can choose between analog, digital or world clock....

phupton said:
My problem is that having the display on even with the backlight set to minimum is too bright for night time use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seconded. The minimum backlight brightness setting is way too bright. Is there any way to influence this in the registry?

the big clock display looks great with that spb product. Just need a hack to sort out the bright display at night time now.
Its not something I can do but if anyone knows of someone that might be able to help then point me in their direction...

I use the ptravel alarm on a daily basis, as commented above though, the dim setting is still bright enough to light the room. If that can be dimmed further then will be fantastic.
As for relibility, the only time it has failed when on mains was due to finger trouble...

I'd suggest something like that Big-Clock from SPB, if you run the Exec while it's plugged in the backlight will stay lit - all you need is a black background with dark coloured numerals so that the light output isn't that much (on lowest backlight obviously).
You'd ALSO need to turn off the flashing LEDS - I've discovered these are really very bright in a darkened room and very irritating.

Chronos is also very good, only analogue clocks though, although it says it is skinable and I would like it in digital...
Anyone know how to skin Chronos???
http://www.activekitten.com/en/games/detail.php?ID=351
Regards Simon

Spoiled from WIZARD - Screen brightness - who has an idea?

While playing with my HERMES I noticed the following:
First:
The screen is not as bright as on the WIZARD!
Second:
When turning on the camera you shortly can see that the backlight gets increased while opening the CAMERA application. Now, that tells me that there could be a way to increase the background backlight permanently over its default maximum.
Has anyone an idea? I tried already to raise the registry values for backlight without success.

VJ's
There is a program by VJ called super bright I believe it what you are looking for, if so post a little love for VJ's hard work here is the link
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/releases/vjlumosiii/vjlumosiii.exe

Well, it makes the screen nice and bright - that's for sure!
The drawback's on this neat little application: You can't shut it down other than restarting the PDA, you can't adjust brightness and you can't use the CAMERA as long as the application runs.
I just wonder if the brightness could be increased via Registry Hack - that would be great!

how very odd! i've noticed that comparing my Vario I (Wizard) with my Vario II (Hermes) the Hermes has a considerably better and brighter screen! the colours are a lot more 'fuller'!
i havent tried the 'VJ' app, but will do when i get home,
why would you want it so bright anyway?!

Well, the brightness helps while watching a movie on the go!
Also if you do some work on the road or navigation in the car it comes in handy. I just wish the application mentioned above would not have so many side effects ...

Junner2003 said:
Well, it makes the screen nice and bright - that's for sure!
The drawback's on this neat little application: You can't shut it down other than restarting the PDA, you can't adjust brightness!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just 'click or ok' Super Bright the same way to turn it on or off (no pda restarts needed).

Run the program again to shut it off. I mapped it to one of the hardware buttons.
Thank you vijay555!

IPAQ 600 series: Annoying problem where screen turns brightest on recording sound

It's really annoying when you're in someplace and just after you press the record button and suddenly the screen turns full blast bright! People around starts to turn their heads in your direction... Does your ipaq 612/614 pda's spits unwanted light rays in your face as well?
Do you know how to disable this, perhaps a registry tweak we can do?
Thank you so much

i believe my backlight fix (reg fix) will fix that, check the post in the backlight controller thread

thanx keyx,
you never fail to be helpful

Hi keyx,
I think you should try pressing the record button using the memo program.
I'm sure it still turns bright even after you follow the instructions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4527543&postcount=94
Which line specifically prevents the screen to bright?
TIA

sabertooth said:
Hi keyx,
I think you should try pressing the record button using the memo program.
I'm sure it still turns bright even after you follow the instructions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4527543&postcount=94
Which line specifically prevents the screen to bright?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the note app is designed to force backlight on while recording (like gps app that keep backlight on)...you may want to look for other app that does not do that or try disable backlight globally...
if you use my rom you can use the voice commander button on the side of the unit to turn screen off, it should keep the app going

I've tried other recording programs, also still forces the backlight to turn on to high gear.
I'm currently using backlight controller to turn it off while recording, but sometimes you just need to leave the screen on.

There is a Hardware bug in the iPaq 600 phones.
This bug causes "static" to be heard in all recordings if the screen goes dim.
HP was aware of it and so sent out a "fix" except they did not fix anything all they did was force full screen brighness for the duration of the recording so that you never encounter the bug.
If you disable the screen brightness via a reg key chances are you will here the static in your recordings.
Btw i have not tested keyx's reg fix
little more info here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=481905

thanks branded,
I'd rather have it bright than clicking noise

Automatic backlight broken or just badly designed?

As far as the automatic backlight setting goes, it is my understanding that the phone should check how bright (or dark) it is, and adjust the display brightness accordingly (brighter when out in the sun, darker when sitting indoors / dark rooms).
However, it seems to me it just sets the backlight at ~40% and that's it. I went out into the sun with my HD2, and the brightness didn't change and I had trouble seeing what was on the screen.
Is there some kind of way I could test, if the light sensor is working? Or is this setting simply badly designed and I should set the brightness myself?
I'm currently running latest Energy ROM (23569 Cookie May 09) but it was the same with the stock ROM, so I don't think it's related.
PS. A little side question, if I may; if I perform task 29 before flashing... do I still need to do a hard reset after flashing a new ROM?

...in the very least... are there any apps that make use of the light sensor?

Well I know the acctualy percentage in the settings never changes when its on auto (atleast not for me)
But I can clearly tell a difference between being in a dark room and the backlight being on low
to being in the sun and it on max.
Ive also never had trouble reading the screen, the screen is always plenty bright enough.
Prehaps you've got a bad one?

Shaamaan said:
...in the very least... are there any apps that make use of the light sensor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know an app that can measure the amount of light in lumers.

lonelykatana said:
I know an app that can measure the amount of light in lumers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Care to share the name of that app?
Also, it's difficult for me to say if the screen is busted or not. On max brightness (as opposed to the automatic setting) it's a lot more comfortable to look at in the sun, albeit indoors it's OK on any setting really.
EDIT: I don't suppose the automatic setting can be tweaked for better performance via some registry changes?

Shaamaan said:
Care to share the name of that app?
Also, it's difficult for me to say if the screen is busted or not. On max brightness (as opposed to the automatic setting) it's a lot more comfortable to look at in the sun, albeit indoors it's OK on any setting really.
EDIT: I don't suppose the automatic setting can be tweaked for better performance via some registry changes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's called Lumos.
Try searching for it.

You certainly can test it. Just cover the light sensor (upper left corner above the screen) with something. I don't recommend thumb, as you might press 'start' button. You will also need any application with white background.
The brightness should clearly drop.
Auto only sets the brightness from 20% to 60% (or so it seems). But the effect is clearly visible.

Dr.Sid said:
You certainly can test it. Just cover the light sensor (upper left corner above the screen) with something. I don't recommend thumb, as you might press 'start' button. You will also need any application with white background.
The brightness should clearly drop.
Auto only sets the brightness from 20% to 60% (or so it seems). But the effect is clearly visible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No change at all.
I'll restore the stock ROM to see if it's a firmware issue, and I'll check that Lumos application.
EDIT: Lumos clearly detects light changes and works well. Seems it's either something to do with Energy ROM after all or possibly I'm just blind and I can't see any changes. I'm still going to check the stock ROM, just to be safe.
BTW, once more, can someone tell me quickly if hard resets are needed after task 29?
EDIT 2: OK, it DOES work after all, I'm just blind; the change however, on the automatic settings, is minimal. I actually had to put the phone under a light-bulb, as covering the sensor didn't really work. I wonder if it should be calibrated like the g-sensor...

night time
i think the day time brightness is fine but the night time setting is far to bright. i would love for this to be customizable as well

rdbthrgnaRDg

Dr.Sid said:
Auto only sets the brightness from 20% to 60% (or so it seems).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can this range be increased?
For indoor use the auto-adjust works fine for day/evening/night, but outside I always need to turn off the auto-adjust, so it can go to 100%. When back indoor again, then switch to auto again and so on ... and so on ... and ...

Just installed .NET CF + Lumos and will see how it works out.
.NET CF for laptop and automatic install to HD2 via ActiveSync:
microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=E3821449-3C6B-42F1-9FD9-0041345B3385&displaylang=en
Latest Lumos v10 RC2:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450318

dimming backlight

Is it possible to dim the TF backlight further when the device is rooted? I personally feel the minimum setting is stlll somewhat too bright for me when in the dark. It would also save some extra battery life i guess but that`s not the main issue

as far as im aware this is not been achieved yet, however i believe the app screen filter is succesful for some but never tried it myself
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.haxor&feature=search_result

thering1975 said:
as far as im aware this is not been achieved yet, however i believe the app screen filter is succesful for some but never tried it myself
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.haxor&feature=search_result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh this works like a charm thanks! Single tap dims the screen to the preset brightness level i can decide upon myself. Way darker than stock

glad it works may try it myself now lol!

That is a great app. Now if there was only a way to dim the arrow keys too.