Change Start Menu Button action? - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

Is there a way to change the behavior of the Start Menu Button? Basically i'd rather have it simply show the today screen rather than the actual menu. Alternatively i'd even prefer that it ignore the press and not show the menu. With many of us already having application launchers on the today screen, the start menu is redundant.
I apologize in advance if this is inappropriate for this forum.

To avoid not being able to access the start menu at all, you could enable it with a long key press of the start menu button.
Tap = return to Today Screen
Hold = show Start Menu
This would seem like a nice thing to have. Is such a thing possible? Perhaps with Mortscript?

What PDA do you have?
If you have a PDA/phone you just do a single press of the "hang up" button?

WM itself doesn't allow to change the start menu action. However, it's possible to put another app on top, like WisBar Advance, SKMenu, and similar tools do. But I don't know of any free and lightwight app which only replaces the start menu button.

onlinespending said:
With many of us already having application launchers on the today screen, the start menu is redundant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree! Have searched this for a long time, but it seems it can't be done.
I would love if Visual Task Manager started when i press the windows icon.
Please return if you find a application to replace the start menu button. Thanks, i offer a kiss in payment

This program will do it. http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gspocketmagic-v1-32-19.html
Just that the icon becomes so ugly but i think it's worth it

Related

Jog Button

What is the Jog Button program?
It seems to have installed itself on one of my hardware buttons and ocassionally scrolls through several functions when that button is pressed.
I know how to change the button assignment but am wondering if there is something about Jog Button that we will want to use?
JogButton was just a freeware app we liked which allows multiple functions to be controlled by a single button. Feel free to re-assign the apps using JogButton's 'Tools' menu, or to use the button for something else entirely.
X
Thanks for the quick reply.
Do you know where I can find a help file for instructions for Jog Button?
I couldn't find it within the device and in playing with the program it just doesn't come to me.
JogButton Instructions
Fairly simple once you get the hang of it...
1. Press-and-hold the contacts button to activate JogButton. This causes the programs in its list to scroll/cycle
2. Release the contacts button when the icon of a program that you want to activate appears
Setup
1. Press-and-hold the contacts button
2. Click on the tools menu at bottom of screen
3. Select setup from the tools menu
4. The dialog that shows lists the programs and order of cycle.
5. Add/Delete/Edit as desired
6. The Snd check box is a toggle for sound/no-sound (a beep as each program is shown)
7. Duration is the number of milliseconds that an icon is shown
Hopefully that answers you questions
I'm the author...
Tek
Thanks for the reply. You are a genius!
This seems like a very handy app.
Joe_PDA
other buttons
What about using this very simple app on the calender button.
Have your "serious" stuff on one side,
then "toys" on the other..
I presume you have future plans, so give us a clue please
Perhaps even ask for ideas...
Martin
JogButton - Future Plans...
I started coding an alt-tab like feature into JogButton, but was not sure if that would be useful for anyone other than me. As you may know alt-tab in the Windows world scrolls you through the open list of of apps in a Last-in-first-out/Most Recently Used fashion. This would be useful for switching between two apps, the downside would be that you would have to remember the order. I was thinking of putting a toggle on either the menu or in the setup dialog to select this mode.
As for using two buttons, it is possible,but the way PocketPC handles the programs assigned to a button they have to have different names. I would of course have to make a few minor adjustments to allow for this, but it is possible.
I'm up for any suggestions to make this program more useful. Start a list and let's see what we get.
8)
Re: JogButton - Future Plans...
tekknogenius said:
I'm up for any suggestions to make this program more useful. Start a list and let's see what we get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bug: by timing a quick press just right, I can get it in a mode where it keeps cycling through the programs even though I've released the button already.
I think I was unable to map it to both the hardware buttons using a different list of programs to cycle through for each button. Since a single short press still does the same thing, there's really no reason not to map it to the second button also. (?? Quick hack: map second button to patched Jogbutton2.exe, using different set of registry keys. Better: multiple small stubs which start the real exe telling it which stub was executed. ??)
Maybe map a special action to pressing both buttons at the same time?
Also, something like 'double-press' and 'triple-press' found in some other programs to quickly go to the second and third item (or completely different items) without looking at the phone would be handy. I never really use the rocker-switch, but it could be handy for app starting: just keep the hardware button pressed and hit one of the four directions or the center, giving you 5 new things (per hardware button) to start.
JogButton...
Good suggestions. I can enhance it to use all available buttons. I prefer to use one hand, but others might like to have more options available.
hmm, must be a n00b suggestion, but perhaps it would be possible to use the volume control button? i dont use it for anything anyway.
Only two options... that I know of...
On the XDA/MDA PPCPE there are only two mappable buttons, unlike other PPC that have four or five. It's either the contacts button or the calendar button. Now once an app is mapped to either button and the app is launched, it can control any of the buttons. As a side note, the volume button would be great if it were dual functioning: a press-and-release brings up the volume dialog; a press-and-hold would bring up the record function.

Want a Challenge? I need a program created! I will pay $$$$

I know this is possible since HTC Managed to do it with their Large Start Bar and Quick Menu also has similar functionality.
What I would like is a program that would allow you to replace the start button with the ability to launch a specific program. I like SPB Mobile Shell and I want the SPB Menu attached to the start above.
Ideally like Quickmenu I would like two options. I would like a specific program to start when you press the start button and also a different program (or action) to run when you press and hold the start button.
Let me know if you would like to try and tackle this project!
Try WA3
Buy wisbar advanced then, it will do just that, but it cannot help with a drop down spb menu,
used WA for a while but it caused problems with my Touch. I don't want to run a full blown skinning program just to do this one feature.
if you mean the hardware button, you can use AEButtonPlus to do all that
No, I meant the soft start button on the top left hand corner of the screen.
bump it up!
fowen said:
also a different program (or action) to run when you press and hold the start button!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This can be done by Quickmenu already (activating an app by pressing and holding the soft start "button"), but I wonder how the system menu can be open if an assigned program being activated by a single tap of the "start"[email protected][email protected]??
Anyway, you might like to contact nanling, the author of quickmenu, to make your dream come true quicker^^" (check the quickmenu's thread in this forum and you'll find his website)
Changing button options and adding "press & hold" function can be dont with SPB Pocket Plus.
MM
iiiox said:
This can be done by Quickmenu already (activating an app by pressing and holding the soft start "button"), but I wonder how the system menu can be open if an assigned program being activated by a single tap of the "start"..@[email protected]??
Anyway, you might like to contact nanling, the author of quickmenu, to make your dream come true quicker^^" (check the quickmenu's thread in this forum and you'll find his website)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed quickmenu and saw that you could change the options but I couldn't find a way to set it to a specific program. I also emailed nanling and didn't get a response. I also (unless I read the date wrong) see that he hasn't been online for quite some time.
MaxMotus said:
Changing button options and adding "press & hold" function can be dont with SPB Pocket Plus.
MM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't change the start button with SPB Pocket Plus.
bump it up!
nobody can do this?
anyone?!?!
I want to give someone money!

How to assign a hardkey to HTC Quick Menu (Task Manager)?

I like HTC Task Manager's feature, that enables the Quick Menu when pressing the X-button. But I would like to acces the Quick Menu with a hardkey.
Does anybody know how that can be done?
Give SPB Pocket Plus a try.
tyguy said:
Give SPB Pocket Plus a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, SPB Pocket Plus has the taskmanager like the Quick Menu. But the reason why I like the one from HTC - is because it is finger friendly.
I have tried the Touch Commander Suite - it has a great task manager (quick menu). But it is not that consistent in its performance - and it keeps closing down - and the only way to get it back is with soft reset. :-(
I thought he meant how to assign a hardware button ... use the button feature from Pocket Plus was my suggestion NOT the task mgr.
actually just coming in my head... do you mean HTC Action Screen. This works perfect with Pocket plus (I have it on long press PTT on my AT&T Tilt).
tyguy said:
actually just coming in my head... do you mean HTC Action Screen. This works perfect with Pocket plus (I have it on long press PTT on my AT&T Tilt).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I mean the Quick Menu that you can see on the attachment.
Yes, I'm thinking about this too considering that HTC Task Manager is only available on the Today Screen. It would be nice to be able to access it while in other applications. So, I guess a hardware key mapping is the best solution. Anybody?
Pocket Plus has an "Alt-Tab" function which can be mapped to a hardware key. It'll open a window and either with the stylus or scroll wheel you select the task, press OK (or press the scroll wheel) and you are there.
PPCBANDIT said:
No, I mean the Quick Menu that you can see on the attachment.
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Click to collapse
If you only want to access that from today screen, HButton does a good job for that. I add the "OK/Close" function to one of the HButtons, and assign that to the "OK" button in the settings->buttons. This way I can use the "OK" button to close most of the running programs, and while in today screen, one hit on the "OK" button will bring up the list of programs in the picture you attached.
tyguy said:
Pocket Plus has an "Alt-Tab" function which can be mapped to a hardware key. It'll open a window and either with the stylus or scroll wheel you select the task, press OK (or press the scroll wheel) and you are there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with the Alt-Tab function is, that you are not able to close one (or all) of the programs - like you can with the Quick menu
wearefree said:
If you only want to access that from today screen, HButton does a good job for that. I add the "OK/Close" function to one of the HButtons, and assign that to the "OK" button in the settings->buttons. This way I can use the "OK" button to close most of the running programs, and while in today screen, one hit on the "OK" button will bring up the list of programs in the picture you attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please explain. When I go under settings->buttons, I can only ad the "ok/close" function. Are you saying, that you also have an "ok" function, and when you map the ok function to a hardkey, then you have the list of the programs pop up on the today screen??
PPCBANDIT said:
Please explain. When I go under settings->buttons, I can only ad the "ok/close" function. Are you saying, that you also have an "ok" function, and when you map the ok function to a hardkey, then you have the list of the programs pop up on the today screen??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to install HButton.
I use Handy Menu, not free though. 4.99 I think. It also gives you some other functions, and it is configurable. I have it mapped to long press camera button.
Quick Menu 2.7 does exactly that. All you have to do is tap the start menu. a list of programs running and an X to kill them.
Much quicker than looking for a way to edit taksmanager/Xbutton3(?)
Highly recomend it. I don't use anything else.
Also, you can cook it too:
Install the app; set up your options; export the registries; make a package from the cab (for dsm/rgu ); copy the contents of the reg export to the rgu using text editor. Package complete! now you can cook it and have your options be like you need them.... and there are so many!
PPCBANDIT said:
I like HTC Task Manager's feature, that enables the Quick Menu when pressing the X-button. But I would like to acces the Quick Menu with a hardkey.
Does anybody know how that can be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found the solution already? i would also like the htc task popup into a HW button
rocho said:
found the solution already? i would also like the htc task popup into a HW button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, thanks wearefree for the tip. Use HButton, its OK/Close button handling is different from OS, so it makes exactly what we need. I mapped HW button 2 on my Wizard to HButton and it simulates OK/Close. When any app is in front it minimizes it and when I'm on today it shows HTC Quick Menu.

qmenu

I searched, but only found one thread as to where to get Qmenu. Does anyone use it? I really like it, only I can't seem to get it to open every time when I hit my start button. I know there is a setting for it to replace the system start menu, but even checked, it only sometimes opens the Qmenu by default, and usually opens my regular start menu. This app would be great if it opened every time when start is hit. Anybody have a solution?
In the options there is a setting that opens the regular start menu on long press. I set my long press to reboot. If I dont take the start icon quickly it will give me a reboot dialog box. See if its just a tap speed issue you are having. QMenu is awesome and the newest version is really sweet.
I love qmenu, without it WM seemed too simplistic & tedious.
Had the same 'problem' about the start menu too at first, but I was new to this diamond & too heavy handed. The baby needs caressing gently.
haha thanks for the replies guys, I was just being stupid and did not realize that hitting "start" and hitting the little windows icon are too different things. hitting the button in the middle opens up the regular menu, and the small icon opens up the Qmenu. I guess I just wish hitting start (easier) would open up Qmenu

How to map the start key and button to a program?

How can i map the start menu key and button on the screen to an application because i want when start is pressed to open my hp shortcuts instead of the start menu. Is it possible?
Settings\Buttons or AE Button Plus, use google to find out about it.
Please in future post in the correct sub forum as this is a Q&A....
yes the button on the phone's keypad but i also want the button on the screen? I saw in one video posted here that on toshiba ppc when the start menu is pressed on it opens a folder or a program and not showing the deafult start menu. Oh and stylez thanks for your quick reply
Yes, I would like a very similar thing. WM6.5 does this now. When you press on the Start Menu icon, it brings up the Honeycomb. Is there a way to assign any application to the Start Menu icon? Has such program been developed?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=486712

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