Database Users

Scrolling through Contacts - Inconsistent Feature?

Ok.....here is one for the gurus.
A while ago, by accident, I came across what I suspect is a feature in scrolling through Contacts which I could not replicate for the life of me.
Basically, when opening Contacts using the scroll wheel, I somehow managed to get a large icon appearing on the screen & I could then scroll through the individual letters of the alphabet. When I closed Contacts & re-opened it, I couldn't replicate it.
After playing around with it today, I got a step closer but buggered if I can make this feature stick permanently. May be it requires a registry hack.
To see what I mean:
1) Tap Contacts.
2) Scroll up or down until the text field is cleared.
3) Tap Menu -> Options -> Ok.
4) Now scroll up or down.
5) Goto 2
Another user over at Whirlpool Forums found the following method:
"The closest that I can think of is open contacts list, press and hold the down button on the 4 way direction pad, the large alphabet will show up after a second or two. Not very useful to me though..."
What I would like to see is that feature invoked permanently so that I can access Contacts from the Start menu using the scroll wheel & then being able to scroll through the alphabet.
I stumbled across this in the original ROM (shipped with Australian D810) but am currently using 1.23.707.6.
Ideas anyone?

I was wondering if this was possible as well. I hope there is a way to do this because this seems more useful to me when navigating the phone in portrait mode.

maybe its a bug, it happens when you open the contacts app, set focus on the search area, remove and restore focus on the app and press up or down.
this also works:
open contacts app
tap search area
press windows key twice( open and close start menu )
press down or up

I don't think it's a bug!
The way it works on my device is:
Place the focus anywhere in the Contacts list or Select box
Hold the Down or Up direction keys
After 2 screens of scrolling, the Large Letter scroller starts
Release when you reach the letter you want.

It is not a bug. It works on my Wizard, that if I were to press and hold my d-pad (no, I dont' have a wheel) long enough, the big letters will appear. So, in a scroll wheel case, I think probably you will need to scroll it fast enough/long/consistent enough for it to appear?

Apoc said:
set focus on the search area,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Apoc - I think you're onto something there regarding focus.
NeilM said:
I don't think it's a bug!
The way it works on my device is:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Irrespective of how you open Contacts & where the focus is, pressing & holding the up or down key on the direction pad will bring up the alphabet icon after 1 - 2 secs. My aim is to wholly & soley use the scroll wheel to open & search Contacts using the alphabet icon without touching the directional keypad whatsoever - only the scroll wheel.
hanmin said:
It is not a bug. It works on my Wizard, that if I were to press and hold my d-pad (no, I dont' have a wheel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May not be a bug on the Wizard, but potentially is on the Trinity/D810 utilizing the scroll wheel.
Apoc's comment re: focus had me perform some more testing & managed to get a step closer. Depending on how you close Contacts will determine whether you can open Contacts & scroll (using the wheel) through the alphabet successfully.
It seems that Contacts needs to be running in the background as a "running program" & is achieved by closing it using the side "OK" button after having put the focus in the search field using the scroll wheel. Will also work tapping the X to close unless you have configured X to actually close running programs.
To start off:-
1) Press side ok button to open Start menu.
2) Scroll to Contacts & depress.
3) Scroll up to set focus in search field.
4) Press side ok to close Contacts (actually closes as a running program).
5) Press side ok to open Start menu.
6) Scroll to Contacts & depress.
7) Now scroll through alphabet - Woohoo!
8) Scroll back to search field to set focus.
9) Goto 4
As long as Contacts runs in the background as a running program I can replicate this repeatedly, but once its closed fully, it seems that focus is returned to the first entry in Contacts rather than the search field hence preventing me from scrolling the alphabet when re-opening.
So, is this a bug or an inelegantly implemented feature?
[Edit] Perhaps a registry hack could set the focus on the search field rather than the first entry in the list. If that is at all possible & works then it definitely becomes a handy feature.

This is not a bug, its a function of windows mobile. It works the same way that an iPod does.

jlagden said:
This is not a bug, its a function of windows mobile. It works the same way that an iPod does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you not mean that it is a WM function that could be improved? The way I see it, depending on the method used to open Contacts depends whether one sees it as a function or not.
Unfortunately I don't have an iPod to compare with.

thunderbird1 said:
Do you not mean that it is a WM function that could be improved? The way I see it, depending on the method used to open Contacts depends whether one sees it as a function or not.
Unfortunately I don't have an iPod to compare with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what more would you want it to do? it saves you time scrolling from a to z.

jlagden said:
what more would you want it to do? it saves you time scrolling from a to z.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What saves time? Either I'm missing the point or you have mis-interpreted mine.

you can also use your keyboard and select the arrow up / down key for a few seconds to trigger the alphabet search (big letters).

andason said:
you can also use your keyboard and select the arrow up / down key for a few seconds to trigger the alphabet search (big letters).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers for that, but I've already noted that in my earlier posts.

thunderbird1 said:
What saves time? Either I'm missing the point or you have mis-interpreted mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are suggesting that it is a function that could be improved, but I don't see what gain you would get. This function is also present in an old WM2003 device that I have, so it clearly isn’t new.
If you want it to initiate instantly when you use the scroll wheel, you are only going to jump to the first contact in each alphabetical section. This is great if you only have one contact per alphabet letter, but if like most people you have multiple contacts in each section you will still have to do an additional scroll to select the contact.
The time saving is due to the jumping quickly to each alphabet section.

Opening the Calender during a phonecall

i'm in a phone conversation, and someone asks me if I'm available on a certain date, i would want to check my calendar to see if i'm available.
i wanted to do this yesterday but after looking for more then a minute (while the call was open) i gave up.
does anyone know how to do this or even if it is possible???
(so open my calendar during a phone conversation)

pin it to the start menu

push hardware home button. then hit calendar on home screen. hit call hardware button or phone status in task bar on touch screen to get back to dialer screen.

I have the calendar in the start program. Everyone by default also has the "Today" on line one of the start menu, which will minimize the phone, take you to home screen, and allow you to open Tasks (or in your case, calendar). Finally, use the close button (X in upper right) to close the phone. It doesn't disconnect the phone.

I have the calendar in the start program. Everyone by default also has the "Today" on line one of the start menu, which will minimize the phone, take you to home screen, and allow you to open Tasks (or in your case, calendar). Finally, use the close button (X in upper right) to close the phone. It doesn't disconnect the phone call even if you close the window (trust me, do it daily for work).

thx for the replies guys!

Blackstone Hints and Tips. PLEASE USE NEW THREAD ONLY NOW.

1. Using the Back Key
You can use the actual back key at the bottom of your phone to go back a web page or two in Opera, instead of bringing up the Opera menu and selecting the back arrow.
2. Exiting Volume Screen
For quick exit of the volume screen, tap anywhere in the dark grey background surrounding the vertical slider button.
3. Reduce Errors in Typing
In Input options, disable the number of words to show in T9 for less mistakes when typing and thus faster entry.
4. Improve Photo Thumbnail Resolution in Photo Tab
Modify or tweak a photo (such as adjusting brightness) using a image editor directly on your HD (eg: Resco Photo Viewer) and save and overwrite the original. This makes the photo thumbnails on your Photo Touchflo 3D tab hi-res instead of low-res.
5. Change the Order of Photos in Fav Album
Modify or tweak a photo (such as adjusting brightness) using a image editor directly on your HD (eg: Resco Photo Viewer) in the order you want your photos to appear on your Photo Touchflo 3D tab, as they are displayed in order of last modified/created date. The first photo you modify will be the last to show in your Photo Touchflo 3D tab and vice-versa.
6. Panning Around Zoomed Photos
Touch and hold a zoomed in photo until you see a white outlined box appear in the corner. You can now remove your finger from the screen and drag and pan the photo to see more of it.
7. Hi Res Contact Photos
Assign contact photos on your SD card directly to specific contacts for hi-res thumbnails. If you assign contact photos in Outlook and then sync, the contact photos on your phone will be low-res.
8. Better Contact Scroll Search
When scrolling Contacts, tap the letter AFTER the name you are looking for to make your results list from the top of the screen instead of the bottom of the screen. Eg: If you want to get to the 'P' names such as Paul tap 'Q' instead.
9. Hidden Weather Animation Easter Egg
In the Weather Touchflo 3D tab, tap on the black background to the left of the title 'Weather' and then immediately to the right of the title, again in the black background to see a hidden Easter Egg where the weather animations are cycled through. You have to be quick with your 2 taps.
10. Have Category Folders in Start Menu
Using a file explorer, add 5 new folders to your 'Start Menu' folder. Name them like: Web, Travel, Utilities, System and Media. Copy relevant shortcuts from you 'Programs' folder in your 'Start Menu' folder to each of these new folders. You will need to use a 3rd party file explorer to unhide system files and rom files to see the preinstalled icons to copy them to your folders. These icons are '.ink' shortcuts. Also copy the entire 'Games' folder and 'Office' folder from your 'Programs' folder direct to your 'Start Menu' folder. Finally uncheck all checked boxes in Menus in Settings page. This will allow all 9 folders to show in your Start menu on your home page, where you can access specific apps much quicker. Remember each time you install or remove a program/game, you have to either copy the new 'ink' icon to your category folder or delete it.
11. Use 3rd Party Teaking Apps
Use 3rd party apps like 'Advanced Config', 'HD Tweak' and 'SKTools' to tweak and optimise your HD further.
12. Disable Beam
Disable 'Beam' in Settings to conserve power.
13.Haptic/Vibration Feedback on HD
Use 3rd party app 'Touch Response' 0.02.2 to add haptic feedback on your phone to feel small vibration everytime you touch the screen in any app. Ideally useful for Keyboard entry.
14. Protect Screen from Breaking
Always carry the phone in your pocket with the screen facing your body to protect the glass from accidental external jolts/pressure.
15. Cover Up Blemishes on Casing
You can use a black permanent fine tip marker pen to cover up scrapes on paintwork of housing. Gently rub in with fingertip after a few seconds wait after applying pen.
16. Power Off Reset Action
Turn the phone off and on if you want to reset without taking the cover off or the latest version of HD Tweak installs a Reset icon which you can tap.
17. Temporary Stylus Attraction to Casing
Once you have taken your stylus out and you need a spare hand for a quick second, you can temporarily stick it magnetically underneath your HD along the right edge - instead of having to put it back in and then take it out again.
18. More Contacts per View
Show more contacts per page if you check "show contact names only" in 'Contact' options. You get 18 names per view as opposed to 12 and a half.
19. Fastest Way to Write New SMS
Quickest way to write a NEW text message is through the 'Contacts' list and NOT through the SMS Touchflo 3D tab. Best to assign a softkey to 'Contacts' so it is instantly accessible from your home page.
*Number of taps through Contacts is 3 or 4:
1st: Tap 'Contacts'.
2nd: Scroll to a name.
3rd: Tap the name
4th: Tap 'Send text message'
Automatically ready to start typing.
(Can be only 3 taps if your contact is within the first 18 contacts listed so no scrolling is required. This is based on using middle font size and "show contact names only" checked.)
*Number of taps through Messaging is 6 or 7:
1st: Tap Message tab
2nd: Tap new message icon
3rd Tap 'To:' text
4th: Scroll to a name
5th: Tap the name
6th: Tap the message area to shift the cursor from the 'To: field to the message field.
Now ready to start typing.
(Sometimes this can be 7 taps if you have more than one number for a contact and it asks you to choose which number to send the text message to. Amazing it does not automatically recognise a mobile number.)
20. Super Fast Text Entry
Use the standard built in (non HTC) Keyboard for super fast text entry with a stylus. Don't forget the gestures. Stroking upwards from a lowercase key inputs a capital letter. Stroking rightwards from any key to another inserts a space. Stroking leftwards from any key to another deletes a character. Stroking downwards from any key creates a new line. Using the Small keys means you don't have to switch to the numbers keyboard as all numbers appear above the QWERTY line. Even faster entry.
21. Keyboard Usage
When using the HTC keyboards, pressing and holding a key for a second or two will input the small grey character inside the key.
22. Contact Entry in SMS
If you start typing part of a name in the 'To:' field and hit enter, you will get a possible contact name to approve by hitting enter again. If there are more names to choose from, the arrows will turn white for you to scroll through the names by using the dpad buttons at the bottom of the keyboard.
23. Zoom Size and Zoom Location in Photo
When viewing a photo in the 'Album', you can not only choose where to zoom into but how much to zoom into. If you gesture a circle in the middle of the photo, then the photo zooms in with the middle of the photo filling the screen. If you gesture a circle near the top right corner, then that specific area zooms in to fill the screen. Also if you gesture a small circle you get maximum zoom. If you gesture a large circle then the photo only zooms in a little. Vary your circle widths to zoom in at various degrees.
24. HD Friendly Facebook Website
For a HD screen friendly Facebook website, rather than go to the full website, try the iphone version: iphone.facebook.com
You may need to double tap to zoom out.
25. Messaging Gestures to Ease Use
In 'Messaging' you can move from message to message or account to account just by swiping your thumb left or right across the screen. Imagine each message/screen is laid out before you horizontally in a row, left to right with the most recent message on your far left and your oldest message on your far right. By shifting all messages to the right gets you to the beginning of the row and to the newest message. Vice versa for older messages. Visualising this as you swipe lets you know if you are going up or down your email/sms list.
26. Activate Links Without Zooming-In in Opera
If you are tired of having to double tap a web page to zoom in just to activate a link, try this:
In the Opera url bar, type: 'opera:config' (without the ' ' ). Click on 'Adapative Zoom'. Next change the default number in 'Minimum Overview Zoom' to 70 or higher. Scroll down a bit and hit 'Save' and restart Opera. You can now click on links with your stylus when you are fully zoomed out on a web page.
27. Using the Casing Buttons in Darkness
To see the four hard buttons in the complete dark, place one hand parallel with the bottom of the phone. The light from the screen reflects back onto the buttons making them clearly visible. Alternatively it is also quite easy to estimate where the buttons are by visually dividing the lower edge of the backlit screen into quarters and pressing below the relevant section.
28. Increase Quality of Photos
To increase the quality of photos, open the Camera, go to Settings, Advanced, then Image Properties. Increase Contrast to 4, Saturation to 4, and Sharpness to 5. Now you will have better definition and much more realistic colours. Also don't forget to choose Super Fine under Quality in Advanced Settings menu.
29. Reduce Blurriness in Photos
To focus better, have shutter set just to Touch. After you have touched you have the whole three seconds to steady your hand and take a non-blurry photo.
* Last updated 25th December

Thanks for the tips some of them are really useful.

thanks for the tips...
really helpful ones!

Thanks. Did not know about #9--very nice and interesting. Indeed, the old adage of learning something new everyday, is true.
--cheers

aabye said:
Thanks. Did not know about #9--very nice and interesting. Indeed, the old adage of learning something new everyday, is true.
--cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Thanks.

great tips, thanks a lot. besides, why disabling the "Beam" would conserve my power? will that do me good already if I turn off my Bluetooth almost all the time?

Great tips!
Thanks for sharing!!
By the way, is there any way to change the contact to display First name, Last name style?

flywithme said:
Great tips!
Thanks for sharing!!
By the way, is there any way to change the contact to display First name, Last name style?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Go to your specific contact and edit it. Look for file as under the name and you can change it there.

really nice info mate thanks

Knowing how to close the infamous volume sliders quickly was a very useful tip!

great info, especially #6,8 & 9
thanks

Here's another:
Press and hold the power button to turn the device off. Then press the power button again to turn it back on. Similar to a soft reset without having to open the back cover and pulling out the stylus.

Flashing HD
I am thinking about buying an HD on eBay. I have done Hard SPL before on my AT&T Tilt. I am looking at device locked to Orange. Please let me if I can do Hard SPL without having to boot the device.

vapor said:
Here's another:
Press and hold the power button to turn the device off. Then press the power button again to turn it back on. Similar to a soft reset without having to open the back cover and pulling out the stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, is absolutely astonishes me every time that people don't realise that a soft-reset is the same as turning it off and then back on again, and that what you described is how you turn the device off.

xchicagoan5 said:
Please let me if I can do Hard SPL without having to boot the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can't.

Thank you very much!! Very helpfull!

Updated. 5 new entries.
Please submit tips and I will update the first post so it is always easy to see the latest tips.

Anyway of making the calendar start on month view instead of day view, for the record I did turn month view in extra>options to month view on start but it would automaticly switch to day view before I could even see the month view clearly.

the keyboard one would have been useful if it was in the other keyboards...

Nightstalker79 said:
Anyway of making the calendar start on month view instead of day view, for the record I did turn month view in extra>options to month view on start but it would automaticly switch to day view before I could even see the month view clearly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The calendar will always open in the view you select if you load it from start -> calender or start -> programs -> calendar, but if you load it from the TouchFlo 3D home screen it will load the agenda view because you're actually tapping an agenda item not a "open calendar" link despite what it appears to be! (this is shown by the fact that when you do have a calendar entry for the current day, the "calendar" button is replaced with the agenda item instead of added to.

Disabling buttons?

I'd like to disable three btutons if possible...
Those two soft keys on the keyboard (for the bottom left bottom right of the screen buttons if you know what i'm refering to; if not.. the one that closes your sms when you accidently hit it!!)
If i could get it app specific thath would be awesome; could disable those for messaging app then disable the center select from the four way directional for the emulator i use;
Problem with the meulator is that button PAUSES the game
Any suggestions? Short of ripping them off? (Totally willing; it's frustrating.)

Dialer optimization - double tap / click to dial and up/down arrows

Guys,
does anybody know if and how can I make my dialer not dial the person when I single tap on the row but only highlight it and then use either the hardware dial button or the big green "talk" button ... or double tapping the highlighted row?
I find it very annoying when I tap an adjacent row by mistake and have to search again. This happens pretty often when I drive and have my HD2 on a stand but it also happens from time to time when hold the phone in one hand I try to select/dial the topmost row in the result list.
The last part brings another question - is there a way to add two arrow buttons at the bottom of the dialer which will go trough up/down through the list? These will be very helpful in such "car" situations and also in the case where the search criteria results in large list (more than 3-4 items) which requires a scroll (flip scroll) and/or hiding the dialing pad to see the full list. Currently I've mapped the Vol Up/Down keys for up/down directions with AEButtons but it's not very convenient / comfortable.
I'll try to make some kind of screen shot to show what exactly I mean but I believe you get the point.

Here are the screen shots - the original and the modified (using paint)
It would be great if somebody can make such a dialer ... or explain what I need to make it myself. (the arrow buttons should stay visible when one hides the dialer ... or when the user presses them to start moving the "focused" contact just as if hardware arrows are pressed).

pankov said:
Here are the screen shots - the original and the modified (using paint)
It would be great if somebody can make such a dialer ... or explain what I need to make it myself. (the arrow buttons should stay visible when one hides the dialer ... or when the user presses them to start moving the "focused" contact just as if hardware arrows are pressed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure but I don't think I can do it. I'm not to good at editing those resource dll files.
Someone like RyanMogul6800, or Fards, would know about this. Maybe senf one of them a PM.