Summary:
I'm starting this thread as a dedicated effort to enhancing the integration of the HTC TouchFLO Cube onto non-"HTC Touch" devices, without requiring a different version of touch.dll to be installed on the device via a new ROM.
Current Status:
WHAT'S DONE
Much research in learning how the cube works
Development of some theories
Development of a testing app to test theories
Proof of concept app built to prove the theories
Using FTouchFlo, I have all 4 motions assigned to the correct cube task ... and it's all working!
Slide up - open
Slide down - close
Slide right - spin right
Slide left - spin left
Added new feature, where LR, RL, and UD finger swipes can execute other tasks if you perform them when you're not on one of the cube faces. Read Project Status 11-12 entry for details
Added an option to allow LR, RL gestures to open & spin the cube even when biotouch is not running. Not sure if this is actually the way the Elf works, but some people want it
Conversations have been started with efrost about integrating our work here directly into FTouchFlo. Talk about a speed enhancement!
Raven_coda has cracked the final piece of the puzzle!
I have implemented Raven_coda's changes, and my C# version works great ... StartUp items are sorted out now!
C++ version created ... speed is definitely improved
A few bugs fixed, a few issues addressed, and a few new features added
Beta release v1.1.0 available here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/72589345/TFloCubeCtrl_-_v1.1.0.zip -or-
Use the attachment at the bottom of this post
NOTE: This file is a zip archive, suitable for situations where you already have the HTC TouchFLO cube installed. If you have never installed TFloCubeCtrl before, then follow the TFloCubeCtrl - Installation instructions. If you're upgrading from v1.0.4, then use the TFloCubeCtrl - Upgrade instructions. You do *not* need to uninstall TFloCubeCtrl or the HTC TouchFLO cube in order to upgrade. For a complete cube installation, please check with duttythroy on his thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336482.
Newer cab built by xplode available here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/75947199/HTCCube_FTouchFlo_TFloCubeCtrlv110_Config-xplode.cab
Includes HTCCube + FTouchFlo v1.4.1 + TFloCubeCtrl v1.1.0 + TouchSettings v1.22 + FTouchFloConfig. This should also include all of the patches and fixes from the attachment list. However, if you installed the previous version of xplode's cab and are experiencing issues, try the following:
If you experience 2 apps launching from the MediaHubMini using Xplode's latest cab ... then replace the MediaHubMini.exe with the "patched" version below in the attachments. Either terminate the MediaHubMini process first then overwrite, or delete the MediaHubMini (preload) link from Windows\Startup, soft reset, then overwrite the file.
If you are having issues with QuickDial not functioning properly ... then replace the QD_Bar_NoBar_HL.png image file with the replacement version in the attachments. Also you can try replacing the version of QuickDial with the patched version in attachments below. Either terminate the QuickDial process first then overwrite, or delete the QuickDial (preload) link from Windows\Startup, soft reset, then overwrite the file.
WHAT'S LEFT
The black screen issues seemed to have all but disappeared. I believe we have determined the reason they were occurring, and have solved at least a vast majority of them.
Solve any remaining beta release bugs/issues
Once the beta seems good to people, get the code to efrost for him to integrate into FTouchFlo!
Rules:
For now, this thread is intended for people who already have a working version of the TouchFLO Cube on their system.
I'd prefer to keep this thread research & development oriented. I don't want this to turn into another thread of a million posts by people who are getting cube black screens and want help.
The cube still has a few unknown nuances/dependencies ... so this thread will be most suited for people familiar with alpha version software.
This thread is about integrating the original HTC TouchFLO Cube. I don't think we need a bunch of posts about how some 3rd party app is better, or how a Flash cube turns faster. There are other alternatives, yes ... this thread is about just one of those alternatives.
More as I think of them
Structure:
Post #1 is for general info
Post #2 will be project updates
Post #3 will be announcements / additional updates
Post #4 is some project background info
Post #5 we'll reserve for a hint/tips section
The rest is up to you guys
Donations
Thank you to all who have donated! Every donation makes me realize that other people are also interested in this project, and helps keep me motivated to continue expanding the functionality, and answering questions!
Props
JasonStern for his tireless research as to why QuickDial was failing on certain devices (see QD replacement image an new version attachments)
Musicman247 for providing me with files and sharing the work he has done with a true 6-sided cube
Zyphlin for pointing me to the work that Musicman247 was doing
Raven_coda, who despite being my mortal enemy at first , ended up discovering the key to breaking our dependency on the original biolauncher app!
duttythroy for creating his cab installer that started me down this path
efrost for creating FTouchFlo which makes the cube work with finger control
xplode for creating cab installers for me (even though he "hates" the cube )
techmonkie for responding to my RFI, and straightening me out re: launching/exiting
funman and Biffert for also helping me out with reference information from an actual HTC Touch users
jasjamming & Bepe for the original work on Touchflo Alpha
others ... I'm sure
Project Status
11-10-2007: Proof of concept app in C# is completed, and the four finger control functions are working! One major issue, is how to get back into the cube when biotouch is still running, but no cube app is in the foreground (like after you launch and close an app). So far, I can only get the startup animation when I start biotouch from scratch ... so the downswipe action runs the close animation, and then closes biotouch. It really seems like I should be able to call something to get a running instance of biotouch to re-execute the startup animation ... but I'll be darned if I can find it as of yet.
I'd like to get some input from users of an actual Elf or Touch Dual device. Ideally, someone who can run a process viewer app to see the processes behind the screen ... and even better if they have a tool like Remote Spy that comes with Visual Studio 2005. I think it would help me ... because right now I'm just guessing at what should be happening.
I need to figure out what pieces need to be in startup for my app to work. Basically, I've written my own version of BioLauncher ... which doesn't require biotouch to be running at all (it starts it on an upswipe). But so far, removing the ns script call from startup (bio.lnk) didn't seem to allow the biotouch animations to run. Need to do more research in this area. Everything works fine if I use my normal Touchflo Alpha install ... use the hardware button to loop through things (pre-loads all the cube apps probably), and then use my new app mapped to FTouchFlo. If none of this makes any sense to you ... read "How the TouchFLO Cube works" in Post #4.
11-10-2007 (after some sleep): I posted a message over on the Elf forum asking for some information about the behavior of the cube in certain situations. We'll see if I get any help. If anyone reading this knows of anyone with an Elf or Touch Dual (are they out?) ... then send them over to that forum, or check it out yourself and borrow their device for a bit
11-11-2007: I actually got an answer from the Elf forum techmonkie is indicating that biotouch doesn't really terminate on cube close, thereby indicating that there *has* to be a way to trigger the startup animation from a running biotouch instance. I was really starting to suspect that this was the case ... but this was the evidence I needed. Figuring this out will solve my startup woes ... and that should complete the interactivity with the cube. At that point ... I may consider a controlled alpha release, just to confirm that things are working as design on other devices. We'll have to see how things go. I'm going to refocus my investigation on triggering the open animation from a running biotouch ... but I may need some detailed analysis from an Elf ... we'll see.
11-11-2007 (update): Did I mention how much sleep this thing is causing me to lose?! Anyways, OK ... must have been the inspiration of knowing how it was actually working on an HTC Touch device, because with the info in techmonkie's response, and a little more digging into the assembly code of touch.dll to confirm, I've got the startup issues sorted out. In fact, biotouch.exe does indeed remain memory resident. There is a way to get the startup anim to run ... although I swear I tried this before, and it didn't work. The open and close animations even do a little screen fade-in. It's working quite well for me in fact! This is so sweet ... I went and downloaded a few other animations from the Elf Cube customization thread ... just to see then animate in my new fully-functional cube!
There's a few cleanup things to do for tomorrow ... and then it's on to sorting out the correct startup sequence. I'm still considering the controlled alpha release. Right now, you need to add it on top of a working cube ... which may not be bad for those that have working cubes!
11-12-2007: I had this thought earlier today ... I never really want a RL or LR swipe to bring up the cube and spin it, if the cube wasn't open before. You don't really know what page you'll land on ... unless you know where you left off last. I'm not exactly sure of the Elf's behavior on this point ... but I decided to add the ability for my cube interface to execute cube functions when the cube is open, or execute other apps if the cube is not open. For instance, I can have a RL swipe spin the cube when the cube is open, but the same gesture will launch Total Commander when I'm on the home screen I think it's pretty cool ... retains the cube interaction abilities, and still retains the "quick launch" nature of FTouchFlo gestures! Doesn't appear to slow it down much ... I'm hoping the C++ version is better anyways.
11-16-2007 (Announcement): New Announcements ... see Post #3 below.
11-20-2007: Hints, Bugs, & Issues section updated to include at least a start (prompted after yet another post about missing contacts tab in HTC Home . Development work on fixing the screen lock bug continues.
11-21-2007: Version 1.1 is under way with a few new commands available. Detect for screen lock and rotation seems to be working, and I'm hoping to fix a few of the other bugs. Also, use of link files for <App_2> parameter now work!
11-24-2007: Version 1.1 development continues. I removed the error message when using the openSpin<Direction> command and running in landscape mode. Also, I think I've fixed the "rainbow effect". Finally, I've adding another new command option: lock, which will execute the standard device lock. So some of the new commands are: minimizeAll, lock, lock-home, and somehow I'm going to work in a command to lock and suspend. Tossing around the idea of allowing screen rotation through gestures as well. So I think bugs 1 & 2, & possibly 3 are fixed, and issues 1 & 2 are adressed. A release is probably due, maybe by the end of this weekend.
11-25-2007: Version 1.1 seems complete. I've added screen rotation as well ... so the final list of new options is: lock (sub options of "home" and "suspend"), rotateDisplay (left and right), minimizeAll. I'll try to package it up in a new archive by tomorrow, after a bit more testing.
12-05-2007: Remaining issues still seem mostly centered around some devices having issues with QuickDial. I've gotten my hands on some new versions of the required apps, and am currently evaluating them. For the most part ... it looks promising that these will extend our cube functionality!
Announcements
11-12-2007: Limited Alpha Release
With this latest feature added ... and everything seeming to work perfectly on my device, I've decided to go ahead with a limited release alpha. It's just so cool ... and I know there are "Cube People" out there that wanted this just as much as me Basically, here's how it works.
You are not eligible for the alpha unless you already have the TouchFLO cube software installed and spinning to the right via FTouchFlo. Reason is that I was focused on rewriting the biotouch interface app first ... as that's the key component. There are lingering nuances to getting the TouchFLO cube apps themselves working ... but I'll be addressing that once I get past this phase. Don't worry ... I have plans on making this a simple cab installation for the whole enchilada ...
If you're interested in trying out the alpha version ... PM me, because I'd rather not have a bunch of one-line posts for people asking to test.
I'll give you the location of the zip file to download. This is alpha-ware ... so not fancy installers yet, but I guess I'll throw in a readme.txt file or something. It's pretty simple really ... assuming that you have a working cube.
Once you get things installed ... try it out. If you're having problems that seem like they might be installation/configuration issues ... then PM me about them first. I'd rather keep the posts as relevant to "general design/development" as possible.
Along the sames lines ... no need to post messages saying it works and whatnot, just PM me. Since it's not publicly available ... we don't really need pages of posts from people saying it works.
11-14-2007: Limited Alpha Release - ON HOLD
Alpha is on hold until I work through some issues ... and clear out some PM's Thank you all for your interest and feedback.
11-15-2007: Startup items are sorted out ... first beta version is on its way ... although apparently no luck in finishing that night
11-16-2007: First revision ported to C++. Need to do some testing and tweaking ... hopefully will finish tonight!
11-16-2007 (Update): Beta release v1.0.4 available here: http://rapidshare.com/files/70299288/TFloCubeCtrl_-_v1.0.4.zip. Currently just a zip archive, I may build a cab installer over the weekend, just for my app (for you that already have the cube installed). For a complete cube installation, please check with duttythroy on his thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336482
11-27-2007: Beta release v1.1.0 available here: http://rapidshare.com/files/72589345/TFloCubeCtrl_-_v1.1.0.zip. This file is a zip archive, suitable for situations where you already have the HTC TouchFLO cube installed. If you have never installed TFloCubeCtrl before, then follow the TFloCubeCtrl - Installation instructions. If you're upgrading from v1.0.4, then use the TFloCubeCtrl - Upgrade instructions. You do *not* need to uninstall TFloCubeCtrl or the HTC TouchFLO cube in order to upgrade.
Background
Background:
A few weeks back, I was inspired by the work of a couple of fellows who were working on a project to get the HTC TouchFLO Cube working on other HTC devices. You've probably seen the installation cab floating around in a couple of different threads. Like many of you, I quickly became enamored with the cube ... and jumped through all of the hoops to get it working (and I was one of the lucky ones who got it working).
The original work by jasjamming and bepe provided a cube that could spin to the right via a hardware button. Then, with the release of efrost's FTouchFlo ... you could get the cube to spin right with a finger motion. It was all great, but I wanted more! Two things bothered me greatly ... you could not spin the cube left, and once you launched a program ... the only way to return to the cube would be to spin it again.
So began a intensive week-long, late-night effort to learn as much as I could about the TouchFLO Cube, and if/how we could get it do more. I am very happy to report that much progress has been made ... and it is definitely feasible that we can have finger controlled spin left, right, open, and close.
How the HTC TouchFLO Cube works
The HTC TouchFLO Cube is really the collaboration of four separate executables, and an "interface". The four executables consist of one app per each each face of the cube (ApLauncher.exe = App Launcher; MediaHubMini.exe = Music, Photos, Video; QuickDial.exe = Contacts), and an application that facilitates the animation sequences for the cube (Biotouch.exe). Now, at this point I guess I'll point out that "cube" is really a bit of a misnomer. Since there are only 3 faces to this object + top and bottom, it's really more of a pentahedron, or a triangular prism if you like the sound of that better. The "interface" part is where things get interesting. On an HTC Touch (Elf) or Touch Dual ... the "interface" that detects finger swipes and translates them into calls to the biotouch application is the main touchscreen library: touch.dll. This is where we start running into problems trying to run the cube on other devices. Without modifying the touch.dll on a given device ... there will be nothing to interpret finger swipes and communicate to biotouch. This is the point the original work by jasjamming and bepe went down the path of attempting to map a hardware button to be used to spin the cube. An executable needed to be created that would interact with biotouch in the same manner that the touch.dll file would, and trigger it to run the spin right animation. I'm not exactly sure what process these guys went through to figure this out ... but they did. From there ... it was efrosts creation of FTouchFlo that brought the next revolution. FTouchFlo is an app that allows you to map a file to be called when it detects one of the four finger swipe motions (up-down, down-up, left-right, right-left). With this, you could now map that same executable that was assigned to the hardware button to the left-right swipe action in FTouchFlo ... and now your cube spins with a finger swipe.
That's pretty much where the development stopped. I did a lot of research on this ... but pretty much all I could find from that point on was various people's input about it not working on this device, sort of working on another, etc. I simply couldn't believe that no one was pushing to enable the other cube interactions! It frustrated me to no end to know that I had a cube that was capable of spinning left, but no way to tell it to do so. So I rolled up my sleeves, read through countless pages of posts about what had been done so far, downloaded a disassembler, performed a lot analysis and theorizing ... and here we are today.
Hints, Bugs, and Issues
Hints
Problem: I installed the cube, and now my Contacts tab in HTC Home is gone!
Resolution: Delete the registry key: HKLM\Software\OEM\MASD\QuickDial
Problem: I installed the latest cab, and now I have trouble completing a gesture
Resolution: Try changing the GestureWaitingDelay in FTouchFloConfig.txt to a higher value (i.e. 50000)
Problem: I can't figure out what/how to map the cube to my hardware buttons
Resolution: Download my zip archive from post #1, and read the TFloCubeCtrl - Readme.txt file
Problem: I don't know/understand the TFloCubeCtrl options in the FTouchFloConfig.txt file
Resolution: Download the TFloCubeCtrl - Readme.txt file from the attachments in this post
Problem: I'm not very technical, and I don't know what to do
Resolution: Be patient and wait for there to be a final release. This is a beta, and is therefore not polished to the point of a one-click install
Problem: I end up activating the cube when I try to unlock in Slide2Unlock
Resolution: Add s2u2.exe to the exclude list in FTouchFloConfig.txt
Problem: My Touch Settings application has no icons for the APLauncher
Resolution: Be sure to add the AL_xxx.png icons to your Windows directory
Problem: Editing the FTouchFloConfig.txt file is confusing/difficult
Resolution: Check out the FTouchFlo Configuration Tool by schaps here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=345568
Problem: I installed the latest Xplode cab, and MediaHubMini is launching multiple apps
Resolution: It's a known issue ... try replacing your MediaHubMini.exe file with the one from the attachments in Post #1. Be sure to terminate the MediaHubMini process first, or remove the MediaHubMini (preload) link from Windows\Startup and soft-reset
Problem: I installed the latest Xplode cab, and QuickDial is not working
Resolution: It's a known issue ... try replacing your QuickDial.exe file with the "DeviceCheckPatched" one from the attachments in Post #1. Be sure to terminate the QuickDial process first, or remove the QuickDial (preload) link from Windows\Startup and soft-reset
More to follow ...
Bugs (for TFloCubeCtrl only)
When the device is locked, but the screen is still "active", an up-down gesture in FTouchFlo will still bring up the cube ... although you then can't do anything with it. (Fixed in v1.1.0)
Link files (.lnk) do not appear to work when specified as the <Command_2> parameter. (Fixed in v1.1.0)
In some non-HTC devices (Eten M600), TFloCubeCtrl is unable to detect that the QuickDial cube app is running (related to QuickDial issue listed below)
A DeviceLock issue detailed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1730847&postcount=453
ICE (Infinite Cube Effect) issue as detailed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1732668&postcount=460
PM me to report other items you think are bugs
Other Issues
When launching the cube using a RL or LR gesture, and the cube isn't already in the foreground (aka using the openSpin<Direction> command), exiting the cube using the close command causes some interesting "rainbow" effects on the today screen as the cube app closes. The rainbow colors then disappear ... but it's very strange for a split second. (Seems better to some in v1.1.0, but not solved completely)
When you have openSpin<Direction> set up in FTouchFlo and you perform a RL/LR gesture when in Landscape mode, you receive an error message indicating that Biotouch is not running. (Fixed in v1.1.0)
QuickDial app is running slow on some devices, sometimes taking 3-4 seconds to display the actual contact name/photos. Although it was never that slow for me, v2.0 of QuickDial loads even faster. Xplode's cab installer linked to on Post #1 has QuickDial v2.0
On non-HTC devices, the QuickDial app does not seem to load. For QuickDial v2.0, this is due in part to validation that the program is running on an HTC device (I'm not sure if QD v1.0 does this). JasonStern has made some progress on the QuickDial issues ... see Problem/Resolution above
Great job!
this looks great, cant wait to see the results.
Hope this helps...
Hey Kona...that darn cube is addicting!! Im one of the few also that has the cube running flawlessly on my 8525..buttonflow that is! After alot of trial and error and lots of hard resets...i got it working. First thing to do is get the cube running after a hard reset. Second I installed gullum activate cube cab..View attachment activate_cube.CAB. Not sure what it did but the only time I have to launch biotouch is after opening keyboard....not even after a SR!!! I guess it keeps biotouch running or somehow launches it automatically. Just my 2cents...
niterdr said:
Second I installed gullum activate cube cab..View attachment 57648. Not sure what it did but the only time I have to launch biotouch is after opening keyboard....not even after a SR!!! I guess it keeps biotouch running or somehow launches it automatically. Just my 2cents...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know ... typically a Windows Mobile cab file contains a _setup.xml file. This file is what tells the OS what steps to perform in order to install the cab file. This particular cab file puts four shortcuts into the Windows/StartUp folder. It also inputs the typical TFLOSettings into the registry ... most of which don't really apply to us, because it's touch.dll that's looking at these registry entries, and unless you've got an HTC Touch version of touch.dll, nothing is looking at those. The exception would be the Kaiser, where it does use some of those entries for the integrated TouchFlo scrolling.
I can't say specifically why this works for you ... it's a little counter to my experience, where I was finding that links to pre-load the cube apps in the startup folder were actually contributing to my black screens.
Regardless ... I can say a couple of things about this: 1) this also seems to support the fact that biotouch normally remains in memory. I wasn't sure that was the case, because the only way I could see the startup animation was running biotouch from scratch. I got response from my RFI in the Elf forums that confirms this. 2) I suspected also that the Elf pre-loads all of the cube apps, so they don't lag on the first cube rotation. I'm not really sure why this didn't seem to work on my device ... and I'll definitely be revisiting this concept when I do the analysis to determine the correct configuration for loading the cube with my new software.
Thanks for the input!
hey, i dont understand, AJE has ported the whole Biotouch on the HTC P3300..
Then what do you want to reinvent ?
Can't you see with him directly ?
Kona, you're not the only one who wants this working on a Kaiser.
My girlfriend got herself a touch and now I'm all jealous about her cube
I'm a programmer myself and I've been looking at the touch.dll from the kaiser. But I can't find the dll from the HTC Touch. Could you maybe attach it here so I can have a look at that one too. (Or link to it) I don't have the biotouch cube installed yet.
Do you have any idea if the cube should run in windows mobile emulator in visual studio ? I think i'm going to try that... less messing with my kaiser.
cAnArdtichAud said:
hey, i dont understand, AJE has ported the whole Biotouch on the HTC P3300..
Then what do you want to reinvent ?
Can't you see with him directly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge ... some people have indeed successfully created ROMs with a functioning Biotouch Cube interface (Artemis, Charmer, Wizard to name a few). But to do this, they actually replace the version of touch.dll that normally comes on the device with the version that comes with the Elf. While this is obviously a viable and functioning approach ... it can only be done through flashing a new ROM.
I wanted to pursue an option that could be installed via a cab. I also heard that trying to flash the Elf touch.dll on a Hermes was not working. Finally ... I haven't seen/heard of anyone trying to put an Elf touch.dll on a Kaiser, and writing my own biotouch interface application seemed a lot easier than learning how to cook my own ROMs.
Damn..it could be grat !!! xD
Denhomer said:
Kona, you're not the only one who wants this working on a Kaiser.
My girlfriend got herself a touch and now I'm all jealous about her cube
I'm a programmer myself and I've been looking at the touch.dll from the kaiser. But I can't find the dll from the HTC Touch. Could you maybe attach it here so I can have a look at that one too. (Or link to it) I don't have the biotouch cube installed yet.
Do you have any idea if the cube should run in windows mobile emulator in visual studio ? I think i'm going to try that... less messing with my kaiser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be jealous ... if you've already got the cube running, then try out my alpha release! Will run just as good as the Touch!
I sent you a PM re: the touch.dll
As for running the cube in the Windows Mobile 5 emulator ... I'm not sure. I never really tried ... and I'm not exactly sure how it works. I guess you'd have to able to install apps into the emulator environment (4 TouchFLO cube apps plus their graphics and registry entries). Anyone care to chime in about trying to do something like this in the Visual Studio device emulator?
I think i'm lucky !
i've just download your alpha and tested it.
it works great on my french kaiser .
no bug till now.i've tested it till 30 minutes.
perhaps a bit slow at the first seconds and then everythings went smoothly !!!
i don't see what could be improved !
btw, just wanted to point that i've duttythroy alpha2 installed at first and it worked on my kaiser with some modification :
i deldted apl - biotouch - hub fom windows\start up
and deleted a key in registry: quickdial
nice work !
one more question : why the time limit ?
Kona, just one suggestion. Would be great if the Cube can be rotated L-R and R-F using the D-Pad as well. I think that is far more reliable and quicker than using the finger.
Thanks for continue to work on the TouchCube as I thought it was an unfinished business.
Kona_Mtbkr said:
No need to be jealous ... if you've already got the cube running, then try out my alpha release! Will run just as good as the Touch!
I sent you a PM re: the touch.dll
As for running the cube in the Windows Mobile 5 emulator ... I'm not sure. I never really tried ... and I'm not exactly sure how it works. I guess you'd have to able to install apps into the emulator environment (4 TouchFLO cube apps plus their graphics and registry entries). Anyone care to chime in about trying to do something like this in the Visual Studio device emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Kona,
Do you think that this would work in the Blue Angel running WM6? I am asking simply because I do not feel like re-flashing my device.... again
Thanks!!!
megaman said:
I think i'm lucky !
i've just download your alpha and tested it.
it works great on my french kaiser .
no bug till now.i've tested it till 30 minutes.
perhaps a bit slow at the first seconds and then everythings went smoothly !!!
i don't see what could be improved !
btw, just wanted to point that i've duttythroy alpha2 installed at first and it worked on my kaiser with some modification :
i deldted apl - biotouch - hub fom windows\start up
and deleted a key in registry: quickdial
nice work !
one more question : why the time limit ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear ... I hope you mean that even after the 30 mins, you still haven't had any problems.
The slowness in the first few spins of the cube is likely due to the fact that the individual apps for each cube face are not yet running, so they have to start up on the first spin. After that, it's much quicker to redisplay the cube face because those app stay memory-resident. In the installations that I've seen that use the ns script and Touchflo in the startup do not respond well when you try to "pre-init" the cube face apps in startup as well. I'm suspicious that it has something to do with this touchflo app, because in my mind, outside of preloading the cube apps, I don't know why anything other than FTouchFlo should need to be in startup. We'll see though ... I'll be working on getting a solid install from scratch soon.
And I agree ... I think dutty's alpha 2 install is a good base for me to start from (pending his approval). I'm hoping that I'll be able to rip the old parts out, and sub in my new app, and everything will work out great.
bchau said:
Kona, just one suggestion. Would be great if the Cube can be rotated L-R and R-F using the D-Pad as well. I think that is far more reliable and quicker than using the finger.
Thanks for continue to work on the TouchCube as I thought it was an unfinished business.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just thinking about what else I could try to add to my cube controller ... and spinning via dpad did cross my mind. This doesn't end up being exactly trivial, because I haven't made any mods to the actual biotouch.exe or any of the cube apps. When you're on a given face of an app ... it's that HTC app that is the foreground window. But I'm wondering if I can't register a listener for dpad events, and trigger the cube based on that. I'll put it on the wish list.
What can be done even sooner though ... is you will be able to assign any of the cube functions (open, close, left, right) to any hardware button you can assign a shortcut to. Actually, if you're familiar with link files, you can do it now ... but I'll be adding them in my next release probably too.
megaman said:
one more question : why the time limit ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops, forgot to answer this. I added an expiration date simply because this is a very early alpha release. It hadn't yet been tested on anything other than my device ... and I didn't want someone to go crazy and burn it into their ROM.
Fear not ... I will remove the expiration date when I feel that the software is ready for a prime-time release. Although, I could be using this alpha just to get people hooked, and then complain about the vast amount of effort I put into the project and lack of donations received ... and threaten to never release a new version
Nah ... I wouldn't do that
I would like to first start by saying that I have searched tirelessly on Google, XDA, and other PDA forums. Maybe I am just blind, but I can't seem to find it. In every Manilla 2D build I downloaded it came included with a version of HTC Audio Manager... It had a bigger, more finger friendly, library view. I checked the version last time I was on an M2D build and it said it was Audio Manager 2.*cant remember the rest*, but all I am finding on all of these cab collections is the older 1.0 version with the smaller library view. I was wondering if someone could help me...
You might have had one intended for VGA devices. I think I know what you're talking about, though, and I think it came with the final version of OpenTouch.
On that note, I'm looking for the version of Manilla2D that marks text messages as read when you read them in the M2D interface. If anyone knows where to get that, I'd be most appreciative.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=308366
post 10.
Yeah that CAB is for the previous version. Version 2 has larger menus and album art support... I ended up finding a way to get version 2 working on a non-Manilla ROM, but it involes using two cabs.
You install the HTC_Audio_Manager_2.2_1822.3925_L0.cab first, and then the 4. 2D_Audio_Manager.cab second. If you don't install the second cab, the application wont launch, if you don't install the first cab, the application wont show up in your Start Programs.
After you install both Cabs, the application will be located in Programs- Multimedia- Audio Manager.
Hi people,
I have just got my new Touch Diamond 2 and it's beautiful. I have spent several days googling looking for the best place of expertese for tweaking and customising, and it seems this is the place. I have never owned a Windows Mobile device or a HTC before, but I'm PC savvy and I want to tweak my new phone.
Among other things, I want to:
Be sure my phone uses Wifi when available instead of contract internet
Tweak the TouchFLO home screen (including analogue clock and RSS)
Find a list of the best and/or most popular mods/software
Where do I start and what do I need!
Congratz
As I've heard and noticed from my own TD2 is that it always uses wifi over data. But if you really want to be sure you can disable Data Connection in the Communication tab whenever you want to surf.
You can also in All Settings => Personal => Buttons configure that long hold button disables Data Connection.
As for tweaking I would download Diamond Tweak and Advanced Config
http://www.touchxperience.com/en/advanced-configuration-tool/downloads.html
http://montecristoff.webs.com/diamondtweak.htm
First law of windows mobile: keep the internal disk clean!
Install every new piece of software on the memory card.
For my TD2 I got a 16Gb microSD card and started with Advanced Configuration Tool v3.3 to tweak all storage-related paths to folders I created on the memory card.
A good place to start looking for tools is freewarepocketpc.net. A lot of more than decent free applications. The ones you don't like can always be removed in settings/system/remove programs, and replaced by commercial tools.
I disagree.. I used to install everything on the external card; and found two major disadvantages:
- some app will run a lot slower!
- if you use your sd card to store music video and other stuff
you better not have to change it...
I m more inclined to install less apps that filling the memory card with it.
The main use I have for the memory card is to store backups, documents, music, and install cab files.
robinVerdegaal said:
First law of windows mobile: keep the internal disk clean!
Install every new piece of software on the memory card.
For my TD2 I got a 16Gb microSD card and started with Advanced Configuration Tool v3.3 to tweak all storage-related paths to folders I created on the memory card.
A good place to start looking for tools is freewarepocketpc.net. A lot of more than decent free applications. The ones you don't like can always be removed in settings/system/remove programs, and replaced by commercial tools.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the tools to install?? I get an unsigned error for everything..
elmalote said:
As for tweaking I would download Diamond Tweak and Advanced Config
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why Diamond Tweak?
Better use HD Tweak:
http://www.montecristoff.com/hdtweak.htm
iluszn said:
How did you get the tools to install?? I get an unsigned error for everything..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't have any problems. I got a warning, but no error after continuing.
elmalote said:
You can also in All Settings => Personal => Buttons configure that long hold button disables Data Connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I saw those button settings but couldn't work out what they meant. What is this long hold button? Is it the dial button that if you hold puts it on speaker phone? And how would you configure it for disabling a data connection, I don't see and option that would allow this?
I have seen that freewarepocketpc website, and had a snoop around. I have an 8Gb card coming today (hopefully!) and I was waiting to get that to install software on it. I read that might slow down some apps, now I'm not so sure what to do. However I want to avoid installing a load of software to try it out, then uninstalling it. It is windows after all. That's why I wanted some recommended software from people on here.
Question: Will that configuration tool allow tweaking of the TouchFLO stuff? Has anyone changed the clock on the TouchFLO Home page thingy?
Thanks all for your help
You have to chose the tab "End Key" under the Button setting menu and then chose the "terminate data connection" option
Ahh I get it now, had a look at those keys thanks. Going to use Advanced Configuration Tool when I get my memory card (still not here yet!)
The best single piece of advice I can give any TD2 owner is to ditch TF3D and at least try living without it. Your rewards will be more available memory, faster operation, increased functionality, full use of applications' today screen plugins, less (or no) bugs, and the cost is it doesn't look as nice.
In a couple of months' time, WM6.5 will be out and then even the looks will be there.
After much research I have ditched TouchFLO and got SPB Mobile Shell 3. I keep hearing about bugs but I am yet to encounter one. I have to say that SPB Mobile Shell 3 is what I would have expected to have on a phone like this. TouchFLO looks good, and I have a friend that loves it, but you can't customise it very easily. Simply having the widgets in SPB Mobile SHell 3 makes it a better, mnore customisable and quicker interface.
I currently have Total Commander as an explorer replacement. I'm not sure if this is the best, but I have yet had time to do proper research. It's supposed to have a registry editor in there, but for the life of me I can't find it :/
Had some serious fun with video playback. I wanted to play full quality (not HD) dix files, DVD rips and the like. After much fun with different software I found that Coreplayer blows everything out of the water. My expectations had dropped about what I might be able to watch on my phone after having problems with other media players, but Coreplayer can play full movie DVD rips with no stuttering and it looks awesome.
Still some fun to be had tweaking, for example finding out if/how java stuff will work, trying to find something for email/sms, and some "cool" apps to impress my gran.
I'm no expert but purely from personal experience the first steps are:
1) Install Resco Explorer
http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/explorer/default.asp
2) Install HTC hotfix for Diamond 2
(http://www.htc.com/uk/SupportDownload.aspx?p_id=249&cat=0&dl_id=563)
3) Install .NET Framework 3.5 (requirement for a bunch of 3rd party software)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6&displaylang=en
4) Install SKTools (needed for many things but especially for next step)
http://www.s-k-tools.com/index.html?m_products.html#tools
5) Use SKTools to disable ActiveSync (results in huge improvement of battery duration)
5a) Disable the repllog.exe (which is the application behind ActiveSync) associated with ""AppRunAfterTimeChange"" in Notifications Queue
Alternative way is to install Dotfred's Task manager and kill repllog.exe: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3175757&postcount=50
5b) Follow the steps 1-7 in the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=288352
5c) Install eLiAs_ASyncKiller.cab
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3048077&postcount=40
6) Install HDTweak for various tweaks (eg for improvement of TouchFlo response)
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=452505)
7) Install sdkcerts (needed for "cosmetic" interventions eg Hall Feica fonts in TouchFlo, slpashscreens, topbar etc)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471604
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3661976&postcount=80
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3861405&postcount=2
8) Install Diamond D3D Video drivers using the first attachment from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475493&highlight=ATI+3d+driver
Before installation download and run the fourth attachment (Lights.exe)
Install the drivers and then run Lights.exe again to see the huge improvement
9) Install G-Config (for forcing applications to go into landscape mode)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3848546&postcount=3
10) Enjoy your Topaz
P.S.: Backup your Contacts, Calendar etc frequently
harisg said:
I'm no expert but purely from personal experience the first steps are:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may think you are not an expert but your post is very useful (and very well formatted).
Thanks
The hotfix is only required if you run TF3D right?
nice guidelines dude.. thanks
chch said:
You may think you are not an expert but your post is very useful (and very well formatted).
Thanks
The hotfix is only required if you run TF3D right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to htc europe:
If you move to the Settings tab in TouchFLO, the top part of the item descriptions under Communications (WiFi, Bluetooth, phone, data) are slightly cut off. If this happens, please download this hotfix to solve the problem.
So I think the answer is yes
Oops I forgot the very useful CleanRAM from htcaddicts:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=514333
I use its embedded scheduler so it runs automatically every 3 hours claiming back megabytes of RAM
Mark it as step 11
I currently have Total Commander as an explorer replacement. I'm not sure if this is the best, but I have yet had time to do proper research. It's supposed to have a registry editor in there, but for the life of me I can't find it :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Double click on "\\Plugins" and you'll reach the hidden options including the registry editor. I've been using Total Commander for years on various ppcs, it's all you need for registry work.
harisg said:
6) Install HDTweak for various tweaks (eg for improvement of TouchFlo response)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hiya, great post~!
I have the Diamond2 as well... wouldn't I want to install 'Diamond Tweak' instead of 'HD Tweak'? Are they essentially the same thing, or does HD Tweak offer more functionality for the Diamond2?
Cheers,
Diamond Tweak is for the older version of TouchFlo, use HD Tweak.
Hey folks...
I know, I know...too many random threads about the same questions...
I've searched and searched but I found a few programs that look like they do the same.
I brought an AT&T Tilt 2. I love the TF3D and I'm looking to download a quick program that allows me to use the phone in landscape or portrait when ever I feel in any menu or screen.
I've found a few choices:
Project Pulse - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=588476
Gyrator - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550973
Change Screen - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=550973
I'm not sure which version is best or right for me...
To be honest...I dont' even know what version of Manilla I have...or what it is just yet.
I'm also looking for a way to remove a few of the standard programs AT&T added to this phone. When my phone is idle and I'm not touching it...it's operating at 70%. It's hurting the performance of the phone and I'm looking to lower the percentage.
I know you guys are probably going to screen: LOCK...but I've honesly searched a ton for answers.
Thank you much,
Manila is TouchFLO 3D aka HTC Sense aka TF3D, the thing with the flippy clock and the different tabs. If you're rockin' the AT&T default ROM, then you definitely have Manila 2.1. Project Pulse is only useful for people using Manila 2.5, since it doesn't have landscape, unlike 2.1. Project Pulse essentially is a "hacked" landscape mode for a landscape lacking Manila 2.5.
I personally use Changescreen, since it is compatible with almost any program and supports Manila. Apparently, Gyrator will work with regular programs, but won't properly rotate Manila into landscape mode. The only thing you need to remember is to remove "Manila" from the Changescreen exceptions tab, or otherwise it won't work when rotating Manila on the homescreen.
Though I haven't done any of this myself (since I'm not on the AT&T ROM anymore), there's an XDA-Wiki article (here) which details which files and registry keys should be deleted. Hope that clarifies things for you
Ahhh... I see...
So the only folks with Manilla 2.5 are those with flashed ROM's...since Manilla 2.1 is on the stock ROM?
I guess I will be downloading Changescreen and playing around with it.
I still have no idea how to remove the programs that came on the phone. I saw the link you posted...but it doesn't say how to access that screen. Do I simply plug my laptop via usb cord go through the files?
If I have to do this via computer...do I simply "delete" the files/folders?
Thanks again,
You can do it from a computer, but it's a lot easier to use File Explorer Mobile (included on your device) and navigate to the listed file locations and delete the files and folders.
For the registry entries, you can use CERegEdit (from the computer while the device is connected via USB), and there are tons of registry editors for exclusive use on the device (no computer needed). I personally use Dotfred's free multipurpose task manager for that, but there are other free options besides that, like PHM Regedit.
Thanks Dave...
I just saw that I can access all of those files with File Explorer (neat little program).
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I have 1 more question now:
On the XDA/WIKI for each program there are only 2 files. Example is below:
Glu Diner Dash 2
Files
\Program Files\Glu\Diner Dash 2 (1.5mb)
\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Games\Diner Dash 2.lnk
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Am I deleting both of those files in those two locations? Or can I just go into \Program Files\Glu\Diner Dash 2 and delete the entire folder?
When I use File Explorer, I see about 6 files in that folder...not just one.
Thanks,
You'd want to delete the whole "Diner Dash 2" folder, since you don't want that program, then you'd want to browse to \Windows\Start Menu\ and delete the appropriate .lnk file associated with the program. This will pretty much remove the program from the device, and deleting the .lnk will remove it from the start menu.