Database Users

Start button without using Stylus?

I'm probably missing something obvious but on my XDA Mini S I don't appear to be able to press the "start" button on the today screen via a hard button (used to be centre button on my old XDAIIs) without having to get the stylus out.

I'm sure we're both missing something, 'cus I concur.
However, if you find yourself desperate you can install my program VJKeypress (on my website) and use the command line 91 to pop the start menu. Make a shortcut and assign it to a hardware key.
V

i just slide the keyboard out a bit about .75cm and the start key on the keyboard is exposed, press it and VOILA!! hahaha, yah i thought the keyboard wouldn't work unless its out all the way but it does :lol:

i use my finger.
sometimes i miss

zsizsi said:
i use my finger.
sometimes i miss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If God wanted me to pull the stylus out everytime, he wouldn't have given me fingers! also anything to hand (as long as gentle) ie a real pen (nib withdrawn or the ink might mark the screen), screwdriver, key etc.
Also screen protector so you dont damage anything

I made this for using on my i-mate k-jam.
After installation you can use left software key to Start

Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats what i did except have button 4 to ok/close and button 4 hold to start

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess its all about personal preference
I installed the above cab file as i already have all the hardware buttons set to what i want but never used the Calendar soft key and had been after a way to do this for ages so thanks kjk :wink:
Chris

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, me too.
By far the simplest solution.
I did try installing VITO ButtonMapper so I could have multiple apps mapped to the buttons but it has screwed up my 'soft buttons'.
DON'T USE IT, or Battery Pack Pro for that matter as it screwed up the whole PDA.
RObin

Puckster said:
I guess its all about personal preference
I installed the above cab file as i already have all the hardware buttons set to what i want but never used the Calendar soft key and had been after a way to do this for ages so thanks kjk :wink:
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to help

Robster said:
Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, me too.
By far the simplest solution.
I did try installing VITO ButtonMapper so I could have multiple apps mapped to the buttons but it has screwed up my 'soft buttons'.
DON'T USE IT, or Battery Pack Pro for that matter as it screwed up the whole PDA.
RObin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had the same problems with vito buttonmapper. toggling buttonmapper on and off a few times seemed to fix it. not very good i know but it works perfectly now.

I used to set the Comm button to act as the start button. Don't do that anymore these days because i needed the quick button to the Comm manager. Thank god for fingers
I still bind the memo/speech button on the right to the OK/Close button at the top right button. Found it easier to use when typing the the keyboard or in normal mode.

All well least it wasn't me being dim! thanks for all the suggestions but just don't have a spare button to remap.
You'd think that they would have bound the Today screen "Start" function to a press of the directional button as it doesn't do anything else when on the today screen(as it was on the Blue Angel), but maybe that's just too logical!

assigning START menu to a button doesn't work when u have tomtom running. The menu pops up and just disappears again. It works in most of other apps though.

Got it!!!!
Just discovered that holding down the left soft key for about 1 second(rather than just tapping it to open calendar) opens the Start menu.

This is the feature of Smartskey

But I don't have smartskey installed so this must be a default function

wilesd said:
But I don't have smartskey installed so this must be a default function
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried it here on my 2.24 ROM and it does not work. I press and hold for a second, also tried other varying lengths of time, and sure enough I always get the app the left soft button has been assigned.

Bizarre, works fine on mine - 2.21.4.1 Rom, 2.07 Radio UK XDA Mini S
Only apps I have installed are SPBBackup, Resco Explorer trial (expired) and TT5
Maybe a feature of the O2 UK Ext Rom?!?

Wizard TASK Manager ?

Hello,
how i can view default active programs and change between them ?
in ... running programs can onli STOP them.

SPB Pocket Plus can do this, you can assign a hardware button which acts like "alt-tab" does on your pc. Very handy

Agreed. I use the Mail button (top left hardware button) to Alt-Tab and the Internet button (top right hardware button) to perform Close
Now if only SPB could add a shortcut so we could assign the Start menu to a button as well and one-handed access could come close to becoming a reality!
(PS, I know there are other apps out there that allow hardware button assigning of Start but I'd like SPB to add it)

phm taskmanager does the job and it's freeware. It doesn't emulate alt-tab it's more a alt-ctrl-del kind of pgm. But then once you got the list of running apps, you can activate any of them using th stylus or the joystick

Keitaro said:
Now if only SPB could add a shortcut so we could assign the Start menu to a button as well and one-handed access could come close to becoming a reality!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well...Why are you looking for a third party app when it's already built in?
Settings -> Personal tab -> Buttons -> choose a button and assign it to the <start menu> item in the drop down list

pat12 said:
well...Why are you looking for a third party app when it's already built in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I wasn't looking hard enough and only concentrated on SPB's entries which are enclosed with square brackets rather than angled ones.
Anyway, thanks

Glad I could help! I'm usually more a taker than a giver of advice on this forum...

pat12 said:
Keitaro said:
Now if only SPB could add a shortcut so we could assign the Start menu to a button as well and one-handed access could come close to becoming a reality!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well...Why are you looking for a third party app when it's already built in?
Settings -> Personal tab -> Buttons -> choose a button and assign it to the <start menu> item in the drop down list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this metod cannot help me i will try SPB PP

X-button on the lower-right corner?

As lots of users here I suppose, I mostly use my finger for screen touching and I find it a bit annoying to always drive my thumb all the way up to the upper-right corner so lower corners x-button would be a much better solution. No i'm not that lazy, but driving my thumb up sometimes loosens my grip on the device. Plus, I think that this solution increases working speed as well.
Is there any application which can be used to put an x-button on the lower-right corner of the screen (or lower-left for lefties)? e.g, next to the right/left softkeys.
If this app doesn't exist don't you think it would a great idea for a new one? Thx a lot.

I always use my OK button on the lower panel.. Look at attachment picture.. The OK button acts as a close

baselsw said:
I always use my OK button on the lower panel.. Look at attachment picture.. The OK button acts as a close
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops... I missed an important info: I'm using an hTc Touch so no hardware ok button.. my bad

CarlosT said:
Oops... I missed an important info: I'm using an hTc Touch so no hardware ok button.. my bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I own a Touch too, and I mapped the camera button to OK/Close.
If you still want to have the camerabutton, there's software to add short presses and long presses for different apps

helterskelter said:
I own a Touch too, and I mapped the camera button to OK/Close.
If you still want to have the camerabutton, there's software to add short presses and long presses for different apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah yeah I've already tried all this.. But I think I was precise in what I asked for: A lower-right corner on-screen x-button.

CarlosT said:
Yeah yeah I've already tried all this.. But I think I was precise in what I asked for: A lower-right corner on-screen x-button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for commenting!

I'm using Atom Exec and just install AEBPlus (Bind softkey) + HandyLaunch (Right menu on Tray) and setup to when i press message key (Atom is multimedia key) then bind to open menu ... so convenience

kodomo said:
I'm using Atom Exec and just install AEBPlus (Bind softkey) + HandyLaunch (Right menu on Tray) and setup to when i press message key (Atom is multimedia key) then bind to open menu ... so convenience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some Screenshot of AEBPlus setting and HL
(Sorry for orientation:
{The Dimension limits for this filetype are 620 x 280. We were unable to resize your file so you will need to do so manually and upload it again. Your file is currently 240 x 320. } so i need to right 90degree)

On other devices I have owned, the red telephone button acted as an OK/Close button, however, on the HTC Touch, a short press closes GPRS connection, and a long press locks the device.
However, it might suit you to change the registry to map this key back to the OK/Close button.
I haven't ever come across something which puts the x button on the bottom right hand side of the screen.

use phm powerToys to add any program (such as a close link) to the tray of your ppc (cab below the url link)
http://www.phm.lu/Products/PocketPC/PowerToys/
or vijay555's tool
http://www.vijay555.com/?Releases:VJTrayLaunch
you may need an app coling tool like this one
http://www.vijay555.com/?Releases:VJOkButt

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.
Click to expand...
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.

How to remap key(backspace) for call Task Manager?

How to remap key(backspace) for call Task Manager(HTC X-Button)?
I want switch between running applications. For HTC mega. Thanks!

Pash0k said:
How to remap key(backspace) for call Task Manager(HTC X-Button)?
I want switch between running applications. For HTC mega. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this kind of requirement, I'm using AEBplus "http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus" which can do that.
Regards
cimber

cimber said:
aebplus which can do that.
r
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very buggy program - For reviews.
At site developer in Russian version - "Unfortunately, some hardware buttons after they have been selected for the system can not be returned back without any "soft" reboot".
Sorry but am looking for other alternatives.

AEBplus,it's a very good software for keyboard.Long long ago,I begun to love it.
So sorry for my english

Pash0k said:
Very buggy program - For reviews.
At site developer in Russian version - "Unfortunately, some hardware buttons after they have been selected for the system can not be returned back without any "soft" reboot".
Sorry but am looking for other alternatives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sofar, I never had any problems, and never had to softreset because of AEB Plus
Regards
cimber

You might have to tweak registry if you want to use the backspace button.
But! You can use another button, the call button. You have to hold down the call button.
Go to Menu > Settings > Personal > Buttons
Choose the "Send Key (Hold) and assign task manager to it.
So you can access task manager just by holding down the call button.

deepakmk said:
Choose the "Send Key (Hold) and assign task manager to it.
So you can access task manager just by holding down the call button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't associate with task manager because it is not listed.

Yea, Try getting SPB Mobile Shell and it has task manager, you don't have to activate the SPB Mobile Shell and you still can use the task manager.
Let me know if u need the cracked cab.

Pash0k said:
Very buggy program
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, not completely useful for Touch2 I'm afraid: Not all buttons are directly supported (have to try to set up through file - add button), and at least for the HOME button I didn't get it to work well (sometimes doing two actions at once with a single keypress)