Hey guys,
I developed a small application which adds functionality to the X1 keys and keyboard. The reason why I made this program is, that I can't find a decent button mapping tool out there that does what I want - that is:
Extend the normal keys with long press and assign programs/functions to it
Extend the keyboard with a Control key (Tab key is reassigned to control key)
Assign missing FN+Key combination with additional special character or applications
Assign the ok button with really closing an application, depending on your task manager
To achieve this, I was writing this small app which itself checks for specific key events and starts mort script files in case such an event happens. I chose Mortscript because it easily allows everyone to define about almost everything that is possible and the application doesn't need a fancy UI to configure the key events.
You can find a readme within the archive which describes the program in more detail and you can also find some example script files for MortScript as a starting point.
For installation, you have to copy the X1ButtonMapperScripts folder of the archive to your root (\) directory of the device. You also need to install MortScript which you can find at Mort's homepage (mort.sto-helit.de). MortScript is a small and powerful application which is often used and mature. After that, you have to start X1ButtonMapper.exe and then the specific key presses will cause the calling of the script files. When you did not encounter any problems (software is still in testing phase), you can copy a link to the X1ButtonMapper.exe into your \Windows\Autostart folder for automatic loading at reset.
My current configuration, just for example, is as follows:
Ok short press closes an application, Ok long press (~500 ms) causes an app to minimize
Long press of left softkey opens start menu
Long press of right softkey opens MortButtons
Long press of volume up opens comm manager
Long press of volume down opens SPB task manager (Alt+Tab)
FN+a/s/d/f writes special characters I miss on the keyboard (%_\€)
FN+y/x opens Wifi network selection and resco explorer (FN+C/V are unused)
I would appreciate to get any feedback about this software, if it works, what you like, don't like and desperately miss.
Please be aware that this software is free and you are allowed to redistribute it, but please don't change it and always distribute the whole zip archive and not the extracted files!
Please be also aware that this software is in a testing phase and may hang up your device and may even cause data loss (not happened to me yet but theoratically possible). So please backup your data and be aware that I can't be held responsible in case this happens!
Update: V. 1.2 now allows to keep the original OK button function without change and to use Fn+Tab for sending the original Tab key!
i havent used your program but when i was looking for one such as yours, i came across ae button plus. im not familiar with scripts and programing and so i find ae button plus a good program. its not free but for $8, i think its worth it.
otherwise, keep up the good work. we need people like you to get the most of of our phones.
Would it not make more sense to remap the au key rather then tab key to ctrl? I use my tab key for form entry.
AE Buttons plus cannot do what this program does, that's why I did the hassle to develop it. Also PQz2 doesn't do what I need. For example you can't assign FN+x combinations with AE buttons plus and you can't remap the ok button (at least it didn't work for me).
Regarding the tab key, I tried to make FN+Tab to send the tab key, but that didn't really work. Maybe in some next release it will work, but I still think that the Tab key is dispensible.
Regarding the scripts, it's really easy and you can find ready scripts for almost any task. Also I did include some examples as a starting point. The scripts offer a lot more flexibility than any of the button mapping tools existing, so, take the challenge, it's worth it!
Pyrojester said:
Would it not make more sense to remap the au key rather then tab key to ctrl? I use my tab key for form entry.
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Did I miss something or does this remap ctrl to tab? That would be a HUGE thing in my opinion... And no, the au button is used here a lot...
Yes, remapping Tab to Ctrl is one of the fixed mappings it does. One of the most powerful things and something I really missed with AEButtons.
With Ctrl on the keyboard you get copy and paste, wordwise navigation with the cursor, Undo/Redo and wordwise delete/backspace. Check the readme in the Zip File for more details.
I also added Fn+DPad for PageUp/Down and Home/End - also something I really missed before.
Dandie said:
Yes, remapping Tab to Ctrl is one of the fixed mappings it does. One of the most powerful things and something I really missed with AEButtons.
With Ctrl on the keyboard you get copy and paste, wordwise navigation with the cursor, Undo/Redo and wordwise delete/backspace. Check the readme in the Zip File for more details.
I also added Fn+DPad for PageUp/Down and Home/End - also something I really missed before.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will instal later today...!!!!
Dandie said:
[*]Extend the keyboard with a Control key (Tab key is reassigned to control key)
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and I am officially blind...
Can this program work alongside aebutton plus? That would be great as they both have big advantages. I know this version of the CE core of WM only supports one key hook and I am pretty sure aebp uses a key hook. Are you using a key hook here? Is anyone using both? Great work!
Actually I uninstalled AEButtonsPlus before I was starting the development of this application. There is indeed a limitation about keyboard hooks in WinCE and my program uses them - don't know about AEButtonPlus.
There is a software available which claims to remove this limitation of windows mobile - it is called HookMgr and you can download it for free - check Google. I did not test it nor would I recommend to install several applications using keyboard hooks - they will most likely interfere with each other.
What is it that AEButtonsPlus has that you miss with my application?
Dandie said:
Actually I uninstalled AEButtonsPlus before I was starting the development of this application. There is indeed a limitation about keyboard hooks in WinCE and my program uses them - don't know about AEButtonPlus.
There is a software available which claims to remove this limitation of windows mobile - it is called HookMgr and you can download it for free - check Google. I did not test it nor would I recommend to install several applications using keyboard hooks - they will most likely interfere with each other.
What is it that AEButtonsPlus has that you miss with my application?
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I did not know about that HookMgr software. Interesting.
I have not yet had the chance to try AEButtonPlus, but I believe it allows programming the short press and also double press of all the keys (was not aware of the ok key limitation). Is there a reason why you only provide long press options? Double press is not really necessary, but I would like to change the short press options. IIRC (I should probably stop making comments before my X1 even arrives but can't help it. so exciting) out of the box, only the short press of the soft keys is configurable. It would still be nice if you grabbed these so that I could configure all my buttons in the same place. Also, it doesn't seem that you provide a way to program the short or long press of the panel key. Would this be possible? Lastly, it might be good to make changing tab to ctrl optional and or offer another key to change. The addition of a ctrl key is great, but tab is also useful. The original renderings of the X1 back in January showed a ctrl key on the keyboard. Dont know who's idea it was to delete it.
I would love to help out. I could write a settings application for you that would store the options in the registry. Rather than running the scripts, it could look in the registry for what to execute. By default the registry values would just be the scripts, but users could change it to run an exe directly. I could also make a cab for it. The settings app would be in .NET. Let me know if this sounds good.
BTW, I think the ok and win keys would make good ctrl keys btw, as they are redundant to the keys on the front; ok button being my choice.
JKingDev said:
Is there a reason why you only provide long press options? Double press is not really necessary, but I would like to change the short press options.
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I only provide the long press option because detecting double or even triple clicks would delay every button click and therefore reaction time, that's why I didn't realize it. I kept the short press of the keys (except OK) because they all make sense to me. You need the Softkeys, so their short press needs to be kept and the loudness up/down is essential in my opinion.
I also decided not to allow to remap the camera button because its handling is a bit difficult (two press levels) and I think the camera button is necessary when you really consider using the camera.
I also left the hang up and pick up buttons untouched because they already have short and long press actions (devicelock and handsfree) and I did not want to touch functions which are installed pretty deep into the system. I also like the function the way it is.
JKingDev said:
Also, it doesn't seem that you provide a way to program the short or long press of the panel key. Would this be possible?
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Sure I did - actually I wanted to map it with opening the start menu but it can't be suppressed, not even by a keyboard hook! By the way, this is also the case with the symbol key - can't be remapped!
JKingDev said:
Lastly, it might be good to make changing tab to ctrl optional and or offer another key to change. The addition of a ctrl key is great, but tab is also useful. The original renderings of the X1 back in January showed a ctrl key on the keyboard. Dont know who's idea it was to delete it.
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Yeah, the ctrl button was one of the main reasons why I wrote this application. Also that the X1 keyboard leaves many Fn+Letter combinations unused which is just stupid. As I said, I wanted FN+Tab to send the tab key but that didn't work for some reason. Also I think that Tab is disturbing when writing because when touching it for accident you get holes in your text :/
JKingDev said:
I would love to help out. I could write a settings application for you that would store the options in the registry. Rather than running the scripts, it could look in the registry for what to execute. By default the registry values would just be the scripts, but users could change it to run an exe directly. I could also make a cab for it. The settings app would be in .NET. Let me know if this sounds good.
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Actually I don't see any problem with the scripts. They offer a lot more flexibility that a UI can ever give and for newbies the experienced could offer a set of reasonable scripts, so I don't see any issue with this. MortScript is easy to use and way more powerful than any button mapper UI on the market - why do people always want GUIs?
JKingDev said:
BTW, I think the ok and win keys would make good ctrl keys btw, as they are redundant to the keys on the front; ok button being my choice.
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First of all, you can't separate between the ok key of the keyboard and the ok key on the front on the level of the keyboard hook, so it would be impossible to remap the one without the other. The win key is not redundant and therefore I decided to keep it because I find it very useful.
Dandie said:
First of all, you can't separate between the ok key of the keyboard and the ok key on the front on the level of the keyboard hook, so it would be impossible to remap the one without the other. The win key is not redundant and therefore I decided to keep it because I find it very useful.
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Ah. That stinks about the ok key.
Dandie said:
I only provide the long press option because detecting double or even triple clicks would delay every button click and therefore reaction time, that's why I didn't realize it. I kept the short press of the keys (except OK) because they all make sense to me. You need the Softkeys, so their short press needs to be kept and the loudness up/down is essential in my opinion.
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True. I wasn't really interested in double and triple. Just really the short. About the softkeys, normally I would not remap soft keys, but the X1 has a shortage of customizable buttons so I would like to change them.
Dandie said:
I also decided not to allow to remap the camera button because its handling is a bit difficult (two press levels) and I think the camera button is necessary when you really consider using the camera.
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Interesting. On my tilt, I had short press opens camera album and long press opens the camera. Something similar would be interesting. Not a big thing though.
Dandie said:
Sure I did - actually I wanted to map it with opening the start menu but it can't be suppressed, not even by a keyboard hook! By the way, this is also the case with the symbol key - can't be remapped!
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That stinks! Why do they insist on forcing panels on us? I do believe there is a registry key that can change what the panel button does though. You should look into that if you dont use the panels or just dont want a dedicated key. I am trying to find that info.
Dandie said:
Actually I don't see any problem with the scripts. They offer a lot more flexibility that a UI can ever give and for newbies the experienced could offer a set of reasonable scripts, so I don't see any issue with this. MortScript is easy to use and way more powerful than any button mapper UI on the market - why do people always want GUIs?
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Lol. I guess its not necessarily a GUI but just options that would be good. You are right, the scripts are very flexible so no point in changing that. The only options I would really like is a choice about the ctrl key (possibly make the win key an option) and an option of whether or not to capture the short press soft keys.
Thanks for takin the time to explain all of your decisions. This is really great software! Hope I dont seem like I am asking a lot. Just some suggestions. Thanks!
JKingDev said:
About the softkeys, normally I would not remap soft keys, but the X1 has a shortage of customizable buttons so I would like to change them.
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You can remap the Softkeys already in the button configuration of Win Mobile, but I personally wouldn't do it. Better to remap them for the today screen via registry and using the long press events from my software for additonal functionality. This way it doesn't interfere with the sytem at all.
JKingDev said:
That stinks! Why do they insist on forcing panels on us? I do believe there is a registry key that can change what the panel button does though. You should look into that if you dont use the panels or just dont want a dedicated key. I am trying to find that info.
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Well, I think that's just the way it is integrated into the system. Maybe by some kind of driver or something. The "sym" key behaves the same way. We have to live with that fact.
JKingDev said:
The only options I would really like is a choice about the ctrl key (possibly make the win key an option) and an option of whether or not to capture the short press soft keys.
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The softkey can originally already be remapped and for the tab key the best solution would be FN+Tab = Tab. I will have a look into this again.
JKingDev said:
Thanks for takin the time to explain all of your decisions. This is really great software! Hope I dont seem like I am asking a lot. Just some suggestions. Thanks!
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Yeah, that's fine. I would actually like some feedback from people who tried the software. Anyone?
Here it is for those who want to know:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=448067
(Remap panel key)
I finally installed this today and it reminded me the about the good things the Touch Pro has that I previously owned. It truly amazes me that HTC does not put the ctrl key to their HW keyboards, it makes no sense to me.
I started to think that maybe it would be better to use the win key for this, win key kinda is there on top of the screen?
EDIT: and now I bothered to read posts above... fn+tab=tab could also be a good option.. After all tab is not used that often...
Great work on this, one of the best things made to X1 by XDA member so far...
At least someone having the guts to try my software - thank you for the positive feedback!
Regarding the Win-key, I wouldn't remap it because:
1. I'm using it often
2. The win key is often sent in combination with other keys and it will cause some side effects to remap it - that's why I gave up on this idea
When there's more feedback and some problems discovered that are necessary to change, I will have another look into this FN+Tab issue.
By the way, having Tab remapped to Ctrl also has a good benefit - accidental clicks on tab don't happen anymore.
Hmmmm MortScript messed up my OK button.
Hi!
Has someone tried out the ssMaHo application for remapping buttons and stuff in TouchFlo3D? Some people are complaining about incompatibilities with the topaz device. Can anyone please confirm or disprove the compatibility?
One of the most interesting things is if it's possible to remap the add new appointment button in the calendar tab to e.g. ThumbCal.
Regards,
PK
I am one of the people who has tried it. It didn't work for me. The developer doesn't have a Topaz device, so can't test it thoroughly. He has used it successfully on a Topaz-based ROM for the HD. I see other people apparently using it on the HD without trouble.
Can anyone confirm this? SSMaHo can be found here. I've tried v.0.0.4.0 on a NL ROM.
I tried it also on the dutch stock rom. It doesn't work. I would really like to change the new appointment application. It is stupid that almost everything else is finger friendly except new appointment, new message etc...
There are not so much buttons to remap but I use AE Button Plus v2.6.3 and it works fine.
But AE Button Plus is not freeware, and I'm pretty sure it won't be able to "see" if the same softbutton is running under a specific TouchFlo tab, in order to trigger the effect when a specific tab is selected and do nothing otherwise.
I tried to use SSMaHo 0.0.4.0 on a Rhodium based HD cooked ROM, and the process works well, but can only remap the 2 Home softbuttons (for which I don't need a program, as one can do it easily by tweaking the register).
It just does nothing on any other tabs' buttons, so after reading what you wrote, I suppose it just doesn't work for Manila 2.x... Too bad.
I've used it on my Topaz to remap the alarm section of the clock to launch Spb Time. Not tried anything else though..
Does anybody know if it's possible to turn off the phonelight with the button to the right?
You usually use the on-button on the top of the phone but I think it would've been easier to use the button you hang up a conversation with. (just as you are with HTC HD2).
Hoping on a .cab or a positive answer
VistaX said:
Does anybody know if it's possible to turn off the phonelight with the button to the right?
You usually use the on-button on the top of the phone but I think it would've been easier to use the button you hang up a conversation with. (just as you are with HTC HD2).
Hoping on a .cab or a positive answer
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You can use TD2 Tools that has program called boot manager and assign to a key with Keyboard controller.
Bruce Inman said:
You can use TD2 Tools that has program called boot manager and assign to a key with Keyboard controller.
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Thanks for a quick answer, Bruce Inman Do you know where to find a description on how to do it?
Is this what you meant; http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=536410 ?
VistaX said:
Thanks for a quick answer, Bruce Inman Do you know where to find a description on how to do it?
Is this what you meant; http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=536410 ?
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Yes, that is the TD2 Tool to install.
Then install the enclosed Kbd controll program. Its pretty intuitive, just keep short press as default and set your long or double press to Boot manager.
or..... you can use SSMaHo to map a shortcut from manila home screen.
As far as instructions, you'll have to read as it is too hard to explain in brief.
One thing you will find is that the left soft key is locked for editing in most ROMs.
You can also set it to a softkey in the registry in HKLM\Software\HTC\Manila;
LSK, RSK (left and right soft key path and text)
1. Can the sense UI be somehow positioned into landscape mode with a .cab?
2. How do you get into the registry? All visible is HKM? no HKLM files found anywhere...
3. How to search for specific threads under one phone on xda.
Knucklessg1 said:
1. Can the sense UI be somehow positioned into landscape mode with a .cab?
2. How do you get into the registry? All visible is HKM? no HKLM files found anywhere...
3. How to search for specific threads under one phone on xda.
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1. Yes, use attached cab. It will rotate the display when you rotate the phone into portrait. I only know this to be working on the HD2.
2. What registry editor are you using?
3. Navigate to the forums for that model, and any of the subforums there that apply to your question, and then use the "search this forum" button in the top right, immediately above the list of threads.
Thanks ALOT, you dont know how much this helps, also i am using RESCO for registry, but i think i found a youtube video for that. Thanks alot, if i could award you something i would, (if there is, please do tell as well) (like a thumbs up, or +karma, or whatever this site may use if any)
sirphunkee said:
1. Yes, use attached cab. It will rotate the display when you rotate the phone into portrait. I only know this to be working on the HD2.
2. What registry editor are you using?
3. Navigate to the forums for that model, and any of the subforums there that apply to your question, and then use the "search this forum" button in the top right, immediately above the list of threads.
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ok so for the landscape cab, do i need a soft reset, and would you happen to know if cookies home screen mod works with the hd2 landscape? also, how do i find this app in the start menu, when i soft reset my phone, nothing happened when i switched my phone to landscape, any ideas?
I'm afraid that I have no idea if this works or not alongside of co0kie's mod. A soft reset after running the cab should be all you needed to get the rotation working, there's no app to run (or icon for it) after that, it just runs in the background.
You can try one more soft-reset (I think mine took 2 to kick in), and I would also go into settings and calibrate your g-sensor if you haven't already.
Also...are you rotating it the right way into landscape? so that the hardware buttons end up to the right of the screen? This cab will only do the rotation in that direction, and back.
I'm afraid the only officially-sanctioned expressions of gratitude here are the ones issued by the treasury...but this small bit of assistance isn't even worth the time it would take, so your words do the job just fine Pay it forward (here at xda, if possible!)
FYI:
It does work with co0kie's mod but it replaces some of the menu items while in landscape. I can definitely live with that, thank you for the awesome app.
S_M_E said:
FYI:
It does work with co0kie's mod but it replaces some of the menu items while in landscape. I can definitely live with that, thank you for the awesome app.
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You're very welcome, glad it's working for you
For anyone that hasn't seen that tweak before, you'll want to check out the thread I found it in, there's a bunch more very useful stuff in there:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584415
I am looking to add a soft reset option to the quick links on the HD2. I was wondering if this is possible. I have searched google and xda and cant find what I am looking for.
I know there are third party apps available but I was wondering if I could download an app, create an entry in the quick links (when you long press power off button) and then get the device to reset.
Solution
I used this thread here by Johcos and a good tutorial on how to intergrate it into osKitchhen here
Respect to the dev of the end key it is aswome!
you may try to replace the original Long Press End Key with the Jochos as indicated in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880905
Another alternative is to use Action screen and add the quicklink you want. You can also link the action screen to the end button, by replacing the exe.
I hope it helps.
Looks promising I will have a look thanks!
You can use xdashutdown, and have arguments in lnks to reset, device off and stuff like that. For device lock, you will have to use other lock programs, and do the same.
ypsmav said:
you may try to replace the original Long Press End Key with the Jochos as indicated in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880905
Another alternative is to use Action screen and add the quicklink you want. You can also link the action screen to the end button, by replacing the exe.
I hope it helps.
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This one here that ypsmav mentioned is perfect! Does exactly what I am looking for but like the user on the thread I am having problems getting it cooked into my rom! I will work it out though. Just need to read the thread a bit more. It even allows short press end to lock the device and looks exactly like the orgional.