Database Users

Mapping Execute Button to open Start Menu?

M'kay. I was looking at an assortment of "remaps your softkeys" programs, and I'm either too stupid to see it, or it doesn't happen. It's also possible I'm searching using the wrong terms. I am a little slow sometimes...
I want to press the center button on my dpad, and have it open the Start Menu. I'm using WA2 to gain cascading menus, and I'd love to be able to completely launch a program without using the touchscreen or pulling out a stylus.
If it's already been done, can someone please point me to it? If it hasn't been done, whose butt do I need to start kissin'?
Here's a shot of what I'm talking about, just in case my mis-speaking is confusing you. When I press that button, I want that menu to open!
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

have you ever heard about smartskey???
Look out for it..
is the answer for your prayers... You will not remap your center button, however a long press on the left softpad key will open your program menu.
Good luck

charly_mx said:
have you ever heard about smartskey???
Look out for it..
is the answer for your prayers... You will not remap your center button, however a long press on the left softpad key will open your program menu.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I've heard of it. No it's really not the answer to my prayers.
I don't really care for the smartskey method (it would take too long to explain, but I don't like it, and that should suffice for explanation), and I don't get why you can't remap that center button...it doesn't do anything in the Today view (or much in anything else, other than "execute" whatever is focused).
Thanks anyways for the reminder. If all else fails, I can fall back on that as an unsatisfying workaround.
Got any other suggestions?

M'kay, it's not freeware, but it does have a free trial. AE Button Plus is capable of doing what I want, within reason.
I have to double click my center button (reserving single click for selecting highlighted items, etc.) to open the start menu. I'm actually okay with this as a solution.
Still, this program, as good as it is, is more bulky than I'd like (nearly 1/3 MB!) for such a seemingly simple action. I'd expected this to load pretty small, and was surprised by the relatively large package.
I know it's cheap of me, but I'd still welcome any (free/smaller footprint) alternatives to this...

Try HButton it does everything and more, i love this app.
you are able to map 6 apps on 1 button and you can even use your slider to scroll.
check this

ArrO said:
Try HButton it does everything and more, i love this app.
you are able to map 6 apps on 1 button and you can even use your slider to scroll.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first blush, this appeared to be what I was looking for. However, I cannot figure out how (if it's even possible) to reassign one of the five HButtons to activate from the center button on the dpad, or how to distinguish that from, say, clicking the dpad once to OK a procedure or popup message.
Not really interested in clicking and holding (for example) my Messages button to open the start menu.
I feel rather silly for being so picky, but there you have it. I'm picky.

After wrestling with all of these, I'm slightly embarrassed to say that charly_mx had the best suggestion, right off the bat. It's not perfect, but launching Start from my left soft key isn't terrible, just not what I wanted.
Sometimes, you just don't get what you want, so you take what you can get, and so I have done that.
Apologies to anyone that I annoyed (esp. charly_mx).

Easy contacts access from 6.5 homescreen

I'm running 6.5 on my HD, and its very nice and quick, but what i really miss is quick acces to my favourite contacts. Manila is now too bloated and I dont like it at all, esp with all that green stuff going on
I've tried Appstar's favourite people plugin, but having to swipe my finger across the screen to search thru my favourites is a bit of a pain, what would be nice if there was a function to tap a favourites button and a screen would pop-up tiled with favourite people just to press one and open up their contact info/dial/sms/etc..
Anyone know of something to do that, or talented enough to make something.
Many thanks
Mick

Gasman said:
I'm running 6.5 on my HD, and its very nice and quick, but what i really miss is quick acces to my favourite contacts. Manila is now too bloated and I dont like it at all, esp with all that green stuff going on
I've tried Appstar's favourite people plugin, but having to swipe my finger across the screen to search thru my favourites is a bit of a pain, what would be nice if there was a function to tap a favourites button and a screen would pop-up tiled with favourite people just to press one and open up their contact info/dial/sms/etc..
Anyone know of something to do that, or talented enough to make something.
Many thanks
Mick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=506221

Speedyp said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=506221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you linked him the app he said he already tried but doesn't like?
Anyway,
Gasman I know of no contact app like that for the wm6.5 titanium plugin cause I would like something like that myself

how about phonex by iconsoft.. then u link the talk button to bring up your favorite contacts via the app itself:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

i just use the smart dialing on the tachi dialer. Its quick and simple. Its not on the today screen but i can't think of anything else other than favourite people and as you say you dont like that.

At the moment I use the speed dial on the phone keypad, but thats just for calling. Just hoped there would be a something integrated into titanium, that brought up a page of tile pictures for your favourite contacts. click one then have the option of calling or texting them..
Any smart folks want to make such an addon?
Other than that, very happy with how titanium runs as standard

You could make one of your softkeys or CLauncher slots be iContact...

An idea would be to make a contact page like the beehive start menu that is in Titanium.
Maybe a shortcut from the Today screen will open the same hive layout with contact photos and name....?

Yeah I like the idea of having contacts/faves on a honeycomb page.

if you have a third party contacts program installed you can probably just make the soft key link directly to that by editing the registry. If you'd rather interact with the panels, you can edit the registry and change the program that launches when you click say the fave contacts panel.. I imagine the soft key way would be best.. that is one of the main reasons i dislike titanium, lots of eye candy but limited functionality.. if you could stick a grid in a panel to recognize multiple items, each launching their own link/contact it would be a great step forward.. perhaps that is not far off.

Just thought I'd update with a soulution I'm very happy with.
I installed 'icontacts' which is superb contacts program that does what I need.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=395829
And use AEB Plus, to easily remap the left softkey to open icontacts.
http://ae.inc.ru/aebplus.php
This seems to work very well with wm6.5
Mick

[REQ] Notification Bar / Calendar Widget

Hello all
Just wanted to thank this community as a whole for all the great work they've done. I'm in love with my N1, rooted with CM and all the good stuff I found on this forum.
After tinkering around with my N1 for quite some time a potentially neat idea occurred to me (hope this is the right spot for it). I use my phone primarily for business use and general functionality. At the same time I tend to nitpick about ease-of-use, convenience and simplicity. My idea (alleging it doesn't already exist) is basically an advanced google calendar widget embedded into the notifications drop down. Obviously, this would turn primary use of the drop down into the said calender, but with the convenience to be able to pull it up in a second while allowing for more effective multi tasking.
I'm not a new to the developers world, but am as far as the Android OS goes. I was hoping a few experienced hands might see this as a nice little challenge. At the same time, for the willing, I would not mind at all attempting this challenge on my own (obviously with some much needed assistance ).
Sorry for the long post, and I look forward to hearing constructive feedback.
Thanks in advance!

Are you thinking more along the lines of something that lists upcoming events, or rather an actual calendar image? I'm not if the latter can be accomplished, but would definitely be willing to start working on something.

Hi!
Welcome to the forums!
typica1cat said:
basically an advanced google calendar widget embedded into the notifications drop down. Obviously, this would turn primary use of the drop down into the said calender, but with the convenience to be able to pull it up in a second while allowing for more effective multi tasking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you looking for something like this?
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/net.jimblackler.quickcalendar/
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
If not, can you elaborate on what you mean by an 'embedded calendar widget' in the notifications window?
.

You could add a calendar shortcut to the dock using one of the new launchers...

Paul22000 said:
...Are you looking for something like this?
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/net.jimblackler.quickcalendar/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That´s nice, thanx!

Thanks guy, I certainly appreciate all the responses and the warm welcome. Initially I wanted calender functionality inside the notifications drop down because it can be pulled up at anytime without having to switch to any other programs. Often times while writing emails I like to cross check my schedule mid proposal. Two applications/widgets I switch between are the "Pure Grid Calender" and the "Android Agenda Widget". I'm probably going too far here but this would be amazing: Upon touching the top bar initially, it switched to the notifications and the bar lowers a bit (all before actually sliding the menu down). If upon touching the bar, it slid down (that same amount) but with two options, one for notifications and one for calender. you could then slide your finger to the left or right to choose which drop down you want, and proceeded to slide it down and the chosen menu would then appear full screen.
This is probably impossible lol, i have a wild imagination. I can do a better mock-up after work with illustrations if indeed that was too wordy.

typica1cat said:
If upon touching the bar, it slid down (that same amount) but with two options, one for notifications and one for calender. you could then slide your finger to the left or right to choose which drop down you want, and proceeded to slide it down and the chosen menu would then appear full screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I see. Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to override/replace touching the status bar. You can put things in it, but having 'two' of them with left/right swipe I don't think is user-replaceable.
However, there ARE apps that let you put any shortcut you want in the Notifications Tray:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.miromind.bartenderlite/
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.schwimmer.android.barcontrol/

I think your thinking of something along the lines of SBSettings for the iphone os?

@ paul Thank you for that information, if nothing else thats very useful.
@ zKilla: i am not familiar with iphone at all, i made the bold move to go straight into the world of android . But after doing some research that seems like it would be a great compromise.. only problem is if its even feasible to build into the N1
Also if any devs know where i could start poking my nose around, perhaps i figure this out on my own, lord knows itll take a few years tho ha

Is there an app to put power control widget in notification pulldown?

That would be sweet. Pretty much the only feature of my long gone jailbroken I*phone (sbsettings) that I miss was activating that screen with a swipe without exiting the focused application. It must be possible in android. Any info?

Quicksettings?
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

There is an app in the market called "Quick Settings" which can be placed in the Ongoing notification dropdown that is customizable to include everything on the power control widget and more.

I am a fan of "power strip", a great paid app.

Quick Settings is really nice. Thanks y'all.
FYI, I've also used NOTIFi by Sisedi Media. It's skinnable and has a polished look that's a little different from the normal android UI.

Try QuickDesk Beta. It's a single extra homescreen that you access by double tapping the home button. Can put any widgets or shortcuts that you can put on your home screen. That way, all you have to do is double tap your home button, use the power strip, then hit back to get out of QuickDesk Beta and you'll be back in your original app.

The MIUI ROM has this as a fixed element at the bottom of the drop down.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Just a matter of time before this gets into other ROMs , hopefully

britoso said:
The MIUI ROM has this as a fixed element at the bottom of the drop down.
Just a matter of time before this gets into other ROMs , hopefully
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The amount of times i've wished I didn't have to return to Home Screen to toggle GPS / WIFI etc - this is the absolute perfect solution. If it had customisable entries where we could launch a task switcher - WIN WIN!
+1 hopefully.
Perhaps this thread should be moved to Andoid General for greater visibility?
Steve.

theres an app thats called "in app toggle wifi" or something where you just have to hold the search softkey for a couple of seconds. even better in that it is hidden.

A good alternative is quickdesk by ruqqq, I've set it to bring up its "screen" on home double tap.

quickdesk is awesome. Not only can use power control but any app that you want without leaving any application. love it

Just noticed that the galaxy tab has this too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAbsmHMAhrQ#t=03m53s

Quickdesk or My Settings is best alternative for time being
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

MIUI ROM has it.
Cyanogen ROM will soon have this. You can look at Cyanogen's twitter account, he recently had a pic showing it off. I can't wait.

leyvatron said:
MIUI ROM has it.
Cyanogen ROM will soon have this. You can look at Cyanogen's twitter account, he recently had a pic showing it off. I can't wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link please?

Kmobs twitter
look at the white area...

leyvatron said:
http://twitpic.com/2smtv1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh I found it too:
http://twitter.com/kmobs/status/25732912666
I'm also drooling for CM 6.1 for:
-hibernate
-2.2.1 fixes
-a2sdext built it (hope they still plan it for 6.1...)

britoso said:
heh I found it too:
http://twitter.com/kmobs/status/25732912666
I'm also drooling for CM 6.1 for:
-hibernate
-2.2.1 fixes
-a2sdext built it (hope they still plan it for 6.1...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that looks awesome and really useful. Ah QuickSettings, you were a good friend...
I love the Cyanogen logo at the bottom of the notifications panel hahaha

MUIU ROM also has hibernation.
Im glad they are implementing this in CM.

widgetsoid
Widgetsoid is in the market and lets u do this go through all the settings there alot of good stuff

One-handed software keys? LMT launcher will give you that.

If for some reason you have missed this amazing app, it is incredibly useful for phones with huge screens
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kVWi5_7fw
You install it and it will work in any app. It does not replace your current launcher.
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
P.S. I am not related to the project at all, so don't thank me. Thank the developer!
I'm just sharing because it really improved my Note 2

Gnarfsan said:
If for some reason you have missed this amazing app, it is incredibly useful for phones with huge screens
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kVWi5_7fw
You install it and it will work in any app. It does not replace your current launcher.
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
P.S. I am not related to the project at all, so don't thank me. Thank the developer!
I'm just sharing because it really improved my Note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to what your specific needs are, this app or SwypePad or GMD Gesture Control are must have apps.
I use GMD and it's solved one of the 3 Android's only big shortcomings: lack of "ALT+TAB" and switch to previous/next app.

xdapao3 said:
I use GMD and it's solved one of the 3 Android's only big shortcomings: lack of "ALT+TAB" and switch to previous/next app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
This app has a feature for that too. But I like the way you can customize it completely with any command or app and also that it wraps around your finger. My thumb is not long enough to use SwipePad on this phone.
But with the pie in LMT, I can handle 20 different commands and shortcuts by holding it in one hand, using my thumb.
This is what it's all about:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Gnarfsan said:
Thank you
This app has a feature for that too. But I like the way you can customize it completely with any command or app and also that it wraps around your finger. My thumb is not long enough to use SwipePad on this phone.
But with the pie in LMT, I can handle 20 different commands and shortcuts by holding it in one hand, using my thumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of those 3 LMT is the one I too like most but it has a couple of issues which make me use GMD instead (at least at this time):
- it lacks the built-in capability to launch app-created shortcuts (you have to install and thinker with 2 other apps: Tasker and Autoshortcut)
To me that means, above all, that I can't make it go to a specific Nova Launcher Prime page like GMD can and, most importantly, it can't launch an RTF file created by Solid Explorer.
- it makes that shortcut-launched RTF file crash (shortcut on the home created by Solid Explorer and opened in Thinkfree Word) whenever I try to switch back to it with the "prev app"/"next app" controls and that's one of the apps I need most often to switch back to.
As it is LMT is unusable for me but I keep on checking its updates to see if/when these issues are resolved as if/once it does LMT is practically perfect..

I don't think they are comparable. You are not going to get the kind of one-finger control GMD that the PIE offers in LMT.
What I really miss with the Note 2 is to be able to reach the hardware buttons with my thumb while holding the phone in one hand without dropping it.
The pie is that and 16 other commands that you can access with your thumb alone.

Gnarfsan said:
I don't think they are comparable. You are not going to get the kind of one-finger control GMD that the PIE offers in LMT.
What I really miss with the Note 2 is to be able to reach the hardware buttons with my thumb while holding the phone in one hand without dropping it.
The pie is that and 16 other commands that you can access with your thumb alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely true but I am not interested in one hand use.
I have always found very annoying trying to operate ANY touchscreen mobile device with one hand (doesn't matter the screen size).
What I am interested in are gesture/quick ways to ALT+TAB between apps, switch to previous/next app, go to the Home screen, open the Recent Apps list, turn off the screen/lock the device AND launch/switch back to my most used apps.
Both of them do that and LMT does it much better EXCEPT the very last thing I listed above and detailed in my previous post which LMT does not at all. As soon as LMT can do that too I will happily switch to LMT!

I tried it in the early stages on my hd2.. but then went onto use zmooth.... now I use button savior on the note 2....but seems this app has progressed alot now. ..Thanks for reminding. .. got to try it now
scribbled from my note 2 (N7100)