Related
I want to start it,anyone ave any suggestions hints or anything else?
http://www.throttlelauncher.com/portal/
sign up and do some homework..u'll see that one was created already
also i suggest u search the forums before making threads like this..
i signed up and looked,i want to make it with other to make look more beautiful
beginning-4 tabs,for weather tab for better looking can be used iphone theme for weatherpanel
there is one in the throttle forums already but, we need to get better icons for that setup. besides that, its a really useful setup cuz its not just icons
i can help,but those setup is not working on my (i have 0.9.3)
as mike21 stated..."its not just icons"
thats a key factor here..it seems to be that alot of these iphone themes are just icons which is cool and on the money so to speak..but alittle too much on the eyes if u ask me..
i, as well as countless others, enjoy a today/home screen..with a background picture rather than the ladder..a bunch of icons leading u to other places..
so maybe u may want to keep that in mind..when creating your theme
i mean..keep the iphone look and feel..but add a twist..to make "your own" diffrent from the rest
Jstar
JstarLuvsTina said:
as mike21 stated..."its not just icons"
thats a key factor here..it seems to be that alot of these iphone themes are just icons which is cool and on the money so to speak..but alittle too much on the eyes if u ask me..
i, as well as countless others, enjoy a today/home screen..with a background picture rather than the ladder..a bunch of icons leading u to other places..
so maybe u may want to keep that in mind..when creating your theme
i mean..keep the iphone look and feel..but add a twist..to make "your own" diffrent from the rest
Jstar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, using plain icons really suck big time. what needs to be done is the same thing that gullum did with his setup but keeping the iphone look by keeping the bottom 4 icons static and use them to open different pages within the setup so you have the iphone look but have a lot more functuality in the setup rather than just launch icons
mike21pr said:
yea, using plain icons really suck big time. what needs to be done is the same thing that gullum did with his setup but keeping the iphone look by keeping the bottom 4 icons static and use them to open different pages within the setup so you have the iphone look but have a lot more functuality in the setup rather than just launch icons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly!
if i wasnt so anti iphone i would have rocked his theme..without a problem!
and LeAdReW if u need icons.. i have TONS of iphone icons ive created and dl'd over time with for u to look at!
can't wait for the 0.9.4 beta version!!!
LeAdReW said:
beginning-4 tabs,for weather tab for better looking can be used iphone theme for weatherpanel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well done mate! it is always good to have different versions of a theme! i cant create themes myself but with my macbook next year, ill join the 'race'
So, I was thinking, since I got this phone I have been downloading apps willie nillie. Keeping it clean though, clearing out what Ii haven't been using. I was wondering if there is plans to add more screens.
I am not a coder, so I would not be sure how to do this. The extra 2 dots and screen preview I am sure would add extra difficulty for this. I would be willing to donate for this. I am a widget head and I Have a few apps I keep going to the menu for.
Thank you if you read this. Have a good day.
shoot, i can't even fill 5.
Have not heard of more than 5, but U can create folders on the home screen & fill them up with apps...
You see that figure on the bottom of the screen, with the little grid?
That's the equivalent of your 7 homescreens.
Download home++
Ok, so you guys seem to be confused, I wasn't actually asking your opinion or how you use your homescreen. I wan't asking if there was some crappy overlay app on the market for my launcher, I know how to use the phone, I know where the apps are.
This is actually a request for the devs. If one of them thinks this is feasible and decides to do it, it's on them.
So, unless you can code, i don't care. If you can code and even bother reading or considering this, I say thank you very much as I know that the devs time is valuable.
halfsight said:
Ok, so you guys seem to be confused, I wasn't actually asking your opinion or how you use your homescreen. I wan't asking if there was some crappy overlay app on the market for my launcher, I know how to use the phone, I know where the apps are.
This is actually a request for the devs. If one of them thinks this is feasible and decides to do it, it's on them.
So, unless you can code, i don't care. If you can code and even bother reading or considering this, I say thank you very much as I know that the devs time is valuable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, check out Home++
I find it's actually smoother than the regula launcher.
Henchman said:
Seriously, check out Home++
I find it's actually smoother than the regula launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip dude. But I have tried that one, And I agree that home++ is really nice, Ii would like to see 7 screens natively in a custom rom or possibly an Add on.
I am curious how hard this would be to code to be honest... it seems that it was only a minor update/change seeing as 2.0 only had 3 screens...
i would also like to see 7 screens...most of my screen space is used up...
But surely downloading a small program like Home++ is better as you can choose the amount of screens.
I can switch from anywhere between 3 and 7 screens without worrying about blank screens.
Also Home++ is FAR smotther and faster than the stock home launcher which I find surprising.
halfsight said:
... i would like to see 7 screens natively in a custom rom or possibly an Add on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
possibly an Add on?
never heard of an Add on.
there's an app for that LMAO
Amdathlonuk said:
Also Home++ is FAR smotther and faster than the stock home launcher which I find surprising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true
halfsight said:
Ok, so you guys seem to be confused, I wasn't actually asking your opinion or how you use your homescreen. I wan't asking if there was some crappy overlay app on the market for my launcher, I know how to use the phone, I know where the apps are.
This is actually a request for the devs. If one of them thinks this is feasible and decides to do it, it's on them.
So, unless you can code, i don't care. If you can code and even bother reading or considering this, I say thank you very much as I know that the devs time is valuable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, there's no need to be a jerk. This is an open forum, where people post opinions, thus you can't dictate who or what gets posted in the thread you started provided its within the rules set forth by the mods.
Why not ask, ney, demand for 9 home screens. 9 is way better than 7 and while you're at it, why not have them wrap around cylindrical style. Oh sorry, here I am throwing idea's out in your dev only thread.
Amdathlonuk said:
But surely downloading a small program like Home++ is better as you can choose the amount of screens.
I can switch from anywhere between 3 and 7 screens without worrying about blank screens.
Also Home++ is FAR smotther and faster than the stock home launcher which I find surprising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the comments suggest that it isnt faster than stock, how many screens are you using? Would Launcher+ by the same dev be better if all I want is a different number of screens?
The Jones said:
Some of the comments suggest that it isnt faster than stock, how many screens are you using? Would Launcher+ by the same dev be better if all I want is a different number of screens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, here's an idea.
Why don't you download them and try them out for yourself instead if relying in what other people say.
Geeze.
bofslime said:
Wow, there's no need to be a jerk. This is an open forum, where people post opinions, thus you can't dictate who or what gets posted in the thread you started provided its within the rules set forth by the mods.
Why not ask, ney, demand for 9 home screens. 9 is way better than 7 and while you're at it, why not have them wrap around cylindrical style. Oh sorry, here I am throwing idea's out in your dev only thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not demanding anything, I asked, I even offered a donation. I am trying to dictate nothing, So read, ney, understand my post before you lash out friend.
Like I said, any dev that takes the time to read this I thank you.
The Jones said:
Some of the comments suggest that it isnt faster than stock, how many screens are you using? Would Launcher+ by the same dev be better if all I want is a different number of screens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using 6 screens, here's how they're set out
1. Weather/Clock with memory widgets and 4 icons
2. power widget, Music widget, 6
3. Photo Gallery widget (full screen)
4. Twitter, Facebook widgets and another Music widget
5. Pure Calender widget (Full screen)
6. clear screen.
Works flawlessly and far better than the stock launcher.
......and people are right, Moto Blur is a cluster****.
I am not too tech savvy, but not a dummy either.
Suggestions and tips on rooting would be great.
Meanwhile, I will keep digging around this site, I am sure the answers are somewhere here, but there is so much info......
Try "gladroot"
JRSOne said:
......and people are right, Moto Blur is a cluster****.
I am not too tech savvy, but not a dummy either.
Suggestions and tips on rooting would be great.
Meanwhile, I will keep digging around this site, I am sure the answers are somewhere here, but there is so much info......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just rooted my atrix last night with "gladroot". http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12540398
Before you root, install Motorola driver first. Nobody didn't mention about it until later and it took me for a while to troubleshoot. As long as you read and follow the instructions, it's not difficult.
http://briefmobile.com/motorola-atrix-4g-root
JRSOne said:
I am not too tech savvy, but not a dummy either.
Suggestions and tips on rooting would be great.
Meanwhile, I will keep digging around this site, I am sure the answers are somewhere here, but there is so much info......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have to dig far!
Rooting for dummies is on the 1st floor! LOL
Thanks a lot, very nice.
3GS -> Atrix
JRSOne said:
......and people are right, Moto Blur is a cluster****.
I am not too tech savvy, but not a dummy either.
Suggestions and tips on rooting would be great.
Meanwhile, I will keep digging around this site, I am sure the answers are somewhere here, but there is so much info......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just made the same switch last week (3GS -> Atrix). Agree that MotoBlur sux and it's also been painful syncing contacts and calendar from my work's Outlook (going through Google isn't an option)
One reason I made the switch was for the less restrictive Android OS. However if you're on version 1.57, it looks like you have to take a few steps backwards to get ahead (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12540398). Looks like I'll have to set aside some time to play...
JRSOne said:
......and people are right, Moto Blur is a cluster****.
I am not too tech savvy, but not a dummy either.
Suggestions and tips on rooting would be great.
Meanwhile, I will keep digging around this site, I am sure the answers are somewhere here, but there is so much info......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get adw launcher and use titanium backup to freeze blur. Fixes that problem right up. On the other hand, try running gingerblur which has a clean UI and runs quite smooth. It also removes a ton of other bloatware on the phone. Everything except adw launcher requires root of course.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
I don't understand why ppl say "blur sucks"....I like BLUR, it's very useful with all that widgets to have all your Social Networks quickly in one hand.
emandt said:
I don't understand why ppl say "blur sucks"....I like BLUR, it's very useful with all that widgets to have all your Social Networks quickly in one hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blur USED to suck, past tense. It doesn't suck too badly anymore. And I can't see why a new user would say it sucks when they have no experience. This is just a blind statement.
I'm very picky with my launchers and if I could tweak Blur to look better and purge a few things I don't use, it actually wouldn't be very bad at all. But I like that with the other launchers I can personally tweak them precisely to my preference.
bongd said:
Blur USED to suck, past tense. It doesn't suck too badly anymore. And I can't see why a new user would say it sucks when they have no experience. This is just a blind statement.
I'm very picky with my launchers and if I could tweak Blur to look better and purge a few things I don't use, it actually wouldn't be very bad at all. But I like that with the other launchers I can personally tweak them precisely to my preference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BLUR sucks.
Exchange 2003 notifications are broken.
Unified Inbox doesn't include GMail. (that's a hurr durr right there)
Duplicate functionality of what already exists (Social Networking, Accounts, Corporate Sync)
I don't mind the homescreen/launcher.
My biggest complaint with blur is simply the lag when switching home screens and bringing up the full list of apps. And that you can't change anything on the dock. And the widgets are ugly. Oh wait...that's pretty much everything that blur does I hate...
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
I am saying it sucks because I am comparing it to my iphone. I can't express how much cleaner, simplier and user friendly the 3GS is compared to blur.
I certainly hope that other Android phones are not this bad.
If I can't find a better OS that works for me, I will simply get an iphone 4. I guess I was spoiled.
JRSOne said:
I am saying it sucks because I am comparing it to my iphone. I can't express how much cleaner, simplier and user friendly the 3GS is compared to blur.
I certainly hope that other Android phones are not this bad.
If I can't find a better OS that works for me, I will simply get an iphone 4. I guess I was spoiled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean the interface that is the exact same for everyone? The iPhone was made to be simpler. It's so everyone can use it. If you like being coddled by Apple, return the Atrix and get your i4.
It's up to you. WebOS is rising, WP7, BBOS (not as popular). Your pick, dude. Like I said, the iOS devices are made so that even a monkey could pick one up and work it like a pro.
If you're not going to take the time to tweak your device to your liking, go with iOS.
JRSOne said:
I am saying it sucks because I am comparing it to my iphone. I can't express how much cleaner, simplier and user friendly the 3GS is compared to blur.
I certainly hope that other Android phones are not this bad.
If I can't find a better OS that works for me, I will simply get an iphone 4. I guess I was spoiled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. The other androids are not that bad. The original froyo has a cleaner and faster approach than motoblur. Motoblur by far is the worst UI-skin you can possibly have.
peacekeeper05 said:
Yep. The other androids are not that bad. The original froyo has a cleaner and faster approach than motoblur. Motoblur by far is the worst UI-skin you can possibly have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever tried TouchWiz? the iPhone wanna-be? Sense is decent, but Blur is one of the closest manufacture's skins to Vanilla Android.
Also, your opinion on Blur is your own. Many people love and use Blur, and many people do not. Just because you say it's the worst, does not make it so.
I advise you to try out all the other different interfaces, and tell me Blur is the complete and total worst you have ever tried.
What about the newer blur on the droid x?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
PixoNova said:
Have you ever tried TouchWiz? the iPhone wanna-be? Sense is decent, but Blur is one of the closest manufacture's skins to Vanilla Android.
Also, your opinion on Blur is your own. Many people love and use Blur, and many people do not. Just because you say it's the worst, does not make it so.
I advise you to try out all the other different interfaces, and tell me Blur is the complete and total worst you have ever tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. It was obviously an opinion. I did not in any way said im representing the whole android community duh.
I have tried touchwiz, sense and the LG UI already. And of course i've also tried the original android stock UI.
I kinda want to know what people doesn't like on motoblur. The panels? You can empty all of them and end up with 7 panels on witch you can put whatever icons, shorcuts, widgets (and so on) you like. I'm coming from sense but I can customize the motoblur to look just as good. Don't feel like using launcher pro and already uninstalled regina 3D and adw. I woulg probably give a spb a try if they would have a trial.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
JRSOne said:
I am saying it sucks because I am comparing it to my iphone. I can't express how much cleaner, simplier and user friendly the 3GS is compared to blur.
I certainly hope that other Android phones are not this bad.
If I can't find a better OS that works for me, I will simply get an iphone 4. I guess I was spoiled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also coming from an iPhone, and here are some things I think are superior on the Atrix (and Android) to the iPhone (and iOS):
1. Non-intrusive notifications! I hated how on the iPhone, notifications pop up as dialogs that have to be closed. Sometimes you're doing something important, and you get a text message which pops up right in the middle of the screen. Irritating! I like how you can slide down the top bar when you want and it shows you your notifications.
2. Notification LED. It's great to be able to tell that you have messages or a missed call without having to turn on the screen.
3. Four hardware buttons instead of just one. After you've used the phone awhile, you'll realize how useful a back button and a menu button can be. You have to switch back to home less than you do with an iPhone. Also, hold down your home button and shortcuts to your last 8 used apps will appear.
4. Every application must advertise what features of your phone it has access to in the Manage Applications settings pages. So if an app can read and write to your contact data, it says so in the settings. On the iPhone, you have to rely on Apple to make sure all apps are doing what they're supposed to. Worse, if you get apps from Cydia, well then you're completely on your own.
5. You have 15 minutes to get a refund if you buy something from the Android Market. That's a pretty short time if you have to download a big application, but better that than no refunds at all.
6. Having the option to use an external micro-SD card is pretty nice.
7. Unlike the iPhone, the home screen and the app drawer are two separate things. It's nice to have widgets to customize your home screens.
8. For obvious reasons, Android versions of Google applications tend to have more features on Android than on the iPhone. For example, Maps has that cool 3D compass view, instead of the regular "up is North" top-down view. It also has a Street View add-on which is pretty neat and works quite well.
9. GPS seems faster and more precise on my Atrix than on my iPhone (and my friend's iPhone 4). I've heard others say the opposite with respect to the iPhone 4, so maybe it depends on where in the world you are.
10. For Bell users (ATT users have to pay I think?), Mobile wifi hotspot works great. I've tried tethering my Macbook Pro to the phone via wifi, and it works really well.
11. There's a basic data counter built in, which shows you how much data you're using, and by which apps.
12. There's a pretty decent Battery Manager built in, which shows very clearly what percentage of your used battery was used by each phone function, or application.
13. It comes with Swype as an alternate input system to the virtual keyboard, but you're free to install other 3rd party input methods if you like (there are quite a few).
Well, I don't know if I missed anything, but for the most part, these are the things that impressed me the most after using the Atrix for a couple weeks. I'm very happy I moved to the Atrix, but that's not to say that I hate the iPhone. I still like it, it has a very polished feel and the best screen in the business. And after all, it was the breakthrough smart phone when it first came out. There are just a few things that I think they really need to improve (notifications!).
slimslim said:
I kinda want to know what people doesn't like on motoblur.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I liked some of the features of Motoblur, like having the Manage Applications settings right in the menu of your homescreens. Very useful. Some of the widgets are nice too. My major complaint is that Motoblur is so choppy when scrolling around! That's unacceptable for a high-end phone, in my opinion.
PixoNova said:
the iOS devices are made so that even a monkey could pick one up and work it like a pro.
If you're not going to take the time to tweak your device to your liking, go with iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 this is the reason why people think that iphone its a ladies phone. its easy to use, no customizable and very locked device, like you say XD even a monkey can work on it like a pro
I'm just curious why other developers haven't picked up on this seemingly game changing feature. The 4x5 Desktop Mod. I feel spoiled.
I was messing around, installing ROMs over the weekend (just doing a monthly shuffle to see what's out there) and I came back to Gingeritis solely because of the 4x5 Desktop Workspace mod. There really is SO much good work being done right now, it's insane and there were a lot of features/themes I really liked on other ROMs. In the end though, it was just too tough to go back to the 4x4 desktop.
I'm asking from a 100% laymans standpoint... is this a difficult thing to incorporate into a ROM? Has it been done before and people didn't like it? I'm just curious to hear what you guys think...
The extra space for me is great on two accounts... the most obvious... the extra space. The less obvious is that it allows me to space out my icons with a little bit more style revealing more of my wallpaper. OCD, maybe. But awesome none-the-less.
shoot2scre said:
I'm just curious why other developers haven't picked up on this seemingly game changing feature. The 4x5 Desktop Mod. I feel spoiled.
I was messing around, installing ROMs over the weekend (just doing a monthly shuffle to see what's out there) and I came back to Gingeritis solely because of the 4x5 Desktop Workspace mod. There really is SO much good work being done right now, it's insane and there were a lot of features/themes I really liked on other ROMs. In the end though, it was just too tough to go back to the 4x4 desktop.
I'm asking from a 100% laymans standpoint... is this a difficult thing to incorporate into a ROM? Has it been done before and people didn't like it? I'm just curious to hear what you guys think...
The extra space for me is great on two accounts... the most obvious... the extra space. The less obvious is that it allows me to space out my icons with a little bit more style revealing more of my wallpaper. OCD, maybe. But awesome none-the-less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Far from easy... It has been making me its ***** since I started... All of the Widgets need to modified, Rosie needs to be modified, etc. Chingy has a magic wand ya know ....
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I don't run Gingeritis so what exactly is this "4x5 Desktop Mod" because solely from the name it sounds like a feature launchers have had for a while which provides the ability to change the rowXcolumn dimensions of the homescreens.
Maybe that isn't it and feel free to correct me as I'm actually curious what this feature is that users love so if it isn't that aspect.
DroidTh3ory said:
Far from easy... It has been making me its ***** since I started... All of the Widgets need to modified, Rosie needs to be modified, etc. Chingy has a magic wand ya know ....
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes a lot of sense actually. I loved your ROM btw. Anytime I run through 4 or 5 Roms in a weekend I always am shocked at just how good all our developers are. Keep it up... if you get something going with the 4x5 desktop I'd be the first in line to install and test-drive it!!
EDIT: Just realized you're from Troy. I live in Royal Oak... basically on the border of Troy, Clawson, Birmingham and Royal Oak.
Absolute_Zero said:
I don't run Gingeritis so what exactly is this "4x5 Desktop Mod" because solely from the name it sounds like a feature launchers have had for a while which provides the ability to change the rowXcolumn dimensions of the homescreens.
Maybe that isn't it and feel free to correct me as I'm actually curious what this feature is that users love so if it isn't that aspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what we are talking about. It gives you more room on your home screens and app draw.
Shawn haz root said:
That's exactly what we are talking about. It gives you more room on your home screens and app draw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, ok, I was just wondering why people stay on a certain rom for it if launchers like ADW and LP have done it for a long time. There must be something else I'm missing.
Absolute_Zero said:
I don't run Gingeritis so what exactly is this "4x5 Desktop Mod" because solely from the name it sounds like a feature launchers have had for a while which provides the ability to change the rowXcolumn dimensions of the homescreens.
Maybe that isn't it and feel free to correct me as I'm actually curious what this feature is that users love so if it isn't that aspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's exactly what it sounds like and I believe you are understanding properly.
It formats the desktop workspace to be 4 columns and 5 rows. Just adds an extra row to your standard desktop.
Absolute_Zero said:
Hmm, ok, I was just wondering why people stay on a certain rom for it if launchers like ADW and LP have done it for a long time. There must be something else I'm missing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to use ADW on my OG Droid. I've really enjoyed Sense so I haven't switched back over.
I don't believe I can use the Sense widgets (people, weather, etc) if I'm using ADW which is why I've stuck with my Rom of choice.
Wowowow... This thread is locked and I'll sort through it once I get home. Jeez people, play nice for a change.
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Twenty minutes before the first bump and between the first and second - get a bit of patience! People aren't lurking on forums waiting to jump on your every post...
1. Yes - Minimalistic Text and others
3. Yes - search Play store for "picture widget"
4. Why not Swype? What makes it unsuitable (that'll make it easier for others to make suggestions.
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Honestly, any keyboard that works well with one hand, will also reconfigure so much that you'll essentially have to relearn it.
Messagease and 8pen are good with one hand, but they obviously don't look anything like qwerty. And one-hand typing is really only feasible with phones anyway.
Best bet is just to use voice recognition and hope it really is as up to snuff.
You're probably not going to like my answer, but I tried this (also with a person who had use of only one arm) and it didn't work. I mounted it to a table on a movable arm to make it easy to use.
Beyond the shaking hands and weak eyes, the biggest problem is understanding the UI. To you and I it's not complicated, but we grew up with computers. That's not any sort of judgment; the guy was capable of using a windows XP computer (very very slowly), it's just that switching to a new IU is much more confusing to the older brain than for a younger brain. They just don't have the filters to pick out the important information from the screen quickly, and every step requires conscious thought. This can be very tiring for an older person, and--at least in my experience--older people don't have a lot of tolerance for frustration.
I don't want you to be discouraged by this; I spent weeks on this (and several hundred dollars) and ended up getting him a small laptop on which I installed a simplification program that allowed only basic email and internet. But your relative may be more savvy, have better coordination, or just more interest in making it work. Here's what I'd suggest:
1) "minimalist text" can be customized to put static text on the screen. You'll have to play with it a bit.
2) There's no applications I can think of that make it easier, but I'd suggest giving her some system to mount it where she can both see and reach it. Have her sit as she would when she wanted to use it (chair, table, bed) and figure out how she can use it with her arm resting on something.
3) I think the picture frames widget is included in stock android. I'd strongly suggest against using anything other than a solid-colored background though. Again, it's difficult for an older brain to parse large amounts of information, and older eyes to see past the contrasts. I'm sure there's some way to have a rotating photo widget on some part of the screen in the market though.
4) Swiftkey. It's a bit advanced, but has one major advantage: predictive text. She can enter a few letters and the software will come up with a few words. Often it will get the intended word within a few letters, which can save a lot of inputs. That said, I think the stock android keyboard in JB has this functionality too, so you might hold off and try that.
A few other suggestions:
1) Get a launcher that can be cut down to just one screen. ADW EX does this. And get rid of the elastic screens (allows it to stay static). You said you already have a custom launcher in mind; which one were you thinking of?
2) When AOKP gets their hands on this, they'll allow you to add and change buttons to the notification bar. Get rid of the long-presses, maybe even get rid of everything but the home and back button.
3) Forget the speech recognition stuff. Old voices are not easy to understand for anyone, much less a computer, and convincing an older person to speak slowly and annunciate is not easy. Also, the first time it doesn't work you'll have a very frustrated relative to deal with...
4) Keep it simple. The first time you show her how to use it pick one thing (probably email or video chat) and show her how to do just that. If you take just one suggestion from me it's this. Add something next time, once she gets how to do email or video chat (test her first). Seriously, everyone will end up happier as a result.
OK, good luck! Hope it works better for you than it did for me!
I would say, a very simple background. No live wallpapers. A Big clock widget,
Get her a Bluetooth Keyboard, there is no sense in trying to force an older person to use a touch screen, that requires near perfect fingers. A normal keyboard is something she most likely has seen and used before. So it will feel normal.
A Widget for changing volume. Something with like a large Plus and Minus sign, and a big percent so she can easily see how loud it is.
Brad387 said:
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
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Brad387 said:
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
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Brad387 said:
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
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lol man, RELAX. Bumping your thread like that is terrible forum etiquette.
I'd refer to your own thread that you opened not long before this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757848
Aps at startup
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Thanks. I will likely use Nova Launcher to keep the amount of screens to a minimum.
darkamikaze said:
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
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Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Fascinating. But this isn't for you; it's for an older person.
OP, the folks pointing out that it's bad forum etiquette to create multiple threads and bump them are right. And considering the time folks put into answering your question, it wouldn't hurt to respond and click the "thanks" button.
thebobp said:
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
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I don't understand how you would use Swype with two hands even if you wanted to. Swyping requires one continuous swipe with one finger across all of the letters that spell out your word, and besides the actual act of swyping, I don't understand how using it would be any different from using one finger to type on a non-Swype keyboard.
blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
dparrothead1 said:
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used miui on several devices. I just find it clunky. I like having an alphabetically sorted app drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I'm working on the same issue for my mom, who just turned 86.
I downloaded Minimalistic Text for her, but I had assumed it would be simple to set up - it isn't.
Am I correct that it's very limited as to what it can display? It appears to be able to display the time, date, temp, and then a few other things not important to your typical 86 year old, such as battery level, cpu speed, etc.
I had hoped I would be able to have it launch apps, so I could for instance, have it show "Email", Facebook", etc.
Older people have difficulty remembering the names of apps sometimes. "K9" for instance, would not mean email to my mom.
Something that would allow you to make app icons larger might help. But I had high hopes for Minimalist Text!
Btw, we did a four way hangout with her yesterday. She has beginning Alzheimer's, but she loves technology!
Edit: I see in the OP's other thread someone mentioned Simple Text . Can that be used on a stock N7? Must I use a different launcher?