[Q] how to put external widget into my app - Android Software Development

Hi,
is there a way to put external widget (for ex. GenieWidget with weather) into my application in a easy way? Something like putting just a proper layout in .xml in res/layout?

To develop a widget you should follow proper Android development instructions. Actually building a Widget is slightly different from developing an activity application, because you have to deal with Receive and Update methods.
Another important thing is you can't use Views exactly as in Activity, you need to deal with RemoteViews that act differently from Views.
However, it is not difficult to start developing a Widget, take a look at Android Developers!

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[Q] Stock Launcher Tweaks?

First off, please do not reply with "Try Launcher Pro" or anything similar. I have the paid version of LP and like it very much, but I also like the stock Gingerbread launcher, TYVM.
After using the stock launcher since picking up my NS on launch day, the only thing I'd like to tweak is the app drawer. I'd like the ability to change the scroll inertia as I miss being able to scroll through 200+ items with one or two strong flicks when I need to. I'd also like for it to remember my last position in the app drawer.
I'm sure that somewhere inside the apk (or elsewhere) these are configurable options that could be utilized by a 3rd party tweaking app, but have been unable to find such a thing.
Thanks.
I just want to replace the phone icon with the messaging icon, since I browse and text the most. I rarely make phone calls.
You would have to pull the stock launcher source code into eclipse, edit the code, the re compile and load it onto your device.
My hunch is you'd specifically have to change onSavedInstanceState or onRestoreInstanceState (or the onPause onResume) functions of the app drawer activity to memorize the app drawer location each time It's sent to the background.
For an experience that is supposed to be about customization, not sure why Google/Android wouldn't have these features implemented in the first place -- something as simple as changing say the icons on the dock, or the settings of the app drawer.

[Q][IDEA] Is this possible with Android

My wife has a "dumb" phone, but honestly as far as usability it's pretty great, and this is a feature I'd love to see on android phones:
Is it possible for a Launcher/Home app to have 2 remembered configurations for widgets, and for it to remember them and toggle between them by autosensing it's position?
So Example:
Is it possible that in portrait mode, your phone shows a dialer widget on your homescreen. When you turn the phone to landscape mode, the homescreen shows an SMS widget INSTEAD of the dialer widget. When you turn the phone back to portrait, the widget gets switched back to the dialer widget?
I think that as far as usability, that'd be awesome!
Never saw anything like that on Android.
But yes, I assume that is possible. I guess Apps have access to accelerometer and it wouldn't even need root.
Thanks!
I think it'd be awesome. As great and versatile as our phones are, let's be honest; they're phones. I think it'd be great if all you had to do was unlock your phone, and voila: you're greeted with a dialer widget (which already exist BTW). Don't need to make a phone call? No problem, but turn the phone into landscape mode (b/c let's be honest, most of us probably send SMS in landscape mode) and AGAIN Voila! there's a texting widget instead of the dialer widget (which I think also exist). The only thing to implement would be the "autosensing". If a Launcher like LPP or GO Launcher would implement something like that... it'd be money!
You could implement it on the widget itself so it works on any launcher.
Yes, it's certainly possible.
You'd have to save 2 sets of widgets and then code a listener to check whether the phone's in portrait or landscape and load the correct one.
Saying that, it's beyond my coding abilities, but i'm sure someone could do it
It is not only possible, but, from what I can tell, quite easy
all you would need to do is set up an OrientationEventListener
and then create a OnOrientationChanged method that would well.. change what is displayed
I'm not sure if it would be possible for do without using a different launcher but I'm sure it could be incorporated into something like launcherpro or adw launcher.
I might look into creating a widget that switches from phone to sms
that would be pretty cool
I'll let you know if I get anywhere with it
+1
Good idea! I hope someone could do it. That would be awesome.
Tasker is the answer!
I have Tasker and have done an almost identical thing. Create a Task which senses the orientation is portrait mode to change a shortcut on the homescreen to link to the phone dialler app. Have another task which changes the shortcut to the sms app if its in landscape mode.
Should be relatively simple.
Tasker is about £3 so a little more than most apps but is so configurable should pay for itself as it can replace a lot of other apps I have used.

[Q] Do not launch Launcher on boot and launch my apk instead

Hello,
I am looking for a way to mask the fact that Android is running on our embedded platform. I was hoping to get some help from someone here who would know how to run a given apk instead of the 'Launcher2.apk' on boot.
Things I do need to hide to make it as transparent as possible from boot to application launch - where no android recognizable items should be seen.
- No unlock screen
- No status bar
- No application list icons
Sounds like the ideal thing to do would be to simply not launch launcher, and launch my apk instead.
I know something like this is possable since launcher pro used to fire up the browser when it had expired. Could u create some kind of launcher to open a app (sorry not a dev so not sure weather this will work)
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
@Class said:
Hello,
I am looking for a way to mask the fact that Android is running on our embedded platform. I was hoping to get some help from someone here who would know how to run a given apk instead of the 'Launcher2.apk' on boot.
Things I do need to hide to make it as transparent as possible from boot to application launch - where no android recognizable items should be seen.
- No unlock screen
- No status bar
- No application list icons
Sounds like the ideal thing to do would be to simply not launch launcher, and launch my apk instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make your own launcher that doesn't show this stuff and launches what ever you want straight away.

Application Folder Pro for Android for FREE

Application Folder Pro for Android for FREE
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Jeong-...1?ie=UTF8&s=mobile-apps&qid=1314632955&sr=1-1
Product Description
Application Folder
Create your folders
Application Folder
A variety of icons
Serious Widgets and Folders for the Serious Android User
Do you have bookmarks, shortcuts, contacts and apps that you use all the time, but they're scattered here, there, and everywhere on your smartphone? How much time do you waste navigating to the things you need? Don't you wish you could just put them all in a folder or two, easily accessible on your home screen?
Application Folder helps make folders accessible from your home screen using instantly recognizable icons. Set up and customize folders, stuff them full of apps, bookmarks, and contacts, and place them as widgets anywhere on your home screen. Now those frequently used apps, bookmarks, and contacts are right there for you to access immediately.
The King of Folders
Let's say you want to be able to e-mail certain contacts quickly. First, access Application Folder through your Widgets menu. Next, create a folder and long-press the standard icon and replace with the e-mail symbol, or any of Application Folder's dozens of attractive icons, such as an airplane, bus, movie reel, pen, paint pallet, etc. Now choose the contacts you want to be in this new folder. Select Menu, then select Apply and exit, and that folder-widget is now on your screen. Tapping on the widget will bring up your chosen contacts that you can now use to e-mail with one tap. You can set these contacts up to be phoned or texted with one tap as well.
We Want Widgets
Create a folder-widget for family e-mails. Create another folder-widget for your favorite games. With Application Folder, there's no more hunting down a function or link through various menu trees. The app, contact, bookmark, or song you want to access immediately is right there on your home screen. You can also customize the size of the widget.
Please note that Application Folder must be launched from the Widgets menu. After you launch the widget, Application Folder scans and organizes your applications, contacts, and bookmarks. Application Folder's main menu is also accessible from any of the widgets you've set up.
Features
Choose custom icons to adorn your folders--anyway you like
Choose from four types of folder shapes and choose opening animations
Organize bookmarks, contacts, and shortcuts, as well as applications, the way you want, sorted the way you like
Are Amazon REALLY encouraging users to allow their devices to install content from unknown sources?
Whilst people here might know good from bad, I find the thought of the unwashed clueless installing any old APK because Amazon showed them how to do it rather worrying.....
As it is, I got as far as them wanting me to install their marketplace, and then I gave up. I couldn't be arsed with some free content just so they can muddy the Android content waters... (You can bet Apple will be using that as the next thing to beat Android up about).
CrazyPeter said:
Are Amazon REALLY encouraging users to allow their devices to install content from unknown sources?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that any non-Google market place would have to do that, right? But look at it this way...at least you have the choice. If this were Apple you would be screwed.
To be honest it is nice to have the option of a various market place applications (although useless they may be sometimes). Thanks for the post OP, I will be using this.
@MISFITZ / I'm duly impressed. It's like a combination from Folder Organizer and Wizz Bar. I can put this to good use. Ahhh, A new app to tinker with. hehe
Thanks and gave you a thanks too.
EDIT: Is there anyway to adjust the size of the widget icon? I tried tinkering with the margins but that didn't work and next I tried editing the widget by dragging the edit box outward but it did not affect the icon itself. Thais would be a really kewl feature. Can you try and implement that into the next update? Thanks
It seems like your and mine conception of FREE differs.
vlasac said:
It seems like your and mine conception of FREE differs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was the free app of the day a few days ago when he posted. He probably should have noted it was just that one day in his post to avoid confusion later, but it was true at the time.

[Q] Homescreen App Folder like functionality in widget?

Hi all, I am trying to develop a widget that works similar to the App Folder that comes standard with android. The functionality is that you can drag and drop apps into a folder so that your homescreen is a bit more organized. Is it possible to create a widget that can accept a drop of another application?
I have done a lot of searching on google and have come up short. Any help is appreciated.
st0neski said:
Hi all, I am trying to develop a widget that works similar to the App Folder that comes standard with android. The functionality is that you can drag and drop apps into a folder so that your homescreen is a bit more organized. Is it possible to create a widget that can accept a drop of another application?
I have done a lot of searching on google and have come up short. Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, there's no way of doing this except with building your own home screen launcher since (most) Android launchers move widgets out of the way if you drag a shortcut on them (JB+) and do not pass any event or call to the widget (all versions).
You can, however, create that Widget and in the setup screen show a check list with all apps so the user can choose there which apps they want in the folder.
SimplicityApks said:
AFAIK, there's no way of doing this except with building your own home screen launcher since (most) Android launchers move widgets out of the way if you drag a shortcut on them (JB+) and do not pass any event or call to the widget (all versions).
You can, however, create that Widget and in the setup screen show a check list with all apps so the user can choose there which apps they want in the folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea. :good:
Yeah, as far as I know there is no way to do this, too.
Thanks guys. I do currently have an app Chooser available to populate my current widget. I was just looking for a way to make it easier to add apps to the widget.
After searching around and trying different things I figured it wasn't possible but never found any info good or bad so I figured I would ask the experts.
Thanks again for your help! :good:

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