According to http://www.google.com/mobile/buzz/ , we should have
buzz.google.com
Buzz Layer on Google Maps for mobile
Buzz on a Place Page
Voice shortcuts
Buzz icon shortcuts
Where are they?
Buzz.google.com is fine, I just got the Maps layer from cyanogenmod 5 stable, I don't know what that Place Page is, voice shortcut is fine since I installed cyanogenmod 5 stable, and I don't know how to get the icon shortcuts.
How are we supposed to get all the features? How about people on stock ROMs?
For the icon shortcut, bookmark the buzz.google page, then go to your home screen, long press > Shortcuts > Bookmark > Select the Buzz bookmark
You'll then get this:
(Crappy webcam pic)
outoftheblack said:
For the icon shortcut, bookmark the buzz.google page, then go to your home screen, long press > Shortcuts > Bookmark > Select the Buzz bookmark
You'll then get this:
(Crappy webcam pic)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, when I made the Buzz shortcut, I get the default bookmark icon. I wish mine had the cool Buzz icon like yours!
You need to have already gone to that webpage at least once and let the page completely load before making the shortcut.
Heck, I tried making a shortcut to Google.com (my homepage), and it was their blue G icon.
Anyone else not getting emailed Buzz updates? When I started using Buzz a couple days ago, it would e-mail my gmail account when someone would reply to a thread that I started, or one I was posting in. Now nothing. No more emails, I have to go online and check manually with the phone or gmail on my PC. Tried looking for a setting to change it, cant find anything.
lol at my name on top.
Was asking about EQ settings.
If they get it right , as good as they did on PPC. It will be a massive step forward for Android.
outoftheblack said:
For the icon shortcut, bookmark the buzz.google page, then go to your home screen, long press > Shortcuts > Bookmark > Select the Buzz bookmark
You'll then get this:
(Crappy webcam pic)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the ShootMe screen capture app from the Market
I'm wondering why we should manually make the bookmark shortcut while it's automated on iPhone. A message will popup on the iPhone and ask if you want to make a shortcut on the springboard (iPhone desktop).
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.12N with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this from another ROM, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from. I receive a lot of questions about this. Really, the state of your motoactv software doesn't matter. Rooted or not rooted, stock or modified, etc.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on. Icon shows in status bar when connected. New!
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
- Battery percentage modded by ClearD. (thanks!)
- Preferences in most apps are shown black text over white background for easier reading on the MotoACTV.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
You can use ClearD's excellent image flasher http://www.cleardroidroms.com/download/click.php?id=103 (be sure to use the "wipe" button) or follow these instructions :
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/2153...ows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable to the MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
If you are starting from a previous version of DPRom, you can try to upgrade with the following commands:
Code:
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
Choose also Flit keyboard and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync. If you don't use the calendar, leave this unselected to avoid a few ForceCloses.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them. Some examples:
- In flit keyboard, select first keyboard as "Small Querty", second keyboard as "small number"
- In Zeam Launcher, preferences, action bindings, select swype up to "Toggle Full Screen" and swype down as "Expand Notifications". Also in Applications grid, set Columns LandScape completely to the left.
- In SuperUser, press the wrench icon to enter preferences, and set "automatic response" to "allow". Otherwise you can have problems to allow apps to use the su function.
- In Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, press the music button (menu) select avanced and setup the turn off policy to "when display goes off", press menu button again to save this setting.
Thanks to everybody reporting issues, keep them coming!
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip First Release 2nd July 2012
DPRomBeta7.zip Second Release 10 July 2012
* updated to version 1.7.10, updated included android apps to their latest versions. Used Cennis91 anyroot.zip to root the stock ROM. Thanks!
* added ClearD Battery percentage mod.
* changed general theme to "light", now all settings menus are black text over white background, messes with some programs that have hard-coded colors. WIP.
* Undo hack to make wifi stay on. Seems to be more stable with 1.7.10. Report if you have problems.
* Modified SystemUI to make the pull-down notifications menu more usable. Thanks to ClearD.
* Fixed preinstall script, now you can uninstall included apps.
* included modified Clock and CarHome, just for testing.
DPRomBeta8 Third Release 2nd August 2012
* updated android apps to latest versions.
* Better "light" theme applied to app's settings, black text over white background.
* Modified wifi to stay on for 10 minutes.
* fixed su binary.
* added Bluetooth settings. You can now change the name and turn it on from settings. WIP
DPRomBeta8.1 3rd august 2012
* fixed error with Google maps
DPRomBeta9 3rd January 2013. It's better to use Beta 8.1, this version has problems when turning off wifi.
* updated to 1.7.12N
* wifi Icon in status bar. Wifi time out is now 24 hours.
dproldan said:
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.2 with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on.
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/21534/how-to-install-adb-and-fastboot-on-your-windows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable the de MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them.
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your Beta, but your link has issues. I cannot seem to download your zip file. It reaches 30% and then says it can't read source file on server.
It could be that the zip file is corrupt on google drive.
tansoftware said:
Thank you so much for your Beta, but your link has issues. I cannot seem to download your zip file. It reaches 30% and then says it can't read source file on server.
It could be that the zip file is corrupt on google drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It downloads fine for me and another person. Anybody else can confirm if it works for them?
Does this have to be installed only as per your instructions, or can it be installed by putting the zip file onto the storage area of the motoactv and use clockwork mod as per the wiki instructions?
Mine works too.
delboydell said:
Does this have to be installed only as per your instructions, or can it be installed by putting the zip file onto the storage area of the motoactv and use clockwork mod as per the wiki instructions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can only be flashed with fastboot. This is the easiest way.
For now, works well. Good work!!
Un saludo de un Asturiano!!
Noticed issue with SystemUI.apk
Thank you very much for this long anticipated release
I'm quite impressed with the WIFI stability.
But I have noticed that the status bar shows the "No Service" grey rectangle. This makes viewing the status bar notifications difficult. My old rom had a modified SystemUI.apk that removed this grey rectangle allowing easy viewing of notifications. Any possibility of releasing a patch ?
Also, as a result of setting the SD-Card as the default install location, Google Play is not capable of updating Superuser and suspect many other non sd-card apps will face similar issues.
Once again thank you for your great work.
tansoftware said:
But I have noticed that the status bar shows the "No Service" grey rectangle. This makes viewing the status bar notifications difficult. My old rom had a modified SystemUI.apk that removed this grey rectangle allowing easy viewing of notifications. Any possibility of releasing a patch ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'll ask the person who did this (was it ClearD?) about it and release a patch for that.
tansoftware said:
Also, as a result of setting the SD-Card as the default install location, Google Play is not capable of updating Superuser and suspect many other non sd-card apps will face similar issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I don't know what Motorola changed to do this. At the moment, SuperUser.apk not updating doesn't cause any issue, but I'll keep an eye to see if this becomes a problem.
dproldan said:
Yes, I'll ask the person who did this (was it ClearD?) about it and release a patch for that.
Yes I believe it was ClearD's patched SystemUI.apk
It would be nice if you guys could coordinate to release the patch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry so late getting back to the scene, I live in Ohio and we've not had internet for like the last 3 days, or cell service. Or power. Or cable. Or land line phones. Or anything of value for that matter lol . As soon as I can get a stock 1.7.2, I can mod things back to usable state, not a problem. Dproldan, I assume the framework has changed also? And the services.jar? If so, I could probably decompile and mod those back as well.
This is really awesome and I love the setup. Having music launch the app drawer makes the phone so much more usable for me than having to use a separate launcher. One issue that I am running into however is I get some FCs. Specifically gapps and system framework FC from time to time, most often when trying to launch an app.
I am also having problems uninstalling some apks. They uninstall just fine but when I reboot they are back. Do you have some script that runs at start and installs these?
I also have a hard time reading some of the menus because the background is black and the font is gray. Is there a way to change that throughout the whole system?
I added in the SpareParts apk from CM7 and it might be helpful for some other users. With it I can change font size and animation speeds among other things. I also added the AccountsAndSync settings apk to control what syncs with my gmail account. The setting menu works great and shows up with all the other MotoActv settings. After I have everything setup and running smoothly I want to flash the beats audio libs to see if I can improve the audio on this thing.
Thanks again for all the hard work everybody is putting into this.
I put this on my device and I have to say I'm very impressed. The install process wiped like you said it would but it did not wipe my "sdcard" if I had known I would have wiped that in cwm.
Did this process remove CWM from my watch?
Glad you like it. Did you find any problem with what you had in the sdcard?
CWM should still be there, you can reboot to it with "adb reboot recovery" or installing "ROM manager"
dproldan said:
Glad you like it. Did you find any problem with what you had in the sdcard?
CWM should still be there, you can reboot to it with "adb reboot recovery" or installing "ROM manager"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No issues with what was left, I've been reinstalling all my apps and cleaning things up as I go. The only issue I have so far is superuser will not update, says I cannot update it in the current location... My guess is it needs to be moved to internal or something? I haven't really looked into the issue itself yet.
Before I attempt this I wanted to ask a question...
Has anyone experienced any issues?
Do I install this ROM with the same method as before?
Should I return to unrooted stock, update the motoactv to latest version then root and install rom? Or should I skip the device update while its in stock version?
Thanks guys and thanks to the devs who put in the work creating this.
dproldan said:
This is a version of the stock MotoACTV system ROM 1.7.2 with several modifications that allow you to use many more android apps.
All userdata is erased when you install this, I'm not responsible with what you do with your device.
What works, in no particular order:
- This is already rooted, it doesn't matter what version you come from.
- All stock apps and functions work as expected, nothing changes from a stock MotoACTV.
- All google apps I've tried, Market, GMail, Maps, Talk, etc
- Live Wallpapers and widgets stay after reboots.
- LED notifications for Gmail, Email, etc.
- Wifi stays on.
- Accelerometer based games and launcher rotation.
- Enabled settings menus:
* Wireless & Network Settings. Where you can turn on/off wifi, add networks, set advanced parameters, etc
* Application Settings. Where you can uninstall apps, turn on/off ADB, see battery usage, etc
* Accounts & sync settings. Manage accounts for autosync, etc.
* Sound Settings. Choose notifications tone, volume, etc
- Calendar widget and application working.
- Music button is "menu", double-press power button for "home" or choose a launcher.
What doesn't work:
- Search, nowhere. force closes every time. This has never worked.
- Audio input for installed apps. This has never worked.
- Some Bluetooth profiles are not implemented.
- Wifi stays on, but but some times doesn't turn off when you deselect it. turn off/on the MotoACTV if you're in this situation.
- MotoCast setup messes up the Accounts and Sync settings, so Motocast needs to be setup after the google account.
Zeam launcher is preinstalled, but it's not really needed, because you can access all installed applications with the "music" button, you can uninstall it if you prefer. Also you can install another launcher if you like, just be sure to move it to the internal flash from Settings, Application Settings, choose the app and tap the button "move to phone". You'll have to do this for other apps that require to be installed internally, like extra widgets.
Instructions
* you need "fastboot" to be installed and working on your computer, here are instructions for windows: http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/21534/how-to-install-adb-and-fastboot-on-your-windows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
* Your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged.
Download and extract the zip at the end of this post:
- With the MotoACTV turned off, press and hold "volume down" key and "power" key until the display lights up, release both keys.
- Plug the usb cable the de MotoACTV and the computer.
- Open a command line and change directory to where you extracted the zip file.
- Issue the followings commands in order:
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash preinstall preinstall.img
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
This is the way to set it up that works for me:
The first boot will take a couple of minutes.
Choose the country, language, press "motoactv setup", choose time zone, set hour, set date, press "next", press "profile setup", set your age, select gender, set height, set weight, set primary activity.
***Don't setup the MotoCast things yet, so press "Later".***
Go to Settings, Wireles & Network Settings, turn on wifi and setup up your network.
Go back to the main screen and press the "Music" button (that's the menu button from now on), choose the TALK application and go trough the google account setup. You'll see your talk contacts appear.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and disable the calendar sync.
Go back to settings, application settings, manage applications, All,
at the bottom choose Zeam Launcher and press "move to phone"
find Calendar and delete its data.
find Calendar Storage and delete its data.
Go back to settings, Accounts & Sync, Manage accounts, press your account and enable the calendar sync.
If you want to add your MotoCast ID, go to Settings, Personal Profile, MotoCast ID. The accounts and Sync setting will force close after you setup the MotoCast ID, I'm still working on this.
Remember that double pressing the power button will let you choose the launcher. Some preinstalled programs need a bit of setup to adapt them to the MotoACTV, be sure to use their preferences menu and explore them.
Enjoy!
Downloads:
DPRomBeta4.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download does not appear!!!
The link is BROKEN.
Can I flash this ROM with clockwork mod? I do not really get along with command line.
Thanks,
Arie.
i just installed the rom i got motocast and some playstore apps, but how do i activate the mass storage? medialink always pop up a message of netwrok problem in motoactv. The rest is working fine.
You CANNOT flash this in CWM you need to follow the fastboot commands. It's very easy and takes less than a minute each line.
I do have a question for the dev though. Once I launch a launcher, adw ex for example I cannot get back into the motoactv launcher without rebooting. I tried to find a shortcut but have been unable to do so. I tried to clear adw launcher defaults but it is not set as the default launcher. I can use Jay's easy script modder to change the buttons back to what I had before but I do like the setup you have for us. Let me know what way you have been doing it.
Also I am getting some force closes, "gapps" whatever that is and some framework errors. Otherwise it's very stable and runs great.
Prack said:
You CANNOT flash this in CWM you need to follow the fastboot commands. It's very easy and takes less than a minute each line.
I do have a question for the dev though. Once I launch a launcher, adw ex for example I cannot get back into the motoactv launcher without rebooting. I tried to find a shortcut but have been unable to do so. I tried to clear adw launcher defaults but it is not set as the default launcher. I can use Jay's easy script modder to change the buttons back to what I had before but I do like the setup you have for us. Let me know what way you have been doing it.
Also I am getting some force closes, "gapps" whatever that is and some framework errors. Otherwise it's very stable and runs great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You press the power button twice to replicate the home button. It should also work by pressing start.
The gapps and framework fcs occur whenever enabling wifi and first connecting. I think it has something to do with google/gmail sync but I only have anecdotal evidence of this.
Launching a web link from Android home screen always launches the native browser on Galaxy S5 stock 4.4.2.
Phone is rooted.
No other browsers are installed, except for Chrome.
Changing default browser is impossible because when I go to Settings > Application manager > Internet > Clear defaults is grayed out.
How can I get it ti present me with a choice screen on which browser I want to use?
I tried installing Firefox and Dolphin and still the problem remains - no prompts to choose default browser.
EDIT:
HUGE clarification: I just texted a web page link to someone and I realized that I could click on it when looking at my sent text...
Well clicking on it DOES bring up the choice menu of which browser I want to use to open that web page link.
SO this is only about launching web links from Home Screen:
Native Browser > Bookmarks > Long press on any bookmark to CHECK it > Settings [three dots in upper right] > Add shortcut to home screen.
Now *those* Home Screen bookmark shortcuts can only be launched in Native Browser whereas you used to have a choice which browser to use before....
The Internet app will always be grayed regardless of whatever browser you install. You need to root your phone to freeze (Disable) the stock Internet app.
Strange, installing a new browser should clear defaults and give you the option to choose which browser to use as default again, I disabled Chrome before I rooted from Application Manager, try doing that
If that fails, Try clearing the cache from recovery
Thank you for posting.
First poster: The phone is rooted. What do you mean by freeze (disable) stock internet app?
I tried Settings > Application manager > ALL > Internet > Force stop
No change. Clear defaults is still grayed out in the default browser.
Second poster: I agree, I tried installing new browsers and still the defaults remain.
We are trying to change the default away from the stock browser so I don't know what Chrome has to do with it but OK I Force Stopped Chrome in the Application Manager too.
No change.
I then went to TWRP Recovery and wiped Cache. No Change.
Clear defaults is still grayed out in the default browser. Phone is T-Mobile Galaxy S5, rooted, stock Android 4.4.2, Baseband G900TUVU1ANE6
Any other ideas?
I was suggesting actually disabling Chrome from Application Manager, same place as you forced stop - it might say "Uninstall updates", then once you do that, Disable should appear
Once Chrome is disabled, it might force Android to clear defaults on it - same with the Stock browser
Chrome can be Turned off. But Chrome is not default and doing that has no bearing on native browser which still insists on being default regardless of how many other browsers are installed.
I really only want the option to choose which browser launches an internet link, I like not to have a default browser so that I can open different links in different browsers.
But now I get no choice to choose, every link opens in native browser which is not affected by anything suggested so far...
If you're rooted, disable the stock / native browser
Find it in /system/app or wherever it is, and rename the .apk to .apk.old
EDIT - /system/app/SBrowser
Rename SBrowser.apk to SBrowser.apk.old
EDIT -There is SBrowserTry too - has the same icon as the SBrowser
Not specifically for this issue, but shows you the files corresponding to the stock browser you can rename
http://www.s4miniarchive.com/2014/08/galaxy-s5-internet-browser-for-galaxy-s4-mini.html
Renaming them automatically removes all my internet links from Home Screens.
Now there's no way to have the internet page links on home screens... making which browser is default irrelevant.
How else would I test or set a default browser, if my web links disappeared from the Home Screen?
Renaming them back, restores earlier behavior of native browser (what is the name of the native browser?) being default with no option to change the default browser.
Somewhat on topic, I cannot believe that no one in this world has a need to open url shortcuts, I mean I've had my Windows Favorites folder for 20 years, it's filled with all my shortcuts and in Android 3 there was an app that would automatically open them (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zapek.android.stuntzurl) but Android 4 broke that and so I guess it is not possible to have url shortcuts simply open a web page in Android 4.
Also, somewhat on topic, why is there no folder which contains contents of home screens so that they can be backed up, I mean, in Windows there is a Desktop folder and it contains everything that you have on your Desktop, you can back that folder up, so that if anything disappears you can simply restore it... why not in Android?
And while I'm on a role, is it not mind-boggling that you cannot import or backup bookmarks to files in Android browsers? No, you have to have a desktop computer, make accounts, upload your settings and bookmarks, then try to download it into Android browsers (which inevitably can and does fail to import all data)... why would there not be a simple, import or export bookmarks feature in Android browsers... how is this not unbelievable for any Android browser creator not to offer that option, to import/export bookmarks from a file, or from other Android browsers even?
But back on topic if anyone has any ideas on how to get a prompt asking me which browser I want to open a Home Screen web link in... please post...
HUGE clarification: I just texted a web page link to someone and I realized that I could click on it when looking at my sent text...
Well clicking on it DOES bring up the choice menu of which browser I want to use to open that web page link.
SO this is only about launching web links from Home Screen:
Native Browser > Bookmarks > Long press on any bookmark to CHECK it > Settings [three dots in upper right] > Add shortcut to home screen.
Now *those* Home Screen bookmark shortcuts can only be launched in Native Browser whereas you used to have a choice which browser to use before....
Sounds like whichever browser you use to create the shortcuts, is the only one that will open the shortcuts, so if you want to use a different browser, you'll need to create those shortcuts from that browser in the first place
Android is massively different and limited compared to Windows/PC OS - you can't really compare them and expect a comparably young mobile OS to live up to the same standards as a mature PC OS
But I do agree, you should be given the same choice with web links / shortcuts, it's not exactly brain surgery to know the links need to open a browser, and give the user choice of which one to use
I distinctly remember being able to do this on my old phones in Android.
1. How do you add a bookmark shortcut from Chrome or any browser other than native browser?
2. Can you replicate this issue, do you also not get a choice on which browser to use when you click on a bookmark shortcut on your Home Screen?
I use Dolphin, and to create homescreen shortcuts, open the website you want, hit the small dolphin icon at the bottom, choose "Add to" and choose "Home screen"
And no, even clearing defaults on dolphin, when I click the shortcut, it only opens in Dolphin, no choice - so I guess that's the issue, if you want it to open in a certain browser, create the shortcut using that browser
I have Chrome disabled
Thanks for the tip. Dolphin works!
Can Home Screen shortcuts be created in Chrome or Firefox?
I don't have Chrome running so can't test, but Firefox can, I just went to the Bookmarks tab and long pressed on one of my bookmarks and it gave the option to add to homescreen
EDIT - Enabled Chrome, just visit the site you want to add, hit the 3 dots top right menu, "Add to home screen"