Database Users

[Q] Red shutter button isn't reliable

Does anyone else have this problem? My red shutter button is not always reliable. Normally I can long press it to open the camera app. But it only works about 30 to 50% of the time. When it fails to work, I manually open the camera app from the apps menu, and the shutter button will simply autofocus and then beep twice when I half-press it. Trying to take the photo by fully pressing it does nothing. The on screen shutter button works perfectly every time. The button is not physically defective, since it does respond with an autofocus attempt and two beeps, so I think it's software related.
My phone is 2.2 OTA and rooted. To ensure there is no other conflict with another app that uses the camera, I used Titanium Backup to freeze all those apps I installed (Evernote, Google Goggles, etc.) and unfroze all the original Verizon bloatware. Still, after rebooting the phone, the little red shutter button only works less than half the time. Any ideas?

I had this problem myself. I started using the on screen shutter button (and found that it actually takes better photos). I got sick of trying to use the dang thing, so I used Tasker to map it to toggling my auto brightness and 20% brightness. Best thing I ever did...

I didn't think of using Tasker to remap that button. Very cool. A search shows that other folks have problems with the lens shutter but not with the shutter button so I wondered if it was just me. Hopefully it's a bug they are aware of and will fix it in the next update. I'd still like to use that button for the camera.
Sent via XDA App on my Droid X

BBJohnnyT said:
I didn't think of using Tasker to remap that button. Very cool. A search shows that other folks have problems with the lens shutter but not with the shutter button so I wondered if it was just me. Hopefully it's a bug they are aware of and will fix it in the next update. I'd still like to use that button for the camera.
Sent via XDA App on my Droid X
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Hey, can someone include step by step instructions for how to accomplish this with tasker?
Thanks

Open Tasker
Click New
Enter Profile Name and click OK
Click Event
Click Hardware
Click Button: Camera
Check Stop Event
Click Done
Select a premade task or create one
Click Done
Click Apply

Thanks for the instructions, I'm still new to tasker and wanted to try this.

What is the full name of the app you used to change the function of the camera button?
-Droid X- 2.2 (rooted)

ckdg888 said:
What is the full name of the app you used to change the function of the camera button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be Tasker

I have also noticed this problem after 2.2 dropped.
Almost 100% of the time if I woke up my phone, unlocked it, and pressed and held the camera button, it'd vibe really quick as if it was going to open the camrea aplication, but if I give it a second, and try again, it works like a charm.
But it seems you've already worked out a solution!
Hope this helps someone out there pleagued with yet another 2.2 bug!

Anyone else find the Camera button useless?

I have to say that I never ever use the Camera button on my G2. I always go for the Camera App on my screen instead.

I go to the camera app as well, but I use the button to actually take the picture. I take steadier pictures that way.

tazz9690 said:
I go to the camera app as well, but I use the button to actually take the picture. I take steadier pictures that way.
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I usually use the Trackpad myself. I don't think I've ever used the button for that lol.

I love the camera button, frees up a spot for an app on my screen.
I could also just turn a light on in the room but I also love the flash on my camera.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

tazz9690 said:
I go to the camera app as well, but I use the button to actually take the picture. I take steadier pictures that way.
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I actually take less steady pictures with the camera button. Maybe I'm not used to how hard to press it, or maybe its my genetic hand tremors onsetting as I get older, but I take smoother pictures more consistently tapping the capture button on the screen lol.

I love the camera button, one thing I hated about the Nexus One was the lack of a two stage camera button.

I didn't think I would use it, but turns out I use it almost daily...(mostly to take vids of drunk roommates =])

If there wasnt that camera button I would ask why HTC were so dump and didnt include it. I use it every time I want to take picture ... not only to shoot the picture itself but to open camera app as well!! It would be waste to have icon for camera app on homescreen with this button. Thanks HTC for that!! I dont want phone w/o camera button anymore!

I don't really use it but I wouldn't say its useless lol... I use it sometimes
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

hogg2500 said:
I usually use the Trackpad myself. I don't think I've ever used the button for that lol.
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I never knew the trackpad button clicked the "shutter" on the camera app. Thanks for that!
Personally, I use the hardware camera button quite a bit to both open the camera app, and to take the photo. I don't keep a shortcut to the camera app on my main homescreen.

camera button
It's good to have the button, but I usually use the button on the screen both for getting to the app and for shooting.
Having to push down the hardware button all the way make my hand move enough to have unsharp pictures.
I think I just have to get used to it.

I use it all the time; instead of having to go home to open the camera no matter what app I am in I can just hit the button. Actually wouldn't buy a phone without one now...it was a huge annoyance on my Touch HD.

I just use the camera button to open the camera app. I don't know if I have a faulty button or something, but when I take multiple pictures of something by pressing the camera button, the pictures don't really "register".
I'll have to press the camera button 3 times in order for it to finally take a picture, so now I just rely on the trackpad and the on-screen button.

A hardware button is always useful; I don't bother keeping a Camera app link on my desktops thanks to the button. Similar, shooting with the on-screen shutter button is awkward at best in landscape mode (portrait I can see using it).
For those having shake problems when hitting the button, remember the shooter's adage. Squeeze, don't pull. Get it halfway down, resting against the firmer resistance while it focuses, then just squeeze and hold. Too many people just thump it and release, leading to a whole lot of unnecessary bounce.
Truth be told, I'd still be a bit happier with some software image stabilization, at the expense of ten pixels a side or so. No idea why it doesn't already do this, or at least have the option.

I use it all the time.... as a play/pause button!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Incredibly useful... so I can open Handcent Quick SMS from within any app... you can also use it for Quick Settings.

I use mine to open up a "quicknote" app in conjunction with "button shortcut" app

Using vol buttons for taking photos?

Hi,
Ever since I got my Desire HD I've not been much of a fan of the camera (really bad quality when it's dark) and standard camera app. It's quite hard to press the button when taking photos and not looking directly on the screen. Do you know how o use one of the physical buttons like the volume ones to take a picture? Or do you have any other advice, e.g. a free phone app where you could at least press anywhere on the screen to focus and shoot?
Thanks a lot!
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

RE
Hi there. When I take the photos to myself I mostly use the option of face recognition. It works pretty fine and takes foto just after catch your face in a frame and, by the way, you will hear it so that way to have a time to smile so you don't need to press anything! Cheers.

If you buy the pro version of Vignette, there's an option in its' settings to take a picture with the volume keys.
Cheers!

RE
In 2.3 version there is the same option... you can assign shooter to volume keys or to "find" button.

xumuk37 said:
In 2.3 version there is the same option... you can assign shooter to volume keys or to "find" button.
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Click to collapse
2.3 version of what? And where is the setting?

After reading this thread I downloaded the free vesion of Vignette.
That allows me to use either the volume button or touch anywhere on the screen to take a photo. I have a "flip" case on my DHD and that makes it a little awkward, but touching the screen is simples.
As the free version is classed as a demo I don't know if it will keep let me use these methods or not.

xumuk37 said:
Hi there. When I take the photos to myself I mostly use the option of face recognition. It works pretty fine and takes foto just after catch your face in a frame and, by the way, you will hear it so that way to have a time to smile so you don't need to press anything! Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone's smoking something fun

xumuk37 said:
In 2.3 version there is the same option... you can assign shooter to volume keys or to "find" button.
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Click to collapse
You mean in the Gingerbread update? Seriously?? That would be awesome!

SupremeBeaver said:
You mean in the Gingerbread update? Seriously?? That would be awesome!
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I'm using GB, but I havn't found that setting. Could you tell us where it is?

In the camera app press menu -> advanced options. Create shortcut there.

Create shortcut? After going to Camera -> menu-> Advanced just tick which buttons you want to use.

Mr_JMM said:
Create shortcut? After going to Camera -> menu-> Advanced just tick which buttons you want to use.
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You are using CM7, right?

istinet said:
You are using CM7, right?
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The signature doesn't lie

I've seen it, thats why i asked. I always forget to spdate mine (thats why i have no sign ATM). Anyway thanks for the reply, but i'm on RCMix, so there's no such setting on my DHD

[Q] Use R button to take photos?

hey guys, i was REALLY surprised when i found out it doesnt take photos via the R button, its is in the PERFECT place, in portrait fair enough (you might accidentally hit it with your palm), but in landscape, its a must have!!
does anyone know how to re-map the software button to a hardware button?
ps: LOVING the phone

That would be very nice indeed.
Could even use the l trigger for the focus reset or some other thing like the flash
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

we could use it for pre-focus, at the moment if you hold in the capture button it resets the focus :]

use X to take photos. not what you wanted but it works

we could still use l/r for zoom in/out?

Totally agree with RB for taking photos, someone must beable to work abit of magic and create a keymapping app... id love to use LB as a back button when surfing too. when your holding the phone in your palm LB is in a nice place to be a back button.

the R button works for taking pictures when your in the service menu punch this into dialpad *#*#7378423#*#* if it works in there there must be some kind of way to do it

thatsupnow said:
the R button works for taking pictures when your in the service menu punch this into dialpad *#*#7378423#*#* if it works in there there must be some kind of way to do it
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Does this work?

Aightu said:
Does this work?
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ya man try it out it wont mess anything up on the phone or anything its just a test is all, and i say it again if the "R" button works for taking pics in there there MUST be some way to map that key to the camera(maybe with an unlocked bootloader in the not so distant future)

i can confirm this works, i would love to have this on my play
infact, im gonna try and get a camera app from the market and try and make it as native as possible, ill post you guys with updates.
(market apps allow you to re-map buttons)

Third-party camera apps orientation?

Hey guys,
Just got a nexus S and immediately went shopping for a camera app to allow volume buttons as the shutter. Fell in love with Vignette.... just that i realised i couldn't use the camera in its ideal orientation! (with the volume buttons within reach of right index finger) Snapping the shot works fine but with the wrong native orientation it causes complications when viewing via gallery, uploading etc.
Then, i found out that Camera Zoom FX allows for volume shutter buttons as well. I tried it out and surprise, surprise the same issue occurs! Just got me wondering, is this a limitation on Android/Nexus S's part?
I emailed the devs of Vignette and they just told me they are working on it but i'm not holding up my hopes too high
Thoughts?

I use the standard camera app and the orientation works just fine. I think CM7 let me assign the volume keys as shutter.
Greetz

Yes i noticed that as well. But as you know the stock camera is quite limited in features and i've taken quite a liking to Vignette.
If you remap the volume button to shutter on CM7, would that mean its permanently a shutter button? (I need to think really hard before indulging in custom roms, i dont want to void my warranty in my first week)

frenccw said:
Yes i noticed that as well. But as you know the stock camera is quite limited in features and i've taken quite a liking to Vignette.
If you remap the volume button to shutter on CM7, would that mean its permanently a shutter button? (I need to think really hard before indulging in custom roms, i dont want to void my warranty in my first week)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wont void your warranty. Haha. Just lock back your bootloader and that's it

frenccw said:
If you remap the volume button to shutter on CM7, would that mean its permanently a shutter button?
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Click to collapse
Only in a camera application. Otherwise they still function as volume buttons
Plus, the remapping can be undone by a simple checkbox.
I wouldn't be afraid to take the plunge and root your phone, btw. The nice thing about these Google phones is that you can't really break anything that you can't fix. Aslong as you follow the guides
PS: I just downloaded Vignette and the camera orientation works fine here too... maybe it's CM7 that fixes this, I don't know
Greetz