Database Users

Disable Sense in official 2.1

Googled for a little while but couldn't find anything.
I would like to use the official 2.1 home app.
Does anyone know how to do this?
Thanks in advance

this is how it worked in 1.5, not sure if it does in 2.1 as i don't use it yet.
in 1.5 you could go to settings->applications and in the list of installed applications there also was "HTC Sense". if you looked at the details you could see that it was the default app for some actions and there was a button "delete default settings" or something like that. after that, when you hit the home button, you would get a question dialog asking if you want to use Launcher or HTC Sense for that action. you could also select to always use this setting there.
an alternative (also only tested by me in 1.5) could be the app "home switcher" that shows you all home apps installed and lets you select
hope that is helpful

I know, but this doesn't work anymore. I got used to sense now, but I'm getting really annoyed right now! It's just too SLOW

Using adw now quite pleased with that

can you share how you disabled Sense? i don't want to uninstall it completely

ok, i guess the htc didn't want users to switch to the default interface.
however, I attached the Launcher.apk from the emulator running 2.1, maybe it is possible to install it on hero as well.
hope it works!

Become a G2 / Android Ninja with these Tips/Tricks

I thought I'd share everything I've learned regarding Android & the T-Mobile G2 over the past 2+ weeks (thanks XDA!). I'm amazed at how many people don't read these forums - they simply blurt out their questions. Well follks, here's what I've picked up by reading reading reading & exploring exploring exploring. Hope this helps n00bs and leets alike.
Android
Press & Hold HOME to see multitasking applications sorted by most recent
Press & Hold SEARCH to activate Google Voice Actions (or VLingo if installed)
Long Press keyboard keys to see alternate characters
Tap Dots near the Dock Bar (bottom set of icons) to shift screens
Assign your Power Button to 'End Calls' via Menu >Settings >Accessibility > Check "Power button ends call"
Add 'Power Control' Widget to easily enable/disable your WiFi/BlueTooth/GPS/Screen/Auto-Sync
Using Volume Control buttons, you can put the phone into Silent or Vibrate modes
You can add Shortcuts to your most used contacts & it will give an icon that lets you access Call/SMS/Email/GTalk/Facebook
Keyboard Tips
Double Press ALT for Num/Symbol Lock
Double Press SHIFT for Capitalization Lock
Hold ALT & Long Press physical keys to see alternative characters
Map Application Shortcuts such as Search + G to launch Gmail. Located under Settings >Applications >Quick Launch
Menu +A(Select All), +C(Copy), +V(Paste), +X(Paste)
Menu +F(Find), +S(Share)
(G2 Only?) Reboot, Press and hold Power + Volume Down + trackpad
(G2 Only?) Use LauncherPro to Assign 'Activities' to the Quick Keys such as Compose SMS or Tweet
(G2 Only?) Press & Hold the Camera Button to activate the Camera
(G2 Only?) While in Camera Mode, gently press the camera button to auto-focus
Miscellaneous
Install a custom launcher like ADW or LauncherPro
- Tip 1: If you get LauncherPro, I encourage you to explore the 'Swipe' feature by Long Pressing any icon in the Dock. Allows for two actions!
- Tip 2: My personal favorite is when you hide the status bar and set the HOME button to display notifications when you press it (Only possible if you make LauncherPro default launcher)
- Tip 3: Long Press an Application & when the Trash Can Appears, Hold over the Trashcan to get an Uninstall Option
Use Tasker to automate things on your phone
TeslaHD will turn your phone's LED into a Flash Light or Strobe Light
AppBrain + Fast Install is excellent for exploring apps from the comfort of a browser (also lets you set backgrounds)
- This App also makes it easy to restore apps if you didn't remember to set your 'backup' as automatic when configuring your phone
VLingo is a great alternative to Voice Actions if you're not on 2.2 OR you want deeper integration with Twitter/Facebook/Foursquare
Google Gestures is a great app to assign to a secondary swipe (see LauncherPro) & is handy when voice doesn't work and you can't easily type
DolphinHD is a great alternative browser that has three great features: Tweet a Page (with Title & Link), Desktop Mode, and Google Mobilizer View
Dial 611 to get to T-Mobile Customer Support (not always clear to new subscribers)
Best Keyboard for two-finger text input is SwiftKey. Swype is good if you practice with one finger.
Other Great Apps to Consider
Evernote (for note storage)
Dropbox (for access to files from your desktop)
Fast Reboot (for a heavy handed, kill all apps when you notice slow performance)
Dato GTasks (simple, easy to use app that integrates with Google Tasks)
NewsRob (elegant RSS reader for Google Reader)
Smooth Calendar (nice calendar widget that shows more than the default Calendar widget)
Xtremelabs Speedtest (helps you test for HSPA+ speeds)
Twicca (better than the standard Twitter App & very beautiful. Easy to map Tweet-Activity to a G2 Quick Key)
Chrome to Phone (possibly my favorite app once I learned how to use it. Great for a variety of needs so I encourage experimentation)
Optimize Your G2
Go to SETTINGS > APPLICATIONS > DEVELOPMENT and enable USB DEBUGGING
Search the Market for "Visionary" and Install (advice: Reboot & then run it for the first time) By default, it will run automatically on boot each time.
- Note: If you want to remove ROOT, visit APPLICATIONS > MANAGE APPLICATIONS > VISIONARY and press "Clear Data". Then re-run & turn off Root-on-Boot or just Uninstall.
Search the Market for "ConnectBot" & Install. Run Connectbot & press the down-arrow next to "ssh" to choose "local" & press Enter (no Nickname needed)
- You will be presented with a command line prompt of "$" & yes, it will be VERY TINY on your screen. Simply type "su" (no quotes) to gain super user.
- Read the first post to determine which items you want to permanently disable (essentially remove) from your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=809231
Visit the market to download "Startup Cleaner 2.0" by Bright Wallace. It will allow you to prevent items from starting up. The software is buggy, but works better than anything else I've encountered.
- Tip: Use the 'Batch Prevent' to prevent all apps from starting, then exit the app. Run the app again & then toggle the apps you want to start by tapping them. Otherwise, the app is very unresponsive when trying to manage apps on an individual basis. You may need to re-run Visionary after you've allowed it to run on boot via Startup Cleaner.
Setup Wifi Tethering
Once you have Root & SuperUser, use your browser to visit http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list & download the most recent version of "Wireless Tether".
- Once downloaded, run it to install. If you have trouble with this, I recommend using Chrome-to-Phone & simply right-click the file link to choose "Chrome-to-Phone"
After successful installation, run the Wireless Tether app. Recommend changing the SSID Name (name that appears).
- Note: Multiple people report issues with WiFi Encryption, so I recommend SETTINGS > ENABLE ACCESS-CONTROL. Your phone will log when something tries to connect to it & then you can "allow" by choosing MENU > ACCESS CONTROL and clicking the checkbox next to the device you want to allow.
{Update} If you're feeling adventurous, check out this article on how to use Tasker
http://androinica.com/2010/08/19/9-ways-to-make-android-automatic-with-tasker/
{Update 2} Long-press App & dragging over trashcan for uninstall is a LauncherPro feature, not android. Thanks to tekkaman_01 for the note!
{Update 3} Removed "When screen is locked but keyboard is open, you only have to press a key to unlock" because it isn't a consistent experience. Not sure what makes it work sometimes.
{Update 4} Added two sections: Optimize Your G2 & Setup WiFi Tethering. Small formatting changes to previous entries.

Long Press an Application & when the Trash Can Appears, Hold over the Trashcan to get an Uninstall Option is a feature of LauncherPro not stock android...

Updated - much thanks!

No problem
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Great job, OP.

Great job, OP. I'm sure many people will appreciate this.

Does this merit a sticky?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Ghostcreamy said:
I'm amazed at how many people don't read these forums - they simply blurt out their questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right....people who don't read the forums and just blurt stuff out are horrible. Oh wait....what's this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804439
Ghostcreamy said:
[*]When screen is locked but keyboard is open, you only have to press a key to unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard this before but this hasn't worked for me on two different G2s.

great, thanks

aedv said:
You're right....people who don't read the forums and just blurt stuff out are horrible. Oh wait....what's this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804439
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you
<10 chars>

The cheat sheet of all cheet sheets!
Another good one is to:
HOLD Dots near the Dock Bar to see all screens in a mini navigation look.
Thanks!

Snap!
aedv said:
You're right....people who don't read the forums and just blurt stuff out are horrible. Oh wait....what's this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804439
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SNAP!
I read that thread, but it was fragmented and I already had all of this in Evernote. Regardless, I appreciate the response & I'll continue to monitor that thread for any other tips that I can compile into this one.
Side note: You don't have to be mean to make a point Put a little love in your heart!
GC

Ghostcreamy said:
SNAP!
Side note: You don't have to be mean to make a point Put a little love in your heart!
GC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1!! Great post OP!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Updated original post (OP) with a section on optimizing your G2 & setting up Wifi Tethering. Hope it helps!

awesome tips. i was wondering if theres a good way to allow the home screen and apps screen to auto rotate with gravity(only rotates with keyboard out)? and then on the flip side, to lock the orientation?

Not sure about locking, but LauncherPro or ADW launcher will rotate to landscape.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Here's a tip if you are using Launcher Pro: setup a 2x2 picture frame widget in the middle of a home panel. The frame should have a picture of an icon for things like settings, games, news, people, etc. Then add related app icons around the frame. This way, when you pinch a homescreen and pull up the 7 panel view, you can easily tell at a glance which panel has the apps you want
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using The Force

"+X(Paste)"
Shouldn't that be "+X(Cut)"?

In the gmail and xda apps (the only ones I've tested so far) when you push the space bar after a word/letter, it will add a '.[space]'.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Great post Ghostcreamy. I figured out that you could swipe the home icon of launcher pro, but why it never occured to me that the other icons also have this feature?
Edit:There's your first "Thanks" on the meter...awww.

[Q]Remap Search Button to Open App Drawer?

Ive tried using both LaunchKey and ButtonRemapper but none seems to have an option to remap the search button open the APP DRAWER. Personally, i think theres no use for the search button when u have widgets and search apps. Its redundant.
Does anyone know of another app to do this? Or if this is even possible?

Bump. I would also like to see if this is possible.
Maybe somethis like this (bottom of first post under: Custom app launching)
I haven't tried it yet. But the idea seems simple.
Edit ramdisk to support custom script (some roms already have a blank script for this purpose)
Add an 'am start' command to the script. not sure what it should be.
I can launch home with 'am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n org.adwfreak/launcher/.Launcher' but im not sure how to tell adw to open the app drawer.
Then find a way to map the search key to that script.

Cm7 does this out of the box. Not sure if it needs to be an os level feature or if an app could pull it off.
Err nvm it does custom app launching but i don't see an option for app drawer
From something awesome

Ah. yes i see that now under cmsettings -> input settings
although im not sure if that makes it easier or not. it seems we would just need to add an option to the custom application menu to open the app drawer.

After looking at ADW source i don't think it is possible to open app drawer externally. It seems the showDrawer function is private and not listed in the manifest as an activity. So Unless there is an activity i don't know about: It's looking like this won't work.

bumping this to see if anyone else figured anything out

This can be done, but you need to be running CM7 and get an app called alt drawer. Set the search key to open the app and you get your app drawer. Also, on Moto phones there is an app called home smack that lets you remap long search press to an app. Also, there is an app called launchkey that lets you set long search to different things. Another option is an app called button remapper that lets you remap a key to something else. Most of these options require the alt drawer app or another app that opens the app drawer.

mjones1052 said:
This can be done, but you need to be running CM7 and get an app called alt drawer. Set the search key to open the app and you get your app drawer. Also, on Moto phones there is an app called home smack that lets you remap long search press to an app. Also, there is an app called launchkey that lets you set long search to different things. Another option is an app called button remapper that lets you remap a key to something else. Most of these options require the alt drawer app or another app that opens the app drawer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great idea, on this right now...

[Q] Is the easiest way to stop and app...

I was just wondering if someone knew what was going on when you swipe away an app in the app switcher. (I'm not sure what the proper name is for the 3rd soft button so my searches haven't proved very useful - although I'm sure this information is out there!)
To be clear, you know how you can cycle between open apps by hitting the 3rd soft button? And you can also 'swipe away' an app here. Does this shut the app down along with all related processes? Does anyone know what's going on behind the scenes?
For example if I lose my twitter app this way I no longer get tweet notifications, but if I close gmail I do get email updates - but perhaps the latter is more tightly integrated or maybe I've remembered this behaviour wrong!
I guess what I'm really trying to understand is if this is the easiest way (without using 3rd party apps) to keep tabs on open apps and make sure my poor Nexus doesn't get overwhelmed by processes.
Thanks.
oops typo in the thread title.. should be "an app"

That third button is called a Recents button. And currently when you swipe away an app all it does is remove that app from your recents list but it does not close the app

Ah, great, just the info I was after.

no problem im glad to help

To answer your original question... Settings -> Apps -> Running -> tap an app -> Stop

truthkillszz said:
it does not close the app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does. could just try it...

Is there a way to see recent apps and switch between them?

Is there a way to see recently launched apps and switch between them?

This function should be definitely included in default system. So useful!

Can't test it now but try it with long pressing the home button

Huberer said:
Can't test it now but try it with long pressing the home button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that goes to the twitch thingy unfortunately.

xd4d3v said:
that goes to the twitch thingy unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, didn't know. Thank you

I had the same idea but did not work lol.

I am not sure what you are looking for exactly, but the list of apps on the original launcher is always reorganized to show the most recently used apps first. Or are you using a different launcher?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app

The best way of doing this is with LMT Launcher using it's Pie feature. Install it, and set up an item as Activity -> System UI -> com.android.systemui.recent.RecentsActivity. This gives you the recent apps, which is normally non-accessible on the shield. You can then add a few others as you see fit. I've added the power menu for example, which gives you the full power off, reboot and sleep options. Not found that anywhere else. All works best with a mouse, so you're best using an alternative launcher like HALauncher. But I suspect most people are doing that anyway given how restricted and awful Leanback is.
It can be downloaded here.

this is like the third or fourth thread about this