Database Users

WP 8 Notification Centre Ideas

I know this is a hot topic and there may be other threads on this, but hear me out for a second...
This is a cleaner version of a thought I had posted in a WP7 I started a while back (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1925656), influenced by news that MSFT is planning to add a notification centre to the joy of many - i rather they added more functionality to the lockscreen but to each his own. After more thoughts, I figured it was more appropriate to give this its own thread an post it here.
Here's what I'd do as an option for a notification centre while maintaining the OS look and not going the Android/iOS route:
1. Use the solid bar when a more than one type of notification comes in to maintain the minimalistic UI look. Use the following statement to be shown in the bar: "you have x notifications".
- Color code this bar to a shade of color that couls be specific to the app. If Twitter is purple, you would see a purple bar if there is one tweet waiting, but once there is more than one unread tweet or other another unread notification comes in, the color of the bar can either:
a) Shifts to the standard accent color for the whole UI chosen by the user.
b) Retain the color associated with the original app
2. Allow swipes to remove that notification bar. This means:
a) The only ways to access the notifications are:
- swipe left once from the home screen
- swipe twice if starting from the applications list
- double tap the special notification icon on the lockscreen (more on double tapping below)
b) the bar would be permanently removed from the top of the lockscreen. This avoids making the lockscreen look too “cluttered” or “busy”.
3. Use a special icon for the notification bar. This will be visible both in the notification bar itself AND on the lock screen. This means MSFT keeps the up to 5 icons limit and the double tapping on the 6th icon (the notification) allows transitions that open the notifications hub.
4. Double tap on ANY notification icon to open the the associated app itself from the lockscreen. If you've got dual cores, let them work via pretty transitions! Also, double tap reduces accidental press from single tap.
5. Have the following options in settings called Notifications:
- Allow the user to decide how long they want that solid notification bar to be visible on the home screen and app list screen in the same way you have the screen blackouts after inactivity. Conversely, MSFT could determine that for the user.
- Vibrate only, LED flash only or LED and Vibrate after "x amount of time for x number of times" to remind user of notifications. This allows OEMs to build LEDs if they want to take advantage and add to differentiation. Or, MSFT could just standardize the vibrations and LED flashes without taking away the OEM option to build the LED into the handset.
Either way, this ties into the option of having the solid notification bar too above. For example, if the user feels the phone vibrate with the screen off, then they will see either the solid bar or notification icon on lockscreen. If they were on a call or in an app the vibration would help them exist and thus seeing the solid status bar.
- Level of detail: MSFT can either a number count for the notification of a preview of the notification. This should not be user determined in the settings. If preview is activated, and multiple notifications come from different people for the same app (i.e. texts or tweets from separate people) show name and number count.
- Give the user the option in settings to either use the different colors or choose the notifications to have the same accent color as the rest of the UI. Place this either under Notifications or Accent colors.
6. From the start screen, swiping left brings up a notification hub automatically as a standard action.
a) Give this simple hub look by giving each app with notification its own shade of a color separate from the chosen UI color. - This color would apply for single shade in the notification list here, as well as in the bar mentioned in point #1 above.
Or:
Instead of each app having its own shade, use group accent colors based on app types listed in the Windows Store. For example, one shade of yellow for social media apps, one shade for Navigation apps, etc.
b) split the notification hub in half: have a top part of the hub with the following icons: WiFi, Bluetooth, Tethering, Battery percent, Kids mode, and settings (this should not be user selected). Display each options as either:
- Tappable words and the same switches we see to activate/deactivate in the setting already, or
- Use some tappable icons + the switches.
c) Allow each tab (whether tappable word or icon) to open directly to its own specific option within the settings hub - that way you're not digging through extra menus.
d) make tapping the bar and or the notification icon open the transition window to come from the left.
7. When kid mode is active, if there are double taps on icons on lock screen let password prompt come up to access the notification first.
8. If you want the Notification hub to be a full fledge hub itself to make the ideas above seem less cluttered, it can be a three paned hub with the following:
- main start pane has recent notifications
- swipe left for the toggles to get to the following icons: WiFi, Bluetooth, Tethering, Battery percent, Kids mode, and settings.
- swipe right for similar apps relating to settings such as system information (this can be optional)
9. More lockscreen functionality: Double tap the name of the song playing to open the music app directly.
I wish I could do same screen shots for all the stuff I laid out, but I’m not that great with graphics like that…:crying:but I could post shots of existing apps that show the visuals to some of my ideas above.
WP8 could be the minimum requirement for some or all of these ideas. Some of these might be more customization options like Android and some MSFT could just user decide. Either way, it’s still in the same framework to allow that middle road of options WP offers to users in comparison to Android and iOS.
Thoughts?

Just license the Notification center from Nokia, specifically how it was used and implemented on the N9.

bmstrong said:
Just license the Notification center from Nokia, specifically how it was used and implemented on the N9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how well that would go over...maybe MSFT doesn't want to use too lunch Nokia stuff at the expense of upsetting the other OEM partners...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

trappxl said:
I'm not sure how well that would go over...maybe MSFT doesn't want to use too lunch Nokia stuff at the expense of upsetting the other OEM partners...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought they pit elop there to run Nokia into the ground, then buy the company for pennies and use ALL their patents... why not start early with some navigation?

I'm not too bothered about notifications. It's a feature that started to annoy me with iOS, all the constant updates and screen coming on all of the time. I found my life to be a lot more productive since getting a Windows Phone. The only notifications you really need are messages and calls and they're both shown on the screen, it's not life or death if you miss what someone is saying on twitter.

ohgood said:
I thought they pit elop there to run Nokia into the ground, then buy the company for pennies and use ALL their patents... why not start early with some navigation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps...but because Nokia needs money other than the handouts from MSFT, they pushed the Lumia brand really hard when they jumped into WP. If you notice now, when people think of WP they first think of Nokia. MSFT doesn't want that, which is why they teamed up with the old partner HTC who was more than willing to back to its past tactic: make a phone with another company's brand name in the title - hence the WP8X by HTC. MSFT also used HTC like that because they have better pull with US carriers than Nokia right now, especially with VZW.
So people in the know (OG WP adopters) will lean more to Nokia...Nokia now powers the whole WP maps. It makes no sense for MSFT to license a notification centre from Nokia, and they would only run Nokia into the ground to buy it if Nokia's WP are the ONLY ones that sell. Nokia shouldn't allow that, even with Elop there, because they are one of the OG companies (Moto the other) and having a more controlling owner like MSFT might hurt both companies' brands...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

gilesjuk said:
I'm not too bothered about notifications. It's a feature that started to annoy me with iOS, all the constant updates and screen coming on all of the time. I found my life to be a lot more productive since getting a Windows Phone. The only notifications you really need are messages and calls and they're both shown on the screen, it's not life or death if you miss what someone is saying on twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, that's one of the beauties of the design of WP I like, and many others do. But there are folks who love the annoying notifications and their phone blowing up with all sorts of activity. This is why MSFT is compelled to add a notification centre to appeal to more folks and get the cross over adopters and new smartphone buyers who have friends with Android and iOS that are used to notifications. I could live with a notification centre in WP, but I think design wise they are in a fresh and unique place...perhaps a decentralized setup by adding more functionality to the live tiles, toast bar and lock screen is better than that all in one status bar notification...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

trappxl said:
See, that's one of the beauties of the design of WP I like, and many others do. But there are folks who love the annoying notifications and their phone blowing up with all sorts of activity. This is why MSFT is compelled to add a notification centre to appeal to more folks and get the cross over adopters and new smartphone buyers who have friends with Android and iOS that are used to notifications. I could live with a notification centre in WP, but I think design wise they are in a fresh and unique place...perhaps a decentralized setup by adding more functionality to the live tiles, toast bar and lock screen is better than that all in one status bar notification...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a lot of words instead of :
" turn off notifications in app settings that don't matter"
you don't need a "hub" to do this if its implemented well inside each app.

ohgood said:
that's a lot of words instead of :
" turn off notifications in app settings that don't matter"
you don't need a "hub" to do this if its implemented well inside each app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. You're right...I've got a rambler's habit whenever I get the juices flowing talking technology...
I agree with that approach of simply improving the notifications in each app. I like not having a hub because I don't need to be notified of every little occurrence. But, since MSFT wants to make cash they will cave in an put a notification hub in. I'm not sure if they will give us the option to turn it off fully if they do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

A swipe to the left of the main home screen for home screen and quick settings.. thats what i thoght of..

[Q] How do I...? A few questions from a new convert

Ok so I'm coming from a different platform and I have a few questions on how to get back some (or if possible all) functionality I'm currently missing that has been essential to my work flow for a while. So hopefully if you can bare with the newb factor of some of these questions I'd really appreciate some pointing in the right direction....
Functionality Questions
1.) How do I get notification counts on app icons? So I can know how many texts or calls I've missed or haven't responded to yet.
2.) How do I rearrange my favorites list in the dialer... it seems to be in order that I star the contact but I can't seem to figure out how to rearrange them in the list.
3.) How do I arrange notifications in the notification shade? Currently notifications come in cronological order but how do I make it so text notifications are always first, then emails, then everything else...?
4.) How do I make it so even if my phone is on silent or vibrate, it still plays a notification sound for people I've designated (ie people on my favorites list)?
5.) How do I set individual text tones for contacts? I can set ringtones however I can't seem how to set text tones.
Misc... Questions
1.) In the messages app how do I make it so that instead of texts being broken up in "1 of 3" etc... that the texts come as one complete paragraph?
2.) How do I set a different picture for the lock screen than the home screen?
3.) Is there a music player widget that I can use that sits in the notification shade and or/ has an accompanying desktop widget that's more 'universal' or uses common music API's so that no matter what music app I use I can control it and see album art etc...? I'm coming from iOS a d the music widget in the task tray acts as control for any music app you choose to use etc...
Anyway like I said, I've switched platforms (from iOS to Android) and I'd like to have some of the aspects I've grown used to and made a part of my workflow and daily activity back. I know Android is ultra customizable and that the beauty is you can make it whatever you'd like so I'm sure these things are already there or can be done easily I'm just new and can't seem to figure it out. Any direction would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The Nexus 4 runs pure Android, which is quite basic as far as features. You're going to need a mix of a custom ROM with apps/widgets you download. Get to searching on the play store. There are tons of apps with great features. A simple search of "universal music widget" will yield results you can use. Also, check out the good messaging apps like Handcent, Go! SMS, and Chomp SMS. Search, download, test.
Edit: Here is another result from a simple search.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bruce.ringtonepicker

1. Download a third-party launcher such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher as they have these features. Some of these features may require a 'Pro' version of the launcher to unlock extra features.
2. Can't rearrange, it's based on the # of calls. You can download third-party dialers such as TouchPal.
3. someone else can explain
4. someone else
5. someone else.
misc.
1. download third party messenger app such as chompsms, handcent sms
2. custom rom
3. someone else

itpromike said:
Ok so I'm coming from a different platform and I have a few questions on how to get back some (or if possible all) functionality I'm currently missing that has been essential to my work flow for a while. So hopefully if you can bare with the newb factor of some of these questions I'd really appreciate some pointing in the right direction....
Functionality Questions
1.) How do I get notification counts on app icons? So I can know how many texts or calls I've missed or haven't responded to yet.
2.) How do I rearrange my favorites list in the dialer... it seems to be in order that I star the contact but I can't seem to figure out how to rearrange them in the list.
3.) How do I arrange notifications in the notification shade? Currently notifications come in cronological order but how do I make it so text notifications are always first, then emails, then everything else...?
4.) How do I make it so even if my phone is on silent or vibrate, it still plays a notification sound for people I've designated (ie people on my favorites list)?
5.) How do I set individual text tones for contacts? I can set ringtones however I can't seem how to set text tones.
Misc... Questions
1.) In the messages app how do I make it so that instead of texts being broken up in "1 of 3" etc... that the texts come as one complete paragraph?
2.) How do I set a different picture for the lock screen than the home screen?
3.) Is there a music player widget that I can use that sits in the notification shade and or/ has an accompanying desktop widget that's more 'universal' or uses common music API's so that no matter what music app I use I can control it and see album art etc...? I'm coming from iOS a d the music widget in the task tray acts as control for any music app you choose to use etc...
Anyway like I said, I've switched platforms (from iOS to Android) and I'd like to have some of the aspects I've grown used to and made a part of my workflow and daily activity back. I know Android is ultra customizable and that the beauty is you can make it whatever you'd like so I'm sure these things are already there or can be done easily I'm just new and can't seem to figure it out. Any direction would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. For unrooted phone there are launchers and for rooted many roms supports eg. Paranoid android.
2. Way around is to creat short cut on screen for contacts you prefer in your order. And Dont remember but there are several app available in play store. Search is your friend here.
3. Just have no idea about it.
4. lots of profile scheduler in play store. Check few out.
5. Never needed so no idea.
Misc.
1. Try other popular sms apps from play store.
2. In custom rom im sure I have used this in the past.
3. I didn't get that question.
Hope it helped you little. Just try few apps and choose what you like the best.
Good Luck :good:

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I'm going through the play store and getting there bit by bit. Any other suggestions keep'em coming. Thanks guys!

[Q] Would like to customize the phone a little bit, just not sure how

There are a few things that really bug me about the Touchwiz software.
1) The ridiculous color scheme/non-standardization between pages. For instance, the new apk install menu is just horrid to look at, as well as certain pop-up confirmation buttons. Is there any easy way to change these so that they more reflect AOSP?
2) The messaging application and the widget that appears on the lock screen when you have a missed phone call/text message. I was wanting to use Dashclock widget on the homescreen to replicate this purpose, but no matter what, I can't find a way to disable that widget that always appears. Is there a way to remove it?
3) This sorta ties along with #2, but when you use a pattern on the lock screen, you can't use a stand alone widget, Samsung automatically takes over and uses it's own. I know it's possible to use pattern and a widget (I can do it on the GE Rom, and my Nexus 7), is there a way duplicate this process?
4) Is there a way to replace the TW messaging app with an AOSP messaging application?
5) The pull down notification bar, is there any way to make it look more like AOSP?
There are things that I love both about TW and AOSP, and unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a rom (in my opinion) that compliments both of the features that they consist of nicely. I don't have the knowledge (or the time at the moment with school coming up) to try and build my own rom that would enjoy the features that I would want. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this process. I would be forever grateful.

Are proper lockscreen notifications possible?

Since I got the Note 3 a week ago, I've spent most of that time trying to find a way to get proper lockscreen notifications. "Proper" in this case means pretty much what LockInfo IV did on jailbroken iPhones (if you're familiar with that):
Each notification chosen by the user is displayed on the lockscreen as a separate entity
Each notification (text or email) can be viewed in its entirety on the lockscreen, if the user chooses that option (such as by tapping to expand each notification)
Notifications are persistent, in that they remain visible on the lockscreen whenever the phone is brought out of sleep mode.
I've tried LockerPro, Nils, Pop-up Notifier, and others and they all fail in one way or another. I'm led to believe that lockscreen notifications are limited by the way that Android populates the notifications panel. The big problem is that if you get more than one email or text, they all get lumped together into a single, useless "You have <x> number of new messages" entry, which means you have to unlock the phone and launch the respective app to see who it's from and what it says.
This completely defeats the purpose of screening notifications on the lockscreen.
I'd appreciate recommendations for any app that will make lockscreen notifications useful. Thanks to designgears, my phone is rooted now, if that makes a difference.

Try dynamic notifications. It mimics the moto x.
Won't show everything though.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried that one and it didn't do it for me, but I'll give it another shot at some point.
For now, I've stopped worrying about lockscreen notifications, since push email is basically broken on the Note 3 anyway. It's like a time machine back to 1995.

barnabydog said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried that one and it didn't do it for me, but I'll give it another shot at some point.
For now, I've stopped worrying about lockscreen notifications, since push email is basically broken on the Note 3 anyway. It's like a time machine back to 1995.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey - I was looking for the same for my N3....i've been trying Dynamic Notifications on and off for awhile now. At first it works, and then just stops. Maybe give Knock2 +V2..I'm testing it now and so far it seems to work flawlessly for me

6.0.1 customization advice

Have: Nexus 6P stock 6.0.1. Need: some customization. Items in green have a solution.
I've enabled Developer Mode and System UI Tweaker. I'd like to do this without root, or anything that would affect individual Google Play-installable apps. (The reason is, I need this device for final user release testing, so it should be what users have just from factory reset + install apps and normal OS upgrades):
Different wallpaper on Lock Screen than behind icons and widgets. (Tried: http://forums.androidcentral.com/an...-lock-screen-wallpaper-help-how-can-i-do.html - No triple dot menu visible in Wallpaper)
Full brightness on Lock screen instead of 90%, independent of brightness settings. ("OK" option: same brightness as manual brightness in Settings) (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help/home-lockscreen-brightness-t1704705 - no Lock Screen Options in Settings)
Disable peeking globally. ("OK" option: put them in the statusbar like 4.4.4) (I don't want to disable peeking for every new app I install: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Here...ifications-in-Android-6.0-Marshmallow_id75408) Temporary solution: I will manually disable peeking for every new app that shows them.
Global saturation setting for icons. (They're all saying "click ME!", that's an icon designer's job. With an excellent high-contrast screen like this, it's a crowd shouting.) ("OK" option: some other way of getting icons to look more Zen.) Icon packs for launchers are that "OK option", browsing tons on Google Play left Hexacon and Dual Shadow. So Hexacon.
Remove the Google Now bar from my Home Screen (without disabling any services). (As in, I taught the device my voice, so I don't need it there for me to tap. Tried: https://www.androidpit.com/how-to-remove-the-google-search-bar-from-your-android-homescreen - it's not long-tappable nor draggable, nor does it appear under Google Apps in Widgets.) Best solution so far: Nova Launcher.
I'd like to be able to do this:
Some quick way (preferably swipe) to access a more compact Quick Settings widget, like on my Xperia Z. I've reduced it to 9, can't remove "Invert Colors" and Location toggles.
Global Night Mode for everything in the System UI - to make it look similar to the Quick Settings. (This is a "like to" only because it's been promised in N. I really need it like, now. ) Best solution so far: Nova Launcher.
Basically I have the greatest phone, so I want it to look good at all times, and with the aim Clean, Fresh, Zen.
I posted here bc the forum was most specific. Feel free to refer or advise me how to best get answers as I joined tonight.
Any & all advice on single questions is appreciated Not possible is a valid answer, and I'm also prepared to wait for N if that's the answer.

I used to think of "ok google" as a novelty but its become more polished and if it remains reliable Ill continue to use it more& more. As it applies to keeping things clean it sort of does eliminate need for extra widgets.
If you have ok google everywhere u can just say " ok google...launch settings". Same goes for music apps, podcasts, youtube videos etc.
Started using a new app other day you might like called sesame edge. I set it on the right edge, virtually invisible and it brings up quick access to apps.

KLit75 said:
I used to think of "ok google" as a novelty but its become more polished and if it remains reliable Ill continue to use it more& more. As it applies to keeping things clean it sort of does eliminate need for extra widgets.
If you have ok google everywhere u can just say " ok google...launch settings". Same goes for music apps, podcasts, youtube videos etc.
Started using a new app other day you might like called sesame edge. I set it on the right edge, virtually invisible and it brings up quick access to apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, trying it out. Also tried Sesame in the hope that it would let me set a different lock screen wallpaper, but it only had "their automatic lock screen wallpaper or off" as setting. I sent feedback to them, so let's see.

HenrikErlandsson said:
Thanks, trying it out. Also tried Sesame in the hope that it would let me set a different lock screen wallpaper, but it only had "their automatic lock screen wallpaper or off" as setting. I sent feedback to them, so let's see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont use a lockscreen but on Pure Nexus which Im using now there is an option to set lockscreen wallpaper.
I use action launcher 3 which doesnt allow me to remove google bar (i dont think) but nova will let u do that. I like the bar cuz on action launcher i can put several shortcuts for whatever i want.
ASAP launcher is very minimal. Again you cant REMOVE the bar but swipe down and it turns into a simple clock widget.

KLit75 said:
I dont use a lockscreen but on Pure Nexus which Im using now there is an option to set lockscreen wallpaper.
I use action launcher 3 which doesnt allow me to remove google bar (i dont think) but nova will let u do that. I like the bar cuz on action launcher i can put several shortcuts for whatever i want.
ASAP launcher is very minimal. Again you cant REMOVE the bar but swipe down and it turns into a simple clock widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx, tried Nova and it gives me Night Mode. Thanks for that Still, no way to have a different wallpaper on the lock screen than on the home screen, and I can find no Prime option for it either. Pure Nexus requires CM.
Can I mix and match this type of apps? Will they interfere with each other? Sesame seems to work with Nova at least.
What about Hi Locker? http://android.wonderhowto.com/how-to/get-back-lock-screen-customization-android-lollipop-0160204/
Can custom lock screens lock me out of my phone, make me butt dial, hog battery? I just want to change the gdmn background!
As I wrote, if some feature comes in N I'd rather wait than mess up my new phone.

HenrikErlandsson said:
Thx, tried Nova and it gives me Night Mode. Thanks for that Still, no way to have a different wallpaper on the lock screen than on the home screen, and I can find no Prime option for it either. Pure Nexus requires CM.
Can I mix and match this type of apps? Will they interfere with each other? Sesame seems to work with Nova at least.
What about Hi Locker? http://android.wonderhowto.com/how-to/get-back-lock-screen-customization-android-lollipop-0160204/
Can custom lock screens lock me out of my phone, make me butt dial, hog battery? I just want to change the gdmn background!
As I wrote, if some feature comes in N I'd rather wait than mess up my new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems Im constantly tweaking things and having problems recalling exactly what I used. I know making lockscreen different from desktop is something Ive done many times. Do u have xposed? Pretty sure gravitybox has that option.
As far as butt dials, I use sweep to wake & it was a problem. Always remember to put it in your pocket screen facing out. I also need to do that when using bt headphones or else i get distortion. Anyways if i find something relevant Ill let u know.

Thx for suggestions!
I want weather, clock, and a background that matches my high-end case on the lock screen AND NOTHING ELSE, and then wherever there are icons I want a neutral background or just a color so I can see them properly. I think that's being a normal user with sensible demands.
Right now a huge dark gray or white slate COVERS the background anyway. I don't mind it, it lets me see the icons of all manner of variety and quality against something neutral, still... just allowing a background to set behind your icons seems to be an easy addition... since Froyo... Anyway, end rant about Simple Things. Android at least lets you customize them.
I'm battling notifications now. Light Manager is recommended for the 6P - testing it out now for notifications that are actually important, will report.