Ideas for a better UI - Android Software Development

1. You plug in your phone to a computer, it pulls you out of your app and shows you a window where you have to click a button to allow the computer access to your files. You then have to pull down the notifications tab and press the icon then press the button again to turn it off. Why not have it like this.. it appears in the notification bar that it's plugged in. You tap the notification, it connects to your computer. You want to disconnect, you drag it down and press it again. It doesn't take you to a separate screen to press another button, it just does it.
2. You hold down the home button to see recent apps. When you hold down on an app name, there should be a button pops up below it saying 'Close'. Faster way of closing apps if you like to do that. Maybe even a 'close all' button on that screen.

sounds like you would like MIUI (it does have that features included)

Is that available for HTC Hero?

Its always been like this for galaxy s vibrant but I'm sure its for all galaxy s

Related

makeing the Ok button actually close an app, not just (mini)

I have searced but to no avile.
I do use magic button, but I want to be able to close an app without taping the top right corner of the screen, with the ok button.
am I doing something wrong?
also is the best way to null the active sync from auto starting still making a fake server exchange?
Keep stylus on the ok button for a couple of secs, then an icon like a house should appear on your taskbar. Press this for a short while and a menu sholuld appear where you can change the settings to close programs instead of minimize.
or can use smclose which is simpler - just place in windows startup folder voila!
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA032810/

G1: Tips and Tricks

How about a thread for little tips and tricks for working this new toy? Has anyone found a way to increase the text size in the calendar? Cant read it without glasses...
Scott
I don't take credit for all these.
How to Increase Battery Life
Turn off GPS
Lower screen brightness
Turn off Wi-fi when you are not around any wifi networks
If you are not in a 3g area do the following to save battery life!
Settings--->Wireless Controls--->Mobile Networks and check the box that says "Use Only 2G Networks"
General
Holding down the home key will bring up your programs running in the background.
Adjusting the volume will adjust volume all the way to muting sound.
Clicking down the End key will place your phone in sleep mode.
Holding down the End key while bring up the "reset" feature.
Turning off the GPS saves battery life to do so go to Menu, Settings, Security and Location.
To rename a folder on the homescreen click and hold the dock at the top of the folders name. *AnyCut is needed*
Long press the phone key for voice dial.
Press the menu button once to bring up the menu, then press and hold the menu button down to view the shortcut.
To make ringtones, alerts, and notifications make a folder inside your memory card each one containing there own name such as "ringtones" "alarms" "notifications"
To forward picture and text messages: Press and hold the message.
When Typing, If you want to delete a word at the time press menu and delete and will erase a word at the time instead of one character at the time...
Pressing alt+del it deletes everything
Reboot
Press the Green Call Button + Menu + Off (Red) Key
Hard Reset
(THIS WILL REMOVE ALL APPS BUT NOT YOUR PICS AND MUSIC!!)
Turn the G1 off. If it’s frozen on, take the battery out and put it back in the unit.
Hold the Home and Power keys down at same time for about 25 seconds. You will see a yellow triangle screen with exclamation point in the middle.
Now to wipe the device clean:
Press Alt+L.
Press Alt+W for a factory reset.
Press the Home and Back keys again for about 25 seconds. Let go of the keys.
The device should then reset again and the hard reset is complete.
This will wipe your device to factory reset. You will need to log in to your gmail account like you initially did.
Browser
To Copy All, press Menu and A or Highlight text, press and hold TRACKBALL, select Select all
To Cut, press Menu and X.
To Copy, press Menu and C.
To Paste, press Menu and V or Press and hold TRACKBALL, select Paste
Saving pictures from the web:
Press and hold the image for 3 seconds, a selection will pop-up either to save image or view image. It may contain more selections if the image contains a link.
Faster scrolling in the browser:
Hold down ALT key and roll trackball for fast scrolling.
Press space bar for a fast scroll down.
Shift+Space goes up
Browser General
Long press trackball on image to bring up "save image/view image"
Long press trackball over url to bring up "open/open in new window/bookmark link/save link/share link/copy link url"
Press menu to bring up browser menu (go to url/search/bookmarks/...etc); long-press menu to temporarily flash the shortcuts.
To activate the magnify glass on the browser click the trackball twice.
Clear your Cache!
If you’ve been using streetview or the browser alot, the cache can quickly get big. I’ve only had the phone for two days and got 20MB back by clearing the cache on these two.
Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Browser > Clear Data
Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Streetview > Clear Data
Hold down Menu when powering on goes into safe mode
THIS WAS POSTED ELSEWHERE AND IS VERY IMPORTANT IF YOUR PHONE CRASHES.
Awesome list
getting rid of icons on your home screen
Here's a cool one I just learned. Hold and press the icon you want to get rid of. you'll feel a short vibrate. after the vibration you can move the icon around or delete it by dragging it to the little gray trashcan that appears at the bottom of the page. This won't delete the program, just the icon.
Great tips! Where do you get this information? I would like to
access even more information.
Also, how do you shut down particular programs running in the
background? Thanks.
Bradley1865 said:
Great tips! Where do you get this information? I would like to
access even more information.
Also, how do you shut down particular programs running in the
background? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option isn't available at this time. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution soon
folders on home and menu????
I see mention of renaming folders but I can't even figure out how to make a folder. Anyone know how?
jimtc said:
I see mention of renaming folders but I can't even figure out how to make a folder. Anyone know how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way is to:
1. On home screen press and hold
2. when the menu pops up select "shortcur"
3. select the first option "folder"
4. done.
To rename the folder (only cause I didn't understand the first post):
1. open the folder
2. press and hold the top bar of the open folder, otherwise known as the 'dock'
3. type in name and change it.
4. Done.
the ringtone tip doesnt work
or what format do they have to be in?
ive only tried MP3
Mikey1022 said:
To rename a folder on the homescreen click and hold the dock at the top of the folders name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone tried this? I cant get it to let me rename- a short click opens it and a long click moves it....
gospeed.racer said:
Has anyone tried this? I cant get it to let me rename- a short click opens it and a long click moves it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click on the folder, once is you are in the little window then tap and hold the top bar of the window
Z51 said:
the ringtone tip doesnt work
or what format do they have to be in?
ive only tried MP3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Create a folder on your memory card names 'ringtones' and place your .mp3's in there.
First, unplug your phone from the USB port, then edit a contact. You should see your new ringtones in the list.
Save pictures from messages?
This possible? I can't figure it out?
Yos025 said:
Click on the folder, once is you are in the little window then tap and hold the top bar of the window
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I should say that I am trying to change the name of the shortcut icon, not a folder- wasnt really thinking it mattered but it must
Only folders can be renamed
gospeed.racer said:
I guess I should say that I am trying to change the name of the shortcut icon, not a folder- wasnt really thinking it mattered but it must
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is a way to change the name of a shortcut once it's made. Also I think only Any Cut gives you a choice about the name at all.
gospeed.racer said:
I guess I should say that I am trying to change the name of the shortcut icon, not a folder- wasnt really thinking it mattered but it must
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download anycut and you can rename any app shortcut as well.
While using the web browser, double tap the trackball rapidly to zoom out with a magnified area. Press again to zoom into that area
music?
When doing the ringtones memory card trick, will the ringtones stay out of the music list? For example
, in the music player app... I am hoping that ringtones will stay out of the music app. Can anyone confirm or deny?

[REF] Hidden features of the Galaxy S

Just thought I'd share this one I found.
If you hold down the "home" button for about a second you get an easy task switcher to any app that was running in the background. It's faster than hitting back till you get to the menu or getting to the menu and then finding the app you are after .
Sliding your finger across the notification window just as it drops down changes the brightness of the screen.
Any others that people have found?
You can add shortcuts to phone numbers and messages on the home screen by holding your finger down and selecting shortcuts on the home screen somewhere. This also appears to work with a lot of apps, like kindle shortcuts to a specific book.
All android phones do this, Holding the Home button is a standard android way to "Switch fast" between apps
A few things I found out reading the SGS forum here:
1. You can control the brightness by sliding your finger left to right when pulling down the notification bar. Just keep your finger on the edge of the pull down window.
2. You can have the SGS announce the title/artist of a song from the Music player by pressing and holding the Up Volume button while a song is playing.
3. You can "lock screen" while watching video by pressing Power Button while a video is playing. This is great at preventing unintended clicks while holding the phone watching a video.
tenshi888 said:
A few things I found out reading the SGS forum here:
1. You can control the brightness by sliding your finger left to right when pulling down the notification bar. Just keep your finger on the edge of the pull down window.
2. You can have the SGS announce the title/artist of a song from the Music player by pressing and holding the Up Volume button while a song is playing.
3. You can "lock screen" while watching video by pressing Power Button while a video is playing. This is great at preventing unintended clicks while holding the phone watching a video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the third one, but didn't know the first two. Thank you tenshi, for sharing.
However, I don't quite understand how exactly you can change the brightness in the day you described, cos I can't seem to do it.
Also, I got the feeling that to effect number 2, there is a monthly subscription that I need to pay to Optus. They gave me a 7 day free trial before continuing, and I did not continue.
eaglesteve, for #1, make sure auto-brightness is off in your display settings, now when you slide the notification bar panel down try sliding your finger left to right and you'll notice the display brightness change.
for #2, I don't think its connected to your provider as it doesn't even need a data connection to work, it's just using text to speech. You might have to enable or download it the first time.
eaglesteve said:
I know the third one, but didn't know the first two. Thank you tenshi, for sharing.
However, I don't quite understand how exactly you can change the brightness in the day you described, cos I can't seem to do it.
Also, I got the feeling that to effect number 2, there is a monthly subscription that I need to pay to Optus. They gave me a 7 day free trial before continuing, and I did not continue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tenshi888 said:
eaglesteve, for #1, make sure auto-brightness is off in your display settings, now when you slide the notification bar panel down try sliding your finger left to right and you'll notice the display brightness change.
for #2, I don't think its connected to your provider as it doesn't even need a data connection to work, it's just using text to speech. You might have to enable or download it the first time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My auto-brightness is already off, but I still can't seem to change the brightness when sliding from left to right or right to left while pulling down the notification curtain. Any other clue?
For 2, you're right, once I downloaded the voice synthesising software from the market place, it works. I need to make sure the music player is in the foreground for this to work, right?
spenceee said:
If you hold down the "home" button for about a second you get an easy task switcher to any app that was running in the background. It's faster than hitting back till you get to the menu or getting to the menu and then finding the app you are after .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically it's a "most recently used" list rather than a list of apps running in the background. For example if you have just exited a navigation app, or killed an app from a process manager, it will still appear in this list.
Interesting thread.
I just want to add some "shortcuts" I discovered myself using the Galaxy (maybe they aren't so hidden. I am a lousy user, don't like to read manuals. So maybe they are very obvious )
Close pull down window/curtain, close desktop layer folders and close keyboard by tapping back key
Access to the bookmark button and address bar in the brower by tapping the menu button (no need to scroll all the way up)
Open soft D-Pad by tap-and-hold the "?123" key on the standard Samsung Keyboard
Quick and reliable GPS reception by editing the ntp server in the gps.conf file
Someone I only just learnt...
Pressing and holding the power button performs a reset. (Keep pressing it after you get the shut down/mute/airplane options and the phone will suddenly restart. Have to keep the button pressed for 5 secs atleast).
dagrim1 said:
Someone I only just learnt...
Pressing and holding the power button performs a reset. (Keep pressing it after you get the shut down/mute/airplane options and the phone will suddenly restart. Have to keep the button pressed for 5 secs atleast).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool
holding menu key for about a second brings up google search.Im sure its probably a feature of all android phones and probably in the manual but im new to android and dont read manuals much.
If you´re in "contacts"
slide to the right for an instant call or slide to the left for messaging the contact
mazurson said:
If you´re in "contacts"
slide to the right for an instant call or slide to the left for messaging the contact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool, this is handy when you're driving
i usually double tap the contact, but if your car goes over a bump or pot hole, then the 2nd tap is missed, and wont work.
mazurson said:
If you´re in "contacts"
slide to the right for an instant call or slide to the left for messaging the contact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SWEET, this is a great way to dial and text people from contacts
Thx for the info
1. Browsing in the Gallery
When browsing your large list of photo's in the 'Gallery', click the icon on the right to group them into date taken ~ makes browsing much more manageable.
2. Locking the Camera
If you wish to leave the camera on but worried you may accidentally touch the scrren/controls you can lock the camera.
Once you have the camera set up how you want it, simply briefly press the Power button. You will then see a white padlock appear on screen. Now you can hold the camera and phone how you like until you are ready to shoot.... When ready again briefly press the Power button, the padlock disappears and you can take your shoot/video.
sammy555 said:
holding menu key for about a second brings up google search.Im sure its probably a feature of all android phones and probably in the manual but im new to android and dont read manuals much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, it's samsung's replacement for the search button that's a Google requirement. They don't have a button for it, so they assigned long-press menu for search, whereas on the Nexus One, it'll make force the soft-'board to come up.
yes it works...
eaglesteve said:
My auto-brightness is already off, but I still can't seem to change the brightness when sliding from left to right or right to left while pulling down the notification curtain. Any other clue?
For 2, you're right, once I downloaded the voice synthesising software from the market place, it works. I need to make sure the music player is in the foreground for this to work, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first it didn't worked for me also, because I understand bad.
Not pulling down. Go to the upper of the screen, press till the botton of the dropdown curtain appears, but don't slide it down. Once that appears the BAR move left or right your finger, and it will adjust.
pafh99 said:
At first it didn't worked for me also, because I understand bad.
Not pulling down. Go to the upper of the screen, press till the botton of the dropdown curtain appears, but don't slide it down. Once that appears the BAR move left or right your finger, and it will adjust.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, I got it to work too. The trick is not to pull it down but just to make the curtain barely appear before you slide.
Thanks for your excellent explanation.
sammy555 said:
cool
holding menu key for about a second brings up google search.Im sure its probably a feature of all android phones and probably in the manual but im new to android and dont read manuals much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, didn't know this one. Very useful and now I can get rid of the google search bar on the desktop too
when receiving a call press the volume down button to mute th ringer
old but cool

[Q] Change Functions Of Home Button?

I have a 9505G rooted, and I'd like to change the funcitons of the home button. Specificaly, there are two changes I'd like to make.
1. Disable the home button while the phone is locked. While the phone is locked and asleep, I can use either the power button or the home button to wake the phone. I want to disable the home button here, so that only the power button can wake the phone. I find that while my phone is in my pocket, it often wakes up "on its own", presumably because I'm accidnetally pressing the home button against my hip, chair, whatever...
2. Launch the recently-used apps list by holding the home button. On previous devices I've used (such as the Galaxy Nexus), holding down the home button would bring up the list of recently-used apps. With the S4GE, the long-press brings up Google Now, and a double-click is required for the recently-used apps list. I'd like to change this behavior so that a long-press brings up the recent app list, and double-click does nothing.
Can this be done, and if so, how? Thanks for your help.

Multi window toggle and by holding back button?

Hi,
I just bought this phone, upgraded from my Note 4. Basically on the Note 4, there's a toggle and setting for multi windows, but I dont see it on the Edge+? Where can I find it?
Also, on the Note 4 I can hold the back button then a side panel will appear with the list of apps that can be used in multi windows. But holding back button on the edge+ doesnt do anything?
I've done some googling but didnt find anything useful, pls help.
Press and hold the recent apps button. Available apps will appear at the bottom of the screen. You can scroll left and right through the apps. Just select an app and it will fill the top half of your screen. Second app selected will fill the bottom half.
Hi,
What you mentioned is split view. In Note4, if i have a full screen app running (e.g. games), then when i hold the back button, it will allow me to open another apps as a popup window so I can let the full screen app running while looking at the pop up app. But the split view doesnt support this as both apps need to be split view-able

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