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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.
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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
Is there a quick way to access the bookmark and homepage saved in the browser for the phone?
In the browser, long press the back button. It takes you to history and bookmarks. You can also make a shortcut to your homepage on your desktop by long pressing the home screen and choosing shortcuts / bookmarks.
hmm...long pressing the back button in the browser does nothing for me...is there a reason why?
or u can just press the menu button in the browser then the bookmark button in the top right corner.
Ok, something really weird.
Yesterday, I was showing off my Tab to a friend, and we kind of got stuck on comparing how fast the portrait/landscape switch works on ADW launcher vs. stock touchwiz. So we were tipping the device back and forth for a while when it froze for a few seconds.
Trying to get it to react, I hit back, home, power, probably in that order, but I'm not sure.
The reaction, a message pops up about the image capture being saved. Then again. And indeed, in my Gallery I now have a folder call Screen Captures and inside it there are two screenshots. One of my standard homescreen and one of a force close error message (for the calculator app I use - Kreac).
I've been trying to reproduce this since, but without any success. Is there a hidden screenshot app in there somewhere?
Hi , just keep pressing the back button and double press the power button to take screenshots.
adolfotregosa said:
Hi , just keep pressing the back button and double press the power button to take screenshots.
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Click to collapse
Indeed.
Is this common knowledge that I had missed? I ask because I've seen several threads on various forums claiming that there is no app and no way to take a screenshot?
Interesting. Is there a service running that handles this feature or is it a core process?
Don't know. But I just noticed there's an entry 'com.sec.android.app.screencapture' in the application manager list.
Rapax said:
Don't know. But I just noticed there's an entry 'com.sec.android.app.screencapture' in the application manager list.
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Click to collapse
i remember it... but ive removed it now and theres no apk, so theres no way to restore without flashing
i was trying screens with one of the root apps on the market and they all came out in funky colors so i got rid of it (must have taken sammys built in app out as well by mistake)
IMHO, best way to take screenshot on any device, galaxy tab included, is via ddms.bat ( Dalvik Debug Monitor) under dir tools of SDK. You can find "screen capture" under Device menu.
Can't for the life of me see how using DDMS can be "better" than this on-device method in general use!
This is a good find - we need a sticky for these tidbits!
Regards,
Dave
adolfotregosa said:
Hi , just keep pressing the back button and double press the power button to take screenshots.
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Click to collapse
It's a good tip, but I much prefer using DropCap 2 from the Market, at least for when I'm not using a full-screen application. Talking of which, are in-game screenshots possible with the hardware button method ?
I was able to capture a screen shot by pressing back and then pressing the power button twice. But that does not capture the screen that I wanted. Instead, it captured the screen of "back" when I press the back button.
This button combination does not make much sense in my opinion. Any say?
It works fine for me in most apps (including Angry Birds), but not in the stock Video player or in the Gameloft games like N.O.V.A.
Regards,
Dave
Is there any other way to do it ? Ad soon as I hit back it goes back to the previous screen and take screenshot of that screen. Isnt that kinda pointless?
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
dliao said:
Is there any other way to do it ? Ad soon as I hit back it goes back to the previous screen and take screenshot of that screen. Isnt that kinda pointless?
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Click to collapse
For this cases I suggest ddms in the previous post. ddms don't need any user interface and grab everything, also video played in stock video player. And grabbed screenshot can be saved directly on HD, rotated, discarded...
I find that "holding" the back button down until vibrates (rather than merely just pressing it) and then pressing the power button just once works consistently well for me. Haven't needed DDMS yet.
For me it works fine; keep pressing back and tap power button.
dliao said:
Is there any other way to do it ? Ad soon as I hit back it goes back to the previous screen and take screenshot of that screen. Isnt that kinda pointless?
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hit back and power at the same time... and then hit power again... and you hear a sound like a camera shutter... and says it's saved.
Dear all
Very simple
. Press and hold back key
. Short press power key
screen will automatic save in folder Screen picture
regards
-------------------------------------
Sent via Galaxy Tab
Ok, I got it now. The theory is to hold the back button and do not let go until you hit the power button twice. It works!! But it takes quite a while for the picture to show up in the Gallery. I thought the screen capture did not work.
SOLVED: How to screen capture if Back key exits from the current screen
I just solved how to capture the screen if holding down the Back key exits from the application so you end up capturing the previous screen, or the Home screen in most cases.
For example, in Maps, I couldn't capture the Map as it goes back to the Home screen once I hold down the back key. The technique is to go one screen deeper; example in Maps, press Menu key then select Layers. When you hold down the Back key, the Maps image screen is displayed. Keep holding the Back key then press the Power key. Screen capture now completed on the desired screen.
I think you can do the same technique for other apps.
Hope you enjoy using your Galaxy tab as much as I do, like me having sleepless nights on the porch using Google sky map, or playing Guitar solo (paid version is much better).
balmazan said:
I just solved how to capture the screen if holding down the Back key exits from the application so you end up capturing the previous screen, or the Home screen in most cases.
For example, in Maps, I couldn't capture the Map as it goes back to the Home screen once I hold down the back key. The technique is to go one screen deeper; example in Maps, press Menu key then select Layers. When you hold down the Back key, the Maps image screen is displayed. Keep holding the Back key then press the Power key. Screen capture now completed on the desired screen.
I think you can do the same technique for other apps.
Hope you enjoy using your Galaxy tab as much as I do, like me having sleepless nights on the porch using Google sky map, or playing Guitar solo (paid version is much better).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's strange... it should not go back until you have taken your finger off the back button and if you hit the power button whilst holding the back button it should cancel out any back button command.
Not so much a bug as a real doh! moment.
Froyo for the Galaxy S lets you take Screenshots
Problem is the keystroke is Back key and Home button.
Anyone got any tips for preventing the back button from taking you back as soon as you touch it? I managed to take a screenshot of one app but now all I get is screenshots of my home page as the back buttons quits the app.
It's a pain when the phone locks up sometimes, mostly in when cycling through my emails. I try clicking the home button to get back to the homescreen, but the back button seems to be stuck 'on', so I end up taking loads of screenshots of my emails!
I was in a queue the other day and it happened, and the camera 'shutter' sound kept going off. People thought I was taking photos of them!
I'm hoping someone finds a way to change the keystrokes. Whoever chose the back key and the home key just hasn't mastered joined-up-thinking yet.
amwebby said:
Whoever chose the back key and the home key just hasn't mastered joined-up-thinking yet.
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Click to collapse
Maybe you have not mastered pressing two buttons at the same time.
it's not about pressing the two buttons at the same time, screen capture happens only if you press the back button first, holding on and pressing the home key.
Quite. The back button always takes you back, which in most programs is to one of the home pages.
I have discovered Screen Shot It, which seems to be the only one that works on non-rooted phones.
amwebby said:
Anyone got any tips for preventing the back button from taking you back as soon as you touch it? I managed to take a screenshot of one app but now all I get is screenshots of my home page as the back buttons quits the app.
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Click to collapse
When I hold down the back button it doesn't go back. Maybe just a bug in the specific firmware you're using.
It only goes back for me if I tap it.
Maddmatt said:
When I hold down the back button it doesn't go back. Maybe just a bug in the specific firmware you're using.
It only goes back for me if I tap it.
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Click to collapse
Same here...
dont release the back button before you press the Home button.
It doesnt go back..
Maddmatt said:
When I hold down the back button it doesn't go back. Maybe just a bug in the specific firmware you're using.
It only goes back for me if I tap it.
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Click to collapse
THIS. I tried reproducing the problem in various applications (and even the lock screen). As long as you don't release the Back button before you press Home, it always takes a screen-shot instead of going back or triggering the Home button action.
Conceivably, an application might be able to map the 'on-hold' event for the Back key for something else, but at least I haven't come across any app like that (well, maybe ScummVM - but I don't have that installed right now).
It does appear to be hit'n'miss depending on what application you are in. From many it works as described, but I just tried in the game "Scrambled Net" and hitting the back button and keeping it down still takes me back. Will be keeping ShootMe for now as a backup, though I prefer its use of "shake" to peform the shot.
I have been holding the back button. Results are varied. Just tried it in Tapatalk. When in a thread pressing and holding the back button takes you back to the threads screen. Then you can take a screenshot. Accuweather worked for me once but the back button always takes me back to the home screen.
Screenshot it works on unrooted Samsung Galaxy S with Froyo (i9000M)
Woot!
The correct method to take a screen shot it to hold the back button then press the home key. When I have seen people failing to take screen shots it's because they have been trying to press the buttons at the same time.
Emexrulsier said:
The correct method to take a screen shot it to hold the back button then press the home key. When I have seen people failing to take screen shots it's because they have been trying to press the buttons at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some apps take you back before you release the button.
I've seen few threads about this here but none of them had a conclusive answer. Is there a way to change the home button hold duration, holding it for 2 seconds to open the recent apps is really annoying. I've seen some ROMs have this as a setting, so there's probably a way to do it on stock Android, or not?
bump!! There must be a way somehow
Don't know about home button delay setting, but I prefer Xposed Addition. So you can tap and hold menu key for recent apps compared using physical home button