Database Users

Helixlauncher(2) on Desire

Has anyone tried to install the Helixlauncher or Helixlauncher2 app created for the Nexus One on their Desire? I'm curious because it seems the stock android 2.1 launcher2 from the Nexus One is removed from the Desire rom, and I really like the look of it and don't think I will use the Sense widgets anyway to save battery.

Renco said:
Has anyone tried to install the Helixlauncher or Helixlauncher2 app created for the Nexus One on their Desire? I'm curious because it seems the stock android 2.1 launcher2 from the Nexus One is removed from the Desire rom, and I really like the look of it and don't think I will use the Sense widgets anyway to save battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Amcaot1Us

Yeah I know the 2.1 launcher was available in the preview devises like the one in the video, but this launcher is removed from the final device (see the launcher2 threads in the general Desire section).

deprecate said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Amcaot1Us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does't work that method any more when you try it just starts sense again they have taken the launcher out, Helixauncher2 app works nice from the market place i like how you can drag things either side of the all programs launcher.
If anyone wants to try these things and wants to change easy from one to the other so you can set one as default download home switcher from the market place then you can use which ever you like.

Home Switcher doesn't give me an option for default Android.

It will when you install helixlauncher 2.

Jabbypants said:
It will when you install helixlauncher 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jabbypants said:
It does't work that method any more when you try it just starts sense again they have taken the launcher out, Helixauncher2 app works nice from the market place i like how you can drag things either side of the all programs launcher.
If anyone wants to try these things and wants to change easy from one to the other so you can set one as default download home switcher from the market place then you can use which ever you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does it mean that if I install HELIXLAUNCHER2 & Home Switcher from Android Market. Then I should be able 2 have standard android 2.1 or what... Your help is appreciated friend...
K7

Tried it for a day and it froze on me twice. Never had my Desire freeze on me before and i installed nothing else new so i'm putting it down to this. Removing!

This kills weather animation if you switch back to Sense, and seriously why would you buy HTC and not use Sense it is the best UI around and once rooted will be completely customised.
How ever on other android devices this would be a great app.

K 7 said:
So does it mean that if I install HELIXLAUNCHER2 & Home Switcher from Android Market. Then I should be able 2 have standard android 2.1 or what... Your help is appreciated friend...
K7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works fine for me i been using Helix for 4 days now with no issues, if you install Helix 2 and home switcher when you launch home switcher you have a choice of using Helixlauncher2(stock 2.1 android like the Nexus) or Sense UI.
I switch between the 2 all the time and have had no problems with it at all, one day i might prefer sense the other nexus style just depends
In the picture below what i like with helixlauncher you can drag things either side of the launcher and they stay there as you move about the screens, which i like and it saves 4 icons on your main screen.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

K 7 said:
So does it mean that if I install HELIXLAUNCHER2 & Home Switcher from Android Market. Then I should be able 2 have standard android 2.1 or what... Your help is appreciated friend...
K7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Works perfect for me like that.

If any body knows if Helix Launcher & Home Switcher are uninstall-able & if after uninstall if leaves any ill-affect (as one of the post above says it destroys something in weather animation)...
K7

I tried Helix again and this time not got any freezes but now my icons when i press the menu button are all there but the text is really far to the right. So you see 1 and a half letters for each item lol.

I find it odd as it works perfectly for me you are getting helix launcher 2 and not just helix launcher.

Jabbypants said:
I find it odd as it works perfectly for me you are getting helix launcher 2 and not just helix launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm not that slow. I guess its possibly conflicting with some sort of app or setting.

I have them both working side-by-side without a single quirk. Removed it first time so this is a typical reinstall.
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

Managed to reproduce the error again. Something to do with the screen rotation not sure what i did but once the text is stuck it requires a restart of Helix 2 or the phone.

ephumuris said:
I tried Helix again and this time not got any freezes but now my icons when i press the menu button are all there but the text is really far to the right. So you see 1 and a half letters for each item lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having this issue too. I think it has something to do with using 3D apps like openGL games where the screen automatically rotates, because the Helix launcher is also 3D accelerated but then back in portrait mode.
This issue also exists with custom 2.1 roms on Hero when you use the Google gallery.

BeamWidgets - Flashlight Widgets for Desire *26. July, 2010*

I started to code a small widget collection to make good use of the nice HTC Desire flash led as flashlight and more...
At the moment only one App Widget is ready for testing, more widgets and configuration options are in the works.
(also works on standard ROMs, no root required)
If someone wants to give it a try:
While in configuration the led is on so you can check how bright your choosen level is.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
WARNING: Be carefull about long time operation on all but the lowest brightness level as overheating may kill your led
*Changelog*
- fixed problem with non-functional widget on screen rotate or HTC scene change
- Added haptic feedback/vibrate option to widget configuration
- Widget options now persistent
- Reset widget on Power-/Screen-Off
- Added configuration activity to control torch brightness
- Added a HTC widget style version
*Known issues*
- HTC kernel needed with Froyo-ROMs (e.g. LeeDroid)
regards

I'm liking it so far, the simple on off from the widget is preferable to a program. Thanks f3d0r

Brilliant. Simple. To the point.
Is it possible to do another widget (different program) that does the LED light at FULL power ?
Thanks.

I like the idea. I don't like the icon. And could be brighter?
Screens...

I tweaked the icon a little bit by adding some padding, more sophisticated icons may be following

Does this app require a rooted desire or will it work on any old desire?
UPDATE: Tested it out on my unrooted desire and works fine . Awesome app been looking for one for since i got the desire, i tend to lose things hehe....

A small comment on the request for more brightness:
In full-power/flash mode the led would overheat quickly without extensive cooling (which the desire lacks for sure). The rsult would be a dead led in very short time.
However, a "Boost" widget which switches the led to full power mode for a few seconds will be added next.

I'm keeping this version, I like the slightly larger icon and I dont need a boost
thanks again
and again x

I love the widget as it is, thanks!

Very nice, love it - will it be released on the market?

added to the desire app ref thread here

f3d0r said:
Unfortunately I am unable to post screenshots or links but if someone wants to give it a try:
wimobi.com/android/BeamWidgets.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice, thanks!
But is it really necessary to read the telephone status and change sd content?
(yes, i'm a little bit paranoid ...)

localh0rst said:
nice, thanks!
But is it really necessary to read the telephone status and change sd content?
(yes, i'm a little bit paranoid ...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact the Widget does not request any permissions in it's manifest but this seems to be an issue of android backward compatibility:
code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=4101
However, as we don't need this I have fixed the issue by specifying a Min SDK requirement in already updated APK.
regards

+1 for anything that makes it brighter and also Strobe effect ... etc etc.
Thanks

Excellent work

The Widget works well. Maybe make a way to lock screen when you turn it on so you don't accidentally hit other stuff when you're using the light. When I use a light I am usually not paying attention to what I am hitting on the screen. lol.
How did you get screenshots of your phone with Android? I haven't seen any apps that let you do it without root access.

Re: BeamWidgets - Flashlight Widgets for Desire
Thanks, just installed it
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

added a HTC widget style version:

f3d0r said:
added a HTC widget style version:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
working great, thanks man

Nice "new" widget style !

No REAL home replacements?

I have been an Android user for several months now . I came over from Windows Mobile . One of the main reasons i came to Android was for the open source capabilities (which i suppose now were only in my head). I feel I could REALLY customize my WM phones. Through much work of course , but I really felt like they were MINE . This has not been the case for me thus for with my Moto Droid.
Sure , there are several home screen replacement apps out there , but they really all do the same thing , they all just put their own tweaks on the already "blah" UI . Dont get me wrong , I love my Droid , but there are some simply BEAUTIFUL themes and skins being made for other devices that we cannot come close to . There are Windows Phone 7 / Zune HD themes for iphone and windows mobile that are stunning . The only thing we have that is even kind of "outside the box" is Slidescreen Pro , which I am using now .
I suppose my question is why? Is the OS just too new for these kinds of things to be happening for us? Or are the devs anti everything but the Android look ? Have read a lot of people expressing interest in such themes , most are met with coy responses . Telling the thread starter to "buy an iphone" or get a "WP7 phone" . I love android , but i feel like Microsoft made a hell of an UI with their Zune HD / WP7 . I would like to see something like that for us Android users , instead of looking like SPB Mobile Shell that i was running on my WM phone 3 years ago haha .
If there are devs out there willing to work on this , I am more than willing to pay for it . Im sure other people would be willing as well . Im happy to drop a couple hundred bucks if we can get it off the ground and running . I put the EZune HD theme on my girlfriends iPhone the other day and was shocked at how awesome it was . Something must be done .. Thanks .

I agree with that. I thought that with android the UI customising will be much more easy and flexible and I expected to see a lot and different home replacements. But all are at the same pattern. The only app that I can compare with wm apps(wisbar advance desktop, pointui home, throttle launcher) is sweeter home, which unfortunately it's not so stable at this stage and a little heavy.
I would like to see more apps with this flexibility and ability to really change the look of android' s home screen.
And I think that generaly this happens in android developing. You can find a lot of apps of a kind but all looks and do almost the same things. I find more imagination and creativity in development of a close and unflexible OS as wm.

If you make one let me know

yes sweeter home has the most potential
sweeterskins.com
sweeterskins.net
For example, the obligatory LCARS theme
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Gotta say , i heard of Sweeter Home and just kept on moving . I got it today and it really does have potential . Some pretty cool outside the box themes . Hopefully it picks up steam . Good call guys .

Not a complete replacement, and still lacks quite a number of features, but SlideScreen is pretty nice looking

yes , slide screen is my favorite by far...

lucas.scott said:
yes , slide screen is my favorite by far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They need to let you choose default apps, it keeps launching into the sense apps instead of Handcent, etc

the thing about sweeter home that is so cool is that is has a GUI system for creating themes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZwQez-dUdY

Are there any homescreens that are text-only? (looking for a terminal look, but not matrix)

ok they are really PNG's but the effect is the same. The 'text' can go over any background including live wallpaper.

I'm working on one now, some screenshots:

TREYisRAD said:
They need to let you choose default apps, it keeps launching into the sense apps instead of Handcent, etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean by that? The only thing i have not been able to change what it launches is the twitter app .

lucas.scott said:
what do you mean by that? The only thing i have not been able to change what it launches is the twitter app .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I set handcent as the default texting app, but it still opens the stock one.

TREYisRAD said:
I set handcent as the default texting app, but it still opens the stock one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you're opening the handcent program itself. The icon for messages on the home screen is the shortcut for that program. Not always the shortcut for messages in general.
Also, go to application settings, find "messages" and click it to remove default settings. Now when you select handcent you should be able to chose it as default

More tests...
Do you think? what is your opinion?

looking good so far . I would like to learn how to make themes for sweeter home . Have some pretty good ideas , and lots of graphic designer friends . If i had the know-how , pretty sure i could pop out a really cool Windows Phone 7 skin .

It's not so hard. Sweeter home has a theme editor as part of the app. You can create a theme on the device. And there is a wiki with documentation on how you can make themes.
http://www.sweeterhome.com/
http://sweeterskins.net/

Here is a demonstration at MWC 2010 showing a suite of tools that allows you to design home replacements for Android:
Offsite link to electronics-videos.com
I hope that it is okay to post external links... ?
Mods please remove if needed
I would say that it adds potential to what Android could become...
L8r

don't forget to check out lemonnz's sweeter home videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/lemonNZ

What Surprised Me After the 2.1 Update

Hey,
I've had my Unlocked European HTC Hero since the first week it was released. Even though there was quite a delay in the release of 2.1 (non rooted), I'm pretty happy. Some interesting things:
1) I received the OTA notification at a time when I did not want to update so I chose to "update later." In order to force the update later, I set the clock forward as people suggested. That worked just fine and the phone updated no problem. However, the time was set back to 1980. It was at that point I noticed the Market wasn't working. Once I set the clock back to real time, it did work. Just a note in case you did that.
2) I was actually surprised that almost everything was retained during the upgrade. I have previously flashed with some of the 1.5 Roms (official only) and it always wiped out everything. Even all my apps remained installed, though quite a few needed updates
3) FINALLY the compass works in Google Maps. When the Hero first came out everyone complained that the iPhone compass worked (with Gmaps) but not on Android. I must have missed the announcement that it was now working on Android and what an awesome surprise.
4) FINALLY we have Google search by voice. I love it. However, I understand that you are supposed to be able to use voice as input for any text box (composing email, sms, etc). How do you do that? There is no microphone button available. Do I need an app?
5) Google navigation works like a charm although it seems a bit laggy. Sometimes I have already turned before the map moves. Still - very slick. One question: Where is Car Home?
6) I though there was supposed to be a nifty new 3D Gallery like Cool Iris. Where is that?
7) Voice Search is al little strange to me. The window with results is not really a browser. When you click on a result, it opens in a new window, which is nice. But , how do you get back to the search results? It is not one of the open windows?
All in all, pretty cool stuff.

5)car home is an AOSP thing, so it is not available on sense roms. instead you get an app called "navigator" which is similar.
6) Gallery 3d is also AOSP, and not in htc sense roms. It is however in pretty much all custom sense roms, such as villain 12.

I used the goldcard image to downgrade my tmobile and now have upgraded to official 2.1 rom. I have to say i'm quite underwhelmed with the upgrade. Google navigation is nice but does lag a little. I have to admit my hero does not appear much snappier than when it was running 1.5. On the plus side I don't have to see the annoying tmobile logo when the phone boots up.

CyberWalrus,
I'm not sure I understand AOSP? You mean it is a choice to not include those features?
You mentioned an app called "Navigator." I don't see that anywhere.

clobber said:
CyberWalrus,
I'm not sure I understand AOSP? You mean it is a choice to not include those features?
You mentioned an app called "Navigator." I don't see that anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stock, unmodified, pure android. The one that the nexus one, the G1, and the magic run. Gallery and Car home are features of AOSP android
HTC roms have HTC sense android. they dont have gallery 3d because htc presumably thinks its own "photos" app is better.
I am running villain 12, rather than the stock htc rom, so I have gallery 3d ported over anyway.
But the navigator app may be from the desire, and therefore only available on custom roms.

Seriously none of you are freaked out by the new bootscreen...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
It scares me!

Can anyone help me with issue 4? How do I use voice input for any text box?

AFAIK you can choose it as a keyboard type.
settings -> locale&text -> Touch Input -> keyboard types
But I think there is a button on the keyboard, which is to change settings. You could use that to change keyboard type.

But none of the keyboard types are "voice" or anything like that.

clobber said:
But none of the keyboard types are "voice" or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seem to remember that was one of the things that HTC were leaving out of their roms. Not sure if anyone on 2.1 on any htc handsets has it.
There may be an apk kicking around for it , but again, this is from a distant memory since it wasn't relevant for me as 2.anything was a distant dream for me at the time.

strider96 said:
Seriously none of you are freaked out by the new bootscreen...
It scares me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What boot screen is that? Where can I download the full version? Also, the bear seems to be a small mod right? Where can I get the original version?
You people looking for voice input in every textbox, you can install the HTC_IME Mod for that, it has the voice input button.
I'm also looking for the Navigation app, can't find it anywhere... Suggestions?

Sorry about the double post...

Nazgulled you know what that bear stands for, right?
I suggest you not to put that onto your phone...

Not really, what does it mean?
But what about the original, without the bear?

He is called a Pedobear.
But DO NOT google it at work.

wywywywy said:
He is called a Pedobear.
But DO NOT google it at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I find the original boot animation without the bear?

there's no keyboard calibration on my Asian Hero. email HTC support to check why and I was informed that this was really meant and no reason was given why it was removed. now i'm wondering how I can recalibrate my keyboard

[Q] MIUI like dialer / lock screens

Hello my name is Suarezn and I'm a Flashoholic...S U A R E Z N...
All,
In an ideal world I could have my cake and eat it too. That means I would have a combination of Sense widgets (clock, weather, text to speech that works, 4G, etc) some AOSP features and some of the MIUI stuff (Theme manager, lock screens, visitor mode, etc). I was in MIUI, but it was so darn laggy on my phone that I ended up going back to a Froyo ROM (Koni's Elite) can't wait until these guys start making GB based roms.
Anyhow, since these guys don't all work together I want to know if I can replicate some of these features in my current ROM. Specifically I really like the MIUI dialer and Yes I've tried several other ones (Dialer one, Youlu, Go, etc) and they're all decent, but what I'm looking for is one that has the functionality the MIUI one has when you're in a call (it shows several buttons...Bluetooth, add a call, merge calls, etc) All the other ones default to the sense style while in-call which lacks those features.
Secondly any way to have a MIUI style lock screen with it's own wallpaper and the features to show unread messages, missed calls, double tap and you have the music controls available, etc...
...and does anyone else besides MIUI have the Visitor mode feature? This is cool I think cause you can lend your phone to someone and they can't change anything or see your calls and messages.
I know people say that they're different frameworks, but I think it is possible to port these features (i.e. the MIUI music player is now ported to all these other ROMs).
Will I ever be able to have everything I want in a ROM...I keep my fingers crossed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

No miui features will ever be able to be used on any other rom until the source is released (p.s. will never happen) yea the framework is completely different but would be able to port with source...same reason u will never see sense Widgets on anything other than sense...
The reason for the miui music is (I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure...) because the app was not built into the framework but just an app from the system/apps folder which can be.easily pulled...and thanks to the wonderful devs here got it working everywhere...I too wish for a sense.miui cyanogenmod mix but unfortantly without source..its like creating honeycomb aosp right NW...sry man
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

The OP was looking for suggestions on apps and widgets that would emulate of give the same purpose. The above reply was of very little help. I really cant say about the the dialer but have you tried using widget locker? I believe someone made a MIUI lockscreen for it and I know for a fact at least you can have a separate wallpaper screen by using that.
example here of lockscreen wall paper
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

I don't think he was looking for alternatives...based off his last few sentences abt the music player the op wanted exact ports from one rom to the other and all I said was.it wasn't possible
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Things MIUI has that no other ROM has which is why I keep endng up back on it:
1. MIUI Launcher
2. By far the best dialer
3. By far the best native SMS (fully skin-able and tons of features)
4. Native usage monitor with throttling (disable data/text after x, solid history)
5. Native firewall app (that can block out/in by data type)
6. By far the coolest File Explorer (with built in wifi FTP, and indexed results)
7. Native backup/restore of apps and SMS
8. Native Theme system that includes launch screen
If those Chinese Devs would just man up and give us WiMAX this ROM would be without flaw. A man can dream ...

bballer71418 said:
I don't think he was looking for alternatives...based off his last few sentences abt the music player the op wanted exact ports from one rom to the other and all I said was.it wasn't possible
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I see your point on that one! I didn't read it all the way thru my fault it was like a total 180 from how it was at the beginning.

Sorry if I didn't explain myself correctly...im0rtalz is correct. I know you can't currently port any of this from MIUI to a sense based ROM for instance, so I was looking for alternatives (apps or whatever) that could replicate it. I played with widget locker and it does give me some of the same functionality (actually more than MIUI). It's not as polished, but I can live with that. Now I only need some way to replicate the dialer (in-call options). I wonder if the reason why this is not done is because Sense doesn't allow it...just curious because it just seems like something a lot of people would want. The ability to add a call, merge calls, bluetooth on/off, etc..I know you can press menu and sort of get to the same options, but it's so much nicer to just have them right there in front of you.
Justin: You're correct those are killer features that I'm surprised other ROMs don't incorporate. The theme manager rocks...plus the ROM just looks much cleaner and more polished than others IMO.
Anyhow any help would be appreciated.