Database Users

[Q] Couple of annoyances

I have a Nook Simple Touch reader unrooted. Since I use it only for reading rpubs, it works fairly well. I have a Nook Color running CM7 for everything else but the NC wasn't good enough for ePubs so I got a Simple Touch. the setup works pretty well so far except a couple of things:
1. Dictionary. I used a friend's Kindle for a little bit and got hooked to looking up the words by clicking them. NST does similar but you have to touch and hold the word, then click lookup, then close the box. It is considerably easier on the Kindle. I know the Kindle App also does it on Android. Is there any way to get that feature without rooting and installing the Kindle App? If I do install the Kindle App, is there a way to use the page buttons? I don't like making sliding page turn gestures on the screen. In fact, I would like the ability to turn off touch screen completely and be able to use buttons only like the Kindle.
Also the Kindle App uses different fonts than the stock reader or Kindle device. Is there a way to change it?
2. Screen refresh. In my experience, NST fonts get lighter and lighter with each screen refresh until I look up a word or maybe 4th or 5th refresh resets it to dark again. Anyone else feel that? Do they do partial screen refreshes to save battery or something? Is there a way to turn that off? It seems very annoying.
Thanks in advance.

If you're wanting to change anything like that, you need to root your Nook.

yelloguy said:
[...] 1. Dictionary. I used a friend's Kindle for a little bit and got hooked to looking up the words by clicking them. NST does similar but you have to touch and hold the word, then click lookup, then close the box. It is considerably easier on the Kindle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used a Kindle, but the long-press feature on the NST also provides the ability to highlight text and add notes, as well as dictionary lookup.
I know the Kindle App also does it on Android. Is there any way to get that feature without rooting and installing the Kindle App?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the Kindle app on my (rooted) NST, I have to long-press a word to get the little pop-up menu that allows highlight and notes as well as lookup. Nearly identical, step-wise, but it's a pop-up instead of a menu along the bottom.
If I do install the Kindle App, is there a way to use the page buttons? I don't like making sliding page turn gestures on the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sort-of. You can enable the "Volume Buttons Control" option in the Kindle app settings, then use NookTouch Tools to map hard buttons to the volume buttons.
In fact, I would like the ability to turn off touch screen completely and be able to use buttons only like the Kindle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The trick for non-B&N apps is that most don't use the hard buttons. CoolReader and NomadReader are supposed to support NST buttons directly. Otherwise, you can re-map the buttons using NookTouch Tools, but will likely be limited in other ways. I think you'll just have to experiment with this one. I am not aware of a way to actually turn off the touch-screen, other than just not touching it.
Also the Kindle App uses different fonts than the stock reader or Kindle device. Is there a way to change it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't found a way, and I'm not fond of the default! I see options to change the color scheme (white, sepia, black) and make the font larger or smaller, choosing between 5 size options.
2. Screen refresh. In my experience, NST fonts get lighter and lighter with each screen refresh until I look up a word or maybe 4th or 5th refresh resets it to dark again. Anyone else feel that? Do they do partial screen refreshes to save battery or something? Is there a way to turn that off? It seems very annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's to save battery, and my understanding is that apps have to explicitly make calls to refresh more frequently, so only B&N apps and a few others do this. I've read that CoolReader and NomadReader support the NST directly, including screen refresh options. There are threads on this topic elsewhere. Otherwise, one tip I read here was that you can force a refresh by double-pressing the 'n' key to toggle the B&N shortcuts menu. It's a bit kludgy, but it works.
All these factors considered, I've found the B&N reader the best for epubs.

Thanks for the responses. Rooting is not out of the question but I like the way it works for my purposes (sort of) so I don't want to do it if I don't have to.
Bob, I hardly ever take notes or highlight text. All I touch a word for is to look up or verify its meaning. I think Kindle does it right. Thanks for sharing the volume button trick. That seems pretty useful. As you said I will probably have to try rooting it and then I will see if what I get works any better than what I have. Otherwise I will put the stock software back and get back to the business of reading.

yelloguy said:
Thanks for the responses. Rooting is not out of the question but I like the way it works for my purposes (sort of) so I don't want to do it if I don't have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't really change the way things operate, unless you want it to. About the only downside to rooting is that you have to be careful to block OTA updates until a root is developed or tweaked for the new software, as B&N often goes out of their way to kill root and "unauthorized" functions.
Bob, I hardly ever take notes or highlight text. All I touch a word for is to look up or verify its meaning. I think Kindle does it right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That must be the actual Kindle device, then. On the Kindle Android app, it's a nearly-identical two-step (long-press->lookup).
Thanks for sharing the volume button trick. That seems pretty useful. As you said I will probably have to try rooting it and then I will see if what I get works any better than what I have. Otherwise I will put the stock software back and get back to the business of reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on how you like to use the side buttons. I'm using the left pair for B&N forward/back, and the right pair for Back/Menu, so I don't have any left for volume control. Since I primarily use the B&N reader, it works out OK. Interestingly, a few readers seem to be supporting the NT buttons natively now, but the Kindle app is probably not going to get NST support anytime soon.
You might also check out Cool Reader, as it can read non-DRMed .mobi files.

bobstro said:
It really depends on how you like to use the side buttons. I'm using the left pair for B&N forward/back, and the right pair for Back/Menu, so I don't have any left for volume control. Since I primarily use the B&N reader, it works out OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[offtopic]
So I'm not the only one that does that!
[/offtopic]

bobstro said:
Rooting doesn't really change the way things operate, unless you want it to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen how rooting works on the Nook Color and I am not too fond of it. I wish there was a way to add the new apps in B&N interface. I don't like having to choose the launcher on every home button press.
bobstro said:
That must be the actual Kindle device, then. On the Kindle Android app, it's a nearly-identical two-step (long-press->lookup).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I just tried the Kindle app installed on my Nook Color. When I press and hold a word, it shows the definition in a section and shows a menu with the three choices at the same time. That is not what Nook Touch does and is what I want.
bobstro said:
It really depends on how you like to use the side buttons. I'm using the left pair for B&N forward/back, and the right pair for Back/Menu, so I don't have any left for volume control. Since I primarily use the B&N reader, it works out OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like to use the Nook Touch for a dedicated reader too. I like both side buttons to be next/previous since that way I can hold it in either hand with my thumb resting on the top button. To be perfectly honest, the buttons feel kinda squishy and not very clicky. Kindle does that right too. Maybe I should just get a Kindle, heh.
bobstro said:
You might also check out Cool Reader, as it can read non-DRMed .mobi files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I tried Cool Reader on the Nook Color, the default layout and fonts were very poor. I am sure I can change all that, but its too much work. Especially considering there are so many alternatives with good layout out of the box. But I might break down and spend all that time rooting, installing, setting up, if I get everything I want. Maybe I should get the $80 Kindle that has no touch screen, clicky buttons and word definitions right out of the box. Seems like my dream device, heh...

yelloguy said:
I have seen how rooting works on the Nook Color and I am not too fond of it. I wish there was a way to add the new apps in B&N interface. I don't like having to choose the launcher on every home button press.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean on the NC or the NST? On the NC, just use Nook Color App Manager to add apps from Market to the B&N interface if you like. You don't have to choose a launcher on every press. You can set a default. You just need to make sure you've got a way to get to the "other" launcher when you want it. I'm rooted on B&N 1.4.1 on my NC and have the 'n' key set to pull up the B&N shortcuts menu (stock). If I press home there, I go to the B&N interface. I have a shortcut to ADW EX Launcher on the notification bar, as well as Button Savior. In ADW EX, I've got an icon for the B&N launcher. You can change the 'n' key to pull up whichever you prefer (with no selection required).
Really? I just tried the Kindle app installed on my Nook Color. When I press and hold a word, it shows the definition in a section and shows a menu with the three choices at the same time. That is not what Nook Touch does and is what I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I stand corrected. I checked this before responding last night, and I'd swear it opened a little popup menu with lookup as an option. Just checked, and it's doing as you say.
[...] I like both side buttons to be next/previous since that way I can hold it in either hand with my thumb resting on the top button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could map both sets to Vol Up/Vol Dn for that.
To be perfectly honest, the buttons feel kinda squishy and not very clicky. Kindle does that right too. Maybe I should just get a Kindle, heh.[...] Maybe I should get the $80 Kindle that has no touch screen, clicky buttons and word definitions right out of the box. Seems like my dream device, heh...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$80 is for the version with ads, right? If you're looking for that exact of a functional match, I think that might be your best bet. The Kindle app works on the NST, but it's far from perfect. Oh, and Kindle cases might not fit either!
Of course, the day you buy a Kindle, you'll need an epub reader.

Bob,
Thanks for the tips on Nook Color. I did not know that you could add apps to the B&N interface. I will definitely try that as I like the stock reader much better. But then, since I got the Nook Touch, I haven't read ePubs on the Nook Color at all.
bobstro said:
Of course, the day you buy a Kindle, you'll need an epub reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But Calibre wouldn't let me feel the difference.

So, finally I had some time to try rooting my NST. After waiting a day I installed the Kindle app from market and it is not even close to the stock reader in the ease of reading. That is the only reason I rooted mine and if that is not going to work, then I want to restore it back to stock. Will search for instructions on that next. But I did not like the layout on the kindle app. The font sizes just don't fit and the margins are too much and not adjustable. Finally the screen refresh is not the same. When I switched from the Kindle app back to the stock reader, it seemed so much better.

yelloguy said:
[...] When I switched from the Kindle app back to the stock reader, it seemed so much better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm a little confused now. From your last two posts, it sounds like the NST is your preferred epub reader. I assume you've overcome your objections to the "not-Kindle" configuration then? In that case, and given that you're proficient with Calibre, why not just stick to epub format (converting your Kindle books) and read on the NST?
The only reason I'd bother with the Kindle app is if I had an extensive number of DRM-protected ebooks. Even then, I'd consider stripping the DRM and converting to a single format.
I find managing a single collection of ebooks per device much simpler, if only because I only need to remember one set of controls.
One other reason to keep your NST rooted is to gain more control over when wifi gets turned on. Other than that, and the ability to check email, I haven't added a lot to mine. Just a thought before you roll it back to stock.

Thanks for the comments and sorry for the confusion. I do like the stock reader on the NST. But I was just trying to fix the couple of annoyances mentioned in the original post. If I could get the dictionary on touching a word like the Kindle, I would be happier, for example.
But yeah, I rolled it back last night. Haven't copied any books yet because I started reading on the Kindle app on the Nook Color.

I know you've resolved some of your issues, but there was some discussion of readers for Android. My favorite by far is Mantano. It doesn't have the nice dictionary lookup of the kindle, but the rendering and customization are awesome.
There is a free version.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

[Q] Possible to move soft keys yet?

I have seen several posts with this question, but none with answers. Has anyone found a way to move the soft keys to one side or another? I keep hitting them when I type (did it while typing this ironically). Never did make sense to me to have a touch sensitive home button right underneath one of the most often used buttons on the typing board. In any case, I have scoured the net looking for an answer and can't find one. Any know if I missed it somewhere? Thanks in advance.

Try a tablet mod ROM, it has the navigation keys bunched up in the bottom left corner. Hope this helps.

Where?
Appreciate the info. Where do I find that one? I have seen a lot of different ROMs for N7, but nothing denoted as "tablet ROM" and none that have mentioned moving the soft keys as a feature.

sikagoon7 said:
You can also. Change the DPI to 160 and achieve the same effect. Tablet UI on Nexus 7
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the n00b questions, but this is my first tablet...where do I change that? I have looked though the settings and have not seen a place to do that. I am running a rooted but (almost) stock ROM. (Manually loaded 4.1.2) And will that change the rest of the viewing area?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788518 remember to select tab mode during the installation

Lazarus there is alternatives as well. Team EOS rom allows you to completely hide the softkey interface. I eventually went with gmd gesture control which allows you to hide/show the keys at the flick of your hand, as well as much, much more.
Try the lite version here
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodmooddroid.gesturecontroldemo
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

toidimaet said:
Lazarus there is alternatives as well. Team EOS rom allows you to completely hide the softkey interface. I eventually went with gmd gesture control which allows you to hide/show the keys at the flick of your hand, as well as much, much more.
Try the lite version here
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodmooddroid.gesturecontroldemo/QUOTE]
This looks like an awesome little app. But I don't see where to hide the nav bar. Is that one of the Pro features? (It is a sweet little app either way.)
Billchen0014 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788518 remember to select tab mode during the installation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sends me back to JB 4.1.1 though doesn't it? I have already upgraded to 4.1.2 (Though at this point I could not tell you what the difference is other than home screen rotation.) I didn't know 4.1.1 well enough to know it. Only had the tablet a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Might be, it definitely is available in the pro version though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Htc capacitive buttons fail?

Htc should have stick with one x design with the capacitive buttons... or use onscreeen button..
They already have an htc logo at the back they dont need an htc logo in front.. fail.. fail..
htc should make the new nexus.... with onscreen button and this kind of hardware..

What to say on this?
Are you feeling better now?
Sent from my LT26i

DustByte said:
Htc should have stick with one x design with the capacitive buttons... or use onscreeen button..
They already have an htc logo at the back they dont need an htc logo in front.. fail.. fail..
htc should make the new nexus.... with onscreen button and this kind of hardware..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disagree strongly. If HTC had used onscreen buttons I would have 0 interest in purchasing. I cant stand the onscreen buttons on the N4 and the N4 will be my last with them.

personally speaking I prefer proper buttons rather than the on screen ones as I always feel they cheat you of screen space.
and I am sure this guy is a troll..

yeh this guy's a goon. I'm eagerly watching Paul O'Brien's website as he's just got a One and is updating his site with reviews as we speak!! He seems very impressed!
http://www.modaco.com/page/news

OK, go to xda - find a thread with adding onscreen buttons on one and disabling hardware and that is it. If u don't like.

The War Horse said:
yeh this guy's a goon. I'm eagerly watching Paul O'Brien's website as he's just got a One and is updating his site with reviews as we speak!! He seems very impressed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah he seems really excited. thanx for the link

Two things that Google pushed that are plain wrong:
- On-screen buttons (why would anyone want a black bar always taking up screen real estate)
- Getting rid of the menu button (we always use it, it's crucial)
WTH is wrong with having capacitive buttons? The only reason I can think of is if you have a bezel-less device, but no one has made one, so what's the point!
- end rant

I love the button layout

Joshnor713 said:
Two things that Google pushed that are plain wrong:
- On-screen buttons (why would anyone want a black bar always taking up screen real estate)
- Getting rid of the menu button (we always use it, it's crucial)
WTH is wrong with having capacitive buttons? The only reason I can think of is if you have a bezel-less device, but no one has made one, so what's the point!
- end rant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The black bar is a side affect of an app not supporting the ActionBar.
The onscreen buttons have the advantage of being icons, of being available at the top or bottom of the screen.
Look at Google Maps, there is a bar of context sensitive icons, with an overflow (the 3 vertical dots) that your menu button activates.

Agree
DustByte said:
Htc should have stick with one x design with the capacitive buttons... or use onscreeen button..
They already have an htc logo at the back they dont need an htc logo in front.. fail.. fail..
htc should make the new nexus.... with onscreen button and this kind of hardware..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with that. I have the One X, and after activating the "menu fix", i.e. long-press multi-task = menu, it is a lot more usable. With the multi-task button gone, it does not make much sense to upgrade to the HTC One. (long-press home = menu would be a bit weird, tbh.) There are a lot of apps still out there (and will be for the time being), that do not support the action bar.
I think they should either go with on-screen buttons only, or offer at least three capacitative ones. This in between thing makes no sense.

AW: Htc capacitive buttons fail?
Onscreen wastes a lot of space.
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 4 mit Tapatalk 2

Thoughts about HTC One hardware keys

I've just read/watched the Engadget review.
I'm sold on the device. My concern is around the hardware keys. I much prefer hardware keys to software keys because the SW keys eat up so much of the on-screen real estate, and they also push the keyboard higher and make it harder to reach.
That being said, it seems by dropping the menu key, HTC has taken a step backwards after they mapped the legacy menu key to the HW menu key in recent versions of the One X / X+ build in Sense 4+. From what I've read, the legacy menu is back.
This is *bad* and has me thinking about another direction (although there doesn't seem to be a great device like the One - don't think the S4 will be anything interesting unless they've been setting up a smokescreen!).
I run an alternative launcher because I dislike Sense (other than the Camera!), but it won't solve the missing HW key / legacy menu.
Thoughts?

The two button layout doesn't bother me too much. I removed the soft keys on my Nexus 4 and use PIE so if I can function without any buttons, I'm sure I'll live with two. As for the legacy menu thing, that's an odd on HTC's part. Granted, apps should be updated to have proper menu button support, but it's something I can live with.

The removal of long press back remapping was/is probably a bug, I'm sure it will be back

idk about everyone else but i will root and flash my device just like every other phone ive had. with that we will be able to do almost what we want personalization wise. how long will we have to wait is the question.

eg1122 said:
The removal of long press back remapping was/is probably a bug, I'm sure it will be back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I heard about this early on but it's not being mentioned in reviews. If nothing else HTC will cave to peer pressure like in the HOX. Long press on back is a passable solution - particularly if we can also get the in-app menu button too.
Otherwise the other idea being thrown about (by non technical people) is if the kernel can be modded to recognise the HTC logo as a button - given that the touch panel should extend over that as well. No idea how possible this is and I presume it couldn't be done until kernel source is out.
M.

Only two buttons doesn't bother me either, i only have one on my iphone!

I'm actually cool with just 2 button too. I rarely use my menu button on my mt4g. I do everything with just the home button and back button. Also rather have capacitive buttons instead of hard buttons.
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using xda premium

I use the multitasking and menu options quite a bit, thus my concern

I also use the menu button quite a bit.
I am sure once we get used to it, it will be like anything else and heck, we might even like it more. Who knows till we get to play withem...
Sent from a galaxy far away!

Is it possible to activate soft buttons by editing build.prop on HTC Sense roms ?

CreepyDroid said:
Is it possible to activate soft buttons by editing build.prop on HTC Sense roms ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess. It's possible on TouchWiz, so I guess you can add a line in the build.prop in Sense too.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

My main goal would be to deactivate the hardware buttons and go completely nexus wise.
| Back - Home - Recent (small menu button when needed) |
Are stock on screen buttons smart enough to activate the additional menu button when needed?
Also... can long press software home button activate google now?

mickliq said:
I use the multitasking and menu options quite a bit, thus my concern
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do I but a long press of the button to bring up the multi tasking menu is hardly a dealbreaker for me. Could prove to be annoying though. Time will tell I guess!
Sent from my XT925 using xda premium

^ I don't mind long-press for multi-tasking (it's what I am using today); the issue is that you can't have home, multi-tasking, Google Now and Legacy menu all on one key! I've been seeing some comments about long-press back used but the legacy menu really needs to be a single-press.

Dun recall where i read it, but the home key on double tap brings up multi tasker and on long press can b configured for google now or menu key. Thats acceptable to me.
I do prefer the 3 keys on my hox, but i realize that htc had to make a compromise to accomodate the logo. The logo could not have been placed elsewhere on the front without adding to the height of the phone.
In the end, its not a big issie and we will get used to it. Moving from 4 keys on dhd to 3 on the hox wasnt pleasing to me in the beginning, but adapted soon.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

i think its great, i never used the other two buttons anyway.

[WHINE] – Why a hardkey instead of softkey for “home” button

I don't like the hardkey. It feels different to press than a softkey. It takes longer to press and takes me out of my rythm. Therefore I tend not to use it as much (have built some alternate shortcut gestures into my launcher and my Notification Toggle setup).
Also from what I have seen softkeys last longer than hardkeys... the softkeys have no mechanical parts to wear out.
The whole thing bugs me, but I think I'd feel better if I understood WHY this design decision was made...
So can anyone explain the ADVANTAGES of having a hardkey home button?

electricpete1 said:
I don't like the hardkey. It feels different to press than a softkey. It takes longer to press and takes me out of my rythm. Therefore I tend not to use it as much (have built some alternate shortcut gestures into my launcher and my Notification Toggle setup).
Also from what I have seen softkeys last longer than hardkeys... the softkeys have no mechanical parts to wear out.
The whole thing bugs me, but I think I'd feel better if I understood WHY this design decision was made...
So can anyone explain the ADVANTAGES of having a hardkey home button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer a hard key for the exact opposite of what you said.
BTW, why do you own a S4 ???
The day I cant buy an Android phone with a real home button will be the day Ill switch to something else.

Switching from the straight talk galaxy S2 to the S4 took me a bit to get use to as the S2 didn't have a hard key.... but I like the hard key better.... I think its more of a personal preference than anything
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I miss the HTC Amaze.. Power, camera, and volume were the only buttons on the phone.
I miss the smooth glass home button at the bottom of the screen between the menu and back buttons
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Softkey takes screen real estate, but, will relocate landscape to portrait. When a major crash occurs softkey will not work. Softkey is more suscptable to accidental presses.
Hardkey has a completely different tactile feel.
This is one of many reasons why I prefer Samsung to Nexus. Each to their own.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium HD app

I love being able to wake the screen with the menu button. This is much easier when using a case.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

First of all, welcome to the late party.
Second, I hated the hard key also.
Now though, I love the fact that I can "feel" the key without looking for it.
Guess I'd rather have a capacitive key still, but it would need to be a raised button that I can "feel".
Didn't we do this thread like nine months ago?
About fourteen times, back to back threads?

I like the hard key as well. I can turn on the phone using it
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

bennyboy78 said:
I like the hard key as well. I can turn on the phone using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's amazing how there is no one feature that can please everyone.
I actually have that option disabled on my phone.
Drives me nuts because everytime I pick up my phone, I'd accidentally press that button and the phone would turn on. Or when I wipe down my screen, I'd hit that button and with the next wipe, I'd unlock my phone and inadvertently open an app or something. hahah

CZ Eddie said:
Didn't we do this thread like nine months ago?
About fourteen times, back to back threads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that's about 90% of the threads in this particular forum now.

My bad. I'm new to S4. I didn't search but got the whim to express some frustration in what I thought would be a light-hearted conversational thread. Not the best decision in retrospect. Next time I'll do that on the Off-topic Cafe thread when I get that urge.

I think a big plus of using both a hard key and the touch sensitive keys (I really dislike the soft keys taking screen real estate, if they disappeared for full screen applications, I'd be more supportive – but I digress) is just being able to feel where the touch sensitive keys are without having to look at the phone. Long live the hard key