Database Users

NEW! TodayButton - quick today toggle

Guys - another quick hack.
Still in beta subject to your reports.
All it does is shows the today screen for as long as you hold down the button it is assigned to.
So, install the cab; assign it to a hardware button in the control panel.
Press and hold that button and today screen should pop up (you'll see a little icon in the top left). Let go, and you should go back to where you were. Theory being, say you're in a call but want to look at your Today quickly. Pop in, pop out.
If you want to stay in the Today screen, just click on the little icon in the top left.
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The cab will install two versions, normal and TodayButtonOFF.
TodayButtonOFF will cause the PocketPC to switch itself immediately off when you've finished looking at the today screen. This is so that you can assign a hardware key and use it to switch on the PPC, look at today screen, and immediately switch off when you're finished.
This version is still slightly flaky, but try it and see if it works.
Please report how it goes.
Do not launch it directly by stylus click in programs menu. If you do, it'll go to the Today screen but you'll lose your hardware buttons for 45 seconds, at which point it will reset the buttons. You can launch it by the action button as normal (hold it down).
I'm not sure how this works with program redefiners like buttonmax etc. Please report!
Vijay
cab

anyone tried this yet?
V

First of all, its a great tool!!!
The bad side -
I'm using AE Button plus. This enables, single-double-triple clicks for each button (rather its configurable). When I have this running in the background, it doesnt work...otherwise, it works great.
Besides, I dont think i can ever live without AEBP, as i've pretty much mapped everything to something or the other!!
Fix this, and i'm sure i'd be using it, its extremely handy!!!
Also, great work....i'm using the VJDialer and VJSms, and its an amazing little app!!!!
Best,
San

dreamtheater39 - thanks for the tip and feedback
I didn't think it would work with AE Button - I used to use it but have stopped using it recently (I might be writing my own version :wink
I think this tool is useful, but I think most of us use something like ButtonMax or AEButton, so it's a shame it doesn't work right now - I'll work on it!
Have you tried the poweroff version? That's quite a useful tool - use it to switch on the PPC, look at Today, and switch off again.
V

I did try the TodayToggleOFF as well...
Its very useful especially when on a phone conversation to check my calendar!!
I managed to get it working fine now....here's what i do...
I've disabled manipulation of my camera button by AEBP. I dont have multiple clicks for the camera button, but i have ToggleToday assigned which I find really realllyyy useful!!!
Thanks again!!
San

Good idea - didn't think of that!
I think this is a tool that I will actually use - I'm doing a few hacks to make the today screen more useful, so having quick and easy access to it helps I think.
V

Vijay, this app sounds like a great idea. I always go back to my today screen on a call.
I'll give it a whirl and let you know.

Is this program still available?
It sound promising
I would also like to give it a try...

Xadaa: I've updated my webpage with this app.
Sorry for the slow updates, I've got no XDA devs access at work Nightmare!
V

I've got this mapped to the camera button on my wizard, and i love this little app. It's been working without any problems for about two weeks now.
Thanks a lot for this program

My single problem is thatMy pjone doest turn on when I press the hard button I have assigned to TodayButtonOFF. It goes off when I release it and works great while i am pressing it.
Great software

Thanks. I have it assigned to my PTT button on my Tilt. Works great!!
Heres the cab again if anyone wants to try it.

Mapping Execute Button to open Start Menu?

M'kay. I was looking at an assortment of "remaps your softkeys" programs, and I'm either too stupid to see it, or it doesn't happen. It's also possible I'm searching using the wrong terms. I am a little slow sometimes...
I want to press the center button on my dpad, and have it open the Start Menu. I'm using WA2 to gain cascading menus, and I'd love to be able to completely launch a program without using the touchscreen or pulling out a stylus.
If it's already been done, can someone please point me to it? If it hasn't been done, whose butt do I need to start kissin'?
Here's a shot of what I'm talking about, just in case my mis-speaking is confusing you. When I press that button, I want that menu to open!
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have you ever heard about smartskey???
Look out for it..
is the answer for your prayers... You will not remap your center button, however a long press on the left softpad key will open your program menu.
Good luck

charly_mx said:
have you ever heard about smartskey???
Look out for it..
is the answer for your prayers... You will not remap your center button, however a long press on the left softpad key will open your program menu.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I've heard of it. No it's really not the answer to my prayers.
I don't really care for the smartskey method (it would take too long to explain, but I don't like it, and that should suffice for explanation), and I don't get why you can't remap that center button...it doesn't do anything in the Today view (or much in anything else, other than "execute" whatever is focused).
Thanks anyways for the reminder. If all else fails, I can fall back on that as an unsatisfying workaround.
Got any other suggestions?

M'kay, it's not freeware, but it does have a free trial. AE Button Plus is capable of doing what I want, within reason.
I have to double click my center button (reserving single click for selecting highlighted items, etc.) to open the start menu. I'm actually okay with this as a solution.
Still, this program, as good as it is, is more bulky than I'd like (nearly 1/3 MB!) for such a seemingly simple action. I'd expected this to load pretty small, and was surprised by the relatively large package.
I know it's cheap of me, but I'd still welcome any (free/smaller footprint) alternatives to this...

Try HButton it does everything and more, i love this app.
you are able to map 6 apps on 1 button and you can even use your slider to scroll.
check this

ArrO said:
Try HButton it does everything and more, i love this app.
you are able to map 6 apps on 1 button and you can even use your slider to scroll.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first blush, this appeared to be what I was looking for. However, I cannot figure out how (if it's even possible) to reassign one of the five HButtons to activate from the center button on the dpad, or how to distinguish that from, say, clicking the dpad once to OK a procedure or popup message.
Not really interested in clicking and holding (for example) my Messages button to open the start menu.
I feel rather silly for being so picky, but there you have it. I'm picky.

After wrestling with all of these, I'm slightly embarrassed to say that charly_mx had the best suggestion, right off the bat. It's not perfect, but launching Start from my left soft key isn't terrible, just not what I wanted.
Sometimes, you just don't get what you want, so you take what you can get, and so I have done that.
Apologies to anyone that I annoyed (esp. charly_mx).

[CLOSED/G2] Soft Touch Keys are all different!

Anybody else notice that on the soft touch keys, the ones at the bottom of the screen on the g2, the home and the back keys are swapped places from a N1...Just thought I would point that out! Sorry I have a Nexus one and was surprised....but now after checking out all the other phones all of them have different layouts, even the droid x, droid incredible and the droid are all different layouts!!
Take a look for yourself....
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It would probably take me quite some time to get used to that from my nexus...i think this is an odd thing to do personally, but it does match the g1 good

Similar positioning to the G1. The keys on the G1 from left to right are [Call] [Home] [Menu] [Back] [End]. I'm not so happy that those are soft keys, and Call and End are no where to be found.

Trust me, doesnt take that long. Change android phones thrice, all with different combinations.
Haha, theres what, 4(square) = 16 possible combinations and I guess manufacturers are out to use them all!
TBH, I much prefer this to Windows Pho 7's three button combination. SOme of those designs look a world of tacky.

Yeah this is current line up of almost all newer android phones. The two softkeys next to the app drawer are best used for call button and you can end call the call directly from notification bar no matter your location on the screen. It takes some getting used to (my current phone, the MTS is just like this in terms of set up) but is just as comfortable after a while.

keys are just like the mytouch also. my search button also pulls up quick response

ozy944 said:
Trust me, doesnt take that long. Change android phones thrice, all with different combinations.
Haha, theres what, 4(square) = 16 possible combinations and I guess manufacturers are out to use them all!
TBH, I much prefer this to Windows Pho 7's three button combination. SOme of those designs look a world of tacky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be pedantic, it's not 4^2, but rather 4!, or 24, combinations of four buttons in four possible spaces.

I stand corrected . Should freshen up my probability and stats!

I do infact miss the G1 Keyboard layout, so far I enjoyed a dedicated button for numbers. So far I havent seen it and many people complained about it, oh well. I cant wait for this phone to come out just to root this.

its super annoying! but after a day or 2 you will get used to it; i have atleast..

it seems a lil out of place but can tell till i get the phone and mess with it.
but couldnt the buttons also be remapped with software then re icon with a skin/screen cover

Virtual / on screen back button for HD2

HD2 is a large phone , so everytime I want to press the hardware buttons , I have to reposition my hand and the buttons are kinda hard to press as well.I'm having wrist pain from pressing the back and home button on the HD2. Does anyone know any virtual or on screen back button apps ?

Virtual on-screen BACK-HOME-MENU-SEARCH Key Wanted!
I feel the same and I want it too. May some talented guys write an APP to replace the Hardware keys (HOME, MENU, BACK and SEARCH) with Software ones. Thanks so much!

phuongt said:
HD2 is a large phone , so everytime I want to press the hardware buttons , I have to reposition my hand and the buttons are kinda hard to press as well.I'm having wrist pain from pressing the back and home button on the HD2. Does anyone know any virtual or on screen back button apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FanoXDA said:
I feel the same and I want it too. May some talented guys write an APP to replace the Hardware keys (HOME, MENU, BACK and SEARCH) with Software ones. Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Goog point. But designwise not very much. It would ruin the nice ui i spend so much time in

I believe the latest archos android tablets have something like this.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I like it as it is

"You're holding it wrong"
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

norpan111 said:
"You're holding it wrong"
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...sounds like a thing that Apple would answer if this was about one of their products.

Man up and get bigger hands sissy!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

javolin13 said:
Man up and get bigger hands sissy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True dat bro.

when people comment that my phone is TOO big, I just say, "It complements me "

akbisw said:
when people comment that my phone is TOO big, I just say, "It complements me "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it...?
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

Its big but its thin. Which is very awesome because its easy to pull it out of your jeans without much work. and with the kickstand battery cover its awesome too. plus you want the harware call, back button, so when u get a call in winter times outside you wont have to pull ur hands out of your jeans

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Realistically, I don't think an onscreen back button would be a very easy app to code.
It would have to show over every screen, so a stationary widget wouldn't suffice, and worse yet, it would have to show over every app, which would be even tougher.
Consider that there are like a hundred alarm clock apps in the market, and maybe four of them work properly all the time, and of those four, three of them probably use so much system resources that they slow your phone down and drain the battery.
Maybe an exaggeration, but theres alot of truth in it.
We would all probably be better off buying a couple spare sets of hard keys, and somebody write a real good tut on how to replace them, than to hold our breath for an onscreen back button

To answer the original poster's question:
Well.... it depends on what you're trying to accomplish with the back button.
If you're main concern is going back and forth between views in a single app, or overall use of the back button I suggest some key remapping.
If you are right handed, the back button might indeed be uncomfortable to press one handed. But if you switch it with the home key or the green key, you might get less sore, since your hand won't have to move so awkwardly. Of course, the pictures on the buttons wouldn't match their function (which bothers some) but it's an idea nonetheless.
Another, perhaps more intriguing remap idea would be to remap the volume down key to be a back key (you can always use a widget for real volume control.)
If you're only concerned about app switching, I suggest trying the app "Smart Taskbar (sidebar)" from the market. That might help you. It has an on-screen dot that you press to open a list of apps, shortcuts, etc. That way you don't have to use as many physical buttons to navigate between apps.
Anyway, in conclusion, if I were in your situation, I'd remap volume down to be the back button. Here is a thread that helps with remapping.

A few other threads on basically the same topic, but due to many people's HD2 hardware buttons failing due to excessive use from Andriod. Software buttons are the answer to this, but nothing has come out yet.

Hi, sorry for my english level.
I am looking for a virtual/on screen back button (I think that the physical back button is cheap - endurance problems ?).
I don't want to create a new topic... do you have information ? I don't find it in this topic.
Thx in advance

Is it virtual next and previous buttons ? Thx.
(down right and down left)
//irish.androidlifes.com/uploadfiles/irishandroidlifescom-1295072937/download-nexushd2-gingerbread-v2-6-nand-android-zip-rom-for-htc-hd2_1.jpg

go to market and search for zmooth or button savior.or if you have cm or typhoon rom look for tablet tweaks http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1031607

Concept: HD2.5

Hi XDA,
I just want to start of by saying that the HD2 is probably the best thing I ever bought. Still, after more than 2 years, it remains a highly functioning phone. I sometimes run Android (TBD Sensation XL) on it, and sometimes Windows Phone 7.5. (The latest version by Pdaimatejam is amazing, and 100% working, including multitouch and camera) Both amazing roms which run extremely well on our aging phone.
There is on thing, however, which bothers me. This might seem to many as a minor flaw, but to me, keeping a perfect design philosophy in mind, really is a dealbreaker sometimes. This is the fact that the illustrations on the buttons don't represent their true functions in both OS's. The other day I brought my damaged back cover back to life by giving it a brushed metal finish (http://blog.whitesites.com/Chrome-HTC-HD2-Battery-Cover-Tutorial__634103488469591250_blog.htm) Now this got me thinking, what if we could somehow modify the HD2 in order to make it feel like a new phone, which natively runs Android and/or Windows Phone. Together with the chrome back cover it would look awesome!
Now, there's already a tutorial for chroming the back cover. However, to modify the illustrations on the buttons would be more difficult. First and foremost, Android and Windows Phone bother require different buttons. Windows phone requires a power button, a camera button, a back button, a home/start button and a search button. While Android (looking at Sensation XL/Runnymede) requires a power button, a menu button, a search button, a home button and a back button. Both configurations, in my opinion, are optimized for their respective OS's. And for those who might not know, the HD2 has a call button, a home button, a windows start button, a back button and a power/call end button. I haven't really figured out how to actually modify the buttons themselves. Possibly, some sort of extra though stickers would do. These would maybe also allow to be removed, so the phone can be sold again. But, XDA, all difficulties aside, behold, the HD2.5:
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Looks awesome, doesn't it?​
The button configuration, in my opinion, makes sense for both OS's (WP and Android). Let's talk about them from right to left. The on the far right is obviously the power button. It's function is straightforward. The conscientious reader might notice that the original HD2 also has a call end icon on it. Well, it doesn't fulfill this function in both OS's so I removed it. The button next to the power button is the search button. Also, the function of it is self-explanatory. The original HD2 lacks a search button, but in my opinion WP and Android work well with one. In the middle there's the home button. In Android it would redirect the user to the home screen (duh), and in Windows Phone it would bring the user to the start menu. A reasonably representative icon for both right? To the left of the home button is the back button. Again, a necessity for both OS's and the function of which is pretty self-explanatory as well. In Windows Phone it serves a more powerful function in my opinion though And finally, to the far left, there's a peculiar icon. Let's zoom in to have a closer look:
I actually came up with this icon while brain-storming for an icon which means both 'camera' and 'menu/options'. Well, tadaa. While using Windows Phone it would represent a shutter, which would more accurately describe its function than 'camera' anyway. In Android it would have the menu/options function, which makes sense, as it also looks like a gear. Like it? And while only a mock-up, I think it's the best solution for the problem of button configuration. Oh, and the order of the buttons (which could have been any, obviously) is thought through. It's based on the Windows Phone order, with the less important ones (power and shutter/options) on the sides.
Here's a mock-up of it running Windows Phone:
And here's one of it running Android with sense 3.5 (Sensation XL):
They both look amazing right?
I hope you guys like this concept. AND, if anybody can figure out a way to get the icons on the buttons (as said before, maybe some sort of sticker) please let me know! And by the way, the actual function of the buttons in the OS is easily changeable. In Android it can easily be cooked in, and there are numerous apps in the marketplace for it. In WP, the extra settings app by Cotulla does the job.
We modified the HD2 so thoroughly that we might as well modify its name as well! HD2.5!
Thanks devs btw!

Wow, that all looks absolutely amazing. I've voted this to the portal, it seems they always love stuff about the HD2, hopefully someone will see it there and give you an idea as to how to change the buttons. I too find it very annoying even though it's such a minor thing, and the options/camera button is genius.

Nice concept!

I've voted this to the portal. SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!