I would like to start a new project for Android tablets: recreating the conceptual function of the classic Mac OS Finder for Android.
I am not a developer but that doesn't mean I cant put the design out there and hope people will help me realise this dream. I admit I don't know the complexity of combining the two applications together but I can say one of the biggest hurdles most independent Android app developers have expressed is design and that is what I am offering.
Why?
Anyone who knows about classic Mac OS before Mac OS 8 can see a massive amount of similarities between it and Android. Android is much better suited as as a desktop replacement in my opinion than for a phone OS, but even on tablets people still can't get out of the mindset restrictions of phone and pretty much all launchers show this (almost no difference conceptually between a phone and tablet launcher).
NO MORE!
I would like a launcher that replicates the core concepts behind the Mac OS Finder. This includes app launching and file management built together. Nothing that I propose is actually new, it just requires combining functionality of already open-sourced projects like Trebuchet (which already has several offshoots). This takes some of the concepts MIUI has but further towards a desktop concept.
My Ideas:
There will be only be either 3 or 5 (user selectable) screens or desktops. The main desktop dedicated as Home and widgets would not be allowed on Home. The desktops to left and right would be only for widgets.
There will be a persistent bar at the top fulfilling many of the same functions as the Mac OS menu bar. There would be an Android menu that would link to favourite applications and standard android shortcuts as well as to the settings app. All the way to the right would be the persistent search spyglass like launchers have now. In between would be Item, Edit, View and Action menus with large touch points (designed for fingers).
On the right side of the screen will be an Applications Icon that will bring up a standard app drawer as launchers do now but it will look more like a window. Under the Applications icon will be icons for inserted media with their Volume label name under their disk type name (MicroSD, SD Card, etc) including internal storage. This is the part that would act just like any standard file system app but all file functions are handled with long presses and through dragging and dropping where options will be presented after the drop (copy here, move here, shortcut here) or through the Item and Edit menu. The file system will be presented with spacial windows and not as a browser (there are plenty of those already and most for free). Windows don't need to overlap (they didn't in Windows 1 and 2) but it would be preferred if they could.
Long pressing on the Home desktop will bring up a menu for New Folder, New Shortcut and Wallpaper. Long pressing on Widget screens will bring up a menu for Widgets and Wallpaper.
Won't you help make this a real app?
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The notifications tray is great, easily pops down most of the time and the apps tray (with ALL the apps) is just as nice.
But i would like a extra tray for settings and/or favorite apps instead of clogging the "desktop" with shortcuts.
like a tray that flips out from the side of the screen.
is it even possible to add a off-screen container such as the above mentioned dropdown/up trays?
and if yes, are there any available at this time?
I know this isn't going to answer your query, but what is wrong with just populating one of your home screens with shortcuts?
I mean, if you do this with one of the screens either side of the "centre" home screen, you effectively get what you require.
Regards,
Dave
I do use the screens as placeholders for my everyday apps, but most of the time i need a app thats on another screen, meaning i have to go look for it.
With a pulldown tray that would pop out from the side, i could keep my most used apps more conviniently located, just a tap away, instead of 1 to 6 swipes away.
since the apps and notifications are dropdown/up i feel its missing dropdown left/right, witch is the real reason im wondering.
it would be great with apps on one side and settings on the other, then i wouldnt use more than one or two homescreens for widgets only.
I seem to recall one of the home replacement apps had this...I can't recall which.
I know, what you mean.
It's not so nice, to put hundreds of widgets and Shortcuts on the screen.
I don't like it on Windows Desktop, too.
Therefor, I have loaded Apps Organizer from Market.
I put my Apps in 5 Folders, sorted.
Is that something to try for you?
http://www.androidpit.de/android/de/de/market/apps/app/com.google.code.appsorganizer/Apps-Organizer
I love it, really.
Perfect thanks
Formel-LMS said:
I know, what you mean.
It's not so nice, to put hundreds of widgets and Shortcuts on the screen.
I don't like it on Windows Desktop, too.
Therefor, I have loaded Apps Organizer from Market.
I put my Apps in 5 Folders, sorted.
Is that something to try for you?
http://www.androidpit.de/android/de/de/market/apps/app/com.google.code.appsorganizer/Apps-Organizer
I love it, really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently converted from a strictly WinMo user to Android and having struggled to find apps stored on my phone because of a lack of folder organisation, am thrilled to find this app. Many thanks!
Formel-LMS said:
I know, what you mean.
It's not so nice, to put hundreds of widgets and Shortcuts on the screen.
I don't like it on Windows Desktop, too.
Therefor, I have loaded Apps Organizer from Market.
I put my Apps in 5 Folders, sorted.
Is that something to try for you?
http://www.androidpit.de/android/de/de/market/apps/app/com.google.code.appsorganizer/Apps-Organizer
I love it, really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually you can do that with the stock sense widgets, as there are folders for the homescreen. afaik they don't support custom icons though.
Hi!
I have a Samsung Omnia Lite (B7300) with Windows Mobile 6.5, with some touchwiz features, like today, file manager, menu and that stuff. Is there any way for me to just have Samsung Touch Wiz, like the Samsung Star S5230 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV6jQBSW1ME)? I like that interface more, the keypad, bigger buttons, menus and all that stuff. So basically, can I "remove" my Windows Mobile 6.5 and replace it with the touchwiz from the Samsung Star S5230?
Or maybe I can do this but with Android? Ive seen the XDAndroid, but it doesnt support my phone, can I get that to work?
Thanks in advance.
Your talking about puting a Symbian UI in a Windows Mobile phone... Impossible. XDAndroid would be a complete OS replacement (you wouldn't be using WinMo anymore) but has you said it doesn't work on your device (I bet you already noticed this is HTC land...) and I don't think you could get it to look like the Symbian Samsung UI). You can try finding alternative apps for WinMo and skin them.
There's this widget based today plugin called FEWidget. You'll need to modify the theme and images if you want it to match the Samsung Widget interface (you won't have the same widgets and features that use Samsung exclusive apps may not work... like the FMRadio and TouchPlayer widgets). You may create your own widgets if you know how. You can also create the bottom bar "buttons" to look like the Symbian version and make them launch the desired apps.
Combine that with an app to hide the bottom bar like nuenobar (dont know if FEWidget supports this).
You can find other 3rd party skinnable apps for the other components you mentioned.
Either that or if you know Flash you can try to decompile the swf file used by the plugin (should be in the windows folder) and modify it. Overwrite the file in the Windows folder (maybe by cabing the file you modified and intalling it). Not sure at all if this is possible.
The dialer is skinable/hackable (search around how to). Many Samsung apps may be also skinable/hackable.
Either way this may take a lot of knowledge, work, time and patience.
frmariam said:
Your talking about puting a Symbian UI in a Windows Mobile phone... Impossible. XDAndroid would be a complete OS replacement (you wouldn't be using WinMo anymore) but has you said it doesn't work on your device (I bet you already noticed this is HTC land...) and I don't think you could get it to look like the Symbian Samsung UI). You can try finding alternative apps for WinMo and skin them.
There's this widget based today plugin called FEWidget. You'll need to modify the theme and images if you want it to match the Samsung Widget interface (you won't have the same widgets and features that use Samsung exclusive apps may not work... like the FMRadio and TouchPlayer widgets). You may create your own widgets if you know how. You can also create the bottom bar "buttons" to look like the Symbian version and make them launch the desired apps.
Combine that with an app to hide the bottom bar like nuenobar (dont know if FEWidget supports this).
You can find other skinnable apps for the other components you mentioned (but all this will require some work and knowlege).
Either that or if you know Flash you can try to decompile the swf file used by the plugin (should be in the windows folder) and modify it. Overwrite the file in the Windows folder (maybe by cabing the file you modified and intalling it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply
Well, ive allready got Samsung Touchwiz in my Samsung Omnia Lite, so ive got the touch player widgets and some of that stuff.
As you see on the S5230, on the "today" screen at the bottom theres three buttons, phone, contacts and Menu. How can I get those, in that size?? If I use that "nueNoBar" can I get it back to normal? And, can I turn of that multitasking feature, so if i have an app running, I can just click the "hang up" button to get back to the today screen, and the app will close automatically?
You seem quite novice... You can't modify Samsung apps freely to fit your taste with that ease. I suggest you give up on my previous suggestions and try a 3rd party shell replacement...
I assume there may be a third option: hide both top bar and bottom bar, use Samsung widget and also something like HS++ to make a small theme just with the buttons to launch the dialpad and the other stuff (fairly easy... read the instructions).
About the multitasking I don't know who wouldn't want it. If you really want to close the app there should be a task manager provided by Samsung (swype your finger up beggining at the bottom and outside the screen). ALso I recommend installing WkTask to close apps on "X" rather than minimize.
PS: Running the toggle bar apps will show the bar again.
Application Folder Pro for Android for FREE
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Jeong-...1?ie=UTF8&s=mobile-apps&qid=1314632955&sr=1-1
Product Description
Application Folder
Create your folders
Application Folder
A variety of icons
Serious Widgets and Folders for the Serious Android User
Do you have bookmarks, shortcuts, contacts and apps that you use all the time, but they're scattered here, there, and everywhere on your smartphone? How much time do you waste navigating to the things you need? Don't you wish you could just put them all in a folder or two, easily accessible on your home screen?
Application Folder helps make folders accessible from your home screen using instantly recognizable icons. Set up and customize folders, stuff them full of apps, bookmarks, and contacts, and place them as widgets anywhere on your home screen. Now those frequently used apps, bookmarks, and contacts are right there for you to access immediately.
The King of Folders
Let's say you want to be able to e-mail certain contacts quickly. First, access Application Folder through your Widgets menu. Next, create a folder and long-press the standard icon and replace with the e-mail symbol, or any of Application Folder's dozens of attractive icons, such as an airplane, bus, movie reel, pen, paint pallet, etc. Now choose the contacts you want to be in this new folder. Select Menu, then select Apply and exit, and that folder-widget is now on your screen. Tapping on the widget will bring up your chosen contacts that you can now use to e-mail with one tap. You can set these contacts up to be phoned or texted with one tap as well.
We Want Widgets
Create a folder-widget for family e-mails. Create another folder-widget for your favorite games. With Application Folder, there's no more hunting down a function or link through various menu trees. The app, contact, bookmark, or song you want to access immediately is right there on your home screen. You can also customize the size of the widget.
Please note that Application Folder must be launched from the Widgets menu. After you launch the widget, Application Folder scans and organizes your applications, contacts, and bookmarks. Application Folder's main menu is also accessible from any of the widgets you've set up.
Features
Choose custom icons to adorn your folders--anyway you like
Choose from four types of folder shapes and choose opening animations
Organize bookmarks, contacts, and shortcuts, as well as applications, the way you want, sorted the way you like
Are Amazon REALLY encouraging users to allow their devices to install content from unknown sources?
Whilst people here might know good from bad, I find the thought of the unwashed clueless installing any old APK because Amazon showed them how to do it rather worrying.....
As it is, I got as far as them wanting me to install their marketplace, and then I gave up. I couldn't be arsed with some free content just so they can muddy the Android content waters... (You can bet Apple will be using that as the next thing to beat Android up about).
CrazyPeter said:
Are Amazon REALLY encouraging users to allow their devices to install content from unknown sources?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that any non-Google market place would have to do that, right? But look at it this way...at least you have the choice. If this were Apple you would be screwed.
To be honest it is nice to have the option of a various market place applications (although useless they may be sometimes). Thanks for the post OP, I will be using this.
@MISFITZ / I'm duly impressed. It's like a combination from Folder Organizer and Wizz Bar. I can put this to good use. Ahhh, A new app to tinker with. hehe
Thanks and gave you a thanks too.
EDIT: Is there anyway to adjust the size of the widget icon? I tried tinkering with the margins but that didn't work and next I tried editing the widget by dragging the edit box outward but it did not affect the icon itself. Thais would be a really kewl feature. Can you try and implement that into the next update? Thanks
It seems like your and mine conception of FREE differs.
vlasac said:
It seems like your and mine conception of FREE differs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was the free app of the day a few days ago when he posted. He probably should have noted it was just that one day in his post to avoid confusion later, but it was true at the time.
I really like the look and feel of Ubuntu tablet. Specifically the large desktop. I hate the limited space on my nexus 10. It makes sense on a phone but I wish I could scroll like on a PC or Ubuntu when using a larger screen.
Anyone know if there's anything out there that resembles the Ubuntu desktop. I like stock jelly bean. This is just one of a couple of things that bugs me.
kosmab said:
I really like the look and feel of Ubuntu tablet. Specifically the large desktop. I hate the limited space on my nexus 10. It makes sense on a phone but I wish I could scroll like on a PC or Ubuntu when using a larger screen.
Anyone know if there's anything out there that resembles the Ubuntu desktop. I like stock jelly bean. This is just one of a couple of things that bugs me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't heard of any projects like this, which is I think why Ubuntu started developing Ubuntu Mobile.
Sent from my GT-I9210T using xda app-developers app
kosmab said:
I really like the look and feel of Ubuntu tablet. Specifically the large desktop. I hate the limited space on my nexus 10. It makes sense on a phone but I wish I could scroll like on a PC or Ubuntu when using a larger screen.
Anyone know if there's anything out there that resembles the Ubuntu desktop. I like stock jelly bean. This is just one of a couple of things that bugs me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also like a full desktop and use the following products to acheive that and also keep quick access to notifications and menu bar functionality.
full!screen - Hides both the notification and menu bars. You set a button (can be invisible), in one of the four screen corners, which has the ability to pop-up the notifications and other functions with a long press such as a last apps list. I liked this app so much that purchased fullscreen+ eventhough I do not use any of the enhanced features.
LMT - The PIE feature adds an autohide user definable menu where I have the menu bar navigation actions and a number of quick launch apps plus other functionality. This is a free app on XDA. Make sure to read the post's "Commands" documentation as it will help you understand how to get the most out of PIE . You access PIE on one side pf the screen or the other.
You need to be rooted but those apps work very well on Stock 4.2.2.
kosmab said:
I really like the look and feel of Ubuntu tablet. Specifically the large desktop. I hate the limited space on my nexus 10. It makes sense on a phone but I wish I could scroll like on a PC or Ubuntu when using a larger screen.
Anyone know if there's anything out there that resembles the Ubuntu desktop. I like stock jelly bean. This is just one of a couple of things that bugs me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sidebar pro, lmt launcher, and a ROM that can hide the status bar or an app like the one the user above told you. You can find all those apks on the googleplay or on the forum of xda.
Greetings.
Glovebox is an app that adds a shortcut bar that pops out from the side of your screen like Ubuntu Touch has.
If you have rooted device you can now hide soft keys (and keep notification bar) without modifications and reboots. Just try my new app:
GMD Hide Soft Keys
It also adds Quick NavBar - soft keys that can be opened with simple swipe from bottom and then autohide when not needed.
I do not like Wear OS app drawer, because in time it grows longer(larger!) and longer, and it gets harder to find an app.
I was looking for a way to have fast access to apps that are used on a regular basis. I came with a simple idea that led to Wear Favorite Apps Launcher.
With this app, you can define two grid sizes of 1x1 or 1x2, ... 3x3 and select your favorite apps. Then you can assign each page (grid) to one of the hardware buttons: 1) long press on the power button, 2) press on the secondary button.
The apps TODOs/limitations are:
1. Supporting any number of physical buttons (more of a UI/UX issue)
2. Any other suggestions are appreciated.
Screenshots (I cannot post URLs and images due to being a new user!):
https : // cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2018/11/4/321fd160e30729a3aee5acbaead748c1-full.png
Play Store link:
{Mod edit: Link removed}
I have installed it on a huawei w2 and it is very useful and with a very nice UI.
Good work and thanks.
lemach said:
I have installed it on a huawei w2 and it is very useful and with a very nice UI.
Good work and thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I think the UI in the current form is a little complicated. Do you agree?
I am ok with the UI...you are doing a very good job. Only it would be interesting can access between long press apps luncher and custom apps launcher more quickly throught double tap or another shortcut...
Anyway, the app is already very useful.
Thanks again.
What method do you use to switch from one launcher to another?
You can press the secondary button anytime to switch to the custom launcher.
Mbt925 said:
What method do you use to switch from one launcher to another?
You can press the secondary button anytime to switch to the custom launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but i mean a touch shortcut, although i am very happy witch the app at the moment.
Greetings.
In version 2.0, I've added a 3x3 tile to give faster access to some apps.
I've updated the app to be compatible with the new wear os version and tile support.
Mbt925 said:
I do not like Wear OS app drawer, because in time it grows longer(larger!) and longer, and it gets harder to find an app.
I was looking for a way to have fast access to apps that are used on a regular basis. I came with a simple idea that led to Wear Favorite Apps Launcher.
With this app, you can define two grid sizes of 1x1 or 1x2, ... 3x3 and select your favorite apps. Then you can assign each page (grid) to one of the hardware buttons: 1) long press on the power button, 2) press on the secondary button.
The apps TODOs/limitations are:
1. Supporting any number of physical buttons (more of a UI/UX issue)
2. Any other suggestions are appreciated.
Screenshots (I cannot post URLs and images due to being a new user!):
https : // cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2018/11/4/321fd160e30729a3aee5acbaead748c1-full.png
Play Store link:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks way easier to navigate than the stock launcher, nice.
THREAD CLOSED!
Please refer to my announcement here:
[CLOSED] Weasy Launcher
Working with Wear OS default launcher is not easy as it’s only horizontally scrollable. Weasy launcher tries to bring a circular launcher similar to that of apple watches'. Weasy launcher scales up the apps close to the screen center so they...
forum.xda-developers.com
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Senior Moderator