Database Users

A few questions

I've been playing around with my Nexus since Tuesday now and have a couple of questions:
1. Is it possible to move the home/back/recent buttons on the bottom bar to the right of the bar when in landscape? Not the whole bar to the right but the three buttons to the right corner instead of center.
2. Is it possible to add apps to the long press home menu that appears with seemingly one link to Google Now on?

azzido360 said:
I've been playing around with my Nexus since Tuesday now and have a couple of questions:
1. Is it possible to move the home/back/recent buttons on the bottom bar to the right of the bar when in landscape? Not the whole bar to the right but the three buttons to the right corner instead of center.
2. Is it possible to add apps to the long press home menu that appears with seemingly one link to Google Now on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not unless you have a custom rom
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Was the N4 bottom nav designed by a lefty?

Just got the N4 yesterday and love it but for one really irksome thing -- that the back button, which I use a lot, is on the left while the "running apps" button, which I don't, is on the right. It's a big phone so having stuff as near as possible to the bottom right-hand corner is key to one-handed operation (for righties, of course). So when I'm using Google Reader, the back button is at bottom left, and the "Up to category list" button is at top left. Really slows things down.
Am I the only one annoyed by this? Is there a fix short of a new ROM?

A rom may allow you to swap the buttons around. It doesnt bother me I hold my phone in my left hand a lot.

That was a big reason why I decided to root and go to an AOKP rom. Back button on the right side now and I'm so much happier.

It bothered me at first when moving from a Galaxy S (back on right side) to the Galaxy Nexus (back on left side). Got used to it after about a month though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Never noticed! But I prefer to get rid of them for the screen real estate.

It's more of a design choice rather than a pragmatic decision. Back on the left makes more sense. Some apps move the screen to the right when they go back, so tapping back on the left side and having the screen goes left makes sense thematically. I came from a Galaxy S which also had a right-side back button, and I have accustomed myself to the left-side back button with little effort. It fits the flow of apps better.
However, I'm strongly against the removal of the Search button that started in 3.x. I used Search for many apps, and it was an amazing shortcut. Fullscreen browser? Press search and you got access to the URL bar. Looking for a contact? Search button. Want to do a search in a file explorer? There's a familiar button for that. Recents should have stayed as a long press of the Home button.

Hung0702 said:
It's more of a design choice rather than a pragmatic decision. Back on the left makes more sense. Some apps move the screen to the right when they go back, so tapping back on the left side and having the screen goes left makes sense thematically. I came from a Galaxy S which also had a right-side back button, and I have accustomed myself to the left-side back button with little effort. It fits the flow of apps better.
However, I'm strongly against the removal of the Search button that started in 3.x. I used Search for many apps, and it was an amazing shortcut. Fullscreen browser? Press search and you got access to the URL bar. Looking for a contact? Search button. Want to do a search in a file explorer? There's a familiar button for that. Recents should have stayed as a long press of the Home button.
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I disagree with long press on home as recents. Many android noobs didn't even know there was a a "alt tab" in Android until they've heard it from someone or was told by someone.
It's more intuitive when theres a recents button. As far as search, it's supposed to be on the top right of an app same with the legacy menu. On contacts, its on the bottom left.

IMO they should go back to the 4 capacitive buttons. Menu, Home, Back, Search. There was NOTHING wrong with this setup. Search was arguably the weakest one but with Google now, I'd say it's just as important as the rest of them. I get the fact that not all apps will have Menu, but Home and Back are just about universal, and Menu is used quite a bit too. The capacitive buttons free up screen real-estate too. I don't like styling things just for style's sake.

se1000 said:
IMO they should go back to the 4 capacitive buttons. Menu, Home, Back, Search. There was NOTHING wrong with this setup. Search was arguably the weakest one but with Google now, I'd say it's just as important as the rest of them. I get the fact that not all apps will have Menu, but Home and Back are just about universal, and Menu is used quite a bit too. The capacitive buttons free up screen real-estate too. I don't like styling things just for style's sake.
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That's the app's fault for not implementing the menu button on their app, regardless you have the legacy menu button the bottom right.
If you don't like it then install a custom ROM and change the navigation bar to your liking. It's simple as that, no reason to debate about this and how it should be on stock android.

zephiK said:
That's the app's fault for not implementing the menu button on their app, regardless you have the legacy menu button the bottom right.
If you don't like it then install a custom ROM and change the navigation bar to your liking. It's simple as that, no reason to debate about this and how it should be on stock android.
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Click to collapse
I have, and I like my current setup (Menu, Home, Back). I'm just saying that I'd rather have the 4 capacitive buttons back.

zephiK said:
I disagree with long press on home as recents. Many android noobs didn't even know there was a a "alt tab" in Android until they've heard it from someone or was told by someone.
It's more intuitive when theres a recents button. As far as search, it's supposed to be on the top right of an app same with the legacy menu. On contacts, its on the bottom left.
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Click to collapse
If only recents was actually comparable to Windows' Alt+tab. As it is, recents is no more useful to me than it was in Gingerbread

The best button choice for me would have been, in the order, BACK, HOME, MENU. You need to go to settings? Just press the "menu" button. Need to open recent apps? Just press and hold the "home" button. Simple as that.
It was all so much more consistent when the menu button was integrated in the system. Now you have to go and look for it in a place that differs from app to app... jeez, I feel like I'm holding an iPhone.
No menu and a dedicated, invasive multitasking app is a double step backwards for me.

SkippyFlipjack said:
Just got the N4 yesterday and love it but for one really irksome thing -- that the back button, which I use a lot, is on the left while the "running apps" button, which I don't, is on the right. It's a big phone so having stuff as near as possible to the bottom right-hand corner is key to one-handed operation (for righties, of course). So when I'm using Google Reader, the back button is at bottom left, and the "Up to category list" button is at top left. Really slows things down.
Am I the only one annoyed by this? Is there a fix short of a new ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how us lefty's feel living in a right handed world
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Hung0702 said:
It's more of a design choice rather than a pragmatic decision. Back on the left makes more sense. Some apps move the screen to the right when they go back, so tapping back on the left side and having the screen goes left makes sense thematically. I came from a Galaxy S which also had a right-side back button, and I have accustomed myself to the left-side back button with little effort. It fits the flow of apps better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that design-wise it makes sense; the aesthete in me would take issue with a left-facing arrow button sitting on the right side, which sort of looks like it's telling you to press the button in the middle. I just think that these larger phones should design where possible for one-handed operation (and have a lefty mode too!)
note: by 'one-handed operation' no, I don't mean I'm watching porn

[Idea] Softkey mod

Hi all,
I have order the N4 today and I'm starting to think about it.
There is a way by a Mod or something else, to remove the softkey from the screen to use the full 4.7" screen ?
My idea is to made a mod that permit for exemple by pressing the Vol + and Vol - at the same time, to remove the softkey from the screen.
What do you think about it ?
As I'm not a dev, is there anyone that can have a look on it ?
Regards.

Haven't seen this for stock roms, but AOKP has this feature. You can adjust the size of the navbar and hide it completely. Additionally, you can add the softkeys to the power options (hold power and you can go home, back, etc.). How I set mine up is using NovaLauncher. If I swipe up on the home screen with 2 fingers, it will hide/unhide the navbar.

You can also use the PAROM with PIE, so the nav keys will be shown after a gesture, or if you don't want to flash a ROM, just use LMT.

remczar69 said:
You can also use the PAROM with PIE, so the nav keys will be shown after a gesture, or if you don't want to flash a ROM, just use LMT.
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Click to collapse
Yes, thank you I have just found it and I'm testing it (LMT).
This is so sexy !

Multitask button on Nav Bar

Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

Root, and there's a few nav bar replacements in the play store that autohide as well.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

saywhat4118 said:
Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
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Click to collapse
I'm with you, I think its stupid to have a dedicated menu button when android already has this covered.
The apps the poster above is speaking of does not fix this issue as it also hides the buttons, which is just dumb. Just be patient, I'm sure we will have a fix soon!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

This may be my only gripe about this phone, I have tried several of the options, but you have to hide it or tour home screen icons in the dock get lost.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

While using the Note 2 I was able to go to the (root) system file and mess with the nav bar. Im going to play with this in a few. I'll report back.

jmill75 said:
While using the Note 2 I was able to go to the (root) system file and mess with the nav bar. Im going to play with this in a few. I'll report back.
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Click to collapse
With the S4 I was able to manually add the On screen nav buttons with a line of code. Default android soft buttons are back home and multitask LG edited that to the menu button which is annoying. Let me know what you find. I'm going to try some stuff my self
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

While I would like to have a dedicated multitasking button, I don't think the menu button is a waste or stupid. There are still numerous apps that don't adhere to Google's new rules for a software menu button and they result in a black bar on the screen. LG dodged this by adding a dedicated software menu button. If you want to see how annoying it is, just pick up an HTC One (or DNA, or One X) and it will make more sense. What they did is emulate the Optimus G Pro (and Samsung's Touchwiz) with software buttons to give the same feel (hold home for multitasking, back and menu). I see why they did it. But yeah, it would be nice if they'd add an option for a multitasking button as either a fourth option or in place of the menu. It would certainly make more sense than the notification shade toggle.

greyhulk said:
While I would like to have a dedicated multitasking button, I don't think the menu button is a waste or stupid. There are still numerous apps that don't adhere to Google's new rules for a software menu button and they result in a black bar on the screen. LG dodged this by adding a dedicated software menu button. If you want to see how annoying it is, just pick up an HTC One (or DNA, or One X) and it will make more sense. What they did is emulate the Optimus G Pro (and Samsung's Touchwiz) with software buttons to give the same feel (hold home for multitasking, back and menu). I see why they did it. But yeah, it would be nice if they'd add an option for a multitasking button as either a fourth option or in place of the menu. It would certainly make more sense than the notification shade toggle.
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Click to collapse
The main reason I did not get the One was because of the stupid buttons. First not on screen and second only 2 buttons.
I do think it will only be a matter of time until someone makes a zip to add the recent button back. Wish I knew how

saywhat4118 said:
Looked around and didn't see this being brought up. Is there away to out the multitasking app instead of the menu button and bring back the 3 dot menu button back in apps? Hate freaking menu buttons and having to long press the home.
I remember figuring out a way to add software nav buttons on an S4 manually by editing some lines in the system but since the soft nav bar is already present I don't think that would work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my solution to this after 2 days of fiddling with the phone and trying EVERYTHING actually turned out for the better. The setup I have is using GMD gesture control for my buttons and auto hide navbar to have the navbar gone. This app let's you slide certain regions of the screen and trigger different conditions. I have no buttons at all on my screen and have slide functions that work perfect exactly where the Normal buttons would go. Slide up on the left is menu, slide in middle is home, and slide in right is recent apps. My back button is set by my thumb and it works out much better than I could have hoped.

kurofox23? said:
So my solution to this after 2 days of fiddling with the phone and trying EVERYTHING actually turned out for the better. The setup I have is using GMD gesture control for my buttons and auto hide navbar to have the navbar gone. This app let's you slide certain regions of the screen and trigger different conditions. I have no buttons at all on my screen and have slide functions that work perfect exactly where the Normal buttons would go. Slide up on the left is menu, slide in middle is home, and slide in right is recent apps. My back button is set by my thumb and it works out much better than I could have hoped.
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Click to collapse
Thanks I'm going to try this.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk 4

Apps that have their own 3-dot menu
Thanks for the research on this topic. Does anyone know if the GMD app allows an app to retain its 3-dot menu functionality? I've encountered several apps that won't work with the G2's menu softkey preventing you from accessing the app's options.
thanks in advance!

Is there any way to put Nav Controls on the Second Screen?

I have my V20 navigation controls hidden for almost all apps because I like the full 5.7" screen always displayed, but it's a pain sometime to swipe up to get access to them. Is there any way to get a 3rd party app that you can put into the Second Screen as an app shortcut, and when you click the app shortcut icon it will navigate DIRECTLY with the one press on the second screen (i.e. go to home screen and back button, mainly)? I don't think it could be a widget because you can't load widgets as a app shortcut on the 2nd screen. Note that I am NOT rooted.
Probably not but I just thought I'd ask.

This actually works in the nav bar as a return to home button, although will not appear on recent apps when used. Now looking for a back button
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devjackey.homebutton

If you have any sort of experience with Tasker I'm sure you can create a simple task that goes back, and just assign it to a button that you throw on the 2nd screen though I just checked and some widgets don't actually work in the 2nd screen. Greenify works fine but my mobile payment app doesnt't.

Seems like it can't be a widget or floating button. Can't find a back button that works by clicking the app shortcut icon like the home button does above (i.e. no app options - click and executes the one function directly). Oh well at least I have half what i need.

A pain to swipe up but easier to reach all the to the top of the screen? Smh. Doesn't make sense.

@rbiter said:
A pain to swipe up but easier to reach all the to the top of the screen? Smh. Doesn't make sense.
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I'm often at the top of my screen switching apps and want to get to the home screen. Plus ONE press on a button instead of a swipe up and press and have it hide again. My thumb is on average in the middle of the screen so up and down or the same. Plus if holding the phone in my left hand it's easier to get at the top with my right hand index finger. Just tried the home button above and definitely faster and less annoying then the hidden nav bar. Doesn't seem like there is a similar back button anywhere that i can find.
Tony

All I have to say is software nav FTW!