Database Users

[Q] How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?

How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.

Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.

No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?

Twenty minutes before the first bump and between the first and second - get a bit of patience! People aren't lurking on forums waiting to jump on your every post...
1. Yes - Minimalistic Text and others
3. Yes - search Play store for "picture widget"
4. Why not Swype? What makes it unsuitable (that'll make it easier for others to make suggestions.

Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Honestly, any keyboard that works well with one hand, will also reconfigure so much that you'll essentially have to relearn it.
Messagease and 8pen are good with one hand, but they obviously don't look anything like qwerty. And one-hand typing is really only feasible with phones anyway.
Best bet is just to use voice recognition and hope it really is as up to snuff.

You're probably not going to like my answer, but I tried this (also with a person who had use of only one arm) and it didn't work. I mounted it to a table on a movable arm to make it easy to use.
Beyond the shaking hands and weak eyes, the biggest problem is understanding the UI. To you and I it's not complicated, but we grew up with computers. That's not any sort of judgment; the guy was capable of using a windows XP computer (very very slowly), it's just that switching to a new IU is much more confusing to the older brain than for a younger brain. They just don't have the filters to pick out the important information from the screen quickly, and every step requires conscious thought. This can be very tiring for an older person, and--at least in my experience--older people don't have a lot of tolerance for frustration.
I don't want you to be discouraged by this; I spent weeks on this (and several hundred dollars) and ended up getting him a small laptop on which I installed a simplification program that allowed only basic email and internet. But your relative may be more savvy, have better coordination, or just more interest in making it work. Here's what I'd suggest:
1) "minimalist text" can be customized to put static text on the screen. You'll have to play with it a bit.
2) There's no applications I can think of that make it easier, but I'd suggest giving her some system to mount it where she can both see and reach it. Have her sit as she would when she wanted to use it (chair, table, bed) and figure out how she can use it with her arm resting on something.
3) I think the picture frames widget is included in stock android. I'd strongly suggest against using anything other than a solid-colored background though. Again, it's difficult for an older brain to parse large amounts of information, and older eyes to see past the contrasts. I'm sure there's some way to have a rotating photo widget on some part of the screen in the market though.
4) Swiftkey. It's a bit advanced, but has one major advantage: predictive text. She can enter a few letters and the software will come up with a few words. Often it will get the intended word within a few letters, which can save a lot of inputs. That said, I think the stock android keyboard in JB has this functionality too, so you might hold off and try that.
A few other suggestions:
1) Get a launcher that can be cut down to just one screen. ADW EX does this. And get rid of the elastic screens (allows it to stay static). You said you already have a custom launcher in mind; which one were you thinking of?
2) When AOKP gets their hands on this, they'll allow you to add and change buttons to the notification bar. Get rid of the long-presses, maybe even get rid of everything but the home and back button.
3) Forget the speech recognition stuff. Old voices are not easy to understand for anyone, much less a computer, and convincing an older person to speak slowly and annunciate is not easy. Also, the first time it doesn't work you'll have a very frustrated relative to deal with...
4) Keep it simple. The first time you show her how to use it pick one thing (probably email or video chat) and show her how to do just that. If you take just one suggestion from me it's this. Add something next time, once she gets how to do email or video chat (test her first). Seriously, everyone will end up happier as a result.
OK, good luck! Hope it works better for you than it did for me!

I would say, a very simple background. No live wallpapers. A Big clock widget,
Get her a Bluetooth Keyboard, there is no sense in trying to force an older person to use a touch screen, that requires near perfect fingers. A normal keyboard is something she most likely has seen and used before. So it will feel normal.
A Widget for changing volume. Something with like a large Plus and Minus sign, and a big percent so she can easily see how loud it is.

Brad387 said:
How can I make the Nexus 7 super-easy to use?
I have an elderly relative who has never used any Android device, or much technology at all to be honest besides old feature phones and television boxes, and we shall soon be purchasing her a Google Nexus 7. We settled on this idea after noticing that the 8GB Nexus 7 model is only £159 GBP, which isn't much more than the Kindle Touch and also offers a slightly larger screen. I am looking to make the experience personal and also easy for her.
Since I am going to use a custom launcher to prevent access to the app menu and simplify the user experience by showing her only the apps she will need to use (preventing access to the settings will prevent her accidentally deleting things), I am looking for a widget which will allow me to add my own custom text set to a custom size to the home screen. With this, I'll separate up the few apps she plans on using. Any recommendations for such an application?
Since this person does not have full function of a second arm, are there any applications which make one-handed operation easier on the tablet's 7 inch display?
Is there a widget which will allow me to add "picture frames" to the home screen? I could put some pictures of the family in these, which will add a nice personal touch.
Are there any keyboards which are good for one-handed use? Please do not say Swype.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
Any suggestions to any of my issues I face? Also, any general app recommendations are welcome, but keep in mind who this tablet is for when making suggestions. For example, no messenger apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brad387 said:
No ideas to any of those applications/features I'm looking to implement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol man, RELAX. Bumping your thread like that is terrible forum etiquette.

I'd refer to your own thread that you opened not long before this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757848
Aps at startup
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.

Thanks. I will likely use Nova Launcher to keep the amount of screens to a minimum.

darkamikaze said:
This might dumb the phone by a lot but: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en
Here's a photo widget app that people seem to like though : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thinkjava.androidphotowidgetfree
If you can wait for further development.. flashing MIUI seems to attract a lot of newer android users due to the similarities with iOS. If not you can always get the MIUI style launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fascinating. But this isn't for you; it's for an older person.
OP, the folks pointing out that it's bad forum etiquette to create multiple threads and bump them are right. And considering the time folks put into answering your question, it wouldn't hurt to respond and click the "thanks" button.

thebobp said:
Swype probably requires two-handing on a device this big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how you would use Swype with two hands even if you wanted to. Swyping requires one continuous swipe with one finger across all of the letters that spell out your word, and besides the actual act of swyping, I don't understand how using it would be any different from using one finger to type on a non-Swype keyboard.

blackhand1001 said:
Yuck. No thank you on miui. I hate the unorganized nature of having every icon on the home screen. App drawer please.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.

dparrothead1 said:
Sorry that you don't know much about MIUI. It's the easiest ROM that I have used and now have it on my Infuse and Nook Color.
I am 66yo and like very simple and clean screens that are easy to use. The attached s/s's are from a 7" Nook Color screen.
1. Home screen.
2. Favorites expanded
3. 2nd Page....only have 2 pages...show all my apps in folders...no app drawer.
4. Reading folder opened
EDIT: You can set up as many or as few folders as you need and name them anything you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used miui on several devices. I just find it clunky. I like having an alphabetically sorted app drawer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I'm working on the same issue for my mom, who just turned 86.
I downloaded Minimalistic Text for her, but I had assumed it would be simple to set up - it isn't.
Am I correct that it's very limited as to what it can display? It appears to be able to display the time, date, temp, and then a few other things not important to your typical 86 year old, such as battery level, cpu speed, etc.
I had hoped I would be able to have it launch apps, so I could for instance, have it show "Email", Facebook", etc.
Older people have difficulty remembering the names of apps sometimes. "K9" for instance, would not mean email to my mom.
Something that would allow you to make app icons larger might help. But I had high hopes for Minimalist Text!
Btw, we did a four way hangout with her yesterday. She has beginning Alzheimer's, but she loves technology!
Edit: I see in the OP's other thread someone mentioned Simple Text . Can that be used on a stock N7? Must I use a different launcher?

CyanogenMod Questions.

Hi there,
I have been stumbling across some awesome CM10 themes and it's something I'd like to have although they are only for CM9 and CM10. I'm currently running rooted stock nexus 4, whats the benefits of having a rom like CM10 - does CM10 run 4.2.1? which is what im currently using?
Whats are the positives and negatives to switching?
If i switch, can I convert BACK to stock?

1. Use the search feature. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35521539
2. CM10 = Android 4.1.X....... does not support Android 4.2.X and does not support N4 (mako)
3. first link. no negatives. its like reformatting your computer. If you go to Windows 8 and don't like it, go back to Windows 7.. what are the negatives? none. just reinstall apps... use titanium backup to backup/restore apps (buy pro version)
4. Yes you can revert back to stock. Nothing is permanent on android.
......... next time, do some research before just straight up asking these questions as they are already answered.

T89 said:
Hi there,
I have been stumbling across some awesome CM10 themes and it's something I'd like to have although they are only for CM9 and CM10. I'm currently running rooted stock nexus 4, whats the benefits of having a rom like CM10 - does CM10 run 4.2.1? which is what im currently using?
Whats are the positives and negatives to switching?
If i switch, can I convert BACK to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a big positive with AOKP is the ability to add in and customize the on screen nav bar buttons. i came from a gs2. so setting this phone to have the same layout as my gs2 capacitive buttons is a real winner. you can also rearrange the order of and how many toggles there are in the quick settings drop down. there is a whole list of features that you get and the devving has only just begun.

phermey said:
a big positive with AOKP is the ability to add in and customize the on screen nav bar buttons. i came from a gs2. so setting this phone to have the same layout as my gs2 capacitive buttons is a real winner. you can also rearrange the order of and how many toggles there are in the quick settings drop down. there is a whole list of features that you get and the devving has only just begun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM10.1 (Jellybro) already has Navigation Bar changes. It's better off getting used to those three buttons IMO, menu is useless for me. I prefer having it as a touch button somewhere on the app. If not then I'll use the bottom right one.
You can arrange toggles on quick settings drop down as well on CM10.1.
CM10.1 is a ongoing project and is developing really fast without dirty hacks that AOKP does. Very clean code.

zephiK said:
CM10.1 (Jellybro) already has Navigation Bar changes. It's better off getting used to those three buttons IMO, menu is useless for me. I prefer having it as a touch button somewhere on the app. If not then I'll use the bottom right one.
You can arrange toggles on quick settings drop down as well on CM10.1.
CM10.1 is a ongoing project and is developing really fast without dirty hacks that AOKP does. Very clean code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got tired of trying to figure out how to get into settings. and even worse... nova settings. so used to it being the menu key that i had to get it back.
tried out cm. a week ago. it was behind aokp in features so i went back to aokp. couldnt speak for what it has so i gave examples of what i know.
clean code or not. aokp has always suited my needs better than cm. but thats just me.

phermey said:
i got tired of trying to figure out how to get into settings. and even worse... nova settings. so used to it being the menu key that i had to get it back.
tried out cm. a week ago. it was behind aokp in features so i went back to aokp. couldnt speak for what it has so i gave examples of what i know.
clean code or not. aokp has always suited my needs better than cm. but thats just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pull down notifications -> Tiles -> Settings. Guess I got accustomed to it on my Galaxy Nexus where there wasn't a tile button. It was just pull down notifications -> settings. It takes some time getting used to it, but it's pretty good imo. But that's the best part about android you can do it the way you like it, traditionally or the new way
I used to like AOKP but felt it was too bloated with unnecessary crap like AOKP Wallpapers (Swagpapers), unnecessary unicorn stuff etc. I prefer CM as its cleaner code and more optimal whereas AOKP does things in 'hackish' code and just like what the name implies, it's kanged from CM sources anyway.

zephiK said:
Pull down notifications -> Tiles -> Settings. Guess I got accustomed to it on my Galaxy Nexus where there wasn't a tile button. It was just pull down notifications -> settings. It takes some time getting used to it, but it's pretty good imo. But that's the best part about android you can do it the way you like it, traditionally or the new way
I used to like AOKP but felt it was too bloated with unnecessary crap like AOKP Wallpapers (Swagpapers), unnecessary unicorn stuff etc. I prefer CM as its cleaner code and more optimal whereas AOKP does things in 'hackish' code and just like what the name implies, it's kanged from CM sources anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. that damn pink unicorn is so old. the day it was released it got old, and every time someone tries to be cute by adding another wallpaper... i think to myself WHY!!!
one thing i loved about sticking cm on my nexus was that bad a$$ boot animation. once the first milestone get released i will definitely be checking cm out again. you are also 100% correct on the code thing. and i never thought of the meaning of kang. <--- good point.

phermey said:
lol. that damn pink unicorn is so old. the day it was released it got old, and every time someone tries to be cute by adding another wallpaper... i think to myself WHY!!!
one thing i loved about sticking cm on my nexus was that bad a$$ boot animation. once the first milestone get released i will definitely be checking cm out again. you are also 100% correct on the code thing. and i never thought of the meaning of kang. <--- good point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha yeah i was annoyed of keep having to remove AOKPClock, SwagPapers, Swag Toggle like wth... unnecessary line of code. i do love the amount of customization in there though. i used xylon on my galaxy nexus before i got my N4 (it started coming to rise at 4.2.X) its pretty customizable as well, very feature rich.
does AOKP have navigation height / width adjustments in the ROM already? i miss that feature, CM has everything I want as of right now. only missing nav height changes. can't wait for PGM for N4 though http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bZEodCnYv58#t=14s is a brief video of what it is. i love it because i dont have to use the buttons

zephiK said:
haha yeah i was annoyed of keep having to remove AOKPClock, SwagPapers, Swag Toggle like wth... unnecessary line of code. i do love the amount of customization in there though. i used xylon on my galaxy nexus before i got my N4 (it started coming to rise at 4.2.X) its pretty customizable as well, very feature rich.
does AOKP have navigation height / width adjustments in the ROM already? i miss that feature, CM has everything I want as of right now. only missing nav height changes. can't wait for PGM for N4 though http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bZEodCnYv58#t=14s is a brief video of what it is. i love it because i dont have to use the buttons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they also just stuck in some arrow keys when the keyboard is active.
will check out that video. saw the thread in themes and had no clue what it was.
edit. that is pretty cool. does that also mean the phone never sleeps? and i dunno how you managed to get that video to load at 14s. but you the man for doing it. i see the #t=14s. learn something new every day.

phermey said:
they also just stuck in some arrow keys when the keyboard is active.
will check out that video. saw the thread in themes and had no clue what it was.
edit. that is pretty cool. does that also mean the phone never sleeps? and i dunno how you managed to get that video to load at 14s. but you the man for doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I don't need arrows, I actually prefer them to be normal size. AOKP probably has this feature already, CM has a feature in which if you are on a entry field (typing) you can use volume keys.. up and down to move left and right of your words if you choose to (can be disabled).
the phone does sleep, it's built into a kernel module and uses very minimal battery life. I've used it since I saw it on the GN apps forum. if you use light flow, it probably uses the same amount of battery (or less). lightflow barely interferes with the phone's battery life.
oh that's easy.. just go to any youtube video and right click the video and click "Copy current url at current time" I figured I would save you some time and get to the point

zephiK said:
Ah I don't need arrows, I actually prefer them to be normal size. AOKP probably has this feature already, CM has a feature in which if you are on a entry field (typing) you can use volume keys.. up and down to move left and right of your words if you choose to (can be disabled).
the phone does sleep, it's built into a kernel module and uses very minimal battery life. I've used it since I saw it on the GN apps forum. if you use light flow, it probably uses the same amount of battery (or less). lightflow barely interferes with the phone's battery life.
oh that's easy.. just go to any youtube video and right click the video and click "Copy current url at current time" I figured I would save you some time and get to the point
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont use light flow. aokp has something similar baked in.
that pgm app keeps looking better and better. i will be using it. thanks

Can you use custom nav bars on cm10 ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

colobos said:
Can you use custom nav bars on cm10 ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom nav bars as in... what? You can modify your nav bar to your liking.
Home back recents
Recents Back Home......... whatever combo you want.
i dont use light flow. aokp has something similar baked in.
that pgm app keeps looking better and better. i will be using it. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't try using it on N4. Not supported yet. Will most likely cause problems if you try it.

zephiK said:
1. Use the search feature. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35521539
2. CM10 = Android 4.1.X....... does not support Android 4.2.X and does not support N4 (mako)
3. first link. no negatives. its like reformatting your computer. If you go to Windows 8 and don't like it, go back to Windows 7.. what are the negatives? none. just reinstall apps... use titanium backup to backup/restore apps (buy pro version)
4. Yes you can revert back to stock. Nothing is permanent on android.
......... next time, do some research before just straight up asking these questions as they are already answered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking people for their opinions is different to research. I would have to search soo many cm posts to find opinions or I could ask. This forum is q and a so please stop.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Also, and thanks everyone for your replies I think I'll stick with what I have.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

just switched from nexus4 to s4 , things i dont like

Guys,
Just ditched my nexus 4 for s4 due to brightness and camera issues which I hated the most of nexus4 rest the speed etc was completely enough for a average user like me.
what i miss mostly of my nexus4 is simplicity, whereas s4 is too complicated to use due to tooo many features which are hard to understand.
what i want to know is it possible right now to make it simple as vanilla...
sorry if i wasn't clear enough to make you guys explain.
Thanks
p.s. in terms of these days phone, its sick!

coolraghav said:
Guys,
Just ditched my nexus 4 for s4 due to brightness and camera issues which I hated the most of nexus4 rest the speed etc was completely enough for a average user like me.
what i miss mostly of my nexus4 is simplicity, whereas s4 is too complicated to use due to tooo many features which are hard to understand.
what i want to know is it possible right now to make it simple as vanilla...
sorry if i wasn't clear enough to make you guys explain.
Thanks
p.s. in terms of these days phone, its sick!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash an AOSP ROM.
Sent with my Sonic Screwdriver

coolraghav said:
Guys,
Just ditched my nexus 4 for s4 due to brightness and camera issues which I hated the most of nexus4 rest the speed etc was completely enough for a average user like me.
what i miss mostly of my nexus4 is simplicity, whereas s4 is too complicated to use due to tooo many features which are hard to understand.
what i want to know is it possible right now to make it simple as vanilla...
sorry if i wasn't clear enough to make you guys explain.
Thanks
p.s. in terms of these days phone, its sick!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just spend ten minutes looking through the settings and getting it how you want it. Pretty much all the features that you don't need can be disabled. If you've had a Nexus 4 I don't see how an S4 could be any more difficult to use to be honest.

Thanks for your reply wolf, is it as easy as it was with nexus4 or do i have to face any trouble. I'm completely newbie in all this.

mshaw03 said:
Just spend ten minutes looking through the settings and getting it how you want it. Pretty much all the features that you don't need can be disabled. If you've had a Nexus 4 I don't see how an S4 could be any more difficult to use to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. Settings, its easier in vanilla.
B.All the samsung apps are coming before
C. When I long-click an app in applications menu, i liked the idea of app info/uninstall
D. Hate samsung apps ..
Also how do i find what processor my phone is running ? As I'm not sure yet which processor in India they've released.

coolraghav said:
A. Settings, its easier in vanilla.
B.All the samsung apps are coming before
C. When I long-click an app in applications menu, i liked the idea of app info/uninstall
D. Hate samsung apps ..
Also how do i find what processor my phone is running ? As I'm not sure yet which processor in India they've released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They've released the i9500 version and you can check the Model number of the device:
Settings->last tab->About Device->Model Number.

Just install another launcher like Nova or APEX, they will give you the plain stock Android experience you are looking for. I have Nova running and it actually sped up my phone substantially. I also checked the RAM availability before and after using Nova and essentially stayed the same. Give it a try.
coolraghav said:
Guys,
Just ditched my nexus 4 for s4 due to brightness and camera issues which I hated the most of nexus4 rest the speed etc was completely enough for a average user like me.
what i miss mostly of my nexus4 is simplicity, whereas s4 is too complicated to use due to tooo many features which are hard to understand.
what i want to know is it possible right now to make it simple as vanilla...
sorry if i wasn't clear enough to make you guys explain.
Thanks
p.s. in terms of these days phone, its sick!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

nycrazyg said:
Just install another launcher like Nova or APEX, they will give you the plain stock Android experience you are looking for. I have Nova running and it actually sped up my phone substantially. I also checked the RAM availability before and after using Nova and essentially stayed the same. Give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plain stock? No not really lol. How do you get rid of black and neon green colors

i'm not fond of launchers eh.
guys how can I arrange apps alphabetically...its so hard finding an app now!! lol .. i miss my nexus .. haha somehow tell me how to make it plain n simple.

coolraghav said:
i'm not fond of launchers eh.
guys how can I arrange apps alphabetically...its so hard finding an app now!! lol .. i miss my nexus .. haha somehow tell me how to make it plain n simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will get my s4 tomorrow.. but in my s3, its done like this.. i am very sure its the same in the s4
Go to app drawer--> press menu button--> view type--> alphabetical grid..done
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

mshaw03 said:
Just spend ten minutes looking through the settings and getting it how you want it. Pretty much all the features that you don't need can be disabled. If you've had a Nexus 4 I don't see how an S4 could be any more difficult to use to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chillz88 said:
Will get my s4 tomorrow.. but in my s3, its done like this.. i am very sure its the same in the s4
Go to app drawer--> press menu button--> view type--> alphabetical grid..done
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got it, thanks mate! i was just more used to 3 buttons @ bottom of screen (n4)

wednesday13 said:
Plain stock? No not really lol. How do you get rid of black and neon green colors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Black and Neon Green colors? I'm guessing you haven't given Nova or Apex a try. It changes everything, homescreen, app drawer, and with Nova you can even set a theme color that changes the color accent colors of the Menus. I used to own a Galaxy Nexus, and I have the options using these launchers to revert everything to stock Android. Don't knock it until you try it, I mean really try it though.
coolraghav said:
i'm not fond of launchers eh.
guys how can I arrange apps alphabetically...its so hard finding an app now!! lol .. i miss my nexus .. haha somehow tell me how to make it plain n simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're talking about Touch Wiz, the option is in the Touch Wiz app drawer. Hit Menu, then View Type, There's Alphabetical Grid, or Alphabetical List.

Just install nova or apex launcher. Works like a charm.
I prefer nova launcher though.

i'm coming from a nexus 4 as well i too hate all the preinstalled samsung apps, but I disabled most of them.
What I can't stand is the physical home button. Its not a deal breaker but i HATE IT

i switched from nexus 4 too.
things i hate about the s4:
1. back button on the right side because i usually use my phone with the left hand.
2. no recent apps button. so holding the home button is slow.
3. no aosp browser unless using doc's barebone rom. chrome and stock browser is so slowww compared to this.
4. bloated apps and bloated gimmicks features like smart and gesture things which slow down the phone. resolved by turning them off and using doc's barebone rom.
things to love on the s4:
1. nice screen, i mean really really great.
2. better camera than the nexus 4, the nexus 4 has cool tint, like blueish.
3. micro sd card
4. replacable battery, i mean just get the battery kit and have infinity battery. awesome.

Tablet UI

Is there a way to get the tablet UI on the 2013 Nexus 7 yet????
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app

Gadzooks1123 said:
Is there a way to get the tablet UI on the 2013 Nexus 7 yet????
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the Paranoid Android ROM.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

How about a way on stock ROM? Just a mod or tweak or something?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app

Gadzooks1123 said:
How about a way on stock ROM? Just a mod or tweak or something?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2418867

Gadzooks1123 said:
Is there a way to get the tablet UI on the 2013 Nexus 7 yet????
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 7 comes with a tablet UI, unless you are talking about the old UI from HoneyComb that was depreciated a while ago. I don't understand why people are still hung up on legacy layouts.
"It's very clear what Google is doing - keeping users' attention on two general parts of the homescreen UI. The search / voice / notification area, and the app drawer / nav button area. Just like a modern Android phone. It makes sense - the experience across all [stock-ish] devices is now extremely consistent."
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...just-like-a-giant-phones-and-thats-fantastic/

rmkilc said:
The Nexus 7 comes with a tablet UI, unless you are talking about the old UI from HoneyComb that was depreciated a while ago. I don't understand why people are still hung up on legacy layouts.
"It's very clear what Google is doing - keeping users' attention on two general parts of the homescreen UI. The search / voice / notification area, and the app drawer / nav button area. Just like a modern Android phone. It makes sense - the experience across all [stock-ish] devices is now extremely consistent."
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...just-like-a-giant-phones-and-thats-fantastic/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except that that is simply not the case.
On phones the navigation buttons never leave the short side of the screen leaving them easily accessible with your right thumb while in landscape. On tablets the nav bar is terrible with the buttons spread out across the bottom while holding your device in landscape. The centred buttons are barely reachable on a 7" tablet like this. On 10" devices unless you are some kind of mutant, bred to be a piano virtuoso, good luck getting your thumbs where they need to go while cradling the tablet in 2 hands. Similarly the top-of-screen based notification pull down is simply not an ergonomic solution to something that you will be doing thousands of times with your device. Again this is not so bad on a device of this size, but is seriously ridiculous on large tablets.
It is all well and good for Google to say that they want users to have the same user experience across all devices, but they do not deliver on that. Given no other option, I would far rather use this tablet in full phone mode, with navigation buttons that never leave the short edge of the screen, than use the new "Tablet UI". I have actually clicked the DPI up to 340 and find the phone UI much easier to use than the default one, with the obvious exception of the full screen notification shade (which just looks ugly on this device). At least though, this configuration would be more condusive to one handed landscape navigation.
So, for me, I am going to keep using the old tablet UI as long as Google leaves the code in there for me to use and hope that they come to their senses one day over at the AOSP and realize that they've actually taken a step backwards in terms of user friendliness.
No need for nay-sayers to jump in when someone asks for a customized user experience. That's the beauty of Android! It isn't a one size fits all, apple-corer OS. The only limit is your imagination, and how much time you want to spend learning and tweaking. I say tweak on, young man, tweak on!

rmkilc said:
The Nexus 7 comes with a tablet UI, unless you are talking about the old UI from HoneyComb that was depreciated a while ago. I don't understand why people are still hung up on legacy layouts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's functional. The notification area is always visible even when apps are running full screen.
I can see the clock. I can see if the downloading is finished. I can see if a new email has come in.
The new Mod for tablet UI is working nicely.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/tablet-ui-mod-for-the-2013-nexus-7-on-stock-rooted-jss15q/

The ipad has a tablet ui too and its really useful. Less pressing on the back button when navigating thru the settings ap
Sent from my MT27i using xda app-developers app

csrow said:
Because it's functional. The notification area is always visible even when apps are running full screen.
I can see the clock. I can see if the downloading is finished. I can see if a new email has come in.
The new Mod for tablet UI is working nicely.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/tablet-ui-mod-for-the-2013-nexus-7-on-stock-rooted-jss15q/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new UI is much better looking, to be fair. And the notification area on the old one felt a bit rushed - for example, if a notification came in, it hijacked the entire notification area so you couldn't get to other notifications until it was gone - or at least, that's what I thought until I figured out that (for whatever reason), notifications could be cancelled by pressing somewhere else on the navbar (in other words, that 'feature' was a nuisance and user unfriendly in many ways).
I had plenty of moments where I went to get an email by opening the notification drawer when something else suddenly notified me and I ended up somewhere I didn't want to be like Appy Geek instead.
Also, the fact that it was a tap to open instead of at least a swipe upwards made no sense at all.
I get that you power users are happy to have to practice using your technology like it's some sort of art form, but please save the rest of us the bother.

Kookas said:
The new UI is much better looking, to be fair. And the notification area on the old one felt a bit rushed - for example, if a notification came in, it hijacked the entire notification area so you couldn't get to other notifications until it was gone - or at least, that's what I thought until I figured out that (for whatever reason), notifications could be cancelled by pressing somewhere else on the navbar (in other words, that 'feature' was a nuisance and user unfriendly in many ways).
I had plenty of moments where I went to get an email by opening the notification drawer when something else suddenly notified me and I ended up somewhere I didn't want to be like Appy Geek instead.
Also, the fact that it was a tap to open instead of at least a swipe upwards made no sense at all.
I get that you power users are happy to have to practice using your technology like it's some sort of art form, but please save the rest of us the bother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, it was a very inconsistent experience. Also, trying to get expandable notifications to work properly with gestures was a pain.

That's what's great about Android on a Nexus device. You get to choose what you like and everyone will be happy.
No one option is better than another. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean someone else should not be using it.

The OP simply wanted to know if it was possible to use Table UI on the N7 v2 and everyone is on a full blown discussion of who prefers what.
Here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45084692
Sent from my Nexus 4

I recommend trying out LMT (better than the pie control in paranoid/CM). I find it much better than having this blasted button bar using space all the time)
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Apex launcher has a tablet ui setting. For the most part is seems stock just bring the app icons to the bottom in landscape mode along with the app drawer in the upper right corner.

Pure Nexus is happening!

Just saw this post from beans and damn finally what the most of us want
Cheers ?

cant wait

My favorite rom for nexus 6P
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Wow, been about 6 months already. Time flies. Will be good to see it on P2. Loved it on 6p

Best rom news to date!

That's awesome, it helped breathe new life into my N6 for a year before getting the Pixel 2XL

Can't wait, way too excited!!

Nice. PN was the only ROM I used on my 6P.

It was a great rom in the Pixel XL.. Glad to hear it will be here soon for the Pixel 2 XL.

Pure nexus is cool but I would love a resurrection remix rom!

just a curiosity question what made pure nexus so good? this is my first google phone so im already really enjoying it and all its features espically the frequent updates.

juggz143 said:
Pure nexus is cool but I would love a resurrection remix rom!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love both!
Would really love RR ROM though but equally as excited about PN!

razgriz1234 said:
just a curiosity question what made pure nexus so good? this is my first google phone so im already really enjoying it and all its features espically the frequent updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh heavens, where does one begin. First and foremost, the developer. Beans, is a tireless perfectionist when it comes to his roms. He welcomes input from users, and corrects bugs ASAP. Just do a search on PN roms. You'll quickly figure out why he has such a great fan base ??

Badger50 said:
Oh heavens, where does one begin. First and foremost, the developer. Beans, is a tireless perfectionist when it comes to his roms. He welcomes input from users, and corrects bugs ASAP. Just do a search on PN roms. You'll quickly figure out why he has such a great fan base
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the first three reasons alone are enough for me lol. ill have to give it a look

razgriz1234 said:
just a curiosity question what made pure nexus so good? this is my first google phone so im already really enjoying it and all its features espically the frequent updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has so many features not found in stock ROM. Off the top of my head the things I miss are:
1. Hold down power for two seconds to toggle flashlight.
2. Rearrange and customize navigation bar (I prefer back button on right side).
3. Separate notification and ringer volume.
4. Night mode which not only tints the screen but also lowers the brightness (what good is tinting the screen in the dark if it's still full blast?)
5. Hide carrier and lock screen shortcuts for a clean screen. And ESPECIALLY being able to hide the alarm time.
But seriously there are probably dozens more options I use that I'm not thinking of right now.

DevanteWeary said:
It has so many features not found in stock ROM. Off the top of my head the things I miss are:
1. Hold down power for two seconds to toggle flashlight.
2. Rearrange and customize navigation bar (I prefer back button on right side).
3. Separate notification and ringer volume.
4. Night mode which not only tints the screen but also lowers the brightness (what good is tinting the screen in the dark if it's still full blast?)
5. Hide carrier and lock screen shortcuts for a clean screen. And ESPECIALLY being able to hide the alarm time.
But seriously there are probably dozens more options I use that I'm not thinking of right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a few of those sound pretty nice i think the pixel 2 xl has a night mode already lol. but i like the idea of being able to hide the lockscreen stuff alot i hated that they made that the standard. does it run a custom kernel?

razgriz1234 said:
a few of those sound pretty nice i think the pixel 2 xl has a night mode already lol. but i like the idea of being able to hide the lockscreen stuff alot i hated that they made that the standard. does it run a custom kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock ROM has "Night Light" which just puts a tint on the screen. Still keeps it full brightness though.
I believe it does actually use a custom kernal by default, but you can use whatever kernal you want.

DevanteWeary said:
Stock ROM has "Night Light" which just puts a tint on the screen. Still keeps it full brightness though.
I believe it does actually use a custom kernal by default, but you can use whatever kernal you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok when ever ive used it always seemed so much dimmer after it tinted it but that could have been me on battery saver too lol. ok cool thanks far all the info

Best news for today. That's the only ROM I've used on my 6p and og Pixel XL. Can't wait!

Stock is so good but somehow Beans' PureNexus makes it so much better. Can't wait for this.