I've just read/watched the Engadget review.
I'm sold on the device. My concern is around the hardware keys. I much prefer hardware keys to software keys because the SW keys eat up so much of the on-screen real estate, and they also push the keyboard higher and make it harder to reach.
That being said, it seems by dropping the menu key, HTC has taken a step backwards after they mapped the legacy menu key to the HW menu key in recent versions of the One X / X+ build in Sense 4+. From what I've read, the legacy menu is back.
This is *bad* and has me thinking about another direction (although there doesn't seem to be a great device like the One - don't think the S4 will be anything interesting unless they've been setting up a smokescreen!).
I run an alternative launcher because I dislike Sense (other than the Camera!), but it won't solve the missing HW key / legacy menu.
Thoughts?
The two button layout doesn't bother me too much. I removed the soft keys on my Nexus 4 and use PIE so if I can function without any buttons, I'm sure I'll live with two. As for the legacy menu thing, that's an odd on HTC's part. Granted, apps should be updated to have proper menu button support, but it's something I can live with.
The removal of long press back remapping was/is probably a bug, I'm sure it will be back
idk about everyone else but i will root and flash my device just like every other phone ive had. with that we will be able to do almost what we want personalization wise. how long will we have to wait is the question.
eg1122 said:
The removal of long press back remapping was/is probably a bug, I'm sure it will be back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I heard about this early on but it's not being mentioned in reviews. If nothing else HTC will cave to peer pressure like in the HOX. Long press on back is a passable solution - particularly if we can also get the in-app menu button too.
Otherwise the other idea being thrown about (by non technical people) is if the kernel can be modded to recognise the HTC logo as a button - given that the touch panel should extend over that as well. No idea how possible this is and I presume it couldn't be done until kernel source is out.
M.
Only two buttons doesn't bother me either, i only have one on my iphone!
I'm actually cool with just 2 button too. I rarely use my menu button on my mt4g. I do everything with just the home button and back button. Also rather have capacitive buttons instead of hard buttons.
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using xda premium
I use the multitasking and menu options quite a bit, thus my concern
I also use the menu button quite a bit.
I am sure once we get used to it, it will be like anything else and heck, we might even like it more. Who knows till we get to play withem...
Sent from a galaxy far away!
Is it possible to activate soft buttons by editing build.prop on HTC Sense roms ?
CreepyDroid said:
Is it possible to activate soft buttons by editing build.prop on HTC Sense roms ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess. It's possible on TouchWiz, so I guess you can add a line in the build.prop in Sense too.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
My main goal would be to deactivate the hardware buttons and go completely nexus wise.
| Back - Home - Recent (small menu button when needed) |
Are stock on screen buttons smart enough to activate the additional menu button when needed?
Also... can long press software home button activate google now?
mickliq said:
I use the multitasking and menu options quite a bit, thus my concern
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do I but a long press of the button to bring up the multi tasking menu is hardly a dealbreaker for me. Could prove to be annoying though. Time will tell I guess!
Sent from my XT925 using xda premium
^ I don't mind long-press for multi-tasking (it's what I am using today); the issue is that you can't have home, multi-tasking, Google Now and Legacy menu all on one key! I've been seeing some comments about long-press back used but the legacy menu really needs to be a single-press.
Dun recall where i read it, but the home key on double tap brings up multi tasker and on long press can b configured for google now or menu key. Thats acceptable to me.
I do prefer the 3 keys on my hox, but i realize that htc had to make a compromise to accomodate the logo. The logo could not have been placed elsewhere on the front without adding to the height of the phone.
In the end, its not a big issie and we will get used to it. Moving from 4 keys on dhd to 3 on the hox wasnt pleasing to me in the beginning, but adapted soon.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
i think its great, i never used the other two buttons anyway.
Related
I was using a HTC tornado, after long used hardware keys start giving problems. I thought a fully touch phone with no depending on hardkey is my future solution and Android is more or like iPhone or more better. So, I choose this Tattoo small and beauty Android phone.
But why it is so much depending on this 'back' and 'menu' hardkeys for its operation???? Why the android developing team did not include some other alternative?? like some gestures or small icons??
I hope they consider this case in future releases.
thacen said:
I was using a HTC tornado, after long used hardware keys start giving problems. I thought a fully touch phone with no depending on hardkey is my future solution and Android is more or like iPhone or more better. So, I choose this Tattoo small and beauty Android phone.
But why it is so much depending on this 'back' and 'menu' hardkeys for its operation???? Why the android developing team did not include some other alternative?? like some gestures or small icons??
I hope they consider this case in future releases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because, how would you press a home icon when the appilication has frozen, and also, why not have buttons to accept/reject calls instead of pressing buttons on the screen (like the iPhone)?
I'm sure you can figure it out...
Ill have to agree with thacen on this one. I hade an artemis which in the long run had hard buttons problems. Only thing that made it still useable was that winmo doesnt depend on hard buttons. I think the android people should think about that. Im not saying the buttons should be eliminated, as coburn said they are useful. But we should have an alternative with not using the hard buttons, even if this means soft reset the device when an app freeze if the home hard button does not work anymore.
Actually, I think Android has a feature like the iPhone built-in. If someone is calling you and you get "Incoming Call", try tapping the grey box that has the android in it. It may work.
Euh I have onscreen answer/reject buttons dont you? ... we were mostly refering to closing apps etc. There is basically no onscreen close buttons.
The right-click function mentioned in the topic would be an amazing feature to have in any android build. Being able to hold down on the screen for a second to bring up the menu is invaluable. Not to mention the amount of stress it would save on the Windows button..
Now this is only a request for the development of an idea I had for the current android builds. I do not expect anything to be done about it, only taken into consideration. If the work involved is too heavy and difficult to manage, then it doesn't have to be done. There are already MIUI builds that somewhat incorporate this idea.
whats wrong with pressing the windows button?
Some people have it in theur minds that pressing the keys too much will break them. Don't see why, if that happens you can't just buy a new set of keys from eBay to replace them...
Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk
Personally, I'd like to see someone develop a way of using the hardware keys to control the touchscreen. I'm really worried that, because of Android, I'm using my touchscreen more than it was designed for and I'm going to break it.
lol, yeah these people who break the hardware keys are obviously pressing them to hard or something. My HD2 is second hand, ive used it very often with the keys and they still work fine.
The keys are there to be pressed, its as simple as that.
have you seen software key panel app;http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525
it brings in the screen 4 software button that emulate the hardware button
no need to press anymore the hardware button
if you search in the thread you will find some very good skins for this great app
Stom said:
Personally, I'd like to see someone develop a way of using the hardware keys to control the touchscreen. I'm really worried that, because of Android, I'm using my touchscreen more than it was designed for and I'm going to break it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is easier to break hardware buttons by too many times pressing them instead of break touchscreen from pressing
many people like me have broke their buttons because of the need that android have of them
clio94 said:
have you seen software key panel app;http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525
it brings in the screen 4 software button that emulate the hardware button
no need to press anymore the hardware button
if you search in the thread you will find some very good skins for this great app
it is easier to break hardware buttons by too many times pressing them instead of break touchscreen from pressing
many people like me have broke their buttons because of the need that android have of them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was dripping sarcasm from his part.
maff1989 said:
The right-click function mentioned in the topic would be an amazing feature to have in any android build. Being able to hold down on the screen for a second to bring up the menu is invaluable. Not to mention the amount of stress it would save on the Windows button..
Now this is only a request for the development of an idea I had for the current android builds. I do not expect anything to be done about it, only taken into consideration. If the work involved is too heavy and difficult to manage, then it doesn't have to be done. There are already MIUI builds that somewhat incorporate this idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android already uses long-click in a lot of situations, I'm not sure how your idea would be able to co-exist with that.
StephanV said:
Android already uses long-click in a lot of situations, I'm not sure how your idea would be able to co-exist with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true. Although, my idea was to ADD a long-click/right-click function to, say, the Browser app. Instead of long-clicking a link, picture, etc, you could long-click the page and bring up the options menu for the Browser app, not necessarily just links, pictures, etc.
maff1989 said:
my idea was to ADD a long-click/right-click function to, say, the Browser app. Instead of long-clicking a link, picture, etc, you could long-click the page and bring up the options menu for the Browser app, not necessarily just links, pictures, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That could not be done on a system-wide basis. Every single app would have to specifiy what part of each screen brings up the "right-click menu" and what should be on that menu.
If they were going to do that, they'd have done it already. And that is what the menu button is for.
Devoting a soft key exclusively to recent apps seems ridiculous to me. Is it a Motoblur thing or stock ICS?
Is there an app that will allow an unrooted user to program a shortcut to the key that is of some use? Maybe on long press?
I installed Google Launcher and noticed that accidentally hitting that key shows recent apps but then takes you out of Go Launcher and back to Motoblur. Any way to avoid that?
That's pure ICS, not Moto. Actually was there in honeycomb too. I never understood removing the search key and menu key to put in the far less used recent apps. If there is a mod out there to convert it's function to a menu button I'd be on it too.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Any shortcut would be preferable. I thought it would be a nice button to open phone dialer or dolphin browser.
I'm really surprised you guys don't find it useful. There's plenty of times where I'd rather have that button than hit the home button and go back to the home screen or hold the home button for a second or more to get that popup on my Nexus S.
I find that I'm swapping back between texting, web browsing, the music player / pandora and facebook quite often
snowmanwithahat said:
I'm really surprised you guys don't find it useful. There's plenty of times where I'd rather have that button than hit the home button and go back to the home screen or hold the home button for a second or more to get that popup on my Nexus S.
I find that I'm swapping back between texting, web browsing, the music player / pandora and facebook quite often
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I agree as well. Not to mention, the menu and search are legacy buttons. People need to let them die and embrace the design direction Android is moving forward in...but I guess old habits die hard (and painfully). Why so much resistance towards the death of the menu button?
UserDemos said:
Thank you, I agree as well. Not to mention, the menu and search are legacy buttons. People need to let them die and embrace the design direction Android is moving forward in...but I guess old habits die hard (and painfully). Why so much resistance towards the death of the menu button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I can definitely do without the menu button since every new app has been building it into the application. It's a button that I'd hardly hit while interacting with most applications.
I do miss the contextual search though. I got used to tapping the search button in Contacts or Chrome and searching within that context. Only searching globally when I was at the home screen. Well now with the changes (at least to the Nexus S) the search button brings up Google Now and there's no in-app search unless they specifically build in a button. Most have done that now, so it's not really a problem, just a habit that I got into.
I understand it's benefits but those apps I use quite often you speak of are already shortcuts on my home page. Using the recent apps button adds another key press to open it. I've only used it when I can't remember the name of an app I recently installed.
For me personally, useable? Yes. Useful? Not really. Especially when it gets bogged down with tons of recent apps and my finger already knows where the shortcuts are.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Hey look I'm the OP and said nothing about making it a menu button. What I want is a programmable button to do what I want and you could have one to do what YOU want. Now you tell me NOOOO.., I should embrace the direction of Android. That sounds suspiciously like Apple philosophy.
I never have had any use for a recent apps button and still don't. I don't care what apps I have used recently. Since there is a key there I would like it to be useful. Personally, I would like short press to be Opera and long press to be Dolphin. Now shall I look forward to be scolded for not embracing Chrome? I thought the whole point of Android was personal choice. Android users don't have to be sheeple imo.
Zodwraith said:
I understand it's benefits but those apps I use quite often you speak of are already shortcuts on my home page. Using the recent apps button adds another key press to open it. I've only used it when I can't remember the name of an app I recently installed.
For me personally, useable? Yes. Useful? Not really. Especially when it gets bogged down with tons of recent apps and my finger already knows where the shortcuts are.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got to admit though that closing applications by swiping them "off" at that quick switch menu is kind of nice. I like that a little bit better for closing off high RAM applications quickly compared to the CM method of holding "back". Then again, I'll admit it's a very rare thing where I want to kill more than one application at once haha
Sorry, no I don't admit it. (not for me anyway) Never have done it. Never will. I prefer not to force close apps. I let Android handle it.
Dolphin and Opera are in a folder on my desktop so it takes two keypresses to access them while that utterly useless recent apps key sits there doing nothing. In fact it does harm if I am using another launcher and hit it by accident.
There was an app I used to use that allowed you to program the search key (which I also never used) and double tap of home key (which normally produced something else I never used). I think it is called Home to Shortcut. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated to use the recent apps key.
I also think Moto should have made the navigation bar transparent so we could see the entire screen like Nexus. I hope somebody figures out a way to do that too.
Give it time for custom roms and you will be able to do loads of stuff with that bar, including changing the icons and uses. Aokp is great for that.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
I don't think swiping from the recent apps menu is an FC function. Just a history. To check it I FC'd a bunch of stuff from the proper menu and opened the recent apps. Sure enough everything is still there. Clicked on one of the apps and sure enough it had to start up.
I generally don't use app killers but there are always rogue apps that will give you problems. Netflix is a bad one for me where I'll watch an episode and when it's over Netflix develops Alzheimer's whether there are more episodes. Does the same on the Roku and tablet so I'm sure it's a Netflix thing. The only way to slap sense into their servers is an FC and restart.
Sent from my Droid RAZR HD MAXX using the XDA Developer App
robstunner said:
Give it time for custom roms and you will be able to do loads of stuff with that bar, including changing the icons and uses. Aokp is great for that.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait. I was spoiled by the super developers for Tbolt.
Hi,
I was going to post this in one of the kernel threads but thought maybe it'd be interesting to more people. We've seen a few mods changing the navigation key behaviour (s2l l2h and what not). I previously suggested implementing the nexus layout into the htc using the logo as I'm a fan of having a recent apps key and I think others will like it too. However I think a better solution would be to re program the home key (or maybe the back key since home key uses google now) so that when you swipe up it opens the recent apps. I know it'd only save half a second but would make this more fluid than having to double tap. I'm not a developer but I'm just giving my idea. I thought it might be easy to do as well since it's already done with the home key swiping up to google now, so the same code can just be copied to the back key?
(
So, what do you guys think? If its easily doable I think this will be popular and could be a standard feature in most roms (or kernels?) , like the 3-dot menu removal and such.
(Also, was having a hard time answering the 'is this a question', its more of a suggestion but I could be wrong so sorry
I use the logo for recent apps on my GPe One.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
How? Link? That's an ok idea though I don't like how it's not really the logo we touch it's the bottom of the screen, I always hit too high or too low.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
You can configure the buttons in ViperOne. I have long press home set to open recent apps. I also use LMT launcher as a menu button, and it also has a button to jump to my last used app. Its awesome for multitasking.
FangorX said:
You can configure the buttons in ViperOne. I have long press home set to open recent apps. I also use LMT launcher as a menu button, and it also has a button to jump to my last used app. Its awesome for multitasking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats cool I didn't know that. Although ViperOne is too unstock for my liking lol
3alaawi said:
How? Link? That's an ok idea though I don't like how it's not really the logo we touch it's the bottom of the screen, I always hit too high or too low.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's definitely not a perfect solution, and I'm still REALLY MAD at HTC for ruining what would have been the perfect android device, but it's better than nothing.
I flash a kernel tha offers logo2menu and go into system\usr\keylayout and change the bindings and reboot. Obviously requires root.
eallan said:
It's definitely not a perfect solution, and I'm still REALLY MAD at HTC for ruining what would have been the perfect android device, but it's better than nothing.
I flash a kernel tha offers logo2menu and go into system\usr\keylayout and change the bindings and reboot. Obviously requires root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May i know which file under /system/usr/keylayout did u edit? Is it synaptics-rmi-touchscreen.kl?
This is the content for the file
Code:
key 102 HOME
key 158 BACK
key 139 MENU VIRTUAL
I would like to change the HTC logo to multitasking, but im not sure what to change key 139 to.
Any insight on this would be helpful.
Update: figured it out!
for anyone interested in doing this, here's how you do it.
Just modify key 139 to this
Code:
key 139 APP_SWITCH WAKE_DROPPED
Hi
Is it possible to change the home swipe up config or the long press home? I have rooted and custom kernel but any way to do so by file editing?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
I don't like the hardkey. It feels different to press than a softkey. It takes longer to press and takes me out of my rythm. Therefore I tend not to use it as much (have built some alternate shortcut gestures into my launcher and my Notification Toggle setup).
Also from what I have seen softkeys last longer than hardkeys... the softkeys have no mechanical parts to wear out.
The whole thing bugs me, but I think I'd feel better if I understood WHY this design decision was made...
So can anyone explain the ADVANTAGES of having a hardkey home button?
electricpete1 said:
I don't like the hardkey. It feels different to press than a softkey. It takes longer to press and takes me out of my rythm. Therefore I tend not to use it as much (have built some alternate shortcut gestures into my launcher and my Notification Toggle setup).
Also from what I have seen softkeys last longer than hardkeys... the softkeys have no mechanical parts to wear out.
The whole thing bugs me, but I think I'd feel better if I understood WHY this design decision was made...
So can anyone explain the ADVANTAGES of having a hardkey home button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer a hard key for the exact opposite of what you said.
BTW, why do you own a S4 ???
The day I cant buy an Android phone with a real home button will be the day Ill switch to something else.
Switching from the straight talk galaxy S2 to the S4 took me a bit to get use to as the S2 didn't have a hard key.... but I like the hard key better.... I think its more of a personal preference than anything
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I miss the HTC Amaze.. Power, camera, and volume were the only buttons on the phone.
I miss the smooth glass home button at the bottom of the screen between the menu and back buttons
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Softkey takes screen real estate, but, will relocate landscape to portrait. When a major crash occurs softkey will not work. Softkey is more suscptable to accidental presses.
Hardkey has a completely different tactile feel.
This is one of many reasons why I prefer Samsung to Nexus. Each to their own.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium HD app
I love being able to wake the screen with the menu button. This is much easier when using a case.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
First of all, welcome to the late party.
Second, I hated the hard key also.
Now though, I love the fact that I can "feel" the key without looking for it.
Guess I'd rather have a capacitive key still, but it would need to be a raised button that I can "feel".
Didn't we do this thread like nine months ago?
About fourteen times, back to back threads?
I like the hard key as well. I can turn on the phone using it
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
bennyboy78 said:
I like the hard key as well. I can turn on the phone using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's amazing how there is no one feature that can please everyone.
I actually have that option disabled on my phone.
Drives me nuts because everytime I pick up my phone, I'd accidentally press that button and the phone would turn on. Or when I wipe down my screen, I'd hit that button and with the next wipe, I'd unlock my phone and inadvertently open an app or something. hahah
CZ Eddie said:
Didn't we do this thread like nine months ago?
About fourteen times, back to back threads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that's about 90% of the threads in this particular forum now.
My bad. I'm new to S4. I didn't search but got the whim to express some frustration in what I thought would be a light-hearted conversational thread. Not the best decision in retrospect. Next time I'll do that on the Off-topic Cafe thread when I get that urge.
I think a big plus of using both a hard key and the touch sensitive keys (I really dislike the soft keys taking screen real estate, if they disappeared for full screen applications, I'd be more supportive – but I digress) is just being able to feel where the touch sensitive keys are without having to look at the phone. Long live the hard key