Hi, most phones I've used have a menu button which you can long-press to pop open/closed the software keyboard, which is invaluable for searching/filtering menus and lists, or checking under the keyboard for text/UI that's hidden by it... this was an important compromise for a software keyboard since you can't access it any other way if you can't open it.
The S5 doesn't have a menu button, and long-pressing the other buttons doesn't open the keyboard. What gives? Is there any way to get this functionality back or reprogram the buttons? or am I just stuck without a keyboard when the device doesn't want to open one for me, and stuck with one when it does?
TK9K1 said:
Hi, most phones I've used have a menu button which you can long-press to pop open/closed the software keyboard
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Most phones don't have that feature, so you are just missing a feature that you like that happened to be on your previous phones.
The S5 will auto open the keyboard whenever you are in an app or editable line where text can be typed. I gind that that works just fine. You could remap a hardware key with an app like xposed. You can probably assign that function to the floating toolbox. Or use one of the myriad third party apps to pull up the keyboard from a swiping gesture. Or in many other ways.
The S5 menu can be pulled up in most screens by a long press on the recent key i.e. the softkey to the left of the home button.
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Where do you need a keyboard besides of when the system opens it for you if you have to write something down?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
fffft said:
Most phones don't have that feature, so you are just missing a feature that you like that happened to be on your previous phones.
The S5 will auto open the keyboard whenever you are in an app or editable line where text can be typed. I gind that that works just fine. You could remap a hardware key with an app like xposed. You can probably assign that function to the floating toolbox. Or use one of the myriad third party apps to pull up the keyboard from a swiping gesture. Or in many other ways.
The S5 menu can be pulled up in most screens by a long press on the recent key i.e. the softkey to the left of the home button.
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Hmm, a swiping gesture seems like it might be a halfway workable solution. I really don't like the toolbox or the swipe in/out menus though. They just get in the way of interacting with the UI in normal ways. Unfortunately there is no workable way for me to root this device for me to use xposed.
atilla88 said:
Where do you need a keyboard besides of when the system opens it for you if you have to write something down?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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lists, menus, app drawer, etc... anywhere you want to filter or jump to an entry by typing, like you would in a desktop OS.
TK9K1 said:
... anywhere you want to filter or jump to an entry by typing, like you would in a desktop OS.
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But this isn't a desktop OS. It is an OS running on a device that has a very constrained amount of physical space. If you don't like the design decisions and tradeoffs, then knock yourself out customizing your phone.
Nevertheless the design works very well for the vast majority of users. If you always want ready access to a keyboard, you should consider getting a physical, RF or bluetooth keyboard.
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fffft said:
But this isn't a desktop OS. It is an OS running on a device that has a very constrained amount of physical space. If you don't like the design decisions and tradeoffs, then knock yourself out customizing your phone.
Nevertheless the design works very well for the vast majority of users. If you always want ready access to a keyboard, you should consider getting a physical, RF or bluetooth keyboard.
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Believe me, I would sell my firstborn son to the robot devil for a modern android with a decent physical keyboard... It just happens that nobody makes one.
But that's besides the point. I'm talking about functionality of the soft keyboard, and UX in general. It would be much better if I could open the keyboard when I want to, and that's what I want to do.
Why do it that way when you can just use Multi window and add a shortcut to every app using Multi window manager and all you do is long press the back key and you've got all your shortcuts.
Related
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
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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?
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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
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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
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I can't wait. I was spoiled by the super developers for Tbolt.
Ok, this is going to probably sound really dumb, but it's driving me nuts.
I've used Android for a few years now, and I've never sorted out if there's a way to scroll left and right in a text area.
No matter what keyboard I've used, I just end up deleting the whole dang thing, and typing from scratch, if it's text in a small window.
For example, if I typed a long url, and I realized after hitting enter that I must have made a typo. I'd like to go left to right in that bar and look for it easily.
I guess this has plagued me on every Apple and Android device I've owned. On RIM it was easy enough, and on older Symbian it was fine.
What the heck am I missing here?
Thanks!
Tap anywhere on the entered text - wait - there will be a blue arrow cursor below the text. Drag it whenever you want to start typing from.
/thread
Fatal1ty_18_RUS said:
Type anywhere on the entered text - wait - there will be a blue arrow cursor below the text. Drag it whenever you want to start typing from.
/thread
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Nifty. That works in the URL bar, but what about other input areas?
I can't seem to make that work in say the google search input window.
bladebarrier said:
Nifty. That works in the URL bar, but what about other input areas?
I can't seem to make that work in say the google search input window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works for me.
Fatal1ty_18_RUS said:
Works for me.
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Click to collapse
Ah, it's a Firefox issue then. I tried chrome and it works in that (though I never really use chrome).
Ok thanks.
I was hoping there would be a convenient left and right key option on the keyboard itself, so that it wouldn't matter what app I'm using, but I guess it's tied to the app itself. That kind of stinks. It's rather awkward in design.
Do you know of an alternative keyboard that supports that type of functionality? I like the "Swpe-like" setup in the stock keyboard, but I'd much rather have an easier correction method built in.
You can enable the function to move the cursor using the volume rocker. It's in Settings - Language and Input - and that option will be down below the input methods
I miss the big keyboard with arrows from HTC Flyer though - it's pretty awesome to use in portrait mode, though not as useful in landscape since it takes much more space than N7's does
And no, I don't know about other keyboard since I don't use them, I prefer stock
Fatal1ty_18_RUS said:
You can enable the function to move the cursor using the volume rocker. It's in Settings - Language and Input - and that option will be down below the input methods
I miss the big keyboard with arrows from HTC Flyer though - it's pretty awesome to use in portrait mode, though not as useful in landscape since it takes much more space than N7's does
And no, I don't know about other keyboard since I don't use them, I prefer stock
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Excellent. That will work just fine.
Thanks a bunch for your help!
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
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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 ?
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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
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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.
I I have looked all over for an app to do this but have found nothing. I am ready to start writing my own, but want to make sure it doesn't exist already? Seems hard to believe no one has done this yet!?
say i need to copy/paste listing descriptions from evernote into ebay... I want a QUICK trigger, maybe double tapping home or something that shows a simple app list in a transparent overlay.
Pick the ebay app and it loads. After pasting the title there, double tap home again and instantly, it flips back to Evernote where I can repeat this process with the description and other fields. Maybe the volume key could flip between the two apps, or better yet, a swipe.
Seeing how I use that technique a million times a day, it would save countless hours over all the other task manager types that always load a display of all (or none) of the recent apps when triggered. I don't know about everybody else, but there's a 90% chance that if I want to quickly flip to another app, it's because I intend to quickly flip right back in a few seconds.
This is such a vital function for me on computers that I dedicate a whole button on my mouse to pressing Alt+Tab so I can flip back and forth very fast. I have become very spoiled by that technique and can't stand doing work on Android just because of its annoyingly slow and painful "task manager" if you can even call it that. TIA!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
toothpick5 said:
I I have looked all over for an app to do this but have found nothing. I am ready to start writing my own, but want to make sure it doesn't exist already? Seems hard to believe no one has done this yet!?
say i need to copy/paste listing descriptions from evernote into ebay... I want a QUICK trigger, like double tap home (or whatever) that shows a simple app list in a transparent overlay.
Pick the ebay app and it loads. After pasting the title there, double tap home again and instantly, it flips back to Evernote where I can repeat this process with the description and other fields. Maybe the volume key could flip between the two apps, or better yet, a swipe.
Seeing how I use that technique a million times a day, it would save countless hours over all the other task manager types that always load a display of all (or none) of the recent apps when triggered. I don't know about everybody else, but there's a 90% chance that if I want to quickly flip to another app, it's because I intend to quickly flip right back in a few seconds.
This is such a vital function for me on computers that I dedicate a whole button on my mouse to pressing Alt+Tab so I can flip back and forth very fast. I have become very spoiled by that technique and can't stand doing work on Android just because of its annoyingly slow and painful "task manager" if you can even call it that. TIA!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I am sorry, but you cannot override the home button.
You could try one of the various side bar apps though.
It could be a swipe gesture or anything that requires only ONE step. I don't want to bring up an app selection list on every switch, but just the first time. Maybe a notification bar button could bring up the selector, then a side swipe gesture could flip back and forth between the two apps? It should be simple to write this. I just cant believe that it hasn't already been done? Surely someone knows of an existing app?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
toothpick5 said:
It could be a swipe gesture or anything that requires only ONE step. I don't want to bring up an app selection list on every switch, but just the first time. Maybe a notification bar button could bring up the selector, then a side swipe gesture could flip back and forth between the two apps? It should be simple to write this. I just cant believe that it hasn't already been done? Surely someone knows of an existing app?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
The problem is that the part of the screen which will be "swipeable" will not react to touch events anymore.
nikwen said:
The problem is that the part of the screen which will be "swipeable" will not react to touch events anymore.
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Yeah. But it could be a small invisible hotzone like many of the task managers do. Swiping is just for the cool factor really. Using the volume button should work just fine for my needs. Would that work? The volume button can still listen to an app thats not in focus because music players do it right? But i guess that would be a problem if one of the switched apps overrides the volume control...? Any suggestions? If nobody has pointed out an existing app with this capability I will start on it tonight. I'm still a newb to Android but, I am majoring in programming so I gotta jump in on something!
toothpick5 said:
Yeah. But it could be a small invisible hotzone like many of the task managers do. Swiping is just for the cool factor really. Using the volume button should work just fine for my needs. Would that work? The volume button can still listen to an app thats not in focus because music players do it right? But i guess that would be a problem if one of the switched apps overrides the volume control...? Any suggestions? If nobody has pointed out an existing app with this capability I will start on it tonight. I'm still a newb to Android but, I am majoring in programming so I gotta jump in on something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if I understand correctly you just want to have multitasking without having to hit the multitask button and then choose the app; you just want to be able to choose the app. I would say something like floating folders would work for you.
Hi!
I'd like to know if anybody actually uses Samsung's features in order to help using the phone with one hand?
I myself make only use of the (not convincingly thought through) gesture which allows me to shrink the screen.
The assistant menu:
quite customisable, but much too big and slow for my taste.
Side key panel:
the other way round, quite comfortable to use, but nearly no customisation at all.
All in all I'd say lots of options, but not really thought through. What do you think?
Like you, I find the side key panel quite useful- eliminates the thumb stretching for the "back" button.
One handed input is also turned on & is mildly helpful for the dialer. Seemed to help a bit with continuous input on the keyboard as well, but ended up switching back to the stock Google keyboard I've grown so accustomed to.
Long pressing the recents key to bring up menus is also nice, though not specific to the Note 4.
Sometimes I use the shrink screen function that's when I'm to lazy to move my other hand haha
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Free mobile app
It's not just laziness. Sometimes you really need to do other things with your other hand (old school multi-tasking).
Holmegaard said:
Like you, I find the side key panel quite useful- eliminates the thumb stretching for the "back" button.
One handed input is also turned on & is mildly helpful for the dialer. Seemed to help a bit with continuous input on the keyboard as well, but ended up switching back to the stock Google keyboard I've grown so accustomed to.
Long pressing the recents key to bring up menus is also nice, though not specific to the Note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything you said. Still: I'm not too convinced from what the side key panel offers. If you could customise the side key panel the same way as the assistant menu, I'd totally go for it.
macmobile said:
I agree with everything you said. Still: I'm not too convinced from what the side key panel offers. If you could customise the side key panel the same way as the assistant menu, I'd totally go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seem to remember that there should be an app that mimics the one you can find in Ios. Anyway, there are several very good apps I use for 'one handed mode':
- button savior non root (you can find in in the google play store) which gives you back, home, recent, screen lock and lets you start both the dialer and the camera;
- lmt launcher (see at xda) which works very well if you are rooted and lacks some little features if you are not. You just have to remove tue superuser permission from the manifest file (which you can do with apk permission remover) and turn on accessibility and it'll work almost as a charm. I mean, it does not only allow you to mimic the hardware keys, it can start any app and any activity which does not require root. If you are rooted, it can do virtually anything;
- as a good replacement of lmt launcher, you can test pie control by Coolace (always in the google play store).
I mostly keep the note 4 in my left hand (though I am right handed) just because my 2 years experience with the note 2 has got me accustomed to writing with my right hand, while keeping the smartphone with the left one... so that I currently feel uncomfortable while holding the note with my dominant hand So, I feel the need to have virtual keys on the right side, since reaching the back button on the right side is not so easy (though my hands are normally sized) and the above mentioned apps are the most useful I have found.
Funny, you actually named some very important apps I already use on my phone except for the lmt launcher. Could be that I thought there isn't anything to gain from if you're not rooted. Going to give it a try though. Thank you! Still I don't get it, why Samsung's Touchwiz doesn't offer better solutions? They could do it so easily.
No doubt macmobile, some customization options would be nice. The big phone trend isn't going away, so I'm hoping that more options for easing one-handed use are in the pipeline. Samsung would do well to lead the way, given their investment in the "phablet" space.
macmobile said:
Funny, you actually named some very important apps I already use on my phone except for the lmt launcher. Could be that I thought there isn't anything to gain from if you're not rooted. Going to give it a try though. Thank you! Still I don't get it, why Samsung's Touchwiz doesn't offer better solutions? They could do it so easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted every single phone or tablet before buying a Note 4 and now, though I miss the fun of flashing rom and mods, I think this phone has too many sensors which wouldn't be supported by an AOSP rom, while custom touchwiz roms aren't worth for me to give up to knox. Not much for the warranty loss, but more for the loss of the knox enviroment itself. So, since I don't want to root, I have got to look for work-arounds and I think there are many good apps.
Back on topic, imho Samsung has so far designed the best implementation for one hand usage, though it could be better. If you look at the nexus 6, it's just a big phone and the Iphone itself is just a (good) 5.5" phone which doesn't pay particular attention to single hand usage.
I agree with you both that phablets are very likely here to stay and that the current UI for single hand usage is at very early stage.
I just received the Note 4 with lollipop pre installed.
The one-handed operation (that I was using woth my note 3) has disappeared from settings!!!!!
WHY????
how to get it back?
Settings/Display and Wallpaper/One-handed operation
Samsung screwed one thing about One handed operation: there is no separate setting for dialing keyboard and QWERTY keyboard, just like it was on my previous Note II.
I wish I could set smaller dialpad, but retain full QWERTY, which is not the option any more.
When set one handed operation ON, samsung keyboard is just too small to me.