Database Users

Prevent "stacking" of alerts and notifications - how?

I'd like to prevent my notifications and program "badges" (can't think of the proper word!) From stacking up in my notification bar at the top of the screen.
It happens when i have a lot of icons there already, ie wifi, alarm etc. Despite there being plenty of room in the middle of the bar, my notifications all stack into one icon on the extreme left hand side with the number of different programs/notifications shown as a number.
Is there a way to prevent this behaviour and force android to use all the available space on the notification bar?
I'm running Ion r2 on my Dream, although my phone has always done this, with the stock rom and JF 1.5 as well.
Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

Sure, keep the number of notifications low and they won't stack. They stack when you run out of space on the bar. I know you think that there's lots of space, but if you unstack them, rest assured that there are definitely too many to fit in the space available.

setspeed said:
I'd like to prevent my notifications and program "badges" (can't think of the proper word!) From stacking up in my notification bar at the top of the screen.
It happens when i have a lot of icons there already, ie wifi, alarm etc. Despite there being plenty of room in the middle of the bar, my notifications all stack into one icon on the extreme left hand side with the number of different programs/notifications shown as a number.
Is there a way to prevent this behaviour and force android to use all the available space on the notification bar?
I'm running Ion r2 on my Dream, although my phone has always done this, with the stock rom and JF 1.5 as well.
Thanks for any help anyone can offer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunatly there is no forseen solution to this problem. I experience it as well. I think the best we can hope for are new phones with higher resolutions.

lbcoder said:
Sure, keep the number of notifications low and they won't stack. They stack when you run out of space on the bar. I know you think that there's lots of space, but if you unstack them, rest assured that there are definitely too many to fit in the space available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't right. There is definitely space for 4 more icons, yet it stacks with just 2.

setspeed said:
This isn't right. There is definitely space for 4 more icons, yet it stacks with just 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Ionr2 and I have 4 icons (email, Toggle Settings, Twidroid, USB) on the left side before the stacking starts. I'm not sure if it's gone up to 5 or not.

cigar3tte said:
I'm on Ionr2 and I have 4 icons (email, Toggle Settings, Twidroid, USB) on the left side before the stacking starts. I'm not sure if it's gone up to 5 or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the phone is in portrait mode it stacks when there are more than 2 items on the left hand side - even though there is space for more items. When in landscape, it shows all the notifications/app icons individually.
Very annoying, since the home screen will only display in portrait mode and wont auto rotate when the phone is turned.
Im convinced there must be something i can do to fix this issue!

setspeed said:
When the phone is in portrait mode it stacks when there are more than 2 items on the left hand side - even though there is space for more items. When in landscape, it shows all the notifications/app icons individually.
Very annoying, since the home screen will only display in portrait mode and wont auto rotate when the phone is turned.
Im convinced there must be something i can do to fix this issue!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking about portrait mode. I'm pretty sure there's a fix since I do not have this problem. However, my home screen does rotate though, since I have dxTop.

Do you happen to have Quick Calendar installed? Even though Quick Calendar did not display a little icon on the top for each item in the list and only say in my "ongoing" area on the bar, when I removed it the stacking you talk about went away! It was driving me crazy too, but it seems like either Quick Calendar or the OS sees each entry, even though it doesn't have an icon and counts them.
Not sure if it will help you, but my phone has been working properly after I disabled Quick Calendar. It's a shame, I like the app. :-/

YPhoto said:
Do you happen to have Quick Calendar installed? Even though Quick Calendar did not display a little icon on the top for each item in the list and only say in my "ongoing" area on the bar, when I removed it the stacking you talk about went away! It was driving me crazy too, but it seems like either Quick Calendar or the OS sees each entry, even though it doesn't have an icon and counts them.
Not sure if it will help you, but my phone has been working properly after I disabled Quick Calendar. It's a shame, I like the app. :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Genius! Removing Quick Calendar solved the problem - thanks!

I've put a link to this thread at the devs website - perhaps when he has solved the issue he could let us know, so we can go back to using his otherwise useful app.

Never had this type of problem, only thing is that my colors blend together because of the custom theme I am using >.<

Ok, I confirmed with the developer this morning, it is QuickCal, though I guess any other app that hides icons would also have this problem as it is a restriction in the os. Jim (the developer) works for google and plans to petition his employer to make some changes to the way the notify bar works. The os allows the developer to 'hide' notification icons, but they still take up an invisible space.
We should see an update in the next couple of days to make a nicer widget with more info and smaller font size, so this may satisfy me if the widget is decent.

YPhoto said:
Ok, I confirmed with the developer this morning, it is QuickCal, though I guess any other app that hides icons would also have this problem as it is a restriction in the os. Jim (the developer) works for google and plans to petition his employer to make some changes to the way the notify bar works. The os allows the developer to 'hide' notification icons, but they still take up an invisible space.
We should see an update in the next couple of days to make a nicer widget with more info and smaller font size, so this may satisfy me if the widget is decent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome - I already miss QuickCal and I only uninstalled it yesterday!

Lock screen notifications

Hi all
So I'm new to Android and am wondering where the lock screen notifications are located and how are they enabled?

ipguy said:
Hi all
So I'm new to Android and am wondering where the lock screen notifications are located and how are they enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lock screen notifications? they come up in a red circle on the lock screen to show you missed calls/messages

I'm running cm9

No lock screen notis. Get hand cent from the market. It'll turn the screen on with a pop up of the new text.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

having moved from the walled in garden called the iphone, i expected that this functionally would be available by default on android (ICS).
can't believe it's not !

and dont forget you are running a version that is aleaked and not official, official releases might have it included it might not

Also, most Android phones have notification lights that flash different colours for different types of notification.
Samsung decided not to implement this... But there's a great app on Google Play, called NoLed, that can display notifications on the screen. Doesn't use much battery if you set it up right either - rarely even registers on the batt stats!

If you are from the iPhone then something else to warn you about is that any text messages > 3 messages long will be converted to MMS.
Handcent is a good alternative texting app that allows you to control whether or not this happens (there's no option in Android's default messaging app.)
Caught me out and cost me for the MMS messages too since they aren't included in my contract.

CM9 Roms are still in development
I'd recommend you go here http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/ and make a new post asking for this to be included in a future release.
CyanogenMod is strong because it users suggestions are taken on-board if they get enough support from the rest of the community. make the post, put it here and I'll post in support.
and DONATE. even if its £1/$1.6 they will only get better if you give your support.

NoLed is a brilliant tool for screen notifications, with possibility to monitor not only standard things like SMS and mail, you can also monitor apps, like Wordfeud or anything else

+1 for no led
Sent by Galaxy Note

Higgsy said:
+1 for no led
Sent by Galaxy Note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried noled, I'm going to refrain from commenting on the grounds that it might incriminate me

WP 8 Notification Centre Ideas

I know this is a hot topic and there may be other threads on this, but hear me out for a second...
This is a cleaner version of a thought I had posted in a WP7 I started a while back (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1925656), influenced by news that MSFT is planning to add a notification centre to the joy of many - i rather they added more functionality to the lockscreen but to each his own. After more thoughts, I figured it was more appropriate to give this its own thread an post it here.
Here's what I'd do as an option for a notification centre while maintaining the OS look and not going the Android/iOS route:
1. Use the solid bar when a more than one type of notification comes in to maintain the minimalistic UI look. Use the following statement to be shown in the bar: "you have x notifications".
- Color code this bar to a shade of color that couls be specific to the app. If Twitter is purple, you would see a purple bar if there is one tweet waiting, but once there is more than one unread tweet or other another unread notification comes in, the color of the bar can either:
a) Shifts to the standard accent color for the whole UI chosen by the user.
b) Retain the color associated with the original app
2. Allow swipes to remove that notification bar. This means:
a) The only ways to access the notifications are:
- swipe left once from the home screen
- swipe twice if starting from the applications list
- double tap the special notification icon on the lockscreen (more on double tapping below)
b) the bar would be permanently removed from the top of the lockscreen. This avoids making the lockscreen look too “cluttered” or “busy”.
3. Use a special icon for the notification bar. This will be visible both in the notification bar itself AND on the lock screen. This means MSFT keeps the up to 5 icons limit and the double tapping on the 6th icon (the notification) allows transitions that open the notifications hub.
4. Double tap on ANY notification icon to open the the associated app itself from the lockscreen. If you've got dual cores, let them work via pretty transitions! Also, double tap reduces accidental press from single tap.
5. Have the following options in settings called Notifications:
- Allow the user to decide how long they want that solid notification bar to be visible on the home screen and app list screen in the same way you have the screen blackouts after inactivity. Conversely, MSFT could determine that for the user.
- Vibrate only, LED flash only or LED and Vibrate after "x amount of time for x number of times" to remind user of notifications. This allows OEMs to build LEDs if they want to take advantage and add to differentiation. Or, MSFT could just standardize the vibrations and LED flashes without taking away the OEM option to build the LED into the handset.
Either way, this ties into the option of having the solid notification bar too above. For example, if the user feels the phone vibrate with the screen off, then they will see either the solid bar or notification icon on lockscreen. If they were on a call or in an app the vibration would help them exist and thus seeing the solid status bar.
- Level of detail: MSFT can either a number count for the notification of a preview of the notification. This should not be user determined in the settings. If preview is activated, and multiple notifications come from different people for the same app (i.e. texts or tweets from separate people) show name and number count.
- Give the user the option in settings to either use the different colors or choose the notifications to have the same accent color as the rest of the UI. Place this either under Notifications or Accent colors.
6. From the start screen, swiping left brings up a notification hub automatically as a standard action.
a) Give this simple hub look by giving each app with notification its own shade of a color separate from the chosen UI color. - This color would apply for single shade in the notification list here, as well as in the bar mentioned in point #1 above.
Or:
Instead of each app having its own shade, use group accent colors based on app types listed in the Windows Store. For example, one shade of yellow for social media apps, one shade for Navigation apps, etc.
b) split the notification hub in half: have a top part of the hub with the following icons: WiFi, Bluetooth, Tethering, Battery percent, Kids mode, and settings (this should not be user selected). Display each options as either:
- Tappable words and the same switches we see to activate/deactivate in the setting already, or
- Use some tappable icons + the switches.
c) Allow each tab (whether tappable word or icon) to open directly to its own specific option within the settings hub - that way you're not digging through extra menus.
d) make tapping the bar and or the notification icon open the transition window to come from the left.
7. When kid mode is active, if there are double taps on icons on lock screen let password prompt come up to access the notification first.
8. If you want the Notification hub to be a full fledge hub itself to make the ideas above seem less cluttered, it can be a three paned hub with the following:
- main start pane has recent notifications
- swipe left for the toggles to get to the following icons: WiFi, Bluetooth, Tethering, Battery percent, Kids mode, and settings.
- swipe right for similar apps relating to settings such as system information (this can be optional)
9. More lockscreen functionality: Double tap the name of the song playing to open the music app directly.
I wish I could do same screen shots for all the stuff I laid out, but I’m not that great with graphics like that…:crying:but I could post shots of existing apps that show the visuals to some of my ideas above.
WP8 could be the minimum requirement for some or all of these ideas. Some of these might be more customization options like Android and some MSFT could just user decide. Either way, it’s still in the same framework to allow that middle road of options WP offers to users in comparison to Android and iOS.
Thoughts?

Just license the Notification center from Nokia, specifically how it was used and implemented on the N9.

bmstrong said:
Just license the Notification center from Nokia, specifically how it was used and implemented on the N9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how well that would go over...maybe MSFT doesn't want to use too lunch Nokia stuff at the expense of upsetting the other OEM partners...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

trappxl said:
I'm not sure how well that would go over...maybe MSFT doesn't want to use too lunch Nokia stuff at the expense of upsetting the other OEM partners...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought they pit elop there to run Nokia into the ground, then buy the company for pennies and use ALL their patents... why not start early with some navigation?

I'm not too bothered about notifications. It's a feature that started to annoy me with iOS, all the constant updates and screen coming on all of the time. I found my life to be a lot more productive since getting a Windows Phone. The only notifications you really need are messages and calls and they're both shown on the screen, it's not life or death if you miss what someone is saying on twitter.

ohgood said:
I thought they pit elop there to run Nokia into the ground, then buy the company for pennies and use ALL their patents... why not start early with some navigation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps...but because Nokia needs money other than the handouts from MSFT, they pushed the Lumia brand really hard when they jumped into WP. If you notice now, when people think of WP they first think of Nokia. MSFT doesn't want that, which is why they teamed up with the old partner HTC who was more than willing to back to its past tactic: make a phone with another company's brand name in the title - hence the WP8X by HTC. MSFT also used HTC like that because they have better pull with US carriers than Nokia right now, especially with VZW.
So people in the know (OG WP adopters) will lean more to Nokia...Nokia now powers the whole WP maps. It makes no sense for MSFT to license a notification centre from Nokia, and they would only run Nokia into the ground to buy it if Nokia's WP are the ONLY ones that sell. Nokia shouldn't allow that, even with Elop there, because they are one of the OG companies (Moto the other) and having a more controlling owner like MSFT might hurt both companies' brands...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

gilesjuk said:
I'm not too bothered about notifications. It's a feature that started to annoy me with iOS, all the constant updates and screen coming on all of the time. I found my life to be a lot more productive since getting a Windows Phone. The only notifications you really need are messages and calls and they're both shown on the screen, it's not life or death if you miss what someone is saying on twitter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, that's one of the beauties of the design of WP I like, and many others do. But there are folks who love the annoying notifications and their phone blowing up with all sorts of activity. This is why MSFT is compelled to add a notification centre to appeal to more folks and get the cross over adopters and new smartphone buyers who have friends with Android and iOS that are used to notifications. I could live with a notification centre in WP, but I think design wise they are in a fresh and unique place...perhaps a decentralized setup by adding more functionality to the live tiles, toast bar and lock screen is better than that all in one status bar notification...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

trappxl said:
See, that's one of the beauties of the design of WP I like, and many others do. But there are folks who love the annoying notifications and their phone blowing up with all sorts of activity. This is why MSFT is compelled to add a notification centre to appeal to more folks and get the cross over adopters and new smartphone buyers who have friends with Android and iOS that are used to notifications. I could live with a notification centre in WP, but I think design wise they are in a fresh and unique place...perhaps a decentralized setup by adding more functionality to the live tiles, toast bar and lock screen is better than that all in one status bar notification...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a lot of words instead of :
" turn off notifications in app settings that don't matter"
you don't need a "hub" to do this if its implemented well inside each app.

ohgood said:
that's a lot of words instead of :
" turn off notifications in app settings that don't matter"
you don't need a "hub" to do this if its implemented well inside each app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. You're right...I've got a rambler's habit whenever I get the juices flowing talking technology...
I agree with that approach of simply improving the notifications in each app. I like not having a hub because I don't need to be notified of every little occurrence. But, since MSFT wants to make cash they will cave in an put a notification hub in. I'm not sure if they will give us the option to turn it off fully if they do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

A swipe to the left of the main home screen for home screen and quick settings.. thats what i thoght of..

Are proper lockscreen notifications possible?

Since I got the Note 3 a week ago, I've spent most of that time trying to find a way to get proper lockscreen notifications. "Proper" in this case means pretty much what LockInfo IV did on jailbroken iPhones (if you're familiar with that):
Each notification chosen by the user is displayed on the lockscreen as a separate entity
Each notification (text or email) can be viewed in its entirety on the lockscreen, if the user chooses that option (such as by tapping to expand each notification)
Notifications are persistent, in that they remain visible on the lockscreen whenever the phone is brought out of sleep mode.
I've tried LockerPro, Nils, Pop-up Notifier, and others and they all fail in one way or another. I'm led to believe that lockscreen notifications are limited by the way that Android populates the notifications panel. The big problem is that if you get more than one email or text, they all get lumped together into a single, useless "You have <x> number of new messages" entry, which means you have to unlock the phone and launch the respective app to see who it's from and what it says.
This completely defeats the purpose of screening notifications on the lockscreen.
I'd appreciate recommendations for any app that will make lockscreen notifications useful. Thanks to designgears, my phone is rooted now, if that makes a difference.

Try dynamic notifications. It mimics the moto x.
Won't show everything though.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried that one and it didn't do it for me, but I'll give it another shot at some point.
For now, I've stopped worrying about lockscreen notifications, since push email is basically broken on the Note 3 anyway. It's like a time machine back to 1995.

barnabydog said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried that one and it didn't do it for me, but I'll give it another shot at some point.
For now, I've stopped worrying about lockscreen notifications, since push email is basically broken on the Note 3 anyway. It's like a time machine back to 1995.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey - I was looking for the same for my N3....i've been trying Dynamic Notifications on and off for awhile now. At first it works, and then just stops. Maybe give Knock2 +V2..I'm testing it now and so far it seems to work flawlessly for me

[Q] Best Notifications Method for text and missed calls

Guys, I am looking for any suggestions you guys use for the best method to be notified of text and missed calls and such. It was always pretty good with the old iphone in such see the message swipe and then reply. I now really like the new little pop up that comes with the stock messaging app. But the popup is gone in about 2 seconds. Also do we not have any method to have notifications show on the lock screen. Just do not like at all to have to look in the notification center for this stuff. I do use Handcent texting mostly just for the pop up. But still not popup for a missed call. At least the S4 has a notification on the lock screen. I usually finally find a good set up but was wondering what most of you guys do. Thanks

You can try dashclock from play store. It's a widget that you can put on the lockscreen and it has a lot of extensions allowing you to see between others: clock, date, calendars, weather, alarm, gmail, whatsapp, sms, missed calls etc, battery info, etc...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Years ago I used Handcent solely because I could set recurring notifications. I've since gotten so attached to the little green droid that we now communicate via telepathy...or so it seems...

Why not rely on the notification light? I use Light Flow which not only lets you customize color but also duration and flash rate. So for me emails get a normal flash and turn off after 15 minutes. But a missed call is more important so I have it flashing red very fast and for a long time - like an hour so I'm sure not to miss it.
But this only works when screen is off of course.

I use Dynamic Notifications and Light Flow. The combo really works well for me and I like that I can schedule a sleep time so it doesn't light up the screen or the notification lights when I'm sleeping. DN will keep showing the notification at set intervals until I enter the app or clear it. Very simple, efficient, and customizable. LF is used mainly because the stock light settings did not have enough customizing ability.
Sent from my VS980 4G using xda app-developers app

tw557 said:
Guys, I am looking for any suggestions you guys use for the best method to be notified of text and missed calls and such. It was always pretty good with the old iphone in such see the message swipe and then reply. I now really like the new little pop up that comes with the stock messaging app. But the popup is gone in about 2 seconds. Also do we not have any method to have notifications show on the lock screen. Just do not like at all to have to look in the notification center for this stuff. I do use Handcent texting mostly just for the pop up. But still not popup for a missed call. At least the S4 has a notification on the lock screen. I usually finally find a good set up but was wondering what most of you guys do. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get Nils along with Nils+. This will give you very iPhone-ish lockscreen notifications. You can swipe them away to dismiss or slide the icon to launch the app. Nils is the main program and includes a widget (old method), and Nils+ will overlay the lockscreen with the notifications (new method, doesn't need a widget).
I personally use Nils beta from Google+: https://plus.google.com/communities/115156552435983276604?partnerid=gplp0
Use the links on the right side to Enable Tester for Nils and Nils+. Then you can download them. Nils is on the play store (no tester required), but you must be a Nils+ tester to use Nils+.

I really like the convience of getting a notification, not missing it and being able to reply quickly. As much so many other things the android system does betteras compared to IOS, This is were I struggle to get it better. The LED is great. Helps not miss anything. I have used Lightflow on and off a lot over the last year with a GS3. SO MANY mixed results. lights would work for some apss then not others and then getting the notification LED to cancel when message was cleared has always been a pain. Maybe need to give Lightflow a try on the G2. I'll check out Nils+ and Dynamic Notifications. For now I'm using Handcent which is working ok but I actually like the stock messanger. Thanks again!!!

if you don't mind paying, look up glowfly. it's a pop-up app for texting that works pretty well. I've been using it for about a year. I loved the stock g2 sms pop-up bc it didn't interrupt what you were doing, like if you're watching a video it kept playing... any other popup app, including glowfly, pause the video. but whatever. works better.
Sent from my LG G2 using Tapatalk Pro