Related
So with all this talk about Hero's ability to multitask I just wanted to ask how people leverage this ability.
Unless I'm missing something if I want to go from a browser session to my playing music app I have to go via the home screen. Similarly if I want to switch from say Google Maps to Google Mail then I need to go via the home screen and the app's icon.
This is no different to how the iPhone handles things except that the apps on the Hero continue to run in the background.
Am I missing some technique for 'TAB'ing' between running apps? Palm's Pre has got the 'cards' and the floaty shortcut menu thing.
To be honest if there is no ability to switch DIRECTLY to a running app from another running app then the whole multitasking thing is a bit pointless (Widgets not withstanding)
I'm new to Android so I'm hoping that I'm just missing something.
I have a G1 but if you hold down the home key you can switch between running apps and I imagine that works as well on the hero.
Also, you can use an app such as "task switcher" or "bar control" found in the android market to switch between applications without having to go through the home screen with a few more options than the home key thing.
HTH
Holding down the home key only displays 6 recently opened apps not ones that are running. Thats what it does on the Hero anyway. It also brings you back to the home screen and out of whatever app you were in when you held it down.
It seems that the Palm Pre is currently the only handset that truly enables multitasking app switching.
I'm somewhat disappointed in the Hero in this regard.
To be fair, the whole concept of multitasking doesn't really address in what way you would be switching from app to app. The major thing is the ability of the phone to keep two, three or ten apps running at the same time, doing their stuff in the background. This is what the iPhone doesn't have and Android does. This is the "competitive edge".
If you install "Advanced Task Manager", it will put itself in the notification drawer for two-click activation. I think I'd enable it, if there was a setting to make all apps behave this way. A sort of "show all running apps in the notification drawer" feature (or the apps I select).
Notice you can switch to all running apps from Advanced Task Manager, but that makes for a total of four clicks, moving from one app to another. It's a bit cumbersome.
Pressing and holding Home should IMHO bring up the recent apps list to allow switching WITHOUT returning Home first.
Maybe a bug or a bad decision UI wise.
@joemax
That would sort me out. Having it behave like that would be really useful.
Commantalb looked promising in the Market - very nice effect when bringing apps list up too
BUT, it cannot be envoked unless you press and hold HOME and then select Commantalb.
If it were a background process that changed the default HOME button behaviour - to launch itself, it would be very cool.
ShiroEd said:
To be honest if there is no ability to switch DIRECTLY to a running app from another running app then the whole multitasking thing is a bit pointless (Widgets not withstanding)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok -here's a real world example.
I use MyTracks when out walking. Since the Hero can multitask, I can start MyTracks recording, then as I'm walking do anything else with my phone that I want and not be artificially limited to a select few apps. This is something that I do regularly.
From my perspective, the lack of a true task switcher is largely immaterial to me, but the fact that the apps are still running, even when not active, is.
Regards,
Dave
joemax said:
Pressing and holding Home should IMHO bring up the recent apps list to allow switching WITHOUT returning Home first.
Maybe a bug or a bad decision UI wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can happily report that this is exactly what it does with the new ROM. Yipee!!
It does indeed
Posted as such on another thread.
The new firmware is very good IMHO.
ShiroEd said:
I can happily report that this is exactly what it does with the new ROM. Yipee!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GOD ALLMIGHTY IN THE HEAVEN!!! THERE IS STILL A GOD!!!
I didn't know this untill now... and it god damn works... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
We love you HTC...
Oh damn... a double post... :-(
Question for the Devs,
I have one thing that bugs me about Android: taking a ton of steps to get to places, so I had an idea, but I'm not sure if it's possible. It's a two - parter:
1) Is it possible, to put into the notification area a scrollable list of your currently running applications, or possible your most used apps? Kinda like holding down home, but it's not the same.
2) I had a program on my jailbroken iCrap back in the day: sbsettings. LOVED this program, gave me quick access to just about anything. It's kinda like the power widget, but it was accessible from sliding your finger accross the top of the screen from anywhere. Imagine having the power control widget in your notification area.
Are the two above possible, or are there limitations to what the notification bar can do. Obviously, I'd want it so that if I hit "clear" they'd still remain there. Also, I don't want just a link poining me somewhere else, I want the action to occur right from the notification screen:
I searched and searched but cannot find. Have I missed something?
Sorry if this is in the wrong thread, but I figured it does have to do with development, so there ya go... Thanks in advance!
For #2 use smartbar with quick settings checked in settings for notification. It might also have #1 but I don't really poke too much around in the settings.
I use Quick Settings, which will put a notification in the pull down task bar and you have access to a number of system settings.
jkAppSwitchEX works great as a sort of AltTab type thing and you can pin it to a long press of the search button. It also can be used as a task killer and can have a list of your favorite/most used apps for easy launch (and has a recent apps list). Plus, it can put a notification in the pull down task bar. There's also a free version on the market which just shows running apps.
I also believe Folder Organizer will put apps in the task bar, I have the lite version which doesn't do that (I don't think), but I don't really need it for that, so the lite version is fine for my needs.
I've also tried SmartBar, and it does have that functionality of swiping the screen and having access to programs, etc. But it wasn't what I had been looking for when I tested it, but worth checking out.
*off topic a bit*
Sorry but it's not Qeustion it is Question
Has anyone found a way to add the power control toggles to the notification screen as seen on the Galaxy S?
if your rooted cyanogen mod have the settings in the notification like the galaxy s or you can use a app call quickdesk you can launch quickdesk by long pressing the search button or double tap the home button in any program it has this thing call quick pannel that shows you your recently used apps and the apps thats running its really slick you can also swype up on any running apps to close them. theres also another app call itchingthumb that basically do the same thing but i like the simplicity of quickdesk more you should check them out. Theres also another app call smart task bar that can also do those thing it as the most options all you have to do is swype your finger at the side of your phone to launch it. Feel free to ask me any questions about them and I'll try to answer them. Oh yeah theres another one call power strip.
I found this thread and applied the mod to the HD ROM that I'm using, it works well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=838013
Really missing a function like press and hold the Home button to see previous used apps to switch to.... I'm running with GoLauncherEX but it apparently doesn't have that ability.
Any easy way or app that can and still work with GoLauncher.
I would consider another Launcher but I've not tried any others.
Market search for taskswitcher by shisho. Worked great for me. I use Adw but should work with any launcher including stock.
One home tap for switcher, two for real home.
Thanks that works fine.
Another option is SwipePad with the Tasking add-on. Hold for a split-second at the corner or edge of the screen of your choice and then drag towards the center of the screen and a task switcher will pop up. Move to the task of your choice and let go to switch to it. You can switch really quick once you get the hang of it.
boomn said:
Another option is SwipePad with the Tasking add-on. Hold for a split-second at the corner or edge of the screen of your choice and then drag towards the center of the screen and a task switcher will pop up. Move to the task of your choice and let go to switch to it. You can switch really quick once you get the hang of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's a freaking amazing app. I paid for the recent tasks addon (since I think that's necessary for multitasking).
Thanks!
I think SwipePad is one of those "best kept secret" apps. I've been using it since it was released and cannot use an Android phone without it. It was the first app I downloaded from the market after rooting. Glad to see it gaining popularity though.
[email protected] said:
Market search for taskswitcher by shisho. Worked great for me. I use Adw but should work with any launcher including stock.
One home tap for switcher, two for real home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This solution is working nice for me.
I installed swipe pad and tasker but I cant figure out how to make my recent apps menu come up when I swipe. Can someone help me?
teookie said:
I installed swipe pad and tasker but I cant figure out how to make my recent apps menu come up when I swipe. Can someone help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got SwipePad with Tasker as well and it seems the only way you can do it is to put a shortcut to Tasker in one of the boxes, swipe to it, and THEN it pulls up a menu of your recent apps. I ended up getting a refund for it because that's not what I wanted - I was hoping it would automatically populate the tiles with my recent apps instead of adding an extra step.
I'll have to try some of the other solutions mentioned in this thread.
Open the settings for SwipePad and then go to the Hotspots tab where you choose which spot activates the normal swipepad. Click on a different hotspot and "recent tasks" will show up as an option. Once set up it does work like what you were hoping
Just to clarify for anyone else reading, the add-on required is "Tasking: SwipePad add-on", not to be confused with the unrelated "Tasker" app for scripting and automation
boomn said:
Open the settings for SwipePad and then go to the Hotspots tab where you choose which spot activates the normal swipepad. Click on a different hotspot and "recent tasks" will show up as an option. Once set up it does work like what you were hoping
Just to clarify for anyone else reading, the add-on required is "Tasking: SwipePad add-on", not to be confused with the unrelated "Tasker" app for scripting and automation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, can't believe I missed that! I'll have to give it another shot.
Corners problem
I installed Swipe Pad and wondered... where have you been for all of my Fire life? Am surprised amazon hasn't absorbed them into their product since it is so easy and simple to jump.
Altho, I did have problems configuring the corners (might be the custom home bar down there), but configuring lower left panel for tasks didn't seem to have any problem.
BTW, what a great premise - give basic app for free, sell the advanced.
[Edit: Before you jump on this, I'm now having crashing of SwipePad when trying to get it to launch market or other shortcuts. Will contact developers and see if this is imminently fixable.]
[email protected] said:
Market search for taskswitcher by shisho. Worked great for me. I use Adw but should work with any launcher including stock.
One home tap for switcher, two for real home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you configure double home taps for ADW home screen?
You can also install button savior if you're rooted your Fire. It can come in handy for some full screen apps that rely on the non-existent hard buttons also. You just long press on the button savior home icon and you'll get the little icon list of recent apps. I have mine setup with a slight delay before it invokes but it defaults to instant on.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk
Smart Taskbar
I tried swipepad and didn't find it easy to set up and use on the KF. I also didn't want to pay for the extra add-ons without being totally sure I liked it. Found smart taskbar and I've been really happy with it. Easier to pull up than swipepad and has recent tasks built in. I recommend it.
SenorDeuce said:
I tried swipepad and didn't find it easy to set up and use on the KF. I also didn't want to pay for the extra add-ons without being totally sure I liked it. Found smart taskbar and I've been really happy with it. Easier to pull up than swipepad and has recent tasks built in. I recommend it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember that with paid apps, you can try them out and get a refund if you uninstall within 15 minutes. But if you don't like how Swipepad works then having the Tasking addon won't be worth it.
ags29 said:
I think SwipePad is one of those "best kept secret" apps. I've been using it since it was released and cannot use an Android phone without it. It was the first app I downloaded from the market after rooting. Glad to see it gaining popularity though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use Swipepad w/o rooting?
Well you need to get it from the Android market (which requires root to install), but I guess you can also sideload it. The app itself doesn't require root access.
bsoplinger said:
You can also install button savior if you're rooted your Fire. It can come in handy for some full screen apps that rely on the non-existent hard buttons also. You just long press on the button savior home icon and you'll get the little icon list of recent apps. I have mine setup with a slight delay before it invokes but it defaults to instant on.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on Button Savior... a nice out-of-the-way solution for the long press home feature.
Naturally some helpful soul here on XDA pointed me to this app and it works like a charm.
First of all, how awesome is this forum !!!
I consider myself a pretty "upright" forum user as in I usually read the pinned, "read this first", Q&A, and search before I make new posts. Whenever I come upon people who don't do that, I kinda frown to my computer screen but beyond that seems like nothing much can be done? The "Here are the similar threads we found:" section is just pure brilliance.
Sorry about the rambling but I will start with a tiny background story first.
So once upon a time, I got warned thru my gmail that my account apparently was "compromised". After I did some preliminary verification to make sure they are not spams, I decided to try the google "2-step verification" process. And I bet most of you knew what comes next: I keep getting bad password popups. After some hours of frustrating struggle, I fixed my gmail on my phone. But Gtalk would not let me do that 1-time psasword verification thing, and thus my play store won't work. (God really who designed them to be linked!? I did not launch Gtalk once in my life.) Before this happened, I was happy with my stock launcher from Samsung and always have the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" motto. In the end, I decided it is "certified broken" and I thought this might be a good time to look into upgrading to Jelly Bean.
hm.. i think i'm making this post unnecessary long so I will just cut through the chase. I never thought "stock" stuff would come in any quality. But amazingly in my first day experience of CM10, I am already missing a bunch of features that I used to take for granted. I have no desire to go back to the last launcher (as this in theory should be a step up overall, i believe). So if anyone have tips for me to how to get these features back, I would very much like some pointers! Thanks in advance.
Just some clarification in case this matter: I bought my phone unlocked in Hong Kong. So there is no service-provider-associated stuff that came with the stock launcher I got.
EDIT: I used the 11-02 nightly build of CM10 and its corresponding Gapp package.
1) Contact list
+ Improved: To my amaze, my chinese contacts got sorted by their pronunciation in english! The original stock launcher lumped all of them in the end of the list.
- What I missed: Slide left on names will message the contact and slide right will call them.
# What I tried: Of course my first solution is to search on App store to find a replacement. For some reasons, only two (with good rating) showed up. Did the search got dumber? Or it got smarter but just not doing what I want?
Go Contacts: I think i remember trying it and personally not a big fan of the GO packages. I didn't give it a second try.
Contants+ with a penguin icon: There's a function that lets you "Hold" on a contact to call them. This is very much inferior to the slidings : ( I need recommendations for contact list app.
2) App drawer
+ I like how the widgets got attached to the horizontal pages. Much nicer option than Homescreen-> menu and keep scrolling through the 1x4 area LOL. I love widgets and I have a lot of them. Yes it was painful.
- You can't custom organize the drawer. You can sort by Name or Install Date and that's it. I used to organize them by functionality. I have over 160 apps on my phone. I don't use all of them all the time but I would say I use close to 70% of them at least once in a while. So while my homescreen is really reserved for Widgets, App drawer is where I launch my less-used apps. I really like the "menu -> edit" function in my old launcher. I can create new page, move the apps around and even uninstall the app right there (with a minus sign on the top right corner of the app icon. Yes I didn't use to understand why one would even need uninstaller app from the store). Please don't hate me if you really just rather sort by Name.
# Funny the problem this time is not about how I can't find a suitable app from the play store to do a better job with the drawer. It's that I CAN'T move the original app drawer icon of the launcher from the bottom middle area. I imagine there's probably a way to replace it but it's obviously not a readily available option or I am missing something.
3) Task manager?
+ I think it's just recent launched apps (or apps in the background) now. It's in a way good that it goes beyond the last 6. Not that I find that old limit bothering really.
- Where's my task manager? I'm a bit OCD when it comes to ram usage and processes/services. Oh how i missed the Hold home button -> recent app screen with a task manager button -> Kill all task. LOL It's not much but it shows just enough: total ram usage, running apps, processes, and even storage space. Scratch that, it's actually very much.
# Right now I am resort to Auto Memory Manager with a blue fish icon. It's sufficient. But I can't access it anywhere.
4) Misc. stuff that I missed and would like help to find them. Note: these have nothing to do with the launcher.
- I used to have this "Windy Weather" live wall paper (or what i believed it was called). There were some wind turbines running on a grass field. It reflects the current weather. I scour the store and I couldn't find anything remotely like that besides having to go back to the GO family or you have to pay. I know it's not recommended but I tried titanium back up to restore it from my old system - no luck.
- Ap news widget. The widget was 2x4. It does not refreshes on its own and only do so with a tiny refresh button on the bottom right corner. It cycles through headlines with pictures that fully stretches the whole 2x4 window (beautifully). Can't find it in the store.
- Pinch on the home screen zooms out and gives you a quick view of all 7(now 5, but I can live with that) pages of home screen.
- That's all for now. I think I am still missing a few things I wanted to mention but I forgot what they are at the moment
anyway, sorry about some of the ranting. Here are some features i like:
+ File Manager is awesome.
+ Camera is great as well. And I love the quick browse gallery. It's weird that the actual gallery don't even have to pinch function while they put it here.
+ The pull down menu is clean. I kinda missed the "auto-rotation" quick set. But it's minor. I usually don't allow auto rotation anyway. I also like the setting button in there. But I used it so much I have to put a short cut on the home screen anyway.
+ The animation when you turn off the screen is COOL
+ The lock screen which gives you direct access to the camera is very convenient as well.
There is no sammy like app with swipe unfortunately.(edit :didnt know ex dialer has it sry_
Try apex launcher,nova launcher,adw ex launcher(i prefer this at the moment,pletora of settings)
autorotation ,play with toggle settings in system settings menu.
Don't bother with ram,free ram is wasted ram.
That windmill wallpaper i think go has something similar to it but i dont use it as it is a huge battery hogger .I just use a plain wallpaper.
I suggest u stay playing a bit with the lockscreen/system settings
Hi, i use ex dialer and it have slide right to call and slide left to sms.
Cheers!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
For dialer I recommend Dialer Ex from Play. I also missed the swipe to call & message function from Sammy roms. This app does it(it also has other great features like theme support etc.!)
Sent from my premium potato
1) ExDialer. You will never look back. You can customize it to your taste and it has the features you ask.
2) You need to use another launcher for that, but in my case I got accustomed to search for apps instead of looking for icons. It's easier and can be done from everywhere in your launcher if you click and hold the Menu key. You can also have folders in the Home screen, that's also a nice way to organize. Why I ended doing this? Because other launchers have too many options.
3) You shouldn't care about running apps. You can kill them by pressing Menu key on the Home and selecting manage apps. There, in "Running" you have the apps that are currently working on the background, the memory they use and you can eventually kill them. I'm against that unless you have an issue with an app (like Media Scanner going rogue).
4) GO Weather. You can download it from the web if it's not on the store and side-load it. But I have it available. I can't help you with the news widget as I never found one useful enough to my usage patterns. I don't think the default launcher can show you all Home screens at once.
Thanks for all the help guys. You are quick to reply : )
android manages ram efficiently u dont need to free ram if u still want to have a kill apps button on recent apps its part of aokp and if u want to have it on cm10 try pacman rom
I'm have slight buyers remorse, but I have a few more days till I can't return it for a full refund. I hoping to find out if any of the issue I have with the Note 3 or more accurately touchwiz will be able to be solved. I'm coming from a history of running customs ROMS on my galaxy S1 and galaxy S2, most of the time cyaogenmod. Lucky I find touchwiz has improved but here are my over all gripes:
Can't change the vibration pattern for notifications, most importantly text messages and emails. You can create customs patterns but they are only for calls. This is my biggest problem right now. And the fact that clearing a message from the notification bar doesn't mark it as read is annoying.
I would love on screen buttons, with this much screen restate it's a great phone for on screen buttons, I also find getting low enough to press the capacitive buttons with my thumb and still holding the phone a bit difficult and I think I would have no trouble if there was on screen buttons. - SoftKey Enabler, requires root- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fatedevgroup.softkeyenabler&feature=search_result
Home buttons wakes the phone - Fixable by mod or wanam http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477150
Double home press open magazine - Settings in Magazine, gesture disable can be done by freezing magazine in titanium
Replace S Voice with google voice. - Freeze with titanium then use double tap to get to google voice
Remove all toggles from notification area, have all the toggles in the toggle pane
Remove the persitant icons from the task bar (blocking mode, smart stay, NFC)
All logs in phone log - fixable with app - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.log.converter.ics
I really got used and liked the pop up/quick message window option that cyaogenmod had. I would like that along with the removal of chat bubbles.
I also liked black/Holo design, I sure this can and will come some how. Also we'll see how kitkat ends up looking...
How likely is it that my gripes with touchwiz can be fixed, yet still stay on touchwiz framework due to not wanting to lose functionality? I am aware it will require root and most likely a custom ROM, but if I was able to start out with just some modifications to stock rom, that might be a good start. I might find out but 1-4 are my biggest complaints. I love the note 3's hardware, but I'm hoping the roms/touchwiz won't push me toward the nexus 5....
One additional question, all these model numbers are confusing as hell. I have the N900W8, will that hinder my ability to use custom roms? Is it an equivalent to another model number? (X-Note is the only roms I've seen so far the explicitly says its compatible with the 900W8)
Answer:
odeccacccp said:
Since Canadian users can flash T-Mobile and N9005 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2497263
All suggestions welcome.
Edited with solutions in blue. I haven't tried them yet
If you open Magazine and hit menu, then choose Settings, you can turn the double home press off from in there.
The swipe from the bottom gesture can't be disabled short of doing something like freezing Magazine with Titanium Backup.
bnevets27 said:
I'm have slight buyers remorse, but I have a few more days till I can't return it for a full refund. I hoping to find out if any of the issue I have with the Note 3 or more accurately touchwiz will be able to be solved. I'm coming from a history of running customs ROMS on my galaxy S1 and galaxy S2, most of the time cyaogenmod. Lucky I find touchwiz has improved but here are my over all gripes:
I would love on screen buttons, with this much screen restate it's a great phone for on screen buttons, I also find getting low enough to press the capacitive buttons with my thumb and still holding the phone a bit difficult and I think I would have no trouble if there was on screen buttons
Can't change the vibration pattern for notifications, most importantly text messages and emails. You can create customs patterns but they are only for calls.
Home buttons wakes the phone - I did read somewhere this was able to be disabled
Double home press open magazine
Replace S Voice with google voice.
Remove all toggles from notification area, have all the toggles in the toggle pane
Remove the persitant icons from the task bar (blocking mode, smart stay, NFC)
All logs in phone log - fixable with app, easiest one yet.
How likely is it that my gripes with touchwiz can be fixed, yet still stay on touchwiz framework due to not wanting to lose functionality? I am aware it will require root and most likely a custom ROM, but if I was able to start out with just some modifications to stock rom, that might be a good start. I might find out but 1-4 are my biggest complaints. I love the note 3's hardware, but I'm hoping the roms/touchwiz won't push me toward the nexus 5....
One additional question, all these model numbers are confusing as hell. I have the N900W8, will that hinder my ability to use custom roms? Is it an equivalent to another model number? (X-Note is the only roms I've seen so far the explicitly says its compatible with the 900W8)
All suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would love to know the solutions to this list as well!
wilflare said:
would love to know the solutions to this list as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A fwlew of these things are easily fixed with xposed wanam module. You need to be rooted though. As for Google voice, freeze svoice (maybe you can just clear defaults, but I froze it) then when you double tap home, you'll be given options in what you want that to do.
bnevets27 said:
I would love on screen buttons, with this much screen restate it's a great phone for on screen buttons, I also find getting low enough to press the capacitive buttons with my thumb and still holding the phone a bit difficult and I think I would have no trouble if there was on screen buttons
Remove all toggles from notification area, have all the toggles in the toggle pane
All logs in phone log - fixable with app, easiest one yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looking how to change these. hmm