Database Users

How I made my phone sexy...

I hated my phone. I think that MS doesn’t know how to make a phone feel like a phone. That's my opinion and you know what they say about opinions... Anyway, thanks to the work of some fantastic programmers, I have gotten my phone to where it feels a little nicer. On to what I did.
I wanted to tackle making the phone prettier to use. I don’t like how the today screen background doesn't act as the background of the phone app. I think that's stupid. For fixing this, I downloaded a few dialer skins from Zombienexus. (http://www.zombienexus.net/portal/GH_ShowArticle.asp?HID=35&CATID=1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12) I'm not sure who this person is, but his dialer replacement is fantastic. I chose the "Springwood_BlackBars" theme. It's a dim picture taken of a rain forest. Looks really nice. Nice and professional. This took care of my today screen and my phone dialer. Now, both have a good (great) background.
Next up. I hate my contacts. I can't mash a letter corresponding to my contact's last name with my finger. My fingers are too fat. I don't like using the stylus for doing this because phones don’t' require stylus.... enter Contact Manager v0.10 (http://www.pocketcm.com). The guy that created this is freaking awesome. It's a contact app that pulls from your list of contacts and puts them into a list that makes them easy to select with a finger. If you drag your finger down, the list will spring down and continue scrolling with this elastic effect. If you drag your finger down one side of the screen or the other, a little tab will pop up following your finger from top to bottom with each letter of the alphabet in it starting with "a" at the top and "Z" at the bottom. Where you stop is where the list scrolls to, nice animation and all.
Now, this contacts manager is kind of plain looking off the bat. But, the creator gives you an ini file to customize. After thoroughly tweaking the ini, I now have my today screen background (the springwood) as the background behind my contacts. Though, in words this may not sound like much, but in practice, the phone is freaking sweet now. the only other thing I did, was use a softkey tweak (http://www.pocketpctweaks.com/pocketpc_tweaks/change_softkey_buttons.html) so that my contacts softkey invokes the new contactmanager app.
I wish I had screen shots of what my phone looks like. Showing it to friends has convinced them that wm5 phones CAN look like ... phones.
I'd love to see somebody "can" all three of these things together. I think a program that allows you to set the background for all three places would be very nice... What's best, all of the pieces I used are free (but, be sure and donate, these guys really out did themselves with this stuff).
Hope this helps somebody else make their phone a little more friendly.
Jason
NOTE: Contacts manager is a little funky when in landscape mode. It works, but display is a bit "off" and "tabs" no longer work. (but, who uses their phone in Landscape mode?)

Link to contact manager shows page not found. can you post fixed? Sounds interesting.

Sorry about that:
Links updated

armedmetallica said:
Link to contact manager shows page not found. can you post fixed? Sounds interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey Contact Manager v0.10 is made by one of our members @ xda developers, check out updates in the development and hacking forum.

Did'nt even know that. THat's cool... Great job Tene: ... here's link to that thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=314048&highlight=contactsmanager

I don't know how to look for this on here..HTC sense quicklinks?

After installing the update from TMO, The little bar that flips between mail, home, internet, images, music, etc. "shrinks" into a little black tab in the middle of my screen at the bottom.
This is super super annoying because it takes an extra effort to click on the damn thing and then slide my finger to scroll. This also requires a second tap on the screen when i go to browser because the first one simply 'collapses' the little thing and the second one will actually respond to the internet icon you're tapping on.
Tell me there's a way to turn off the collapse of this stupid thing. I tried looking on here but I don't know what keywords to use to search this out. Something like 'htc sense update hd2 registry change' yields nothing.
TIA

nyvram1 said:
After installing the update from TMO, The little bar that flips between mail, home, internet, images, music, etc. "shrinks" into a little black tab in the middle of my screen at the bottom.
This is super super annoying because it takes an extra effort to click on the damn thing and then slide my finger to scroll. This also requires a second tap on the screen when i go to browser because the first one simply 'collapses' the little thing and the second one will actually respond to the internet icon you're tapping on.
Tell me there's a way to turn off the collapse of this stupid thing. I tried looking on here but I don't know what keywords to use to search this out. Something like 'htc sense update hd2 registry change' yields nothing.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds to me like you have cookies home tab enabled?! That is strange are you sure you didn't flash to a custom rom?! I have that one my phone and I have the update but the only way I was able to get that was with CHT. I have attached examples.

Yep! I do have cookies home tab installed! Dang..so is the setting in that to change it? :bangs head:
I'll take a look.
WTHAT A MORON. Thats its. The 'retractable slider' setting. I can't believe I didn't realize that was cookie and not HTC.
Thanks a million for pushing me in the right direction.

Awesome! Glad I could help! I had that enable for a while but it became a little annoying so I took it off! Hahahaha it does make it look really cool!

Hey, thanks for the info. I'm glad I learned about that.
I also have Cookies, and didn't know about that.
Now I have just enabled that feature. Why? I don't find that "ribbon" at the bottom very useful, as it is not very customizable. Nice to have the settings button there at the right, but one can also do that with a Quick Link. I like the music app, but one can also do a quick link for that. Withouth that ribbon, there is room for another row of quick links. (I find it unfortunate that that "ribbon" is so uncustomizable. You cannot choose what is in it, but only what to remove (other than settings and home). (I don't really need that home icon either, because there is a hardware button for home.) I don't like how that "People" tab goes to "HTC People". I'd rather go straight to the regular contacts list. But it can't be changed (AFAIK), only removed.
So by retracting it, I remove the whole thing (can slide it back if I want), but can put the links I like in that ribbon into quick links, for which there is now more room.
Thank you.

Pull down tray for apps

guys,
Recently got the Note 2, and unlike the note 1, this one has a battery life that lasts forever it seems.
Now, yesterday evening I was doing something and I held my phone a bit awkward so my fingers were all over the place.
I accidentally must have set some settings because suddenly there was this pull down tab hanging at the edge of the screen. If I pull it down it shows a kind of scrollable quick access bar/tray for basic apps. This tray can be moved around on the home page just like apps, by long pressing. It can only be moved to one of the sides, and it automatically minimises to a pull down tab only.
It has one edit button, but all it does is open up a larger field to add more apps (except I have no idea how to add additional apps to that).
I wonder how to disable this feature as I am concerned it will drain battery power. Also it would be good to know for future events where I might decide I do want to use it.
Any ideas what that might be? I attached a screenshot of the feature.

Hold the back button, bottom right to acrivate/deactivate.

It is the muli-window function. You use that bar to drag apps that support multi window to the screen so you can use both of them at once. Hold the back button to activate/deactivate this feature. If I helped you, don't forget to hit the Thanks button!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Funny it's one of my Favorite features being able to watch Youtube while browsing facebook...question who makes the choice of what goes in the bar.

Thanks for the quick reply guys!

It makes me smile every time some writes something along the lines you wrote You are not the first to ask and probably wont be the last. It's quite funny how we buy these super powerful devices and the instructions manual doesn't tell you much more than how to put in the battery. Thank [email protected]#k for the XDA and YouTube.
You should download this User Guide from the Play Store for more tips.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.co.samsung.note_2

[Q] After Lollipop Leaked update Quick Settings Panel / Option missing totally

Hi All,
I updated leaked lollipop 5.0 version my Note 3, 9005 exactly like guidelines told here (this forum is heaven on earth, thanks), everything seems to went well, except a "little" issues what i found: I don´t have screen pinning option and multiple users option (found that i´m not the only one), but the biggest issue which i found that - what the heck - I dont have quick settings panel at all and didn´t find any thread considering this kind of issue .
And yes, I do know how to use a phone Believe me, it just isn´t there, I thought also myself that this girl has lost her brains when i try to swipe and do all the magic tricks hoping to find the mystic panel. But no.
Please could Somebody help me on this one. :good:
Thanks A lot!
Satu

That's extremely weird! You mean the the five icons which you get by pulling down with one finger on status bar right? So what are you getting when you pull down, nothing?
Did you make a full wipe before flashing the ROM?

Well, nothing. It looks exactly as it was previous version 4.4x.
Except those "S finder" and "quick connection" buttons, see picture. What i have seen, the panel not suppose to look like this, see picture?
Is this weird or maybe it´s me?
And these were the guidelines what I´ve followed when i updated my phone. Step by step.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/general/guide-t2983873
I´m not blaming the guides, just trying to give something what could help you to figure this out.
Thanks,
Satu

And sorry, I have quick settings but it's not looking as it should, is this right?

Really, nobody?
OIs there a change that someone could help me?
Should I do this again, and what is the best way?
Please
Satu

If that screenshot is how you are having the quick settings panel then its normal and that's how it looks on LP.

Okei, then I'm just stupid. I'm sorry. I thought it is grey and something wonderful and amazing new feature, it looks exactly same as before (kitkat).
I'm sorry.
Satu

I thought the same
There was supposed to be a special tab when you use two fingers to swipe from the top screen and have the ability to turn on flashlight and switch users. I don't have it either. How do you switch users? Go in guest mode?

Yes, exactly same here.
Although I don't have a guest mode at all and no silence mode (icon) anywhere so I think this failed.
Satu
Madchillant said:
There was supposed to be a special tab when you use two fingers to swipe from the top screen and have the ability to turn on flashlight and switch users. I don't have it either. How do you switch users? Go in guest mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Madchillant said:
There was supposed to be a special tab when you use two fingers to swipe from the top screen and have the ability to turn on flashlight and switch users. I don't have it either. How do you switch users? Go in guest mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what two fingers down on mine looks like
[/IMG]

Tap to wake or unlock via fingerprint possible?

Got it a couple of hours ago and I''m wondering if there's any way round having to press the home button to unlock the phone, like being able to just rest my finger on the pad to wake it and unlock.

Any idea how to enable double tap to wake up the S7 edge? Just a new user coming from the xperia Z2.

joebongo said:
Got it a couple of hours ago and I''m wondering if there's any way round having to press the home button to unlock the phone, like being able to just rest my finger on the pad to wake it and unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd also love to know hopefully it's possible.

Nearest thing I've found so far is to enable edges then when screen is off, swipe up and down to show the edge content at which point you can unlock via fingerprint reader.

joebongo said:
Got it a couple of hours ago and I''m wondering if there's any way round having to press the home button to unlock the phone, like being able to just rest my finger on the pad to wake it and unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, only the other way round, press the home button and leave the finger on it and it will unlock straight away.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Not possible unfortunately. The method Tectas explained above, is the quickest way.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

joebongo said:
Nearest thing I've found so far is to enable edges then when screen is off, swipe up and down to show the edge content at which point you can unlock via fingerprint reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this way to, but would prefer an easier one.

Well I have tried a few tap to wake apps and they all fail. This is making me think that the always on display is actually an app in its own right meaning the tap to wake apps don't activate. Any thoughts my learned colleagues?

Gotta push the button. I understand you want to just rest your finger and let it unlock (like nexus 6P) but is it really that hard to put little bit of pressure to actually push the button and just leave your finger there like you would have with a 6P? Only step you're doing is moving your finger 1/40 of an inch to actuate the button lol.

Partial success! Following this guide for the S6 edge I can have tap to wake working http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6-edge/general/tap-to-wake-samsung-device-t3141850
The snag is, and here's the new challenge, to have either AOD or edge clock working whilst it's asleep.
@razorseal : it's not a biggie, I am just trying to recreate the functionality of Windows phones as it was a beautiful workflow that I'd like to keep of glance screen and DT2W/DT2S.
So I'm thinking it's an app like Knockr I need but one which somehow allows AOD to work. Any suggestions welcome - I'm not averse to rooting to achieve this.

Getting closer still. So I uninstalled all that stuff from the link above and put this app on: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orthur.always_on_display&hl=en
It has an AOD display which if you put your finger on the pad it reads the print and unlocks. It does have a double tap to wake as well which can be used to open the lock screen and then do the fingerprint.
So now I just need a double tap to sleep app then if the battery drain isn't too crazy, the mission is complete.
Anyone know a good double tap to sleep app that isn't a floating widget? Something like on CM13 whereby you double tap the status bar and it goes to sleep would be good.

You could always enable the 'Easy screen turn on' feature, which can be found by going to 'Accessibility' and then 'Dexterity and Interaction'....
I believe this was previously known as 'Air View'.
I hope this helps.

joebongo said:
Partial success! Following this guide for the S6 edge I can have tap to wake working http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6-edge/general/tap-to-wake-samsung-device-t3141850
The snag is, and here's the new challenge, to have either AOD or edge clock working whilst it's asleep.
@razorseal : it's not a biggie, I am just trying to recreate the functionality of Windows phones as it was a beautiful workflow that I'd like to keep of glance screen and DT2W/DT2S.
So I'm thinking it's an app like Knockr I need but one which somehow allows AOD to work. Any suggestions welcome - I'm not averse to rooting to achieve this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will probably drain your battery too much. Many of these (root-less) apps keep the AMOLED screen on but with a black rectangle displayed so it looks like it's off. But don't fall into the "AMOLED black does not consume power" lie. There is an entire system powering the screen that consumes power.

maverick1103 said:
You could always enable the 'Easy screen turn on' feature, which can be found by going to 'Accessibility' and then 'Dexterity and Interaction'....
I believe this was previously known as 'Air View'.
I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep this is the easiest solution folks. It's what I use. Just a simple wave or swipe finger over the proximity sensor, device wakes up. There is also a setting elsewhere that stops the phone from waking up if its in your pocket or so, so good idea to use that too.

MDaveUK said:
Yep this is the easiest solution folks. It's what I use. Just a simple wave or swipe finger over the proximity sensor, device wakes up. There is also a setting elsewhere that stops the phone from waking up if its in your pocket or so, so good idea to use that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite a nice solution. I wonder if it has any impact on battery, since the proximity sensor is probably always-on ?
I still hate Samsung for not implementing double tap to wake. I mean, they copy everything from Apple, but they can't copy a really useful feature like this from LG (or whoever had it first without battery drain) ?

Cst79 said:
Quite a nice solution. I wonder if it has any impact on battery, since the proximity sensor is probably always-on ?
I still hate Samsung for not implementing double tap to wake. I mean, they copy everything from Apple, but they can't copy a really useful feature like this from LG (or whoever had it first without battery drain) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then wouldn't u have battery drain from the screen because the touch sensor is always on?

maverick1103 said:
You could always enable the 'Easy screen turn on' feature, which can be found by going to 'Accessibility' and then 'Dexterity and Interaction'....
I believe this was previously known as 'Air View'.
I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a nice alternative Thanks :good: Btw, what's that theme, looks nice I loove red with black lol

Cst79 said:
Quite a nice solution. I wonder if it has any impact on battery, since the proximity sensor is probably always-on ?
I still hate Samsung for not implementing double tap to wake. I mean, they copy everything from Apple, but they can't copy a really useful feature like this from LG (or whoever had it first without battery drain) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this enabled for a couple of days now and my battery life is fine, yesterday I got the best screen on time which I've ever had on a phone, 7hr 20 min....so far I don't think it's having an impact.
---------- Post added at 08:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:03 AM ----------
Leelouster said:
That's a nice alternative Thanks :good: Btw, what's that theme, looks nice I loove red with black lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I always used it on my Note 4, I found it quite useful.
Theme is called Rediz, it's available in the theme store...
http://www.samsung.com/global/themestore/index.html?appId=LucasKendi.Rediz&SITE_CODE=uk

So any new successful option

joebongo said:
Getting closer still. So I uninstalled all that stuff from the link above and put this app on:
It has an AOD display which if you put your finger on the pad it reads the print and unlocks. It does have a double tap to wake as well which can be used to open the lock screen and then do the fingerprint.
So now I just need a double tap to sleep app then if the battery drain isn't too crazy, the mission is complete.
Anyone know a good double tap to sleep app that isn't a floating widget? Something like on CM13 whereby you double tap the status bar and it goes to sleep would be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer to your question is Nova Launcher Pro. You can use the double tap gesture to lock the screen, no widgets required. Let me know if you have any confusion with that. The only downside with that is when I wake the phone back up, it says and I quote "Enter PIN instead of using fingerprint recognition because of security policy". It's quite a big deal for me, having to type in the PIN instead of just resting my finger on the home button. Still searching an answer for that. If anyone has found a workaround/solution, please let me know.
PS: Sorry, I had to cut the playstore link from your original message, XDA forums won't let me post with a link in it.
---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ----------
So, I researched a bit and found a workaround. I am not allowed to post links here, so, find an app called 'Screen Lock Pro' from the Play Store. Its by a developer called Prahallad and costs $2.37. Then activate it as a device administrator, go to setting and enable 'Smart Lock and Nexus Imprint'. Then go back to your Nova Launcher settings, into 'Gestures & Inputs'. Select 'Double Tap' under gestures and select the shortcuts tab on the top. From there, select the 'Screen Lock Pro (Shortcut)' and you're done. There are a ton of other features in the app and I am still trying them all out one by one.