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Yes, there are always gonna be a run around but take this situation for instance. When I go to my video player [stock vibrant] the only way I can delete the video from there is if I somehow have my selection over the video I want to delete. Which is not possible without clicking it to open it without a trackball, or pad.
Also, when I want to read the whole name of certain apps in the market, with a trackball, i could move my seletion over it to auto scroll the name but without a trackball, i can't do that.
Is this something we are going to have to live with or will there ever be a program where we can have some sort of a mouse control program, on the desktop that acts as a trackpad.
I feel your pain, but you can delete files in movie player without a d-pad. Hit the menu button and select delete file. Select boxes will appear. You can then select one or multiple files to delete. I do miss the trackball though.
how about on the terminal when you want to repeat a command??
I hate it when I am in Remote desktop and I want to move around.. the trackball was a perfect mouse..
Also, when you want to change one letter when you are typing, I used the N1 trackball all the time to go back a few letters, now it is easier to just delete until the errro and retype the word...
duglas said:
I hate it when I am in Remote desktop and I want to move around.. the trackball was a perfect mouse..
Also, when you want to change one letter when you are typing, I used the N1 trackball all the time to go back a few letters, now it is easier to just delete until the errro and retype the word...
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Click to collapse
haha i know the feeling "_"
Don't forget that you can swype from the swype tip button to the "sym"button to get directional arrows. I also miss the trackball, but doing this makes it more tolerable.
Hope this helps some of you.
What kills me is this ridiculous inconsistency between various implementations of THE SAME PHONE! All these Galaxy S phones are essentially the same hardware, and while the original "reference" implementation had it all, we're getting all these ridiculous omissions on the various carriers. WTF was wrong with the trackpad on the original S?
SuperMiguel said:
how about on the terminal when you want to repeat a command??
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Click to collapse
That never worked even with a trackball. It enters characters something like [<[<[<
Or maybe all 5 of my G1's were screwed? lol
uwradu said:
What kills me is this ridiculous inconsistency between various implementations of THE SAME PHONE! All these Galaxy S phones are essentially the same hardware, and while the original "reference" implementation had it all, we're getting all these ridiculous omissions on the various carriers. WTF was wrong with the trackpad on the original S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the fact that it WASN'T a trackpad.
cashless said:
That never worked even with a trackball. It enters characters something like [<[<[<
Or maybe all 5 of my G1's were screwed? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure it did, you just needed a decent shell. You were using the stock "sh". If you had used "ash" or "bash", you would have gotten command history.
Does anyone know of a way to enter a control character in Swype? I downloaded "Full Keyboard" from the Market so that I can be able to hit control-c in Terminal, but switching IME's back and forth is becoming a true PITA, and I wonder if I am missing some obvious workaround to do this.
Are there any apps, hacks, tricks, whatever to disable that damn side button? Or lock it so you have to do something extra before it works? I am constantly turning my ringer off because the button is super sensitive and in just the right place to get bumped whenever using it with the keyboard out.
your best bet is to get a case
I hate cases. This thing is big enough already. I'm used to small phones, like the Pre. No way am I adding a case. There's GOT to be a better way. Even if i have to crack it open and disconnect the damn switch.
big? this isnt an evo lol even with a case this thing is still small. get your pre back lol
The full EVO is a brick, not a phone. Don't get me wrong, I'm OK with this size, but certainly don't want to add to it. I don't use cases and need my phone to fit comfortably in my pocket without creating a bulge. This is my first Android phone and so far I love ALMOST everything about it. What i don't like so far is that a simple OTA update wrecks the mods I've done and make it impossible to root...and the design of the side button. Other than that, it's been a great experience so far. Although i will say that if HTC doesn't release the kernel sometime soon and allow the devs to find a way to root, i'll be reactivating my Pre and using it until i can root the Shift.
There's an app called button re mapper if you have root, you could try it
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
Yea you will need root to change the functionality of the hardware buttons. If you have it, either button remapper or manually edit /system/usr/keylayout/speedy-keypad.kl - you want to change keys 114 and 115. You can either remove the wake_dropped part so the buttons don't wake the phone (this is what I did) or remove the whole line to disable the buttons entirely (using only the menu structures to adjust volume).
Sent from my Evo Shift running CM7 via the XDA app
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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Click to collapse
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.
.
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.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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.
.
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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Click to collapse
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.
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.
Hi,
I bought this remote:
http://g03.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1clsdIXXXXXXlXVXXq6xXFXXXn/2-4GHz-Fly-Air-Mouse-Wireless-Keyboard.jpg
but I'm having trouble with the "back" key. It's not really acts as back. Instead it acts as right click.
Has anyone been able to fix this problem?
I xposed module would be nice
I did some research and found this:
https://github.com/timduru/platform-frameworks-base/commit/bae953c0063dc1afb9e8c43381f3894329abe115
Think this is exactly what we need to fix this.
Is it possible via xposed module? Maybe any Devs are interested in that one?
Use esc button for back key
ilkerates said:
Use esc button for back key
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm sure he's already aware of that.
Speaking personally, it would be nice if my back button on my air mouse (the same one as the OP has which, despite being marked as a back button, is effectively seen by Android as a right mouse click) actually worked as a back button. To stop having to turn my air mouse over to access the esc key every time I wanted to go back, given that the QWERTY doesn't work when pointing downwards. I had to remap my Menu button as the back button isn't seen by any key mapping apps.
So yes, a big thumbs up from me too if this can happen in Xposed. I'm rooted and running it already.
Beefheart said:
Yes, I'm sure he's already aware of that.
Speaking personally, it would be nice if my back button on my air mouse (the same one as the OP has which, despite being marked as a back button, is effectively seen by Android as a right mouse click) actually worked as a back button. To stop having to turn my air mouse over to access the esc key every time I wanted to go back, given that the QWERTY doesn't work when pointing downwards. I had to remap my Menu button as the back button isn't seen by any key mapping apps.
So yes, a big thumbs up from me too if this can happen in Xposed. I'm rooted and running it already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this is what I am also trying to do, so if anyone has figured out how to make the right mouse button into the back button that would be amazing!!
Xposed Additions may work for you.
ErAzOr2k said:
I did some research and found this:
https://github.com/timduru/platform-frameworks-base/commit/bae953c0063dc1afb9e8c43381f3894329abe115
Think this is exactly what we need to fix this.
Is it possible via xposed module? Maybe any Devs are interested in that one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what exactly is this? thanks
[email protected] said:
Yes this is what I am also trying to do, so if anyone has figured out how to make the right mouse button into the back button that would be amazing!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's impossible as far as I'm aware to map the back button on my air mouse to a specific activity. Like I said, I ended up mapping the menu button instead. I've gotten used to it now.
Mogster2K said:
Xposed Additions may work for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not. In fact, not only did it not work, it caused delay issues in button presses on my NVidia controller. This only stopped when it was deactivated within Xposed.
Only other thing I can think of would be to create a custom profile in /system/usr/keylayout/, however I don't know the details of how to do it.
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
nice !
nice !
Any updates with this issue? I was actually coming here to post about a similar problem.
Just picked up my Shield TV and tried using this same remote. The center button (select button; left click button) doesn't function at all. I can scroll up and down, left and right, air mouse cursor works fine. But I can't actually make a selection.
I also find that with either the controller or nvidia remote, I can't navigate in app file structures. So when I side load ES Explorer for instance, I can't get into the center of the screen and navigate the file list, only the top and bottom border menus. Or when I sideloaded ShowBox and other similar apps, I can't navigate the movie lists, only the top or bottom menus.
At this point I'm starting to think I'm either better off taking this thing back and using my old droid tv box. OR flashing this thing to make it act like a droid tablet and lose all the added functionality that the shield uses to set itself apart.
So, I bought this remote from amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UYCLV8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_CTeTwbRCVNCP1
Which is pretty awesome so far. Everything works except the back button of course. I've been digging and digging and unfortunately I don't think we can change the behavior as it just doesn't seem to be recognized as a typical key scancode. I'm confident of this because I made a custom key layout file for this device, and literally edited 999 key entries, ranging from "key 0" all the way up to "key 999". I gave every keycode the back button tag. What this essentially did was turn every single button on the remote into a back button (lol), and as you may expect, even STILL the back button on the remote only registered as a mouse click.
After searching, it seems the only way to bypass this would to be to change the behavior of the mouse button itself, which according to resources online, is hard coded into the kernel itself. You would have to actually know how to code and compile a new kernel for your media device.
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...ped-to-work-for-traversing-back-in-jelly-bean
I have created a simple keylayout that anyone can use if interested. It's pretty much just a rip of the generic.kl file, with the zoom in and out buttons on the remote configured as back buttons. If you use a proper keycode scanner, you can study this keylayout file and eventually customize any button (except the back button of course) to do almost anything you want.
It's a temporary workaround until someone figures it out. If it doesn't work for you, you may need to change the filename to reflect the proper vid and pid of your device. I did this by plugging my device into windows and checking the hardware id for the new mouse and keyboard input that popped up.
I'm not sure which directory the file needs to be in, so I just copied it to both known directories:
Root: data>system>devices>keylayout
Root: system>usr>keylayout
I hope this helps.
Edit: Also, a couple of things to note, in case anyone was curious. If your having any issues trying to program the infrared side for a remote, consider that the source remote may be blasting too much for this remote to learn. I discovered this issue because my Samsung tv would send tons of ir data and causing my remote to have troubles learning. If you have a similar issue, try quickly/lightly tapping the button on the source remote when teaching this remote to learn it. Had no issues teaching my remote once I figured this out.
Finally, an oddity I noticed is that the issue seems specific to Android TV boxes. Connecting the USB to my galaxy note 5 via USB otg cable, the back button works fine on its own on this remote. Oddly though, while it registers as a key using the key test app (Google it), it reports back as having a scancode of 0.
Tried adding key 0 as a button in the keylayout config. Still no go. :/
I've made a custom kernel based on stock kernel to (hopefully) change the rightclick event to back event.
Is anyone brave enough to check this out as I don't give a guarantee to anything?!
ErAzOr2k said:
I've made a custom kernel based on stock kernel to (hopefully) change the rightclick event to back event.
Is anyone brave enough to check this out as I don't give a guarantee to anything?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried your boot.img, and as far as i can tell, nothing.
my shield tv is already unlocked and rooted, so i just used "fastboot flash boot boot.img" in adb to flash the boot image to my device. booted up fine, just i dont see any changes regarding right mouse click.... :/
has anyone figure this out yet. I really need to change the right click to function as "back"
Has anyone been able to fix this meanwhile? With Xposed Module maybe?
I'd love a Magisk (or Xposed) module that fixes that, but I don't think any module like that exists right now...
There are work-arounds to use apps that create fullscreen overlay which intercepts right clicks and emulates a Back button, but those don't work on Shield (or Android TV in general) because creating Overlay / requesting "draw over other apps" permission causes a crash
For now, the most convenient (more than editing *.kl files) work-around I've found is to use an app called Button Mapper (packagename: flar2.homebutton, can't post a link cause I'm a newbie) and emulate Back button on some other button...