I am looking for an app that has the ability to disable/lock the touch screen while playing a video in Netflix/Rockplayer/Youtube without actually stopping or pausing the movie. Kind of a protection from my toddler so he would not mess it up while the movie is playing.
I would appreciate your input.
Thanks!
There's an app called "hidebar" in the market that will hide the system bar. At least kiddo can't accidentally go back to the system menu. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop him from being able to do stuff in the program (stop, rewind, fast forward, change video, etc.). I've been dying for a program like this also; it would be great to have something that could either disable the screen entirely or just the system bar, controlled by a long-press of the power button.
Thanks for your input. I have the software that hides system bar, but I wish there was something to disable or lck touch screen functionality. I saw there a few people interested in this feature and I am surprised no devs have implemented this yet. Will have to just hope and wait
i would liek this as well. toddler video player is good but dont support the right codecs for good playback dev is super helpful but jsut dont support enough for good use.
I'm seeing lots of people (like myself) who are migrating from iPhone's to Samsung Galaxy S3 (SGS3) and Android platform. I first asked this question in THIS THREAD and got some great advice, so I thought I'd ask the question a little better in hopes we can make this a thread that will ease the transition for those of us moving from iOS to Android. Please keep all the fan boy comments out of the thread, let's keep the thread on topic :highfive:
I'm a phone junkie, like many of us here... And I've been using iOS almost exclusively since June 2007 and version 1.02 I think it was back then on the first iPhone... I've owned all of the iPhone series, and simply wanted something DIFFERENT (ironic isn't it). I'm a Windows guy, NOT a Mac guy - and don't consider myself a fan boy... One of the things I loved about iOS was just about all the apps being created were created for iOS first (or exclusively in some cases)... Which is another reason I like Windows over Mac... SOFTWARE. Simply put there is ton's of stuff for windows, and not so much for mac. OK MOVING ON.
Because I'm on T-mobile, all of my iPhone's have been unlocked and jailbroken.. so getting my SGS3 is one of the first times I'm actually experiencing HIGH SPEED MOBILE INTERNET... :good: That alone is pretty cool. As you may or may not know, when an iPhone is jailbroken it gives access to 3rd party apps and tweaks. Some of which I miss... And thanks to some great members here, I have found Android equivalents.
The goal of this thread would be for users like me who are moving from iPhone to Android/SGS3 and miss certain apps, features or tweaks - maybe those of you who are Android veterans can help guide us in the right direction.
iPhone: LOCK INFO
Show's all kinds of information on your lock screen like sms, email, calendar events, time, alarms, reminders, shortcuts, etc.
ANDROID: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
(Thanks to Rickinsav)
iPhone: Ringer X Pro
Allows you to set independant sounds for a single contacts sms, mms, email, call, etc... also lets you set IGNORE MUTE so even if iPhone is on mute, and something comes in from that contact - your phone makes noise.
Android: WhoIsIt
(Thanks Zelendel)
iPhone: Unlim Tones
Download any type of ringer or tone..
Android: ZEDGE app
1.MyWi- just a well designed tether app
2.intelliscreenx- great info in all the right places.
3.Sena Walletslim leather case- a perfect mix of case and wallet. Well built and functional
MyWi = FoxFi on Android, great hotspot app
I've heard foxfi let's you tether over wifi even if not rooted. I have not tried it yet. (that covers mywi)
Intelliscreen x: I stopped using this after I found lock info because Intelliscreen was a cpu hog and slowed down my phone. But I'd think executive assistant should be a comparable replacement?
Case I can't help with- sorry
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2
The non rooted Foxfi does work, I've used it on my SGS3 on VZW, as far as the wallet case...there are quite a few out there that are similar. Boxwave has one and there are plenty posted in the accessories thread
Also on the LockInfo you can use WidgetLocker and just add whatever widgets you want on the lock screen so it can be customized by widget instead of a whole stand alone app
**Edit also the custom ringtones...you can do that with the stock software that's on the SGS3 when you go to a contact**
Oh yeah. Widget locker is awesome. I used it on another android phone I played with. I wonder if face lock still works while using widget locker?
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2
collins521 said:
**Edit also the custom ringtones...you can do that with the stock software that's on the SGS3 when you go to a contact**
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well only for calls. I have not found a stock way to change sms tone for a contact, and email tone for a contact, and etc.
I wanted to have a dedicated sms sound for my wife (as an example)
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2
Araltd said:
Well only for calls. I have not found a stock way to change sms tone for a contact, and email tone for a contact, and etc.
I wanted to have a dedicated sms sound for my wife (as an example)
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 SGH-T999 Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh gotcha..wasn't thinking the text and email...
Here's one I miss and I'd love to find an alternative
iPhone: ACTION MENU
When you long hold on text, and the context or action menu pops up (cut,copy,paste) ACTION MENU add's things like SHORTEN URL, TWEET, LOOKUP, COPY ALL (like select all, then copy), etc... Very customizable and a serious time saver when you get used to it. I have not found anything like this for Android yet, the closest I came was Shortify which is an app that will shorten a url using goo.gl url shortener, but you have do it manually each time (ie: copy text, exit browser, launch app, click shorten from clip board, re-launch whatever, click paste)
iPhone: BiteSMS quick compose text message.
I know the android alternative or equivalent is ChompSMS, and I am currently using Go SMS because of the way it handles MMS's in the default picture viewing mode not in slideshow mode (stupid samsung messaging app) - anyway, on the iPhone you set QuickCompose to use Volume keys (as an example) and when you see the volume bar, you can click on the graphic and a BiteSMS quick compose SMS box appears so you can send a text without having to load the sms app itself. That was nice.
iPhone: Activator
Activator let you set ANY key or set of actions to do something... example: double tap power key to turn on LED for flashlight.. or quickly tap volume up then down (ie: slide finger down over volume buttons) to turn on LED for flashlight.. It was completely configurable to load apps, do all kinds of things... that was a good one.
Araltd said:
Here's one I miss and I'd love to find an alternative
iPhone: ACTION MENU
When you long hold on text, and the context or action menu pops up (cut,copy,paste) ACTION MENU add's things like SHORTEN URL, TWEET, LOOKUP, COPY ALL (like select all, then copy), etc... Very customizable and a serious time saver when you get used to it. I have not found anything like this for Android yet, the closest I came was Shortify which is an app that will shorten a url using goo.gl url shortener, but you have do it manually each time (ie: copy text, exit browser, launch app, click shorten from clip board, re-launch whatever, click paste)
iPhone: BiteSMS quick compose text message.
I know the android alternative or equivalent is ChompSMS, and I am currently using Go SMS because of the way it handles MMS's in the default picture viewing mode not in slideshow mode (stupid samsung messaging app) - anyway, on the iPhone you set QuickCompose to use Volume keys (as an example) and when you see the volume bar, you can click on the graphic and a BiteSMS quick compose SMS box appears so you can send a text without having to load the sms app itself. That was nice.
iPhone: Activator
Activator let you set ANY key or set of actions to do something... example: double tap power key to turn on LED for flashlight.. or quickly tap volume up then down (ie: slide finger down over volume buttons) to turn on LED for flashlight.. It was completely configurable to load apps, do all kinds of things... that was a good one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
activator equivalent is Tasker
What is the fastest and easiest way way to switch between four apps in the car. For example Google Nav, Poweramp, Trapster, and a speedometer app. A wave of the hand would be nice. I have looked at several and used a few. Smart Task Switcher, a reviewer said “Was warned about this app due to access to contacts permissions which dev says is used in China for advertising”. AppSwipe only does two ( the last opened). The “car apps” say nothing about task switching or is it shown in the Youtube videos. It would be nicer if an app would isolate and load these four programs from one key push then allow fast switching. A snap of the fingers would be another way to switch between these four apps. Also, a slideshow type thing of these four apps with the option to stay on the current one showing might be an idea. Or, one app that puts to the front the needed app, like the media player about the first and last 5 seconds of a song, trapster like app that would popup during notifications, navigation about 10 seconds before and after turns, and the speedometer the rest of the time. I'm just thinking out loud. Holding down the home key is not a good fit. Bottom line is I need a better task switcher (not killer) for the auto. An app that would allow me to map a steering wheel button in my 2011 Ford Fusion SEL for task switching would be golden! A friend's suggestion was to get four phones, so that one is already out there.
I tried Car Dock Home v3. It works by using a launcher that uses the back key to return to it's home screen, then another task can be selected via a shortcut. Unfortunately it cancels Google Navigation when the back key is hit to go to CDHv3 home screen. This would have been a better solution as it takes two key presses. It would be the best solution to perform one action to cycle through the desired programs. I installed Smart Task Switcher and that was good in theory but I could not find how to configure correctly and the floating button is far too small and often requires several taps, and that is sitting at the desk. There is a paid version where some of this is supposedly settable but from my experience with this app I don't think this is a solution.
The car was the first place that came to mind. But the need to quickly and efficiently switch task is useful in several environments.
I have hit a dead end and any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hey man,Im surprised you expect a phone to act as a tomtom,mp3 player and christ knows what else simultaneously.
theunderling said:
Hey man,Im surprised you expect a phone to act as a tomtom,mp3 player and christ knows what else simultaneously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S2 runs everything just fine, there is just not an efficient way to switch between them.
My father has early onset Alzheimers and I need to create a rom that when the device is powered on all he sees is 3 buttons call, end call, and text which brings up the plain texting option. Call shows square photos of people and services..etc.. tap on one it calls that person. I Would also like to do things like change the power button so it cant fully shut down the phone with out a specific combination of buttons or a pattern. Where do I begin to learn how to do this? I would really like to learn to do this on my own.
Hi there. Sorry to hear about your father. I've had a couple members of my family suffer from this and it's difficult, to say the least. As far as what you are looking for, well, I'm not sure you need to go all in and make a custom rom for this. I think many of the things you are trying to do can be done with existing mods.
As far as the power button, you can look into using the Xposed Framework and the Xposed Additions module which allows you to customize the activity of the hardware buttons.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/framework-xposed-rom-modding-modifying-t1574401
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/mod-xposed-additions-t2294274
For the buttons on screen for Call / End Call - Well, the Call with a link to favorite contacts with pictures is easily done with most launchers or a favorite contact widget. The End Call option though, I'm not so sure about. Reason being is that any time you're going to make a call, it's going to open the dialer app and the end button will be there. I can't really think of a way around that. I looked into adding a shortcut to that activity with Nova Launcher, but it's not an option available (though there are a dozen other shortcuts).
But with a launcher like Nova, you will have the ability to add / delete anything off the main screen besides what you want. You can lock the home screen so he can't inadvertently make changes to it and enable a gesture he wouldn't be likely to use to allow you to access the app drawer (like 2 fingers swipe up, etc). You can also use one of the variety of locking apps that will prevent access to any unwanted apps by requiring a password or PIN.
Ooh. Custom ROMs. A lot of work for such simple need. Maybe use Tasker instead? You can accomplish this with a scene and some profiles/tasks setup on stock ROM. Only disadvantage I see compared to making your own rom is long boot time. You can bypass everything in regards to Android UI just by making the scene fullscreen and disabling keyguard with a on-boot profile. That way, when he turns the screen back on, it goes right to your scene setup with no "slide-to-unlock" crap. I am very experienced in Tasker, so if you need any help, I can help you. I'd be willing to develop this for you, it would be about a half hour on my part
All the best,
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for the suggestions, these are great places to start.
I am a recent switchover from iPhone 5 to a Galaxy s5 and need some clarification on how Bluetooth devices and their buttons work with applications both in focus and in background.
I use mapping programs like Waze in addition to Pandora, Spotify, ect and am finding that my car stereo's bluetooth controls don't seem to control the music in regards to play/pause/FF/RW unless the application is in the foreground. Is this the way it is supposed to function or is this a quirk with my S5?
From what I have read it seems like it is a limitation of the way Android handles the media controls, but I would like to know for sure.
I have also found the same to be true when using an LG Tone Pro with Chrome open. You can't control the music unless you either switch to the music app, or goto a menu function of Chrome and the media controls work again. For example, in Chrome open up bookmarks using the three little dots in top right and leave that window open and media controls work as long as this is in focus. Seems odd to me.
In Waze you get the same effect. If you click on the button in the lower left to bring up the menu, leave it open, you can use media controls as long as there is focus.. once you click away it goes away.
Hope somebody can tell me that I am missing something, because this is a real bummer.