The Note is my first Android phone coming from iPhone and so far I'm loving the phone and loving Android. It's obviously much much more customizable in a lot of ways (theming, widgets, settings, etc), and I find that it loads most applications much faster and does things quite a bit faster than I'm used to on my iphone 4.
One thing I'm surprised about, and maybe I'm not looking in the right places or I have it all wrong, is that there aren't many _low level_ tweaks available? It's mostly just widgets and themes, but nothing really available that can change the core behavior of your phone as you can with tweaks on a jailbroken iPhone?
For example, two things I've looked for so far that seemed like no-brainer easy peasy things.... music controls for the notification bar (or perhaps music controls that are accessed by overriding a capacitive button, such as holding down the settings button), and a user agent faker for the default browser. Yes I know there are other browsers available, but that's not the point (I tried Dolphin browser HD and did not like it.. it was slower and less responsive than the stock browser).
Those two examples may have their own workarounds (I know notification music controls are coming in ICS, and about:useragent will temporarily change the user agent), but I'm really getting at a larger question here. Other examples of "low level tweaks" from iphone that I kind of liked -- if you are viewing a text window above an open keyboard (ie gtalk, sms) and scroll down within the text window, it moves the keyboard out of the way. This was really natural for me, and just a simple download from Cydia. Another example -- swiping up from the bottom of the phone opening the multitasking bar -- again, really natural and awesome... a better fit for iphone for sure, but again, I'm not necessarily looking for those _exact_ tweaks, just offering some examples of what *types* of tweaks I'm referring to as "low level tweaks". Based on that, is there somewhere I can look to find these *types* of tweaks?
Unless I'm mistaken, it seems that to get these low level tweaks, you need a custom ROM? And then I guess you either need to learn how to build your own custom ROM, or hope that a dev will bake *all* of YOUR favorite tweaks into the _same_ ROM. Is that assessment about right when talking about low level tweaks? Or maybe there are other ways to add these tweaks, such as using adb to push them over? If so, where might I actually locate tweaks like this -- is there a repository / database / market of them somewhere?
FWIW I am rooted and OC'd using Da G's kernel (thanks Da G!). I've never dealt with custom ROMs on android so I'm partially speculating based on what I've heard about them and the lack of low level stuff on the market.
i think your comparing apples to oranges.
Apple keeps it simple and navigation is seamless IF YOU USE the device the way THEY INTENDED. step outside of that little box and they won't even support you .. i.e. jailbreak - after jailbreaking you can screw your phone up with all kind of cracked apps and all that junk.
As far as the keyboard moving out of the way, i don't think their are a great deal of ppl who care too much about that.... i think android compensates quite well in other areas.
having owned both platforms i would say it like this:
Apple holds software to a higher regard than hardware. after all, if you can't use your phone because it force-closes every 2 seconds then what's the point.
If you are like me and you like to "think outside the box" a little bit, then there are more possibilities with android... seems like eventually android drives you to learn more about your phone and how stuff works. i call it "the phone for adults!" lol
As far as the keyboard is concerned, you just need to download a different one. Go Keyboard, for example, has a button you can press to hide the keyboard whenever you want.
There's always an app/widget/setting in Android that will let you accomplish almost anything you want. That's the beauty of the platform.
Hitting the back button while in a text field will hide the keyboard, and allow you to scroll in the text box.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
I'm not sure about low level tweaks but you could try something other than the default TW launcher and keyboard to achieve some of the gesture based control you mention. For example, Swiftkey X has gestures to hide the keyboard by swiping down and ADWlauncher allows you to program the swipe up function to various things.
Android is a platform built on top of a Linux kernel. If rooted, anything you can do with Linux (e.g. everything), you can do with Android.
Related
Background
Ok this may be silly, but just wondered if there would be any interest in this idea I had earlier. What I love about Sense is that it's like each tab has almost moved past being a widget and has almost program like functionality, it seems to me this is really unique on a mobile device.
Concept
So I was thinking, what if it was possible to have extra tabs, in which ongoing programs could run, in something like a window. So for example, slide right one from a Facebook tab immediately into TCPMP, or continue one further into the File Explorer app? Why not extend the Sense UI?
Other thoughts:
1. I noticed that altering the tabs in sense causes a restart. I don't know if there is any way that this could be worked around, but otherwise I guess it's not possible to open up a whole new tab for each program. Perhaps there could be several open in which programs appear as they are run, with a customisable preference for the apps which appear on each tab/ a priority list?
2. maybe it would be possible to have something like a task switcher instead, I was thinking about something like the fantastic iManager, but where the app was fully functional in the tab, then could be switched with a nice simple gesture? This could skirt around the problem of new/blank tabs, and would be pretty cool!
3. Maybe this is nuts, as after all a quick tap on the home button will bring us straight back to Sense, but one less press is never bad right? And also the idea of a unified seamless UI is perfect for mobile in my opinion- I get frustrated by the jumping in and out of apps which Andoid and iOS require. CHT and Sense is exactly what is keeping me on WM
I can't code, but just thought I'd open the idea up to your opinions. Maybe someone who can wants this enough to do it?
Hello kind strangers,
Have searched for the last two weeks for answers to my questions/needs/requirements but have come up with zilch.
Would very much appreciate your assistance.
I've rooted my htc m8 and flashed viper on it, I'm very pleased so far with the performance but and it's a big but, there are a few things lacking .
Here's a list of what I've been looking for:
1. Something that allows me to quick compose, quick reply, etc text messages from the lockscreen without me having to switch off my security password /pattern.
I've tried textra and glowfly, but none of these hit the spot.
I've been using Activator on my iPhone for years and am very surprised that Android doesn't have something similar.
Is there somethin like activator that allows you to make your own custom gestures as well as allowing you to change the functions of your hardware buttons?
Viper allows you to limited gestures etc, I want to be able to do gestures etc on my lockscreen, that actually opens apps and does things as opposed to taking me through the unlock process (am I goin too far now?:/)
2. I haven't used tasker yet due to being so new to Android, but have heard great things about it and will be looking into this more.
I'm assuming tasker allows users to swap profiles?
3. Multiwindows: I understand that Omni Rom comes with this function, but I don't want this Rom:/
What would be the best way to multitask without having to flash another rom?
4. What's the best floating app that you guys have used?
5. I really like customising my phone, viper does allow this , but is there another Rom that does this better without me losing sense? I thought I would dislike sense but it's started to grow on me.
6. Lockscreen apps - I've looked at both widgetlocker and dashclock and none of them appeal cause of the lack of security.
Is there somethin g that intergrates with the stock lockscreen, which will display notifications better, allow theming , widgets, as well as help with point 1 (quick compose and quick reply etc)?
I apologise in advance for the noobish questions, but I've spent more than a week searching for the answers and haven't found anything.
Would very much appreciate your input and thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Regards,
Swat Valley
Perhaps I may have posted in the wrong section:/
Swat Valley said:
Hello kind strangers,
Have searched for the last two weeks for answers to my questions/needs/requirements but have come up with zilch.
Would very much appreciate your assistance.
I've rooted my htc m8 and flashed viper on it, I'm very pleased so far with the performance but and it's a big but, there are a few things lacking .
Here's a list of what I've been looking for:
1. Something that allows me to quick compose, quick reply, etc text messages from the lockscreen without me having to switch off my security password /pattern.
I've tried textra and glowfly, but none of these hit the spot.
I've been using Activator on my iPhone for years and am very surprised that Android doesn't have something similar.
Is there somethin like activator that allows you to make your own custom gestures as well as allowing you to change the functions of your hardware buttons?
Viper allows you to limited gestures etc, I want to be able to do gestures etc on my lockscreen, that actually opens apps and does things as opposed to taking me through the unlock process (am I goin too far now?:/)
2. I haven't used tasker yet due to being so new to Android, but have heard great things about it and will be looking into this more.
I'm assuming tasker allows users to swap profiles?
3. Multiwindows: I understand that Omni Rom comes with this function, but I don't want this Rom:/
What would be the best way to multitask without having to flash another rom?
4. What's the best floating app that you guys have used?
5. I really like customising my phone, viper does allow this , but is there another Rom that does this better without me losing sense? I thought I would dislike sense but it's started to grow on me.
6. Lockscreen apps - I've looked at both widgetlocker and dashclock and none of them appeal cause of the lack of security.
Is there somethin g that intergrates with the stock lockscreen, which will display notifications better, allow theming , widgets, as well as help with point 1 (quick compose and quick reply etc)?
I apologise in advance for the noobish questions, but I've spent more than a week searching for the answers and haven't found anything.
Would very much appreciate your input and thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Regards,
Swat Valley
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to android.
Many of your wants and needs can be met by using the mod called the Xposed Framework. This little guy allows "hooks" on to various calls to the system and redirects them to the Xposed Framework and the modules that you add to it. With this enabled you can do everything from stop ads to mod the status bar, lock screen, themes, and so much more. One caveat: This is currently not working with ART runtime, but not likely you are running that anyway on the One yet. It's also already included in your rom.
Notifications from a a Pattern/PIN/Password locked screen:
http://gs4.wonderhowto.com/how-to/a...protected-lock-screen-your-galaxy-s4-0149781/
(yes it says for the GS4, but the module is listed to work with the One as well) http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.labtech.mod
Custom Gestures:
Lockscreen -
HTC Gesture Modifier http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.mohammadag.htcgesturemodifier
HTC Sense 6 Toolbox http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.sensetoolbox.six
Anywhere but Lockscreen (unless you use a custom LS) -
Gesture Navigation + Multitouch Gestures http://repo.xposed.info/module/ind.fem.black.rayyan.xposed.gesturenavigation
All in One Gestures https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phoenixstudios.aiogestures
GMD GestureControl https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodmooddroid.gesturecontrol
Tasker:
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/guides.html
MultiWindow:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.zst.xposed.halo.floatingwindow
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.lovewuchin.xposed.xmultiwindow
Different interpretations of multitasking. There are also tons of different side bar type apps that you can access from swiping from an edge of the screen to activate shortcuts to your favorite apps, contacts, settings, recents, etc. that are accessible from anywhere but the stock lockscreen.
Swipepad https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android
Glovebox https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fb.glovebox
Sidebar https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rootuninstaller.sidebar
And so on... (my fav is Swipepad, especially after the last update which improved the performance greatly)
Floating apps:
Sorry, don't really use them.
Custom Sense roms:
Not saying Viper is the best, but you won't really find much that will be MORE customizable than a Viper rom. There are a few on the same level though, such as InsertCoin, Renovate, SkyDragon, and RayGlobe currently.
Lockscreen:
You can enable adding widgets (also in Settings > Security) and the AOSP lockscreen (like on a Nexus device) from the Venom Tweaks app as well. I like some lockscreen apps, like WidgetLocker, but at the end of the day, the 3rd party lockscreen replacements are either lacking in functionality(there are some that do have good security options, most do not), use more battery power, and end up lagging because when you wake the phone it might take a sec for the app to turn on as well where typically the stock lockscreen will be instantaneous. As far as Notifications - well, the phone has that option too, under Settings > Security > Notification Settings. Another alternative is some like Metro Notifications https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nlucas.wp7notificationslite which displays notifications a la Windows Phone style (and iOS) as banners, giving you options to swipe to dismiss or click to launch.
Hope that will get you started on your quest.
After testing android-x86 I'm convinced this OS could have a lot of potential on desktops..........if it were more desktop-friendly.
I been thinking this a lot and I'm guessing it shouldn't be that difficult, like at the very bottom a lot could be done with a custom launcher that gave easy access by mouse to functions that depend on gestures like the config section in the status bar. Adding right-click shouldn't be hard either, though building an API to support right click on apps is a step up.
I think the most difficult part would be running apps as windows instead of full screen. Something can be done with xposedframework and modules like flying android. One option would be to add the side-by-side of touchwiz, or even an array mode like 4 apps on the same screen at the same time. Even with a 15" laptop you get more space (actual space, not resolution) than with four 4.5" phone screens put together.
A lot of apps specially those made for tablets could be used with a mouse and keyboard without too much problem (eg: evernote, es explorer, gmail) but other would probably need to be at least tweaked, but eventually with a userbase we might get devs to build actual custom apps. I imagine devs could also use the existing design from the windows/mac versions of their apps, like in the case of evernote for example, instead of having to rethink the entire app's layout.
Anyway, opinions?
So here is the idea, a X-Cross Media Bar (XMB) style interface launcher that can be used on android devices, phones or tablets, but I plan on using it on my N7 since I use a Bluetooth keyboard I use for remote desktop and chrome and a pc xbox controller for games from time to time I have been trying to figure out how to make a decent android home screen that interacts like the XMB controls wise but have come up short.
I have found quite a few threads and other pages for stuff like this that has moved nowhere in the past and was hoping you guys might be able to get something in some sort of solution to my desire for a clean interactive interface. The closest thing i have, thanks to one of my friends who first came up with the idea but I have obsessively been trying to find a way to perfect, is using Nova launcher with folders set to tap to open a set app and swipe up to open the folder and a custom icon based off a PS3 theme pack I took the images from all arranged in an XMB style (picture linked) with the Wave Life Wallpaper to give it that PSP/PS3 look.
Basically all I want is an interface that interacts like the XMB, can be controlled either with directional buttons or by swiping across the screen (or tapping the icon of what you want if possible). But the big kicker here is that it has to support each column set acting as a customizable folder, like in Nova, and a standard app drawer where you can see all your apps. I don't even care if this requires xposed, a different launcher, and widgets, I want it and have done everything short of trying to code it myself. (probably not a good idea, I'm a network guy, not a good programmer)
All the pages I have come across in search of the pot of gold:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1104989
http://home.gna.org/gp2xmb/
https://code.google.com/p/xpmb/
http://boards.dingoonity.org/jxd-devices/xmb-launcher-for-android-5891/
The second to last one was a launcher somebody made, and believe it or not runs on 5.0.2, but has some issues and does not really let you change anything. The last Link is an actually functional one but does not allow for much customization.
What I am thinking of is more of a launcher that allows you to create columns for certain things and select which apps fill them like a folder does, allows you to have whatever wallpaper (static, scrolling, live) and has customization options. If somebody out there can program this and get it working I would pay for it. It just seems like such a usable interface for when using a controller, keyboard, or even on a touchscreen as a way different way to have everything organised. Although a standard app drawer would still be nice to avoid having every app in a column and just the ones you frequently use (I basically want an XMB in place of multiple desktops on the home screen)
Just let me know if anybody can help me figure this out.
I've used both flynx and Javelin for multi-tasking while searching the web, I have found points that I do and don't particularly like about both apps, and I would like to hear what you think.
heres my list of what I like and dislike about both apps:
Javelin
ok, so first up is javelin. i would like to state that since javelin is also a full featured browser I will only be talking about it's "stack" feature
PROS
fast
convenient
gesture based switching through "pages" (tabs)
has a read mode which will display only the important text and pictures from the article
can open unlimited pages to load
conveniently opens web pages via a floating circle that can be placed anywhere on the screen
floating circle has loading (color changing) animation with page count
once pro version is purchased you are given 3 free pro "invites" for three friends
has built-in ad blocker (activated in the full app not in stack)
CONS
stack isn't it's own app
alot of great features require you purchase the pro version (like unlimited page loading)
in free version pro features are limited via how many times you can use them
...has pro version
doesn't "minimize" after you hit the home button
load times can vary greatly
may still have battery draining issues
FLYNX
PROS
simple UI
fast
can set a secondary browser to open the link in from fynx
allows you to "bookmark" articles to read for later
if the home button is pressed while viewing a webpage in fynx it will minimize fynx fso you can access your homescreen
lightweight & convenient
has a fullscreen mode
100% free
CONS
only allows up to 4 tabs open (said to change in update)
both of these are excellent at what they do, both have great UIs, and both are well worth a try. but now i would like to know what everyone thinks about these apps.
deathblade said:
I've used both flynx and Javelin for multi-tasking while searching the web, I have found points that I do and don't particularly like about both apps, and I would like to hear what you think.
...
both of these are excellent at what they do, both have great UIs, and both are well worth a try. but now i would like to know what everyone thinks about these apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using Javelin for a long time, but for some reasons the bubble stack keeps closing itself randomly. Therefore I switched to Flynx, which is a really great app. The main difference between those two apps is the fact that Javelin is a fully equipped browser, whereas Flynx is only designed to open external links, e.g. in social networks. You can't browse the web by opening it and typing in a link. But this wasn't the need I had when installing it as I have better browsers for doing so on my device. But for multi-tasking Flynx is excellent. Only thing that bugs me right now is the fact that you can not close the app by double pressing the back button, you always have to open the menu or move the bubble to the bin.
that is excellent idea to close via double tap back, i just cant stand that i can only load 4 tabs at once, otherwise i'd be using flynx much more often, at the moment i have both installed because i love how flynx works and its load times but i use javelin if i need to open more than four tabs so i'd have say 4 open in flynx then a fifth opened in javelin, for me i think that these apps can learn from each other, i think if flynx added gestures to control and navigate the tabs and allow more than 4 tabs then that would definitely be my recommendation for anyone looking for such an app
sadly it may seem like javelin will be discontinued but also be migrating to open source, "I'm planning to take Javelin Browser open-source, but I don't have the time to do it. Anyone wanna help?" - steven goh
found here