[Q] Switching between 4 apps in the car and other environments - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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.

Related

[Q] home "recent apps" list

I just installed a ROM (Senseless ROM 1.1) and I'm liking it a lot. But I noticed something odd when pressing and holding the "home" key to bring up the "recent apps" list. Every few minutes the oldest items drop off the end of the list.
So initially maybe I have 4 apps in the list, then after a while of switching between apps 1 and 2, suddenly there are only 3 apps in the list, then 2. And eventually it even drops down to 0 so the app I'm currently running isn't even in the list. Does the stock phone do this too and I only just now noticed it or is this feature only an issue with my particular ROM? What aspect of android controls the app switcher (if that's what it's called).
I'm using launcher-pro if it matters, and I haven't installed any task switchers from the market. I might consider getting one of the market task switchers as a decent workaround, but I'm not necessarily keen on the interface they all seem to use (tap home -> task switcher; tap home twice -> home screen of your launcher that you would otherwise get to with a single tap).
I haven't yet found any settings for controlling the app switcher. Are there any, and where do they live?
I almost can't imagine that this is an intentional design feature of the "recent app" history, but after an LED "notification" light that turns off after 5 minutes, anything is possible.
For what it's worth I started using the market app "PreHome" as a task switcher and am finding it a good replacement for the default. Now I just hit [home] once to bring up the PreHome app which maintains a good history, and never use the hold [home] to get the default android task history.
Oddly enough I haven't been able to reproduce the original problem I had reported, even when I do use the default switcher for a while.
I knew this would happen.. as soon as I reported that it wasn't reproducing anymore I started hitting the problem again. At least the part where semi-old items start dropping off the history list. I still haven't yet reproduce a history list containing 0 items.
Browsing the web seems to be the most reliable way to make older apps fall off the end of the list. Specifically I was browsing m.zedge.net listening to ringtones.
Anyway the only new news is that when an item drops out of the traditional app history list, it also dropped out of the PreHome app's list.

Home long-press

Hi,
I know it's a general android question but let me ask it here.
Let's say I'm driving, using (just as an example) Waze as a navigator and Audible as a bookreader. Easiest way to switch between them is to do a long press home and choose an app. But is there a way to make it even simpler? Like I long press home or search or whatever and it switches between two most recent apps? Or some bluetooth gadget that swaps apps on a button click? I'm open for options because available routine is too much of distraction - long press then look and tap a proper icon?
Sent from my SGH-I717R using Tapatalk 2
As far as I know...no. But if that simple changing of apps distracts you that much...maybe you shouldn't be fiddling with your phone and driving.
With that said, android tablets have this wonderful program called "cornerstone". Lets you simultaneously run 3 apps on screen at the same time. Would be pretty sweet if it could get adapted to the note. Maybe just 2 apps at a time.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Pity...
In fact, there are more possibilities than Home button. Waze beta voice command mode is being triggered by waving a hand (proximity sensor?). Good idea for someone to write a task switcher - you wave a hand, and it switches applications!

[Q] Bluetooth Media Buttons and App Functionality

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.

Tips and Tricks

Post any Tips and Tricks you may know of for the Sony Z3v D6708 model.
I f the phone won't shut down or gets stuck -- open Sim card door, press the off button hidden there (above Sim slot) to shut down phone with a small object, something not sharp.
Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Advanced -> Toggle everything off by "Wi-Fi Optimization.
Turn on NFC and Bluetooth only when needed as it drains battery.
Now my list of apps I've disabled...
Amazon
Amazon app suite
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Music
Amazon Appstore
Audible
Black Hole
Bubbles
Caller ID
Cloud
Enchanted Forest
FamilyBase Companion
Gmail (I use Cloudmagic)
Google Korean Keyboard (include Chinese if you don't use Chinese either)
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
IMDb
Isis Wallet
Message+
My Infozone
News & Weather
NFL Mobile
Phase Beam
Pico TTS
Podcast
Slacker Radio
TalkBack
TV Launcher
Verizon Location Agent
Verizon Support & Protection
VZ Navigator
Wikipedia Extension
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Xperia Social Engine Sharing
Xperia with Twitter
Youtube karaoke extension
I'd disable the Email app, but there were frequent popups telling me is crashes. So I just leave it enabled. This as as far as I can think on the top of my head. xP
GigaSPX said:
Now my list of apps I've disabled...
Amazon
Amazon app suite
Snip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Marine6680 said:
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded on the locator agent, among other nebulous apps.
Maybe killing Wireless Emergency Alerts isn't a great idea? Those are the weather, amber, and presidential emergency notifications.
I've already disabled most of them, I wasn't really sure what else I could disable without screwing something up. Thanks for the list, I will do more tonight.
Sent from my ghost white Z3!
Marine6680 said:
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could go ahead and open up another thread since we're now free to post more to expand this new forum of ours.
Stormwing said:
Seconded on the locator agent, among other nebulous apps.
Maybe killing Wireless Emergency Alerts isn't a great idea? Those are the weather, amber, and presidential emergency notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, when there's a giant tornado coming, I'm pretty sure I'll know what's coming when I see one. LOL
Jk, the real reason is the Amber alerts. Several times I've been alerted for a situation that occurs in a driving distance that's 6-8 hours away from me at 3 in the morning. What kind of BS is this? >_>
GigaSPX said:
I could go ahead and open up another thread since we're now free to post more to expand this new forum of ours.
Eh, when there's a giant tornado coming, I'm pretty sure I'll know what's coming when I see one. LOL
Jk, the real reason is the Amber alerts. Several times I've been alerted for a situation that occurs in a driving distance that's 6-8 hours away from me at 3 in the morning. What kind of BS is this? >_>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable amber alerts in the wireless emergency app.
If anyone else wants to know, our phones can do double tap to wake the screen to reduce wear on the power button. A feature most phones have to get root to add.
And if anyone is taking underwater photography, don't forget to enable No Touch to prevent the screen from spazzing out during your shoots.
Copy number from phone log
Copying number from log is a two step process here. Long press and choose "edit before call" then you can copy it
Try the slow speech effect in call settings. It's amazing tech and sometimes really helpful when dealing with people that talk too fast. There is an article about it here...
http://www.androidheadlines.com/201...low-talk-feature-slow-speech-voice-calls.html
Sent from my D6708 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Starting the camera app from the short cut options (camera key or from lock screen) resets any setting or mode that was previously active. To keep your settings active don't use these shortcuts.
nateperro said:
Starting the camera app from the short cut options (camera key or from lock screen) resets any setting or mode that was previously active. To keep your settings active don't use these shortcuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice tip! I've noticed it always starts one way or another depending where I'm coming from. Right now I'm seeing there's about 4 ways to activate camera.
1. From physical shutter button
2. From lockscreen
3. From Camera app in app drawer or home screen
4. From the Camera widget (not including the other downloaded camera features)
Obviously 1 and 2 is advised not to reset, but the latter two is then what you should use to activate the previous settings.
GigaSPX said:
Nice tip! I've noticed it always starts one way or another depending where I'm coming from. Right now I'm seeing there's about 4 ways to activate camera.
1. From physical shutter button
2. From lockscreen
3. From Camera app in app drawer or home screen
4. From the Camera widget (not including the other downloaded camera features)
Obviously 1 and 2 is advised not to reset, but the latter two is then what you should use to activate the previous settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that I understand this camera feature I actually find it useful. Sometimes I want to fire off a quick shot using the short cut to start the camera in SA (superior auto mode) as I don't have time to check settings. Other times it takes a double tap unlock and then selection of the camera app to keep previous settings when I know I have time to think about the shot. [emoji4]
Power the Device Up in Safe Mode - Sony Xperia® Z3v
[Device-Specific Instructions]
Safe Mode puts your phone in a diagnostic state (returned to default settings) so you can determine if a third-party app is causing your device to freeze/reset / run slow. Our Troubleshooting Assistant can help you with other device issues if you aren't currently using the tool.
An alternate method is available if the device can be powered on and is responsive.
With the device powered off, simultaneously press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button (located on the right edge of the device ) until the Sony screen appears then release.
From the System Recovery screen, select Safe mode.
Note Utilize the Volume buttons to navigate and the Power button to select.
Note Allow approximately 1 minute for the device to reboot.
Note Once rebooted, 'Safe mode' appears in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Note Notes:
With Safe Mode enabled, test device and app functionality. If the previous issue fails to occur, the cause has been isolated to a third-party app and all recently installed or updated apps should be uninstalled.
Power cycle device to disable Safe Mode then reinstall and test each app one at a time to identify which app is causing the problem
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Clearing an Application's Cache / Data:
NOTE: Assuming that one of your applications isn't working properly then you may be able to fix this by clearing the app's cache or data. WARNING! Clearing an application's data will result in the removal of all personal information stored within the app. This includes login and credit card information, profiles, saved games, settings, high scores etc. It's recommended that you first try clearing the cache in order to prevent unwanted file deletion.
Tap "Apps" while viewing the home screen
Access the "Settings" menu and scroll to "Device"
Tap "Apps" and access the "All" or "Downloaded" screens
Select the desired application and tap "Clear cache"
If the method above didn’t help, tap "Clear data" too and press "OK" to confirm
Clearing the Phone's Cache Partition:
NOTE: In case your smartphone is not working as intended, it crashes, freezes etc. then you may consider master resetting it. However, you can also try solving these problems without losing personal data caused by a factory reset. To do so, try clearing the phone's cache partition as explained below:
With your smartphone turned on, press and hold the "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons
Wait for the screen to turn off and for the smartphone to vibrate three times
Once that's done, release all buttons
The cache partition should now be wiped. Press the "Power" key to turn on the smartphone as you normally would
NOTE: If clearing the phone's cache partition hasn't solved the problem, then you might want to master reset your phone. To learn how you can master reset the Sony Xperia Z3V, click the link
Enter Safe Mode and Uninstall an App:
NOTE: If you've installed an application that causes issues on your phone and prevents you from removing it as it runs processes in the background, then you can easily dispose of the app by first rebooting your phone in safe mode. In this mode, all third party applications are disabled.
With your smartphone turned on, press and hold the "Power" button
Tap and hold the "Power off" option
At the Safe Mode prompt, tap "OK" and wait for your smartphone to reboot
Once your phone restarts, a "Safe Mode" message should be present in the lower-left corner of the screen
To remove an app, tap "Apps" while viewing the home screen
Go to "Settings"
Swipe to "Device" and tap "Apps"
Scroll to the "Downloaded" screen and select the application you wish to remove
Tap "Uninstall" and press "OK" to confirm
Read more: http://verizonforums.com/threads/so...che-reboot-in-safe-mode.363259/#ixzz3PUePFP00
In case of emergency when your phone freezes and all else is unresponsive
A couple days ago, I was playing asphalt 8 and my phone froze when I tried exiting the game. My power button just pinged the notification ringtone, my camera button played the Cybershot sound but didn't change screen, and I couldn't pick up calls despite my ringtone playing. I thought my last resort somehow was to either wait for the phone to die (sure, waiting 2-3 days is definitely an option here due to battery life greatness, pfft) or use Android Device Manager and factory reset.
Unfortunately I went with the latter and then found out this one incredible tip: a hard reset button. I never knew such a thing existed for our phones and I would like to inform all new users of it too. This is thanks to @jhwookie for the info.
Tlr, there's a slightly brown button found inside the SIM compartment. Grab something such as a toothpick to press and hold onto the button for a few seconds, and voila. The phone will be hard reset to where you were previously.
GigaSPX said:
A couple days ago, I was playing asphalt 8 and my phone froze when I tried exiting the game. My power button just pinged the notification ringtone, my camera button played the Cybershot sound but didn't change screen, and I couldn't pick up calls despite my ringtone playing. I thought my last resort somehow was to either wait for the phone to die (sure, waiting 2-3 days is definitely an option here due to battery life greatness, pfft) or use Android Device Manager and factory reset.
Unfortunately I went with the latter and then found out this one incredible tip: a hard reset button. I never knew such a thing existed for our phones and I would like to inform all new users of it too. This is thanks to @jhwookie for the info.
Tlr, there's a slightly brown button found inside the SIM compartment. Grab something such as a toothpick to press and hold onto the button for a few seconds, and voila. The phone will be hard reset to where you were previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for elaborating further I had mentioned this in OG post.
To make the phone appear faster go to Settings>System>About phone>tap Build number several times till you get Developer options>Drawing>Window animation scale>off,Transition animation scale>off, Animation duration scale>off, x1 is default and x.5 works well too, I prefer "off", don't like animations.
YMMV
1linuxfreak said:
To make the phone appear faster go to Settings>System>About phone>tap Build number several times till you get Developer options>Drawing>Window animation scale>off,Transition animation scale>off, Animation duration scale>off, x1 is default and x.5 works well too, I prefer "off", don't like animations.
YMMV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THat's good advice for most devices. Smooths out the transitions.
If you guys go into Settings -> Data Usage, you can see which apps is draining the most data. If you want to restrict its background data, select the specified app, and scroll to the bottom to enable the checkbox.
If any of you guys have Snapchat installed, I highly recommend it since it's been noted it takes way too much data since its January 27th update.
Creating new folders in Sony Album
I find that Album isn't completely intuitive when it comes to creating a new Folder to help organize all your pictures. Here's how:
1. From the Album app, swipe from the left side of the screen to open the menu and select "Folders"
2. Open the folder where the picture is currently
3. Find the photo you want to move and long press on it
4. Click on the menu button on the top right of the screen (3 dots), then select "Move to"
5. Click on the plus (+) on the top bar to create a new Folder
6. Name your new Folder and select whether you want it on the SD Card or in Internal Memory

How useful is the 2nd. screen on the LG V10? What do you use yours for?

Hi
I've been considering the LG V10 and wanted to hear from the XDA community on how useful the 2nd screen actually was. Is the second screen more than a novelty? What do you use yours for? What apps can utilize the 2nd screen? How often do you use the 2nd. screen and how does it effect battery life?Screen caps would be welcome.
It's a useful novelty, I wish they would have bumped up the front facing cameras and gave us the option to have a 5.9 inch screen. Useful for checking time w/out unlocking phone as we as being able to change songs w/out unlocking especially useful while driving
I really enjoy the lack of notification cards on the main screen. The past few phones I've had (Note 5, Nexus 6, S6 Edge) have all had the Lollipop style cards that block way too much of the screen. With this phone, the notifications just go to the secondary screen so you can keep focus on what you're doing but still be able to see it. Also, the music controls have been amazing so far and it makes it so much easier as you don't have to pull the shade or switch apps to change tracks or pause (Noticing a trend here lol?). And finally, I use it for having favorite contacts set up (similar to the only good concept of the edge IMO). Hope this helps, so far I love this phone!
I am loving the second screen and find it very useful.
For shortcuts I have tapatalk, chrome, maps, camera and settings.
I love that it also has the 5 most recent apps. I came from a note 2 and waiting for long press for the recent apps was a pain! Of course this phone has a button for that anyway but I still like having them just sitting up there.
I am also using the contact shortcuts to try to replace my direct dial and text shortcuts I had on my home screens. I'm still trying to get used to that.
I definitely like that the date and time is always showing so I can check without waking the phone.
I also recently discovered that if I swipe over to the left when the main screen is sleeping there are shortcuts for the camera, flashlight, Wi-Fi toggle and sound /vibrate toggle.
I love it.
So far I think I'm using the app shortcuts the most.
Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk
BTW guys, not exactly related to the secondary-screen alone but how is the "alt-tab" performance; toggling between recent apps?
Say you cycle between the 5 recent apps; do they pop-up just immediately without any delay and at the exact point where you have left the app? (i.e. a web page doesn't reload, Twitter doesn't refresh like you are opening the app for the first time).
So far I really like the second screen. I keep having an issue where my Hangouts keep showing up as the big banner across the screen (sms seems to show on the secondary though). I also with when the screen was off it would show the whole notification, not just the icon. It would also be nice to choose how long the notification stayed on the second screen. I feel like it pops up and goes away so fast.
I wish the quick contacts could be set as direct dial. I will never use on of those icons to text. I need quick to just dial the primary contacts I have.
Two words: Spotify controls.
Spotify's lock widget was awful, and it always frustrated me that I had to unlock the phone to restart a song. Now I don't even have to turn the lock screen on to do it. This alone made love the second screen.
I thought it might be gimmicky, but I like using it to switch between apps and the music control is nice.
tersagun said:
BTW guys, not exactly related to the secondary-screen alone but how is the "alt-tab" performance; toggling between recent apps?
Say you cycle between the 5 recent apps; do they pop-up just immediately without any delay and at the exact point where you have left the app? (i.e. a web page doesn't reload, Twitter doesn't refresh like you are opening the app for the first time).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally yes, the ram management is very good
I find it useful. Even if u don't plan in using it shouldn't be a bother.
App switching is better, faster since you don't have to flip through cards. I always preferred the old school Android where it just showed the app icons of previous apps
Google Now cards flash with basketball game scores without interrupting whatever I'm doing.
Same with calls. They show up on the second screen.

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