[Q] Which rom/app allows only partial use of the screen - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys
Given the amoled screen on the s3 it would make sense that if you used a smaller space on the screen then you would use less power. It might also make it easier to reach parts of the screen. Is there any rom or app that allows you to resize the entire screen (aka windows) so that you can chose to only use a portion of the screen. One would simply expand it when you wanted full use. It could resize to a specific part of the screen or in the middle of the screen. One would be able to set sizes (800x 480 for example).
Let me know
Thanks
Simon

simorf said:
Hi guys
Given the amoled screen on the s3 it would make sense that if you used a smaller space on the screen then you would use less power. It might also make it easier to reach parts of the screen. Is there any rom or app that allows you to resize the entire screen (aka windows) so that you can chose to only use a portion of the screen. One would simply expand it when you wanted full use. It could resize to a specific part of the screen or in the middle of the screen. One would be able to set sizes (800x 480 for example).
Let me know
Thanks
Simon
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Related

Questions after using G Tab for 2 weeks, password, multi-tasking, icon spacing, and

I've had the G-tab for two weeks and always use something for a while before I ask questions. It looks like at least one of the questions, icon spacing is answered elsewhere but since I am going to as a few questions I'll still include it here.
I'm using TNT-L 4.4 but guessing most of these are universal to Android.
1. The G-tab does lock after a while and I just slide the lock up and it unlocks but is there a place to tell it you want a password. Also when it boots up I'd like a password on it.
2. I know it does multi-tasking but when I am in certain apps, browser and others, I have to either back out of it, or hit the home and when I go back the app starts over again. I thought you could just slide from screen to screen.
3. On the home screen when I put icons on the home screen only four across and and three high. Should be able to get at least 6 or 7 wide and 4 or 5 high. What's up with that?? Can you set icon spacing on the home screen?
4. A lot of devices you can have information displayed when it is locked like your name/phone number in case it is lost/found they know who's it is. Anything to do that?
5. I've seen a number of posts about screen protectors and most are related to fingerprints. I'm mostly wanting to get rid of glare. What is the best Anti-glare screen protector?
6. Where can I get free chocolate? Always a good question.
Thanks.
p.s. This is a great resource!
TheArtfulPenguin said:
I've had the G-tab for two weeks and always use something for a while before I ask questions. It looks like at least one of the questions, icon spacing is answered elsewhere but since I am going to as a few questions I'll still include it here.
I'm using TNT-L 4.4 but guessing most of these are universal to Android.
1. The G-tab does lock after a while and I just slide the lock up and it unlocks but is there a place to tell it you want a password. Also when it boots up I'd like a password on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TNT-L is based off the stock ROM, I do not believe setting a lock-screen code is available. Other ROMs may/may not offer this choice. CM7 and those built from the CM7 base do.
2. I know it does multi-tasking but when I am in certain apps, browser and others, I have to either back out of it, or hit the home and when I go back the app starts over again. I thought you could just slide from screen to screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no sliding from screen to screen as apps are designed to be inclusive to their own layout. Hold HOME to switch between apps. Don't press it, hold it....a screen will pop up with the last few used apps. Selecting it will take you right back to where you were in the app.
3. On the home screen when I put icons on the home screen only four across and and three high. Should be able to get at least 6 or 7 wide and 4 or 5 high. What's up with that?? Can you set icon spacing on the home screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not with the stock one. Launcher Pro, ADWLauncher, VTLLauncher will allow you to increase the columns and rows. I use an 8x8 grid that fits nicely without chopping off the text of the icons.
4. A lot of devices you can have information displayed when it is locked like your name/phone number in case it is lost/found they know who's it is. Anything to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, though off the top of my head I don't recall. Plenty of app/widgets that will overlay/use on top of the lockscreen.
5. I've seen a number of posts about screen protectors and most are related to fingerprints. I'm mostly wanting to get rid of glare. What is the best Anti-glare screen protector?
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Click to collapse
No answer for you there...I hate screen protectors.
6. Where can I get free chocolate? Always a good question.
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Click to collapse
Looking for the answer myself.
thanks....
Thanks for the info, more than I knew to start even thought you didn't have all the answers
tcrews said:
No, no sliding from screen to screen as apps are designed to be inclusive to their own layout. Hold HOME to switch between apps. Don't press it, hold it....a screen will pop up with the last few used apps. Selecting it will take you right back to where you were in the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This ought to be in the "Android Navigation 101" thread...it has been driving me nuts trying to figure it out. Thank you...
Regarding screen lock in TNT
I'm not sure if this will work in 4.4. I switched to Vegan a while back to get EAP functionality, so I haven't had to check. However, I did figure out how to do this a while back on TNTLite 5. It requires Launcher Pro (or a launcher with similar functionality).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997004
Next question for a simp
What is the easiest way to get into the Sound applet without having to navigate through the settings menu? The volume control only brings up the Media Playing volume levels, and I'd like to be able to get into the Master and Notifications volumes quickly as well.
EDIT: set up a custom shortcut which gets to the general Sound Settings, but would still like a way to get directly to the volume applet.
It works in TNTL 4.4.0.
I just followed the instruction and was amazed.
Thank you!

Ex-blackberry guy pulling hair out

Overall, I think the move from Blackberry to Android/Note was the right one but the transition has been painful in a few areas. I'll list them in this one post instead of inundating the forums with single posts with only one question.
Phone Application -
Admittedly, this is the most frustrating part about going with the Note (outside of the loss of a physical keyboard). The phone application is ridiculously inefficient compared to Blackberry.
Is there a way to prevent the phone from locking (PIN required) when I navigate away from the phone application while on a call? There is nothing more frustrating than having to enter my PIN to simply hang up a phone call. Also, while on a phone call only (meaning I don't navigate away from phone), the screen times out and turns off... forcing me to press the side key to get back into phone. Is there a program that can map the capacitive search key while on a phone call so I can hang up a call?
Regarding "Contacts", is there a way to default to keyboard entry upon opening Contacts? Does Android think the average person has only 6 contacts??... Because that's how many contacts show up when you enter Contacts. This forces me to press "search contacts" every single time I enter Contacts... and the magnifying glass is all the way at the tip top of the screen. Using one hand, it's impossible to comfortably extend my thumb all the way to the top of the screen after pressing my Contacts application icon on the very bottom of the screen. Then I am forced to pull all the way back down to the keyboard just to enter the first letter of the person I'm searching for! I call out of my Contacts list 50-100 times a day so this gets very, very cumbersome and time consuming.
Is there a way to change the text size in my contacts list? I'd like to see more than 6 contacts per page... the phone screen is HUGE!
Now this complaint I'm sure a lot of ex Blackberry people can relate with... Blackberry (via an available OPTION) would consolidate call logs into each individual contact. Android, for some strange reason, does not consolidate history to each individual contact. So when I pull up recent history, the top 100 entries can be from only 10 or 15 people Wouldn't it make more sense to have ONE entry PER CONTACT? I wouldn't have to go into Contacts as often if Android actually consolidated phone call logs into one log per contact because I could go into the phone log and call out people from there... instead of seeing a sea of missed, outgoing, incoming calls... from the same person. I really hope there is a way to consolidate these logs.
S Memo -
There is an option to pull up the S Memo pad in phone but for some strange reason, it always defaults to "drawing" mode instead of entering text. I'm often in a flustered state when on a phone call and/or listening to voicemail and trying to jot down notes... so having to punch that tiny little "T" at the very upper left hand corner of the screen is a pain.
Is there a way to decrease the font size? I never did understand why some native programs have no adjustments for font size... not everyone is 80 years old w/bad vision. I mean... what's the point of having such a high res screen if the font size is a quarter inch tall? Blackberry allowed text size to be adjusted in ALL native applications.
I'm assuming there is no way to increase the amount of text I can enter onto one S Memo page? It seems extremely limited (about ~100 words max).
Am I the only one that seems to have notes that don't save? I recall entering text into several notes and backing out supposedly automatically saves what was inputed... but often times the text is not there when I return to the note. Are others having this issue?
Finally, is there an alternative memo program that anyone could recommend that is as simple and easy to search as Blackberry's memopad?
Alarm Clock -
I realize that there are a ton of alarm apps out there but I've heard horror stories about apps that crash and/or don't work properly. I need a reliable alarm clock so would prefer to stick with the native application. It actually works perfectly... except that the alarm lasts for only 60 seconds. I've slept right through the alarm several times already. Is there any way to make it loop for a longer period? Say 5 or 10 minutes?
I have a ton of other questions but if anyone can help with these for now it would be much appreciated!
U have a button dedicated to search at the bottom. I use dw contacts. Not the cheapest solution but very customizable
There's an app to increase/decrease font size, I haven't used it but I saw someone mentioning it here the other day, the alarm is fine, I have never had any issues with any android alarm, and you can add as many alarms as you want, I get up at 3am to go to work and I can't ever be late so I have set like 4 alarms to go off in set times in order so if I don't hear one the others will follow.
As the issue with being able to reach the full length of the screen one handed , it is what it is, a big a$$ screen that for the most part demands two handed control.
Sent from my awesome Galaxy Note!
Do you have to use a PIN?
Go to settings, display, screen timeout. You can change how quickly or slowly your screen times out on you.
On your contacts app, just hit the magnifying glass at the bottom right and it'll pull up your keyboard and search function. Or there's teh alphabet running down the right hand side, just click on the letter the name starts with. Or for more customization and ease, install exdialer. It looks good, easy to use, font is small, etc. Exdialer also consolidates your call logs.
There are a ton of memo apps in the market. Personally I love Gnotes. It syncs with google, saves everything, is easy to use, and you can inbed pics, etc.
I don't know about the spen. So far I've only used it to make cute pics to send to my wife and to draw up soccer drills and practice plans.
esincho said:
U have a button dedicated to search at the bottom. I use dw contacts. Not the cheapest solution but very customizable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll give it a try. Does the phone still maintain its ability to keep a log and back up the calls to my computer?
roloracer said:
There's an app to increase/decrease font size, I haven't used it but I saw someone mentioning it here the other day, the alarm is fine, I have never had any issues with any android alarm, and you can add as many alarms as you want, I get up at 3am to go to work and I can't ever be late so I have set like 4 alarms to go off in set times in order so if I don't hear one the others will follow.
As the issue with being able to reach the full length of the screen one handed , it is what it is, a big a$$ screen that for the most part demands two handed control.
Sent from my awesome Galaxy Note!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the program Big Font but unfortunately while the font size decreases, it does nothing to decrease the size of the useless silhouette image next to the contact name. So I still only get 6 contacts per massive page. I'm hoping there is another solution.
kiltedthrower said:
Do you have to use a PIN?
Go to settings, display, screen timeout. You can change how quickly or slowly your screen times out on you.
On your contacts app, just hit the magnifying glass at the bottom right and it'll pull up your keyboard and search function. Or there's teh alphabet running down the right hand side, just click on the letter the name starts with. Or for more customization and ease, install exdialer. It looks good, easy to use, font is small, etc. Exdialer also consolidates your call logs.
There are a ton of memo apps in the market. Personally I love Gnotes. It syncs with google, saves everything, is easy to use, and you can inbed pics, etc.
I don't know about the spen. So far I've only used it to make cute pics to send to my wife and to draw up soccer drills and practice plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unfortunately I do need to use a PIN or some other form of security. I just don't think it makes any sense to require a PIN if I already entered one and then make a phone call. It's just silly that Android would require a PIN if you're clearly using the phone (on a call). Apparently Google thinks that using the phone does not include being on a phone call. Absurd.
As for your advice about using the magnifying glass, it doesn't work. Because if you pull up the contact via the magnifying glass, you cannot dial from it (swipe right for dial, left for text like you would if you clicked the text box at the top of the phone). You have to click on it and then click once again on what you would like to do. Not sure why it's like that but there are a lot of Android "features" that leave me scratching my head.
I'll give Gnote a try. Thanks!
pj737 said:
I tried the program Big Font but unfortunately while the font size decreases, it does nothing to decrease the size of the useless silhouette image next to the contact name. So I still only get 6 contacts per massive page. I'm hoping there is another solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't mix up Google and Samsung. You see Samsung customizes the Android OS, and the stock contacts app is different than the stock Google one. Everything you see is what Samsung did not Google.
If you don't like it I suggest you switch phones or you try third-party apps like exdialer(excontacts comes with it), and it is a very popular choice people use as an alternative. Also, I if you have rooted your phone you can change the DPI, so everything will be smaller and more things can fit on the screen, but like I said you will need ROOT. Download a DPI changer app and go for 240dpi.
Sent from my GT-i9220 using Tapatalk
Or if you're brave enough you can always change the lcd density in the build.prop but beware if you make a mistake editing It will brake the rom and unless you have it backed up like in cwm you'll be forced to flash it to bring it back to life.
Sent from my awesome Galaxy Note!
roloracer said:
Or if you're brave enough you can always change the lcd density in the build.prop but beware if you make a mistake editing It will brake the rom and unless you have it backed up like in cwm you'll be forced to flash it to bring it back to life.
Sent from my awesome Galaxy Note!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use LCD resolution from the market. Much simpler for a novice

[Q] Screen and background question.

Hi, is there a way to move the screens around without having to move all the icons one by one? It seems when you add the screen it puts it at the end and it is a pain in the neck to insert it somewhere in the middle. My phone is not rooted and I don't want to use a different launcher.
Also, is there a way to set the background to pan as you go from screen to screen?
Thanks...

[Q] Alter device screen size & origin?

Hello. Does anyone know of an app or hack that will allow me to constrain the OS display to a certain size and position on the physical screen? I have a Nexus 7 that I would like to use for an antique radio mod project. It would live behind an opening in the wood case. But the screen is too big (in both dimensions) for the opening. So I would like to be able to make the OS think it is working with fewer pixels and choose the new origin. That way I could keep the notification bar at the new top, the soft buttons at the new bottom, and see both new edges.
Thanks for any pointers!

On installation: Is there an alternative way to click Next?

Hi
My Nook has only one small area that no longer accepts input, but that area covers exactly the area where the Next button is during installation of a ROM.
Installation screens don't rotate, they start in landscape mode with the N button to the right.
Is there an alternate way to click Next, maybe a way to activate a voice command? Or maybe a way to force the screen to rotate?
Are my only options to either alter the source code to make the Next buttons show up a bit higher on the screen, or to get my screen replaced?
Thanks for all feedback.
WS
whitespiral said:
Hi
My Nook has only one small area that no longer accepts input, but that area covers exactly the area where the Next button is during installation of a ROM.
Installation screens don't rotate, they start in landscape mode with the N button to the right.
Is there an alternate way to click Next, maybe a way to activate a voice command? Or maybe a way to force the screen to rotate?
Are my only options to either alter the source code to make the Next buttons show up a bit higher on the screen, or to get my screen replaced?
Thanks for all feedback.
WS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you feel like messing around, you could try to use ADB on TWRP to pull your /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db, edit it with SQL, find the value that means rotation and set it to whatever value seems correct (I can't use touch events. ****ty Touchscreen Firmware Flasher app crashed on me and left me with no driver). Sorry if this is very sketchy, but it's all I know off the top of my head. You could also try out other ROMs (I know some do rotate the setup screen) or use MIUI. Cool, but not very useful. I wish someone with the correct knowledge could make a port and us, the ones who only know the hands-on stuff, could beta-test these things... Very nifty.

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