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I've been using my HOX+ for almost six months now, fairly light use but I'm mostly happy with it. I'm still running unrooted stock, just installed the official 4.2.2 update. This is my first real smartphone, I had an unsubsidized $100 3.14" Android smartphone last year that I don't think really qualifies.
The big complaint I have with the jump to a 4.7" screen is that one-handed use is uncomfortable and requires me to stretch to reach the corners, where the buttons are often stupidly located, or sometimes even to slide the phone up and down in my hand to make the buttons accessible, not exactly easy to do with one hand without dropping the phone. I would really like a phone that is comfortable to use one-handed, but I don't want to compromise by buying a smaller screen phone, say 4.3" or god forbid the 4" size of the iPhone, as I'm not exactly thrilled with the "looking through a keyhole" quality of 4.7" either.
I think the right solution would be a thumbwheel UI in the bottom right corner, placed in the arc right where my thumb is, so I can use it one-handed with my thumb and not have to reach with my fingers. As long as it let me virtually hit all the buttons on the screen, even native app buttons like the menu button at the top or the tab switcher button at the top in Chrome, I could even buy a phablet if there was something like this, maybe a 5.5+ inch screen that I could use comfortably one-handed with just my thumb in the bottom-right corner.
The closest thing I've been able to find like this is the Splay launcher, but I don't think such launchers actually let me control menus within apps, only launch apps. This guy wrote a small app earlier this year to do something similar, seems to be a great article talking about the idea but I don't think that effort went anywhere.
Is there any effort within the xda community to integrate a one-handed control interface like this? This is a feature that would actually make me root and install a ROM, as I haven't had the need to go to the trouble yet. I'd love to see an effort like this on Android, wonder what everyone else thinks.
joakim_one said:
I've been using my HOX+ for almost six months now, fairly light use but I'm mostly happy with it. I'm still running unrooted stock, just installed the official 4.2.2 update. This is my first real smartphone, I had an unsubsidized $100 3.14" Android smartphone last year that I don't think really qualifies.
The big complaint I have with the jump to a 4.7" screen is that one-handed use is uncomfortable and requires me to stretch to reach the corners, where the buttons are often stupidly located, or sometimes even to slide the phone up and down in my hand to make the buttons accessible, not exactly easy to do with one hand without dropping the phone. I would really like a phone that is comfortable to use one-handed, but I don't want to compromise by buying a smaller screen phone, say 4.3" or god forbid the 4" size of the iPhone, as I'm not exactly thrilled with the "looking through a keyhole" quality of 4.7" either.
I think the right solution would be a thumbwheel UI in the bottom right corner, placed in the arc right where my thumb is, so I can use it one-handed with my thumb and not have to reach with my fingers. As long as it let me virtually hit all the buttons on the screen, even native app buttons like the menu button at the top or the tab switcher button at the top in Chrome, I could even buy a phablet if there was something like this, maybe a 5.5+ inch screen that I could use comfortably one-handed with just my thumb in the bottom-right corner.
The closest thing I've been able to find like this is the Splay launcher, but I don't think such launchers actually let me control menus within apps, only launch apps. This guy wrote a small app earlier this year to do something similar, seems to be a great article talking about the idea but I don't think that effort went anywhere.
Is there any effort within the xda community to integrate a one-handed control interface like this? This is a feature that would actually make me root and install a ROM, as I haven't had the need to go to the trouble yet. I'd love to see an effort like this on Android, wonder what everyone else thinks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A "Whole" UI made especially for one hand usage? Well I know the second best solution.
Install "Pie Controls" and assign it to any corner/side of the screen, it will allow you to launch apps but for the function that you want, you will need to root. Once you are rooted PIE has extra features like "Back, Home, Sleep, Menu, Recent Apps" ..etc.
A Second best is "LMT" launcher ALSO requires root. Once you have it, you will be able to have PIE Controls as well, PLUS a unique feature to have gestures working in all screens. You can swipe down to bring up the notification bar or swipe up for recent apps. The reason i put it as second best was because I don't really like it ..
Ofcourse there are normal launchers , like nova launcher ..etc. that allows you to swipe down to bring up the notifications but sadly that only works on the home screen.
There are also ROMS like AOKP (For us Carbon rom or something similar) which has a stock feeling but extra buttons in the Power menu. When you hold down the power menu , under the normal "Power off, restart, screenshot, airplane" you will also find "Back, Home, Recent apps"
I honestly think that PIE Controls is the best app to have out of them all since it works on all ROMs . Though for full features you should buy the Pro version.
P.S: All apps that you are looking for will require ROOT access.
Ghand0ur said:
A "Whole" UI made especially for one hand usage? Well I know the second best solution.
Install "Pie Controls" and assign it to any corner/side of the screen, it will allow you to launch apps but for the function that you want, you will need to root. Once you are rooted PIE has extra features like "Back, Home, Sleep, Menu, Recent Apps" ..etc.
A Second best is "LMT" launcher ALSO requires root. Once you have it, you will be able to have PIE Controls as well, PLUS a unique feature to have gestures working in all screens. You can swipe down to bring up the notification bar or swipe up for recent apps. The reason i put it as second best was because I don't really like it ..
Ofcourse there are normal launchers , like nova launcher ..etc. that allows you to swipe down to bring up the notifications but sadly that only works on the home screen.
There are also ROMS like AOKP (For us Carbon rom or something similar) which has a stock feeling but extra buttons in the Power menu. When you hold down the power menu , under the normal "Power off, restart, screenshot, airplane" you will also find "Back, Home, Recent apps"
I honestly think that PIE Controls is the best app to have out of them all since it works on all ROMs . Though for full features you should buy the Pro version.
P.S: All apps that you are looking for will require ROOT access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the info. I tried the Pie Control app by coolace based on your recommendation, but it didn't seem to do anything on my unrooted HOX+. I'll look into the other stuff you talked about.
joakim_one said:
Thanks for all the info. I tried the Pie Control app by coolace based on your recommendation, but it didn't seem to do anything on my unrooted HOX+. I'll look into the other stuff you talked about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How didn't it function?
Well here is a good video that will help you install it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBud1hk27Rw
Although to have full features you will require to BUY the pro version and root, the free version on an unrooted version should have some functions that will work like launching apps and other stuff. Try to clarify what you meant
Ghand0ur said:
How didn't it function?
Well here is a good video that will help you install it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBud1hk27Rw
Although to have full features you will require to BUY the pro version and root, the free version on an unrooted version should have some functions that will work like launching apps and other stuff. Try to clarify what you meant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the app and set it to work on the left, right, and bottom, then configured two short-click apps in level 1. I would then long-press at those edges and nothing happened with pie control: HTC Sense would send me to widget configuration instead.
I just watched your video and he does a slight swipe from the edge, instead of the long-press I was trying. I just installed the app again and tried that on the home screen and within a couple other apps, again no pie controls. If I do it on the home screen, it starts to scroll to the next home screen, as it always did.
There may be something about HTC Sense that it's not giving control to the pie app for gestures, or maybe there's some other switch I have to hit somewhere to actually enable the pie gestures?
joakim_one said:
I installed the app and set it to work on the left, right, and bottom, then configured two short-click apps in level 1. I would then long-press at those edges and nothing happened with pie control: HTC Sense would send me to widget configuration instead.
I just watched your video and he does a slight swipe from the edge, instead of the long-press I was trying. I just installed the app again and tried that on the home screen and within a couple other apps, again no pie controls. If I do it on the home screen, it starts to scroll to the next home screen, as it always did.
There may be something about HTC Sense that it's not giving control to the pie app for gestures, or maybe there's some other switch I have to hit somewhere to actually enable the pie gestures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Although HOX+ and S3 have the same screen size, for the PIE to activate you just need to increase the activation area width. Just thought of installing Pie again after a while of not using it and just remembered. Now it's working fine
I remember there was a small bug of the activation area width being reset everytime you open the app if I can remember correctly. That or everytime you press on the activation width area. Can't really remember but my point is, while using the app if it suddenly doesnt appear anymore just increase the width again and it will work.
Sorry it took me a while to reply since I couldn't really remember
Sent from my HTC One x+ using XDA developers app
Ghand0ur said:
Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Although HOX+ and S3 have the same screen size, for the PIE to activate you just need to increase the activation area width. Just thought of installing Pie again after a while of not using it and just remembered. Now it's working fine
I remember there was a small bug of the activation area width being reset everytime you open the app if I can remember correctly. That or everytime you press on the activation width area. Can't really remember but my point is, while using the app if it suddenly doesnt appear anymore just increase the width again and it will work.
Sorry it took me a while to reply since I couldn't really remember
Sent from my HTC One x+ using XDA developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, now it shows up. I'll mess around with it and let you know what I think.
I was annoyed by nova (and other) launchers delaying the launch of an app. There was a noticeable delay whenever I'd launch from the home screen.
For those that want their phone lightning fast, but also want a better launcher than the pixel launcher, here is an xposed mod that fixes it. The thread explains the how and why, but I assure you my phone has never been so fast.
Enjoy.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/stopswitchdelay-remove-5s-delay-to-apps-t2688574
madscribblerz said:
I was annoyed by nova (and other) launchers delaying the launch of an app. There was a noticeable delay whenever I'd launch from the home screen.
For those that want their phone lightning fast, but also want a better launcher than the pixel launcher, here is an xposed mod that fixes it. The thread explains the how and why, but I assure you my phone has never been so fast.
Enjoy.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/stopswitchdelay-remove-5s-delay-to-apps-t2688574
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know what you are referring to exactly bro.. the thread you posted was from way back (2014) and i dont see any 5 second delay to launch apps after pressing the home button.. its instant anyway
praveen6585 said:
I dont know what you are referring to exactly bro.. the thread you posted was from way back (2014) and i dont see any 5 second delay to launch apps after pressing the home button.. its instant anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's subtle. I use a swipe launcher and when I'd use the pixel launcher with it, the apps from the pixel launcher ran immediately and the apps from the swipe launcher delayed, or vice versa. I started messing with it and found it somehow related to the home screen. It also exhibits when running shortcuts.
So I ran into this - (pretty sweet nav bar replacement) https://www.xda-developers.com/navigation-gestures-update-app-launch-android-p/
and the author says if you run into delays use thatx xposed module. I did and all the delays were eliminated.
I'm not on something - you might not notice it until it's gone. Unless you don't run xposed, then maybe it's more work. Give it a try... or don't. Made a difference for me.
madscribblerz said:
It's subtle. I use a swipe launcher and when I'd use the pixel launcher with it, the apps from the pixel launcher ran immediately and the apps from the swipe launcher delayed, or vice versa. I started messing with it and found it somehow related to the home screen. It also exhibits when running shortcuts.
So I ran into this - (pretty sweet nav bar replacement) https://www.xda-developers.com/navigation-gestures-update-app-launch-android-p/
and the author says if you run into delays use thatx xposed module. I did and all the delays were eliminated.
I'm not on something - you might not notice it until it's gone. Unless you don't run xposed, then maybe it's more work. Give it a try... or don't. Made a difference for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok.. that does make sense.. i think it crops up when on a particular setup and not in general.. if it works for the issue you mentioned thats great
madscribblerz said:
It's subtle. I use a swipe launcher and when I'd use the pixel launcher with it, the apps from the pixel launcher ran immediately and the apps from the swipe launcher delayed, or vice versa. I started messing with it and found it somehow related to the home screen. It also exhibits when running shortcuts.
So I ran into this - (pretty sweet nav bar replacement) https://www.xda-developers.com/navigation-gestures-update-app-launch-android-p/
and the author says if you run into delays use thatx xposed module. I did and all the delays were eliminated.
I'm not on something - you might not notice it until it's gone. Unless you don't run xposed, then maybe it's more work. Give it a try... or don't. Made a difference for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is amazing how useful this Exposed module is with gestures navigation. Unfortunately Exposed affects Safety Net and I'm unable to use my banking apps even with Magisk hide on. Can someone make an apk file instead of Exposed module???
quetz666 said:
This is amazing how useful this Exposed module is with gestures navigation. Unfortunately Exposed affects Safety Net and I'm unable to use my banking apps even with Magisk hide on. Can someone make an apk file instead of Exposed module???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everywhere launcher is a gesture based navigator that uses the accessibility service to bypass the 5 sec delay. Navigation gestures (sweet navbar replacement) also bypasses the delay.
Beyond that have no idea.
Does this happen on rootless pixel Launcher by amir?
Sent from my Google Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs
madscribblerz said:
Everywhere launcher is a gesture based navigator that uses the accessibility service to bypass the 5 sec delay. Navigation gestures (sweet navbar replacement) also bypasses the delay.
Beyond that have no idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know Navigation Gestures bypasses it. Thanks. Currently I'm using Edge Gestures app. Works flawlessly. I wrote to it's developer to implement this solution. If not probably NG will be my choice.
quetz666 said:
I didn't know Navigation Gestures bypasses it. Thanks. Currently I'm using Edge Gestures app. Works flawlessly. I wrote to it's developer to implement this solution. If not probably NG will be my choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edge gestures is pretty nice. Way simpler than everywhere launcher. I set left to home, right to back, and up to recents.
I launch from the launcher, so no delays regardless. I went to a completely launcher only solution when I went to pie, as no xposed.
madscribblerz said:
Edge gestures is pretty nice. Way simpler than everywhere launcher. I set left to home, right to back, and up to recents.
I launch from the launcher, so no delays regardless. I went to a completely launcher only solution when I went to pie, as no xposed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you find a sweet spot. After I contacted Edge Gestures Dev I downloaded Navigation Geatures app and after setting it I can find it is convenient and works great with no delay as you mention before. Now my Galaxy S8 with Renovate Ice ROM, Substratum overlays and a few additional mods it's a flagship killer ?
quetz666 said:
Looks like you find a sweet spot. After I contacted Edge Gestures Dev I downloaded Navigation Geatures app and after setting it I can find it is convenient and works great with no delay as you mention before. Now my Galaxy S8 with Renovate Ice ROM, Substratum overlays and a few additional mods it's a flagship killer ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet . I'm hiding my nav bar completely using navigation gestures (pill is hidden too) and using Edge gestures as my nav. Swipe right for home, swipe left for back (hold for previous app), up for home (hold for recents).
So nice to have 0 real estate for nav.
Cheers :good:
madscribblerz said:
Sweet . I'm hiding my nav bar completely using navigation gestures (pill is hidden too) and using Edge gestures as my nav. Swipe right for home, swipe left for back (hold for previous app), up for home (hold for recents).
So nice to have 0 real estate for nav.
Cheers :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since available I'm on permanent immersive mode. In RICE I have 0px for navigation bar height too. Also for about 3 years I'd prefer only gestures navigation method. Since I switched back from iOS (almost 5 years) and BB10 OS (dead) I can't imagine using my phone without gestures. Of course as a die hard Blackberry user I had a never ending ROTFL when Apple "reinvented" gestures navigation for iPhone X. My phone needs to be MINE!
The battery in the M-pen doesn't seem to last that long for me - maybe a week with light use. How are others finding it?
Also the home and recent apps gestures from the bottom of the screen work fine with the M-pen, but the back gesture only seems to work maybe 1 time out of 10. Is this typical?
I'll be in a project next week with fairly heavy note-taking. I'll report in through the week.
Yes about a week sounds right. I don't use it daily bit every once in a while cos it's not as smooth as the note 8 stylus I have . (Feels weird using the pen on mate 2px screen , the contact feels unnatural to me )
So has anyone got the Back gesture to work reliably with the M-pen?
M Pen not working
My Pen Just arrived but doest seem to work, do i need to download an app o make adjustsments in my 20 x. Thanks for info
Have you charged it?
Yes fully charged, tried everyting, i guess Just dont work, thanks for the tip
Is it the m-pen specifically for the Mate 20 X? Does it say "For Huawei Mate 20 X" on the box?
20X M-Pen Battery Life
Used the pen extensively for note-taking for three days last week. I did not test the longevity, charging the pen each night. did not run out of power during the day. Since I have a spare M-Pen, I'll use one to fully drained status on my next project.
Yes, the box says specificly for mate 20 x, ill try to get a refound OR something
No-one has mentioned whether or not they can get the Back gesture to work with the M-pen?
I don't even know what these gestures are. Can anyone explain?
Moandal said:
No-one has mentioned whether or not they can get the Back gesture to work with the M-pen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure your exact problem, but I was trying mine just to see if I can replicate the issue. Mine works fine. Is there a particular app or something you do that it doesn't work?
edit *My mistake, I was thinking the back button. I don't use the back gesture. Sorry.
scienceguylabs said:
I don't even know what these gestures are. Can anyone explain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gestures are when you go into System / System Navigation and choose Gestures instead of 3-key Navigation.
The navigation buttons disappear and you swipe up from the bottom for Home, or swipe from the left or right edge for Back.
The Home gesture works fine with the M-pen, but I have to use my finger for the Back guesture.
Moandal said:
The gestures are when you go into System / System Navigation and choose Gestures instead of 3-key Navigation.
The navigation buttons disappear and you swipe up from the bottom for Home, or swipe from the left or right edge for Back.
The Home gesture works fine with the M-pen, but I have to use my finger for the Back guesture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Thanks.
I just tested mine. I face the same situation. But the swipe left and right gestures are kinda hit and miss with my fingers as well.
I just stick with the navigation buttons.
My M-pen works fine with Back gesture
I got mine today and it wasn't working either. Called Huawei support. Simple, "did you activate handwriting in settings?" "Handwriting? No..."
Well... Do it... Search the option in settings... It started working immediately
Been trying to find Handwriting in settings but cant find it, I have the same problem with my m Pen, i guess i dont have it (handwriting) and this is why my Pen doesnt work
perrotote said:
Been trying to find Handwriting in settings but cant find it, I have the same problem with my m Pen, i guess i dont have it (handwriting) and this is why my Pen doesnt work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's under Smart Assistance. Or just use the search function.
Does anyone know how to turn the pen off while not in use to save battery life?
Is anyone else having trouble using gestures with third party launchers? For me, they work just fine and then after some time it reverts to buttons and I get the message "System navigation updated. To make changes, go to settings".
Searching around, it seems like people on other phones don't have this problem anymore.
On a different note, I started using fluid navigation gestures (FNG) and I preferred that since I could add more gestures. Problem is if I'm plugged into the dual screen case and I turn off the dual screen - either by turning the screen behind the phone or manually turning it off - and use the notification shade, then the buttons come back and hide and FNG is disabled until I start using the dual screen again.
Anyone have any solutions?
schmao said:
Is anyone else having trouble using gestures with third party launchers? For me, they work just fine and then after some time it reverts to buttons and I get the message "System navigation updated. To make changes, go to settings".
Searching around, it seems like people on other phones don't have this problem anymore.
On a different note, I started using fluid navigation gestures (FNG) and I preferred that since I could add more gestures. Problem is if I'm plugged into the dual screen case and I turn off the dual screen - either by turning the screen behind the phone or manually turning it off - and use the notification shade, then the buttons come back and hide and FNG is disabled until I start using the dual screen again.
Anyone have any solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same annoying issue! I think it happens every time Nova gets restarted but not sure on that. I've searched for a resolution too and can't find one. I tried creating a tasker profile to make it easier to switch back to gestures via a quick setting but it doesn't work. The secure setting to change is navigation_mode value of 2.
schmao said:
Is anyone else having trouble using gestures with third party launchers? For me, they work just fine and then after some time it reverts to buttons and I get the message "System navigation updated. To make changes, go to settings".
Searching around, it seems like people on other phones don't have this problem anymore.
On a different note, I started using fluid navigation gestures (FNG) and I preferred that since I could add more gestures. Problem is if I'm plugged into the dual screen case and I turn off the dual screen - either by turning the screen behind the phone or manually turning it off - and use the notification shade, then the buttons come back and hide and FNG is disabled until I start using the dual screen again.
Anyone have any solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova shows you an explanation right on the settings page of the problem. Google has not made gestures 100% compatible with 3rd party launchers and there is nothing devs can do until Google gives them what they need
Yes, I've seen that message. I've also seen that Google delivered this ability in December of last year and that some users have this working fine. It's different from when it would gray out the option to use the gestures. This one feels like LGs software is the one resetting the gestures since the notification is titled System UI.
I'd be fine with any solid gesture solution as I'm not mated to the built in gestures, but it seems like others break due to the dual screen. Meanwhile the built in ones fail. I could of course change back to gestures every time this happens, but it feels like I'm using a beta device in this regard.
schmao said:
Yes, I've seen that message. I've also seen that Google delivered this ability in December of last year and that some users have this working fine. It's different from when it would gray out the option to use the gestures. This one feels like LGs software is the one resetting the gestures since the notification is titled System UI.
I'd be fine with any solid gesture solution as I'm not mated to the built in gestures, but it seems like others break due to the dual screen. Meanwhile the built in ones fail. I could of course change back to gestures every time this happens, but it feels like I'm using a beta device in this regard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's LG. My wife has the same issue on her Note10, and I have it in both my V60 and my OnePlus 6t all using Nova. Maybe another launcher has implemented the fix?
So far for me Action Launcher seems to be working ok with gestures, even after a reboot. I prefer Nova but this is close.
edit: Dual screen causes the navigation to revert back
Hi guys and girls,
Not into all this programming stuff etc. I got the official update last night on my Xiaomi 11LITE 5G.
Now my onscreen gestures are not working anymore.
Strange, because if you do the training of the gestures, it is working, but once out of there nothing
is working.
So I have to start using the buttons (which is annoying to me)
Anyone else has this problem?
GuGuGal said:
Hi guys and girls,
Not into all this programming stuff etc. I got the official update last night on my Xiaomi 11LITE 5G.
Now my onscreen gestures are not working anymore.
Strange, because if you do the training of the gestures, it is working, but once out of there nothing
is working.
So I have to start using the buttons (which is annoying to me)
Anyone else has this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can help you if you have root. It stopped working on mine too so I use FNG. To get rid of the annoying 3 button navigation use these commands:
1. Download Termux
2. Su
3. "props qemu.hw.mainkeys 1"
4. Reboot
And you've got navigation gestures. Add it to the navigation so you can turn navigations on and off easily
GuGuGal said:
Hi guys and girls,
Not into all this programming stuff etc. I got the official update last night on my Xiaomi 11LITE 5G.
Now my onscreen gestures are not working anymore.
Strange, because if you do the training of the gestures, it is working, but once out of there nothing
is working.
So I have to start using the buttons (which is annoying to me)
Anyone else has this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had also this problem, but only when I use Nova as Launcher.
Gestures works with default launcher. That's annoying, i'm used to nova and his usefull features.
Is there anyway to make the screen turn off and on by double tapping the screen?
vayavalla said:
I had also this problem, but only when I use Nova as Launcher.
Gestures works with default launcher. That's annoying, i'm used to nova and his usefull features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gestures being blocked on third party launchers is an Android 11 limitation.
Nova Launcher have issued a beta version released for Android 11 only, they figured out how to get Gestures working again.