backlight adjustment - Touch Cruise General

Hello all. Fantastic forum and many thanks to all those contributing.
I received my O2 Xda Orbit 2 last week and I'm very pleased with the unit.
I only have two small issues with the device.
The first is more with WM6. As a left hander I would really appreciate being able to place the scroll bars in applications such as IE on the left hand side of the screen so that I don't obscure the screen almost every time I'm reading something. I don't suppose there's much hope of this happening though.
Secondly, I've read with interest the issue regarding the backlight on the keylock screen and I will try the registry tweak to get the backlight to come on at full brightness so that you can see the lock-code keys in daylight.
However, is there any way of making a short cut to adjust the backlight brightness from the 'today' screen? I'm finding that I adjust the backlight brightness for my office/indoors and then when I go outside and use the unit I can barely see the screen and it takes several attempts to get in to the unit and vary the backlight brightness.
It would be lovely if you could say press the central button and then turn the jog wheel clockwise/anti-clockwise to brighten/dim the backlight. Does any bright spark know if there's a means to do this or at least make backlight adjustments simpler?
Same goes for backlight on the Co-pilot software. As it's usually plugged into the car's fag-lighter socket the backlight's on full. Then when you drive at night it blinds you. It would be lovely to be able to press the central button and twirl the wheen to adjust screen brightness. All it actually does is to zoom in/out of the Co-pilot map.
Otherwise, a fantastic unit.

Hello,
First: If you find some software to handle the device easier for left handers please tell me. I'm always interested.
Second: If you install the GPRS Monitor Software (was delivered with my device) it places an slider for backlight on your Today Screen. So you can easily vary the intensity of your backlight.
Maybe not the best solution, but better than nothing.
Hope that helps...
P.S. Do you know a trick to disable the screen, so I can only hear the commandos? (Would be helpful when I go for a walk and get lost in the wood. In most cases I don't have some breadcrumb to mark my way home...)

Hi,
Yes, backlight control isn't all it could be on the orbit2/touch cruise (or any other windows mobile device).
For Copilot if you go into settings / map styles and select "automatic" under day night mode then it does behave better at night.
As for easy control over the backlight - after searching for a few days I noticed that the HTC Home screen that I'd already installed, had a backlight control app on the third tab. Each time you press on the app with your finger it changes the backlight intensity (in 4 stages)
Finally - The bluetooth light was really irritating me whilst the phone was in the car cradle at night. The following link discusses a means of disabling the light.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=365892&highlight=bluetooth+light

Backlight adjustment
Thank you for your replies.
I've been experimenting with the HTC home plugin.
I downloaded the version for WM6 that supposedly correctly the backlight adjustment this morning but have discovered that the backlight function does not work on my Orbit 2. Of course, I may be doing something stupid.
May I ask which version you're using and which works with the Orbit 2?
I've also installed the GPRS monitor software but I can't see anywhere where it displays a backlight slider on the today screen.
Many thanks again.
Lom

Backlight and gprs monitor
Sincere apologies,
I just discovered the backlight slider on the notification icon of the gprs monitor. Not the best solution but something.
Many thanks for the suggestion.

Hi, I wonder if there is a possibility to make the TC adjust backlight automatically? I know there's no light sensor, but can't the front-cam be used as one?
What do you think?
Or am I overseeing an already existing tool for this?
Many thx,
Eric

Same idea provided in "development and hacking" but no response!!
I think it would be a great thing

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to interest many people, both of my postings have so far been ignored... It's a pity, because I think it could be done by some pros inhere.

Related

Few Issues - Help!

Hey all.
Got my Touch Cruise recently and so far my experiences are mixed. Here's some of the problems I've had - maybe someone can suggest fixes?
1. Battery life is awful. With Wi-fi enabled I get at most 2 days out of a full charge.
2. Screen sensitivity is poor. Even with the stylus a lot of times I have to press the same key twice or the accuracy isn't 100% - very annoying when sending text messages.
3. When on a call the screen goes into standby meaning you can't easily turn on the speakerphone, mute/hold it etc. I've tried turning off all the power saving options I can find but it still happens.
4. Ring volume levels aren't great. Annoying when I'm out and about or in the car with the stereo turned up.
5. Backlight is very poor outside, or even in the car - basically anywhere where it's exposed to sunlight.
I've changed the UI to the SPB one as I was recommended to do on another forum, and it helps a bit, but to be honest I'm very close to selling it on unless I can get the above issues fixed.
Any ideas? Thanks!
You should check out the many posts on this forum, many of them address your concerns. I'll see if I can take a crack at them:
1) Yes battery life is not great, I wouldn't leave Wifi turned on all day. The less stuff you are using the better, for example if you're not using Bluetooth don't leave it on. Same for the WLAN. Don't have applications constantly making data connections either (prob not applicable if you're on the wifi). An example of such an application would be the weather app. Search the forums for tips on improving battery life.
2) There are registry key entries that improve the touch sensitivity of the screen and TouchFLO. Try this thread as a start. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355277
3) There's a registry entry for this, don't use Kaiser Tweak. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355230
4) Are you sure the ring volume is to the max? Is the ringtone itself loud? I'm pretty sure there's reg entries for this too, check out the tips and tweaks thread.
5) Yeah if sunlight is hitting it directly the screen is not very visible. Try turning the brightness up to the max. Supposedly there are screen protectors out there that minimize the effect of glare although I haven't personally tried any except for the stock protector.
Overall your best bet is to read the forums and use the search function. You will almost always find someone who has asked the same question in the past. And welcome to xda. HTH.

eliminating the blinking light while charging, possible?

does anyone have a way to eliminate or turn off the blinking light while the pro is charging? this is really annoying to me especially while i'm in the car.
This would be good for me aswell especially at night. Any ideas?
Just keep your device loaded at 100% charge level.
(sorry, could not resist - just kidding)
I would be interested in a serious answer too! I actually like it but my wife complains about the light in the sleeping room. So I always have to put face down it on the badstand
Kaiser notification
I don't know if it will work with the touch pro, but, on the TyanII/Tilt, do a search for "Kaiser notification". You can control all the @#%$% blinking lights
on the tilt. Personally, I keep them ALL off.
No TP on hand yet... but this is a future concern.
I think this is likely a relatively simple registry edit. I'd look for the value somewhere within HKLM\Drivers\ ... that's where LED notifiers have been in other devices I've messed with.
And once this is found it can be put into a cab... hopefully I can help with this soon (once I actually get one)
p51d007 said:
I don't know if it will work with the touch pro, but, on the TyanII/Tilt, do a search for "Kaiser notification". You can control all the @#%$% blinking lights
on the tilt. Personally, I keep them ALL off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah you are referring to
http://www.modaco.com/index.php?automodule=downloads&showfile=2400
just doing a google search thats what i found. i don't think this can work on the touch pro though because there is only one light on the device. plus, the light i'm interested in controlling - the charging light isn't an option

[IDEA/REQ] In-Call Lock Screen with Light and G-Sensors

Hi,
I recently bought a HTC Touch HD, and I think that the "shutdown-screen-when-you-answer-a-call" function of phones like Diamonds, Touch Pro and HD is the dumbest way to prevent accidental presses on the touch screen.
Our devices have a light sensor, that could be used to switch off the screen if the phone is near the ear (like the phone using an "i" word ) and keep it on when you answer with loudspeaker for example.
The "problem" with this function is that when you're already in a "no-light" environment, the screen lock function doesn't work.
To resolve this issue, I think we could use the G-Sensor. Indeed, if the place has no light, then, the phone cannot detect the proximity of a ear. But when you put the phone next to the ear, you hold it a the vertical...
To make it short, the app should do :
Do nothing in normal use.
When a call arrives :
- it monitors the ambient light
If there's light :
- when you answer the call, if there's light then no more (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches off the screen and continue to monitor.
- while in call, if there's light again (you want to see some info on the screen for example), it switches on the screen and continue to monitor.
- and so on until you end the call
If there's no light :
- when you answer the call, but let it at the horizontal (you let it on the desk for example), it does nothing
- if you take the phone on the vertical position (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches the screen off.
- if the phone, during a call, goes from vertical to horizontal of horizontal to vertical, the screen is switches on/of
- and so on until you end the call
Obviously, you could replace the "switch on/off screen" with "lock/unlock screen".
What do you think about ?
UPDATE :
After playing a bit with the HD, it appears that HTC DOES use the light sensor for turning the screen off during a call.
Let's do a test :
In a place with plenty light :
- put your mobile with the face up
- call a number (always face up) : the screen will not be switched off until the light sensor detects a loss of luminosity or a timeout set in the registry.
So, my conclusion is that HTC already use the light sensor to switch the screen off during a call, but they do it in an absurd way :
- they poll the sensor just to shut down the screen, not to switch it on.
- once the screen has been switched off, they do not longer poll at all.
Do you think it could be a way to "hack" their system to do what we want to do ?
no one has an opinion on this idea ? if there's nobody that want / have the time to develop a soft, I understand, but at least please, give me just your opinion
I agree with your idea for such an application. I must admit that I am very used to just pushing the power button when I answer a call (from Polaris use) to ensure I am not going into other programmes as I rub the phone against my ear. On the other hand I am trying to get used to the Touch HD's modern automatic method but I can't help not feeling relaxed that it has worked and keep trying to look at the screen in the corner of my eye to see if it did go off or not.
If it does not come now I am sure there will be such an app very soon just as you describe especially as all the latest models now have it.
i'd use the half of it that doesn't require the G-sensor as i don't have a diamond or HD...
but i'm certainly sick and tired of my ear operating my touch screen while i'm speaking.
I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.
fireweed said:
I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the simpliest way to "protect" the screen is to switch it off. I suppose it must be some API to do that ?
Concerning the "locking", I think the simpliest way is to put on focus an empty window (transparent if it can be ).
I'm really happy to know that you're working on an app like that
lpaso said:
Hi,
I recently bought a HTC Touch HD, and I think that the "shutdown-screen-when-you-answer-a-call" function of phones like Diamonds, Touch Pro and HD is the dumbest way to prevent accidental presses on the touch screen.
Our devices have a light sensor, that could be used to switch off the screen if the phone is near the ear (like the phone using an "i" word ) and keep it on when you answer with loudspeaker for example.
The "problem" with this function is that when you're already in a "no-light" environment, the screen lock function doesn't work.
To resolve this issue, I think we could use the G-Sensor. Indeed, if the place has no light, then, the phone cannot detect the proximity of a ear. But when you put the phone next to the ear, you hold it a the vertical...
To make it short, the app should do :
Do nothing in normal use.
When a call arrives :
- it monitors the ambient light
If there's light :
- when you answer the call, if there's light then no more (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches off the screen and continue to monitor.
- while in call, if there's light again (you want to see some info on the screen for example), it switches on the screen and continue to monitor.
- and so on until you end the call
If there's no light :
- when you answer the call, but let it at the horizontal (you let it on the desk for example), it does nothing
- if you take the phone on the vertical position (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches the screen off.
- if the phone, during a call, goes from vertical to horizontal of horizontal to vertical, the screen is switches on/of
- and so on until you end the call
Indeed, you could replace the "switch on/off screen" with "lock/unlock screen".
What do you think about ?
I searched the forum for an existing app that could do this, but I didn't find anything.
If there's already an app that do this stuff, I'm truely sorry for this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for this.. If you find a solution send me a PM, I will do the same
Thanks!
We need this app, how does the iphone acheive this?
I think the 'easiest' way to make this app would be to keep the phone doing what it does currently (put the phone on standby when answering a call) then have the light sensor take the phone out of standby when it receives light, (taking it away from your ear)?
Obviously if its dark then we would have to use the power butten as we currently do now or have the Gsensor do it with a twisting motion (vertical to horizontal).
If anyone has an idea how to program this i'm willing to help in any way, the current systems seems so crude on such tech devices!
DB
lpaso said:
Hi,
I searched the forum for an existing app that could do this, but I didn't find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There a program, that can help you. Not full, but it can switch off screen, using g-sensor. However its using not vertical aligment of the phone. There are using changing orientation of the phone to decide when phone near the ear.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2622590&postcount=45
I have always wondered why our WM phones don't do what the iphone does...
For the SE Xperia X1, the light sensor is right near the earpiece (along with the little front facing camera), so it would go to virtually 100% darkness when near the ear. I would presume unless you are using the phone also in 100% darkness (which should be pretty rare I would guess) then it would work like the iphone.
I have also been quite annoyed by the fact that after a phonecall, sometimes I found i'm in a note taking program or weather program or something else. It just seems dumb, considering our phone HAVE these lightsensors?!
I think it's a fantastic idea to solve a VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM
lpaso said:
no one has an opinion on this idea ? if there's nobody that want / have the time to develop a soft, I understand, but at least please, give me just your opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would rank myself this way:
Not a newbie who's just gotten a touchscreen phone and is now discovering the quirks when holding screen to ear,
and not a developer,
but a power-user. I have installed all sorts of XDA-developed features/enhancements for my phone.
But now I have 4 years experience -- starting with the T-Mobile MDA, and its successor, the T-Mobile WING. And despite all of the advancements expected in that time, STILL, I inadvertently end a call, or put it on hold accidentally, ALL THE TIME. Between that and trying to retrieve the phone from my pocket just to answer the damn ringing phone, I would say I have, on the average, a 20% success rate -- and 80% of the time the call is disrupted. And at least once a day my ohone, in my pocket, even when using s2u2, manages to REDIAL my latest conversation, so mcuh so that all my friends say "why don;t you get rid of that phone. It does all these whiz bang things but still can't reliably manage a basic phone call.
My most recent experiment was to call someone, then when they answered, press the s2U2 key to lock the phone screen. Only I came to find out from A_C that this is no good: S2u2 does not have recognition that you're ending the call, thus, since it's in lock-mode, the "END CALL" or Hang-Up hard key does not work.
So by all means, I would even pay for an app that once and for all handles the baseline problems of simply making a phone call. Thanks for making this request.
fireweed, have you contacted A_C, author of s2u2 ?
There may just be perfect synergy between the two of you. His "best of breed" screen-lock app is widely used -- and other developers, like supbro, for example, author of iDialer, have collaborated on small code-bits from A_C to solve some integration problems.
If for any reason you are unfamiliar with A_C, go to his website: www.ac-s2.com -- where his apps are explained, and all link back to XDA.
He's even managed to make the screen lock work, yet, have it selectively overridden when you insert headphone jack -- such that his s2p (slide to play) app opens and allows you to switch music tracks etc while otherwise the screen and buttons are all fully locked...
fireweed said:
I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
After playing a bit with the HD, it appears that HTC DOES use the light sensor for turning the screen off during a call.
Let's do a test :
In a place with plenty light :
- put your mobile with the face up
- call a number (always face up) : the screen will not be switched off until the light sensor detects a loss of luminosity or the timeout set in the registry expires.
So, my conclusion is that HTC already use the light sensor to switch the screen off during a call, but they do it in an absurd way :
- they poll the sensor just to shut down the screen, not to switch it on.
- once the screen has been switched off, they do not longer poll at all.
Do you think it could be a way to "hack" their system to do what we want to do ?
I think HTC does not only switch off the display but goes to standby (phone works independent if you didn't know yet). Your idea is a lot different in terms of programming.
I don't know if it goes to standby : when the screen is switched off during a call, a press on any button switch it on again. In the registry, the key controlling the timeout before the screen is shut off is named "LightSensorToScreenOff" so I think it is just switching off the screen...
lpaso said:
I don't know if it goes to standby : when the screen is switched off during a call, a press on any button switch it on again. In the registry, the key controlling the timeout before the screen is shut off is named "LightSensorToScreenOff" so I think it is just switching off the screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if thats the case, its HALF of what the iphone does... it turns off the screen based on the light sensor going dark suddenly (next to ear) but then fails to turn the screen back on after you move the phone away from your ear...
Anyone know how to enable this?
Interested in having this feature too. Isn't it possible to have the G-Sensor determine when the phone is vertical and shut the screen and then when it is lying flat to turn the screen back on again. Believe that the Iphone does it this way, not with the light sensor.
Hmm... I never had my ear 'navigating' my phone during in-call before....
I never allowed the screen to touch my face anyway, and the speaker is facing the ear canal, when I receive or make calls...
But i do understand that s2u2 can do what you guys might need, it locks the screen during in call.
Hennyb said:
Interested in having this feature too. Isn't it possible to have the G-Sensor determine when the phone is vertical and shut the screen and then when it is lying flat to turn the screen back on again. Believe that the Iphone does it this way, not with the light sensor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the Iphone has something called proximity sensor, which senses the distance from the ear to the phone, hence when the phone rest on the outer ear, the phone screen shut off.
Or am I wrong?
Section9 said:
I think the Iphone has something called proximity sensor, which senses the distance from the ear to the phone, hence when the phone rest on the outer ear, the phone screen shut off.
Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're right. It uses an iR sensor to know if there's something near the phone.

How to reduce brightness/turn off backligh?

Greetings
I want to save some energy on my Vox, and I'm wondering, is it possible to change (reduce) brightness of backlight on Vox, by using specific program or other trick? Original backlight is really too strong for me!
I've searched for information about it, but I've found nothing...
And if that is not possible, I want to totally turn off backlight. Without it screen is bright enought, I can clearly see everyting on it. Only in good sunny weather could be some problems with it, but I can always turn it on again. So is there any program or other trick to disable backlight?
I founded program called OldSap's OS Power, which should do this. But download page is offline! So maybe someone has got that program and want to share it?
Any solution?
Thanks to all
To decrease brightness you can use Light Toogle from this topic. It works fine with my C600 and should with Vox.
For enegry saving you can also reduce CPU clock (manual with OmapClock or automatically with Tornado PowerControl).
Unfortunately this program doesn't work on my device (it shows only white screen with some chinese "软件大" and do nothing...). Backlight works normal with this program background running...
Other solutions? Maybe this OldSap's OS Power?
It's seems to be easy thing to shut down the backlight, isn't it?
Vox has only two backlight states (excluding no backlight) - full and dimmed. You can use Tornado LowLight or Tornado Power Control to switch between dimmed and full backlight.
torrentonly, thank you very much! This is what I'm looking for!
Program runs perfect, problem solved
Once more time - thanks!

Is there an application that can easily change volume and screen backlight by a tap?

I am wondering if there exists an application which can easily change volume and screen backlight by a simple tap?
Well this is what im after: at night I always set my backlight to 10% and the volume very low. During daytime i set the volume at 80% and the backlight to 40%. My wish is to be able to switch between these setups fast, instead of having to access the settings etc. I guess it is some sort of profiling application, but the backlight option is a must.
Would also be nice if it had an automatic time setting.
Please share your knowledge if you know the answer to this.
Thank you.
MOD EDIT: tnyynt: Thread renamed! Please use relevant information in thread title!
very easy. the magic word is: profile
have a look here: http://www.pocketmax.net/phoneAlarm.html normaly the fr of v2.31 should coming out this weekend ...
THX bro!
I'll definately give it a go!
Quick Set Backlight & sound for HTC HD2
I built one myself for my HD2. Its called Quick Set.
No guarantee it works on other HTC's.
On the HD2, pressing the leftmost button for 4 secs brings up a screen where you can select 0-25-50-75-100% sound levels and 10%-automatic-100% backlight levels.
If you want to keep a possible Long-Send.lnk already present in \Windows, please save it before and restore it after executing Quick_Set.CAB
In that case Quick Set must be launched via the start menu.
See attachments.
Have fun
Bert
Quick Set Backlight and Volume for HTC HD2 Version 1.1
Quick Set for HTC HD2 Version 1.1
Copy Quick_Set.CAB on the storage card and execute it.
It needs Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable, possibly you must download an install it before.
After installation, pressing the leftmost button for 4 secs brings up a screen where you can select between 2 sound- and 3 backlight levels by touching c.q. the appropriate speaker and hd2 pictures.
This can be done easily, e.g. while driving and using the HD2 as navigator.
After selection, the application closes and the original screen is restored.
The first sound level is 0 (muted) and selected by touching the muted speaker picture left.
The second is determined by the setting of the top slider and selected by touching the right speaker picture
The first backlight level is dim and determined by the setting of the dark bottom slider.
It is selected by touching the dark HD2 picture left.
The second level is auto and determined by HD2's light sensor; selected by the middle HD2 picture.
The third level is bright and determined by the setting of the white middle slider;
selected by the white HD2 picture right.
While driving it is not recommended to operate the sliders.
If you want to keep a possible Long-Send.lnk already present in \Windows, please save it before and restore it after installation.
In that case Quick Set must be launched via the start menu.
Have fun
OpaPiloot
wow. thanx mate.
Will try & review it!
edit:
Just tried it and the brightness setting works flawlesly. The sound works too, but it doesnt update the sound icon in the taskbar tho :-(
If you are still developing on this, you could add 2 more buttons to it. Night & Day mode. These2 modes could be configurable...
Example: Night mode, brightness level 0 sound level 0.
Day mode, brightness level 100 sound level 100.
Cheers. Great application mate! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the compliment.
Quick Set was developed for a number of reasons.
I was dissatisfied with the implementation of some HD2 settings.
In particular, backlight and volume; the latter also because I used VolDpad to remap the volume buttons to Up/Down so that I had less trouble using MS Reader.
Setting backlight and volume when using Tomtom navigator while driving
compromises safety.
As a hobby, I wanted to gain experience with Smart Device program development tools.
I never thougt about the speaker icon.
It only shows "muted" if both the ringer- and system volume settings are set to zero via the regular controls.
Hence, if it shows "not muted", you are not sure what this exactly means.
If you want to be sure, you have to access the controls.
My conclusion is, that quick access to the controls is preferred, and that is what Quick Set is about.
Night & Day mode does not seem practical, because in general the actual requirements for sound and brightness depend on the environment and these are often not correlating with the time of day.
E.g. in my case the ringer volume is never muted, while the system volume is mostly muted if I don't use Tomtom Navigator; brightness is set to minimum if I'm in bed, otherwise it's set to Auto or maximum if I am outdors or showing pictures.
Also then quick access to the controls is preferred.
Adding more controls is not consistent with my design goals.
I omitted the sliders in my first design.
I only added them because a friend of mine with somewhat detoriated eyesight had trouble with the minimum brightness while Auto was too bright for him; moreover it enabled me to gain more experience.
For the latter reason I may do something about the speaker icon.
Have fun,
Bert
just tried it. the screen settings work but not the sound. using tmob hd2. it would be great if it works though.

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