Im doing some research into the way you all use your devices.
Its just one simple question to help me back up a point when putting forward a design proposal:
"When switching between programs using the HTC Task Manager,
would you rather be able to switch between programs from anywhere,
or are you fine with having to go to the today screen to use it?"
This question has an obvious answer, but I want evidence from the people who actually use it.
Thank you to anyone who helps.
Edit: Im only putting this up for a week, then I am sending the results.
(To mods, would it be possible to sticky this just for a week? Please? Until the 10th)
I remember my Dell Axim had an "anywhere" task switcher as well - you could just click the icon in the taskbar and it would drop down a list of running apps that you could then switch to. I loved it.
What i am currently using is Ftouchsl and mapped an upswipe (bottom, up) to TaskFacade. It allows me to bring up the Task Manager whenever I want and it feels natural because a down swipe (up, down) closes all my programs.
I think we need a more graphical task manager....can't wait for the port from omnia 2
Anywhere is obviously better. I don't cook it in anymore, and instead use Magic Button, which allows you to switch tasks as long as you can see the task bar. I also use dotfred's.
bump
putting this back up the list, i need the research.
Please vote
bump
Bump - Last day tomorrow.
Bump.
Last day today. Will remove tonight.
That's why I like devices with keyboards! They always have the ubiquitous Windows flag buton to bring up start menu from anywhere. Besides, you can alway program a button to task switch using one of the available applications. Without button, I can see the difficulty, maybe task switch via specific gesture (screen swipe?)?
Thanks to everyone who voted.
Please close this thread now, as I have the results I need.
Related
To all the guru's here, how can I get a home icon on the top bar. This way I can tap on it and go to the today screen. I know about wisbar, but don't want to use it for personal reasons. I know I can create a shortcut for a key using quickmenu and a gester using wktask but I just want a simple home icon (like wisbar or WA) in the top bar. Anyone have any ideas please?
Well, i don't know about the home icon, but maybe you'll find vjTodayButton useful:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=243235&highlight=todaybutton
You map it to a hardware button. Now, when you press (and hold) this button, you see the Today screen. When you release it, you are returned to the app you were previously in - IMO much more useful than anything that takes you to the home screen aln leaves you there...
Not quite what I need. If the icon is in the today bar, then it is available in any program I run. This allows me to switch to the today screen with only on tap. When I am finished then I can click on the wktask name/icon header to get back to where I was. I know I'm being a little ridiculous with this, but for speed and ease, this is the best option for me.
I know someone has to have an idea. This forum is to large and great for only one person to try and help out.
Well, maybe try editing your first post and use a bit more descriptive topic subject.
Messages titled with some nondescriptive name like "Need some assistance...", "help needed", "can i do this?", etc... often get ignored... It's really hard to check every single such message to often find out that they concern something you have no idea about.
But something like "How to put a shortcut in the top menubar" might just catch the eye of someone who actually knows the answer...
Just as the point 2 of the rules says:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=681487&postcount=1
While you're at it, take your time to read trough them - they're not here because the admin was bored and decided to write something - their goal is to make forum browsing a bit easier - really.
Just about right said:
I know someone has to have an idea. This forum is to large and great for only one person to try and help out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using iLauncher from SBSH, this gives you what you want, at a price though.
One of the things I find annoying in browsing for apps through the Programs entry in the start menu is that if you browse sub folder in it (like Games) you can't go back without closing the Programs menu...
Is there any freeware and lite app or hack that can add a Back and Front options to the WM bottom bar only when browsing Programs?
Thanks in advance
Bump...
Come on it's been a week... Doesn't anyone know of an answer?
Sorry if this seems shameless but if I get it right this thread has only one week left and then will be deleted...
If nobody posts an answer, then it's probably because nobody has one.
I don't have an answer for your question, but a piece of advice instead: ditch the default start menu - it's crap Use QuickMenu, TouchLaunch or MortButtons (this one takes some time to configure properly but it's probably the most powerful), or more than one of them. They all have their pros and cons, but all are better than the default start menu that hasn't changed at all since windows CE 3.0 (probably since 1.0, but 2 is the oldest one i used ). QuickMenu is great because it behaves like the start menu on a "big" windows - it's cascading plus it has some neat options lik ebuilt in task manager, screen rotation and SIP selection. Also, it can replace the default menu entirely. But it's not very finger friendly and it's best used with a D-Pad, a stylus or with a finger where you're not in motion. But it's rather hard to use with a finger on a bike or on a bus.
TouchLaunch is still a beta, but works really smoothly, and is very finger friendly. Also, it can view all shortcuts you have in the start menu ignoring folder structure, so as long as you know program's name, it will be really easy to find.
All of them are free and availible here at xda-devs, just do a search. So my advice is to try them all and choose the one you like the best, but forget about the default menu.
Thanks for the reply
I realized that people might not now the answer but they might as well have missed the thread since it was burried by a whole week of q&a's...
I've actually tried QuickMenu and TouchLanch in the past but I removed both. The first is a lot less finger-friendly than Omnia's big screen implementation for the start menu and seemed kind of unstable (at least the version I tried. I switched to wktask as a task manager/lister/launcher (I keep only the most usefull shortcuts).
The second is kind of heavy, didn't fit to my whole screen (and I couldn't config it to... at least that version) and the Launcher that comes with Omnia has a feature very similar to it (which is also heavy... that's why I still use the default Program folder sometimes)...
I generally use the default Start menu Programs browser for apps I use less often.
Will try MortButton though I don't know if this is what I'm looking for (or if I can even use it)... I always thought there would be a small .exe or scipt to address this WM flaw.
I don't understand what do you mean?
When I go to 'Programs', then 'Games' via the start menu, if I press OK it takes me back to Programs.
Maybe you have a task manager set up that closes windows when you press OK.
Strange... Is there an "OK" in your system? Mine is WM 6.1 (oficial rom). I don't have any buttons in the bottom bar while browsing Games and on the top bar there's an "X" in the right.
It doesn't seem to be the task manage. I'm pretty sure I remember this behavior as the default and I just double checked after exiting wktask and even after a soft-reset (with it's autorun feature disabled)... Even without a task manager that folder is closed without returning to Programs...
Hi there,
Have done some searching but not found anything. I may just not be looking very well, so sorry if that is the case.
On my old HD I remember an app (that you set to launch with the long press of a key) that brought up thumbnails of the apps you had running and allowed you to select which one you wanted to go to. Quite like Macs do if I remember correctly.
Basically I was wondering if there is an app around like that still. Ideally I'd love an app that would do that when I shook the phone, so then I could shake the phone, thumbnails of the apps would appear and I could select which one I'd like to run.
Not sure if there is anything like that or if anyone has the time/knowledge to make something like it.
Thanks.
There are loads of taskmanagers to be found. Like HTC's taks manager, and there is a .cab which makes this work on the HD2 (search on this Leo forum). I myself use wktask, which give a taskbar with icons of running apps, and press them to give them focus. I do not know of one with screenthumbs....
the one you are asking for is taskfasade....
I've searched all night and installed and uninstalled nearly 1/2 dozen apps and can't find what I'm looking for.
I'm trying to find a simple task manager like switcherbar.exe on WM2003 or WM2005 for my Sprint HTC Touch Pro2. I don't want icons, fancy displays etc or a bunch of other unrelated features that consume memory or processor. I just want a simple clean tool that does the job as well as it did on my Dell Axim 50v WM2005. It should reside is a small icon in the task bar and display the running applications when I tap on it. I tap the app to change to it, or tap end app to close it.
Yes I know it's boring, but it's efficient, stable, and takes virtually no memory.
I've tried Magic Button, and pBar (the closest so far) but can't find anything that actually as simple and intuitive as the old switcher bar. I've even tried copying the file from my dell to no avail.
Thanks in advance.
wktask ... also try ae button plus and set a hard key to alt-tab
On my blueangel i have the windows media player button set to launch the default task manager. Not pretty by any means, but it works well and is fairly fast after it is loaded into memory
switcherbar.exe replacement.
wktask has an button for each running program and also changes the behavior of the X button. If I have more than a few programs running it obliterates the icons on my task bar blocking the icons there (signal strength, bluetooth etc). If I reduce the size of the buttons enough then their not finger friendly at all.
I'm trying to find a simple replacement that's a simple icon where I tap it to see the list of running programs with the option to close the active program or all programs like switcherbar.exe did. I don't want program launchers and I really don't want to remap my buttons. I like them the way they are. Actually my phone only allows me to remap my talk button anyhow.
If I could get switcherbar.exe to work on my Touch Pro2 I would be absolutely thrilled!
Maybe I named the topic of this thread wrong. I should have called it "Looking for a switcherbar.exe replacement".
I guess I'm looking for something too simple in a world where everyone like bells and whistles.
I use Wisbar Advance, it shows icons of running programs right on the taskbar, so I use my Touch HD like it's a desktop PC . And I also use Alt-tab from SPB Pocket Plus mapped to HW button not exactly what you described (and not freeware), but it's the best multitasking experience I've ever had
AE Button has a nice task switcher; assign a button to it, and you're good to go. It doesn't alter the function of the 'x' button or the task bar. You need to pony up 7 bucks, though.
I bought SPB pocket plus a while back (then later switched to something else). I copied out the standalone alt-tab.exe program that installs with the package. I just made a shortcut to this executable and then assigned a button. Worked fine even after uninstalling pocket plus. It doesn't reside in memory, it only functions when called upon.
I always liked the task manger in Homescreen Plus Plus.
I wish there was a way to put a small icon up on the task bar at the top of the screen linking to the HTC task manager. Very finger friendly, but not very accessible. You have to leave your program and go launch it. Kinda defeats the point of a task manager.
In the mean time I think I've finally found a program that I can use. It's called HandySwitcher. The icons are a bit small and it's not the most finger friendly app out there, but it's always available, takes little memory, doesn't require button remapping to function and it just works. Maybe some day a more finger friendly program like that will be made. A link on the top bar to the HTC task manager or something similar for those that don't have a HTC would be perfect.
Thanks for the input.
AppSwipe Task Switcher
Came across this in the market. Its is free and has the ability to add favorites for faster accessing.
h$$p://dl.dropbox.com/u/17878354/snap20110119_163134.png
sorry can't post links yet.
I use the app task switcher to seamlessly switch between my apps to take advantage of androids amazing multitasking, however being a N1 user (obviosly) i cannot set any shortcuts using keys such as holding down Search+5 etc.
Which brings me to the point of this thread, could anyone of you amazing devs out there build an app (X) that functions like so;
1. Launch the app X and assign ANY installed application to the rollerball
2. Long press on the rollerball on any screen e.g. while browsing
3. The assigned application launches and comes to the forground e.g. task switcher
I would do this myself but i have NO idea how to do anything like this. But being very fond of the xda community i am hoping someone out their can help me out. Please PM me if you think you can help.
Thanks
bratfink said:
I use the app task switcher to seamlessly switch between my apps to take advantage of androids amazing multitasking, however being a N1 user (obviosly) i cannot set any shortcuts using keys such as holding down Search+5 etc.
Which brings me to the point of this thread, could anyone of you amazing devs out there build an app (X) that functions like so;
1. Launch the app X and assign ANY installed application to the rollerball
2. Long press on the rollerball on any screen e.g. while browsing
3. The assigned application launches and comes to the forground e.g. task switcher
I would do this myself but i have NO idea how to do anything like this. But being very fond of the xda community i am hoping someone out their can help me out. Please PM me if you think you can help.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're describing sounds like what happens when you hold down or long press the home button
Yes..
Yes what i am describing does sound like what happens when you press on the home button however i do not intend for the 'Rollerball Launcher' to be used with just task managers if it can launch 'any installed application' as i mentioned in the OP it could be used as e.g. a dedicatd camera button, which i am sure people would find very useful. It seems to me although looking very nice the rollerball lacks function. Dont you agree?
i use it for selecting fine text and to take the picture with the camera.
I suppose some people might like to be able to program a special function to it though.