Way to open the app drawer? - Android Apps and Games

Is there any app that allows for opening the app drawer / list directly without going to the home screen? (Either an app launched directly, or an app that puts an entry in the Notifications Menu?)
(Hoping to use a notifications menu entry, or an app that I can use in conjunction with SwipePad.)
This is for use on a Nook Color, so there are no hardware buttons available.

I personally use Smart Taskbar. it's quite customizable and is probably what you're looking for functionality-wise.

check out swipepad, too. you can put 12 apps in it and access it from anywhere. you can't include the app drawer, however.
oops sorry didn't read your full post. quick desk may work.

irish22022 said:
check out swipepad, too. you can put 12 apps in it and access it from anywhere. you can't include the app drawer, however.
oops sorry didn't read your full post. quick desk may work.
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Good app thanks for the heads up.

Related

App Idea: Hide certain apps that are in your app drawer...

Here's something for you devs. How bout an app that can hide apps that are in the app drawer. (the tool bar at the bottom). Because right now if someone was to want to hold my phone they could get right into my email, pics, astro, bank account, market, anything! You know what I mean? if we had an app that puts those icons inside of it then that would be a good start. You could call it Drawer Mod or something like that.
Sure they could get to them from the application set up option, but thats not so easy to figure out. First someone could work on that, then they can work on a password lock feature for it or something. I'd pass my phone around more freely if I had a little more privacy than just the pattern lock. (that can be bypassed if you know how anyway). Is it a good idea?
No. Either don't hand your phone out or use pattern lock. If I could use your phone I would dial long distance out of spite.
I been looking for something like this but for a different reason Its cramped lol, I just want to be able to organize the apps in folders or something my games clutter everything. May add password protect to certain folders
breaultm said:
No. Either don't hand your phone out or use pattern lock. If I could use your phone I would dial long distance out of spite.
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Wow you're just awesome!!! Yeah you can sooo borrow my phone and call all the long distance you want. If you gotta call then call. lol I didn't think generosity could be misguided into hate like that. Go back to your cave hermit! What's your problem?
Now back on topic with civilized people.
ahddm said:
I been looking for something like this but for a different reason Its cramped lol, I just want to be able to organize the apps in folders or something my games clutter everything. May add password protect to certain folders
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Folders would be good.. it gets a bit cluttered in there.
Hmm actually displaying folders might be difficult but as for hiding apps I think the easiest way would be to effectively move them to a hidden folder on the phone... using shell commands someone could accomplish this... consider these shell commands
Hide an app
Code:
mv /data/app/APPNAME.apk /hidden/
Run an app
Code:
mv /hidden/APPNAME.apk /data/app/
*figure out some command to run the apk*
*figure out how to wait for app to die*
mv /data/app/APPNAME.apk /hidden/
Make the icon of the app be a folder and the interface copied directly from the app drawer and it might actually act like a folder
Nice! So it's feasable. Now all we need is for someone to apply the info above into an easy to use app, or I learn how to be a pro with terminal commands. lol
yeah i really need that app. in my rokr e6 there was a menu where you could pick different user setups Games:Office:and Custom you could put watever you wanted inthem
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/texas-instruments-and-wind-river-do-up-android-right/
Second video, at about :45 seconds in. They show a tabbed app drawer. Wish they would release it as a market app.
Dharkaron said:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/texas-instruments-and-wind-river-do-up-android-right/
Second video, at about :45 seconds in. They show a tabbed app drawer. Wish they would release it as a market app.
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That is a nice find! Now there's a visual. Would really make the phone less cluttered and more like a desktop. I wonder if its coming to the phone version of android. Anyone up for making a set up based on that?
Based on the appearance of alternate home apps, some with multiple app drawers, Id say someone will do this eventually.
yea i dont know if its just me.. but i wish that there was more editing and revamping of the normal apps.... like browser/messaging/dialpad/contacts the default. I would like to download replacements for them... not steel/acontacts/chompsms (not saying they arent good cause I use the last two) But with Ahome replacing my home screen.. its not replacing it.. its on top of it. I think everything would work alot better if we just focus on editing the normal features instead of having like 20 differnt versions of contacts browsers and all that.
I hope im understood I sometimes have an issue typing my complicating thoughts.
Me too! This is an app or mod that i have been waiting for. I've been using Advanced launcher with my dounut roms. But now with eclair, it wont run. Im not so much worried about adding folder to the app drawer, but more into hiding useless icons to clean things up a little bit. Do i really need 6 different icon pack icons? when they come up as needed anyways. whats the point in icons for apps that are primarily widgets? PLEASE! SOMEBODY! create an app or a mod that allows me to do this. I would pay for it!!!!
jayb222 said:
Here's something for you devs. How bout an app that can hide apps that are in the app drawer. (the tool bar at the bottom). Because right now if someone was to want to hold my phone they could get right into my email, pics, astro, bank account, market, anything! You know what I mean? if we had an app that puts those icons inside of it then that would be a good start. You could call it Drawer Mod or something like that.
Sure they could get to them from the application set up option, but thats not so easy to figure out. First someone could work on that, then they can work on a password lock feature for it or something. I'd pass my phone around more freely if I had a little more privacy than just the pattern lock. (that can be bypassed if you know how anyway). Is it a good idea?
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Click to collapse
in case i loose my phone i bought App Protector:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-carrotapp-protectpronew-Attn.aspx
You can define apps which are password or lock pattern protected. This app has to be excluded from a task killer of course. I also protected market, root explorer and terminal.
There is another free app (ad supported) which does the same but only with a password. no lock patter (the lock pattern was the reason i bought app protector).
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-cc-applock-CtBE.aspx
I'm pretty sure about 6-8 months ago there was an alternative launcher on these forums that had app hiding as a feature. I think it was discontinued quite a while ago, but yeah not only is it possible, but someone's already done it.
Obama's>god said:
I'm pretty sure about 6-8 months ago there was an alternative launcher on these forums that had app hiding as a feature. I think it was discontinued quite a while ago, but yeah not only is it possible, but someone's already done it.
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Click to collapse
more like 2 months ago...
nonsense cupcake rom has it for example.
called advanced launcher. but as stated above, its cupcake and donut only...
go ask anderwebs.
also wrong section
domenukk said:
more like 2 months ago...
nonsense cupcake rom has it for example.
called advanced launcher. but as stated above, its cupcake and donut only...
go ask anderwebs.
also wrong section
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Click to collapse
Don't go ask AndersWeb, he's already on record about implementing it (in summary, "no", though offering a patch might convince him otherwise.)
And yeah, Advanced Launcher is much more than two months old. At least since August 2009 (when I showed up), probably earlier.
Vault
theres an app called "Vault" that hides the applications in your app drawer
you need root to use it though.
i use it to hide the sms app
then use handcent....so i can blacklist certain senders ......obviously i also have certain adult 3g apps hidden as well
advanced launcher is the only thing i can think of, too. works pretty well on donut roms, i just wish someone would port that functionality into a 2.1 rom.
the ADW/almostnexus launcher that most devs are throwing into their builds now has some of the same functions as advanced launcher (drag n drop uninstall, compressed columns/rows) but no app hiding, which is a real bummer.
this was done almost a year ago
Download panda home app has had an option to hide the apps in your app drawer for almost a year. also to make customer slide out drawers in your homescreen. if i remember, long tap on the home screen then go into the drawer option, it works remarkable well actually.

[Q] Skip homescreen?

Ok, I use WidgetLocker pretty much as my homescreen, and so I have a blank homescreen which I only use to access my app drawer if I need another app not on my lockscreen.
I am wondering if anyone knows if there is any way possible to skip the homescreen and just go straight to the app drawer.
Try looking into alternative launchers. vLauncher is probably what you want; it functions as solely an app drawer.
Seems kinda iPhone-ish.
GTIVRon said:
Seems kinda iPhone-ish.
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That's kind of the point, isn't it?
Sent from my always stock, EC05 Epic 4G
No, not iphone-ish, it's because I use widgetlocker/lock menu AS my homescreen, and I wanted to unlock straight to app drawer because I really have no need of a launcher now. I only unlock if I need an app not accessible through my lockscreen. I'll check out that vlauncher.
vivecuervo7 said:
No, not iphone-ish, it's because I use widgetlocker/lock menu AS my homescreen, and I wanted to unlock straight to app drawer because I really have no need of a launcher now. I only unlock if I need an app not accessible through my lockscreen. I'll check out that vlauncher.
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VLauncher is your best bet, or else you'll have to make an application that does what you want.
Sent from my always stock, EC05 Epic 4G
Or you could use a shortcut/slider on Widgetlocker to open a Folder Organizer folder with all of your apps in it. I'm on CM7 & use the long press search to open my folder with all of my launchable apps, so it's like an app drawer anywhere.
Ok I've checked out vlauncher and that seems the best I can do for the time being, it serves it's purpose well enough. Thanks for the help guys!

[Q] Swipe to launch?

On iOS, I can swipe the clock on the statusbar which I set to automatically open the App Switcher.
I've been trying AutomateIT, Tasker, and a few other Status bar tweaks but I haven't been able to find an app that will do one simple thing - when I swipe/tap/double-tap the clock or somewhere on the status bar, it should open the "Recent Apps" dialog (so I don't have to press that flimsy button)
Can anyone recommend an app, or how to do it in Tasker?
PS: I've been trying Tasker all day, and this is the last thing I need it to do, but no joy!
What phone do you have ?
By "App Switcher" do you mean the Recent Apps function that brings up apps still in memory ?
Pennycake said:
What phone do you have ?
By "App Switcher" do you mean the Recent Apps function that brings up apps still in memory ?
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Ah yes, sorry. That is what I meant.
I have a Galaxy S3, rooted with Resurrection Remix 3.1.4 .
Actually I was able to achieve what I wanted with GMD Gesture Control (best 6$ ever spent!). So a different question now, is there a way to get it to monitor for gestures on the lockscreen? Prior to me swiping or doing my pattern..
Thanks for your help!
You can also access recent apps with a long press to he home button by default. With a launcher, you can come figure it to vice-versa.
I think several launchers also give you various new icons and swipe features.
Lock screen? I don't know. I might look into something like Widget Locker, maybe.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
apoorvchandra said:
Ah yes, sorry. That is what I meant.
I have a Galaxy S3, rooted with Resurrection Remix 3.1.4 .
Actually I was able to achieve what I wanted with GMD Gesture Control (best 6$ ever spent!). So a different question now, is there a way to get it to monitor for gestures on the lockscreen? Prior to me swiping or doing my pattern..
Thanks for your help!
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Click to collapse
great find thanks getting it now
Pennycake said:
You can also access recent apps with a long press to he home button by default. With a launcher, you can come figure it to vice-versa.
I think several launchers also give you various new icons and swipe features.
Lock screen? I don't know. I might look into something like Widget Locker, maybe.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
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I'll look into Widget Locker. I know you can do it with the home button, but mine is almost on it's deathbed and I want to minimise pressing it until I can find a way to fix it or the Nexus 4 becomes more freely available lol

Multiwindow concept

@XpLoDWilD how's this? Looking forward to your comments
Swipe gesture here is not what action launcher offers. It's different, please check it out.
And enumerate the issues that can still persist in this kind of implementation, i will keep drawing till i get it right and easier for the not so techy people.
The app clicked appears "split in that half of the screen" of which the appdrawer has been swiped out.
Sent from my GT-P3100 using xda app-developers app
Not sure what I'm looking at here, should these menus be always accessible? In which case it's a no-go, considering the number of apps having swipe-from-the-edge gestures.
XpLoDWilD said:
Not sure what I'm looking at here, should these menus be always accessible? In which case it's a no-go, considering the number of apps having swipe-from-the-edge gestures.
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Ok got your point. Thanks again for pointing out my mistake.
But here i is my take:-
##**Have this swipe gesture only in the 'recent apps screen'. ##**
In recents screen, 2 hotspot on left edge, upper and lower half.
1.Press recents> 2.swipe from edge in the half you want your new app> vertical continual scrollable app drawer appears( like the old launcher pro)> 3.click app. Done
Easy and i hope awesome. Just 3 steps accessible from all screens, all apps, all phones?
See i am trying so hard everyday because the basic problem in omni current implementation is that app should be in recents app. If it's not been open yet, or if it has been swiped off to clear ram, then imagine the number of steps in the currents method to open app in split view.
Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk
In recent apps screen, just like we have clear all apps button, we can add 2 new buttons ( no swipe gesture)
After that the same steps as above. In whichever half you click app drawer appears and then split app appears there.
drlvkpl said:
In recent apps screen, just like we have clear all apps button, we can add 2 new buttons ( no swipe gesture)
After that the same steps as above. In whichever half you click app drawer appears and then split app appears there.
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I personally like this idea here:
Instead of necessary buttons and shortcuts that are easy to accidentally trigger, just use the multitasking screen itself to long-press an app and then drag it to one side of the screen. Then maybe have two buttons that only appear in multitasking mode, either on the top left and bottom left or on the app preview to remove the app from multitasking. But that's just my idea.
shinyquagsire23 said:
I personally like this idea here:
Instead of necessary buttons and shortcuts that are easy to accidentally trigger, just use the multitasking screen itself to long-press an app and then drag it to one side of the screen. Then maybe have two buttons that only appear in multitasking mode, either on the top left and bottom left or on the app preview to remove the app from multitasking. But that's just my idea.
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hmm i liked the video as well. but i've always disliked the idea of the app necessarily being already in recents. people always swipe off all recent app to clear RAM.
Just a thought!
Would it be possible to combine halo with multi-window? I know that they don't play well together but I am thinking something along the lines of a mashup. Halo is good at managing notifications in immersive mode but does not give a true multi-tasking environment. Multi-window clearly is the winner when it comes to multitasking but not as good as halo in handling notifications.
Imagine when you receive a notification in immersive mode through halo and when actioned on, it does not open a floating window (which is the case now) but resizes the current window and opens the new one as a split (also making it the active one and pausing the activity in the other one if there is a need to).
Just a thought. I am not a coder and have no idea how much of a pain in the arse this would be but it would be a combination of two of the most innovative features that are currently available on customs ROMs.
@XpLoDWilD
Something interesting maybe you can look into to get some ideas
LG launches QSlide SDK to bring floating windows to third-party apps
http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-launches-qslide-sdk-bring-floating-windows-third-party-apps
Why not make it simple?
Why splitting main desktop window?
Every laucher allow many virtual desktop windows, so why not putting on app per window and switching between apps by swypping left-right?
It should be possible as KDE linux do it since many years now.
I am not a dev, but in my mind this should be easyer than floating multiwindows (no needs to resize).
It would be just awesome to have multitasking with full size display. :good:
For Multi window app selection why not just put a small button on the far left edge of the Nav bar? Allow the user to set a few favorites in a drawer with a option of an app drawer to select any app (see the application drawer option in gravity box) While I understand this will only work on devices with on screen nav keys I see it as the most natural option for those devices.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't OmniSwitch the Multi-Window thing for OmniROM?
gummie said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't OmniSwitch the Multi-Window thing for OmniROM?
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OmniSwith is task manager

S Finder shortcut or widget

Is there any way to reach S Finder in an easier way than having to go to the notification panel? It's really annoying as I want to be able to search my phone quickly, and not by having to drag down the notification slider in order to open the search function. Or do you guys have any other recommendation for a file/contact/app finder or search app (other than Google, since it's generally sluggy for searching internally)?
krismutt said:
Is there any way to reach S Finder in an easier way than having to go to the notification panel? It's really annoying as I want to be able to search my phone quickly, and not by having to drag down the notification slider in order to open the search function. Or do you guys have any other recommendation for a file/contact/app finder or search app (other than Google, since it's generally sluggy for searching internally)?
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Click to collapse
of course there is mate,
1. Install nova launcher (there are other ways, but that is how I did it)
2. go to widgets and click 'Activities'
3. Select 'S Finder' from the list
You can also check out Conjure which is a similar app that works well and has a widget. But like Mitko76 said installing Nova and using the activities shortcut gives you a lot of options!

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