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[Q] App Switching Gestures?

After using iOS's beta gestures and QNX/WebOS's card switching.. I'm of the opinion that Honeycomb badly needs a way to quickly switch between apps, vs tapping, scrolling and tapping.
Are there any mods/launchers/whatever that enables a quick way to jump between apps?
Thanks.

Pressing the recent apps button is one... but I'm guessing your looking for something else. ;-)
Here's some options:
"Power Strip: Multitasking Dock" (app in market that I had on my phone a while back)
SwipePad seems to be more what you're looking for though. It's in the market: https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&feature=search_result
Edit: I digress, SwipePad does not seem to support the Transformer for some reason.

Try Wave Launcher... it works for the TF, but is a paid app unlike SwipePad.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobilemerit.wavelauncher&feature=related_apps

Thanks guys, I'll check them out when I get home.
To help clarify, I'm looking for a way to switch between applications with gestures vs tapping the recent apps list (which, I find organizes apps oddly at times).
On iOS 5 (and in 4.3 beta) there are 4 finger swipes to switch between apps. I have this enabled on my jailbroken iPad and it works wonderfully well.
QNX you swipe from the bezel (can't really be pulled off on the TF, but its an example) to switch easily between apps.
WebOS you swipe up and switch apps.
Ideally, I'd love to see the iOS method as a possibility, it's incredibly quick and smooth. It's about as fast as alt+tab/cmd+tab program switching on desktops. The HC recent apps list is nice visually, but I don't feel like it's a very quick solution.
Anyways, don't take any of this as complaining, I'm just wondering what's out there, and thanks again for the suggestions, I'll check them out.

i was able to get swipepad working on my transformer. I pulled the apk from my phone and sideloaded it on my tablet. It's not optimized for Honeycomb so it doesn't use the entire screen but it worked well without any FCs. Even the Tasking and MorePad addons worked well. Addons available to purchase from market.

Dorkington said:
After using iOS's beta gestures and QNX/WebOS's card switching.. I'm of the opinion that Honeycomb badly needs a way to quickly switch between apps, vs tapping, scrolling and tapping.
Are there any mods/launchers/whatever that enables a quick way to jump between apps?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know exactly what ur talking about and unfortunately, none of the apps mentioned do this. they are just like little shortcuts to the app switcher just wrapped around in different UIs. it wont do what u want it to do. im looking for a gesture app that overlays the whole screen and can use 5 fingers to swipe to another app or something of that sort. none of these apps do this.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

[Q] App Request: Old Danger Sidekick Launcher

I was searching the Android Market for a new launcher for my Sidekick, but most of them are more likes themes of the basic Android launcher. The handful that offer something truly different aren't developed enough to warrant using. So, is there a dev out there interested in making a home screen replacement launcher that's a clone of the old Danger Sidekick homescreen?

Looking at the few videos of the older sidekicks ui i want to say....... why? seams like it uses alot more space compared to the asop launchers. closet thing i can even remotely look at an comes to my mind when i see a old sidekicks user interface is what sony puts on their phones.

Circle launcher looks promising: https://market.android.com/details?id=de.dbware.circlelauncher (also a free "Lite" version)

pintek said:
Looking at the few videos of the older sidekicks ui i want to say....... why? seams like it uses alot more space compared to the asop launchers. closet thing i can even remotely look at an comes to my mind when i see a old sidekicks user interface is what sony puts on their phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? Well, it's unique for one thing. There are other launchers available that do similar things, but they aren't refined enough in their functionality and/or don't look right. Here's basically what I have in mind. I'd want a launcher with 2 home screens. The 2nd one would be where I'd want the bubbles to be. That would be the one on the right. The bubbles would have to be on the right hand side of the screen in landscape and at the bottom in portrait mode. The other screen on the left would be for widgets only. The launcher would need to support folders well too for things you want to keep in them like an 'All Apps' folder. This carousel would need to play nice with the trackpad too (a lot of docks on other launchers are similar but don't work well with the trackpad). In other words, the carousel concept is a blend of the dock and icon grid. Here's another WHY: Putting all of the icons on the carousel would clean up the screen so I can see pictures of my wife and children without all the icons blocking the view. So, that's a bit of my thinking in a nutshell. There simply isn't anything like this out there for Android.

ged92781 said:
Why? Well, it's unique for one thing. There are other launchers available that do similar things, but they aren't refined enough in their functionality and/or don't look right. Here's basically what I have in mind. I'd want a launcher with 2 home screens. The 2nd one would be where I'd want the bubbles to be. That would be the one on the right. The bubbles would have to be on the right hand side of the screen in landscape and at the bottom in portrait mode. The other screen on the left would be for widgets only. The launcher would need to support folders well too for things you want to keep in them like an 'All Apps' folder. This carousel would need to play nice with the trackpad too (a lot of docks on other launchers are similar but don't work well with the trackpad). In other words, the carousel concept is a blend of the dock and icon grid. Here's another WHY: Putting all of the icons on the carousel would clean up the screen so I can see pictures of my wife and children without all the icons blocking the view. So, that's a bit of my thinking in a nutshell. There simply isn't anything like this out there for Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. This is something i would enjoy very much.

the only issue with this is a lot of people (including me) have disabled their track pads on the phone due to the optical joystick glitch when out in sunlight. I wish I had my old launcher from my old sidekick, but I do not see how it would work with this phone considering its physical fault.

Both the sk4g n the og sk have the same landscape based design I think it would be very possible to have the wallpapers and theme icons. For the og line
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App

shadowscott said:
the only issue with this is a lot of people (including me) have disabled their track pads on the phone due to the optical joystick glitch when out in sunlight. I wish I had my old launcher from my old sidekick, but I do not see how it would work with this phone considering its physical fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'd imagine you could manipulate the bubbles with a touch of the screen as well. Believe it or not, some actually did this already...to an iPhone! If you dig around enough on YouTube, you can probably still see it.

ged92781 said:
Well, I'd imagine you could manipulate the bubbles with a touch of the screen as well. Believe it or not, some actually did this already...to an iPhone! If you dig around enough on YouTube, you can probably still see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI, here's one of the 2 videos on YouTube where a guy made a functional Danger Sidekick homescreen for the iPhone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDG11kliWWw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

here is the closest thing i've come to find thats like the interface you are wanting though there is no landscape mode for this which is a "mild" pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU2gGI8KVhY
My suggestion is to drop a message to the dev of that launcher on market place an see if they can do some minor addons to work in landscape an possibly ability to change icons (if you so badly want the older danger icons)

"Orientation Control" can force any program into landscape. It's inexpensive and effective.
It's the only app of its kind that works. And, it works like a charm.
Developer support for landscape is no longer an issue. It all runs landscape now; rather it wants to or not.
Recommended.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.coinsoft.android.orientcontrol

pintek said:
here is the closest thing i've come to find thats like the interface you are wanting though there is no landscape mode for this which is a "mild" pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU2gGI8KVhY
My suggestion is to drop a message to the dev of that launcher on market place an see if they can do some minor addons to work in landscape an possibly ability to change icons (if you so badly want the older danger icons)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a very cool launcher. Thanks for the suggestion. It just might work if it had some more functionality. I'll send the dev a message.

oh well, this launcher, while cool isn't going to cut it soon enough. I wonder if that guy who made the Sidekick launcher for the iPhone would be interested in making one for the Sidekick 4G.

Question - How do I change the number of home screens

Hi all, I am a newbie to Android device here. Please don't flame me.
I have recently acquired both Nexus 4 and 10. Both great devices. However, I really don't need to scroll around 5 screens. I can't seem to find any settings that allows me to reduce the number of home screens. And according to the forum I read, the only thing I know is to install a what's called "launcher" to provide additional customization which allows me to change the screen. Since I am new to the Android scene, I rather stick to stock everything as much as I can and familiarize myself before I venture too far. So I was wondering if there is anything changed since 4.2.1?
Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!

This app will.
This is the only way to do it aside from manually de-compiling the .Apk and editing it, trust me, this is a lot easier and this launcher is just the stock version but with extra options.

Try Apex Launcher or ADW.Launcher both or good.

If you root your device there are roms that have this build in.
for instance my HTC Sensation with ViperS has Sense, and that can add more home pages..
There would be roms that have this feature built in

Matrix1999 said:
Hi all, I am a newbie to Android device here. Please don't flame me.
I have recently acquired both Nexus 4 and 10. Both great devices. However, I really don't need to scroll around 5 screens. I can't seem to find any settings that allows me to reduce the number of home screens. And according to the forum I read, the only thing I know is to install a what's called "launcher" to provide additional customization which allows me to change the screen. Since I am new to the Android scene, I rather stick to stock everything as much as I can and familiarize myself before I venture too far. So I was wondering if there is anything changed since 4.2.1?
Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't stock launcher do it? Do a pinch in gesture, it will show overview of all screens. Long press on the one u want to remove, it will guide u through rest.
life!

Thanks. I tried the pinch on my N4 but didn't seem to work.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Next launcher is best in the market... try it ... it is fully 3d and developed by go team...

New MultiWindow/MultiTask Concept

Hey guys,
First, I really have no clue in which section I should post this, so I just took the General Section. Please move it, if there is a better one =)
Now what I want to talk about:
Multitask is a huge topic on Android devices, and there are several approaches how to handle this best. MultiWindow, Halo and QSlide/SlideAside are the most popular ones in this list to mention.
However, I think this feature is not perfect yet, so I just made a MultiWindow/MultiTask concept for myself.
I don't really think that this is possible to make. But, if there would be a crazy dev who wants to develope this further and create such a feature, I would really kiss his feet
So let's begin:
First, I would consider the Galaxy S4 as the best device for such an App. You will see later why. (Btw, Someone here who knows the mail address of Samsung? Then I could suggest them my concept^^)
What we start with is a simple picture of a running app (don't kill me for the pics, I just made them in Paint.net. But nevertheless I tried to make it good enough to understand what I am talking about.)
Here we are inside the Facebook App with S-Multi (that's how I just called it) enabled. There would be some kind of button/hotspot on the right bottom corner of the screen. If you type it once, a list with S-Multi supported Apps will open
Now you have the option to just select one App (it would open in a normal fullscreen Popup that is like Halo), or you can drag and drop it in one of four slots, or you can multiselect two up to four apps (hold buttons). As you can imagine, this means you can run maximum four apps at the same time. and that would basically looks like that:
Now you have your mainapp on the top and three other running apps on the bottom. To have the mainapp alone on the screen, just swype over the three apps on the bottom from left to right to hide them (and the other way round to show them again.)
With the Minibar (the three bottom apps) open, you have several possibilities.
1. If you type one of the slots once, it will open as a floating window (resizable, free movable)
2. If you type one slot twice, this app will open in fullwindow (minibar hidden)
3. You can drag and drop the slots to whichever position you want it (mainapp or three bottomslots)
4. If you hover you finger over one slot, a preview will popup. That would need Airview Support (Galaxy S4) Alternatively for devices without Airview you could hold the slot for a preview
Now let's begin to make it real multitask. If you have one App in S-Multi in Fullscreen, just hover (hold) your finger over (on) the hotspot to show a preview of all your apps currently opened in S-Multi:
Hover with your finger to the app you want to select while in this view (I will not mention the hold option any longer, but this is still present because it probably won't be able to include airview in a non Samsung app that soon, you know why)
However, this is not the mainidea of the Multitask. here you can generally see which app is in which slot without opening the minibar.
But the main feature would make use of the gesture sensor. And as I know there are several apps that bring these gestures to many non Samsung devices, it would be possible to make use of it.
So if you have Facebook opened in the midslot (which is actually the bottomslot) and whatsapp in the right slot, just swype from right to left over the sensor and the apps will switch. If Facebook is in the upperslot and whatsapp in the bottomslot just swype from the the button to the top direction:
Keep in mind that the apps would hold there slot positions. That means, if Facebook is in the top slot, Whatsapp in the bottom one and another app in the left one, if you would swype down from the other app to whatsapp, you don't get back to the app by swyping up, because then you would get into Facebook. The next pic shows better what I mean:
That's basically the Multitask.
(As an additional Samsung Feature, there could be also the possibility to open two apps aside as in normal multiwindow)
But, it could be more than that: A notification tool.
So if you recieve a notification by any app, a chathead could open and the hotspot of S-Multi would blink:
Now there a several possibilities:
a. Swype from right to left over the hotspot and choose the blinking slot (that's where the app will be open) S-Multi would make a chronic to restore the app that was in that slot once you close the app that caused the notification
b. Touch the chathead directly to open the app in a popup
c. Hover over the hotspot and then choose the blinking slot to open it in fullscreen.
Soo, that would be my concept for a cool Multitask feature =) It would make use of airview and airgesture in a much more sensible way then it currently does on the s4. And at least the airgesture is possible on more than just samsung devices. And I don't think that four running apps is to much. Current devices have 2gb ram, and i never saw my s4 use more than 1,3 of it. And at the end of this year and next year there will be devices with 3gb ram or even 4gb, so I think a better multitasking is a must be now.
So it would be cool if you tell me what you think about my idea and maybe give suggestions to make it better. I personally like it, but maybe it is totally bull**** and I just don't see it at the moment. However, I am not a dev and I will never be able to create stuff like that, but maybe it can be a proposal for one of the talented devs around here =).
A nice day to all of you
xPr0.
Edit: Btw, sorry for writing swipe with an y all the time -.-* I just recognized that it must be an i. Very embarrassing :X

That's a good idea, but I think that actually exist some apps that do the same things you said.
I support your idea!
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

FelixMG said:
That's a good idea, but I think that actually exist some apps that do the same things you said.
I support your idea!
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, indeed, there are some apps that do parts of this. There are some apps with floating windows, but with very few (and not really usable apps), and there are some notification apps. And there is an app called "Portal", that comes really near to what Halo on Paranoid does, but here too, there are just few apps supported.
This is the general problem. All these apps that are non-native (not made from the phone company, no official feature) are inevitably restricted. At least, they need root to convey an intimation of what would be possible if the devs would know the source codes. That's why I don't think Airview or Multiwindow will that soon part of non-native apps, unless a very very brilliant dev can crack them. Or unless the companies will make their source codes open source, but why should they do so, as this would affect their profit in a bad way if everyone can use their features to build new apps.

I agree, that is a good idea.
But I've read in a german article, that CM had a ready multi tasking feature for their roms, which has been forbidden from Google. The reason was that Samsung wanted to be the only one with that feature.
In my opinion, the Samsung MultiWindow feature ist a good thing, but if Google combines it with the Apple like switching of Tasks, its really Good.
There is an App called GMD Gesturecontrol, which makes it possible to switch between Apps like you do it on iPads...

artoni said:
I agree, that is a good idea.
But I've read in a german article, that CM had a ready multi tasking feature for their roms, which has been forbidden from Google. The reason was that Samsung wanted to be the only one with that feature.
In my opinion, the Samsung MultiWindow feature ist a good thing, but if Google combines it with the Apple like switching of Tasks, its really Good.
There is an App called GMD Gesturecontrol, which makes it possible to switch between Apps like you do it on iPads...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, honestly, I don't think that Samsung's Multiwindow is that practical on Mobile Devices. It's just good on tablets. And there it is much more variable with the dual view and the cascade view.
Edit: I just tested the GMD Gesturecontrol app, but this app proves what made me think it's better to use the gestures sensor. It is much too complicated to use 4 fingers to swype. I just laughed when I heard SlideAside on G2 uses 3 fingers, now theres an app with 4 to 5 finger gestures. lol

xPr0metheus said:
Well, honestly, I don't think that Samsung's Multiwindow is that practical on Mobile Devices. It's just good on tablets. And there it is much more variable with the dual view and the cascade view.
Edit: I just tested the GMD Gesturecontrol app, but this app proves what made me think it's better to use the gestures sensor. It is much too complicated to use 4 fingers to swype. I just laughed when I heard SlideAside on G2 uses 3 fingers, now theres an app with 4 to 5 finger gestures. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, 4 fingers is too complicated. Also, there is an app (I forgot the name, sorry) that use proximity sensor to do some actions, like, swipe your hands left, without touch the phone, and an app will be open.
It's for free and XDA made an article talking about this app.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

FelixMG said:
Yes, 4 fingers is too complicated. Also, there is an app (I forgot the name, sorry) that use proximity sensor to do some actions, like, swipe your hands left, without touch the phone, and an app will be open.
It's for free and XDA made an article talking about this app.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ones I know are Hovering Controls and Air Gesture Control.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

It's exactly those I've thought.. They're pretty cool. :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

xPr0metheus said:
Well, honestly, I don't think that Samsung's Multiwindow is that practical on Mobile Devices. It's just good on tablets. And there it is much more variable with the dual view and the cascade view.
Edit: I just tested the GMD Gesturecontrol app, but this app proves what made me think it's better to use the gestures sensor. It is much too complicated to use 4 fingers to swype. I just laughed when I heard SlideAside on G2 uses 3 fingers, now theres an app with 4 to 5 finger gestures. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the gestures in GMD, that u can control it with one finger. Just need to get into settings....
There are many apps that can be usefull with Multiwindows. While you navigate in the car, you can simultaneously choose the music you want to play. Or browse in twitter while you have whatsapp open. In my opinion its practical, if you have a large screen, maybe 4,8"+

artoni said:
You can change the gestures in GMD, that u can control it with one finger. Just need to get into settings....
There are many apps that can be usefull with Multiwindows. While you navigate in the car, you can simultaneously choose the music you want to play. Or browse in twitter while you have whatsapp open. In my opinion its practical, if you have a large screen, maybe 4,8"+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, sorry. My last post sounded a little too much like hating.
But in fact i love multi window (only cool additional feature would be to be able to open one app twice in mw) and i am so impressed by the gmd app. So please don't understand me wrong
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Pie controls

Okay so I was very afraid of having a larger screened phone because I truly don't like to use two hands with my phone 90% of the time. So I've been using pie controls for years and I have to say I've really really found that using them has made my 7pro AMAZING but large screen much easier to use for switching apps or toggling wifi/data or any other settings. Truly I know it's like Samsung edge drawer or whatever it's called but honestly it's better. Instant access to atleast 20 apps without having to go back to home screen than back to the app drawer or folder and select the app. IMO one of the best "mods" or apps for a larger phone with so much ram for multitasking. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jun.ace.piecontrol

I was using Pie control for a long time and finally switched to this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.pie
looks much nicer and has many options

MJFox78 said:
I was using Pie control for a long time and finally switched to this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.pie
looks much nicer and has many options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall check into that one for sure. Seems like the one that used to be called into a rom I use to use on my gs3.

MJFox78 said:
I was using Pie control for a long time and finally switched to this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.pie
looks much nicer and has many options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow i love it
Is there a way to hide pie icon in the status bar ?
If no I will deal with it

CodeBreaker13 said:
Is there a way to hide pie icon in the status bar ?
If no I will deal with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
swipe right on the notification, tap on the cogwheel and disable notifications for the app

Do any of you have following problem with pie control : in full screen apps like camera, video, even picture or games I cannot see pie when I swipe, I feel it vibrates no I cannot see it and what it's the worst part if I'm in camera for example and "blindly" (as I cannot see it) use for example back function it works but then app I non responsive (it works but doesn't see my touches) and I need to "blindly" use pie control to switch to home/other app and go back. Then it works again until I use pie control again, it it annoying... It only behaves like that if I have navigation gestures activated (to hide the navbar), wieh navbar on it works ok but the whole point is to not have it and use full screen experience...

spawnn617 said:
Do any of you have following problem with pie control : in full screen apps like camera, video, even picture or games I cannot see pie when I swipe, I feel it vibrates no I cannot see it and what it's the worst part if I'm in camera for example and "blindly" (as I cannot see it) use for example back function it works but then app I non responsive (it works but doesn't see my touches) and I need to "blindly" use pie control to switch to home/other app and go back. Then it works again until I use pie control again, it it annoying... It only behaves like that if I have navigation gestures activated (to hide the navbar), wieh navbar on it works ok but the whole point is to not have it and use full screen experience...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Pie control with navigation gestures activated too and I don't have this problem

MJFox78 said:
I'm using Pie control with navigation gestures activated too and I don't have this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I had this problem with app from the first post, just tested the one from your link and so far it works fine in all apps

Ya'll should try Leedroid's Shortcutter, been using since first initial release. App drawer(you select) can open from the right left and now from bottom.

MJFox78 said:
I was using Pie control for a long time and finally switched to this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivianuu.pie
looks much nicer and has many options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Been using this apk since nexus 6p. It's absolutely amazing.

On Samsung this what I use. It blows Edge away.
Uses almost no battery, freeware, no ads or crap.
One Hand Operation + - Apps on Google Play
Use your device easily with only one hand !
play.google.com

blackhawk said:
On Samsung this what I use. It blows Edge away.
Uses almost no battery, freeware, no ads or crap.
One Hand Operation + - Apps on Google Play
Use your device easily with only one hand !
play.google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the awesome aspects of that where it users no battery and all that jazz is because it is built into your OS. There are a few mod apps like that in the "Good Lock" family that actually are pretty nice on Samsung. They do us no good over here though.

whoamanwtf said:
Unfortunately the awesome aspects of that where it users no battery and all that jazz is because it is built into your OS. There are a few mod apps like that in the "Good Lock" family that actually are pretty nice on Samsung. They do us no good over here though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edge* isn't that awesome and definitely uses more battery than One Handed Operation plus**, however the latter may be compatible only with Samsung phones.
One of the biggest reasons to choose Samsung is it's none root customization. The best ones come from the Galaxy Store. Hundreds of free themes, icon packs, AODs, and much more.
No other brand comes close.
*I use it for cut/paste management only. Other apps like One Handed Operation plus is superior in every way to Egde.
**not a native apk but one of the best 3rd party apks for the 10+ Rock solid stable.