Basically, I read some user feedback from Knyghtryda's Camera Mod and came up with this very simple solution. I converted the Power Button to be the camera shutter, which also works for recording and 2.3.4 GB, and does not require a modified camera.apk. The Search Button was converted to function as power on/off. I made these changes by modifying the system/usr/keylayout files.
Honestly, I find this configuration awkward unless I am taking pictures. The search button is my least favorite button and normally only hit it by accident. If this is not an ideal configuration or you can't live without a search function, just give me suggestions.
I'm not a developer or anything, I just like to experiment with my android. If anyone, dev or not, has any suggestions or improvements feel free to comment.
v1.0
Power Button=Camera Shutter, Search Button=Power on/off, No Search Button Function
Issues 8/5/2011
I haven't confirmed this with Gingerbread, only with Froyo: If you remap power button to any other button, it will function as power button but if the screen is asleep and not plugged in for a period of more than about 10 seconds, you have to press original power button followed by the new power button to wake the screen.
I have also tested a few button remapping apps made for other devices, but do not seem to be compatible with Froyo. I will be testing Gingerbread next.
Added Key Configurations
Search Button=Camera Shutter, Power=Default
Credits:
Knyghtryda- idea for the shutter and scripts
Jack$on- idea to relocate power to search button
Installation Instructions
To Change Button Configuration
Run key_remapper.zip or key_remapper_GB.zip for respective firmware version in CWM.
To Return to Default Key Configuration
Run keymap_reset.zip or keymap_reset_GB.zip for respective firmware version in CWM.
DO NOT RUN WRONG VERSION: The files look very similar but I have ran Froyo zip on GB on two occasions and all of the bottom row buttons stop working.
I think making the Search button the default camera button would work better in the long run. Don't like the camera.apk hack.. i end up with a power menu a lot popping up.
Also the power button is just too close to the lens for me.. annoys me.
Is this a configurable mapper?
Just opened the zip.
I see what you did there. I never have gotten around to doing any mods myself yet, cool, can be configured however by changing the lists.
dlang123 said:
Just opened the zip.
I see what you did there. I never have gotten around to doing any mods myself yet, cool, can be configured however by changing the lists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very simple like I said, some people would be clueless though. Also your idea would work better for me as well.
This is very nice. I hate the power button being on the side of my phone. I feel like I can't use my phone one-handed or have to shift the way I'm holding the phone just to be able to turn the screen on/off.
One quick note... In CWM after installation it says that the power button = search button which is incorrect.
Big thanks! I've been waiting for someone to come up with this!
dlang123 said:
I think making the Search button the default camera button would work better in the long run. Don't like the camera.apk hack.. i end up with a power menu a lot popping up.
Also the power button is just too close to the lens for me.. annoys me.
Is this a configurable mapper?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya I agree. if u just made the search button a camera shortcut key and a camera shutter key im sure alot of people would use it for sure.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
PKizzo36 said:
This is very nice. I hate the power button being on the side of my phone. I feel like I can't use my phone one-handed or have to shift the way I'm holding the phone just to be able to turn the screen on/off.
One quick note... In CWM after installation it says that the power button = search button which is incorrect.
Big thanks! I've been waiting for someone to come up with this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I see my mistake on the script.
dlang123 said:
I think making the Search button the default camera button would work better in the long run. Don't like the camera.apk hack.. i end up with a power menu a lot popping up.
Also the power button is just too close to the lens for me.. annoys me.
Is this a configurable mapper?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Made the Search Button the camera button just for you. I have not tested this on the Froyo build but I do enjoy this configuration better than the other. I have also tested the camera button on the up volume button, but couldn't find a suitable volume up alternative.
sk8tingusmc said:
Made the Search Button the camera button just for you. I have not tested this on the Froyo build but I do enjoy this configuration better than the other. I have also tested the camera button on the up volume button, but couldn't find a suitable volume up alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which zip do I download to get the search as camera key?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Can the search key act as a search key normally, except when in camera mode?
kolosok17 said:
Can the search key act as a search key normally, except when in camera mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can experiment with it, but not sure.
EDIT: I am not having any luck; I am not saying it is impossible, but it looks like you will have to wait for Knyghtryda to release a modified camera app with with the search button shutter, with the system keymap still set as Search. That may solve your problem! I wish I knew how to make longpress of search do camera and shortpress do search, if it is even possible. I will still look into it, I have just given up for the night.
jkat797 said:
which zip do I download to get the search as camera key?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The search_shutter.zip or search_shutter_GB.zip depending what version you are running.
The key mapper seemed to be working at first but I noticed that if my phone sat idle for awhile the search button (now the power button) wouldn't start the phone back up. I would have to use the power button (modded to be the new shutter button) and THEN press the search button to get the screen to come back on.
PKizzo36 said:
The key mapper seemed to be working at first but I noticed that if my phone sat idle for awhile the search button (now the power button) wouldn't start the phone back up. I would have to use the power button (modded to be the new shutter button) and THEN press the search button to get the screen to come back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which build are you on? It may have left out the WAKE flag or something. Thanks for letting me know.
Mapping the volume up/down buttons to reflect 'next track' and 'previous track' while the screen is off would be my biggest request.
Can the home button mapped to wake up the phone instead of power? this is my top of the wish list, pretty plzzz
sangweb said:
Can the home button mapped to wake up the phone instead of power? this is my top of the wish list, pretty plzzz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That shouldn't be a problem, but I think that I forgot to edit an extra file that effects the bottom row buttons and it seems to be on Froyo builds. I am updating this file to test reliability right now.
sk8tingusmc said:
Which build are you on? It may have left out the WAKE flag or something. Thanks for letting me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on froyo
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Please
sk8tingusmc said:
That shouldn't be a problem, but I think that I forgot to edit an extra file that effects the bottom row buttons and it seems to be on Froyo builds. I am updating this file to test reliability right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be your quality test as guinnea pig if you need one. I know I can use other widget to accomplish this but prefer to avoid 3rd party lock widget because sometime I have to unlock twice. You will be my "God" if you can get it working, Thx.
So I started looking at modding the Camera.apk.. decompiled into byte code.. doesn't look that bad, if I get some time I'll run some diffs on it and the original get what he changed.. and then I'll try to modify it for using the search button. That way search only does Camera if your in Camera.
Related
Hi all,
Been looking around for a way to change my volume buttons so that i can use it to scroll up and down (using goodlink and everytime i click on a item it goes into that item and not do a show preview on the preview panel)
Does anyone know of a bit of kit that would do this job? Have looked at "advanced config" but cant seem to find a way to change/map the volume buttons to make them scroll up and down a list.
Thanks
Sorry all...looks like i answered myy own question. Finally found the below to sort out what i need and it works with the topaz!.
Sorry for the same and FYI the thread is below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=409243&highlight=remap+volume
"What works for me is AEButton Plus (payware, no affiliation). I have reconfigured my volume buttons to single press = arrow up/down and long press to volume. The program has a nice function: you can choose to let the volume buttons have their default behavior during a phonecall.."
Fine, thank u. And it works on your Touch Diamond 2 Topaz?
yep works a treat on my Diamond 2 topaz
...i do have netcf 3.5 installed before i installed AE buttons aswell for other programs (not sure if that will matter for AE buttons)
im not really getting along with it.
cant see the optino for changing what the volume keys do etc.
Also, would it be possible to set a longer hold of the End Key that would launch the camera application and be used as shutter button?
Thanks
Hmm, interesting thoughts! Especially if the remap is done automatically, and only when the camera is launched.
Regards,
PK
toady2k1 said:
Also, would it be possible to set a longer hold of the End Key that would launch the camera application and be used as shutter button?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe this issue with scrolling will be resolved with WM6.5 when you can slide the bar up/down to do a selection. In the meantime I use a simple method to scroll/select - say a SMS message. I open the abc phone pad (icon at bottom of screen) and then use the up/down keys (at the bottom) to scroll.
AE Button Plus
Just to confirm.. AE Button Plus DOES allow you to remap the volume buttons to up/down arrows. Just installed it on mine (Touch Diamond 2) and it works perfect.
The setting-up routine isn't obvious though.
When you see your list of keys in AEBP, pres and HOLD on the "Volume up" item. Takes a few seconds for the config menu to pop up.
I then used the following options from the config screen:-
3. Handle by AEBPlus
1. Single Press
5. Press Up arrow key
Then do the same for the Volume Down key, obviously changing the last option to 6. Press Down arrow key.
Then File/Save & Exit, and off you go.
paalkr said:
Originally Posted by toady2k1 View Post
Also, would it be possible to set a longer hold of the End Key that would launch the camera application and be used as shutter button?
Thanks
--->
Hmm, interesting thoughts! Especially if the remap is done automatically, and only when the camera is launched.
Regards,
PK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very interested in this one =) anyone found a way to do this?
sorkig said:
Very interested in this one =) anyone found a way to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=555821
This program can assign any of the hardware buttons to do what you want...
I've set the back button Launch the 'camera' app if it is held for a while and to act as the capture button when taking a picture. It also acts like a normal 'back' button when in other apps such as file explorer,opera, etc.
toady2k1 said:
im not really getting along with it.
cant see the optino for changing what the volume keys do etc.
Also, would it be possible to set a longer hold of the End Key that would launch the camera application and be used as shutter button?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using the software provided in this thread it's possible:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=555821
See this thread where I explain how to do that:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=557546
Works like a charm!!
You can remap all your hardware buttons.
Cheers
Can some one post AEBPlus.cfg/ Button registry
I copy my button's from att tilt ( registry exported adn imported thru back up and restore process) so now on my Pure I have many buttons. Can some post their AEBPLus.cfg adn button registry export?
v3patel said:
I copy my button's from att tilt ( registry exported adn imported thru back up and restore process) so now on my Pure I have many buttons. Can some post their AEBPLus.cfg adn button registry export?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This program is much better than AEB.
I am a Touch Pro which does not have a PTT button.
Any suggestions on how to reach the camera quickly? What is your quickest way to get to the camera?
remap the center button on your phone to start up camera
mobileSCR Gscroll, map the capacitive area of the screen(where the buttons are), really useful(can choose any sequence of taps to do anything, open application)
or AEButton... what' the use of a volume rocker? just use one button to get to the volume page and use the touch screen to change the setting...(one problem would be changing vol on the fly like during a phone call... that case, change the setting, one-button press = default volume behavior, two-button press = whanever you want, three -button, long press, whatever you want
mputtr said:
remap the center button on your phone to start up camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will try to do this but I cannot find the built in remap ap on NRGs rom, still looking for it :-D
@paperWastage: Thanks for the tip! If I cannot find the built in software I will install AE buttons.
you cant remap the center button. i think he was being pedantic. maybe you can set a button to be voice command and say "start camera".
I just have the camera in the programs... Slide over to programs and press camera...
The Jack of Clubs said:
you cant remap the center button. i think he was being pedantic. maybe you can set a button to be voice command and say "start camera".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually... i was serious. There is a fuze keyboard config software floating somewhere in the raphael forums. It might be able to let you remap the centerbutton.
but why would you want to remap your center button.
The Jack of Clubs said:
but why would you want to remap your center button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree as this is a very important function.
Mayne a Long press center button maybe more appropriate.
I cant seem to find any remap built in software on the NRG rom. My Touch dual had one which allowed me to remap some basic buttons like volume button.
Looks like AEbuttons is the answer for me. Will try to test it first and update you guys.
If you go to Setting and on the Personal Tab there is a Buttons setting and you can change the receive call button (press and hold of course) to whatever you want, including the camera.
Also a good idea to go over to the Systems tab and change the Long Press End Key Setting to Lock Device or something else than Turn Airplane mode on/off, god that sound is annoying when Airplane mode is turned on
it depends on the rom or software if you have the unlocked all buttons. honestly theres no faster way to get there than start > camera or photos tab > camera. if you dont have an american phone with a ppt button, there wont really be a faster way.
i actually did not mean to map the single click. I thought it was obvious i meant the long press.
using softkey manager you can replace one of the softkeys on the homescreen, as ur using an NRG rom im guessing your two softkeys on the home tab are "action" and "contacts"? ive got rid of the contacts, because a. i could jus use the people tab, or b. jus press the call button to bring up the dialer... and have replaced it with camera
the softkey manager should be under utililites/tweaks... it is on mine and im using an NRG rom
hope this helps.
Credit goes to: Geniusdog254, Decad3nce, and BuglessPete for being remapping guru's.
Right, just slappin' this how-to together quickly before I go to work. I'll clean everything up and make things so that they're not so vague when I get home from work.
So if you're like me, and you hate having to reach all they way to the top right hand corner of your phone to press the power key so that you may wake your phone, then this tutorial will tell you how to make it so that your volume down key acts as a power key, which will give your Evo the ability to wake from sleep by pushing the volume down key. I've also remapped the search key so that it acts as the volume down key.
Please note that my remapping the volume down key will not effect it while in recovery, fastboot, or bootloader mode.
Make a backup of your supersonic-keypad.kl by running these commands via adb:
Code:
adb remount
adb pull system/usr/keylayout/supersonic-keypad.kl supersonic-keypad.kl
The supersonic-keypad.kl file is now in your AndroidSDK tools file, pull it out and save it to your desktop, just in case you ever want to switch back.
Download one of these files and save it to your AndroidSDK tools folder.
Volume down key acts as your power key & search key as your volume down key - http://www.4shared.com/file/c2KMz6tH/supersonic-keypad.html
Search key as select or enter -http://www.4shared.com/file/3ME8K6iK/supersonic-keylayout.html
Volume down key acts as your power key and search key opens up the phone application - http://www.4shared.com/file/-UaXzgwH/_2__supersonic-keypad.html
Then run these commands via adb:
Code:
adb remount
adb push supersonic-keypad.kl /system/usr/keylayout
adb reboot
And that's it, your volume down button will now act as your power button which will allow you to wake your screen, and your search key will now act as your volume down key.
Sweet find man..any chance for if somebody can attach the file onto this thread instead of sharing service?
attached.
You'll need to rename it to .kl
can someone make a flashable zip to do this please.
Nice thanks bro
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
This is a good hack. It'll give your power button a rest, as some owners were unfortunate of having cracks from the faulty strain.
afflaq said:
attached.
You'll need to rename it to .kl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate.
NICE it worked. Now the VOL-DOWN key will wake phone up.
But you'll lose the volume down and you can't adjust the volume while in phone, so you have to get a volume widget or some sort.
but i like my volume down button turning my volume down and my search button searching
haha i agree with davebu. Nice feature though! I can imagine this will be useful for some people.
vboyz103 said:
NICE it worked. Now the VOL-DOWN key will wake phone up.
But you'll lose the volume down and you can't adjust the volume while in phone, so you have to get a volume widget or some sort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I remapped the search key to act as a volume down key. A feature I find cool, seeing as the search key has done nothing but annoy me. Lol
davebu said:
but i like my volume down button turning my volume down and my search button searching
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then, I guess you're **** out of luck with this guide.
Although I've been looking into giving key 114 permission to run the WAKE_DROPPED attribute by editing init.rc. I'll look into that when I get home, or maybe somebody smarter than me can figure it out before then.
The other thing you could do...
The other way you can enable this feature is to download No Lock by BoD. It's an app that disables the lock screen, which I've always found kinda unneeded. It has the added benefit of allowing the phone to wake up upon volume button press.
Hope someone finds this helpful.
Enjoy!
madmagdalin said:
The other way you can enable this feature is to download No Lock by BoD. It's an app that disables the lock screen, which I've always found kinda unneeded. It has the added benefit of allowing the phone to wake up upon volume button press.
Hope someone finds this helpful.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread pwned. Lmao
Thanks a million for this, dude.
Could you remap your "search" key to be like a "trackball press" on the HTC Dream?
c0t0d0s2 said:
Could you remap your "search" key to be like a "trackball press" on the HTC Dream?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but to my knowledge you'd only be able to use it to move in one direction. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
neckface said:
Yes, but to my knowledge you'd only be able to use it to move in one direction. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He means can you make it so its the actual "Press" like when you press the trackball down and select something, not to make it so it moves around like when you move the trackball. Like a enter sort of fashion when you highlight over something with the trackball and press it down.
oreoOozZz said:
He means can you make it so its the actual "Press" like when you press the trackball down and select something, not to make it so it moves around like when you move the trackball. Like a enter sort of fashion when you highlight over something with the trackball and press it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good God, I'm slow. Thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty sure you could, but wouldn't it be easier to just use the screen to select or confirm whatever it is you're selecting and/or confirming? Or is there yet another thing in missing?
neckface said:
Good God, I'm slow. Thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty sure you could, but wouldn't it be easier to just use the screen to select or confirm whatever it is you're selecting and/or confirming? Or is there yet another thing in missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if it acted like a trackball click it would wake the phone.
I'd love that, but I think the issue is that the capacitive buttons are off when the phone is asleep.
Can anyone confirm this?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I was thinking it'd be nice for older apps that use a trackball press, like connectbot and spider solitaire.
laydros said:
Yes, if it acted like a trackball click it would wake the phone.
I'd love that, but I think the issue is that the capacitive buttons are off when the phone is asleep.
Can anyone confirm this?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. And yeah, you're correct about the captivate buttons. I think an easier route would be to edit init.rc to give one, or both, of the volume keys permissions to run the WAKE_DROPPED attribute. Although, making it so that one of the captivated keys could run the very same attribute would be better still.
On my N1 a long press of the menu button brought up the keyboard regardless of what app you were in. This is especially helpful in apps that assume you have a physical keyboard (e.g. androidVNC). With my Captivate holding the menu button brings up the Google quick search bar which I could care less about.
Is it possible to edit/change this function?
We can't get a stock Android ROM for this thing soon enough!
i was actually thinking about the same thing too.
Let me remind you, long press on the menu button is exactly the same function as short press on the search button, so we really need a "mod" that'll change the duplication function.
This would be really great. Does anyone have any ideas?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
They have a thread going over here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=706426 about the touch keys and modifying them. It looks like the long key press stuff is in the kernel. Not much we can do at the moment.
Solution found,see this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=818499
Back button on the far left? Second from the right?
Power button on the top? On the side?
Softkeys or real buttons? On-screen (a la Honeycomb) or off-screen?
Do we need a search button at all?
A lot of sweat, blood, and saliva has been spilled over it. [citation needed]
Now it's *your* turn to join the fray!
If you were to design *the* perfect Android phone, what buttons would you give it? And where? And what would it be like?
Or maybe you don't even care about how the buttons are placed, as long as the manufacturers could just agree and they all make devices with similarly-placed buttons?
Me? I'd personally place the buttons sorted by their frequency of use, starting from the leftmost to the rightmost (from the most natural to the most awkward for my thumb to press). Back button - Home - Menu - Search, from left to right.
But I see how this would be an issue to left-handed people, so I'd settle for Back and Home button in the center, and Menu and Search flanking them. That's fair enough I think.
I would love to experiment with placing the back button on the top of the left side of the phone (indexable for right-handed people, and thumbable for left-handed), but I can see how this is not for everyone I'm not even sure I'd like it.
However, if manufacturers could just agree on the placement of the buttons, that would be good enough for me.
Whether it's hardware buttons or touchscreen buttons ain't an issue to me.
I'd place the power button top center (index-fingerable).
I find volume buttons useful only during calls, so I'd like to have them function as volume buttons only during calls. During idle/homescreen/any other scenario, they would become two (customizable!) shortcut buttons (a la Blackberry). <-- if only one thing from my dream phone is manifested, I hope it's this one. Two wasted (and often pressed by accident) buttons, turned into something more useful.
If I wanna be detailed about it, I guess the volume buttons should be on the center of the right side of the phone, so one of them can be customized as shutter/camera button (although I wont use it as such, preferring to tap the screen instead).
How's yours?
I think power button on top right side, lock button under, or like you mentioned having them function as volume buttons during call. Do completely away with search button, add in maybe a camera button where my search is, but make it where you have to hold it for a second so you do not enable it accidently. Have a designated capture button for the camera, that also functions as a silent/vibrate setting out of the camera.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Different people, different preference. Perhaps a default Home key, + 2 customizable keys where the user can choose their preferred key to be assigned.
I'd have the Search Key and Back Key always on the screen.
Menu key shouldn't even be on the phone. That should force app developer to design and create user interface with menu function incorporated in their app for consistency purpose.
I would love to have buttons on the back of the device
Now that I'm getting used to honeycomb (and apps developed for it), i can assure you that the search and menu buttons are not really necessary. i'd want a device with a back button on the left, the home button in the middle and a end call / power button on the right. that's it. oh i actually forgot a volume rocker at the usual spot at the side of the device.
Dustin.Dwayne said:
I think power button on top right side, lock button under, or like you mentioned having them function as volume buttons during call. Do completely away with search button, add in maybe a camera button where my search is, but make it where you have to hold it for a second so you do not enable it accidently. Have a designated capture button for the camera, that also functions as a silent/vibrate setting out of the camera.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. No search button.. Interesting.
I find it useful to search things from the homescreen without having to open a particular app first (be it Market, Springpad, Contacts, Evernote, etc.), but I can surely live without it
albling said:
Different people, different preference. Perhaps a default Home key, + 2 customizable keys where the user can choose their preferred key to be assigned.
I'd have the Search Key and Back Key always on the screen.
Menu key shouldn't even be on the phone. That should force app developer to design and create user interface with menu function incorporated in their app for consistency purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Customizable keys FTW!!
JuanDeaux said:
I would love to have buttons on the back of the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't that be awkward, Mr. Doe?
fabsn said:
Now that I'm getting used to honeycomb (and apps developed for it), i can assure you that the search and menu buttons are not really necessary. i'd want a device with a back button on the left, the home button in the middle and a end call / power button on the right. that's it. oh i actually forgot a volume rocker at the usual spot at the side of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, you even made the pic!
Your opinion is interesting. I can easily see why the search button isn't really necessary, but the menu button? Substituted by long-press, I presume? (I never tried Honeycomb for any longer than 2 minutes )
I'm beginning to get glimpses of what ICS is gonna be like Keep it coming, guys! Let's crowdsource this!
Thanks to the moderator who moved my thread. I was hesitant on where to put my thread, but finally decided on the "General" forum, even though my OP contains questions, because I thought it was more of a "discussion" thread instead of a particular question trying to uncover a particular answer (which is what Q&A usually is)