I have been using the android phone since it's inception aka Tmobile - G1. Only now I have understood the real power of android. Over a period of time I discovered some simple tricks & tips some of which I got to know by other android users.
I have tested this on my Samsung Galaxy and I believe it would work on any other android phone.
Visit Top Ten android Tips and Tricks
I would love to get more tips from other readers here.
Thanks
Being new to smart phones in general and to android specifically, I appreciated you sharing your "Tricks and Tips".
Your screen shot tip didn't work for me. When I press the back button, I loose the focus of the screen I'd like to make a snapshot of and then pressing the Home button does what it normally does.
It would have been nice if the information was posted directly in your thread instead of just including an external link.
Awesome post! Thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
etepetete said:
Being new to smart phones in general and to android specifically, I appreciated you sharing your "Tricks and Tips".
Your screen shot tip didn't work for me. When I press the back button, I loose the focus of the screen I'd like to make a snapshot of and then pressing the Home button does what it normally does.
It would have been nice if the information was posted directly in your thread instead of just including an external link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To take the screen shot, you first press the back button, without leaving the back button, press the home button. In some phones you need to use the volumne button instead of the back button.
nice and very useful post indee
techimanu said:
I have tested this on my Samsung Galaxy and I believe it would work on any other android phone.
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Actually, most of those are TouchWiz specific and wont work on any other phone.
maxpower47 said:
Actually, most of those are TouchWiz specific and wont work on any other phone.
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Click to collapse
Exactly.. these will not work on all android phones
Hey my brother has got new samsung galaxy S2....its like you can say that its mine new cell phone....thanks for the tips and tricks...i am very much eager to try these tricks.
jonathon6017 said:
Exactly.. these will not work on all android phones
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maxpower47 said:
Actually, most of those are TouchWiz specific and wont work on any other phone.
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Click to collapse
Thank you both, I did not know that. Hope at least few of the other tips would work.
techimanu said:
To take the screen shot, you first press the back button, without leaving the back button, press the home button. In some phones you need to use the volumne button instead of the back button.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I had already tried holding the back button and pressing the home button (that is what is written in your tips) but it didn't work. As soon as I press the back button, the screen returns to the previous view, irregardless of whether I press and hold. The volume button also doesn't do it.
I tried to memorize all of thoes numbers at some point.
Cool basics tips for beginners
Great post, thanks m8!
whatever you get always install CWM it is very very helpful at times
One of the most under-used tips is not even that advanced. The "share with" feature to share data between apps is tremendously useful. It's one of Android's killer features vs iOS.
For example, to send a URL to Twitter you can hit menu > more > share page and then select the app to share from. 95% of Android users I speak with don't even know this is built into the OS and works from/to practically any app.
I have an LG O1 and screen shot doesn't work
Aww. very useful thanks
The.Sorcerer said:
I have an LG O1 and screen shot doesn't work
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Few others have commented saying it will work only on Samsung phones. Sorry
Thanks for share !
I've figured out how to make screenshots with my SGS II -> simultaneously press the home and screen lock buttons.
Related
For those that don't use it for anything and want to disable it cause you accidently hit it 10 times a day, flash the disable zip. If you want to enable it again, just flash the default zip
does that take care of the button completely or just it's long-press function?
Nice work! Do you think you could make it so i can hit the volume up button to bring the phone out of suspend instead of hitting the power button?
Both of the .kl files are the same...just giving ya a heads up before someone restores the default and doesn't have their search button back...but nice find. Thanks!
The default one was the one I forgot to put in there but it's fixed now
frifox said:
does that take care of the button completely or just it's long-press function?
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Click to collapse
Completely disabled
Besides disabling the search button, is it possible to map it to do something else like launch internet or something of that sort?
nice i seen a few people complaining that they kept hitting it all the time. good work bro
stylz3 said:
Besides disabling the search button, is it possible to map it to do something else like launch internet or something of that sort?
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I tried making it an end button...but no go...maybe I missed something...
RavenII said:
I tried making it an end button...but no go...maybe I missed something...
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Click to collapse
Its probably not built into the Sense build on the device. It used to be, but idk anymore since it isn't required by Android 2.0+
Also, to the people that want it to do something else:
See my post here. My guide is from way back in the G1 days, but all the same things apply here. Just change file names. An interesting use would be to change the search button to a camera button
Or see Decad3nce's wonderful writeup on the functions you can assign here. For the CDMA Hero, again just use your judgement. Use the right files
Also, my app Search2Play will soon be making it's way to the Evo now that we have usermode system partition access. Check it out here
Nice! Thanks for this, I always hit that button by accident.
Thank you! That damn button annoys the hell out of me everyday
Strange. I love the search button and use it all the time to text, call, launch apps etc.
Glad this is helpful to all the rest!
thanks!! i hit that damn button all the time
Calkulin said:
For those that don't use it for anything and want to disable it cause you accidently hit it 10 times a day, flash the disable zip. If you want to enable it again, just flash the default zip
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Click to collapse
this looks sweet!
calkulin, would you be okay with me adding this to the online kitchen im slowly building for the EVO?
i'll link it back to this thread and credit your name.
If your looking to use the volume down you can just open the keymap~.kl file included in the zip with wordpad and swap the volume down and power or how ever you like. Just realize that the cap buttons won't work in place of the hardware buttons.
I posted a fix that swapped the volume down and the power button.
Nice fix tho.
joeykrim said:
this looks sweet!
calkulin, would you be okay with me adding this to the online kitchen im slowly building for the EVO?
i'll link it back to this thread and credit your name.
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Click to collapse
Yeah that's fine, I don't mind
joeavery2 said:
If your looking to use the volume down you can just open the keymap~.kl file included in the zip with wordpad and swap the volume down and power or how ever you like. Just realize that the cap buttons won't work in place of the hardware buttons.
I posted a fix that swapped the volume down and the power button.
Nice fix tho.
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Click to collapse
Is it possible to get the volume to do the wake feature while also keeping the volume buttons working like normal?
Calkulin said:
Yeah that's fine, I don't mind
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Click to collapse
Thanks Calkulin, its been added! Great work as always!
newbie2369 said:
Nice work! Do you think you could make it so i can hit the volume up button to bring the phone out of suspend instead of hitting the power button?
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Click to collapse
Get no lock from the market.
Volume down takes you streight into the phone no lock screen.
Hey guys.. i was playing with my WP7-HD2 and found that when you press the back button when on home screen it goes to all you recent apps you opened or edited before....Keep pressing the back button will go further more back! I Think this is because when i wanted to exit an app i pressed the start button(to go to Home screen instantly) and not the back button; so it stays in memory/or recording your steps you did before!
Cool...I didn't knew that!!!
Ok sorry guys...Any mod to transfer this topic into the below one? thanks!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10678521#post10678521
arkatis said:
Hey guys.. i was playing with my WP7-HD2 and found that when you press the back button when on home screen it goes to all you recent apps you opened or edited before....Keep pressing the back button will go further more back! I Think this is because when i wanted to exit an app i pressed the start button(to go to Home screen instantly) and not the back button; so it stays in memory/or recording your steps you did before!
Cool...I didn't knew that!!!
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Click to collapse
Yes, it's somewhat multitasking, well I would like to get some tiles, about programs I closed or visited recently, but back button is better than nothing :]
arkatis said:
Hey guys.. i was playing with my WP7-HD2 and found that when you press the back button when on home screen it goes to all you recent apps you opened or edited before....Keep pressing the back button will go further more back! I Think this is because when i wanted to exit an app i pressed the start button(to go to Home screen instantly) and not the back button; so it stays in memory/or recording your steps you did before!
Cool...I didn't knew that!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, that's why MS decided not to implement 'real' multitasking as what they have done replaces 90% of what multitasking is used for on a phone.
All they need to do is force developers to implement this tombstoning and allow audio to be implemented as a background service.
The problem with this is that applications unload their assets. When you go back into an app or game, it has to load everything back up.
Current solution is idiotic in many cases.
When I'm on Facebook and want to reply to sms, after going BACK everything has to be loaded again. This applies to many situations and is ridiculous basically.
So the current solution replaces about 30% of what is needed on todays smartphone.
doministry said:
Current solution is idiotic in many cases.
When I'm on Facebook and want to reply to sms, after going BACK everything has to be loaded again. This applies to many situations and is ridiculous basically.
So the current solution replaces about 30% of what is needed on todays smartphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will live with it! No worries...But i kinda like it though... MS WP7 developers lags out of ideas at the moment! (or from way back)
Yeah, unfortunately it's mainly a developer prolem.
Very few are actually implementing the things that makes WP7 really useful:
Push Notifications, App Tombstoning and Live Tiles.
I hope we see more work done on these aspects in the future.
Jonno2343 said:
I hope we see more work done on these aspects in the future.
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Hope so mate.. But if we doesn't.....For sure we are going to find Epic works here!
Please? I sooooooo want to make it useful, like Browser or Msgs.
Thumbs up for that request
Like buttons remapper ?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
This would be great. This was one of the first things I did to my MT4G.
+1. You can long press on the screen to get to the Personalize menu; why have it as a button as well?
ui build.prop
i know when i had the mytouch 4g you could remap the "g" button by editing the UI/Mapkey file something like that. will try and find the thread
edit: ok found the thread, but dont know if it also possible on sensation or not....http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=836702
update: pretty sure it not the same thing since it was a hardware button the was remaped. just trying to help
I know this was done in at least one ROM on the MT4G, and there are MODS in the Desire Z / HD/ G2 forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=876464
Aha! HERE'S one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1210563
Would like to see this as well. Played with a customizable skin on the iPhone. Very useful!
redbullcat said:
+1. You can long press on the screen to get to the Personalize menu; why have it as a button as well?
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Can`t do that on mine
davemazo said:
Can`t do that on mine
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What, not on any of the homescreens? Long press and the Personalize menu comes up?
It's a core Android feature; they wouldn't remove it.
redbullcat said:
What, not on any of the homescreens? Long press and the Personalize menu comes up?
It's a core Android feature; they wouldn't remove it.
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Click to collapse
Nope. If I long press on a blank or empty part of any screen nothing happens. Its a UK T Mobile
davemazo said:
Nope. If I long press on a blank or empty part of any screen nothing happens. Its a UK T Mobile
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Click to collapse
Weird. What ROM you on?
Stock t mobile rom
I`ve since discovered that I can get to the personalize screen by long pressing the screen if there is an empty space for a shortcut icon. Previously all my homescreens were full so obviously I had to remove a shortcut to be able to then personalize that screen.
Sorry, my mistake but in my defence it is my first Android phone and I`m slowly finding my way around it.
Okay so im having a little project to get rid of using power button, cuz mine is really "soft" and i believe someday it will stop responding...
Im currently using few apps&tricks:
Turning off screen:
Screen Off & Lock
Turning on the screen:
Volume key wake
or as in most roms now, its enable-able in settings/tweaks
Rebooting, entering recovery or bootloader:
Quick Boot (Reboot)
And recovery:
4EXT Recovery Touch
Im currently running cm7mod rom and i am trying to find a code or good replacement to open "cm7 power button menu or advanced boot menu" if its called that, to open from shortcut or different key then long press power button. And another one for now is taking a screen shot from different combo then "power button+home" I know there is some apps to take screenshots but i would prefer to edit some files myself to make it happen.
Hope this helps somebody with same issues and maybe someone can give me some pointers!
PEACE
Thanks for the tips.
I'm sure this will come in handy for people who're wearing out their power button (like me!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hBxMpaLRiU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
knockedx said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hBxMpaLRiU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for that video. Makes for an interesting party trick!!
But the problem with this is phone unlocking inside your pocket, and secondly, continuous polling of the proximity sensor is going to gobble your battery up pretty fast. But i'll have to try it out for atleast a day to support that theory.
Thanks for the info anyway.
Did anyone try to use warranty because of the power button? mine is going softer every week...
Sick1 said:
Okay so im having a little project to get rid of using power button, cuz mine is really "soft" and i believe someday it will stop responding...
Im currently running cm7mod rom and i am trying to find a code or good replacement to open "cm7 power button menu or advanced boot menu" if its called that, to open from shortcut or different key then long press power button. And another one for now is taking a screen shot from different combo then "power button+home" I know there is some apps to take screenshots but i would prefer to edit some files myself to make it happen.
Hope this helps somebody with same issues and maybe someone can give me some pointers!
PEACE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news coming for your project in the next couple of days. Need some finetuning, but it's looking promising.
You won't be able to simply edit stuff to make it work on other roms, but Reaper will have it.
Cheers
lowveld said:
Good news coming for your project in the next couple of days. Need some finetuning, but it's looking promising.
You won't be able to simply edit stuff to make it work on other roms, but Reaper will have it.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yummy, more mischief from the chef!!
I've always used Screen off apps on all my devices !
Even since the days of WinMo there was such app
One of the first apps I install on my phone when I load a New ROM is screen off and lock
I don't need the volume wake though - that would just wear out the volume buttons when I already use it for music control
hey all...i just flashed clean rom 5 and it's working great, however, I cant seem to figure out how to take a screen shot. I've searched the forums and cannot seem to find an answer. Can anyone help? I've tried power and home screen and still nothing...thanks!
How about the palm-swipe?
Lay the side of your hand on the left side of the screen and swipe it all the way to the right side of the screen.
It needs the motions enabled in the Motion control panel, and it's all the way at the bottom of the screen.
Or you could just use the screenshot command that is built into Android ICS and JellyBean.
Simultaneous press the Home button and the Power button to take a screen shot.
pdykstra said:
Or you could just use the screenshot command that is built into Android ICS and JellyBean.
Simultaneous press the Home button and the Power button to take a screen shot.
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Click to collapse
I tried that and still nothing, I will try the swipe with motions enabled as I havent given that a go yet. Will let you know, thanks for the help.
pdykstra said:
Or you could just use the screenshot command that is built into Android ICS and JellyBean.
Simultaneous press the Home button and the Power button to take a screen shot.
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Click to collapse
Frankiej1978 said:
I tried that and still nothing, I will try the swipe with motions enabled as I havent given that a go yet. Will let you know, thanks for the help.
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Click to collapse
Works for me on CleanROM, home & power.
Chocu1a said:
Works for me on CleanROM, home & power.
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Yea not sure why that doesn't work for me :/ However, enabling Motion and doing palm swipe works..thanks for the help!
Home and power doesn't work for me either...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Frankiej1978 said:
Yea not sure why that doesn't work for me :/ However, enabling Motion and doing palm swipe works..thanks for the help!
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niv3d said:
Home and power doesn't work for me either...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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Press Home and Power simultaneously, and HOLD until it takes the screenshot (only takes a second or so). This feature is absolutely present in CleanROM. It has also active in every stock build of TouchWIZ that Samsung has put out for our device.
pdykstra said:
Press Home and Power simultaneously, and HOLD until it takes the screenshot (only takes a second or so). This feature is absolutely present in CleanROM. It has also active in every stock build of TouchWIZ that Samsung has put out for our device.
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Click to collapse
I tried it again and it worked. I must have not been hitting the Home and Power button simultaneously in my previous attempts. Thanks again.:good:
Frankiej1978 said:
I tried it again and it worked. I must have not been hitting the Home and Power button simultaneously in my previous attempts. Thanks again.:good:
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Click to collapse
Yeah, like he said you just gotta hold it a sec or two. It's not as responsive as snapping a normal picture thru the camera for instance.
pdykstra said:
Or you could just use the screenshot command that is built into Android ICS and JellyBean.
Simultaneous press the Home button and the Power button to take a screen shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome!!! I had no idea about that! Thank you.