What am I seeing when I hold down the Home key on my skyrocket? (stock ICS, using Apex launcher if relevant)
It looks like a list of open apps that I can scroll through, but its showing apps that the Active Apps widget that is part of stock is not showing...
Its showing recent apps both open+closed.
App manager only shows you what applications are currently active (i.e. apps that are using CPU cycles or are currently residing in the RAM.) Holding the home key brings up screenshots of recently used apps so as to make a quick way to return to apps that you were just using instead of having to dig around in your app drawer to find and "relaunch" them. Gingerbread only had a small pop-up window that showed the icons of the latest 6(?) apps you've used, which was handy enough, but I love having the screenshots in ICS.
Thanks guys. This is helpful - both in helping me understand the difference and also helping me figure out a good use for that function!
Related
Hello,
I have a idea for a launcher but don't have the programing experience to make it. Unless a launcher is much easier to do then I think. I have done some light app dev in eclipse for android and would be willing to try it my self if someone can point me in the right direction.
I'll put the idea out there and anyone who wishes to use it I only ask to be credited with the original concept.
I call it "No Home"
The idea is that I am constantly hitting back or home to return to the home screen before I press the power button and put the phone to sleep. But the home screen provides nothing I really need, at least not necessarily. So Instead pressing home button will open a app drawer, I like the one Zeam uses since on return you are back where you left it. Also Some of the others allow changing of the number of Icons wide and tall are displayed, This would be a nice addition since I have a EVO and four by four has a lot of wasted space. Also it needs to be able to do folders. This allows for apps to be organized.
On boot you are opened to the App Drawer/screen. Then from there you just leave the phone at what ever app it is in when letting it sleep, if you need to open a new app either long press home for a recent app or press it to get to the app drawer/screen.
There would be no widgets unless they could go in the app screen, The notifications will have to do. I'm sure a always running notification that provides some kind of folder or something for widgets could be developed.
I know this would not be the launcher for everyone, maybe not even you. I also realize it sounds like this or that launcher or that I could achieve the same thing by not pressing the home button, but I think as a App it would be faster and lighter then any home screen launcher could be.
Nice!
joeavery2 said:
Hello,
I have a idea for a launcher but don't have the programing experience to make it. Unless a launcher is much easier to do then I think. I have done some light app dev in eclipse for android and would be willing to try it my self if someone can point me in the right direction.
I'll put the idea out there and anyone who wishes to use it I only ask to be credited with the original concept.
I call it "No Home"
The idea is that I am constantly hitting back or home to return to the home screen before I press the power button and put the phone to sleep. But the home screen provides nothing I really need, at least not necessarily. So Instead pressing home button will open a app drawer, I like the one Zeam uses since on return you are back where you left it. Also Some of the others allow changing of the number of Icons wide and tall are displayed, This would be a nice addition since I have a EVO and four by four has a lot of wasted space. Also it needs to be able to do folders. This allows for apps to be organized.
On boot you are opened to the App Drawer/screen. Then from there you just leave the phone at what ever app it is in when letting it sleep, if you need to open a new app either long press home for a recent app or press it to get to the app drawer/screen.
There would be no widgets unless they could go in the app screen, The notifications will have to do. I'm sure a always running notification that provides some kind of folder or something for widgets could be developed.
I know this would not be the launcher for everyone, maybe not even you. I also realize it sounds like this or that launcher or that I could achieve the same thing by not pressing the home button, but I think as a App it would be faster and lighter then any home screen launcher could be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice idea. But I don't have the programming skills either. Good luck with it and I hope that someone can make this soon!
Tbo-art
I think you´re idea sounds a lot like iOS
I personally don´t like it, but I´m sure some will!
have you tried vlauncher
search for it in the market
matt.tugwell said:
have you tried vlauncher
search for it in the market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call. It is not far off, and I'd consider it, but I'm not going for a iOS Home screen, I like the vertical drawer very much over horizontal and, I'm not sure if it is just my phone but I saw serious lag on vlauncher.
I guess What I'm looking for is really just a launcher missing the home screen. A striped down launcher. I need a app drawer that will allow me to get to my apps fast, and I have about 200 apps on my phone. Having to go home then press the app drawer button is two steps vs my proposed one. Also 16 apps vs 25 (for higher res screens like the EVO) makes a big difference.
I think I saw a how-to in a starting with android lesson that had a home screen lesson. Maybe I'll give that a shot... Have to find it again.
Still welcome any other suggestions or help, thanks for the ones so far.
joeavery2 said:
Good call. It is not far off, and I'd consider it, but I'm not going for a iOS Home screen, I like the vertical drawer very much over horizontal and, I'm not sure if it is just my phone but I saw serious lag on vlauncher.
I guess What I'm looking for is really just a launcher missing the home screen. A striped down launcher. I need a app drawer that will allow me to get to my apps fast, and I have about 200 apps on my phone. Having to go home then press the app drawer button is two steps vs my proposed one. Also 16 apps vs 25 (for higher res screens like the EVO) makes a big difference.
I think I saw a how-to in a starting with android lesson that had a home screen lesson. Maybe I'll give that a shot... Have to find it again.
Still welcome any other suggestions or help, thanks for the ones so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AWD Launcher (and I think other launchers as well) has an option to launch the drawer when pressing the home button.
(You can still go to the desktop by tapping a on-screen icon: convenient for incedental consult of some widgets)
appelflap said:
AWD Launcher (and I think other launchers as well) has an option to launch the drawer when pressing the home button.
(You can still go to the desktop by tapping a on-screen icon: convenient for incedental consult of some widgets)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I found the home button binding setting in AWD Launcher, I forgot how configurable AWD was, and how much I liked it. This is close, When you press home it brings you to the home screen and a second tap brings up the app launcher, which you can set the number wide and tall the icons are.
This will work, between this and just leaving the phone at it's present state vs. pressing home before putting it to sleep, it basically solves my issue.
It would be a neat add on of AWD to Reverse the order of the home screen operation, maybe I'll suggest a option for that.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
Hi,
Every time i am installing a new app im searching for it in the "all apps" screen.
This screen holds a very long list of apps, sorted alphabeticly.
I was wondering if there is a way to see the apps sorter otherwise (by last installed for example).
The reason is because i want to add those apps to the main screen, and currently it is very uncomfortable.
Thanks!
Couple of ways, hit the app drawer button, then long press the app and drag it onto the home screen you want it on.
Long press on the home screen you want it on then select shortcut then applications then select the app. If you are adding a widget change procedure accordingly.
Hi, Thanks for the answer, but i didnt mean how do i add app to the desktop
i asked - is there a fast and comfrotble way to find last installed apps.
The only way i came to is by clicking search button when im in apps drawer.
Is there a way to sort the apps drawer? maybe an app that does it?
Hey,
I've been looking for ages for a task switching app and I was wondering if anyone had seen something good?
I've always thought that it would be really useful to have one that shows the list of apps in the notification bar and can select what apps are show.
Thanks for any help with this,
Drew
Have you tried holding down your home button?
Hey,
Yeah, tried that one, but its usually filled with settings and other things that I dont ever want to go to, so I only see like three or four apps I want to change to...It allso shows apps that are closed.
I'm being a bit fussy, the home button does do what I'm after most of the time, was just wondering if there was anything else.
Thanks,
Drew
drewhopcroft said:
Hey,
Yeah, tried that one, but its usually filled with settings and other things that I dont ever want to go to, so I only see like three or four apps I want to change to...It allso shows apps that are closed.
I'm being a bit fussy, the home button does do what I'm after most of the time, was just wondering if there was anything else.
Thanks,
Drew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Advanced Task Killer is a free app that will switch between apps. It is essential on the androids. I keep it widget on my desktop. When launced, it will show all the programs currently running on your android. If you hold your finger on an app in ATK, a window will pop up and you can sellect switch too.
there are lots of them, check out multitasking pro, perfect task switcher, etc.
Just do a market search and you should find what you want.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
There are a couple of things I think you might like. Since you don't like having your list of apps cluttered with Settings and the like, you probably want something that you can tweak.
QuickDesk
For one, maybe try QuickDesk. It is basically a single homescreen you can access from any app by either double-tapping Home or holding Search. On top of having any widgets or shortcuts you want, there's also a sliding list of recent apps on the bottom.
SwipePad Beta
If you want something faster and simpler, try SwipePad. Basically, you can create a gesture that lets you access a screen full of shortcuts from anywhere. You choose a corner or side of the screen that you swipe away from to create an overlay that displays shortcuts to different applications.
Wave Launcher
Wave Launcher is similar to Swipepad, only it creates a smaller list of apps that follows your finger around once you do the gesture. I'd recommend following the link and watching the video since it does a better job explaining that I could do.
You should give PreHome a try. You can configure it to only display tasks that are running.
Thanks all,
I'm loving PreHome, for the whole 1 hour I've been using it for...
The double tap home function is better than my 'notification bar' idea...
The other apps look good as well but think I'll be sticking with PreHome.
Thanks again,
Drew
So I just signed up here after getting a G2X. I have been into Android for about a year. I started out with the Cliq XT which I actually loved, then got the Defy which I hate to see go, and now am on the G2X [the first superphone to really impress me since it can actually do something my Defy couldn't]
I am very happy with my G2X. I don't get the fuss over screen bleeding as phone displays have come such a long way from my first cell phone, the Panasonic GD55. I also have not had ONE reboot. My battery life is between 4 to 6 hours and I'm pretty much browsing the web ALL day.
but lately, I've wondered, am I wrong? dumb? blind?
I only use three home screens. The main one has just 4 small icons: camera, messaging, browser, and navigation. Then to the right home screen just the weather widget, and to the left screen, the android power bar widget. and after that, nothing else, nothing.
Is there something I'm missing? or am I right in not loading up the screens and just hitting the menus if I need something? I realize, for example, the google search widget would work for me, but I don't see the point of having it on the screen when I can just press browser and it opens to a blank google window I don't facebook much, but I can just open the app drawer, click the facebook button, and it's all right there.
So am I just crazy? or is my approach more common and popular than I think?
On another note, I'm missing some things from my defy. I was able to install the connected music player apk to use instead of the horrible stock one, but I'm missing my airplane mode button and timer built into my clock/alarm app.
but still...I feel weird..they added homescreens to make it 7..so people obviously love them and need them..and yet if I really wanted to I could put EVERYTHING I use on one.
Its your phone best used how you see fit. I have on extra page filled with a few apps I use since I've gotten into rooting my phone and playing around with things the devs help and teach me on. But I do the same I go to the app menu if I wanna use something too.
Sent from my HTC G2 using XDA Premium App
You're not an idiot lol I myself have a pretty much bare set up haven't really customized anything due to the fact that I've been bouncing from rom to rom. Plus the wonderful thing about android is that you can pretty much do what you please. If you're only using 3 pages I'd suggest you use Launcherpro or ADW (or whichever launcher you prefer) and have only 3 pages up so you're not left with all these blank pages. I used to just use 1 page back on my MT4g Bottom line is you're not an idiot
I know exactly what you are saying. I've got launcher pro and have the dock all customized with 15 icons in 3 docks. Some camera apps and different markets and the usual messaging and stuff.
Now I'm like...why do I need anything in my home screens? I've got my vacation days left widget on the home screen and the launcher pro contacts widget on another. That's it.
But then I downloaded three icon packs and see myself customizing the screens more. There sure are a lot of cool choices. If I do that the dock choices become redundant.
I just don't use most of the apps in the drawer enough to put them on a home screen. Only a select few.
Having a blast playing around though.
Instead of having all my apps on one page, I'm thinking of giving the pages themes, like games, tools, camera, messaging etc.
I also like to keep one home screen blank so the wallpaper, living or not, is highlighted.
i also have 3 screens
I also have just 3 screens.
I use LauncherPro + QuickDesk + SwipePad
Screen #1 just has 9 icons for each of my fave Google apps: Browser, Calendar, Market, Latitude, Maps, Navigation, Talk, Voice and YouTube.
Screen #2 has minimum of 2 icons: Shortcut > Direct Message > My Wife
The second icon is either my ToDoList for the day or a ShoppingList.
I use ColorNote.
Screen #3 is for my widgets.
Battery Monitor Widget, Catch Notes Widget, Pure Calendar Widget.
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I really love the scrolling dockbar in LauncherPro. I use just two dockbars for a combined quick access to a possible 10 apps + 10 gestures.
I also use SwipePad for quick access to 12 more apps, and also QuickDesk for additional quick access to s'more apps & shortcuts
Using the Hidden Apps feature of LauncherPro, I hide most of my apps in the app drawer.
I access everything else from the capacitive touch Search button.
I run simple as well. However adw ex utilizes both cores for instant function.
Buy adw ex. Open settings/Profiles and select FAST SETTING.
it will be like nothing you've had before.
I call it Instant.
I don't even use any animations at this point.
Its more impressive not to even need any then to watch one.
It will impress you.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Hi
I need some information regarding Android. I am using Huawei Ascend G610-U20 with Android version 4.2.1
I was using stock ROM and stock theme. No launcher installed and no themes used. When i touch and hold the menu button (one of three main buttons, return-home-menu) i am given the list of applications running in background. I quit the application which i am not using so that it doesn't hog in memory and keep eating the battery. I only keep phone and text in use. Otherwise once i have used the app, i exit it from the background running processes.
Recently i installed Dodol launcher. It is running fine and nothing wrong. Just when i press-hold menu button i see no applications running in background (because i have exited all the apps from background) but when i go to launcher and click "running" apps it shows me a huge list of apps running in background. I click on broom icon to clear them. It does but they again appear after few moments. They keep using the RAM. SOMETIMES my phone become too sluggish when i am typing in Viber or even Text app.
Why is this difference? That i exit the app from menu-hold but in launcher it shows apps running. Can anyone please guide me.
I will be very thankful to you.
Regards
Awais.