I'm not a developer or programmer (although I could learn how to, but by the time I figured out how to create a program, the Note Edge 3 would be released), but being an end user of the phone and with first hand experience, I can always comes up with ideas that may improve the functionality and accessibility of the device. Below are some of the ideas on different panels/apps that I think can greatly improve the functionality of the Edge screen.
Music Control - This definitely needs to happen. It would be amazing to be able to control your music app (play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, etc.) while using your phone for other tasks without having to open up the music app.
Multi-Window Functions - Why can't we use the edge screen as the multi-windows toolbar? Instead of having to hold the back button for the toolbar to appear, we can just drag the apps from the Edge screen and start multi-windows.
Task List - Tasks on the Edge screen where we can tap it to mark it as complete and a new task will show up. This could also be a shopping list and will most definitely be useful for Black Friday.
Bubble Level - There's a ruler...why can't there be a bubble level too?
Battery Bar - I know there's a battery bar at the top of the screen, but it would be nice to have a larger battery bar that's actually color coded based on the percentage of life left. And it could also displays percentage of battery life as well as remaining usage time.
Fantasy Score Updates - I play Fantasy Football and Basketball and would love to see updates on my Fantasy scores without having to open up the Fantasy apps.
What do you think of some of the ideas? Do you have any ideas you would like to share? Hopefully a developer/programmer will read this thread and create some of the highly requested/useful panels/apps for the Edge screen.
There is a thread with a list going. My company will be building a suite of apps that accomplishes many of these items.
jribbe101 said:
There is a thread with a list going. My company will be building a suite of apps that accomplishes many of these items.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a link to the thread by any chance? And what's the name of your company so that I may follow the progress of the suite? Thank you in advance.
When I first saw the edge, the first thing I thought of was my fantasy team lol. Fantasy points would be amazing. Yahoo already has a sports ticker, I'm unsure if Yahoo has any api that will allow other apps to pull points, but that would be so amazing.
I like the idea of a bubble level too. Seems like a no-brainer now that you mentioned it.
I'd like to see web browsers take advantage of the edge and place navigation buttons there so you wont have to hit menu->forward or menu->reload or menu->load desktop site anymore.
I'm also interested in being linked to that other thread with edge app ideas as well, please
ok dudes, let me get some of this work off my plate tonight and tomorrow, I'll probably make an official post or something for this. I responded to a few people in different threads so I went quickly and copied them here to give you guys something to ponder on, and add suggestions. This is a aggregation of things requested.
Ultimately the goal is to make apps that make it productive for business, and then make a few extra general apps. I was thinking a suite of 4-6 depending on the complexity to build.... which given how I design, the apps are usually complex to build. But with the limited space and functions of what we are making, these may not be to bad on time.
Some of these apps may exist, but I won't have my phone til Monday to see what comes preloaded. If I feel there is a lack of functionality, like in the messaging widget I'll build a better mousetrap.
WIDGETS
1. A rss feed type panel where user could add their own feeds.
2. A To Do list (integrates with outlook... so it can pull my data from there)
3. Messaging alert and reader. -- (so you can switch between sms/email/etc and use your finger to swipe left/right like a ticker to read the messages.. and maybe swipe up and down to cycle messages... still in thought)
4. Level tool
5. Music controls while using the phone
6. Twitter timeline
7. A converter tool.
8. Ir favorite channel edge panel
9. swipe or knock to turn screen on
feel free to add on!
Thanks for the reply.
So the Edge has an IR Blaster? If that's the case, I'd go further than just a favorite channels bar and add Volume up/down/mute as well as power too.
seeking said:
So the Edge has an IR Blaster?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea... its something another user asked for.
seeking said:
So the Edge has an IR Blaster?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, both the Note 4 and Note Edge come with the IR Blaster. It has been confirmed by many Tech and phones sites.
seeking said:
When I first saw the edge, the first thing I thought of was my fantasy team lol. Fantasy points would be amazing. Yahoo already has a sports ticker, I'm unsure if Yahoo has any api that will allow other apps to pull points, but that would be so amazing.
I'd like to see web browsers take advantage of the edge and place navigation buttons there so you wont have to hit menu->forward or menu->reload or menu->load desktop site anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You and me both! The first time I saw it presented at CES 2013, I said to myself that it would be neat to see Fantasy updates on that side of the screen while at the bar or pub. lol.
And yes, I would love to have all the browsers navigation bar on Edge, it would make web browsing so much better and more efficient.
@jribbe101
Thanks for listening to the community feedback on creating apps for the Edge, I greatly appreciate it and I'm sure I'm not the only one! I look forward to supporting your company in the near future and am excited to experience your apps firsthand.
no problemo. Speaking of a fantasy widget... I am currently working on something that would probably blow y'alls minds, lol. I'm designing the UI now, and will have a running beta for March Madness and TNT (cable channel). So maybe I will integrate it with the edge... A small easter egg for our "limited" community
jribbe101 said:
no problemo. Speaking of a fantasy widget... I am currently working on something that would probably blow y'alls minds, lol. I'm designing the UI now, and will have a running beta for March Madness and TNT (cable channel). So maybe I will integrate it with the edge... A small easter egg for our "limited" community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fantastic! I look forward to seeing it in action, hopefully soon!
jribbe101 said:
ok dudes, let me get some of this work off my plate tonight and tomorrow, I'll probably make an official post or something for this. I responded to a few people in different threads so I went quickly and copied them here to give you guys something to ponder on, and add suggestions. This is a aggregation of things requested.
Ultimately the goal is to make apps that make it productive for business, and then make a few extra general apps. I was thinking a suite of 4-6 depending on the complexity to build.... which given how I design, the apps are usually complex to build. But with the limited space and functions of what we are making, these may not be to bad on time.
Some of these apps may exist, but I won't have my phone til Monday to see what comes preloaded. If I feel there is a lack of functionality, like in the messaging widget I'll build a better mousetrap.
WIDGETS
1. A rss feed type panel where user could add their own feeds.
2. A To Do list (integrates with outlook... so it can pull my data from there)
3. Messaging alert and reader. -- (so you can switch between sms/email/etc and use your finger to swipe left/right like a ticker to read the messages.. and maybe swipe up and down to cycle messages... still in thought)
4. Level tool
5. Music controls while using the phone
6. Twitter timeline
7. A converter tool.
8. Ir favorite channel edge panel
9. swipe or knock to turn screen on
feel free to add on!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jribbe101,
Its great to see you're giving user suggestions serious consideration. Can't wait see some of these ideas come alive. These apps potentially makes the edge seriously useful.
Good luck!
invisiblesense said:
Hi jribbe101,
Its great to see you're giving user suggestions serious consideration. Can't wait see some of these ideas come alive. These apps potentially makes the edge seriously useful.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, all these reviews talking about it being a gimmick.. I can actually see some good use for that screen in my daily business scenarios that would make small things more efficient. So, maybe we can make them eat those words @[email protected]!
Which forum should I post my thread on? General or Q&A? I'm going to start the new thread with this username and want to make sure it's under the right area. It will be a starter thread to aggregate ideas to pick which apps should be made.
Yes it has an IR blaster and comes with Smart Remote app (the same thing that was on the note 3 just renamed and themed a bit)
I was the one asking for frav Ch. IR. I think it would be cool to just swap over and tap the top 5 ch you watch.
There could also be one for vol up and down or even channel.
For those that arent use to the power button on top. You can get a screen off/power off app from the market and short cut it to the edge.
So far there isnt much i can think of for apps for the edge. Most of the stuff i can think of would have to be updated via the main app.
i.e.
facebook status scrolling,
ebay ending soon count down
TV guide reminders
I would love to be able to put any app that I have in the drawer to the edge screen instead of just the basic ones. Then you can put any of your favorite apps or most used apps in edge screen for easy access, or more sports ticker options for sports scores, yahoos one basic doesnt have any NCCA college football options.
Probably not the right thread but it's Q&A so I thought I would give it a shot , problem is I can't get the side panel to turn on without turning on the whole screen , I've read and read , your supposed to just activate it by running your finger or thumb up and down the side panel , but no matter what I do I can't get it to work without turning on the whole screen , am I missing something , I couldn't even get the night clock to work as it is supposed to , now to be fair I haven't had the phone for even 24 hrs yet , but have set everything up and messed around with it for a few hrs ...? Stumped ....any help or suggestion's would be greatly appreciated , I'm beginning to think I got a lemon , Thank's in advance ....
Philly Jim said:
Probably not the right thread but it's Q&A so I thought I would give it a shot , problem is I can't get the side panel to turn on without turning on the whole screen , I've read and read , your supposed to just activate it by running your finger or thumb up and down the side panel , but no matter what I do I can't get it to work without turning on the whole screen , am I missing something , I couldn't even get the night clock to work as it is supposed to , now to be fair I haven't had the phone for even 24 hrs yet , but have set everything up and messed around with it for a few hrs ...? Stumped ....any help or suggestion's would be greatly appreciated , I'm beginning to think I got a lemon , Thank's in advance ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a Note Edge yet for reference, but I recall reading somewhere that you can "wake" the Edge panel by swiping your finger right and then left on it. Then once you wake it, you can use your thumb to swipe up and down to look at the different panels.
I do not believe that the edge panel turns on with the main screen still off.
seeking said:
I do not believe that the edge panel turns on with the main screen still off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does. With the screen off, swipe back and forth on the sharpest part of the curve. That's the most sensitive part of the edge display. That will turn on the clock/notifications/weather (wait a bit, and it'll start scrolling to show your notifications). To access your panels, slide left or right on the edge as you would when the screen is on. once again the sharpest part of the curve is most sensitive.
jooniloh said:
Yes, it does. With the screen off, swipe back and forth on the sharpest part of the curve. That's the most sensitive part of the edge display. That will turn on the clock/notifications/weather (wait a bit, and it'll start scrolling to show your notifications). To access your panels, slide left or right on the edge as you would when the screen is on. once again the sharpest part of the curve is most sensitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirmed that this works. Just put your thumb on the edge screen with your thumb covering the whole side of the edge, and slide/drag it up and down.
working on the EDGE ALERT for messages...
Since you guys peruse here and reddit.
-Stay awake while reading/holding
The same way the sony xperia series detects the phone is upright and being held, delays the screen time out.
- Setting to adjust the bottom round corner overlays
There two overlays at the bottom of the screen. Would be great to add some setting stop adjust.
-Hide Navbar
Similar to the GS8 That give you granular control over when it's hidden.
-Auto Pin unlock
Again the on the xperia series, the check mark is removed, so once you put the correct pin the phone accepts and unlocks.
More to come....
So most of the things suggested above are actually pretty gimmicky, imo.
Only thing I miss coming from other phones is gesture support for things like camera and flashlight with screen off. Double tap power for camera works fine, but no way to get to flashlight without turning the screen on, pulling down quick toggles, and clicking flashlight. Maybe holding down the volume down button with screen off?
Moto has the best gestures, then oneplus, then everyone else. Unfortunately, there is hardware support required for these to work without killing the battery, so totally understand if we never get gestures like these.
Those are pretty lame requests.. Essential runs AOSP.
A request that are needed & needs addressing:
- manual mode for camera
- hdr auto toggles the flash on??
- release system images already
- beta program/Oreo
- timely security updates (just getting October?)
- fix touch issues and scrolling
- fp scanner causing lockups
Let's get the OS polished and working better before we add more features
tlxxxsracer said:
Those are pretty lame requests.. Essential runs AOSP.
A request that are needed & needs addressing:
- manual mode for camera
- hdr auto toggles the flash on??
- release system images already
- beta program/Oreo
- timely security updates (just getting October?)
- fix touch issues and scrolling
- fp scanner causing lockups
Let's get the OS polished and working better before we add more features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, those requests of yours are already what they're doing, and bug fixes. So like duh list.
As for essential running aosp. They do, and they are already adding stuff on top.
The elegant solution for the status bar is to run devices in full screen, then manually
bring back the nav bar and status bar. So options for that would just be additional to what they are doing.
The rounded corners. They are already overlaying black corners on top. So options for that would just be additional to what they are doing.
Double click power button for cam isn't aosp last I checked.
So hence "feature requests" not just another list asking for "do it faster". :good:
Fix the camera.
Show us you can do this and smash the naysayers. Please don't just throw in the towel and let companies like Razer come in and show you up.
I would like Oreo like everyone else, but keep the guns pointed at the cameras.
There's seriously no rush to race to Essential phone 2.
You have reduced the price and now have the stage yet again. (Not to mention a ton of dedicated customers waiting with faith and phone in hand. )
Seize the moment an knock it out of the park.
This is the perfect time for you to take gobs of consumers away from the Pixel line. Google is against the ropes with its own set of issues.
Now that your price is set where margins are thin, its time to prove your name. Fix the camera and move units like crazy to get it in as many hands as possible.
Essential Phone 2 will help when you user base confidently upgrades ans recommends your product.
I bought an Essential phone for tight finish. (Software & Hardware)
Oreo will clean up a lot of peoples wants.
Again though, make the hardware work to it full potential.
Essential, you put yourself in this position with Stock android promises coupled with exceedingly high end hardware.
If I wanted bells/whistles with headaches, I would have zero troubles finding and OEM for that.
I essentially want you to focus on the hardware and leverage what you have to a higher standard and level.
Fix the EIS
Bring the camera levels to LG G6 results since the parts are the same.
Fix the Camera Icon (The only one you created) - Its ridiculously amateur and sticks out like a sore thumb.
Keep up the AMA's
Stay focused and steady.
Don't just kick the can down the road.
Another point:
I feel you should point out and lean your American roots. Lots of consumers purchase phones from offshoot companies that are created outside of the USA. Subsequently, many of them have been busted by running data collecting and or malicious algorithms.
You will not have more attention than you do now. Get cracking on it and show us what your made of.
Show us you can do this!
I agree totally with Maven1975 this phone is an awesome piece of equipment, I think that the weak link is the stock camera app and the way it processes the photos taken (compression) I have been able to take some pretty good looking photos with the stock app, but both The GCam port and FV-5 take far better pics but why?
Over the past year I owned the G6 which took some really nice pics, I sold it to purchase the S8 which took some amazing pics but I just couldn't deal with the UI of either of those phones even with the themes and the S8 wasn't user friendly for myself because of how I hold a phone I need me some side bezels with how I hold phones. I ended up getting the U11 and I love HTC and the UI but the phone was "big" but it took the best pictures out of the three.
Then the Essential PH-1 came out with it's awesome form factor and amazing quality and design I figured hey it has the same image sensor as the G6 with newer hardware and dual camera setup I bought into the"Image Fusion" hype and figured the photos should be somewhere in between the G6 and U11
Fix the camera, give us a Pro/Manual Mode and Release the System Image
I love stock Android, so keep the updates quick and the owners of this high quality phone will be some of your best advertisement "bang for the buck"
Become part of the development community and make this a "flash happy" phone ..... I come from a time when the HTC Hero had so many options for flashing different roms and apps it was so pleasing make the Essential PH-1 an ICON like the Hero
It seems that Google is carrying out A/B testing* on a redesigned app download page in the Play Store. However, this redesign currently only affects Android software, not any other media type Google Play carries.
*I don't like how some of the major tech companies don't even want to allow users to opt-in for new features, and instead test random people thinking they're the same, while clearly I feel like I'm not the same.
Summary:
I don't like the redesign. There's a boring white UI, and coloured circles around category and milestone markers are now gone, but it does retain its green header within Android Overview.
The version number of the Play Store package carrying this redesign, is "11.8.09-all [0] [PR] 213536367". One thing I noticed right from the go is that there's boring white design. Ugh! I hate certain implementations of minimalist design, notably Apple's UX design, but also whatever the stock UX is in Android 8.0 and later, which is why I stay on 7.1. Whatever it is, the coloured circles around category and milestone markers are now GONE, I have also noticed that the pages feature different layouts depending on whether the app is installed or not, so I'm providing 2 examples. The phone screenshots are stitched together using Samsung's "scroll capture" feature, while the tablet screenshots are not stitched together.
I'll provide screenshots here that are from the Singaporean Play Store.. If anyone wants, I can provide a few more examples featuring apps if anyone here wants, as long as the developer has made it available there. I have 4 different Androids, 3 of them have Play Services, and out of those 3, I'll pick my Galaxy Note8 to represent the phone** and my Yoga Tab 3 Pro to represent the tablet, however, of course, I also received this update on my Galaxy Tab A 8.0, and the tablet layout is identical between both my tablets. However, Play Store does retain its green header within Android Overview, and I know this because I refuse to upgrade my Note8 to Android 8.x because of Samsung's modification they decided to do to it, which is to make the headers white with coloured text in order to get it to match their own apps instead of the custom apps I have in order to give it a near-stock Android experience. The status bar shadow in the tablet screenshot was added by Lenovo's buggy Android 6.0 custom UX, which is so buggy that it deserves its own separate rant in a thread, if anyone wants to hear about how bad it really is, and how much Lenovo sucks at Android device support.
**(but it does have a modded custom font package to replace Roboto with Comic Neue, no, it's not Comic Sans)
Additional note for those who want to mention my post in a news video:
My Twitter profile description provides a clue as to how to pronounce my username, otherwise, you could mention me by my Reddit username, MustardOrMayo404, as I might repost this to r/android there if I feel inclined.
Reserved
That's a big NO from me. I usually don't mind change, but I have no idea what Google was thinking with this latest Play Store update. The layout feels heavily padded and full of wasted, blank space. It feels really stretched out and just junky. Here are the only positives:
- Share and flag actions are easily accessible via the 3-dot menu
- Ability to view app review edit history
-
I am so pleased to share the launcher I have found that best complements the surface duo for those looking for an amazing launcher for this desktop tier device is Winx Launcher. I actually tried at least 30 launcher apps and of all of them (including the very similar computer launcher and other apps), I found the Winx Launcher to be the most powerful, elegant, compatible launcher for Surface Duo users.
What's more is that I am so proud to announce that literally two days after I shared my feedback of the app on Google play, the developer immediately responded with promises for even further Surface Duo specific features coming to add to the rare "foldable" device settings. Literally two days later he has ALREADY demonstrated a new update coming delivering further Surface Duo support! The developer does not even own a Duo but that was so beautiful to see our rare devices get individualized attention and so I encourage you to show support for this app if you are looking for a launcher that literally changes your device into a more professional one rather than a (sloppy highly restricted android experience designed for candy bars launcher like our stock version of the Microsoft Launcher)
Seperate your Duo from other devices and give this launcher a try so that hopefully we can all benefit from increased support because literally no other launcher I've seen seems to care about the rare foldable device users. This developer actually cares and is also extremely taleneted!
While the launcher is free and add free by default, it is literally 2 dollars to get access to the premium features however I believe he still offers a 1 week trial so you can access the foldable device settings which I believe is extremely worth the money considering it absolutely changes the whole way you may view & approach your Duo... And again, it's SUPERIOR to the other simular desktop like launchers, believe me I tried them!!!
I believe if people help showcase their appreciation then based on the urgent attention I received that it will expedite the developer to add the most desired feature I'd presume for us Duo users which is for the entire home screen to slidd to the inactive screen when an app is launch. I believe he can do this no problem, and that it's not a dream just something no other developers have cared to address (despite Microsoft giving them all the tools to develop on for the Surface, other developers haven't batted an eye our way even when trying to bring a Windows like experience to Android)
Also he did all this in two days, despite when looking for comments from other reviewers using my device mod, there was only one other person, as if he simply needs solid feedback to give him ideas of ways to further improve this already daily driver ready launcher!
Get his Winx Launcher from the play store
Win-X Launcher - Apps on Google Play
The Launcher inspired by famous OS to provide simplified interface.
play.google.com
And here is a video he just released today showcasing the new Surface Duo user optimizations and other updates already getting ready to be released!
Subscribe to him to see what he's up to like me!
If you love the fact someone is helping to fine tune such a core application for our devices you can even donate a coffee to him from within the app (might speed him up even further lol)
I'm attaching images of my customizations to hopefully encourage you that your Duo can also be as clean as mine with hard work and effort but if you'd like I could share my general settings which could size icons and stuff the way I have (even tho my display is set at slightly different dpi via developer settings)
BTW I'm using this awesome icon pack, but obviously I hand selected and replaced many of the typical ones with other ones, using the custom icons features.. Also I rename some apps. I haven't yet found great widgets but the app has support for widgets too in addition to the many MANY useful abilities you'll find..
Halo Icon Pack - Apps on Google Play
Shapeless icon designs with a mellow undertone.
play.google.com
HALO ICON PACK
I have decided it's easy enough to attach my settings if you want to quickly have a tested base layout like mine to start with, you might need to clean up the custom icons but maybe not but hey I have spent time adjusting this so just be happy I knocked out the fundamentals of beautifying it up for you. You should easily be able to use the offline back up restore setting to paste this folder in your documentz and then import in... The quick one drive backup feature btw makes it worth spending time customizing. I'm so pleased with this launchers impact on my Duo's experience, and have found its lighter on resources the the heavily crippled bland stock launcher
Also I attached my exact dpi settings... Note it looks even better if you haven't disabled windows level blur in the developer settings like me for benchmarking purposes... however I have it off and am too lazy to redo screenshots. And the system font I'm using (for those who know how to actually customize system fonts [root]) is CoconOrignial but I don't think that will make a huge difference between my screenshots and what you'll get with the base system fonts. I'm just trying to share some drip with you guys.
Again (for those expecting the bottom link here) this is the
Winx Launcher from the play store
Win-X Launcher - Apps on Google Play
The Launcher inspired by famous OS to provide simplified interface.
play.google.com