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https://plus.google.com/+MarcKrenn/posts/eo6GWmCsrHk said:
(This is an open letter to the Android Design Team regarding the current state of the navigation bar. Long read ahead, you've been warned )
Dear Android Design Team,
I've always been a strong believer in Android's navigation concept and I'm confident it's a corner stone of Android's success. Sure, it might not be the most elegant or transparent solution ("What exactly will happen if I tap on the Back-button?"), but it just works perfectly 99% of the time and that's quite an achievement!
I personally see Android's Back- and Home-button as the ESC-button of the smartphone and tablet generation - even more than Apple's ever so awkward one-button-does-all-solution. Back and Home not only act as universal panic button and therefore reduces the user's fear of doing something wrong but they also make Android more consistent, easier to use across all the different apps (you don't have to search the app-dependent Back-button/solution - if there is one) and they reduces the user's cognitive load, freeing up their cognitive resources for more important tasks.
However, the way we access those wonderful functions - Back, Home and Recent Apps - is completely broken, for three main reasons:
1. Roughly speaking, it's always there when I don't need it, significantly reducing the active screen estate by 48dp, and when it's not there - for instance in fullscreen apps - I realize I'd need it. Yikes! Yes, it sounds paradoxical, but if you think about it, you come to the conclusion that the navigation bar probably doesn't belong on the screen.
Now, I know your reasoning behind the decision to scrap hardware navigation buttons altogether, but maybe the current visualization and placement of the navigation bar is just not optimal.
2. Talking about the placement of the navigation bar, it's probably the worst aspect about it's current implementation. Placing the bar on the bottom of the screen makes it nearly impossible to reach it without hassle - at least when navigating the phone with one hand, which should be considered the standard way of using a phone. At best, the over 90°-movement of your thumb looks and feels awkward, however for most people, especially younger and older ones, reaching the Back-button with their thumbs is just an impossible task. And the bad news don't stop here: The bigger the screen, the worse it gets, making 5"+ phone impossible to navigate with one hand, no matter how great your motor functions are.
I know, it isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the current implementation, but for the sake of ergonomics the current navigation bar should rather be located at the top of screen rather than at the bottom. And the order of the buttons should be altered: The Back-button, which is undeniable the most used one, should be the easiest to reach, so it should belong to the top right (for righties at least).
3. As mentioned above, the current Back-button doesn't provide any visual cues of what's going to happen next, when tapped. The user might ask himself:
"Will I go back within my current app, or will it send me back either to another app or my home screen?"
Since those cues are missing, people have to either remember their previous navigational history as a mental map (unnecessary cognitive load!) or they simply won't know what is going to happen if the tap the button, resulting in fear of doing something potentially wrong.
...
Here's my proposal
Okay, now let's stop criticizing the current implementation, since we all know it's easy to criticize but way harder to come up with better solutions. I tried my best though and came up with a different approach to navigating the Android OS. It's in a form of a video mockup and you can watch it enclosed to this post. Please read my annotations in this video.
I'm using this very kind of navigation - sans the visualization, of course - since I got my Nexus 4 over a year ago, using an app called GMD Gestures while hiding the navigation bar.
And well, it's a blast. It's way faster, ergonomic and simply better than any other current solution available right now - like, for instance the "pie navigation" implemented in some ROMs, which has some major interference with existing apps. I'd like to ask you to try it out yourself using GMD Gestures. After a day you won't go back to the standard navigation bar, I promise.
To wrap it up, here's a short list of pros and con of my proposal:
Pros:
+ coherently visualized, making it more graspable compared to other solutions
+ again, more ergonomic than the standard implementation
+ apps are always fullscreen and there's no need to swipe the navigation bar up when needed
+ 99% software based - only a tiny physical or visual cue must be added to the hardware itself to mark the start area of the gestures
+ conception-wise it integrates nicely into the idea of the beloved card-style apps like Google Now, G+,...
+ only very minor interference to current apps
+ adapts nicely to the various requirements of differently skilled users (see video annotations)
Con:
- small learning curve, like with all gestures, but you guys have never been too afraid of that, right?
...
It'd be really cool to hear back from you guys and pals just to let me know what you think. Thanks for reading and watching my stuff and I wish you
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Marc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Picked that one up on G+ and I think he might be on something. You may check out the comments here.
Amazing concept!!! I would love to see this implemented in a rom. The only problem is the learning curve for regular users.
Great!
Just great!! :good:
Learning curve too steep. This is good for "power users" but not for everyone.
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...
Game Launcher
Hyperlapse
Motion panorama
Quick Call
Bye-Bye-App-drawer
New Edge UI
Always On Display
Motion Panorama.
too many to list. but I guess off the top of my head:
the display:
literally the best consumer display in the world with virtually perfect professional reference level color fidelity, paper-like clarity with no diagonal edge bias (due to innovative proprietary diamond subpixel arrangement), infinite contrast and eye punching brightness that maintains perfectly even saturation and contrast unlike with lcd. Moreover the Screen calibration feature allows for various color space standards which is a must-have for professional photography or graphic work. Extremely High sensitivity screen allows for gloved use. Only just enough bezel to allow for screen edge swiping with a case installed leaving the device as narrow as possible making it much more nimble for one handed use and a bit less pants pocket stretching. Always on display is great as it allows me to check the time, date and notifications without having to turn on my phone--far superior in so many ways to the old way of decoding the color and speed of the flashing led.
Samsung pay:
their proprietary technology allows the device to simulate a magnetic card swipe which works anywhere unlike android pay and apple pay which only work on certain terminals. It constantly amazes everyone.
IP68 water and dust proof:
As beautiful as the S7 is it is indeed a fingerprint magnet. This is a problem with many phones so stylishly slick but unlike other phones when the S7 loses its lustre you can simply rinse it off under the sink and polish it off with a bath towel--good as new.
Powered USB otg with support for so many add ons:
gaming controllers, midi keyboards, file storage, keyboards, mice. I was surprised to find that I can charge another device with my phone and even spin up and operate a USB hard disk without any need for additional power cables.
the camera:
so amazing I use it for augmented vision. Not only can I inspect from the distance whether that little spot on the wall is a fly or a spider without getting off my lazy ass but I can see and read things where it would otherwise be far too dim for my eyes to see without need for additional lighting. Oh yea, and it also takes amazing pictures in just two clicks. I never miss a shot because even in the rare times when I would I can rely on motion photo to reverse time and recapture the picture just how I wanted. The expanding library of camera modes just kick it over the edge of awesomeness. In real world use I tend to switch between auto, pro, rear selfie, slow motion, and gif maker. I use burst a lot too which is available whenever you press and hold the shoot button.
ui:
I've found split screen and pop up mode more and more useful for working with and between multiple apps. Web browsing and reading while streaming music or watching YouTube and/or chating just feels great. I use my laptop so little these days which is so much better for my posture. Text selection is also improved paired with the hypersensitive screen. You can rely on the precision of the tip of your thumbnail and not the blunt tip of your finger. The adjustable dpi hack gives you more work space immediately expanding the usefulness of large screen.
I haven't even begun to touch on so many other things but I can definitely go on if anyone wants me to.
This is by far the most satisfied I've ever been with a phone and I've been using smart phones since when they were called PDAs. I never thought I'd be so satisfied with a non rooted android device but I don't find myself missing anything except perhaps the stereo sound hack and the Xposed framework but with all the features I'm discovering and looking forward to the gear vr Im sure I'll find enough ways not to care.
I don't use any of the features you listed, but i'd say my favorite "features" are (no particular order)
-Double tap home for camera shortcut
-Theme engine
-Split screen
-triple tap home for one handed use
Best hardware features are easily the screen and the camera. Build quality is amazing, honestly feels better in the hand than metal IMO, and IP68 is just an awesome feature to have.
Samsung has activated Display scaling in the newest Galaxy S7 firmware, it gives the user greater control over how much information is packed onto the screen.
That one isn't hidden anymore. Nice!
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
jamesava said:
Samsung has activated Display scaling in the newest Galaxy S7 firmware, it gives the user greater control over how much information is packed onto the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you get to that setting?
konoplya said:
how do you get to that setting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the display menu if you received the last update, otherwise you have to download Nova Launcher and activate through a specific nova action (you can then uninstall Nova).
Steps to follow :
Step 1: Head on over to the Google Play Store and download Nova Launcher
Step 2: Launch Nova Launcher. There's no need to set it as a default.
Step 3: Do a long-press on the home screen and tap on Widgets.
Step 4: Look for the Activities widget and bring it to the home screen.
Step 5: Look for Settings and tap on .DisplayScalingActivity. This will create a shortcut on the home screen.
Step 6: Tap on the newly created shortcut. There you have it, the option to go either Standard or Condensed.
exploreresp said:
In the display menu if you received the last update, otherwise you have to download Nova Launcher and activate through a specific nova action (you can then uninstall Nova).
Steps to follow :
Step 1: Head on over to the Google Play Store and download Nova Launcher
Step 2: Launch Nova Launcher. There's no need to set it as a default.
Step 3: Do a long-press on the home screen and tap on Widgets.
Step 4: Look for the Activities widget and bring it to the home screen.
Step 5: Look for Settings and tap on .DisplayScalingActivity. This will create a shortcut on the home screen.
Step 6: Tap on the newly created shortcut. There you have it, the option to go either Standard or Condensed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the last update you're talking about is the one from T-Mobile? I have T-Mobile and I got one update from Samsung and one from T-Mobile.
Nop, it's a Sammy update that began to roll out a couple days ago fixing some side touching issues, photo stuff too and a lot of other things too
S7 here..Stock..TouchWiz Launcher..T-Mobile carrier
#1 Feature: Samsung Pay. When I saw my wife use her Note 5 to pay at WalMart, my MotoX Pure suddenly became obsolete.
#2. SD Card has returned. 32GB onboard isn't sufficient for me and now with 128GB extra, I'm content.
#3, Android 6.0.1. Battery Optimizations net me 20 total hours on battery with a 4-6 hour Screen On Time. Wow!
#4 Gear VR compatibility. I have the VR and it is stunning and so next-generation.
#5 Speaker is loud. While not idea for cranking up the tunes, it's perfect for voice calls and voicemail.
#6 SideSync and SmartSwitch. These two apps fill in the features that iTunes backup and Continuity brought to iOS.
#7 TouchWiz is scaled down enough to not get in the way of using the phone. Still packed with options, but it works right out of the box.
Yes, yes, it's possible to love a phone. Heck, you sleep next to it, don't you? Rate this thread to indicate your love for the Xiaomi Mi 9, all things considered. A higher rating indicates that the Xiaomi Mi 9 is an incredible phone that you enjoy tremendously. You love it.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
I absolutely love the lock screen that shows the earth and moon in sync with realtime. And you can check notifications this way, swipe them away if you want, and when you put the phone down it will go to sleep immediately! And it will wake when you pick it up. Nice little touches.
It's great. Fast, bluetooth is working, sound quality is great, feels so premium, battery seems like it's doing well, the screen is magnificient, the camera fast and accurate. For a phone without OIS, I was pleased my little parakeet running up my arm could be captured sharply, she never stops moving.
So far, day one? I'm in love.
Real review
- super hard to unlock bootloader
- very easy to root then, with OTA and everything staying (main difference vs Samsung - no OTA, no bluetooth, no encryption etc)
- no Lockdown feature, even with external activities
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest)
- they override every app, every dialog, and modify even innocent com.android packages, so it's super hard to debloat
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever
- many of those million settings simply don't work, especially permissions, lot of glitches like double power key to flash is blocked by screen off action
- example of stupidy is battery section, have to click so much to see the chart and there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models?
- some settings are strong, like complex Data limits, AI remapping, call recording available without hack etc
- "AI" button easily programmable via Xposed
- nice to have apps like Music and Video which vanilla OxygenOS skips, but they're weak and no DLNA which is advertised
- volume buttons on the right? excellent, never ever could touch those on the left easily. However no easy shortcut for Dont Disturb (only the stupid long press to mute just ONE volume) and no activity for it available (to let Xposed handle it).. OnePlus wins with the dedicated button easily
- data collection and privacy agreements virtually everywhere, in any simple app (that's why AOSP would be lovely choice instead of XIAOMI ROM)
- battery life is insane when active (like pure 10 "configuration day" hours or 7.5hr with 31hr overall), got mediocre in standby after configuration (no good kernel exists, stock kernel is crap, not aware of deep doze, so pushing Naptime and Servicely at least, so far pushed it to est 78hr wifi_standby vs 178hr standby on 6T! update: pushed it to 267hr in a quick test, but real test req full charge and >3hr standby to be meaningful, anyway potential is there), still early to say what will be final 3g and wifi standby (in progress)
- notification ecosystem is very good (except by default they disabled notifications for most apps!), you can customize popups, AOD magic light (however AOD won't show any app icon for me), and the LED make sure you know about notification or charging (and charging produces very nice animation - very important for Qi to know you place phone right!)
- AOD exists unlike in OnePlus, and in battery app its got its own category
- overall fast, currently the fastest phone on market
- yet another Pie implementation of navbar with some crazy gestures from the left/right which collide with its own GBoard gestures (still the Oreo task manager was better)
- QC charging is fast and supports QC2-3-4 (that is very very good unlike properietary OnePlus charging, who's got OnePlus chargers around? Noone. Who's got QC chargers? Many), fast Qi not working on legacy chargers (not a showstopper as i like slow charge to treat battery right, and will have one 27W Qi for urgency)
- super fast face unlock during day, poor during night just like 6T as there's no infra, however 6T can raise identification chance to 100% with ugly but working display flash
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing)
- looks much better and less bulkier than 6T even in supplied cover. also 12g lighter but still heavy unlike sweetspot-weight champions S10 (157g) and S10e (150g)
- notch is bad, it cannot disappear smart like on 6T (with status bar still on, yes the newest versions adds change of shape - useless), to add to insult, the cutting of corners is wrong (prepare to see ugly fullscreen with different type of corner rounding)
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome)
- no IP certification, but ok to clean under water, not ok to immerse as the rubber in SIM card is poor quality, however display to phone is stuffed with branded water sealing solution
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work)
- night mode renders some gfx unreadable, but this is problem with every android phone
- screen is nice, and super bright if needed
Overall hardware is no brainer for the price, software is total crap.
doggydog2 said:
- super hard to unlock bootloader
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest)
- they override every app, every dialog, and modify even innocent com.android packages, so it's super hard to debloat
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever
- example of stupidy is battery section, have to click so much to see the chart and there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models?
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing)
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome)
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well a nice feedback list, I just try to keep some points to clarify/to propose another perspective from another users to help others
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help --> This is not really a problem to many users, just find a computer and not many people really have a need to do anything flashing without a computer.
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest) --> Just put all those apps to a folder to forget it, and don't use them. easy, it doesn't take that much space. In EU rom, there's very few apps like that, and I can avoid them completely without removing or de-bloating them.
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever --> I found no problem this, you just change the one you need, in English there's nothing seems difficult to understand, at least to me.
- there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models? --> just turn % battery on that just one tick.
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing) --> It works 80% number of times for me, of course, can't compete with real physical fingerprint, but definitely not 50% for me.
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome) --> Defaut camera has night mode, + Google camera is a much better choice
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work) --> Yep, buy a camera glass protector + a case with the higher back which protect the camera
Some info hopes can help others as well.
It's weird that there are actually alternative ROMs, kernels, but not published here. Just installed the kernel with lovely wakelocks disabled. Hope it helps the terrible battery life.
The Xiaomi software is the worst seen while on XDA, cannot imagine it's even worse in non-EU version. Already thinking how life was easy with "configure and forget" 6T except omission of QC, QI and LED diod, which are the huge hardware advantages i'm dying for.
To make this phone usable, one needs to get rid of the software. The horror called MIUI. However switching to vanilla ROM brings common problems like on Samsung (Bluetooth not working, limited fingerpint, limited camera, no OTA). So the best would be heavily debloated ROM published here, injecting some vanilla stuff back. I'd remove Pemission manager, Security manager, clouds. Good luck!
Extra bizzare behaviour:
- if you don't set float notifications for the app, they will never show up (disabled for all by default so have to click hundred times just to change this settings, and another thousand clicks to recover other choices), however if you turn it on, they float notifications will be forced! (like VPN starting, navigation starting - events that never show up as popups)
- if you click clean memory from Security manager, battery manager or even "X" button in task manager, it will kill ALL apps (incl. apps which have highest priority due to notification, incl. VPN!) - how insane can this be?
- DLNA proudly in spec, but their apps can't cast or read UPNP folders, while all others can. But at least they can connect to Alibaba servers...
- nonstop popups about app going full screen (while there's no visual difference! already navbar gone because of Pie gesture setting)
- nonstop popups about downloading files on 3G (they had to touch this sacred group of processes too - Media+Download manager)
- you can change notification bar Setting icon to Search icon, feature mimicking the best Samsung's tool "Finder" except this one is weaker but with ad/spyware . Not only it won't trigger search but also you can't get to settings anymore (what if you don't have Settings icon in app launcher? reflash ROM?)
- boot keyboard.. are you kidding me.. unresponsive, hardly can type password there.. Shift equals Caps lock. Tt behaves like TWRP keyboard, don't type more than 1 character per second
I absolutely love Xiaomi devices but don't use them until I install xiaomi.eu rom. Of course you need to unlock it first and install TWRP but it's a must to get rid of some of the annoying things you wrote on your list. The roms are great and I use it on all of my Xiaomi devices. Check it out: https://xiaomi.eu/community/link-forums/roms-download.73/
razor_amd said:
I absolutely love Xiaomi devices but don't use them until I install xiaomi.eu rom. Of course you need to unlock it first and install TWRP but it's a must to get rid of some of the annoying things you wrote on your list. The roms are great and I use it on all of my Xiaomi devices. Check it out: https://xiaomi.eu/community/link-forums/roms-download.73/
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Click to collapse
The xiaomi.eu is so much better than the stock ROM ?
ManuBBXX said:
The xiaomi.eu is so much better than the stock ROM ?
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Click to collapse
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
tsongming said:
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
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Click to collapse
no OTG in TWRP that's valid except one recovery ppl avoid as it's Chinese. It's a huge deal especially when you have a device without SD card. Just today had to escape home early to recover the phone..what a new way to operate.
After hundreds of flashes, test of all available ROMs (except this one), recoveries, kernels and full functional check on this particular phone i've a good overview. Overall Xiaomi is a very outdated, over modified bloated ugly software. They should start from the scratch to be honest. Yes 10 years ago ppl would celebrate their extra functions, but today it's intrusive, useless or duplicit. That's why unique Samsung features are now dead (multiwindow etc) as Android implemented it. Xiaomi insists on their irrational UI, worst Settings UI hierarchy in the industry and replacement of everything. There's literally nothing innovative in the UI except single functional extra - data usage control - and you get more functions in AOSP. Few non-innovative things to like? Sure, notif lights, charging animations, call recorder not hidden.. But that's nothing new. The stuff like disabling all notifications and auto starts until users enables it, is insane. Memory management is a joke. Overriding all system dialogs is pathetic. Inserting wait times in confirmation popups is aggressive. Intrusive download manager is good just to block desired downloads from Google etc. Fantastic Pie features (QuickStep, switch apps by navbar) are disabled. Minimal difference in Global vs EU version spotted, i'd prefer global one and delete few extra spy/bloat/malwares myself just because of the ugly icons.
But anyway, I like that webpage. Thanks. It's cool to cook a ROM. Wished the updates were via OTA and directly from OS. They rip some more crap off, which is so much needed in Xiaomi phones. The question is: does mi-globe keep modified 3rd party app icons like Xiaomi.EU? Does Magisk18.1 work? I'd like to try luck with version 18 to improve battery life.
doggydog2 said:
no OTG in TWRP that's valid except one recovery ppl avoid as it's Chinese. It's a huge deal especially when you have a device without SD card. Just today had to escape home early to recover the phone..what a new way to operate.
After hundreds of flashes, test of all available ROMs (except this one), recoveries, kernels and full functional check on this particular phone i've a good overview. Overall Xiaomi is a very outdated, over modified bloated ugly software. They should start from the scratch to be honest. Yes 10 years ago ppl would celebrate their extra functions, but today it's intrusive, useless or duplicit. That's why unique Samsung features are now dead (multiwindow etc) as Android implemented it. Xiaomi insists on their irrational UI, worst Settings UI hierarchy in the industry and replacement of everything. There's literally nothing innovative in the UI except single functional extra - data usage control - and you get more functions in AOSP. Few non-innovative things to like? Sure, notif lights, charging animations, call recorder not hidden.. But that's nothing new. The stuff like disabling all notifications and auto starts until users enables it, is insane. Memory management is a joke. Overriding all system dialogs is pathetic. Inserting wait times in confirmation popups is aggressive. Intrusive download manager is good just to block desired downloads from Google etc. Fantastic Pie features (QuickStep, switch apps by navbar) are disabled. Minimal difference in Global vs EU version spotted, i'd prefer global one and delete few extra spy/bloat/malwares myself just because of the ugly icons.
But anyway, I like that webpage. Thanks. It's cool to cook a ROM. Wished the updates were via OTA and directly from OS. They rip some more crap off, which is so much needed in Xiaomi phones. The question is: does mi-globe keep modified 3rd party app icons like Xiaomi.EU? Does Magisk18.1 work? I'd like to try luck with version 18 to improve battery life.
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Click to collapse
I don't have time at the moment to address every point you make in detail. But I wanted to respond with a couple of brief suggestions that hopefully help. When I first tried Miui, I also hated it. But, I ended up trying it again and again via custom roms and eventually grew to love it. Many of the quirks have a workarounds, and some things that seem to be missing can be found deep in device settings, developer options, or app settings. You can often find some good info using the Mi Community app.
First full disclosure, I have a Mi8, my brother is the one with the Mi9. He travels alot for work and isn't very technically adept, so he is mostly fine with his phone as it is. As you know the Mi 9 is still so new and many of the stock AOSP features will be available to you when custom roms arrive...it will not be long.
The OTG issue that you are experiencing is tied to the version of TWRP that you are using. OTG will end up working and apparently it does work with some versions. I would guess that you are already experimenting on your own to find the right one.
Since no official version yet exists here is one that I found that supposedly works well : https://mega.nz/#!CH5jgYTB!yNqOiVoo3cf0_15jIwZ-btO52cvpOG7iZrRCe19V2Nc and Here is another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79431805&postcount=215
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for a highly stable TWRP to become available that is able to survive through updates and remain in tact. We had these types of issues with the Mi8 as well, and I have had similar issues with my previous phone. But eventually things should work as expected.
I don't know how well you know Miui, some of the things you are missing can probably be activated deep within settings. For example, if you turn off Miui Optimization within developer options you can the install and use your missing Pie features. Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wellbeing&hl=en_US
I use gestures instead of the NavBar, now that I have become used to it I can't stand using buttons. Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings. Once I receive that notification, I will usually manually go to the Mi-Globe page and download their updated version, and dirty flash it over the previous version. Occasionally I will need to reflash Root. But most of the time it persists. I keep a magisk flashed backup boot image in downloads just in case.
I use Magisk 19 Canary and have never had issues with root.
Good Luck
tsongming said:
Since no official version yet exists here is one that I found that supposedly works well : https://mega.nz/#!CH5jgYTB!yNqOiVoo3cf0_15jIwZ-btO52cvpOG7iZrRCe19V2Nc and Here is another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79431805&postcount=215
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for a highly stable TWRP to become available that is able to survive through updates and remain in tact. We had these types of issues with the Mi8 as well, and I have had similar issues with my previous phone. But eventually things should work as expected.
I don't know how well you know Miui, some of the things you are missing can probably be activated deep within settings. For example, if you turn off Miui Optimization within developer options you can the install and use your missing Pie features. Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wellbeing&hl=en_US
I use gestures instead of the NavBar, now that I have become used to it I can't stand using buttons. Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings. Once I receive that notification, I will usually manually go to the Mi-Globe page and download their updated version, and dirty flash it over the previous version. Occasionally I will need to reflash Root. But most of the time it persists. I keep a magisk flashed backup boot image in downloads just in case.
I use Magisk 19 Canary and have never had issues with root.
Good Luck
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Click to collapse
Thanks for a good reply.
Yes TWRP situation is tight right now, with "xiaomi9" vs "cepheus" errors, variety of gapps errors etc.. Testing all of them. Good to know this beta exists, i missed this recent info even when active on forums currently. I tried now and it looks great. Luckily on this phone encrypted sdcard doesn't cause any problem with flashing, so i'm ok to wait for TWRP updates.
I agree the full screen gestures are fantastic, i used them on Note9, 6T and Mi9. All of these phones customize original Pie navigation. Once i saw the original behaviour in AOSP ROM, the Pie task manager "Recents" with "QuickStep", and the navbar, i enabled buttons as this is so productive.. Scroll through full screen app previews back and forth, or swipe up app drawer from any app, hmmm. So cool.
Alright, OTA looks great. Although I believe OS doesn't know about your customization, so you better go to the webpage to decide which package to download.
I'm going to try this ROM. I'm not a gfx guy, i hardly ever used a wallpaper, but i really don't like the EU changes to app icons system-wide. I just can't look at 10 year old shortcut like TitaniumBackup looking different. Please let me know if you are aware of a fix. Thanks.
doggydog2 said:
Thanks for a good reply.
Yes TWRP situation is tight right now, with "xiaomi9" vs "cepheus" errors, variety of gapps errors etc.. Testing all of them. Good to know this beta exists, i missed this recent info even when active on forums currently. I tried now and it looks great. Luckily on this phone encrypted sdcard doesn't cause any problem with flashing, so i'm ok to wait for TWRP updates.
I agree the full screen gestures are fantastic, i used them on Note9, 6T and Mi9. All of these phones customize original Pie navigation. Once i saw the original behaviour in AOSP ROM, the Pie task manager "Recents" with "QuickStep", and the navbar, i enabled buttons as this is so productive.. Scroll through full screen app previews back and forth, or swipe up app drawer from any app, hmmm. So cool.
Alright, OTA looks great. Although I believe OS doesn't know about your customization, so you better go to the webpage to decide which package to download.
I'm going to try this ROM. I'm not a gfx guy, i hardly ever used a wallpaper, but i really don't like the EU changes to app icons system-wide. I just can't look at 10 year old shortcut like TitaniumBackup looking different. Please let me know if you are aware of a fix. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
I forgot to mention DM verity, you can get it and read about it here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/universal-dm-verity-forceencrypt-t3817389.
Regarding the OTA, in my case it usually pretty seamless since Mi-Globe is based on the EU weekly build. ( I prefer these builds because they have more features and zero ads) However, the Global Stable to Weekly or vice versa usually requires a little more work. But you are correct, I want to know for a fact what I am flashing so I will usually just manually download the update if using the Mi-Globe build.
Backup
I haven't had alot of luck with using Titanium backup recently on any of my phones that have recent Pie roms. I remember reading something about it being due to some changes Google made with security in late February? However, the built in Local Backup has worked for me every single time except once. It will backup all apps, and many of the settings not covered by Google restore. Its my main source of restoring settings and for me works better than Titanium backup. There is also the option of using Mi-Cloud ( which I also use redundantly) Then of course we can sometimes restore a TWRP backup data.
There are several other options, including free options that are similar to Titanium backup. Programs such as Migrate I have not used it yet. but I have read that it works. Like the Miui Local backup, Migrate supposedly restores everything. Including apps, that are not from the playstore, apps data and even flashed system apps such as Pixel/Sony/Samsung Live Wallpapers and then the remaining Google restore just takes a couple of minutes
Running global MIUI now. the Battery life is great.
The cooked version with Magisk 18 indeed doesn't work. Just upgrade to v19.
QuickStep magisk plugin doesn't work, i keep trying even if it looks like first OS must be able to provide Pie functionality, then you can tweak. Therefore: AOSP only Stuck with this
XiaomiEU app icons can be removed here: non-destructively rename /system/media/theme/miui_mod_icons (thanksgod)
tsongming said:
Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings.
Good Luck
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didn't find this setting, instead i was offered with xiaomi_eu version from today so i downloaded and pressed install which is quite comfortable. The only glitch is need to wait til TWRP installation is done and press Vol+ button (new Magisk 19.1 feature since today) to root with dedicated TWRP button 'Install root' (comfy). Then do some maintenance as many permissions are reset. Luckily disabled apps stay disabled. I'd like to script this and stick to xiaomi_eu as practically there's just miuidaemon extra feature in miglobal.
two problems:
- "can't connect to camera" for portrait mode in stock cam
- TWRP sees unencrypted files, other TWRPs won't boot
tsongming said:
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This mi-globe rom seems insane !!
Great for the money but with software bugs that affect the usability. Video stuttering at 30fps and notifications issues.
As always, MIUI is the problem from a Xiaomi device.
4 me, xiaomi.eu is not an option, since they use chinese builds as a basis. If anyone known a project similar to him, but based in global ROMs, I appreciate it. Tks!
I think the MI9 is the best phone out there because of
1. Software (it rocks, especially RevolutionOS debloated)
2. Camera (the best one on the market as of now)
3. Performance/Display
4. The notch (I feel uncomfortable having retractable camera + I think a waterdrop notch looks sick)
It charges really fast and battery time is pretty good! Amazing phone for 400€!
Bought mine for 300£ the 128gb version. At that price could have bought a oneplus 6 but this phone is amazing. Compared to the oneplus 7pro the size is great and performance is really good. Will definitely buy again. The only pain is having to wait for the bootloader unlock!
Bought mine 6/128 Gt version at 498 € price. After a week I decided to switch to xiaomi.eu rom and with some additional tweaks (debloating with Xiaomi ADB/FastBoot Tool) I start to feel that the software starts to match with the hardware. I love the design, it feels comfortable in your hands (I use the soft case what was delivered with the phone) and with the tweaks it feels quite snappy and powerful tool for everyday tasks. MIUI mostly sucks but luckily you can use Nova launcher. I've been satisfied with the camera at this point (especially with the ultra wide lens) but I think it can still be improved and I should give a try for the GoogleCam as well.
Now in every new android release since kitkat there has been regressions, but in PIE I noticed this one has a fair few so I googled and I observed that almost every article was only praising the release as if they just there to promote and suck up to google developers.
Then I found this very honest post from a guy on reddit.
https://old.reddit.com/r/Android/co...eatures_since_the_pie_update_and_the/ejrdwnp/
I will quote also.
Neutered navigation bar with an increased focus on gestures rather than buttons (wit the bar using up the same amount of space with decidedly half-baked gestures). Some companies at least maintained the options of buttons or gestures, but I think the Google Pixel 3 prevents users from having the option of using the classic navigation buttons.
Horizontal Recents/Overview screen instead of a vertical variant - this "feature" is more subjective, I guess.
Enforced 3-icon limit for notifications in the status bar, all thanks to notches - for certain phones, this change completely removed the option to have as many icons in the status bar as you have space for.
The Digital-Clock/Time's position was enforced on the left instead of the classic right-side position - again, all thanks to notches..
The Volume Slider got changed to a "vertical" variant if I recall correctly, and I think that certain volume sliders can only be changed by actually diving into Settings, whereas the Android 8/Oreo implementation gave a simple quick drop-down to change all 4 at once, and Samsung even added the option to switch the controlled volume default from Ringtone to Media.
Removal of easy access to viewing System Uptime in Android Info (WHY? It's a useful metric that just sits there harmlessly!).
The DevCheck application thankfully still indicates System Uptime, although the read-out isn't as "fluid" (doesn't refresh as much) from what I've seen.
Neutering of the "Quick Toggles" pop-up thing, where you can adjust certain quick-toggles' settings quickly without actually diving into the Settings screen.
certain "Do Not Disturb" mode capabilities/workflows that were possible in Android 8/Oreo are apparently harder, if not impossible, to achieve in Android 9/Pie.
I think that the Android 8/Oreo Easter Egg got removed..? (if one counts that as a feature).
Call Recording got heavily hampered.. I'm not sure of Screen Recording... Custom theming on Samsung devices also seems like it will be harder to achieve in the near future (going by a recent changelog entry for the "Theme Galaxy" application), although "One User Interface (One UI)" seems to be softening the blow.
as others have mentioned, the method to access Android-native "Split-screen/Multi-Window view" has been altered a bit...
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For me on a personal level the nasty ones are the removal of battery saving location from UI (the underlying code still supports it), removal of expanded controls from quick toggles, and the call recording hampering.
Now personally I dont think I have recorded more than a few calls in my lifetime on a smartphone, but I believe in user's been in control of their own device and user choice. The change to quick toggles is just mind baffling and makes no sense whatsoever, the changes to GPS may possibly make sense but it needs to be explained to users, instead of just silently removing the feature and have the media pretend its not happened.
Their minds would be better focused on fixing the flaws in the UI so e.g.
Black themes that are inconsistent so e.g. I have a black theme enabled but the navigation bar is white, and the notification boxes are white.
More control over UI elements, allow more freedom to do things like resize notification boxes (they way too large on stock android), reposition every icon and so forth. No choice on vertical or horizontal recent apps screen.
Consistency in UI, so e.g. on quick toggles when expanded you see text labels, when not expanded you dont, there is no reason for that, its just bad consistency.
I also hear of future regressions like plans to replace navigation buttons entirely with gestures, that I think is a disaster in the making as many users dont use gestures, and prefer buttons.
I think its clear changes are been made for the sake of change rather than functional improvement. I feel android UI peaked with kitkat.
Ironically that reddit thread has people praising samsung for adding sanity and reversing the changes, google dont like samsung changing the UI, but you cannot blame samsung when google are doing stupid things to the UI.
I am half tempted to go back to samsung on next phone, my oneplus6 is lightning fast tho and my s7 is really laggy and slow by comparison. But there is no doubt samsung phones have a better UI and feature set.
One thing that has always baffled me, is some users on XDA feel they must always be on the latest version of android, I seen users abandoning things like xposed, useful mods etc. just because they only support a rom version that might only be a few months out of date. This is baffling when you consider that new android versions usually have more regressions than new useful features. As an example on oneplus6 people are abandoning renovate ice because it only supports up to 9.0.6.
I will probably add my own quick toggles with tasker for GPS modes, still looking for call recording solution, as well as black notification theming, I expect the theming for navigation bar is not fixable tho. I had black notifications on havocos and to say they look better is an understatement.
Google sort out your UI department as its pretty bad right now.
rant over.
Also to mods if this post is in the wrong place, please move it rather than just removing it or warn me before removal so I can copy and paste the content to repost in right place, thanks.
Should have posted this on Google's forum, not a hacking forum