Database Info

[Q] Removing the TouchWiz Mini Apps Tray

Hi everyone. First of all, many thanks to Gary for Root. It was quick and painless.
Now that we have root, I was wondering if anyone knows what needs to be deleted in order to get rid of that pesky pop up menu you get by pressing on the Chevron/Arrow in the middle of the bar.
I have the Wizz Bar (what an unfortunate name) installed and it does the job so much better. If you're wondering what Wizz Bar is, it basically allows you to pick your own applications or commands and bind them to the little Chevron or Arrow in the middle of the Honeycomb Bar (also called the "Mini Apps Tray")
However the built in action that pops up the Task Manager/World Clock/Calculator etc also initiates. Is there some way to remove the TouchWiz Apps Tray?
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps

somebody9 said:
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's much more involved. That aspect of touchwiz is buried somewhere in the frameworks. The last time I checked (a month ago), several people on both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 forums were looking for the same thing, but I haven't seen any good solutions.
If you find something over in one of those forums, try to get information on HOW they did it, and I'll try to reproduce it with ours.

I know with HTC phones modding such things requires the knowledge of decompiling, compling and signing apk's using apkTool or apkManager and editing smalis in notepad ++. You would have to track down which particular file contains the code and then know how to edit it to hide the taskbar. As an example just the simple task of hiding the clock in the notification bar of my HTC Incredible phone required the addition of 2 lines of code in the clock.smali file inside SystemUI.apk and the only way to get it to work was to push the file back to the phone and set permissions with adb. You couldn't just copy and paste it back in.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I actually did go look at a bunch of 10.1 and 8.9 ROMs and it looks like there may be a solution out there. I've contacted one of the ROM developers for an answer.

If someone tells you what file to edit and what lines of code to use please post it as it will be useful to the community.

You may install honeybar form market to hide/unhide the bottom bar(notification and clock as well)
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda premium

i just tried honeybar and it doesn't work for me. I also have go launcher ex installed so not sure if it's conflicting. I see the white box for honeybar, but pressing on it multiple times does nothing (it even goes away eventually as described in the install notes).

Honeybar isn't the solution that most of us are looking for. I myself love the Honeycomb default bar. It's the Mini-Apps Tray that is entirely useless. The least that Samsung could have done was to make the shortcuts changeable by the user.
The whole point of quick access to shortcuts is to have a quick access to the applications you use the most without flipping through homescreens or going to the Apps Tray. Thanks Samsung, I really need the World Time and Calculator more than I need the Browser and Settings Panel.

somebody9 said:
Hi everyone. First of all, many thanks to Gary for Root. It was quick and painless.
Now that we have root, I was wondering if anyone knows what needs to be deleted in order to get rid of that pesky pop up menu you get by pressing on the Chevron/Arrow in the middle of the bar.
I have the Wizz Bar (what an unfortunate name) installed and it does the job so much better. If you're wondering what Wizz Bar is, it basically allows you to pick your own applications or commands and bind them to the little Chevron or Arrow in the middle of the Honeycomb Bar (also called the "Mini Apps Tray")
However the built in action that pops up the Task Manager/World Clock/Calculator etc also initiates. Is there some way to remove the TouchWiz Apps Tray?
Or does this require more tinkering than a simple apk deletion from system/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've wondered whether there was a way to intercept the trigger that touching the chevron activates and just redirecting it to another command (such as what happens when you hit the "home" button after you've installed a home replacement). That way we wouldn't have to worry about hacking the touchwiz dock for customizing, we just replace it altogether so something else is invoked by touching the shortcut.

rEVOLVE said:
I've wondered whether there was a way to intercept the trigger that touching the chevron activates and just redirecting it to another command (such as what happens when you hit the "home" button after you've installed a home replacement). That way we wouldn't have to worry about hacking the touchwiz dock for customizing, we just replace it altogether so something else is invoked by touching the shortcut.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re-mapping the function would be more involved than just turning it off but it is possible if you know what you're doing. For HTC phones there's a mod called rosie remap which does just about the same thing but its a complicated hack. It remaps a + button on the phone that ads apps to the homescreen, the mod allows you to reassign the button so it opens any app you want. I believe this is a framework-res.apk mod. Eventually someone who is familar with touchwiz will do these mods, if they haven't already for the 8.9 or 10.1, which should all be pretty much the same.
Edit: I think the chevron function would be in the touchwiz apk located in system/app but I don't know what Samsung calls it. HTC calls their Sense UI Rosie and you mod Rosie.apk to do the remapping of their UI specific buttons. If the chevron is part of honeycomb itself then it would be in the framework-res.apk file I bbelieve.

This is good info flowing in. I'm gonna see if I can figure out some more.

On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Mini Apps : Upgraded so you can choose and edit your own Mini Apps tray. You can easily access favorite features such as Calendar, Email, or PenMemo as a pop up over full screen applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

somebody9 said:
On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was there an update that I don't know about that allows this??? I really like the idea of the mini app tray, but like was said before, not having the ability to put your most used apps there makes it pretty useless.
Please explain how apps can now (or in the near future) be changed in the tray.
Thanks!!!

I guess until they release 7.7 we won't know. Unless there's an update out on KIES. But I really doubt it.

Confirmed:7.7 has fully customisable mini apps tray...i'm disappointed in Samsung for releasing 'premium' products in such close succession that are so different in functionality. Why did they not include this basic and important feature on all new of their new tablet products? I actually feel somewhat conned now
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

rEVOLVE said:
i just tried honeybar and it doesn't work for me. I also have go launcher ex installed so not sure if it's conflicting. I see the white box for honeybar, but pressing on it multiple times does nothing (it even goes away eventually as described in the install notes).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doesn't go launcher ex look like **** on the tab+? i installed it yesterday and when i found out that i can't remove the dock, i uninstalled it.

diospada11 said:
doesn't go launcher ex look like **** on the tab+? i installed it yesterday and when i found out that i can't remove the dock, i uninstalled it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pare, actually like it better because i don't like stock honeycomb desktop and app drawer. I set swipe up gesture to hide/unide the dock and also changed the stock dock icons.
Once we're able to customize the Touchwiz shortcuts, or hijack the launch command so we can tell it to launch something else, I'll be much happier.

For those who've not seen this function in action yet, check it out in this video at 2.05: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tBpzweqvKJA
Surely Samsung can put this function in tab plus on an update ... and they need to. The app tray is almost functionless otherwise. The presence of this thread is sufficient evidence that there is a high demand and several unsatisfied customers. Many customers have spent over £400 on this tablet. Why did they put it onto the 7.7 which was going on sale only a few days/weeks after the tab plus?
Sent from my GT-P6210 using xda premium

Just for my two cents, I would also like to see the app tray made editable. I've only had my unit for a couple of days, and I already feel its wasted on me for what it holds. Hoping for that to change in a coming update.

somebody9 said:
On a positive note - guess what Samsung changed? Exactly what I was *****ing about :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is this "mini apps?" Did I miss something?

[APP][4.4+]Swiftly Switch - Make Smartphone One-handed Again

Note: the app is not under active development anymore.
Hi everyone
Do you feel difficult using your phone with one hand, do you want to experience the true multitasking on mobile? If the answer is yes then Swiftly Switch is for you. This handy tool helps you switch between recent apps, favorite apps, access navigation bar, control panel and contacts quickly by one hand from edge screen.
Features:
App switcher: switch between recent, last app, favorite app just by one gesture
Navigation: easily acces home button, back button and notification from edge screen
Control: on/off wifi, bluetooth, rotation, screen brightness, volume,... within one gesture
Shortcut: support wide range of shortcuts (include tasker’s action)
Direct call/sms: the fastest way to make phone call/sms to your favorite contact
Unobtrusive: design as pie control pattern, it only appears when you want to
No adds, no internet permission.
FREE, no ads, no internet access, no root require
Super fast, light weight and battery friendly.
Plenty of customization.
Here the video:
Please Rate this app on Play store, thanks so much!
If you have suggestion or feedback,please let me know.
Please join this community then folow the link in the sticky post to help me test new feature, thanks!
Some issues:
Accessibility service can cause lag on some device when use Chrome, this happen to all application that use accessibility service as you can see in this thread . If the lag is too extreme please disable the Swiftly switch accessibilty service, all feature still available except the navigation (home, back).
If you return to home screen and then launch an app, it won't be launched until about 5 seconds after going home. This is beacause Android do not let any service launch apps before 5 seconds has pass from return to home screen.

Sorry
I just edit the post

What effect do you expect on battery life?

harryspar said:
What effect do you expect on battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bealive it can't effect battery life enough to concern. Actually it just draw 1 (or 2) transparent rectangle on top screen then leave it alone until user swipe from it.
Thanks for your question, I just look at it after your question. Luckly I can't find Swiftly switch in my phone's battery report:
Have you try it yet, please share your thought about that

thuongthoi056 said:
I bealive it can't effect battery life enough to concern. Actually it just draw 1 (or 2) transparent rectangle on top screen then leave it alone until user swipe from it.
Thanks for your question, I just look at it after your question. Luckly I can't find Swiftly switch in my phone's battery report:
Have you try it yet, please share your thought about that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hay quá Thường Thôi 056

Nothing as swift as Force Touch Detector,
you touch, it register as touch,
you force it, it register as custom action to trigger app multitask.

Will it ever work with running apps like switchr used to ?

davexd97 said:
Will it ever work with running apps like switchr used to ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it show list of 6 recent app and let you switch between them.
You can try it

Thank you for the good app! I noticed several features (out their absence), which hold me on Switchr instead moving to your app.
1. I could put Switchr a not higher, 1/3 from the top of my phone. Your app is possible to put only in the center. It's impossible to lift it a bit higher saving the length of a sensitive zone. That is a problem.
2. I have root and prefer to kill app from the switchr if it misbehaves. With your app I cannot.
3. In switchr I could see actively running apps and recent apps which are not longer in the memory. With your app I cannot see it.
Unlike Switchr your app is quicker, more responsive. I like it. And your idea with favorites is really great. Thank you for the good job and your hard work!

thuongthoi056 said:
Yes, it show list of 6 recent app and let you switch between them.
You can try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't meant recent apps. On switchr it would show running apps (not recent apps) and we were able to close them too, but the developer said he couldn't do it on android versions after kitkat

davexd97 said:
I didn't meant recent apps. On switchr it would show running apps (not recent apps) and we were able to close them too, but the developer said he couldn't do it on android versions after kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best way is to implement this opportunity and to explain users in settings under what conditions these features work (root, OS version, XPosed Unrestricted Task module).

ZeroPDA said:
Thank you for the good app! I noticed several features (out their absence), which hold me on Switchr instead moving to your app.
1. I could put Switchr a not higher, 1/3 from the top of my phone. Your app is possible to put only in the center. It's impossible to lift it a bit higher saving the length of a sensitive zone. That is a problem.
2. I have root and prefer to kill app from the switchr if it misbehaves. With your app I cannot.
3. In switchr I could see actively running apps and recent apps which are not longer in the memory. With your app I cannot see it.
Unlike Switchr your app is quicker, more responsive. I like it. And your idea with favorites is really great. Thank you for the good job and your hard work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback. I primarily make this app for non root user, as this app growing I will consider add more function for root user.
About position of the edge you can set to Right-top or Left-top in each edge setting so you can save the centre zone.
davexd97 said:
I didn't meant recent apps. On switchr it would show running apps (not recent apps) and we were able to close them too, but the developer said he couldn't do it on android versions after kitkat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, maybe this function need root right, I will search about this later.

Hi. Why do you need access to usage stats? Swipepad is a similar app that I use and it doesn't need this permission

andy_d0 said:
Hi. Why do you need access to usage stats? Swipepad is a similar app that I use and it doesn't need this permission
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this app work on Lolipop and above? As I know from lolipop I can't use the same code to get recent app like befor, and that why swichr can't get recent app unless you have Xposed module UnrestictedGetTasks.

I have a nexus 6p and before that Note 4 - neither of which were rooted. So 6 and 5.1.1
With that said, it was just a launcher and didnt access recent apps. I guess you need if for that?

andy_d0 said:
I have a nexus 6p and before that Note 4 - neither of which were rooted. So 6 and 5.1.1
With that said, it was just a launcher and didnt access recent apps. I guess you need if for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as I know, from lolipop, I need Usage stat to access recent apps.
My app use that permission only for that, as you can see, it doesn't ask for any internet permission.

Some bugs
Hey love the app.
But noticed a couple of bugs on my Note 4. The show notification does not bring down the notification shade. And back sometimes does not come up. It takes multiple tries it seems like I have to push my finger off the target area to get a haptic feedback and for the back command to register.
Continue the great work.

Nice! Just installed it

lollipop here, it got stuck for me and I had to restart couldnt click any app or dismiss it

Seems like a great idea for large screen phones too where its hard to use with one hand. Will give it a go on my Nexus 6P and report back!

[Q] Is there any app that can launch other apps directly

So I did some rummaging through the forums and what I found was a small app (xperia thing), that could launch other apps directly. I was actually looking for something like maybe I could swipe from any edge of the screen (kinda like Samsung s6/7 Edge phones) and a small window thingy would come out with a scroll-able list of all my installed apps so that i could launch the app from whatever screen I was on. Would be really glad if somebody could make such an app/ notify me if something similar already exists.
Also, is it possible to have a Small App that could [turn into]/[launch any app within itself as] a small app?
Sorry for being a noob.
thanks.

Question Galaxy watch 4 alternative launcher

I'm trying to find an alternative launcher for my watch 4 that i can select as alternative launcher in watch settings. Does it exist? I would like to hide one of messages app ( Samsung messages and Google messages) from launcher but seems impossible...

I don't know, but I really hope they either offer a list mode like my Watch Active 2 had or an alternative comes along. I really despise the new launcher. I use XDrip (for blood glucose readings) on the watch and it has several components that get installed and they all have the same icon, making it impossible to know which is which. Not all icons are really self explanatory either.

spyderveloce said:
I don't know, but I really hope they either offer a list mode like my Watch Active 2 had or an alternative comes along. I really despise the new launcher. I use XDrip (for blood glucose readings) on the watch and it has several components that get installed and they all have the same icon, making it impossible to know which is which. Not all icons are really self explanatory either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another fellow type 1 and xdrip user here!
I'm really hoping for an alternative launcher as well. One that is similar to wear os 2.0.
But when it comes to your specific problem have you tried just using wearable widgets?
I keep this as the first tile. I still get to have the watch face I want, but it's just a swipe to the right and there's my bg. It works very well.

Jstutzman said:
Another fellow type 1 and xdrip user here!
I'm really hoping for an alternative launcher as well. One that is similar to wear os 2.0.
But when it comes to your specific problem have you tried just using wearable widgets?
I keep this as the first tile. I still get to have the watch face I want, but it's just a swipe to the right and there's my bg. It works very well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do use Wearable Widgets as well. It's also the first tile in my list just in case I want to change my watch face from XDrip. I find that it doesn't update that well or quickly though. I have to swipe to it and then wait for it to update. I should specify that I'm type 2, but bad enough I needed a Dexcom to monitor. It's been SUPER helpful to help control my BG and keep me honest.

Question Launcher apps for the cover display?

Hi I was wondering if anyone found a launcher that would be optimized for the cover display?
Currently I installed Hyperion and added it to goodlocks widget and while the app icons are resized for the coverscreen and I can launch all my apps from there, I was hoping if anyone tried any other launchers that function better
And yes I am aware of samsprung and coverscreen os, I have samsprung installed but I like the fact that goodlocks implementation allows for gesture nav to work and it allows for the fingerprint reader to unlock my phone without Bixby

That's not a half bad idea. I hadn't even thought of using the widget to launch a launcher.

twistedumbrella said:
That's not a half bad idea. I hadn't even thought of using the widget to launch a launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya so far it's been working great, it gets me around the 5 app limit, I did the same thing with your original widget as well for fun but since there wasn't a way to press a back button back then it was ultimately pointless but with goodlocks widget I find it useful despite some limitations(picture in picture mode still works so YouTube videos need to closed or else you'll have a bad time)
I thought an android tv launcher would work better but the ones available on the app store are super glitchy

There used to be a launcher inside Kodi. I wonder how that would do being made to support almost anything.