Database Users

Woah! Capacitive Buttons!

Anyone notice that when you touch a capacitive button that the actual light turns off behind that single one? I'm running CM7 B25 Nightly- haven't tested it from stock. I just thought that this was awesome and also hard to notice. Or, eve, maybe my phone is junk and broken.

wesbalmer said:
Anyone notice that when you touch a capacitive button that the actual light turns off behind that single one? I'm running CM7 B25 Nightly- haven't tested it from stock. I just thought that this was awesome and also hard to notice. Or, eve, maybe my phone is junk and broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not happen on Stock, Bionix(curent ROM), CM7alpha2, or Modaco r3 as far as I remember. I can restore backups of each of those ROMs to confirm. Lights stay solid as can be.
However, if you like the "feature," I wouldn't consider the phone defective.
EDIT: I am wrong. They do, but it's exceptionally subtle and I had to jab the phone next to my eye to see it. Very cool, in retrospect.

they all do that... Nice touch to the phone I think. Little barely noticable things like that are neat....

I'm running the same build and mine do this as well; I think they probably did on stock firmware too. Kind of cool, but mostly goes unnoticed for obvious reasons.

If they can be controlled independently, than I think we have a prospect of notification LED's. These would work great.

unremarked said:
Does not happen on Stock, Bionix(curent ROM), CM7alpha2, or Modaco r3 as far as I remember. I can restore backups of each of those ROMs to confirm. Lights stay solid as can be.
However, if you like the "feature," I wouldn't consider the phone defective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've run stock since the day I bought it, and on my phone the capacitative buttons have always responded to a press by shutting off the light behind the button activated.

zorak950 said:
I've run stock since the day I bought it, and on my phone the capacitative buttons have always responded to a press by shutting off the light behind the button activated.
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Click to collapse
OH SHI--it's very subtle. I just grabbed my phone and stuck it next to my eyeball to see the lights. You're right, they do go off for the splittest of second and you'd really have to be looking in order to see it.
Sorry @OP for misinforming.

Yes, they do this. This is also why they go black for upwards 10 seconds at a time on their own with the common phantom home/back button issue many are experiencing.

Mine are doing that. I'm stock.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Wow cool, just noticed it. Stock and root online.

Capacity buttons turning off per press is cool.
I also think one of the coolest things about the Nex S (and of Gingerbread) is the two finger slide show you can perform in the Gallery albums. Just place two fingers on any album and slide them apart. Neat effect.

onthecouchagain said:
I also think one of the coolest things about the Nex S (and of Gingerbread) is the two finger slide show you can perform in the Gallery albums. Just place two fingers on any album and slide them apart. Neat effect.
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Click to collapse
That's a feature of stock Android 2.2 Gallery app. That was there on the Nexus One.

This is a cool feature. Like wesbalmer says, it could lead to replacing the NOLED app for notifications! If I hold any of these buttons the light also stays off until I let go.
Not many people will notice this feature coz when you press a capacitive button your finger covers it

MistaJae said:
Not many people will notice this feature coz when you press a capacitive button your finger covers it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Human 2.0; now with transparent fingers!

This feature was already available on sgs froyo 2.2... Just noticed it now though!

yup, i can confirm that
but usually our fingers are way to big and wide to really notice the special effects
i had to use my tippy tip of my finger to be able to appreciate the effect, else i'd have missed it as every single hour i spend with the phone
unremarked said:
OH SHI--it's very subtle. I just grabbed my phone and stuck it next to my eyeball to see the lights. You're right, they do go off for the splittest of second and you'd really have to be looking in order to see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

now, lets wait for the BLN..
maybe home for missed call, back for email, etc etc flashing.
this will be way more cooler than the track ball (if only if it has colors as well).
then we might be able to even do like knight rider style.

nxt said:
That's a feature of stock Android 2.2 Gallery app. That was there on the Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.1 actually.

Very weird problem with keyboards

is anyone else having this problem:
I am currently using smart keyboard pro but this is happening with all the keyboards ive tried.. but SOMETIMES when i hit keys with my right thumb they wont register nothing happens i touch the same letter with my left thumb they work... i know this sounds rediculous but it is a consistant problem i am not sure what would cause this if it is a defect with my device(if so that sux) very confused has any one else experienced this with the atrix or even possibly any other device..

You have connection with one thumb but not the other? Weell since these screens aren't self aware or can't discern between anything that carries charge.... I think your thumbs are the problem.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App

FLAC Vest said:
You have connection with one thumb but not the other? Weell since these screens aren't self aware or can't discern between anything that carries charge.... I think your thumbs are the problem.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WELL.. thanks for the reply and keep in mind i did say it was a rediculeous problem but none the less it is still a problem..... any help info or insights are appreciated thanks

robwscott83 said:
is anyone else having this problem:
I am currently using smart keyboard pro but this is happening with all the keyboards ive tried.. but SOMETIMES when i hit keys with my right thumb they wont register nothing happens i touch the same letter with my left thumb they work... i know this sounds rediculous but it is a consistant problem i am not sure what would cause this if it is a defect with my device(if so that sux) very confused has any one else experienced this with the atrix or even possibly any other device..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried looking into the way you are holding it? Sometimes the base of your thumb, or palm, might make contact with the area around the capacitive buttons which renders your thumb input unresponsive.
"You're holding it wrong" ...... sound familiar?

live4nyy said:
Have you tried looking into the way you are holding it? Sometimes the base of your thumb, or palm, might make contact with the area around the capacitive buttons which renders your thumb input unresponsive.
"You're holding it wrong" ...... sound familiar?
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Click to collapse
HAAA yes sounds VERY familiar but i would expect that from an apple product not android

robwscott83 said:
HAAA yes sounds VERY familiar but i would expect that from an apple product not android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in Apple's case it's a hardware issue, whereas in your case it might be user error.

live4nyy said:
Well, in Apple's case it's a hardware issue, whereas in your case it might be user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I suppose this could be Tru I will pay more attention and I will report back thanks

robwscott83 said:
Yes I suppose this could be Tru I will pay more attention and I will report back thanks
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Click to collapse
It's a double-edged sword with the Atrix. It has a really responsive screen but that also translates into really sensitive. I actually changed the case I was using to accommodate this problem because I have big hands. I was using the Incipio Feather case but kept hitting the bottom of the screen with my hand so I switched to an Otterbox which keeps the base of my thumbs from touching.

live4nyy said:
Have you tried looking into the way you are holding it? Sometimes the base of your thumb, or palm, might make contact with the area around the capacitive buttons which renders your thumb input unresponsive.
"You're holding it wrong" ...... sound familiar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a more serious note I actually think this might be the case, although I doubt you could use your thumbs any differently when typing or whatever than any of us could.
When I have my nexus one on a table, I can't hit any capacitive buttons to save my life with my index finger. Because the glass is somewhat thick and the button press registers to the top (near the black line where the screen starts) I have to hold the phone to get it to work.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App

FLAC Vest said:
On a more serious note I actually think this might be the case, although I doubt you could use your thumbs any differently when typing or whatever than any of us could.
When I have my nexus one on a table, I can't hit any capacitive buttons to save my life with my index finger. Because the glass is somewhat thick and the button press registers to the top (near the black line where the screen starts) I have to hold the phone to get it to work.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue you're having with the N1 has been ongoing for about a year now. I had the same problem with both N1s that I had and was supposed to be remedied through a "software fix". I think it was finally blamed on hardware/manufacturing, but don't hold my word to it.
Plus, I was being serious. You don't have to hold it upside down or anything. I just used a little more "arc" with my thumbs but I decided to go with a different case to make it easier.

Placement of Home button

Is it just me or the placement of the home button really annoying? Logically it should be centered of the space below the screen and not so close to the bottom. I found this odd when I saw this during the announcement but didn't realise it will end up being ergonomically wrong.
I've developed wrist pains that I never had with the sgs2 due to the placement and the hardness of the home button. As I have to consciously reach for the home button lower than need to.
And to make matters worse the time I gotta hold it down for multitasking is a bit longer than needed in my opinion.
Except for this phone is perfect for me!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I also am really irritated by the buttons and the placing of them.
They are far to far down, so I constantly touch them accidentally. As you say they should be nicely placed half way between the screen and the bottom of the phone.
And to be fair I would have preferred a capacitive button over that huge home button.
Ok, so I've only had the phone for 9 days now so maybe with a bit more time i will get used to this disfunctional design.

I would rather it a bit higher, always feels like I am on the verge of dropping it when using the phone one-handed, and I have big hands!

Not only you amigo!
I think the home button should be bigger - like it was on the S1.
Also the colour of it on "blue" is...more like purple.

Im fine with the home button. What i dont like is the back button on the right and not the left.

incubus26jc said:
Im fine with the home button. What i dont like is the back button on the right and not the left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree particular if you come from SGS1/2 I keep hitting cancel .
jje

JJEgan said:
Agree particular if you come from SGS1/2 I keep hitting cancel .
jje
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Click to collapse
The back and menu buttons are in the same place they were on the SGS1 & 2.

Baldilocks said:
The back and menu buttons are in the same place they were on the SGS1 & 2.
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Click to collapse
x1

Baldilocks said:
The back and menu buttons are in the same place they were on the SGS1 & 2.
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Click to collapse
Exactly what i was going to say...made be wonder myself lol

TotallydubbedHD said:
Exactly what i was going to say...made be wonder myself lol
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Click to collapse
Maybe he was looking in a mirror as he posted??

Baldilocks said:
Maybe he was looking in a mirror as he posted??
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Click to collapse
Think he is talking about those pop ups " cancel - ok" and that switched places in ics :s that's the only explanation I can think of
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

norpan111 said:
Think he is talking about those pop ups " cancel - ok" and that switched places in ics :s that's the only explanation I can think of
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Lmao!
You never know....lol

I can agree to some extent about malplaced buttons, I'd want them right up below the screen as before I got my soft-shell for the phone kept touching the back button with the palm of my hand while holding it. What I really like that I didn't like the least with the S2 is the rounded shape, it's so much nicer to hold than the S2. With CM9 it also became so much friendlier in terms of tweaks and hax. Me like!

My only complaint is the button placement should be higher. Yes it is a little long holding the home button for the multitask menu but it is not a problem for me
If I have assisted you, please press Thanks button.

I think the button looks good where it is
No problems

Looks good, but doesn't feel good when reaching for. Especially if you have a case
If I have assisted you, please press Thanks button.

The home button should've been bigger or placed a little bit shifted upwards, i always loved the site of the back button, as it's all the time used and since i use my right hand it's perfect for me.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

The only thing I hate about the home button is that it could be a bit bigger
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I'm used to it now.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Power button defect?

Hey guys,
My power button seems to be pushed in...
it's not that pronounced..
Coming from an S2, the buttons seem/feel really pushed in. i can barely feel it.
I've looked at videos and high quality pictures of S4 on review sites, and they seem to be more popped out.
My power button looks/feels strangely pushed in.
Is this a defective unit?
seems like volume buttons are a bit under-pronounced..
how about you guys?

Post some images so we can compare them to our S4's

Bjray said:
Post some images so we can compare them to our S4's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
EDIT: it just feels really pushed in.. like when I press it, i don't feel it going in a lot. Maybe this is how they designed it?
The "click" sound is lower in volume and not as "Crisp" in feeling. (relative to my S2)

Your power button does look a little more recessed than mine...

Bjray said:
Your power button does look a little more recessed than mine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for that information!
hmm what do you think I can do about it?
exchange for a new one?
would i be able to do that in the corporate store even though I got it off of online preordering?
would they accept this as a reason for exchange?
I have 14 days =(
Thanks in advance for your help!

jhong91 said:
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
EDIT: it just feels really pushed in.. like when I press it, i don't feel it going in a lot. Maybe this is how they designed it?
The "click" sound is lower in volume and not as "Crisp" in feeling. (relative to my S2)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine button looks like that too

jem417 said:
Mine button looks like that too
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Click to collapse
how does it feel?

jhong91 said:
how does it feel?
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Click to collapse
Compared to my GS2 Skyrocket if feels a lot softer. My GS4 doesn't have the same resistance and travel distance as my Skyrocket but the SRs button was almost flush with the device so to me the GS4 button feels more pronounced.

My s3 was like that. I opened up the phone, cut and placed a tiny piece of scotch tape behind the button to make it stick out a tiny bit more. Worked good, but when I did this the phone wasnt brand new so its your call. Maybe exchange it at the store?

jem417 said:
Compared to my GS2 Skyrocket if feels a lot softer. My GS4 doesn't have the same resistance and travel distance as my Skyrocket but the SRs button was almost flush with the device so to me the GS4 button feels more pronounced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm yea those are the words i was looking for "resistance" and travel distance..
thanks for the reply!

highaltitude said:
My s3 was like that. I opened up the phone, cut and placed a tiny piece of scotch tape behind the button to make it stick out a tiny bit more. Worked good, but when I did this the phone wasnt brand new so its your call. Maybe exchange it at the store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm yeah i need to be 100% sure that mine is a defect before trying to exchange it.
I can exchange it for a new phone at the AT&T store right?
would this be a valid reason? I'm worried that they won't let me..

well, I would certainly try while the phone is new. Tell them your are concerned that if its pushed in this much now, that after using the phone for a year ( or however long) that your worried it will be pushed in even more. Worst can happen is they say no. At least you can compare it to another phone anyhow. I will say mine has been like that since I bought it and it has not affected the operation other than having a case over it, then you have to really push the button hard to get it to work through the case, but that was on a certain case, and doesnt seem to be as hard on my other case.

highaltitude said:
well, I would certainly try while the phone is new. Tell them your are concerned that if its pushed in this much now, that after using the phone for a year ( or however long) that your worried it will be pushed in even more. Worst can happen is they say no. At least you can compare it to another phone anyhow. I will say mine has been like that since I bought it and it has not affected the operation other than having a case over it, then you have to really push the button hard to get it to work through the case, but that was on a certain case, and doesnt seem to be as hard on my other case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I will try to go exchange it!
Thanks for your help =)

You're fine, pretty sure they're all like that mine is too. Maybe they did it to have it "blend" in more so it all looks like 1 solid unit

delete

wttisme said:
My power and volume buttons are barely visible while looking from above. I don't notice anything hard to push. Seems fairly normal to me. You shouldn't have any issues returning to a corporate store but I think the release date isn't until the 27th in stores.
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Click to collapse
Its ok if I press it with my fingernails, but if I try to press it with my thumb, its really hard...
Plus my wifi keeps on disconnecting and reconnecting... so annoying =(
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

jhong91 said:
Its ok if I press it with my fingernails, but if I try to press it with my thumb, its really hard...
Plus my wifi keeps on disconnecting and reconnecting... so annoying =(
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the wifi connect and disconnect, could it be the power saving thing that was on the S3? From the dialer try *#0011#, then press the menu softkey and select wifi, then turn off the power save mode. I know this would get rid of the constant connect/reconnect on the S 3. Not sure it works on the S 4.

It happened to me too when i switched my skyrocket to the S3. The S3 power button its kinda small and hidden so maybe just need to get a long with it :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

hamzer11 said:
For the wifi connect and disconnect, could it be the power saving thing that was on the S3? From the dialer try *#0011#, then press the menu softkey and select wifi, then turn off the power save mode. I know this would get rid of the constant connect/reconnect on the S 3. Not sure it works on the S 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I fixed the problem!
it turns out that it was constantly trying to connect to ATT Hotspot network. I went into advanced setting and disabled that thing, and no more problems since! =)

Maesedroid said:
It happened to me too when i switched my skyrocket to the S3. The S3 power button its kinda small and hidden so maybe just need to get a long with it :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Ok i guess i'll have to deal with it
=(

Sunk in home button, normal?

Picked up my 32 GS4 yesterday and now I am noticing that the home button is sunk in. It's completely flush with the screen. Doesn't stick out at all. It works completely fine, but makes a really audible clicking noise. Obviously Samsung doesn't manufacture these all the same. I am worried if it will get worse in time. A google search brought many results with the GS3's home button. Apparently some think its normal, some don't. I am really fussy when it comes to QC on flagship phones.
Just wondering if anyone else has a sunk in home button?

its normal.

I don't have one yet, but I just wanted to say that I really wish they would have used a capacitive button instead. I work construction, and dust/sand etc. destroys the physical buttons. Also will miss the search button that I have on gs2 I like pressing and holding it for voice search
Sent from my SGH-i777 using Tapatalk 2

Yup. Flush. You're good.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app

It's not normal. My s4 didn't have that and one of them did. It should be slightly raised.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

jetlitheone said:
It's not normal. My s4 didn't have that and one of them did. It should be slightly raised.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I have noticed a couple Note 2's home buttons being flat, while others were slightly raised. I don't know if its considered not normal, as it functions just fine.
I do not like the loud audible click the button makes. I might try to swap it towards the end of my 14 days.
EDIT: Ok, looking at it really closely, its not completely flat. Maybe a tad lower than the other phones. I don't know, I would hate to return a phone because I'm too OCD.

Mine is slightly raised. Does it function properly? Have good tactile feedback? If so, I would say it's all good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

americasteam said:
Mine is slightly raised. Does it function properly? Have good tactile feedback? If so, I would say it's all good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The home button functions perfectly fine. Since it doesn't stick out, the tactile feedback isn't that great. May take it to AT&T this week. Haven't decided. I am actually more concerned about my power button. Seems very hard to push and mushy, like its not sticking out as much as it should.

My home button is just BARELY above the rest of the phone, but it feels very responsive and a bit 'clicky'. While it's not raised so much, it at least feels really solid.
However my unlock button seems like it's really sunken in and almost hard to press at times, does anyone else have one like that as well?

americasteam said:
Mine is slightly raised. Does it function properly? Have good tactile feedback? If so, I would say it's all good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MentalToast said:
My home button is just BARELY above the rest of the phone, but it feels very responsive and a bit 'clicky'. While it's not raised so much, it at least feels really solid.
However my unlock button seems like it's really sunken in and almost hard to press at times, does anyone else have one like that as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same exact issue here with the power button. The home button I can live it, but the power button should be clicky and not feel so mushed.

MattMJB0188 said:
Same exact issue here with the power button. The home button I can live it, but the power button should be clicky and not feel so mushed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank god, at least I'm not the only one. This is my second s4, I just brought back my first one from HUGE battery issues. Would lose 15-20% while idle while I was asleep.
Already noticed a huge difference with my new one, except now I've noticed the mushed in unlock button. It's functional, it just feels like it has the possibility of eventually getting stuck somehow...Maybe I'm just being overly attentive and sensitive with the new one.

MentalToast said:
Thank god, at least I'm not the only one. This is my second s4, I just brought back my first one from HUGE battery issues. Would lose 15-20% while idle while I was asleep.
Already noticed a huge difference with my new one, except now I've noticed the mushed in unlock button. It's functional, it just feels like it has the possibility of eventually getting stuck somehow...Maybe I'm just being overly attentive and sensitive with the new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then exchange it. When they bring your new phone out thoroughly examine it first.

I'm very tempted, but at the same time , I don't wanna be THAT GUY who keeps bringing back phones because one very tiny detail is slightly off-putting of their OCD.

MentalToast said:
I'm very tempted, but at the same time , I don't wanna be THAT GUY who keeps bringing back phones because one very tiny detail is slightly off-putting of their OCD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I know what you mean. And I've been that guy many times. Its just when signing a 2yr contract and paying $200+ dollars, one has to be persistent. They all hate me at my local AT&T store but I pay their paychecks.

delete

wttisme said:
I looked at 3 S4s before I picked one that I was satisfied with before I left the store. Some people don't care, but when paying this much for a phone I feel like it should be perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And AT&T kept bringing out S4's and let you have your pick? Must have been nice. My local AT&T store would never do that.

Neither would mine. Best Buy MIGHT, but it's not very nice to make them keep opening boxes of new products. Not sure if they can still sell them as such afterward.
The unlock button does seem more sunken than it should be. Might swing by the ATT store in a day or two just to check out their display...If it's that bad, i'll bring it back to best buy and see if they're willing to do another exchange . I only have 4 days left on my 15 day window unfortunately.

Did you put a screen protector

DAMN! I wish I didint see this thread because my OCD just kicked in...
Mine is raised about 1mm up. On my note II its about 2mm.
It feels normal to me...
With the Invisheild HD its flush with that....

artvandalay22222 said:
I don't have one yet, but I just wanted to say that I really wish they would have used a capacitive button instead. I work construction, and dust/sand etc. destroys the physical buttons. Also will miss the search button that I have on gs2 I like pressing and holding it for voice search
Sent from my SGH-i777 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
I'm also coming from a gs2, and while the lack of a capacitive home button and search button is a bit weird, if you long press the menu button it pulls up search. I know it isn't exactly what you want, but it's close.
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