Hey guys,
so one day I was wondering that we should start a thread on the main issues of the Nexus One and Android. I thought it would be nice if everyone posted an issue or an idea that would be relevant to Google to implement on the next version of Android. I've named some (I am on stock FRF91 btw, so some issues may not affect all users):
Nexus One Specific:
-enable custom trackball and led colors notifications without the need to root (there's an app called Trackball Alert by lilHermit [see http://www.appbrain.com/app/uk.co.lilhermit.android.TrackballAlert ] that does exactly what I mean but you need custom roms to use it)
-720p video recording (already achievable with Cyanogen's mod, but could use Google's help with the drivers and to up the overall quality of the video)
-fix multitouch (I know ClearPad 2000 is not very good at dealing with multitouch but there is room for software/driver optimization)
-improve touchscreen subtle delay after touch (again, maybe a ClearPad 2000 issue, not sure about it)
-trackball wake and unlock for non-rooted users (is it THAT hard to implement?)
General Android:
-enable horizontal homescreen without having to use a dock
-improve kinetic scrolling on the maps app (not really an android issue, it's app-specific)
-isolate images and video files of apps from the gallery app (it is really annoying to see completely unrelated pics from apps in the middle of the pics you've taken with ur camera or copied from ur pc)
-remove the ****ty compression from the pictures on the gallery, contact pictures and album covers
-make the gallery 24 bit colors again (it was 24 bit on 2.1, but they screwed up on froyo [even on FRF91])
-improve the music player (much needed)
-add swipe left and right gestures to switch between emails, songs (just like in the stock news app)
-smoother transition between homescreens and smoother launcher (improve overall FPS rate on the system)
-better live wallpaper performance (using LWP generally slows the system down)
-tabbed browsing (like Dolphin Browser), better history and bookmark handling (bookmarks synchronazation with firefox, chrome, safari and maybe even ****ty ie)
-both the gmail and the email apps need an overhaul, 1st: it is SLOW. It takes AGES to open an email with images even on a fast wifi connection. 2nd. threaded view. C'mon one of the great things about gmail are threaded emails but you cant take advantage of it on your android phone? 3rd. UI overhaul.
-itunes-like, offline backup, firmware updating, music, photos and video syncing (ok, I know I'm prolly getting flamed for this one, but I honestly believe that even with all the efforts from Google to make everything clound-based, I still see the necessity of having an offline organization tool)
-custom account sync time (set a schedule for auto syncing contacts, agenda, etc...)
-enable online browsing and managing of apps, music, photos, contacts, call log... all in a single website, like Microsoft wants to implement on Windows Phone Series 7 (see http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/windows-phone-live-to-offer-remote-wipe-location-and-sync-for/ )
-Keyboard and Languages:
-tweaks on the keyboard including multitouch support (like the Droid X)
-make the keyboard not take the whole screen (eg. you can see the actual app you're using while typing instead of seeing only the text box - really needed for chatting apps)
-portuguese dictonary (I'm from Brazil, but I mean adding more languages to Android's dictionary) [the OS is already available in portuguese]
-more voice commands (like the iphone) with support for more languages
-Marketplace:
-better looking games and apps (this issue goes much deeper then just the UI)
-isolate the CRAPPS (soundboards, sexy japanese girl wallpapers, 50 cent ringtones, etc) in a different category
-create an approval process (completely debatable, but if it's ever created, it should not ressemble apple's flawed approval process and should not run away from Google's open philosophy)
-improve developer finantial gains with their apps (see: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07/05/report-over-half-of-all-android-apps-are-free/ ; http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...gaming-on-android-and-how-openfeint-may-help/ ; http://www.androidcentral.com/can-developers-make-money-android-market-mobilebeat-2010 ; http://nanocr.eu/2010/06/27/googles-mismanagement-of-the-android-market/ )
-find a way of reducing pirated and stolen apps (for example, blocking backing up paid apps: today, users can simply buy an app from the market, back it up using astro or some other tool, then they uninstall it to get a refund then they'll install the backed up app and keep both the money and the app)
-better organisation of cateories and better browsing and searching (search suggestions)
-GODDAMN GOOGLE MAKE THE MARKETPLACE PAID APPS AVAILABLE IN MORE COUNTRIES
-The comment below was copied from Android Central, originally posted by credo on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 12:08, as I thought he had some great insights on the market from a developer's point of view (see: http://www.androidcentral.com/can-developers-make-money-android-market-mobilebeat-2010#comment-47392)
" 1) Being able to purchase an app off the web. The big reason I have for this is marketing -- currently there's no good place for me to link a banner ad or other promotion to. This means the user has to manually search for my app in the marketplace to buy it, or scan a QR code. Not exactly impulse-purchase friendly. This is being taken care of with 2.2, but it won't be something I can rely on for a long time after that (the vast majority of the phones would need to be on 2.2).
2) Better descriptions in the listings. Not even much longer necessarily, but a dedicated changelog space (for example) would be fantastic, especially if it maintained history. Dedicated space to link to a video, or a free/paid version, etc could help a lot.
3) Tagging for the listings ("aquarium", "live wallpaper", "fish", "etc"). Currently, not only am I limited to 325 characters (about 30 of which have to go to my current changelog entry) but that couple of sentences I DO have had better include as many relevant search terms as I can manage! A place to enter a dozen or so tags would go miles to making the description space good for actual description. Come up with a big list of standardized tags and put them in a drop-down to help keep it organized.
4) The ability to respond to comments. I mean really, if I'm the developer let me post comments/replies freely. I'm thinking the eBay feedback mechanism here. It's agonizing to see somebody post a blatantly wrong negative comment and there's nothing meaningful I can do about it.
Personally, I've been doing okay with the market overall, but that's because I've focused on something of a niche with some definite consumer appeal (I've made several live wallpapers, like Silhouette, Galactic Core, City at Night, Aquarium Live Wallpaper, etc. Check here if you're interested.). It IS hard to find things on the market and with only the 325 character description to convey ALL your information, it's hard to explain all your features even when the customer does find your item."
That's it guys, hope you like the idea. Waiting for users input.
EDIT: Mods, please feel free to move this post if deemed necessary. I was not quite sure about where I should post it.
Wow. I like the ideas but to this point Google hasn't exactly been interested in acting upon any request, no matter how obvious, necessary or simple, and that's an ass load of requests. But sure I agree 720p recording and all the rest would be great.
wholeheartedly agree with you on every point...
Google is a few major DUH points from having a relatively perfect OS...some things just make zero sense whatsoever...like not having a simple add button and a check box contact list to send a text to more than one person in the stock app...1.0, 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.1, 2.2 and still this simple feature has not been implemented.
also the music player is ridiculous...seriously...like for real...wtf?
Hey so you're Kittehface.
Good list.
Please add:
-GODDAMN GOOGLE MAKE GOOGLE VOICE/GOOGLE NAVIGATION AVAILABLE IN MORE COUNTRIES.
Granted more countries are having navigation but most Asian countries are still left in the dark.
Launcher pro transitions is so much smoother between home screens, it must be hitting 60 fps easily. Google could easily fix their stock launcher to match it
fiuza91 said:
-both the gmail and the email apps need an overhaul, 1st: it is SLOW. It takes AGES to open an email with images even on a fast wifi connection. 2nd. threaded view. C'mon one of the great things about gmail are threaded emails but you cant take advantage of it on your android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No threaded view? Uh, what?
fiuza91 said:
-fix multitouch (I know ClearPad 2000 is not very good at dealing with multitouch but there is room for software/driver optimization)
What exactly is wrong with it. i havent had any issues, but other people seem to
-improve touchscreen subtle delay after touch (again, maybe a ClearPad 2000 issue, not sure about it)
same as above
-trackball wake and unlock for non-rooted users (is it THAT hard to implement?)
this is more of a feature. the trackball is pressed easier than the power button, meaning the screen can be turned on by accident and use more battery
General Android:
-isolate images and video files of apps from the gallery app (it is really annoying to see completely unrelated pics from apps in the middle of the pics you've taken with ur camera or copied from ur pc)
This is the fault of the app developer. They need to a) use googles API for external storage and b) they need to put a .nomedia file so it doesnt show up in in gallery or music player
-better live wallpaper performance (using LWP generally slows the system down)
i personally havent had an issue with this either
-tabbed browsing (like Dolphin Browser), better history and bookmark handling
i personally dont think tabbed browsing is that great on mobile devices. i would like a dedicated button to show open windows next to the bookmark button though
-both the gmail and the email apps need an overhaul, \ 2nd. threaded view. C'mon one of the great things about gmail are threaded emails but you cant take advantage of it on your android phone?
AFAIK threaded emails have been there since atleast 1.5. I have it on FRF91 for sure
-enable online browsing and managing of apps, music, photos, contacts, call log... all in a single website, like Microsoft wants to implement on Windows Phone Series 7 (see http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/windows-phone-live-to-offer-remote-wipe-location-and-sync-for/ )
This is coming with gingerbread
-Keyboard and Languages:
-make the keyboard not take the whole screen (eg. you can see the actual app you're using while typing instead of seeing only the text box - really needed for chatting apps)
froyo has this in browser, i think other apps have to be updated for this not sure
-more voice commands (like the iphone) with support for more languages
there are a lot of voice commands that work fine with the voice dialer (but they still require manual confirmation)
-Marketplace:
-better looking games and apps (this issue goes much deeper then just the UI)
lol if its about looks then its about UI. Android has already added opengl libraries. devs just need to use them now
-create an approval process (completely debatable, but if it's ever created, it should not ressemble apple's flawed approval process and should not run away from Google's open philosophy)
cant be open AND have an approval process
-improve developer finantial gains with their apps (see: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07/05/report-over-half-of-all-android-apps-are-free/ ; http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...gaming-on-android-and-how-openfeint-may-help/ ; http://www.androidcentral.com/can-developers-make-money-android-market-mobilebeat-2010 ; http://nanocr.eu/2010/06/27/googles-mismanagement-of-the-android-market/ )
Just because they are free doesnt mean that there is no incentive to have paid apps on market, people will buy better products. i do agree that they could be better paid for ads though
-find a way of reducing pirated and stolen apps (for example, blocking backing up paid apps: today, users can simply buy an app from the market, back it up using astro or some other tool, then they uninstall it to get a refund then they'll install the backed up app and keep both the money and the app)
This is already implemented......
-The comment below was copied from Android Central, originally posted by credo on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 12:08, as I thought he had some great insights on the market from a developer's point of view (see: http://www.androidcentral.com/can-developers-make-money-android-market-mobilebeat-2010#comment-47392)
"
2) Better descriptions in the listings. Not even much longer necessarily, but a dedicated changelog space (for example) would be fantastic, especially if it maintained history. Dedicated space to link to a video, or a free/paid version, etc could help a lot.
dedicated changelog space is provided in the version area of the market. most devs dont know how to use it though =/
4) The ability to respond to comments. I mean really, if I'm the developer let me post comments/replies freely. I'm thinking the eBay feedback mechanism here. It's agonizing to see somebody post a blatantly wrong negative comment and there's nothing meaningful I can do about it.
gingerbread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree with most of the points though
trackball wake and unlock for non-rooted users (is it THAT hard to implement?)
this is more of a feature. the trackball is pressed easier than the power button, meaning the screen can be turned on by accident and use more battery
- True, but we should be one to decide that right? At least give us the choice.
fiuza91 said:
-horizontal homescreen (you can have it with custom launchers, but would be nice to see Google implementing it with some cool transitions)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Horizontal homescreen is already in stock standard android 2.2. Without any custom launcher. It is just that you need to dock the N1 in the car dock, before it will activate. Point is - it is there - issue is that you cannot activate it outside the car dock.
4) You CAN post comments on your own application and you have been able to on every version of android. It's a bit messy but it works:
Firstly, log in to your google account on your phone and try to purchase your own application. It should say something about it failing. Then, close and re-open the market, navigate to your app and, hey-presto, you can comment
I noticed that most of your points are not "issues" but "suggestions for improvement".
If so please change the post title.
Paul22000 said:
No threaded view? Uh, what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's threaded view on the Gmail app, but not on th email app. I know threaded view is something from Gmail but it would be nice if implemented on the email app (I don't know if requires any server-based modification so I don't know if it's possible)
logger said:
Horizontal homescreen is already in stock standard android 2.2. Without any custom launcher. It is just that you need to dock the N1 in the car dock, before it will activate. Point is - it is there - issue is that you cannot activate it outside the car dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Edited my post.
Meltus said:
4) You CAN post comments on your own application and you have been able to on every version of android. It's a bit messy but it works:
Firstly, log in to your google account on your phone and try to purchase your own application. It should say something about it failing. Then, close and re-open the market, navigate to your app and, hey-presto, you can comment
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you think there should be a way of doing it "natively"? I'm sure it would help devs out a lot.
britoso said:
I noticed that most of your points are not "issues" but "suggestions for improvement".
If so please change the post title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Call me an idiot but I can't see any way of changing the thread title. And, "suggestions for improvement" suggest there's something not quite right about whatever, so it is an issue nonetheless.
fiuza91 said:
You're right. Call me an idiot but I can't see any way of changing the thread title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click Edit, then change the title.
---
In any case, the only issues I see with the Nexus One are the touch screen is terrible (have to turn off/on to recalibrate lower right corner of screen; multi-touch axes snap together) and the four soft buttons are not aligned correctly with their respective labels.
Other than those two, the Nexus One is downright amazing in my eyes. Everything else is software, which can and will be fixed over time, either by Google or by developers like Cyanogen. ie Nexus One first to receive 2.2, probably the first to receive Gingerbread etc.
Aside from the touch screen being subpar, almost everything else you mentioned is more of a suggestion rather than an issue, as britoso mentioned.
I'm not sure if they can even fix the screen issues with the nexus one. Because I don't really see anything wrong with the phone except for the horrible touchscreen.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Mokurex said:
trackball wake and unlock for non-rooted users (is it THAT hard to implement?)
this is more of a feature. the trackball is pressed easier than the power button, meaning the screen can be turned on by accident and use more battery
- True, but we should be one to decide that right? At least give us the choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol if we had a choice for every little setting in android, then we would be flooded with the amount of settings available in the ROM. people are already complaining about how you have to have a "PhD in Computer Science" (i call BS. I only have a bachelors in SE ) to use android...adding more options will make people think WTF
most people want someone else to take care of everything for them and give them a product that "just works" (i hate you steve jobs)
Paul22000 said:
Click Edit, then change the title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had already clicked edit, but I can't change the title.
By the way, thanks for the input everyone! This is part of what makes a community like XDA great.
fiuza91 said:
I had already clicked edit, but I can't change the title.
By the way, thanks for the input everyone! This is part of what makes a community like XDA great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make sure you not hittin quick edit lol. it should be under title
flybyme said:
make sure you not hittin quick edit lol. it should be under title
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found it. I had to click "edit post" twice actually. I know that me not being able to change a simple title sounded noob, but I was just blind or something lol
logger said:
Horizontal homescreen is already in stock standard android 2.2. Without any custom launcher. It is just that you need to dock the N1 in the car dock, before it will activate. Point is - it is there - issue is that you cannot activate it outside the car dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone write application to emulate that the phone is in car dock without physically being in the dock?, this will enable the horizontal stock features
Hello. For some time now I have been getting frustrated with the standard camera/camcorder for my SGS.
I will point out some of the main things I dislike
Lack of features
It's hard to take pictures or start recording unless you look at the screen to see where the button is located to initiate it
Camera closes after idle for too long
Screen controls are too close together
Files do not save if you accidentally press the back button while recording
I have searched Google, forums and the market to try and find a replacement with no success
I would love to have camera/camcorder replacement that has the following
The biggest feature for me would be to have the ability to use either of the Home/Volume/Power buttons to use the camera/camcorder at least for Record, Pause, Stop and taking pictures
This would make it so much easier to use it without having to always look at the screen to make sure you are pressing the right area and will also eliminate accidentally pressing the wrong button
For example
Home key could be used for taking pictures and start recording video pressing it again will pause it and long holding it will stop the recording and auto save.
Volume will be for zoom and power button could possible take pictures and long holding for toggle night mode or something like that
I dunno about you but I find this configuration to feel natural
In the menu there should also be the option to exit camera/camcorder as some people use home key for this instead of backing out and the home button will already have a use
All settings can be controlled via touchscreen such as:
Option to toggle the camera/camcorder from closing on idle
Image/Shooting mode
All other general settings
If anyone else thinks this is a good idea or has any further input on making this better please post something
If there is a dev out there wanting a challenge please post Perhaps if enough people are interested in raising some funds there could be a bounty
P.S I wasn't sure if I should post this in Themes and Apps or here
Sould be possible i think, Power btn already done a thing : it lock screen without stop recording...
Also cyanogenmod as a great camera app, wait for it...
Surely there is something else out there other then the cyanogenmod one.
uppon2 said:
surely there is something else out there other then the cyanogenmod one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- i hate the factory camera
I'm shocked that I'm the only one talking about this. Shame on everyone lol
Ill complain a bit too
I dislike the focus of the samsung app. Even in macro mode, you take an object from a 5cm distance and tap to focus..
it's going to focus well then lose focus. Even if take the picture when the focus is correct, it's going to output a blurred unfocused pic
The only "solution" is to take pictures with at least 10cm distance, or 15. But the camera seems to be able to picture much closer.. so it's annoying
Wow. People actually use the onboard camera? Camera 360 is what I've replaced my stock app with. But sadly stock samsung app is prob the best camera app from any dev/phone maker. What you need is a decent small camera like a canon ixus
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
bilboa1 said:
Ill complain a bit too
I dislike the focus of the samsung app. Even in macro mode, you take an object from a 5cm distance and tap to focus..
it's going to focus well then lose focus. Even if take the picture when the focus is correct, it's going to output a blurred unfocused pic
The only "solution" is to take pictures with at least 10cm distance, or 15. But the camera seems to be able to picture much closer.. so it's annoying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. While using auto focus etc depending on the distance/light it will hang there thinking about it
ickyboo said:
Wow. People actually use the onboard camera? Camera 360 is what I've replaced my stock app with. But sadly stock samsung app is prob the best camera app from any dev/phone maker. What you need is a decent small camera like a canon ixus
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not heard of 360 *Checks it online* - To tell you the truth I don't mind the camera.... I guess I really just want to be able to use the home button to initiate take picture, start recording, pause and long hold for stop. Maybe there is a way to change something in the file hmmmmm surely a smart dev would know
I tried Vignette and Camera 360 Pro, well the 360 programs doesn't cut it, the interface is horrible and buggy.
Vignette is quite ok however - the focus works. It's missing the directional focus from the samsung app however, although I can live with it of course. Vignette also saves jpegs that are less compressed/higher quality.
To be honest i'd be just fine with Samsung's app if the focus worked fine in macro mode, and the jpegs were higher quality (maybe even make the pano mode high resolution )
Mostly because the controls/settings/etc are much better in the Samsung app.
Now since it's proprietary, not much we can do about these issues I guess xD (the button can prolly be hacked in tho)
bilboa1 said:
I tried Vignette and Camera 360 Pro, well the 360 programs doesn't cut it, the interface is horrible and buggy.
Vignette is quite ok however - the focus works. It's missing the directional focus from the samsung app however, although I can live with it of course. Vignette also saves jpegs that are less compressed/higher quality.
To be honest i'd be just fine with Samsung's app if the focus worked fine in macro mode, and the jpegs were higher quality (maybe even make the pano mode high resolution )
Mostly because the controls/settings/etc are much better in the Samsung app.
Now since it's proprietary, not much we can do about these issues I guess xD (the button can prolly be hacked in tho)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I need someone to find a way to hack the home button to work and serve my purpose
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860609
Power button to take pics. Hopefully will soon be able to record/pause long hold to stop in camera mode soon if anyone else was interested.
Google camera app can be installed on LOS 18.1 and yes, indeed: it does take very good photos!
But on the downside, when I tap the just taken picture, it tells me in order to view my photos I need to download another Google photo/gallery app, which will, according to the description, sort my photos automatically and upload it to Google drive. That are two things I surely don't want!
Is there any way to make the Google camera app work with some other, locally installed gallery app?
you can organize and view your photos in any other image manager.
however for the issue of looking at the picture right after it's taken and not be redirected to google photos I dont know the solution.
there are tons of gcam mods (<3).
perhaps one of those managed to change this behaviour
Thanks for the hint about gcam mods! I will try to find a suitable mod for me.
I know I can use any gallery app I want, but I find it annoying that Google want to force my pictures onto their servers, just because I want to use their camera app. Pictures I shoot are nothing that needs to be hidden, but I also don't want them "in the cloud". And I certainly don't want an algorithm made by G to sort my pictures!
dvdram said:
Thanks for the hint about gcam mods! I will try to find a suitable mod for me.
I know I can use any gallery app I want, but I find it annoying that Google want to force my pictures onto their servers, just because I want to use their camera app. Pictures I shoot are nothing that needs to be hidden, but I also don't want them "in the cloud". And I certainly don't want an algorithm made by G to sort my pictures!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Camera Port Hub: Get the best GCam APK for Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and other phones
Looking for the best version of the Google Camera app for your phone? We've rounded up a ton of versions for different models and brands.
www.xda-developers.com
Try this mod it just works.