Hybrid TouchWiz for the Note 2. Did Samsung miss something? - Galaxy Note II General

Please take a minute to read my question in the general forum, and see if you agree: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=33401284

*bump*

Just in case no one wants to go to the other forum to read:
Here's a very simple question for anyone out that who happens to know the answer, or who thinks they might know a solution:
Is it possible to force Google Play Music (or any app for that matter!) to use a tablet UI instead, regardless of your DPI settings or ROM? (Kinda like how you can do this for individual apps on Paranoid Android) If so, how? What's involved?
To elaborate, I'm currently pretty happy with my shiny new Galaxy Note II, and honestly, I can't really say many bad things about the stock TouchWiz UI this time around; I think Samsung (mostly) got it right, at least well enough for me that I don't feel the insatiable urge to flash an AOSP/AOKP ROM or something else. I also happen to love using the Google Play Music app as my daily driver for all my music.
However, the phone UI for Google Play Music is, (how can I put this delicately?), utterly and hopelessly abysmal. It's awful! It's ugly! It's nowhere NEAR as fluid and as intuitive or even functional as its tablet UI counterpart!
I dearly miss the Google Play Music experience on my GTab 7.7, and I wish I could bring that same experience over to my Note II.
I already know about changing DPI settings in my build.prop, but since that causes a whole litany of issues with a stock interface (TouchWiz in particular), that's not what I'm looking for here. I'm looking for a way of somehow tweaking a per-app UI/DPI layout for specific apps, much like how you can with a Paranoid Android ROM, BUT while staying on whichever ROM you happen to be running.
As awesome as the Note 2 is, I do kinda feel that Samsung is dropping the ball on this one. If they're going to market the device as a happy medium between a phone and a tablet, a hybrid device for all intents and purposes, then it seems logical to reason that they really should have made a hybrid UI for it right from the get-go. Without a truly hybrid stock UI baked in, it's just another high end phone, with a REALLY big screen and an S-Pen.
Then again, maybe I'm just crazy...

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Just in case no one wants to go to the other forum to read:
Here's a very simple question for anyone out that who happens to know the answer, or who thinks they might know a solution:
Is it possible to force Google Play Music (or any app for that matter!) to use a tablet UI instead, regardless of your DPI settings or ROM? (Kinda like how you can do this for individual apps on Paranoid Android) If so, how? What's involved?
To elaborate, I'm currently pretty happy with my shiny new Galaxy Note II, and honestly, I can't really say many bad things about the stock TouchWiz UI this time around; I think Samsung (mostly) got it right, at least well enough for me that I don't feel the insatiable urge to flash an AOSP/AOKP ROM or something else. I also happen to love using the Google Play Music app as my daily driver for all my music.
However, the phone UI for Google Play Music is, (how can I put this delicately?), utterly and hopelessly abysmal. It's awful! It's ugly! It's nowhere NEAR as fluid and as intuitive or even functional as its tablet UI counterpart!
I dearly miss the Google Play Music experience on my GTab 7.7, and I wish I could bring that same experience over to my Note II.
I already know about changing DPI settings in my build.prop, but since that causes a whole litany of issues with a stock interface (TouchWiz in particular), that's not what I'm looking for here. I'm looking for a way of somehow tweaking a per-app UI/DPI layout for specific apps, much like how you can with a Paranoid Android ROM, BUT while staying on whichever ROM you happen to be running.
As awesome as the Note 2 is, I do kinda feel that Samsung is dropping the ball on this one. If they're going to market the device as a happy medium between a phone and a tablet, a hybrid device for all intents and purposes, then it seems logical to reason that they really should have made a hybrid UI for it right from the get-go. Without a truly hybrid stock UI baked in, it's just another high end phone, with a REALLY big screen and an S-Pen.
Then again, maybe I'm just crazy...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pumb...

Good to see someone else taking an interest!

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Good to see someone else taking an interest!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I too miss the elegance of the Google music experience...the album art doesn't show up...when I try to fast forward, the device restarts the song completely. ..

Related

Behold 2 - TouchWiz is horid!

Please Please Please for the love of everything that is Android, someone port Cyanogen's rom over to the Behold 2.
What a horrible implementation of font and gui changes. Samsung has turned what I deem to be an incredibley useful, pleasing gui, into a mishmash of horrible fonts.
If I had any modding know how, i would be all over getting this TouchWiz off the phone. The formfactor of the phone is great, camera works wonderfully, etc etc...but that Touchwiz...geeeeez
Again I beg those that know a lot more than I! Please eradicate this poor phone of its TouchWiz virus.
yeah, it's awful! Not sure what Samsung was thinking... anyone able to get a recovery from the galaxy going on their behold II?
loL!
im shaking in my boots. i hope this does not come on any updates for the MOMENT. ill stick with 1.5 instead of Touchmywiz .moreover if this is what BADA has in store theyre doomed already.
Yes, it should definitely be put out there that if you are used to any other stock or slightly modified Android install, this implementation will be practically unusable for you.
The phone stutters scrolling the menus, pauses between screens, etc etc. Touchwiz is really killing this phone.
I guess I have 13 days now. If I see no hope for some kind of rom i will for sure be returning it.
Just saw a demo of TouchWiz during a Behold II unboxing. It. Looks. Awful. It's almost as if they did it for the sake of being "different" at the cost of usability. Yuck.
I like it, but i suppose you could just get GDE, aHome or even try porting Cyanogen's home over.
The only thing I like from the touchwiz is the music player. Would there be a way to pull that and install it on the G1 or Cliq?
Custom rom isnt going to be easy..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4997648&postcount=27
If you really hate touchwiz, you can install openhome from the market. It will give you a more stock look and feel.
Wii60 said:
I like it, but i suppose you could just get GDE, aHome or even try porting Cyanogen's home over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen's home = Launcher.apk in AOSP
Looks like a resource hog, I know it has a sh*t load of RAM (320mb :-O) but I'd rather it went to something more useful than some 3d cube thingy.
kam187 said:
Custom rom isnt going to be easy..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4997648&postcount=27
If you really hate touchwiz, you can install openhome from the market. It will give you a more stock look and feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm fairly sure that TouchWiz will still be running in the background. So yeah you'll get a more stock feel, but it will be hindered slightly.
you could probably make a script to root and kill it. Just run that on every boot.

Best Stock Honeycomb Rom. (No Touchwiz)

Basically what the title has said. I'm looking for a rom that has stock honeycomb on it. I'm not really a fan of touchwiz never really was. I know that I could of search for it. I got distracted about reading about the Newton rings. Apparently there on my tablet. If someone can help me I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
But without touchwiz you will lose important hardware features of the tablet. Stock honeycomb is a highly incomplete OS and touchwiz fills in many of the gaps.
5thElement said:
But without touchwiz you will lose important hardware features of the tablet. Stock honeycomb is a highly incomplete OS and touchwiz fills in many of the gaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically there's no hope in me getting a non honeycomb rom?
Alopez_45 said:
So basically there's no hope in me getting a non honeycomb rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you're rooted. Maybe if someone had a nandroid of the virgin HC rom for you to download?
BTW, I assume you mean "non-TouchWiz"
Alopez_45 said:
Basically what the title has said. I'm looking for a rom that has stock honeycomb on it. I'm not really a fan of touchwiz never really was. I know that I could of search for it. I got distracted about reading about the Newton rings. Apparently there on my tablet. If someone can help me I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a sticky bigger than me:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1171089
It helps if you visit the dev forum...
Phantom Hacker is working on a vanilla 3.2 port as we speak
Sent from your mothers house.
5thElement said:
But without touchwiz you will lose important hardware features of the tablet. Stock honeycomb is a highly incomplete OS and touchwiz fills in many of the gaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like what exactly? That doesn't even make sense.. Are you forgetting the 10.1 shipped with stock 3.1?
PhantomHacker said:
Like what exactly? That doesn't even make sense.. Are you forgetting the 10.1 shipped with stock 3.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother PH, you don't know what you are getting into.
5thElement said:
But without touchwiz you will lose important hardware features of the tablet. Stock honeycomb is a highly incomplete OS and touchwiz fills in many of the gaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also like to know what exactly Touchwiz adds (besides cartoonish icons, widgets and a few new bugs that vanilla HC didn't have)?
BTW I know what i'm getting into
Alopez_45 said:
Basically what the title has said. I'm looking for a rom that has stock honeycomb on it. I'm not really a fan of touchwiz never really was. I know that I could of search for it. I got distracted about reading about the Newton rings. Apparently there on my tablet. If someone can help me I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run the Blazar non-TW ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1200387&highlight=blazar
Not a single problem, and managed to watch video for pretty much all of a 10.5 hour flight the other week.
poisike said:
I would also like to know what exactly Touchwiz adds (besides cartoonish icons, widgets and a few new bugs that vanilla HC didn't have)?
BTW I know what i'm getting into
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get the all important screenshot button right next to the most used button on the status bar, so whenever you accidentally hit it instead of the button you wanted you get a pointless image added to your gallery.
Tee Hee that made me laugh.
I am disappointed at the lack of dev activity though. I too prefer AOSP to TW and was hoping for a huge dev scene.
Im honestly amazed at how little education people here have about TouchWiz.
TouchWiz is by far the most advanced software you currently can get on a tablet. The user experience it provides is light years ahead of anything else out there, even Honeycomb 3.2.
Not only that but TouchWiz gives you access to specific hardware you cant access without it. The ability to change color temperature of the screen is a HUGE feature you can only have with toucwiz.
Here are just a few of the features you get from TouchWiz that you cant get anywhere else :
1. REAL multitasking just like in Windows. You can have TWO apps open at once on the same screen and not have to switch back and forth. There is nothing like this available in the market or in 3.2. HUGE props to Samsung for doing this.
2. Ability to change color temperature of the screen.
3. One touch wifi file access to tablet from PC <-- AWESOME
4. Sluggish menu scrolling in vanilla Honeycomb are gone! It looks like
Samsung devs used video hardware acceleration for scrolling which creates a smooth experience compared to Vanilla honeycombs laggy jumpy scrolling in may menus.
5. Awesomenew notification/settings popup menu. FAR superior to stock Honeycomb.
6. One touch screen capture button in the task bar takes a snap shot of the screen and automatically saves to a folder.
7. Lots of cool QUALITY widgets not like the junk you find in the market.
8. Motion gestures
9. Superior App Manager/ RAM manager which can run ON TOP of any app you are running.
10. BEST Music app and runs super smooth. Much better than stock H.C. or anything in the market
11. BEST Ebook reader app you can get.
12. Your tablet will run FASTEST with touchwiz. Samsung is using hardware acceleration for menus like Apple. Stock HC uses software rendering which is why its so slow and laggy. You cant get hardware acceleration if you dont have TouchWiz. No the Devs here will not be able to add it as its beyond their capabilities.
The list goes on and on. TouchWiz is simply a superior experience than stock HC. I would even dream of using my tab without it. Your tablet is incomplete and missing features to access hardware if you dont have TouchWiz.
Really? I guess it's a personal thing then. I used TW for a week before deciding I COULD do without out LOL.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought TW was JUST a GUI and nothing else! It shouldn't offer superior app management and ram management... and as for the apps you mention, well we all have choices via the android market.
5thElement said:
Im honestly amazed at how little education people here have about TouchWiz.
TouchWiz is by far the most advanced software you currently can get on a tablet. The user experience it provides is light years ahead of anything else out there, even Honeycomb 3.2.
Not only that but TouchWiz gives you access to specific hardware you cant access without it. The ability to change color temperature of the screen is a HUGE feature you can only have with toucwiz.
Here are just a few of the features you get from TouchWiz that you cant get anywhere else :
1. REAL multitasking just like in Windows. You can have TWO apps open at once on the same screen and not have to switch back and forth. There is nothing like this available in the market or in 3.2. HUGE props to Samsung for doing this.
2. Ability to change color temperature of the screen.
3. One touch wifi file access to tablet from PC <-- AWESOME
4. Sluggish menu scrolling in vanilla Honeycomb are gone! It looks like
Samsung devs used video hardware acceleration for scrolling which creates a smooth experience compared to Vanilla honeycombs laggy jumpy scrolling in may menus.
5. Awesomenew notification/settings popup menu. FAR superior to stock Honeycomb.
6. One touch screen capture button in the task bar takes a snap shot of the screen and automatically saves to a folder.
7. Lots of cool QUALITY widgets not like the junk you find in the market.
8. Motion gestures
9. Superior App Manager/ RAM manager which can run ON TOP of any app you are running.
10. BEST Music app and runs super smooth. Much better than stock H.C. or anything in the market
11. BEST Ebook reader app you can get.
12. Your tablet will run FASTEST with touchwiz. Samsung is using hardware acceleration for menus like Apple. Stock HC uses software rendering which is why its so slow and laggy. You cant get hardware acceleration if you dont have TouchWiz. No the Devs here will not be able to add it as its beyond their capabilities.
The list goes on and on. TouchWiz is simply a superior experience than stock HC. I would even dream of using my tab without it. Your tablet is incomplete and missing features to access hardware if you dont have TouchWiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. 6 predefined apps, you call this REAL multitasking!? I have no use for these apps, except maybe calculator that i have used once.
2. I have no need for that. And i think there are apps in Market that can do this?
3. How? Has this something to do with that thing called Kies? I refuse to use this ****.
4. The menu scrolling has never been sluggish on my Xoom, so i don't know what you are talking about.
5. Awesomenew notification/settings popup menu? Yeah, design is little different.
6. I have accidentally used that screen capture button a few times, other then that i have no use for this. There are lot of apps in Market that can make screenshots.
7. I really tried to use those "cool QUALITY widgets" just to give Samsung and Touchwiz a fair chance. I couldn't stand them for longer then a week. Then i downloaded the same widgets i used on my Xoom.
8. Motion gestures... yes, this feature bugged me also until i chose "never ask again".
9. I have never used or needed a App Manager/ RAM manager on Xoom. Why would i want to use this on GT10.1?
10. I must admit, i have never tried the BEST Music app. I use Google Music.
11. I have never used the BEST Ebook reader app either, so i can't comment on this.
12. Your tablet will run FASTEST with touchwiz? Maybe my GT10.1 has a hardware problem, but i don't see that it runs faster then my Xoom.
So i don't really see what touchwiz added, besides that gray bottom bar, which really bothers me the most. If i could get a vanilla 3.2 ROM, i would be very happy.
Of course this is my personal opinion and i'm not saying that GT10.1 isn't a good tablet.
poisike said:
So i don't really see what touchwiz added, besides that gray bottom bar, which really bothers me the most. If i could get a vanilla 3.2 ROM, i would be very happy.
Of course this is my personal opinion and i'm not saying that GT10.1 isn't a good tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is recommended to read the white papers on TouchWiz to understand why its so important if you have a Tab 10. Lag of hardware acceleration without it is one feature alone that should have everyone on board with TouchWiz. Not only that but samsung is releasing an api to allow you to add any app into the mini launch bar.
steve664npc said:
Really? I guess it's a personal thing then. I used TW for a week before deciding I COULD do without out LOL.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought TW was JUST a GUI and nothing else! It shouldn't offer superior app management and ram management... and as for the apps you mention, well we all have choices via the android market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you do without touchwiz? Sure if you only use your unit to check email and view a webpage but then why did you buy a tab 10? Also you are wrong on many account...
There are no apps in the android market that will give you true multitasking like touchwiz.
There are no apps in the market that will allow you to change the color temps of the screen.
There are no apps that will allow you to obtain a superior notification menu
There are no apps in the market that will allow you to add hardware acceleration to the GUI.
There are no apps in the market that will allow you to do a at LEAST a dozen more important Tab 10 related features.
5thElement said:
Not only that but samsung is releasing an api to allow you to add any app into the mini launch bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great, but I would like to see proof of this statement.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
5thElement said:
Im honestly amazed at how little education people here have about TouchWiz.
TouchWiz is by far the most advanced software you currently can get on a tablet. The user experience it provides is light years ahead of anything else out there, even Honeycomb 3.2.
Not only that but TouchWiz gives you access to specific hardware you cant access without it. The ability to change color temperature of the screen is a HUGE feature you can only have with toucwiz.
Here are just a few of the features you get from TouchWiz that you cant get anywhere else :
1. REAL multitasking just like in Windows. You can have TWO apps open at once on the same screen and not have to switch back and forth. There is nothing like this available in the market or in 3.2. HUGE props to Samsung for doing this.
2. Ability to change color temperature of the screen.
3. One touch wifi file access to tablet from PC <-- AWESOME
4. Sluggish menu scrolling in vanilla Honeycomb are gone! It looks like
Samsung devs used video hardware acceleration for scrolling which creates a smooth experience compared to Vanilla honeycombs laggy jumpy scrolling in may menus.
5. Awesomenew notification/settings popup menu. FAR superior to stock Honeycomb.
6. One touch screen capture button in the task bar takes a snap shot of the screen and automatically saves to a folder.
7. Lots of cool QUALITY widgets not like the junk you find in the market.
8. Motion gestures
9. Superior App Manager/ RAM manager which can run ON TOP of any app you are running.
10. BEST Music app and runs super smooth. Much better than stock H.C. or anything in the market
11. BEST Ebook reader app you can get.
12. Your tablet will run FASTEST with touchwiz. Samsung is using hardware acceleration for menus like Apple. Stock HC uses software rendering which is why its so slow and laggy. You cant get hardware acceleration if you dont have TouchWiz. No the Devs here will not be able to add it as its beyond their capabilities.
The list goes on and on. TouchWiz is simply a superior experience than stock HC. I would even dream of using my tab without it. Your tablet is incomplete and missing features to access hardware if you dont have TouchWiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you work for Samsung, or did you grow up at a time when they still used lead paint on childrens' toys?
5thElement said:
Im honestly amazed at how little education people here have about TouchWiz.
TouchWiz is by far the most advanced software you currently can get on a tablet. The user experience it provides is light years ahead of anything else out there, even Honeycomb 3.2.
Not only that but TouchWiz gives you access to specific hardware you cant access without it. The ability to change color temperature of the screen is a HUGE feature you can only have with toucwiz.
Here are just a few of the features you get from TouchWiz that you cant get anywhere else :
1. REAL multitasking just like in Windows. You can have TWO apps open at once on the same screen and not have to switch back and forth. There is nothing like this available in the market or in 3.2. HUGE props to Samsung for doing this.
2. Ability to change color temperature of the screen.
3. One touch wifi file access to tablet from PC <-- AWESOME
4. Sluggish menu scrolling in vanilla Honeycomb are gone! It looks like
Samsung devs used video hardware acceleration for scrolling which creates a smooth experience compared to Vanilla honeycombs laggy jumpy scrolling in may menus.
5. Awesomenew notification/settings popup menu. FAR superior to stock Honeycomb.
6. One touch screen capture button in the task bar takes a snap shot of the screen and automatically saves to a folder.
7. Lots of cool QUALITY widgets not like the junk you find in the market.
8. Motion gestures
9. Superior App Manager/ RAM manager which can run ON TOP of any app you are running.
10. BEST Music app and runs super smooth. Much better than stock H.C. or anything in the market
11. BEST Ebook reader app you can get.
12. Your tablet will run FASTEST with touchwiz. Samsung is using hardware acceleration for menus like Apple. Stock HC uses software rendering which is why its so slow and laggy. You cant get hardware acceleration if you dont have TouchWiz. No the Devs here will not be able to add it as its beyond their capabilities.
The list goes on and on. TouchWiz is simply a superior experience than stock HC. I would even dream of using my tab without it. Your tablet is incomplete and missing features to access hardware if you dont have TouchWiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm sorry, but TW doesn't improve my experience.
As a matter of fact, TW seems to have been designed by Samsung to lock users in to their proprietary ecosystem. Unfortunately, I do not believe software development--on the scale that Apple and Google, and allegedly Amazon is building out--is a part of their core competency. I am not sure Samsung has what it takes to build an ecosystem that provides the user experience on the level that Google already provides--so I do not want Samsung's Social Widgets, Music Hub, or whatever other service they are trying to push on me.
The only reason I purchased the Galaxt Tab 10.1 is because of the superior hardware design and quality with respects to other Android Tablet manufacturers, and quite frankly, their TW software just gets in the way. I really dislike having their proprietary software forced down my throat.
If their interface and software bundle is so great, why doesn't Samsung let users choose to install their software via the market or some other option?
--my two cents.

ANY way to use camera from pin-lockscreen??

Came from Iphone where you can use camera even from a passcode-locked lockscreen. All the answers on the net require a NON-passcode locked lockscreen to get to the camera.
Are there any ways around this?
Thanks
Settings>My Device>Lock Screen
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
starmanj said:
Came from Iphone where you can use camera even from a passcode-locked lockscreen. All the answers on the net require a NON-passcode locked lockscreen to get to the camera.
Are there any ways around this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is a limitation from Touchwiz. I don't have CM on my phone atm to confirm, but I know that the lockscreen Pin lock behavior is different on the Nexus 7. Meaning the key difference is the fact that on my Nexus 7 I can still use other widgets (Google Now or HD Widgets) on the Pin lock, whereas SGS4 TW does not allow that...
Nope. Wrong. Try adding a passcode and then try adding a camera widget.
JChespirito24 said:
Settings>My Device>Lock Screen
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nakedninja42 said:
I think this is a limitation from Touchwiz. I don't have CM on my phone atm to confirm, but I know that the lockscreen Pin lock behavior is different on the Nexus 7. Meaning the key difference is the fact that on my Nexus 7 I can still use other widgets (Google Now or HD Widgets) on the Pin lock, whereas SGS4 TW does not allow that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct.... Just tested this on PAC ROM and I could access the camera and other lock screen widgets with both a pattern and pin lock
Right, but is there a ROM or tool to make this work on a Galaxy S4? captivatingtab did you try this on your tab or S4? Also I don't use Touchwiz, I use Nova, which still has this limitation-- so I think it's the ATT Samsung ROM.
It amazes me that ATT/Samsung/Google could put out a ROM that (at least for me) is so buggy and misses key features. Don't want to get into the host of bugs I've found, just trying to get to camera quickly...
starmanj said:
Right, but is there a ROM or tool to make this work on a Galaxy S4? captivatingtab did you try this on your tab or S4? Also I don't use Touchwiz, I use Nova, which still has this limitation-- so I think it's the ATT Samsung ROM.
It amazes me that ATT/Samsung/Google could put out a ROM that (at least for me) is so buggy and misses key features. Don't want to get into the host of bugs I've found, just trying to get to camera quickly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is the problem with Touchwiz, no matter what custom launcher you run, Lockscreen is still controlled by Touchwiz. Nova(or any other launcher) only replaces the default Touch wiz launchers Touchwiz Home or Easy Launcher, so you are still using Touchwiz with Nova installed, just not the launcher it provides.
This is a Touchwiz problem, having used an HTC One you can access 4 different apps including the Camera from the lock screen as your dock is visible on the lock screen.
If you flash a AOSP rom this problem will most likely go away.
starmanj said:
Came from Iphone where you can use camera even from a passcode-locked lockscreen. All the answers on the net require a NON-passcode locked lockscreen to get to the camera.
Are there any ways around this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an alternative lock screen app called LockerPro in the Play store does what you ask, as well a providing lock screen notifications. I think you may still need to enter your PIN before accessing the camera if the timeout has expired, but its still a shortcut. There is a free version called LockerPro Lite that you can try out.
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help sections
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Sorry you are right, this thread belongs in Q&A.
I tried lockerpro, it doesn't work unless you enter pin as well. Thanks for information, looks like Touchwiz is way behind times-- Iphone has had this for a while, and even before it was on IOS there were Cydia apps that could do this. I'm astonished Android can't do this.
So I guess I have to throw out the AT&T ROM to get rid of Touchwiz?
I have to agree with the OP. I came from an iPhone, and I actually like touchwiz. But not having the ability to use lockscreen widgets with security options is pretty ridiculous.
It should be the users choice to have certain functions available without a password/lock. I understand Samsung attempted to make the device more secure and prevent "uninformed" users from making mistakes; but It should be our choice what we put out there. IMHO.
I not a developer by far, and a long-time lurker of XDA, I wish I had the ability to change Touchwiz to include this.
starmanj said:
Thanks for information, looks like Touchwiz is way behind times-- Iphone has had this for a while, and even before it was on IOS there were Cydia apps that could do this. I'm astonished Android can't do this.
So I guess I have to throw out the AT&T ROM to get rid of Touchwiz?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets clear some things up...
First and foremost, Touchwiz is the name of the User Interface that we see. Its not an application, it is not a launcher (Nova) or anything, just the User Interface. With that said, Touchwiz features are the extra gimmicks added to the phone like Air View and whatnot. This is the ROM given by Samsung as stock, it has nothing to do with Android itself. So comparing Apple to Oranges (Samsung) is different than comparing iOS to Android (which you are not doing).
So "being behind on times" has nothing to do with Android itself. If you were to load a AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROM is it the same? Running AOSP on the phone is a different experience than running Touchwiz. It is closer to the Nexus stock experience than using Samsung stock ROM and is what Google wants as Android. So if you want to compare Android and state that your astonished it doesn't do something, then test it on AOSP based ROM and see if Android could do it.
As it has been confirmed anyways that what you want can be done running an AOSP ROM...
captivatingtab said:
This is correct.... Just tested this on PAC ROM and I could access the camera and other lock screen widgets with both a pattern and pin lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nakedninja42 you are absolutely correct, thanks. I should say that I'm astonished that Samsung wouldn't offer this on their ROM.
Having said that, and maybe off-topic, my conclusion in moving from Apple to Android is Google allows far too much modification from the manufacturers and carriers to ensure a consistently good experience. Perhaps that's the nature of its open-source approach, but man has it been a massive pain trying to get a quality experience. Bluetooth problems, terrible lag, inconsistent application of UI rules, terrible battery drain-- in exchange for a more open environment (which, yes, is very important to me). Jury is out, I'm still trying to find a good working environment, not giving up yet.
starmanj said:
nakedninja42 you are absolutely correct, thanks. I should say that I'm astonished that Samsung wouldn't offer this on their ROM.
Having said that, and maybe off-topic, my conclusion in moving from Apple to Android is Google allows far too much modification from the manufacturers and carriers to ensure a consistently good experience. Perhaps that's the nature of its open-source approach, but man has it been a massive pain trying to get a quality experience. Bluetooth problems, terrible lag, inconsistent application of UI rules, terrible battery drain-- in exchange for a more open environment (which, yes, is very important to me). Jury is out, I'm still trying to find a good working environment, not giving up yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But as the consumer you have the choice on what you buy. If you want something that has X set of features you can buy it (Nexus for example), if you want other features you buy a different phone. This is not unlike buying a car - most cars (these days) have Bluetooth, but the implementations vary greatly.
You bought a phone with Android, and most stores let you compare dozens of models side by side. If Camera on the lock screen is a requirement, it is easy to test drive to find one that supports this.
My phone is rooted and stock - it has no lag and works fantastically well with superior battery life to any smartphone i have owned. Touchwiz is not perfect, but neither is stock android IMO.
Yes, this is off topic, but the point is that if you want only one way to do something, and only one way, then Apple is for you. I recommend iphones to the technically challenged and older people - they can't get lost. The home button is always there and bails them out from any screen. And I can always help them get to settings and menus are 100% consistent. These people don't want widgets and don't want to do any customization, they want simple consistent experience. Android gives choices and that may mean that one phone has a feature that another phone does not. But then there are 3rd party apps that usually step in to fix things.
Widget locker may let you put the camera on the lockscreen - has anyone tried that?
starmanj said:
Came from Iphone where you can use camera even from a passcode-locked lockscreen. All the answers on the net require a NON-passcode locked lockscreen to get to the camera.
Are there any ways around this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kjay's framework allows it. You'll need to be on a BMEA ROM to use iy though.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42350844
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
starmanj said:
nakedninja42 you are absolutely correct, thanks. I should say that I'm astonished that Samsung wouldn't offer this on their ROM.
Having said that, and maybe off-topic, my conclusion in moving from Apple to Android is Google allows far too much modification from the manufacturers and carriers to ensure a consistently good experience. Perhaps that's the nature of its open-source approach, but man has it been a massive pain trying to get a quality experience. Bluetooth problems, terrible lag, inconsistent application of UI rules, terrible battery drain-- in exchange for a more open environment (which, yes, is very important to me). Jury is out, I'm still trying to find a good working environment, not giving up yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nature of the game... Open-Source...
I haven't had any battery drains... in fact when I go to bed at night, I have ~50% left with the same usage I had on the S3 @ 10%. GoldenEye ROM solved all my other qualms with TouchWiz. I did find it annoying that I cannot use my widgets on the lockscreen that I removed my pattern/pin lock. I generally prefer running AOSP ROMs like CyanogenMOD, but I am waiting for the release of the Google SGS4 to see if the stability improves.
Yes I am waiting for the Google S4 ROM as well. I have CM on all my HP Touchpads so am a bit leary of quality of the device drivers for S4 at this point. The official Google version will fix that.
Theoretically, couldn't someone just find the files for the lockscreen and edit the code to allow it? I mean, it's like natively there already - right?
I haven't tried any custom ROMs, in fact i am pretty close to what the OP is describing, coming from an iPhone and having the learning experience. But I am really bummed I can't do it. lol
So bottom line is there any ROM that will allow the use of camera shortcuts or lockscreen widgets while having a secure lockscreen?
blackguy101 said:
So bottom line is there any ROM that will allow the use of camera shortcuts or lockscreen widgets while having a secure lockscreen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW no, AOSP yes.
---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------
shadowfiber said:
Theoretically, couldn't someone just find the files for the lockscreen and edit the code to allow it? I mean, it's like natively there already - right?
I haven't tried any custom ROMs, in fact i am pretty close to what the OP is describing, coming from an iPhone and having the learning experience. But I am really bummed I can't do it. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, yes. I am interested in this myself. I started programming a year ago and haven't had time to learn the ends and outs for Android to try yet. I am hoping someone with greater talents might be able to do it...

Effective use of SGS4

Hi guys. I am a proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy S4. I run the stock rom 4.3 rooted and don't use any launcher. I am overall very happy with TouchWiz and don't see why most people hate it. Anyway, somehow I feel that I don't take a full advantage of the phone. I use it to listen music, the calendar for events and tasks, playing some racing games, use some widgets for a quick info, watching videos on youtube, taking quick notes. I should say that I find most of the s apps useful, don't know why so many people are hating them. What is the reason? Also I will be interested in how you are using your s4
I truly dont understand the touchwiz hate either ... especially for those who have galaxy s line phones before ... If you don't like it why you bought it? Still touch wiz is a heavy skin but I don't actually feel that the phone is slow ... It s just feels slower than nexus and htc one because of its animations not because it's actually slow ... Still If your phone does without problems those things you expect it to do every day them you are using it effectively ... There is no reason of getting to take advantage all of its features of you don't actually need them
AvelonTs said:
I truly dont understand the touchwiz hate either ... especially for those who have galaxy s line phones before ... If you don't like it why you bought it? Still touch wiz is a heavy skin but I don't actually feel that the phone is slow ... It s just feels slower than nexus and htc one because of its animations not because it's actually slow ... Still If your phone does without problems those things you expect it to do every day them you are using it effectively ... There is no reason of getting to take advantage all of its features of you don't actually need them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking just for myself, I do not necessary dislike Touchwiz. However, I do not like the fact that through Touchwiz, Samsung has forced upon myself a myriad of what I (and many others) consider, bloatware. All the bloatware causes the device to function slower and be more laggy. Case and point, I had 4.2.2 on my S4 with most bloatware removed and it was snappy and responsive. I recently flashed 4.3 and it was sluggish to say the least. Then I proceeded to remove all the bloatware and after such, my device restore to the same level of snappiness.
What I suggest is to play around with camera. Just try every mode and know how it works and how to use it properly so you can get the best out of camera at the proper time in future.
Secondly get some nice HD games, Like Asphalt 8 (It is now free), Call of duty etc.
and if you like the multiplayer madness, I'd suggest Shadowgun:deadzone, Respawnables, Modern Combat 4 etc.
I'm planning to make a thread for making a clan/group of S4 users and rule one of those best multiplayer games.
Now i'm the stock rom after flashing dozin of custom rom. Non of custom rom is not as stable as stock rom.
fuser1337 said:
What I suggest is to play around with camera. Just try every mode and know how it works and how to use it properly so you can get the best out of camera at the proper time in future.
Secondly get some nice HD games, Like Asphalt 8 (It is now free), Call of duty etc.
and if you like the multiplayer madness, I'd suggest Shadowgun:deadzone, Respawnables, Modern Combat 4 etc.
I'm planning to make a thread for making a clan/group of S4 users and rule one of those best multiplayer games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets us know when get that thread up, I would like to join in the multiplayer madness:laugh:
The only reason I use TW is battery life and Camera software other than that I prefer AOSP. TW Dialer/Contact/Launcher make me headache. Of course I removed all SS Craps when I use TW fw. If the AOSP kitkat is stable I will switch in a heart beat.
i really like TW and i agree that many S apps are really good.I am sticking with TW till cyan will come with 4.4
fuser1337 said:
What I suggest is to play around with camera. Just try every mode and know how it works and how to use it properly so you can get the best out of camera at the proper time in future.
Secondly get some nice HD games, Like Asphalt 8 (It is now free), Call of duty etc.
and if you like the multiplayer madness, I'd suggest Shadowgun:deadzone, Respawnables, Modern Combat 4 etc.
I'm planning to make a thread for making a clan/group of S4 users and rule one of those best multiplayer games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I actually play a lot of this games. Let us know if you make a clan/group and i will join you guys definitely.
asbanoglou said:
i really like TW and i agree that many S apps are really good.I am sticking with TW till cyan will come with 4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.4 is already out, with minor bugs.
http://www.droidcrave.com/install-a...galaxy-s4-i9505-lte-via-cyanogenmod-11-guide/
I use my S4 for listening to music (emphasis on this haha), use the camera a lot, play some games, watch some videos and as a "media controller/server" (along with my other two tablets and TV). Also I navigate in the internet a lot and use Tapatalk a lot too. I have dual-booted it, so I have all the benefits from TW on it and when I get bored I can go back to AOSP, which is another ROM I really like. I owned a X10 Mini Pro before S4, so I didn't really know what was a fast phone. But I had a Motorola Xoom, so that was my comparing parameter, and as I was used to AOSP on it I felt the need of installing on S4 too. And by the same time I got a S4 I got a Nexus 10, so AOSP was even better for me by then!
It was just a matter of opinion, I really like the AOSP ROM, as it comes with almost zero things and is way lighter than TW, but if you're happy with TW you should have no worries on keeping it. Here's a small pros and cons by me:
Touchwiz
Pros:
HD Icons
Samsung apps
Group Play
More S4-friendly settings
More customization options
Cons:
Slower than AOSP
Many of Samsung apps are bloatware
If badly set up battery drains way faster
Part of the interface looks childish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP:
Pros:
Faster
Lighter
Less bloatware
More System space
Simpler
Stock Nexus look
Cons:
Doesn't have S4 "signature" features
Less customization options
Icons doesn't have the same resolution as on TW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope this helps .
fuser1337 said:
What I suggest is to play around with camera. Just try every mode and know how it works and how to use it properly so you can get the best out of camera at the proper time in future.
Secondly get some nice HD games, Like Asphalt 8 (It is now free), Call of duty etc.
and if you like the multiplayer madness, I'd suggest Shadowgun:deadzone, Respawnables, Modern Combat 4 etc.
I'm planning to make a thread for making a clan/group of S4 users and rule one of those best multiplayer games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! I want to enter that clan!! I'm a monster on MC4 hehe (I'm Brigadier General, I'm just lazy of playing more to level up )... And also on Asphalt 7 (I'm not THAT good on 8) and play a little of Shadowgun Deadzone too lol. Tell me more about this group when you manage to create it hahaha!
XxLordxX said:
Oh! I want to enter that clan!! I'm a monster on MC4 hehe (I'm Brigadier General, I'm just lazy of playing more to level up )... And also on Asphalt 7 (I'm not THAT good on 8) and play a little of Shadowgun Deadzone too lol. Tell me more about this group when you manage to create it hahaha!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2523910
I'm on the TW bandwagon.
What I like:
- Native Facebook syncing,
- AirView handy for quick previews on emails and SMS,
- AirView in stock music player, hover over to see full titles, hover over previous and forward to see track,
- Adapt Sound - makes music louder, also in the phone app, 4 different options, and a button to make it even louder in very noisy situations, useful,
- Camera, many modes and options, unlike AOSP, Samsung & HTC etc implement burst mode, useful,
- S Planner - I like it, better than AOSP Calender, again ties in with native Facebook syncing, when it's mates birthday S Planner allows me to post on their walls,
- Notification toggles, AOSP you have to 2 finger slide for toggles, TW is always their and useful, built in natively yes there are apps that can replicate this,
- Not a TW thing but IR, useful, like having one remote for all your devices, pair it with Smart IR app and you've got a harmony all in one plus more,
- Gestures, I use the quick wave over the phone to see time and if I have had any notifications, and also the call one were you can wave your hand to answer, useful when my hands are dirty etc,
Some features are useful and having somethings built in natively is also useful.
Thing's I don't like:
- The look, it's dated and needs a revamp, Samsung have said they are going to focus on software so things can only improve,
- Not as smooth or fast as AOSP, again due to the bloatware etc but it's not bad at all, Nexus devices are fantastic and feel fast and fluid in comparison, hopefully 4.4 will improve on things,
Other than that I am still happy with my S4 rooted running Omega 4.3. I had the N5 but kept my S4 as I couldn't see the point in changing so soon, may as well wait until next year and see what else crops up and hopefully further software updates improve on the user experience further more.

Resurrecting the spark Galaxy S5 somehow lost

I feel like my phone got extremely boring and harsh to use day to day, it lacks the initial freshness and stuff like that, it just isn't so fly like it was a few weeks ago. I was wondering if someone could bring up some root tweaks to refresh the user experience, possibly without losing the original rom
main43 said:
I feel like my phone got extremely boring and harsh to use day to day, it lacks the initial freshness and stuff like that, it just isn't so fly like it was a few weeks ago. I was wondering if someone could bring up some root tweaks to refresh the user experience, possibly without losing the original rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try installing Xposed installer, it has some nice modules to add looks and fuctionality to the phone.
First, thank you for your quick response.
I already have Wanam and squashed every fancy bit out of it, but it just doesn't feel so alive even through it looks at it best. I would apprecciate if someone could acknowledge some tweaks that can do things like gesture swiping between multitasked applications, like in chrome for android and its tabs, or as it was on old iPhones with some tweaks from Cydia.
I feel the same way too. Unfortunately, the phone really was well made and Android has come a long way. There aren't many things to really mod.
Even the kernels aren't important as much because the battery life is far superior to previous Samsung phones.
The only reason I use a custom kernel is for the fast charge.
A potential bug for installing xposed is S Health not working(can work through build prop edit ) and air gestures not working at all.
Air gestures work well with mine, i thought something should be worked out with the basic framework, like they did with the volume panel when you increase or decrease the volume, it moves smoothly now, not in small cut steps like on previous firmwares. Small bits like that add to the experience and when they are composed good, it can turn out very well. Aah if i could work in some UI development..
I love that you came up with this thread! I have been feeling the same way. Got everything pretty close to how I like it between rooting and many xposed mods. Don't really want to accept that maybe I don't need to constantly be on XDA finding new tweaks to try. I guess with my previous S3 I got so used to all the custom roms I could play with that would each feel a little different. I think a big problem with the xposed mods is that once you have found and used them they are pretty much always available whatever ROM you use as long as you have root. Once you have found that particular module and enjoyed its unique abilities it becomes an expected part of your experience from then on. And now most of them can do almost all the same things as the most feature rich custom Roms. Thankfully it looks like CM is finally starting to roll out for the S5 and hopefully the usual suspects and some surprise Roms will pop up. Unfortunately I've already played with almost all of the CM11 based ones on my S3 already so I think there will not be a whole lot of freshness there. Oh poor me! Bring on Android L!
Tapped It!
I hope something will be done with system physics and touch picking behaviour, i love Android and would love it to have the same feel like iPhone when scrolling etc. Try it and you will know what i mean. And i know it is very possible even with an open OS like Android so shut up and develop the fresh out of it.

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