[Q] Changing Browser's screen resolution / disabling Use Wide Viewport - Omni Q&A

Hi All,
It is well known that browsers do not report exact screen resolution, e.g. on 1920x1200 tablet it reports 1280x752, on 1080x1920 phone it reports 360x592 (same stock Browser of OmniROM). This way the viewport size is being managed. But what if I want to make things smaller ( = increase reported resolution), where in a Browser's APK can I do that? Changing build.prop is not an option, that will affect all the apps.
In other words, when we build a ROM for a specific device where can we specify screen resolution for it?
Thanks...
Edit:
Compared to different browsers and figured out its more about "Wide Viewport" that needs to be switched OFF to get what I want. It was possible to get old pre-KitKat browsers to Debug mode and switch it there, but no options for one in KitKat. Anyone knows how to remove Wide Viewport functionality from the APK itself?

Related

Blurry images

Anybody else notice that images in Dolphin & stock browser appear somewhat blurry and pixelated, particularly on Honeycomb tablets? It appears that these browsers try to fit the page to the screen and end up stretching images out a bit resulting in a soft appearance. I've tested this on my own Web site which uses 900px images and no matter what I can't get Dolphin or the stock browser to render it 1:1 as 900px. Instead the images seem to stretch the entire screen on my Galaxy Tab 10.1 (1280px wide). The result is a soft and pixelated images.
Alternatively, Opera Mobile seems to do a better job at rendering the images. As they do appear 1:1 and look every bit as sharp as how I see it on my desktop monitor.
I tried disabling 'Fit Web page to screen' in Dolphin's settings but that did not change anything in regards to the image rendering. Is there any way to achieve sharper images using the stock browser or Dolphin?
The default browser (and Dolphin) try to scale images to fit the width of the tablet. I figured out that by going into the browser's debug mode and toggling "Use Wide ViewPort" it disabled image scaling. The result is you get sharp images that are at 1:1 pixels. I just wish that there was a way to have this permanent instead of always having to go into the about:debug mode whenever the browser is loaded.
I'm not sure how to go about doing this in Dolphin HD or Pad versions though, since I'm not familiar with how to get into their debug modes.
I assume you are on KG6, if so you could either modify the framework or since he seems like a nice guy you could ask froli13 to mod it for you to run wide viewport, there is a thread in the dev section that changes the user agent to desktop http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17437874&postcount=110
I use dolphin for pad exclusively and never had any problems (except some sites with drop-down menus don't work).

[Q] Smaller font (Working?)

Okay, great device... but really annoying that most apps don't make use of the extra real estate on the screen. Most apps are just blown up versions of for example the Galaxy S2 apps. Meaning most apps are the same but 5.3/4.2 = 1.26 times bigger That's at least a pity The contacts app displays the same amount of contacts on a screen as the Galaxy S2 or S but... with a 1.26 x bigger font (compared to the S2) and 5.3/4=1.33 (lol) x bigger font compared to the Galaxy S
Fortunately there seems to be a setting in the accessibility settings that allows the user to decrease the font in some stock apps. Unfortunately this doesn't work. At least not on my device. Anyone got this working?
And yes, ICS would be a great improvement for such a big screen device.
Is that possible to set another density for the device (maybe you have to root it first)?
siamchen said:
Is that possible to set another density for the device (maybe you have to root it first)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd have to root it first, and then push the density down. Not ideal, as some apps then run in a box on the screen, but it does make for smaller fonts, and you can cram more widgets on the screen etc.
I run my HD2 at 160, but then again I have had my eyes lasered!
Root
Go to system/build.prop
Open in editor
change the value of lcd from 240 to 192
See the difference.
U can always go back
All apps wont be scaled to the new lcd value.
eg: TW in sgsII does not scale.
However i always used this value and did not use TW.
Looks very interesting but I'm afraid that I'm not s pro
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App
density change doesn't address the question
Hey ho wait..... this wasn't the question. So does the fontsize changing option work for you guys?
appelflap said:
Hey ho wait..... this wasn't the question. So does the fontsize changing option work for you guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think change the font size setting in gingerbread is for display text in text editor or web browser instead of the launcher and most other application as they have their own fixed font size. You cannot do anything to those applications as they has been programmed that way.
siamchen said:
I think change the font size setting in gingerbread is for display text in text editor or web browser instead of the launcher and most other application as they have their own fixed font size. You cannot do anything to those applications as they has been programmed that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With stock apps I mean the Samsung apps. In the accessibility settings there's an option to change the font size "in the following applications: S planner, Email, Contacts and Messaging" (as stated in the accessibility settings)
Unfortunately this setting doesn't work on my jk4 rom. Maybe others have luck on other roms. Seems like a very usuable option for the note.
drgopoos said:
Root
Go to system/build.prop
Open in editor
change the value of lcd from 240 to 192
See the difference.
U can always go back
All apps wont be scaled to the new lcd value.
eg: TW in sgsII does not scale.
However i always used this value and did not use TW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My lcd.density (or so) was set to 320 on stock!
I changed it to 280 and the system looks now nicer!
Actually, I measured the tab and my calculation would be around 270-280 dpi.
Has anybody other/better data?
By the way, 1st problem after changing lcd density is in S Memo! Background seem to have a fixed 'smaller size' which are then placed wrongly
Another impact: The email-widget does not fit on screen any more (using Launcher Pro) ... Hope in ICS they will fix some of those screen size problems!
fscherz said:
My lcd.density (or so) was set to 320 on stock!
I changed it to 280 and the system looks now nicer!
Actually, I measured the tab and my calculation would be around 270-280 dpi.
Has anybody other/better data?
By the way, 1st problem after changing lcd density is in S Memo! Background seem to have a fixed 'smaller size' which are then placed wrongly
Another impact: The email-widget does not fit on screen any more (using Launcher Pro) ... Hope in ICS they will fix some of those screen size problems!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't try it myself yet but I bet it will give a whole lot of trouble with almost every Samsung app on this xhdpi device. Like HTC, they exactly target the screen for which they write software. Unlike most android apps in the market, targeting screens with different specs isn't important. Scaling isn't a requirement for these stock apps. ICS will not solve the problem, because it is still up to the developer which screens will be targeted.
Anyway, back to the original question, I think it is safe to conclude that the font setting doesn't work for anyone. So it is a bug.
I have rooted my phone and tried to use Spare Parts to change the font size to Extremely Small. It works instantly and make the application much more usable. But, there is a problem: The font size will change back to Normal after few hours by itself. Anyone has the same problem?
siamchen said:
I have rooted my phone and tried to use Spare Parts to change the font size to Extremely Small. It works instantly and make the application much more usable. But, there is a problem: The font size will change back to Normal after few hours by itself. Anyone has the same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that method also won't scale down graphics to match the smaller fonts. LCD Density Changer accomplishes that and works well.

Font Size Too Small

Emails, most software programs, and most everything in general, great resolution, but font so small makes it hard to even see at times. I have a Note with 1280X800 resolution and font size is great, very readable but Tab 7.7 w/same resolution, but different size screen, more real estate and font appears to be 50% smaller. I have read it is Honeycomb w/no font adjustment opportunities and the Note is Gingerbread 2.3.6. Maybe ICS 4.2 once available, which combines all smartphones and tablets into a standard OS, will fix this.
Great to have the resolution, but when you can't adjust or read some of the print, then becomes difficult to support the cost, of the device. Browser is fine, that can be pinched to increase size, but the rest of the software, etc can't. The Samsung provided email client is really small, small enough I wonder if they even considered looking at the various software programs that came on the device. The actual emails are small, on inbox emails you can hit screen once for one size bump, but if you are replying, or forwarding etc, and you want to refer to what the email said, you can hardly see the print, and can't adjust at all.
I have rooted the 7.7 so have tried 2 software programs, LCD Resolution and LCD Density, doesn't work properly, which I was told before I tried by someone who really knows all this, don't bother, won't work.
So waited 4 months to get 7.7, and now difficult to read because font too small. Then I use the Note, which has a 5.3" screen, and I can read everything perfect. Why can't 7.7 read comparable to it's smaller brother, the Note 5.3? If the font size of the Note would be on the Tab 7.7 that would be perfect.
Any thoughts?
Good points hope to get someone elses input.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
HC has the ability to import fonts but I'm not sure if there is any other bigger font available.
I would like to know of a way to get a larger font as well.. the stock font is indeed to small..
Sent from another Galaxy...
Tab 7.7
Just you and I
apparently just you and I are concerned.
After looking into this a but more, there are no other ways to make the font "bigger".
You could try add the line "ro.sf.lcd_density=xxx"(where xxx is the size, stock on HC is 160) to the build.prop and set it that way. However dont say I didnt warn you, just make sure you have the ability to pull the build.prop file and remove that line.
There is the option to "Stretch to fill screen" However most things will look distored. And this will only work if the app has tablet support.
Aa a rule of thumb, take your computer, and bump up the resolution on your desktop monitor. What happends, font, icons, and everything gets smaller. Reason to believe the 7.7 is running at the true 1280x800 while the Galaxy Note is not.
2 other possibilities are ask samsung, or install some sort of "font changer" from the market and install a bigger font.
The Note is set at 320 DPI which is double the setting of 160 on the 7.7. So everything is scaled bigger. Android uses DPI settings to determine what size icons to use, what size range to use in fonts, etc. More DPI, bigger icons, larger font.
Want to see something interesting, lower the DPI on the Note (or device of your choice) down to 240, or even 160. Things get SMALLER, not bigger.
If you want to increase the 7.7's DPI, I recommend you do not go higher than 214 or you'll no longer be considered a "tablet". Higher than 214 the lockscreen will change to be more phone-like, and you may not be able to access tablet versions of apps.
Someone mentioned that his Tab is screwed when he changed the DPI. It's in one of the other threads. Proceed with caution.
well, I'm using ICS on the original tab and it has the option to make the font bigger. if only you could wait
nascar24usa said:
Emails, most software programs, and most everything in general, great resolution, but font so small makes it hard to even see at times. I have a Note with 1280X800 resolution and font size is great, very readable but Tab 7.7 w/same resolution, but different size screen, more real estate and font appears to be 50% smaller. I have read it is Honeycomb w/no font adjustment opportunities and the Note is Gingerbread 2.3.6. Maybe ICS 4.2 once available, which combines all smartphones and tablets into a standard OS, will fix this.
Great to have the resolution, but when you can't adjust or read some of the print, then becomes difficult to support the cost, of the device. Browser is fine, that can be pinched to increase size, but the rest of the software, etc can't. The Samsung provided email client is really small, small enough I wonder if they even considered looking at the various software programs that came on the device. The actual emails are small, on inbox emails you can hit screen once for one size bump, but if you are replying, or forwarding etc, and you want to refer to what the email said, you can hardly see the print, and can't adjust at all.
I have rooted the 7.7 so have tried 2 software programs, LCD Resolution and LCD Density, doesn't work properly, which I was told before I tried by someone who really knows all this, don't bother, won't work.
So waited 4 months to get 7.7, and now difficult to read because font too small. Then I use the Note, which has a 5.3" screen, and I can read everything perfect. Why can't 7.7 read comparable to it's smaller brother, the Note 5.3? If the font size of the Note would be on the Tab 7.7 that would be perfect.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gmail client has an option to increase the font Size. The browser has pinch to zoom.
And the screen is of such high quality you should be holding it closer to your face.
DPI
This tab is set for DPI 160, actually Tw Launcher is. Changing DPI to higher will make your font and icons bigger but TW will not work and you won't be able to use your tab. Perhaps changing the launcher to any other available one would do it but I didn't try. There are several DPI changing apps on the Market. Personally I am going to wait for the ICS upgrade and then we'll see. On the other hand I had no issues with the original tab to change DPI (I use ADW launcher) but I wouldn't recommend it for this one.
Changing DPI
Thanks. I changed by going into build.prop and added the line, at the bottom, "ro.sf.lcd_density=180". I rebooted and everything worked fine, checked most applications. The difference between 160 to 180 was great, just the right size. I tried 200 but not good, in my mind, too large, and slightly distorted status bar at bottom, but 180 is so much better to see (read) than the pre installed 160.
I never use TouchWiz, so no worries with that. I use Go Launcher, and all good.
I followed your advice. 180 is a lot better with go launcher ex. Only issue is that standard email app now crashes. Gmail still works thanks
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda premium
Sorry
I didn't provide proper info last time.
LCD Density to 180 using Build.prop Editor
I should have done a better job of communicating. Email, whether it is the regular one or even Moxier Mail, neither work, and as far as I can tell, the only software that doesn't work when bumping to 180. I tried clearing data, rebooting, etc., to no avail.
HELP!!
For now I am using k9 mail, which works fine.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Tried pumping up the DPI to 180 with Go EX Launcher. Wall paper screwed up (did not fill the screen and appear broken) so I had to revert.
Wallpaper
Once on, if in portrait and wallpaper short on bottom, turn device to landscape ans should fill in, then back to portrait, then all should be OK.
I'm sure that something can be done with a custom flipfont. Search for flipfont on xda. The fonts are installable apks. You can switch the fonts in the settings (screen - screen display - font)
But there's a limit to the size you can set (that is if you don't mind all kind of overlapping issues in apps and desktop Widgets)
Edit: Big Font (free app in the market) increases the system font. It does some wonderful things.
Thanks Appelflap. Tested the big font apps and it's working but some apps like facebook does not take the change and remain in tiny little font.

[Q] Phone UI at 160 dpi? (CM9)

So, today I decided to test my nook at 240 dpi, now that we can do that without a patch (huge thanks to leapinlar). Overall, I really liked the phone UI with the status bar being at the top and the soft keys at the bottom. My main issue is that all the apps (i.e. GMail, etc) show up in phone mode, which I believe is a waste of screen real estate (although it makes sense with everything being bigger and all).
What I'm wondering if there's any way to have the phone UI (i.e. status bar at top, nav keys at bottom) at 160 dpi, so the apps still show up in the tablet layout.
Does anyone know anything about how to go about doing this?
(I already know that the screen dpi is what defines whether the device considers itself a tablet or a phone (160+ means phone, 160 or less means tablet). Based on this information, I don't think it's possible, but I thought I'd ask anyway.)
It's not possible. The system automatically decides based on dpi. You can set it to 161 and it will be phone. However, each app decides for itself whether to display itself in phone gui or tablet gui. I have seen apps still display in phone even if the nook was in tablet and vice versa. They do their own calculations based on the dpi and other factors. Also some apps come in two versions, a tablet version and a phone version. So you can try 161 or there abouts and see how the apps respond. Be warned though that setting to a non standard dpi (120, 160, or 240) may make Market/Play Store not show all apps. I guess you could set to a standard setting temporarily to make market work right and then once your new app is installed, set it back.
I figured as much. Thanks!
On true ICS compatable devices there is also a setting in build.prop called ro.build.characteristics that can be set =tablet... I don't know if it is enabled in our builds or not.

[Solved] How to change the RESOLUTION (not the DPI??)

I want to change from a 1080x1920 resolution to a 540x960 resolution for the purpose of making games run better by not having to render as much detail.
On a PC, this is SUPER EASY. On Android, it's a headache, notably on Moto G4 where all the "DPI Changing Apps" don't do anything. So don't suggest those, please. I've tried a handful.
I've even tried to edit the build.prop file, but there is nothing in there related to DPI or Resolution.
The best I have gotten is going into Developer Options and changing "Smallest Width" from 400 dp to as low as 360 dp (setting any lower, and it reverts to 360). I have tried as high as 1080 dp, but at that point the UI elements are getting too small to interact with reliably, so I didn't try to find what the highest possible value is.
Even at 360 dp, screenshots on my phone are saved at 1080 x 1920 which is not what I'm looking for.
Even more confusing, doing "Simulate secondary displays" and simulating a 1080p resolution results in only the top left quarter of my screen being filled, as opposed to 4K filling my entire screen. So it seems the resolution of the screen is 4K??
Ultimately, my goal is to reduce my resolution to make games take less resources and ultimately conserve on battery. If you have an actual answer that you have personally tried with success, that would be great.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...nger&hl=en&rdid=com.chornerman.easydpichanger
This solved it! This actually includes a resolution option, which is what I'm looking for. Thank you to reddit user /u/finewhitelady.
Edit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sagar.screenshift2 I like this app better because it comes with profiles, a persistent notification for toggling between custom and default resolutions, and even setting on a per-app basis which is great for my intended purposes of reducing resolutions in games to preserve battery life. While I'm not a fan of persistent notifications, I could easily construct an Automate widget to toggle between the two settings which is wonderful for the times I do need full resolution in my games.
Did it work to save battery, and make games run smoother?

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