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My biggest actual usability issue with Nexus 7 is the home icons. It's too easy to swipe them during game play, especially annoying when you are trying to keep the kids busy. I'd like a mod with 2 options:
1. Drag it to the top (or the side?)
2. Even better, Make it go away until the table is "sleeped" and restarted.
Is there an simple option/rom that does these 2 simple things without tons of stuff I don't care about (that affect updates, etc)? If not, which mods do you recommend and feel good about that can at least do this?
Thanks
I'm not understanding what you're asking. How can you swipe away home screen icons when you are playing a game that takes up the whole screen? Using an alternate launcher from the market, like Apex launcher, will allow you to lock the desktop so that no changes can be made until you unlock it again.
When I play a full screen game I don't want to have any OS home/etc icons that can be swiped accidently. I just want to have to exit through a menu, or sleep the device (tap the power button) and wake it up again so the icons return (since not all games have an exit feature). Locking my home screen or desktop does me no good when I am in a game. I'll give apex a try, but it looks to me like it doesn't do what I want. I'm satisfied with the stock environment except for the one issue I describe. How many times have you accidently left a game?
easily_confused said:
When I play a full screen game I don't want to have any OS home/etc icons that can be swiped accidently. I just want to have to exit through a menu, or sleep the device (tap the power button) and wake it up again so the icons return (since not all games have an exit feature). Locking my home screen or desktop does me no good when I am in a game. I'll give apex a try, but it looks to me like it doesn't do what I want. I'm satisfied with the stock environment except for the one issue I describe. How many times have you accidently left a game?
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Click to collapse
I would say the best way to do what you're trying to do is to flash Paranoid Android or another ROM that offers what is called "expanded desktop mode".
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1800268
Basically "expanded desktop mode" is exactly what you are asking for. When you briefly hold down the power button in Paranoid Android (and this works in any app) a menu pops up that allows you to select "expanded desktop mode" which makes the navigation bar disappear. The navigation bar will reappear when you briefly hold down the power button again and select "expanded desktop mode again".
This feature may be part of other ROMs based on cyanogenmod but I'm not 100% sure. Maybe another member with more knowledge can weigh in on this.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
I used paranoid android on my htc sensation. It is a cool Rom with a lot of features!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Extended Desktop Mode will certainly do the job. But, I don't really want a major desktop redo (I know, that attitude isn't in the spirit of the great things the developers do here). Is there anyway to just install an extended desktop app?
It doesn't even need to be an extended desktop (the screen space isn't a big issue), Just a disabled home bar would do the trick.
Anyway to make a rom with just that feature? (I have some programming skills) Not sure where to start though. Just trying for a minimalist solution.
Thanks for helping. It's really appreciated. I learn a little more every day about what is happening here.
Hi,
I have my PC hooked up on my big LCD, on which I like to play my games.
So to lauch my games on that screen, I always have to switch primary display.
(go to desktop > right click > change resolution > make primary display)
Is there an easier way to do this?
I have searched a lot, but have never found something..
It would be awesome to just be able to manange your apps and configure on which display the have to open..
Maybe Win+P will be good ?
regards
Thanks, but that doesn't really help..
To play my game on second monitor I whould then have to choose the option 'second screen only'.
Which is kind of worse then how I do it now
I am pretty sure full screen programs launch only on the primary display. That has been my experience since 7.
JihadSquad said:
I am pretty sure full screen programs launch only on the primary display. That has been my experience since 7.
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Click to collapse
yeah.. that's the problem, but I want it to launch on the secondary display
There's a keyboard shortcut for moving apps between monitors in Win8. I believe it's Ctrl+Win+arrow key (I'm not at my multi-mon system at the moment). I haven't tried it with a full-screen app yet, but you may want to give it a shot. It's said to work with Store apps (which are full screen) just fine.
Are you talking about the Modern UI games or Desktop?
If it is the Modern UI games, then just open the Start Screen on that monitor by pulling your mouse to the lower left corner of the screen until you see the Start Screen "icon" show up and click.
Launch the Modern UI app/game from there and it will launch from whatever screen the Start Screen was on.
Now, if you are talking about Desktop Apps/Games, that's another monster. Most will remember which display they were last opened from.
What I do with Metro apps is click the top and drag down, like I'm going to kill the app, but instead just drag it to whatever screen I want it on. For non-Metro apps like the post before mine said, most programs will remember the window they were on last.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, Metro apps aren't the problem either, like you guys say, they worked that out just fine.
I'm talking about desktop apps (like most games still are, and will be for a while I think).
Most games don't remember the last display the were on, they just open on the primary display for me..
Have you tied Win+Page Down ?
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mmfh/
Try this.
That looked exactly like what I need!
Being able to create a rule for an application, so that it launches on the display you want.
But I'm afraid the app doesn't work as perfect as I'd hoped..
I've tried many different settings, but games like far cry 3 or assassin's creed 3 still open on my primary display..
For Far Cry a quick alt + tab does the job (then it goes to my secondary display in borderless window), but it's not perfect..
But thanks! I'll keep it, I'll play with it some more.
Yes, it scans on intervals of time I think, and I haven't used it for games, but I believe you're supposed to make sure the game is in windowed mode first.
Yeah, kind of got it to work for Hitman, but not perfect, like I said.
Perhaps another solution:
Would it be possible to create a shortcut/hotkey to switch primary display?
The advantage of windows 8 is that switching primary display doesn't change a lot for your open windows, or start menu.
They just remain on the same display.
That would make it very easy to quickly swap primary display and start the game from start menu.
Win+P, duplicate displays.
Nope, that won't work either, aspect ratio is different.
I use extended display, so I always just make display 2 the primary before starting the game.
I was able to make a shortcut to het screen resolution config screen now, so I at least don't need go to desktop, right click... anymore now
(shortcut: C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl)
After using the Fire TV for a while I figured I would share my most inportant app. Its an app that I never really cared about using on other devices, but could not live without it on the Fire TV. Dock4Droid is awesome on the fire TV. Not only does it make multitasking funtional, but it gives you the ability to uninstall apps from anywhere. If you have an app open, just click the gear and the app info will popup and let you uninstall it. So you can uninstall several apps withing seconds without having to go all the to the actuall setting menu. If you have the app store apk that shows all your apps on the home screen you can simply open the app, hit the gear, delete the app, delete cache/data, and move on to another app. You can keep apps and shortcuts permanantly on the dock, so if you wanna do a fast reboot from anywhere, you can. It makes using multiple apps super fast. I have mine set to open apps with two finger so all I have to do is just put the cursor near the app and let go of the mouse button and it opens. I do not use the dock background, cause it looks horrible, but the color mist background looks great, and can be set to any color. The only problem is that it causes an artifact along the top and left side when the cusor passes over, but I have found that all apps that can be opened from an activation area do the same on the fire TV. Sidebar, Fancy Switcher etc all cause the same square artifact. Anyway, just thought I would share incase someone was looking for something to make their Fire TV a little easier to navigate through. Feel free to share other apps that are important to use on the Fire TV. No games or entertainment apps, just apps that make using the Fire TV easier or better.
porkenhimer said:
After using the Fire TV for a while I figured I would share my most inportant app. Its an app that I never really cared about using on other devices, but could not live without it on the Fire TV. Dock4Droid is awesome on the fire TV. Not only does it make multitasking funtional, but it gives you the ability to uninstall apps from anywhere. If you have an app open, just click the gear and the app info will popup and let you uninstall it. So you can uninstall several apps withing seconds without having to go all the to the actuall setting menu. If you have the app store apk that shows all your apps on the home screen you can simply open the app, hit the gear, delete the app, delete cache/data, and move on to another app. You can keep apps and shortcuts permanantly on the dock, so if you wanna do a fast reboot from anywhere, you can. It makes using multiple apps super fast. I have mine set to open apps with two finger so all I have to do is just put the cursor near the app and let go of the mouse button and it opens. I do not use the dock background, cause it looks horrible, but the color mist background looks great, and can be set to any color. The only problem is that it causes an artifact along the top and left side when the cusor passes over, but I have found that all apps that can be opened from an activation area do the same on the fire TV. Sidebar, Fancy Switcher etc all cause the same square artifact. Anyway, just thought I would share incase someone was looking for something to make their Fire TV a little easier to navigate through. Feel free to share other apps that are important to use on the Fire TV. No games or entertainment apps, just apps that make using the Fire TV easier or better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find, porkenhimer. What are you using for a mouse? I own Dock4Droid, used it on my Samsung tablet for quite a while.
Would it work on the Fire stick?
Thanks.
I am actually using an offbrand keyboard with touchpad that I got new on ebay for around $5. To be honest this cheap ugly keyboard/touchpad has worked better than anything else I have used on the fire TV. This $5 keyboard has more features and runs better than my $50 dollar keyboard. Not bad for a cheap chinese made keyboard. I use it exclusively for the Fire TV now and it combined with Dock4Droid make my Fire TV amazing. I rarely use the remote unless I am using Kodi. With Dock4Droid I can just go from app to app without ever needing to go to the homescreen too ofton. Plus I can force close apps from anywhere with Dock4Droid, so if an app is acting up there is no need to go all the way to the manage apps screen I can just close it instantly with Dock4Droid. I can be watching something in Kodi and need to look something up on google, I just popup Dock4Droid and open the browser while Kodi still plays in the baackgroud for me to listen, which is nice., cause I do not have to use the home button. I am pretty sure it will work on the stick too.
porkenhimer said:
I am actually using an offbrand keyboard with touchpad that I got new on ebay for around $5. To be honest this cheap ugly keyboard/touchpad has worked better than anything else I have used on the fire TV. This $5 keyboard has more features and runs better than my $50 dollar keyboard. Not bad for a cheap chinese made keyboard. I use it exclusively for the Fire TV now and it combined with Dock4Droid make my Fire TV amazing. I rarely use the remote unless I am using Kodi. With Dock4Droid I can just go from app to app without ever needing to go to the homescreen too ofton. Plus I can force close apps from anywhere with Dock4Droid, so if an app is acting up there is no need to go all the way to the manage apps screen I can just close it instantly with Dock4Droid. I can be watching something in Kodi and need to look something up on google, I just popup Dock4Droid and open the browser while Kodi still plays in the baackgroud for me to listen, which is nice., cause I do not have to use the home button. I am pretty sure it will work on the stick too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, porkenhimer, I really appreciate it.
I can't figure out how to get to the configuration options. I'm only able to get to the screen to turn it on and off.
Just go to manage all apps and open Dock4Droid.
I can open it but there is only around 4 options. I can't find any of the configuration options as shown in the YouTube video. There's a part at the bottom that shows Launchers, but it's empty.
Jedis said:
I can open it but there is only around 4 options. I can't find any of the configuration options as shown in the YouTube video. There's a part at the bottom that shows Launchers, but it's empty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your inbox on here, cause I sent instructions to you.
I gave it a try. I guess if you are using a keyboard with mouse mode all the time it is handy. It would be more useful if the app bar would stay active after being clicked. I can only figure out how to select an item from the bar by keeping the mouse button pushed and scrolling around to highlight the app icon and letting go.
Unless I missed a setting somewhere ... I dont see how to be able to use the app without using both hands and multi-touch.
mscroggi said:
I gave it a try. I guess if you are using a keyboard with mouse mode all the time it is handy. It would be more useful if the app bar would stay active after being clicked. I can only figure out how to select an item from the bar by keeping the mouse button pushed and scrolling around to highlight the app icon and letting go.
Unless I missed a setting somewhere ... I dont see how to be able to use the app without using both hands and multi-touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have it set to open apps with a finger up swipe then all you have to do is put the cursor anywhere in the area of an app that shows the label and let go of the mouse button. You do not really need to do a finger up swipe to open apps, just put the cursor in any apps area and let go of the button. The app that shows a label will be the app that opens. Also to get the dock to stay on screen all you have to do is set it to open apps with one click or two clicks and when you activate Dock4Droid it willl stay up til you click once or twice on the app. Some other settings I have set is making the icons 12pix, cause the icons become sharper the smaller they are. I also have my activation area set to the bottom at 100% with the smallest width and invisible, cause that way it does not interfere with anything else on the screen. All I have to do is put my cursor in the bottom right corner and press the mouse and it activates.
porkenhimer said:
If you have it set to open apps with a finger up swipe then all you have to do is put the cursor anywhere in the area of an app that shows the label and let go of the mouse button. You do not really need to do a finger up swipe to open apps, just put the cursor in any apps area and let go of the button. The app that shows a label will be the app that opens. Also to get the dock to stay on screen all you have to do is set it to open apps with one click or two clicks and when you activate Dock4Droid it willl stay up til you click once or twice on the app. Some other settings I have set is making the icons 12pix, cause the icons become sharper the smaller they are. I also have my activation area set to the bottom at 100% with the smallest width and invisible, cause that way it does not interfere with anything else on the screen. All I have to do is put my cursor in the bottom right corner and press the mouse and it activates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm Are you running this on a stick? I finally got it to basicallly work.. I was never able to get the bar to show without clicking the mouse and moving the cursor at the same time. My issues had to do with which keyboard I was using .. There were a bunch of settings I could not get to. I could scroll down a poage.. but no further... doing alt->down would bounce me to the bottom page, but I was never able to get to the pages inbetween. My ipazzport has a <<<<>>>>> bar on the touchpad that would let me get to the settings between the top page and the bottom page.. I was able to get some things set and then go back to my other keyboard. My normal keyboard mini BT keyboard has mouse buttons on the left and right side.. which makes the multi touch thing fairly easy. I will play with it and see how I like it over time.. On the surface, I think maybe the firedtv app might be a better fit for me.. as I dont always use the keyboard.
Jacksmyname said:
Nice find, porkenhimer. What are you using for a mouse? I own Dock4Droid, used it on my Samsung tablet for quite a while.
Would it work on the Fire stick?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check out the FAVI Wireless Keyboard/Touchpad! This thing is great. I think someone posted a thread on it. Great reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/FAVI-FE02RF-BL-Wireless-Keyboard-SmartStick/dp/B0090BTY8Y
mscroggi said:
Hmm Are you running this on a stick? I finally got it to basicallly work.. I was never able to get the bar to show without clicking the mouse and moving the cursor at the same time. My issues had to do with which keyboard I was using .. There were a bunch of settings I could not get to. I could scroll down a poage.. but no further... doing alt->down would bounce me to the bottom page, but I was never able to get to the pages inbetween. My ipazzport has a <<<<>>>>> bar on the touchpad that would let me get to the settings between the top page and the bottom page.. I was able to get some things set and then go back to my other keyboard. My normal keyboard mini BT keyboard has mouse buttons on the left and right side.. which makes the multi touch thing fairly easy. I will play with it and see how I like it over time.. On the surface, I think maybe the firedtv app might be a better fit for me.. as I dont always use the keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you have to do is hold the mouse button down while moving your finger up or down on the touchpad to move from the bottom or top of the screen. Also, there is a setting to make apps open with one or two clicks, if you set them to open with one or two clicks then you only have to click the activation area and the dock will popup and stay up til you click an app once or twice.
Honor 5X doesn’t have an application drawer. That means every single app or game that’s installed on your device will be placed on the home screen. So, things can get real crowded, real quick but enabling a specific motion control can help tidy things up a bit.
Goto Settings > Motion control > Shake
when enabled, allows you to quickly rearranging your icons during the home screen editing mode. Just either 2-finger pinch on the home screen (or long press a blank area) and give the phone a good shake on the specific home screen you’d like to organize. Easy.
Even you can shake the mobile while getting bored so that apps gets aligned automatically.
I think people knows this feature, as its been long since the phone was released.
Something that bugs me about FireOS is the lack of a clock. It may be a psychological trick to make us watch stuff longer or it could be an oversight.
I know this isn't an official Amazon forum so they won't pick this up, but it would be great if they could add a few time based functions:
- a clock on the home screen and a toggle on the remote to see it over a video.
- a timer / reminder function so you can see how long your dinner needs to cook for or anything else.
- a children's login and time based parental lock. So when a kid is using it, they have restricted apps/content and you can set a time schedule (say 16:00 - 18:00 weekdays) or a timer (say 30mins) and the device will pause the content and display a "viewing time finished" screen (with an override code for parents to extend it). The next day the child can pick up where they left off or return to the home screen.
Probably the wrong forum for this but wasn't sure.
superawesomeme said:
Something that bugs me about FireOS is the lack of a clock. It may be a psychological trick to make us watch stuff longer or it could be an oversight.
I know this isn't an official Amazon forum so they won't pick this up, but it would be great if they could add a few time based functions:
- a clock on the home screen and a toggle on the remote to see it over a video.
- a timer / reminder function so you can see how long your dinner needs to cook for or anything else.
- a children's login and time based parental lock. So when a kid is using it, they have restricted apps/content and you can set a time schedule (say 16:00 - 18:00 weekdays) or a timer (say 30mins) and the device will pause the content and display a "viewing time finished" screen (with an override code for parents to extend it). The next day the child can pick up where they left off or return to the home screen.
Probably the wrong forum for this but wasn't sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a voice remote you can ask alexa for the time
The time is in shown in the settings so all they would have to do is incorporate it into the video player when you pause or bring up the controls
Alexa doesn't currently support timers on the firestick (don't know about others) so a 3rd party app would be needed until it's implemented (if they do)
You can set a parental pin to be entered to launch any app change settings or purchase items
Hiding an app would require a different launcher
User accounts with different logins would probably require an upgrade to android nougat
Time limits maybe possible with a 3rd party app to lock the screen at a certain time if lock screen controls are accessible
To do this per user or globally & not per app might again require a upgrade to nougat
All good ideas but the current software limits most of it
Use this app:
https://www.amazon.com/Time-and-Net-Speed-Overlay/dp/B0786KC4C1/