[APP][Updated 29/08] Flashlight v 1.2

[pedmond]

Have you ever been alone in the dark with only your cherished Diamond wishing you had a better light source than its dark theme can provide? It certainly happened to me, and here is the solution: Flashlight.

Why a new such program when a few freeware already exist? Well, this one is TOTALLY finger friendly.

While in the main screen, drag your finger upwards to increase the light or downwards to decrease it.

The program can also be used as an emergency beacon, flashing two colors. To set the colors, again move your finger (horizontally this time) on the red, green or blue markers. The settings are saved on exit.

Compact Framework 3.5 needed!

Update 24/08/08 v 1.1


Added SOS function. This uses Color1 from Options.

Update 29/08/08 v 1.2:


Added menu item to disable Auto backlight. This allows to get maximum luminosity. The program will remeber the setting. When exiting, it will restore your backlight to what it was before.

To use this facility with the best results, do the following:


Start -> Settings -> System -> Power -> Backlight
Uncheck Auto adjust backlight
Slide both cursors to maximum
Check Auto adjust backight

Now start flashlight, go to Options, click on Auto backlight (to uncheck it) and your device shoud have maximum light. Don't worry, it will go back to Auto when you leave the program (or whatever setting you had before you ran it).

[kareeem]

Looks very nice and convenient especially for users who don't have flash on their devices; downloading now.

[makeveral]

I needed this :P thanks!

[ageye]

does your tool set the backlight to the maximum or just fill the screen with a color?

[H3IN3K3N]

Haha, very nice/funny app. Ive never used a cellphone as a flashlight. But hey, im gonna install this one. I like it :D

[pedmond]

does your tool set the backlight to the maximum or just fill the screen with a color?

Just fills the screen. Quite honestly, I don't know how to change the backlight, but if you have any pointers I'll try.

[Timbermill]

Really useful for me :)

Would it be possible to use vertical dragging to change the flashing speed ?

[pedmond]

Really useful for me :)

Would it be possible to use vertical dragging to change the flashing speed ?

Interesting idea. I can do that...

[aydc]

You need to find a way to disable the light sensor and adjust to the max brightness for this to work efficiently.

[KukurikU]

why i can not have white light without flashing? if i disable flashing i get a grey light:confused:
flashing OK, i choose red and white:)

[pedmond]

why i can not have white light without flashing? if i disable flashing i get a grey light:confused:
flashing OK, i choose red and white:)

Try to slide your finger upwards...

[Eldholm]

Can you make it flash SOS it could be usefull in an emergency...

I think it is 3 short 3 long 3 short flashes...

[neptunes50]

There is also another flashlight app. It called 'pLamp'. Version 1.5 is compatible with VGA. Google for it. It's freeware. Works great on my diamond.

[pedmond]

You need to find a way to disable the light sensor and adjust to the max brightness for this to work efficiently.

I realize that. Changing the backlight is not API implemented though as it is hardware dependent. I've been googling it for a couple of hours already and no luck yet.

[kikakeule]

so use registry?
to disable the light sensor
HKCU\ControlPanel\Backlight\LightDetectOn
set it to 0->Sensor is off (will change immediatly)

this should make it ways brighter

don't know which key adjusts the brightness level but you may set Battery-Brightness-level to max and enable Lightsensor. So if you now disable it, you have max brightness
works well for me, jsut implement it in your app and i'll be very happy ;)

[pedmond]

Update to v 1.1: added SOS function. Download in first post.

[pedmond]

so use registry?
to disable the light sensor
HKCU\ControlPanel\Backlight\LightDetectOn
set it to 0->Sensor is off (will change immediatly)

this should make it ways brighter

don't know which key adjusts the brightness level but you may set Battery-Brightness-level to max and enable Lightsensor. So if you now disable it, you have max brightness
works well for me, jsut implement it in your app and i'll be very happy ;)

The problem with changing the registry is that it won't update the brightness until a soft reset, unless I'm mistaken.

[kultus]

yes yes yes turn backlight for max is more usefull then plenty of colours, btw 9 basic colours will be enough and still finger friendly... but still nice app

[KukurikU]

Try to slide your finger upwards...
multzumesc! thank you..it's all in the finger...lol

[kikakeule]

The problem with changing the registry is that it won't update the brightness until a soft reset, unless I'm mistaken.

just try it yourself
after changing the key the sensor will be deactivated immediatly
no soft reset needed

and with the workaround I posted early you will get max brightness very easyly

but even without the workaround this will increase brightness massivly as the main usability of a flashlight is to enlightend darkness and the sensor dimms the display to minimum in darkness^^

[kultus]

BTW SPB mobile shell controls backlight flawesly and can turn off and on automatic backlight as well but how??? I dont know its your turn Im not developer :)

[pedmond]

just try it yourself
after changing the key the sensor will be deactivated immediatly
no soft reset needed

and with the workaround I posted early you will get max brightness very easyly

but even without the workaround this will increase brightness massivly as the main usability of a flashlight is to enlightend darkness and the sensor dimms the display to minimum in darkness^^

I think you're right - I'll do that. Thank you.

[kikakeule]

any news to this? ;D

[pedmond]

any news to this? ;D

I will do what you suggested, but I generally can only program during weekends, because of my work schedule.

[kikakeule]

okay, so i'm looking forward to the WE!
thx alot

[pedmond]

Implemented the registry trick. Now you can have your light at maximum when using Flashlight. For instructions and download, see the first post.

[rm501]

I think the most important things (which are often left out) about a flashlight app is that:

1. It must force the backlight to the max brightness setting
2. It must of course disable any sleep or dim backlight timeout (so that it will only turn off when you turn it off and not by inactivity)
3. It must lock all buttons from accidental trigger

I like the adjustment of white-black by swiping your finger up and down.
Perhaps you could use volume-up/down for manual adjustment of the backlight brightness setting?

Keep up the good work, i appreciate all the efforts!

[deuzeff]

Just tried it for fun on my Kaiser, knowing it's only QVGA. Any chance to make a QVGA friendly version :D.

Cool soft ;).

[bennec83]

hi,

this is a brilliant idea,but is it not possible to customise both colours?

i want colour1 to be brilliant white,not grey,but i can only set the rgb on colour2 to 255,but i cant get colour2 to display full screen other than to set it to flash which is not wat i was trying to do.

is there a way to get colour1 to be brilliant white?

thanks for help

[pedmond]

hi,

this is a brilliant idea,but is it not possible to customise both colours?

i want colour1 to be brilliant white,not grey,but i can only set the rgb on colour2 to 255,but i cant get colour2 to display full screen other than to set it to flash which is not wat i was trying to do.

is there a way to get colour1 to be brilliant white?

thanks for help

I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Color1 can be set using the RGB sliders (well, bitmaps). In the main screen, you can make the white change shade by moving your finger upwards or downwards...

[bennec83]

I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Color1 can be set using the RGB sliders (well, bitmaps). In the main screen, you can make the white change shade by moving your finger upwards or downwards...

sorry,

i have just read what i originally typed, it is not very clear!!

when i start flashlight, the screen displayes a dark grey rectangle, and the only way i can seem to get it to act like a flashlight is to set both colour 1 and colour 2 to the same settings: r=255 g=255 b=255 (i.e. brilliant white)

then to select "Flash" from the option menu.

is it not possible to have it start and just display brilliant white and not grey?

[Mr_Gee]

dude... this is weird, I made the same application ...
with the same name .. :D

it just shows only one color... but it is kinda freaky ;)

[pedmond]

sorry,

i have just read what i originally typed, it is not very clear!!

when i start flashlight, the screen displayes a dark grey rectangle, and the only way i can seem to get it to act like a flashlight is to set both colour 1 and colour 2 to the same settings: r=255 g=255 b=255 (i.e. brilliant white)

then to select "Flash" from the option menu.

is it not possible to have it start and just display brilliant white and not grey?

When the program starts, slide your finger up on the grey screen. The color should brighten gradually. This color setting is saved when you exit the program.

[cefaci]

Very usefull app with the auto Auto backlight off now. Thx!
Can you also deactivate the auto dim and auto go to sleep too, when its running?

[nopt]

Thanks A Lot

[Mastermnd]

This is very useful, but it changes my screen brightness settings on exit to a different value.

Before running the program: brightness set to 80%
While the program runs: brightness 100% (GREAT)
After running the program: brightness is 50% or so... not my 80%.

If you ever update this, please keep it in mind. Thanks.:)

[p.brazauskas]

Thank you for a great app, was looking for something like that for a while now!