Touchwiz Features/S pen Funtionality On CM Based ROMS (2016)

Search This thread

fizzingbees

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2014
587
111
Peshawar
I own Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and now in 2016 its showing its age,especially when on touchwiz based custom roms. Its not their fault since with time simple apps become more CPU and resources demanding and older devices struggle to keep up.One solution is to install mods/custom roms,especially AOSP/CM based roms.
I am currently sporting Resurrection Remix -Marshmallow v5.6.8 with Agni PureCM Kernel v4.5.3 and yeh i am so much happy with my setup.
But i do miss touchwiz features esp. my S pen features and its capabilities.
So this thread is to help out all those who are running aosp/cm based roms and are looking to get some s pen functionality on their roms.

My goal here is to provide best and closest possible alternatives to touchwiz stocks apps/features. Please note that there are many other alternatives than those mentioned here.they do provide somewhat similar funtionality or maybe even more in some cases,but arent similar to stock behaviour.


so 1st thing first i am highly thankful to guys at this thread that help me get started with spen features on cm/aosp based rom. Please do check out there thread,you will find it useful. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2611415

1) for s command replacement
there is this paid app called spen command.it works very well,though needs some tinkering to get the best out of it. link to thread: http://xdaforums.com/android/software/app-app-samsung-devices-provided-stylus-t3000448
link to official website: http://www.emandt.net/Android/SPenCommand/Website/

2)for screenshot we have a couple of options:-
a) using spen command app listed above,you can long tap spen on screen to screenshot it and then annotate,crop etc it.
b) use screenshot ultimate app on play store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.screenshotultimate&hl=en
Once installed open the app and let it decide best method to take screenshot.You also need to select trigger to screenshot,saving location and other settings as you see fit.once properly configured ,this app works like a charm.see this thread screenshot ultimate section to properly configure this app (text around the screenshot in post) http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2611415

After setting up the app,head to spen command app>side panel>settings>quick menu>scroll down to application shortcut tab>press on any blank shortcut no:>select app activities from menu>wait for list to populate>select screenshot ultimate>select viewEmptySearchButton.

3) for snote replacement ,i found squid app to be best . https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus&hl=en

4) for photo annotation (in stock touchwiz gallery,opening image and then option menu gives you this feature to annotate on picture),there is no perfect solution as touchwiz but Skitch by evernote (officially discontinued now) is a close match. you need to share the image to annotate via share button in gallery apps. http://www1.zippyshare.com/v/32aPQrWB/file.html.

5) for s pen attach/detach sounds
,use spen command with sound in ogg format.
6) touchwiz stock camera replacement. there are many good option
a) Camera fv-5 = https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flavionet.android.camera.pro&hl=en. NO VIDEO RECORDING CAPABILITIES
b) Lenovo Supercamera,my favorite one.There are many version . link to official thread and the version i use are here.
official link= http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2665714
version i use= http://d-h.st/ZYB
c) Snap camera v8.1.0= this one had better HDR output than lenovo supercamera,but i face storage and saving problem in external sd card. Also i dont like video recording in this app. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2055140
7) touchwiz music = i prefer playerpro. but there are so many i wonder if any audiophile actually use stock app
8) radio app= spirit fm 2 http://xdaforums.com/apps/spirit-fm/app-spirit2-free-source-real-fm-radio-t2951455
9) action memo= i cant find the link so i will attach the one i am using.
10) another spen command app(PAID APP) alternative is Note Buddy(FREE). it requires CM spen addon(FREE) to be installed first.
link to note buddy= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.spen_helper
link to cm spen addon= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.cmspen2
you can also use this app called spen launcher to get air command like menu= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.spenlauncher

these are the latest to date replacements for spen and touchwiz features for aosp/cm based roms. These are in no way perfect solutions and thus i urge you to help spread the word and help me in improving this article. if you know any better solutions/replacements please post in here.

i am still missing certain s pen and touchwiz features like smart select,smart stay and some others,but well you have to compromise on something to get something better.
 

Attachments

  • Memo-0.6.2.apk
    1.7 MB · Views: 275
Last edited:

Vishal Vignesh

Senior Member
Oct 1, 2015
1,230
526
Chennai
OnePlus 5T
I dunno why this app is misses here,
Can be added

Note buddy - free (great app to launch apps on removal spen and other apps)

REQUIRES

Cm - spen add-on(enables all apps to access spen features..
For example post memo has a built in option to launch on spen removal, cannot open without spen add on.
Cm Spen add-on does this.......

Great app....
 

fizzingbees

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2014
587
111
Peshawar
I dunno why this app is misses here,
Can be added

Note buddy - free (great app to launch apps on removal spen and other apps)

REQUIRES

Cm - spen add-on(enables all apps to access spen features..
For example post memo has a built in option to launch on spen removal, cannot open without spen add on.
Cm Spen add-on does this.......

Great app....
Yes I am aware of that,but spen command doesn't require these addon to install first. Also it's provides a more stock note 2/note 3 like command functionality,
Building spen gestures and screenshot annotate is another feature.
Other features include spen pointer, spen detection, clipboard manager etc.
Overall I found spen command to be much better than note buddy
 

Vishal Vignesh

Senior Member
Oct 1, 2015
1,230
526
Chennai
OnePlus 5T
Yes I am aware of that,but spen command doesn't require these addon to install first. Also it's provides a more stock note 2/note 3 like command functionality,
Building spen gestures and screenshot annotate is another feature.
Other features include spen pointer, spen detection, clipboard manager etc.
Overall I found spen command to be much better than note buddy

Very true but it is a paid app.....
There should be at least one good free app listed
 

peterhugelberg

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2010
205
45
Ive been using GMD SPen Control for a while now (paid app) and seeing that SPen Command is not even in the play store (looks a bit fishy to me)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=34085846 (A Mod removed the play store link there so i wont post it here, just search for it)

Also for showing the S Pen Pointer at least CM has an option to enable a Mouse Cursor for the Stylus, i quite like it ;)
 

fizzingbees

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2014
587
111
Peshawar
Ive been using GMD SPen Control for a while now (paid app) and seeing that SPen Command is not even in the play store (looks a bit fishy to me)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=34085846 (A Mod removed the play store link there so i wont post it here, just search for it)

Also for showing the S Pen Pointer at least CM has an option to enable a Mouse Cursor for the Stylus, i quite like it ;)
well i have provided a direct link to official website for spen command app.so its not fishy or anything. there is also an active xda thread for spen command app(Link in OP).And just because it not on play store doesnt mean its fake.
I have tried GMD Spen app.although it provides a good funtionality ,it cant compete with feature set of spen command app and given both of these are paid app,i personally prefer spen command.
for pointer ,yes cm has mouse cursor for stylus,but a small dot for spen provided in spen command app is more pleasing
 

peterhugelberg

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2010
205
45
yeah i started reading a bit in the xda thread and i see the reason why it isnt listed on the play store. Too bad there is no trial Version, i would like to test it more extensively than for 48 hours to see how it integrates into everyday usage and how it compares to GMD Spen Control, but the developer made it pretty clear that he has no plans for a feature reduced trial version.

Also cant say that i like the automatic change feature for SELinux, for most of us its already set to permissive but thats a choice we make before flashing a rom or if we change it ourselves later on, changing it within the app feels kind of wrong (the way it looks without this feature the app would still be on the play store)

With fishy i didnt mean fake, its just strange to publish an app solely on their own website and only accepting paypal payments, maybe fishy wasnt the right word ;)
 
Last edited:

fizzingbees

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2014
587
111
Peshawar
yeah i started reading a bit in the xda thread and i see the reason why it isnt listed on the play store. Too bad there is no trial Version, i would like to test it more extensively than for 48 hours to see how it integrates into everyday usage and how it compares to GMD Spen Control, but the developer made it pretty clear that he has no plans for a feature reduced trial version.

Also cant say that i like the automatic change feature for SELinux, for most of us its already set to permissive but thats a choice we make before flashing a rom or if we change it ourselves later on, changing it within the app feels kind of wrong (the way it looks without this feature the app would still be on the play store)

With fishy i didnt mean fake, its just strange to publish an app solely on their own website and only accepting paypal payments, maybe fishy wasnt the right word ;)
i understand you. 48 hours in enough to get to know the worth of app.besides you can always get refund if you dont like.
just try it.i know you will like how closely it simulate air command in touchwiz rom.
many developers dont publish their app on play store either due to one reason or other.As long as there is an active xda thread and a complementary website,its good enough to trust that app is okay.
 

Top Liked Posts

  • There are no posts matching your filters.
  • 3
    I own Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and now in 2016 its showing its age,especially when on touchwiz based custom roms. Its not their fault since with time simple apps become more CPU and resources demanding and older devices struggle to keep up.One solution is to install mods/custom roms,especially AOSP/CM based roms.
    I am currently sporting Resurrection Remix -Marshmallow v5.6.8 with Agni PureCM Kernel v4.5.3 and yeh i am so much happy with my setup.
    But i do miss touchwiz features esp. my S pen features and its capabilities.
    So this thread is to help out all those who are running aosp/cm based roms and are looking to get some s pen functionality on their roms.

    My goal here is to provide best and closest possible alternatives to touchwiz stocks apps/features. Please note that there are many other alternatives than those mentioned here.they do provide somewhat similar funtionality or maybe even more in some cases,but arent similar to stock behaviour.


    so 1st thing first i am highly thankful to guys at this thread that help me get started with spen features on cm/aosp based rom. Please do check out there thread,you will find it useful. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2611415

    1) for s command replacement
    there is this paid app called spen command.it works very well,though needs some tinkering to get the best out of it. link to thread: http://xdaforums.com/android/software/app-app-samsung-devices-provided-stylus-t3000448
    link to official website: http://www.emandt.net/Android/SPenCommand/Website/

    2)for screenshot we have a couple of options:-
    a) using spen command app listed above,you can long tap spen on screen to screenshot it and then annotate,crop etc it.
    b) use screenshot ultimate app on play store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.screenshotultimate&hl=en
    Once installed open the app and let it decide best method to take screenshot.You also need to select trigger to screenshot,saving location and other settings as you see fit.once properly configured ,this app works like a charm.see this thread screenshot ultimate section to properly configure this app (text around the screenshot in post) http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2611415

    After setting up the app,head to spen command app>side panel>settings>quick menu>scroll down to application shortcut tab>press on any blank shortcut no:>select app activities from menu>wait for list to populate>select screenshot ultimate>select viewEmptySearchButton.

    3) for snote replacement ,i found squid app to be best . https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus&hl=en

    4) for photo annotation (in stock touchwiz gallery,opening image and then option menu gives you this feature to annotate on picture),there is no perfect solution as touchwiz but Skitch by evernote (officially discontinued now) is a close match. you need to share the image to annotate via share button in gallery apps. http://www1.zippyshare.com/v/32aPQrWB/file.html.

    5) for s pen attach/detach sounds
    ,use spen command with sound in ogg format.
    6) touchwiz stock camera replacement. there are many good option
    a) Camera fv-5 = https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flavionet.android.camera.pro&hl=en. NO VIDEO RECORDING CAPABILITIES
    b) Lenovo Supercamera,my favorite one.There are many version . link to official thread and the version i use are here.
    official link= http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2665714
    version i use= http://d-h.st/ZYB
    c) Snap camera v8.1.0= this one had better HDR output than lenovo supercamera,but i face storage and saving problem in external sd card. Also i dont like video recording in this app. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2055140
    7) touchwiz music = i prefer playerpro. but there are so many i wonder if any audiophile actually use stock app
    8) radio app= spirit fm 2 http://xdaforums.com/apps/spirit-fm/app-spirit2-free-source-real-fm-radio-t2951455
    9) action memo= i cant find the link so i will attach the one i am using.
    10) another spen command app(PAID APP) alternative is Note Buddy(FREE). it requires CM spen addon(FREE) to be installed first.
    link to note buddy= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.spen_helper
    link to cm spen addon= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.cmspen2
    you can also use this app called spen launcher to get air command like menu= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.spenlauncher

    these are the latest to date replacements for spen and touchwiz features for aosp/cm based roms. These are in no way perfect solutions and thus i urge you to help spread the word and help me in improving this article. if you know any better solutions/replacements please post in here.

    i am still missing certain s pen and touchwiz features like smart select,smart stay and some others,but well you have to compromise on something to get something better.