Android Softkey Buttons instead of Hardware Buttons on HD2

[ducklas1]

Hi Guys,
I think it is absolutaley essential to have Softkey Buttons for Android instead of breaking our Hardware Keys by obsessively using Android.

A nice approach can be seen by the Xda Dev Fireslave who integrated this in his Wphone 7 Theme, which looks quite nice (look at the two Phone Pics on the right ):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=662034

There is a need for this, because there are already Users who complain of breaking their Hardware Buttons by heavy use of the HD2.

Therefore another Developer made this program for the HD2:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=612267

I wonder why nearly all outcoming Android Devices from HTC have no hardware buttons anymore?! I think it is for practical use and not only because its a trend in the smartphone developement.

I hope to see a ROM or a Mod for Android in the future...would be very useful!

I am not going to comment or do anything in this Thread as it should be taken as a push for this issue...so if you support this or you get any news about this you can leave something here...

Some Concept Designs...
By Raysearcher ( inspired by "Smart Taskbar"-Android App )

By Internauta2000

By me

 

[motoman234]

That's a great idea. I have broken my power button and my menu/start button by using them all the time. I would love to see something like this in Android. I'm just not sure everyone will agree.

 

[ducklas1]

That's a great idea. I have broken my power button and my menu/start button by using them all the time. I would love to see something like this in Android. I'm just not sure everyone will agree.

Live and let live.

 

[wrecless]

Hi Guys,
I think it is absolutaley essential to have Softkey Buttons for Android instead of breaking our Hardware Keys by obsessively using Android.

A nice approach can be seen by the Xda Dev Fireslave who integrated this in his Wphone 7 Theme, which looks quite nice (look at the two Phone Pics on the right ):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=662034

There is a need for this, because there are already Users who complain of breaking their Hardware Buttons by heavy use of the HD2.

Therefore another Developer made this program for the HD2:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=612267

I wonder why nearly all outcoming Android Devices from HTC have no hardware buttons anymore?! I think it is for practical use and not only because its a trend in the smartphone developement.

I hope to see a ROM or a Mod for Android in the future...would be very useful!

I am not going to comment or do anything in this Thread as it should be taken as a push for this issue...so if you support this or you get any news about this you can leave something here...

+1 good idea my back button is wearing away as we speak

 

[fuuunkdat]

Please someone make soft buttons!

+1 could realy do with something like that. My hard wear buttons are taking a battering on android alll the time

 

[norpan111]

Would feel sad if my keys just sat there unuses...but it would be a great compliment! Would love to see something like this!

Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

 

[MartyLK]

+1...I'm in for it also. Have wanted softkeys since forever.

 

[sleeping_apocalypse]

A must

Hi Guys,
I think it is absolutaley essential to have Softkey Buttons for Android instead of breaking our Hardware Keys by obsessively using Android.

Completely agree, I miss this feature in android over the WinMo. For every single app i have to use h/w keys. Though I am not in favour of completely removing h/w keys as they have their own use from time to time. But the softkeys are must to make it a fully touch screen experience.

 

[malaeus]

hey, what about modifying the keyboard, or notification bar similar to cm6.1?

im not programmer, but on a UI perspective those would be the only places that would be nonintrusive to the rest of the systems UI and would not reduce active screen size.

 

[cooldfuzion]

+1...I'm in for it also.

 

[Seven Goals]

It's a very good idea!!!!!!!

 

[ducklas1]

Isn't especially the HD2 predestinated for this becoz of its huge gorgeous sreen?!

 

[raysearcher]

some solution for now ...

A great cause to start an app development! Thumbs up!!!

I have been looking for some "easy to switch app" application, without touching the hardware buttons on my HD2. I saw and experienced the Desire HD rom on the HD2, but still it is far from a final state I stick to the "Mdeejay-6.11.2010-Froyo_sense_v2.3_Clean-kernel-15" which runs like native on my HD2.

So, on the Desire HD Rom there is an easy to "switch between apps" possibility, by tapping on the taskbar, then you have a view of recent apps ...

Some more functions, easy accessible like the software buttons would be cool (for the HD2)!

I had a look on the Android market for "program switcher" and found "smart taskbar". It places a transparent arrow on the right (or left side) of the screen. This arrow is the access to the switcher, you have inside a Home button, Exit button, Recent apps ... All apps access ... or whatever you customize! Or you can customize the access not through the arrow, but the taskbar.

This tiny arrow places itself above nearly all apps. You are able to switch between apps, or show Home screen by only tapping to the arrow.

I found the User Interface inside the app a bit uncomfortable, but there is enough room for improvement (more finger friendly, may be Softkey buttons on bottom?!) ...

This app reduces dramatically the use of the hardware buttons!

A specialized app with Softkeys would be awesome

Cheers and have fun!

 

[ducklas1]

yeah thanx,
good app...it is really an enrichment for android and will answer our purpose too...

i think android softkeys are kind a challenge for the developers Let us furthermore hope that it will come true...

 

[clio94]

Personally i would prefer to have gestures for controling the system.something like dolphin hd browser gestures but for the os and all programms.

 

[raysearcher]

multi-gesture controlls!

Personally i would prefer to have gestures for controling the system.something like dolphin hd browser gestures but for the os and all programms.

Gestures on the HD2 would blow the imagination of usability, i guess! Great idea "clio94"!

We already have some gesture controls, as the pinch to zoom, applied to the desktop, it shows all 7 screens. I can imagine that a gesture would show the Home screen or functions as the Back key! Something like Exposé in Mac OS X

Apple is one of the leading developers in the field of gesture control of interfaces, they have some patents in this field:
http://www.sefranet.net/apple-patents-multitouch-gestures/

... but there is for shure room for imagination and workaround Do not get discouraged developers!

I do not know how the Screen touch sensors of the HD2 are capable of recognition of more than 2 fingers?! Is it all a software driven possibility, can a simple app be installed and the HD2 (or nearly every other android touchscreen phone, that allready has pinch to zoom) would have multi-gesture controlls?

A shame I am not a developer of apps, with some knowledge on that I would initiate something ...

Best regards!

 

[raysearcher]

Softkey Project- Android!

Hello

I have been the last night dreaming about those ideas of a Softkey app for HTC HD2 (or Android in general).

This morning I threw some ideas in Photoshop. It is a way how it could look like.

The principles are based on the "smart taskbar" app i mentioned earlier.

Description:
-four soft keys (home, menu, back, search)
-they place themselves over the user interface of a running app
-transparency, position, size can be adjusted over the apps interface


If some of you are developers themselves, you can ad some ideas too?!
It seems like a not too complex code behind, at least those keys would be only shortcuts to the hardware buttons.

I have no knowledge of how to develop Android apps, but would support if someone pics up the Idea (I can provide him/her with graphics etc.).

P.S.Does anyone have some insights about gesture controlling (multi-touch with more than two fingers)?


Cheers

 

[lucian777]

Maybe someone will try to port the buttons from archos 70

 

[ducklas1]

@ RAYSEARCHER
Excellent work. ...would be a good alternative...for those who want a restrained look...and hopefully the dream comes true
I hv experience in Java Programming and hv been already involved a little in the Android SDK Plugin for Eclipse...but no time to develop something

@lucian777 THATS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!

 

[ikkon]

have anyone tried activator app from cydia?
would be awesome if i get to use something like that in android!!