Hi XDA,
I thought I'd create a thread to share a useful app (at least for myself) that I came across recently. I did not create this app, nor am I in any way affiliated with the creator.
It's called "Smart Cover".
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smart.cover&hl=en
What it does is turn your screen off when it detects something blocking the proximity sensor. As soon as the obstruction is removed, your screen turns back on.
Why would this be useful? Well if you're concerned about your power button wearing out, using this app would definitely minimize your total number of power button actuations.
In my day-to-day usage over the past week or so, I've found it incredibly useful to have my phone turn on as soon as I take it out of my pocket, and shut off as soon as I put it back. Also, when at my desk I now just need to turn my phone face down.
I should note that if the screen times out by itself, or you turn your screen off manually (i.e. without interacting with the sensor), then to turn your screen back on, you just need to wave over the proximity sensor with your hand/finger. For those who are unaware, the proximity sensor on the Nexus S is directly above the screen, on the left.
This app provides the option to disable itself while in landscape mode, to avoid accidentally shutting off the screen while typing, playing games, watching movies, etc.
Of course, it's important to realize that since this app uses the prox. sensor constantly, it will have an effect on battery life. From my experiences though, it's drain has been minimal. Inspection of processor state with "CPU Spy" shows that the NS is still able to reach the Deep Sleep state with this app enabled.
Probably not everyone will enjoy this app however. The first day or so of using it was a bit tricky, as it forced me to use my device differently. I have since gotten used to it. Anyways, I recommend you check this app out.
EDIT:
After searching around there appear to be a number of similar apps on the Play Store, each with different options/features. Here are some others:
(I have not tried any of these yet).
Proximity Screen Off https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itsme4ucz.screenoff&feature=search_result
Tap Tap App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.maicas.android.wsleep&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwibmV0Lm1haWNhcy5hbmRyb2lkLndzbGVlcCJd
Smart Screen Off https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.android.smartscreenoffpro&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIml0LmFuZHJvaWQuc21hcnRzY3JlZW5vZmZwcm8iXQ..
This one looks interesting as it combines both the proximity sensor and light sensor. Battery drain would probably be higher though.
Feel free to share your experiences with any of these apps, or post if you discover better ones.
I thought I'd create a thread to share a useful app (at least for myself) that I came across recently. I did not create this app, nor am I in any way affiliated with the creator.
It's called "Smart Cover".
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smart.cover&hl=en
What it does is turn your screen off when it detects something blocking the proximity sensor. As soon as the obstruction is removed, your screen turns back on.
Why would this be useful? Well if you're concerned about your power button wearing out, using this app would definitely minimize your total number of power button actuations.
In my day-to-day usage over the past week or so, I've found it incredibly useful to have my phone turn on as soon as I take it out of my pocket, and shut off as soon as I put it back. Also, when at my desk I now just need to turn my phone face down.
I should note that if the screen times out by itself, or you turn your screen off manually (i.e. without interacting with the sensor), then to turn your screen back on, you just need to wave over the proximity sensor with your hand/finger. For those who are unaware, the proximity sensor on the Nexus S is directly above the screen, on the left.
This app provides the option to disable itself while in landscape mode, to avoid accidentally shutting off the screen while typing, playing games, watching movies, etc.
Of course, it's important to realize that since this app uses the prox. sensor constantly, it will have an effect on battery life. From my experiences though, it's drain has been minimal. Inspection of processor state with "CPU Spy" shows that the NS is still able to reach the Deep Sleep state with this app enabled.
Probably not everyone will enjoy this app however. The first day or so of using it was a bit tricky, as it forced me to use my device differently. I have since gotten used to it. Anyways, I recommend you check this app out.
EDIT:
After searching around there appear to be a number of similar apps on the Play Store, each with different options/features. Here are some others:
(I have not tried any of these yet).
Proximity Screen Off https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itsme4ucz.screenoff&feature=search_result
Tap Tap App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.maicas.android.wsleep&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwibmV0Lm1haWNhcy5hbmRyb2lkLndzbGVlcCJd
Smart Screen Off https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.android.smartscreenoffpro&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIml0LmFuZHJvaWQuc21hcnRzY3JlZW5vZmZwcm8iXQ..
This one looks interesting as it combines both the proximity sensor and light sensor. Battery drain would probably be higher though.
Feel free to share your experiences with any of these apps, or post if you discover better ones.
Last edited:
