[MOD][AROMA] TF201/TF700 Dock Browser Button hack|key layout changes|JB+ICS

[agentdr8]

I have successfully modified the Asus Keyboard.apk to allow the

to launch any installed web browser. This is a continuation of the original thread, but more space/visibility for any questions and/or support issues.

Updated for Jelly Bean & ICS -- Thanks to Kick4U for updating Aroma installer to support odex/deodex roms and for his F4/F5 edits
DOWNLOAD:AROMA installer for Jelly Bean & ICS - v2.0 - via Dev-Host Updated by Kick4U

The AROMA installer zip should be flashed using TWRP 2.2.2.0/2.2.2.1 which can be found here (I used the blob version via fastboot)

The installer offers the key layout changes that nhshah7 posted here. I've adapted the changes for the ICS key layouts as well.

I put in logic to determine the OS version installed and then decide which packages to extract. The script relies on the following /system/build.prop field to be correct: ro.build.version.release. If this is set to 4.1.1 then the JB packages will be pushed. Any other value will result in ICS files. Since I no longer have ICS installed I have no way of testing that this works for ICS, but I can only assume it does based on its behavior with JB installed.

Also, this AROMA package may work on the TF101 and TF300 but I have neither so I have no way of testing it. Please let me know if it does or does not and I'll update the post accordingly.

Thanks to daerwynn for testing the package on the TF700. Confirmed working! Most likely it will work on the TF300 (or AndroWook) too, but will wait until someone posts some feedback.


Support stuff
If after you've installed this mod your browser button does not prompt you for browser selection, try and clear your default browser: go to Settings, Apps, find your default browser and select the "Clear defaults" button.

 

[Ronde90]

Hey what's up. I started the original thread and I just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work you put into solving this; its much appreciated.

 

[Ronde90]

Also, do you know if there is a keyboard shortcut or way to modify the keyboard button action like you did so that when you press the button with the 4 white lines (the one that opens up setting in whatever app you're using), when in your launcher, it will open up the running apps button (the one on the touch screen that is to the right of the home button)? Thanks again for all the help.

 

[agentdr8]

Not sure about remapping that button, as each foreground app should have control over it, whereas the recent apps soft-button to the right of the home soft-button is global in scope. I would imagine if you wanted to change its behavior in a specific launcher it should be something the developer has put into the app as a preference.

If we're talking about the stock ICS launcher, then it should be modifiable by any chef once custom ROMs drop and the bootloader is unlocked.

 

[agentdr8]

Hey what's up. I started the original thread and I just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work you put into solving this; its much appreciated.

No problem. I got to learn more about android application development, smali editing, decompiling, editing signed system apps, and all sorts of other stuff. Using the noggin' every now and then keeps the cobwebs from becoming permanent

And as a long-time XDA fan/member, I like being able to contribute what I can back to the community.

 

[barryflanagan]

Thanks, that works!

Really looking forward to custom ROMs for the TFP - so many little areas such as this which can be made so much better.

 

[newellj79]

Worked awesome! Thank you so much.

 

[fknshwow]

just confirming that the root explorer method works.

just mount as r/w, backup and delete the two keyboard files, copy the browser fixed keyboard into system/app and everything is right to go

---------- Post added at 04:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 AM ----------

Not sure about remapping that button, as each foreground app should have control over it, whereas the recent apps soft-button to the right of the home soft-button is global in scope. I would imagine if you wanted to change its behavior in a specific launcher it should be something the developer has put into the app as a preference.

If we're talking about the stock ICS launcher, then it should be modifiable by any chef once custom ROMs drop and the bootloader is unlocked.

yes this is true, the foreground app has control over they keyboard. but not that top row of function keys, thats been separated from the rest of the keyboard... for example if you deleted that keyboard.apk the function keys would stop working but the rest of the keyboard however would continue to function. its the way they have been mapped is why foreground apps dont have immediate control over the button, anything is possible with software, something can be written to take control of it but the dev would need to direct it to the separate keyboard apk for control over those keys

the mapping for the qwerty keyboard is housed in the framework, this is so you can plug in any usb/bluetooth keyboard and they will be correctly mapped. the apps made (unless written to use it) do not know that asus has made an apk to map extra keys, that is why the foreground app doesnt take control of it

 

[XXtremeAzzKicker]

Yep, root explorer method work great

 

[ickk]

Oh Man, I have been waiting for a change like this since I've purchased my original transformer. Thanks. Surprisingly I've been unable to find anything to reassign key actions. I hate how the lock button is next to the backspace key on the keyboard - touchtyping results in alot of swearing for me.

 

[agentdr8]

Oh Man, I have been waiting for a change like this since I've purchased my original transformer. Thanks. Surprisingly I've been unable to find anything to reassign key actions. I hate how the lock button is next to the backspace key on the keyboard - touchtyping results in alot of swearing for me.

You can change the keymapping of some of the shortcut keys just by editing the keylayout. I know a lot of people get frustrated when typing and accidentally lock their TP or turn off the Wifi.

What would you want it remapped to?

 

[ickk]

I'd probably just disable it for the time being until I found a use for those keys. I don't find myself using them enough, I don't even use the dock as much due to them. It's nice that they care enough to add features, but when I want to type for an extended period of time (basically when I plug in the dock lol) they hinder the docks productivity. I find myself typing projects while laying in bed on thumb keyboard more than I do using the dock for typing - its main use has just been for sd/usb and battery life for the days I'm on campus all day because of it.

 

[agentdr8]

I sent this to another XDA member in PM, but I figured I'd share here in case anyone else wanted this.

To change your lock key to a delete key, try this:

adb pull /system/usr/keylayout/asusdec.kl

Edit that file and find the line:

key 142 SLEEP WAKE UNLOCK

Change the word SLEEP to DEL, save and exit. adb push that file back:

adb push asusdec.kl /data/local/tmp
adb shell
su
mount -w -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 /system
cd /system/usr/keylayout
cp asusdec.kl asusdec.kl.orig
cp /data/local/tmp/asusdec.kl ./
chmod 644 asusdec.kl
sync
reboot

It should now function as just a delete key, and no longer a sleep key.

 

[barryflanagan]

I sent this to another XDA member in PM, but I figured I'd share here in case anyone else wanted this.

To change your lock key to a delete key, try this:

adb pull /system/usr/keylayout/asusdec.kl

Edit that file and find the line:

key 142 SLEEP WAKE UNLOCK

Change the word SLEEP to DEL, save and exit. adb push that file back:

.....

It should now function as just a delete key, and no longer a sleep key.

Thanks - worked a treat!

I wish there was a way to remap the BT and WiFi keys to something more useful, but for that I think we need to hack the Keyboard.apk (have done this already to change the browser button to launch the default browser rather than being hardcoded to the ICS stock one)

Someone more talented than me could write a nice little utility to manage those dock special keys!

 

[sparkdroid]

Did this last night and it worked great. Just an FYI, if you already have your default browser open, pressing the button opens google in a new tab. This can come in handy sometimes.

 

[agentdr8]

I wish there was a way to remap the BT and WiFi keys to something more useful, but for that I think we need to hack the Keyboard.apk (have done this already to change the browser button to launch the default browser rather than being hardcoded to the ICS stock one)

Someone more talented than me could write a nice little utility to manage those dock special keys!

I actually have a version of the Keyboard.apk that I made that disables those two keys. I didn't check to see if they could be remapped at that point. I can test later and post it up.

 

[barryflanagan]

I actually have a version of the Keyboard.apk that I made that disables those two keys. I didn't check to see if they could be remapped at that point. I can test later and post it up.

That would be great!

 

[Nakebod]

Just FYI: This mod is also working on the TF101, also running ICS.
Afaik there was no "keyboard shortcut hack" for the TF101 yet, so I'm glad this works. Or maybe there is, but Google gave this result first
Now I can finally use my browser-key with the browser I want to use, thanks!

 

[lamboboy732]

Also, do you know if there is a keyboard shortcut or way to modify the keyboard button action like you did so that when you press the button with the 4 white lines (the one that opens up setting in whatever app you're using), when in your launcher, it will open up the running apps button (the one on the touch screen that is to the right of the home button)? Thanks again for all the help.

Just use alt+tab on the dock to switch between apps

 

[agentdr8]

Just FYI: This mod is also working on the TF101, also running ICS.
Afaik there was no "keyboard shortcut hack" for the TF101 yet, so I'm glad this works. Or maybe there is, but Google gave this result first
Now I can finally use my browser-key with the browser I want to use, thanks!

That's great news. When I started researching I also found that TF101 users were facing the same issue and came up with no solutions.