Must have app for S2: Button Savior!

[jazzmachine]

So, I don't know 'bout you, but I use my S2 in landscape mode more often than not and find it a bit awkward using the capacitative buttons on the side for navigation. I've used the recommended app on nearly every device I've owned but never have I found it more useful than on this tablet vs. anything else. The app is called Button Savior and it puts three pages of (configurable w/ pro version) navigation buttons on your screen. There are some cool themes with the free version and the pro version allows you to add an HD theme pack (see screen shot - that one's called Liquid Metal 2). It rarely gets in the way of screen content, but just hitting the circled X at the top collapses the panel into a small tab with an arrow that has configurable size and transparency. Of course there are other methods for soft key navigation but I'm a big fan of Button Savior, and to summarize... I would recommend it!

*As I mentioned there are other "soft key" solutions for navigation, but I find the above mentioned app the most convenient/intuitive. I actually have a few installed myself but don't really use them unless I need a particular function that Button Savior lacks (such as "kill app"). As you can see in the screen shot, I have a navbar courtesy of Gravity Box. For some reason though, the keys are only present in portrait mode, when I don't really need them. What's up with that? Anyways, I also use LMT (the actual app, not the Gravity Box version because it's much more configurable), but a lot of apps have slide-out menus from the left (these days...) which interferes with triggering it sometimes. However, using the LMT app, you can basically add whatever you want such as scripts and other such fanciness; I use it mostly for "kill app" whenever (rarely) something's non-responsive. Anyway, I can upload the apk if anyone wants it, but there's probably a newer version so you might be better off tracking it down. Here's a Play Store link for Button Savior: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smart.swkey&hl=en Check it out!

 

[hasenbein196601]

Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.

The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.

For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.

All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.

 

[jazzmachine]

Sorry to be the party pooper, but all these solutions (LMT, Button Savior etc.) are not the real deal.

The only real convenient solution is GMD Gesture Control.

For any action you can think of (including Tasker actions etc.) you can freely configure gestures and the screen areas in which the gestures are recognized.

All the other solutions need too many actions to trigger an event, and/or they take up screen estate.

I like GMD too. I have GMD S-pen Control and have used it on all of my Note devices. I've found that I prefer soft key solutions though for the following reason: I tend to set up GMD and use it for a while, then take a break from using it for whatever reason, then tend to forget most of the gestures that I set up.

GMD is definitely awesome, IME it just needs to be used consistently though. I might give Gestures a try as it might be more practical than S-pen control

 

[hasenbein1966]

Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???

You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious

(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )

I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...

 

[jazzmachine]

Er, how about simply NOT intermittently stopping using GMD???

You must admit that your reason for not using GMD is quite hilarious

(And, additional tip: Use the gestures wisely and don't add too many gestures - then you won't be confused )

I use GMD on all my devices now for years (so unrootable devices won't ever be bought by me), and it's second nature...

LOL :laugh: I think it has to do with the S-pen. Normally I just go through periods where I use it more or less. I think that it'd be easier with gestures.

 

[James.Markham0757]

Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store

 

[jazzmachine]

Pie controls works amazing. It's on the app store

Agreed I have Button Savior set to trigger on the right side of the screen which I use mostly for "simple" navigation (although it has many more functions... 3 pages that you can scroll through) and PIE set to trigger on the left side. I mostly use PIE for more complex functions that I have mapped to long presses. I like Button Savior because the pro version looks nice with the HD themes, is completely unobtrusive, and faster and slightly easier to trigger than PIE even if collapsed. PIE definitely comes in handy if I ever need to kill an unresponsive app or something like that :good:

 

[tsg2513]

A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.

 

[Niii4]

A better solution..

I'd agree that the already *build in* navigation assistant is better but, NO. You cannot change the background color (it is snow white). You cannot change the color of the floating navigation assistant button nor does it auto hide itself.

All other suggested apps need *root*. :x

 

[droidnext]

I use this. It's simple and no root. I just need back, home and recent, but you can set more. Its completely transparent. The app is called "all in one gestures" and free.

 

[edisso10018]

A better solution to Button Savior is already built into the Tab S2. It is called Assistant Menu. Go into Settings, Accessibility, Dexterity & Interaction, Assistant Menu then turn it on.

This seems to be gone with the Nougat update...

 

[Niii4]

I found a much better one,

Handy Soft Keys Pro.

Small, ultra fast, no ads and with fade out feature.