So, I'm just wondering about the advantage of active notifications over a multi-colored LED? I mean, the LED continues to blink without any user intervention, while the active notification requires user intervention to display. Sure, the IR sensors used to wake the device are incredibly useful. It would have been great to have both the IR sensors and a LED. Or, are the active notifications shown for an indefinite time until the user acknowledges them?
floepie said:
So, I'm just wondering about the advantage of active notifications over a multi-colored LED? I mean, the LED continues to blink without any user intervention, while the active notification requires user intervention to display. Sure, the IR sensors used to wake the device are incredibly useful. It would have been great to have both the IR sensors and a LED. Or, are the active notifications shown for an indefinite time until the user acknowledges them?
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My (admittedly non scientific) experience indicates that the active notifications for email or SMS seems to stop after 15 minutes or so. Of course a wave of the hand shows it again. But I too remain unconvinced of the usefulness vs LED.
OK, maybe an Xposed module could keep those notifications blinking until the user shuts them off. I can easily see this happening.
Well i go back and forth with this issue..
I have the Z2 and new moto x, and before i was using nexus 5 and motoX , and cant tell you which one is better for sure.. When i use the muti colored led phone, i miss the active notifications, and the opposite when i use the active notifications . With led setup , you still have to touch to know what is it , even if you know that the color green for eg. is for sms. and yellow for em-mail. Same goes for active notifications, you see the icon on the screen representing the app that has a notification and still have to touch for more details, often for me the details are not helpfull , i still have to unlock and pull down the notification bar to see what is about. And with led , you dont have to look more carefully at the screen to see what app is, you can see the color by far or with your peripheral vision .
Well, i still think that the popup notification with android L and the iphone are better for me, but they end up calling to much attention to the screen when you receive a message , so it's not discreet like a led or active notification and people around will look every time something appear.
It doesn't require user interaction, it shows up when you get a new notification and go away after a while, which then you can still show it again with a wave.
Notification LED doesn't allow you to quickly read part of read the text message or see who it's coming from (unless you use LightFlow and set a specific color and pattern for each person, and I'm not going to go to that length to manually adjust and remember all that), which is the point of Active Display.
It's better in it's own way, RGB LED have it's own advantages, they are different things. If you prefer RGB LED, buy a Nexus.
The answer is rather simple actually. Active Display is not better than a coloured LED notification.
With LEDs you can set different colours for different purposes, which are cool, and the most advantageous thing is you can see it from distance.
With Active Display people generally say that you can see the incoming text or a missed call info just by tapping on the icon, true, but how many times do you not unlock the device actually? I at least do it all time. So if you are actually unlocking the device most times then what's the benefit of having Active Display over LED? None, at least that's what I think.
When I came to Moto X (2013) from S4, I loved the Active Display, I am not saying that I don't now, but as of this moment I don't find this option as useful as LED notifications, not at all.
Related
know that the Nexus 6 will have a Amoled screen, but the notifications be equal Moto X (moto screen pulsating) or notification led like the Nexus 5?
I'm wondering about the notification LED myself. It has always been a staple of nexus devices, but it doesn't seem like this one is going to have it. Motorola is more prone to waking the screen when a notification is received rather than LEDs. I think, with great disappointment, that this iteration of the Nexus won't have an LED notification light.
Although I have no knowledge or proof and hoping someone can confirm or deny.
I was just going to post a thread asking the same question. Does anyone know if the N6 will have the active display like the Moto X? Where you can say commands and have it answer you back etc etc...
I heard that android L introduces "OK google" with the screen off on nexus 6, along with some level of screen notifications
rapha.194 said:
know that the Nexus 6 will have a Amoled screen, but the notifications be equal Moto X (moto screen pulsating) or notification led like the Nexus 5?
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I hope that it will have an notification LED. If not, it will be one more reasen that i (may be) don´t buy it.
What I remember reading about the guy on G+ who was a device tester for the N6 there is no notification LED. Instead we will have a variant of the "Active Notifications" screen.
While this may be disappointing to some out there I am not surprised they went this way not because of the AMOLED display, but because of Android Wear being pushed out to the market to the point where we have headware, watches, hell even jewelry capable of notification alarms making the notification LED almost obsolete these days. Hell the only time I ever see my LED work is when its charging/low batt/full battery. I will not miss it too much.
I think the LED is more anonymous, so i like this much more.
The other question is, which one takes more accumulator? The LED or the active display (AMOLED)
this is such a disappointment, i rely heavily on the LED, it's much less time consuming, just look at the light, no need to push the power button.
Koolieman20 said:
this is such a disappointment, i rely heavily on the LED, it's much less time consuming, just look at the light, no need to push the power button.
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If its some sort of active display notification there won't be a need to press a button either. It'll just flash a few pixels on your screen with better information as to what type of notification.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
biggiestuff said:
If its some sort of active display notification there won't be a need to press a button either. It'll just flash a few pixels on your screen with better information as to what type of notification.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
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Constantly like LED or when you wave?
borchgrevink said:
Constantly like LED or when you wave?
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Click to collapse
They call it "breathing". It's not as rapid as a led light but it's still low power consumption because it only uses a few pixels to light up the notification and it uses the lower power core on the processor so it's not waking the phone. Not sure if it's going to be the same like on the motos but if it is, I'd prefer it over led notification light.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...bient-display-personalized-take-moto-display/
I have a Moto 360 so neither really concerns me, but if I didn't I'd rather have use of the Moto Active screen than a notification LED.
Hmm, seems like a step back to me. LED keeps battery usage to a minimum, and is always visible. This only lights up when lifted or new notification. I like coming into the room and seeing the LED blink different colours for different notifications.
borchgrevink said:
Hmm, seems like a step back to me. LED keeps battery usage to a minimum, and is always visible. This only lights up when lifted or new notification. I like coming into the room and seeing the LED blink different colours for different notifications.
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This. Exactly! And from my understanding (at least on the Moto x) you can't change colors of the notifications. So you won't be able to tell from a distance.
Pretty sure that there's tons of AMOLED apps that let you choose custom notifications on the screen, at least from what I remember when I had a GNex. The other benefit of that method is you can display multiple notifications at once.
I still prefer the dedicated LED though, seems to be brighter and visible from further away. Also power use is lower, and the general consensus is AMOLED notifications should be 'bounced' around to various spots to avoid burn-in, which makes it a bit annoying.
SenK9 said:
Pretty sure that there's tons of AMOLED apps that let you choose custom notifications on the screen, at least from what I remember when I had a GNex..
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Yeah, the LED on Nexus 5, with "Lightflow", saved my mental sanity a thousand time.
Someone knows a good app like that for Amoled screen?
I want to be prepared...
Gil. said:
Yeah, the LED on Nexus 5, with "Lightflow", saved my mental sanity a thousand time.
Someone knows a good app like that for Amoled screen?
I want to be prepared...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lightflow was a nightmare half the time with the LED, sometimes it works when it wants to work and other times it just does what it wants.
I had to eventually disable the notification LED's all except for low battery, charging and Full battery. Those were the only ones that were not problematic (most of the time).
Dr Faustus said:
Lightflow was a nightmare half the time with the LED, sometimes it works when it wants to work and other times it just does what it wants.
I had to eventually disable the notification LED's all except for low battery, charging and Full battery. Those were the only ones that were not problematic (most of the time).
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Strange, never happened to me.
For me that app was a savior!
I hope I'll find a good competitor for AMOled.
I am sure given time developers will be able to find and mod the "Ambient Display" System to do anything you want it to. Hell if we are lucky and get an Xposed for ART support we will certainly see an xposed module to take full advantage of it.
Hi folks!
I am considering to buy Moto X (1st gen, smaller is better for me) but have couple of questions regarding how notifications are handled on the custom ROMs.
I am so used to seeing my notifications on LED panels on both Xperia SP and Xperia Ray. I can not live without them. LED notifications help me to see what kind of notifications are pending and accordingly I decide whether to pick up the phone or not.
Regarding Moto X with custom ROMs:
1. Can I see notifications without speaking and without touching the phone? I see it has Active Display feature, how long it lits the display after notification is received?
2. Can the LED on Moto X be used for notifications and configured different colors for each notification?
Little offtopic: How is the camera? You like it?
Thanks.
1. Search for Moto X active display on YouTube. Best to see it in action for yourself. I don't miss having a notification LED at all because I don't have to power the screen on to see what my notifications are.
2. No, there's a thread regarding the LED.
3. I'm fine with it, but I don't expect iPhone quality pictures.
nhizzat said:
1. Search for Moto X active display on YouTube. Best to see it in action for yourself. I don't miss having a notification LED at all because I don't have to power the screen on to see what my notifications are.
2. No, there's a thread regarding the LED.
3. I'm fine with it, but I don't expect iPhone quality pictures.
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1. I have seen the video but I could not figure out how long the notification would be displayed on the screen. When I work, I put the phone at the side on my desk and check it only when there is any notification. Suppose that a SMS arrived and screen lit up with the notification but due to work, I did not notice that I have a new SMS. After some time say, 10 minutes, I glance at the screen (without touching). Will I see the notification on the screen in this case? Currently I glance at the blinking LED and then I know there is something and only after that I pick up the phone to check notification. I hope that I was clear. Could you please clarify this?
2. I will check the LED thread.
3. Yes, I am not expecting much
Waving your hand over the screen or gently rocking the phone will activate active/Moto display. I've never timed the frequency of the notifications but I'd say it's about as often as a notification LED. With this, you won't have to pick up your phone to check because you'll know exactly what's waiting.
nhizzat said:
Waving your hand over the screen or gently rocking the phone will activate active/Moto display. I've never timed the frequency of the notifications but I'd say it's about as often as a notification LED. With this, you won't have to pick up your phone to check because you'll know exactly what's waiting.
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Thanks for the reply. What I am looking for is, with the glance only I should be able to tell that the notification is waiting. So, waving or picking up the phone to see notifications is not what I expect to do. Looks like active display is not what I thought it would be
If there is a new notification and you were not there to notice it, the screen will light up enough pixels periodically to inform you of the new notification(s). It will pulse on periodically and is noticeable in your peripheral vision. These active notifications are controlled by a low energy processor core and take less energy than a constantly blinking notification led. You can get very valuable info from the active notifications without turning on the screen, the notifications only use a few hundred pixels, whereas you have to turn on the whole screen to see what's up with a notification led. I was leery of the lack of a notification led, but now I greatly prefer the active notifications and will look for that feature on my next phone.
Groid said:
If there is a new notification and you were not there to notice it, the screen will light up enough pixels periodically to inform you of the new notification(s). It will pulse on periodically and is noticeable in your peripheral vision. These active notifications are controlled by a low energy processor core and take less energy than a constantly blinking notification led. You can get very valuable info from the active notifications without turning on the screen, the notifications only use a few hundred pixels, whereas you have to turn on the whole screen to see what's up with a notification led. I was leery of the lack of a notification led, but now I greatly prefer the active notifications and will look for that feature on my next phone.
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This is perfectly explained, kudos to you! Thank you very much.
enli said:
Thanks for the reply. What I am looking for is, with the glance only I should be able to tell that the notification is waiting. So, waving or picking up the phone to see notifications is not what I expect to do. Looks like active display is not what I thought it would be
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Click to collapse
Also, the notification will flash about every 5 seconds and will be illuminated for about 2 seconds. I think it slows down after a while
I love the led on my Nexus 4. I use lightflow to light up the led with different colors based on the notification and keep the led going until I dismiss the notification. I am thinking of getting a new Moto X, but unsure about losing the LED. How does the active display feature work on the Moto X when compared to the LED?
Thank you.
NexusIncarnate said:
I love the led on my Nexus 4. I use lightflow to light up the led with different colors based on the notification and keep the led going until I dismiss the notification. I am thinking of getting a new Moto X, but unsure about losing the LED. How does the active display feature work on the Moto X when compared to the LED?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it works well. I cannot be certain as to how much power it uses when compared to the LED, however, if it is very similar than I would take active display over LED notifications any day.
I used lightflow on my nexus 4 and 5, and now with the moto X and active display... I couldn't care less about the light anymore. Active notifications are so much better. All the info you need, you don't have to remember which light goes to what and you get to see a preview of the notification without ever unlocking to phone.
You won't miss that led at all.
I've just moved from a Samsung S3 to a Moto X. I had LED notifications on my S3 and to be honest I do miss it. The notifications on the Moto X is good, however the only "problem" I have with it is that I have to wave my hand over the screen to see if there is any form of notification. With my S3 I could see from across the room if something was waiting for me without doing anything as I could see the LED flashing with a specific color.
It's not a deal breaker and it's also not the end of the world, I do like the Moto X notifications but I would still prefer to have an LED as well.
Active Notifications should blink periodically too, so that you can see if you have a notif w/out the hand wave. At least it works that way on my '13 X
(whether or not your eyesight is good enough to see which notif it is from a distance is another issue)
If you get a device that you can root lightflow will allow you to enable the notification LED under the headset speaker grill.
I came from a Galaxy S4 and I don't miss the LEDs at all. Active Display does the job pretty well, when you have notifications the screen blinks from time to time, hold the icon and you can see exactly what the notification is about, and you can either swipe up to go directly to the app, swipe left to dismiss and down to unlock the phone. Working great for me, don't imagine living without it anymore lol
tw1tch175 said:
If you get a device that you can root lightflow will allow you to enable the notification LED under the headset speaker grill.
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Click to collapse
Yeah! If you root your device you can use a green LED, this LED is originally used when the battery drops and you can't turn on the phone and even the screen, to show you that the phone is charging this LED turn on.
But, if I'm not wrong, you can't make it blink, and you need to run Light Flow in root mode.
I really like the LED on my phone as well. I don't know why I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get a Moto X or not. I have a cyber Monday coupon but I really like the Nexus 4. The only thing I really hate about it is the camera and battery life. Is the Camera at least better than the N4?
The battery is great on this phone. I constantly get 4.5 to 5 hours of SOT with location on high accuracy, BT on and all syncing on.
I don't miss the led much. Had the s3 before. Love the active display!
Sent from my XT1095 using XDA Free mobile app
I don't miss the LED from my S3 one bit. The active display is far superior.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
Is it just me or are notification just broke in MM or the N6 in general? I'm under the impression that the N6 has a Proximity Sensor but unlike it's half brother the Moto X waving your hand over the display doesn't do anything. Is this correct because if not mine doesn't work.
The other thing is it might or might not make a notification sound when notification comes in or it might or might not always light up the display. And if it does it may only flash the lock screen two or three times and then it just stops. Picking up the phone may or may not trigger the screen to light up. It doesn't matter if it is a Gmail, Text or a Calendar reminder. The notifications in MM just seem broken to me at least on the N6. My N7 works properly other then it doesn't have the Ambient Display.
I've reset the phone. I've flashed the stock factory images. I've played with the settings until I think I've turned on and off every switch there is to change. I've been stock, or stock rooted but nothing changes. The notifications are just wonky and my N6.
One last little rant while I'm in the mood. Why doesn't the N6 support 360 degree rotation? Seems silly that my N7 does but that "feature" isn't part of the N6. Come on Google get it together already.
Over all I like everything about this phone and MM in general which is more then I can say for LP when it first landed. But man this notification issue is just driving me nuts.
So is it just me and my phone?
Thanks,
fasthair
It won't show notifications if you wave your hand, it will light up when you receive a notification and when you pick up or move your phone though
I usually just use the LED notification but ambient display works every time when I have it enabled.
In your settings area, under sounds/notifications- check your do not disturb settings and make sure those settings are correct for how you want them, when and what makes noise for notifications.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
fasthair said:
Is it just me or are notification just broke in MM or the N6 in general? I'm under the impression that the N6 has a Proximity Sensor but unlike it's half brother the Moto X waving your hand over the display doesn't do anything. Is this correct because if not mine doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not trigger on proximity. You need to BONK the phone -- it uses a motion sensor.
The other thing is it might or might not make a notification sound when notification comes in or it might or might not always light up the display. And if it does it may only flash the lock screen two or three times and then it just stops. Picking up the phone may or may not trigger the screen to light up. It doesn't matter if it is a Gmail, Text or a Calendar reminder. The notifications in MM just seem broken to me at least on the N6. My N7 works properly other then it doesn't have the Ambient Display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few things that can impact it. For instance the proximity sensor will *DISABLE* notification display. The reason for this, is that it indicates that the phone is in your pocket or something. If the screen lights up in your pocket, it enables the touch sensor, and makes it possible for your pocket to push buttons. Two or three times sounds right. That's what its supposed to do, not blink perpetually.
One last little rant while I'm in the mood. Why doesn't the N6 support 360 degree rotation? Seems silly that my N7 does but that "feature" isn't part of the N6. Come on Google get it together already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
N7 is a tablet. N6 is a phone. Making sure to keep track of "which way is UP" is useful so you don't try to talk into the speaker and listen from the microphone. Consider for a moment, you are browsing a website with the phone upside down, a phone call comes in, HUD notification shows from what visually appears to be the top of the phone, you answer, and put it on your head upside down. Alternatively, if the phone call forces it to right-side-up notification, you end up fumbling around with it trying to right side up it while in the process of hitting the answer button.
Thanks for the replies folks.
I do Bonk the phone to get it to light up and see if there is notifications. It just seems silly to me that I have to touch the phone when it's laying on my desk to see if I've missed a notification of some sort. I really miss the LED notification. Yes I know there is a hack to make the LED work on this phone but it works just as wonky for me. To me notifications are just broke since the only way to know if you missed something is pick up the phone, more or less, and look instead of just giving the phone a glance to see if the LED is blinking and what color it is to tell what type of notification it is. Anyway, now that I know it is supposed to be this way I'll just have to get used to it. I did find some settings under the Do Not Disturb as @DroidFire pointed out where off a bit. Adjusting those has helped so thanks for pointing me to look there.
The point about the N6 being a phone and as such no 360 degree rotation makes sense now that it is pointed out as @doitright has done so well. Thanks for that bit of logic.
fasthair
Just keep in mind that it was a temporary oversight on google's part. The 5x/6p went back to blinking notification lights. It was an interesting, but frustrating idea.
I think that the notification light can fairly easily be made to work reliably, but without blinking. Would end up needing at least part of the OS to be rebuilt. The hacks that you found that are unreliable, are addons rather than component replacements. That's why they are unreliable.
For years I used my led for notifications. Even knew what kind of notification had based on the color of the led and with no need of an annoying sound.
Now I'm lost. Always on display for me it's a waste of battery. The edge lighting is not working properly (look for the thread about it) and anyway it only lights once, I would like to see it 10 minutes after. The light around the camera is useless, as Samsung didn't implement it.
I'm using always on edge, but it's not working properly with autoinput (an app I use so I don't have to slide to unlock every single time). Every notification I get the screen turns on, so now I'm using only when screen is on.
What do you do for notifications?
I started with a Garmin Fenix 3 HR a few years ago. Then to a Pebble 2 HR. Now, a Fenix 5S Plus. Added bonus: Smart Lock when the watch is connected (whenever I'm not in bed or the shower) negates the need to use the FPR.
I had an OG Pixel XL where to notification shows up for a bit with the first sentence of the notification. It does on a black screen too so great for battery, basically an Always on display that is activated by notifications. So easy to glance at my phone when getting a notification and decide whether to answer or ignore.
Now I'm lost too, there's no built in way to have the screen turn on when you get a notification so I'm using a third party app but it actually just shows the lockscreen not a black screen with the notification in the middle so it's jarring as hell.