Database Develop

Android 4.2 and how I feel about it

Google’s latest Android version 4.2 may not be a major upgrade from 4.1, but it sure does come with unfinished work and some improvements to be done. This update feels like it’s in beta with random restarts and lag issues. Here’s my list of improvements that I’d love to see in 4.2.1 - Warning: Some of you may not agree with the following.
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
The new Notification Bar brings some improvements to 4.2, with the setting shortcut placed nicely on the right corner for easy thumb access; instead of on the middle-left, like on 4.1
But, there’s a missing link to the 2nd Notification Bar; instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Lock Screen + Widgets:
Yet another slight improvement. With the changes to the Roboto font and alignment of your security pin-box, the system seems to look sleek, professional and welcoming, rather than the clunky look and feel of 4.1
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Image: http://bit.ly/ScjVr2
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Image: http://bit.ly/RRuoIv
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Image: http://bit.ly/QWcmaU

7-down said:
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
... instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thougths here. I miss the TapToToggle-HoldToEnter-functionality of the S III
======
EDIT:
On the Nexus 7 with 4.2 you can choose which view you pull down.
Pull down in left part => Notifications
Pull dwon in right part => Settings
That would be nice on the Nexus 4 too
======
7-down said:
Lock Screen + Widgets:
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the fast camera access. Swipe to left, take photo :good:
But the Lockscreen-Widgets are lame. The "FastEnter"-Apps like in AOSP/CM10 or Stock SIII are much better
7-down said:
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
... blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh: You made my day :good:
7-down said:
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% agree. Google-Cloud for save files, app settings, etc would be very nice

I felt like Lockscreen widgets and quick settings are responses to what the community are customizing. You have a wildly popular app called WidgetLockr, and all skins are placing toggles on the status bar. I can see how they are not willing to copy what others did directly but really, those are the best solutions out there. So I'm still gonna root, install widgetlockr and power toggle for those stuff.

xXSturmiXx said:
EDIT:
On the Nexus 7 with 4.2 you can choose which view you pull down.
Pull down in left part => Notifications
Pull dwon in right part => Settings
That would be nice on the Nexus 4 too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings

xXSturmiXx said:
:laugh: You made my day :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HA! It's true... I cannot unsee it, now lol

Lockscreen widgets aren't my type of thing, like OP said, it'll be fun for a few weeks then just get boring, never used lockscreen "widgets" that came with sense either. I also favor 4.1's status bar+toggles, compared to 4.2 which is slightly still an attractive approach to switching things up(or on...pun intended) and making more room.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app

Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app

babalonius508 said:
Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that was tripping me out as well...it was better when only the icons rotated.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I'm not sure how lock screen widgets defeat the whole purpose of the lock screen? The whole point of the lock screen to me is a buffer screen that stops you from accidentally activating your phone by making you perform specific actions on the screen. The new lock screen still does that quite well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Chrono_Tata said:
I'm not sure how lock screen widgets defeat the whole purpose of the lock screen? The whole point of the lock screen to me is a buffer screen that stops you from accidentally activating your phone by making you perform specific actions on the screen. The new lock screen still does that quite well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, the lockscreen widgets allow you to look-but-no-touch. The appeal is still there, in that you cant accidentally mess things up with screen widgets in your pocket because they require unlock before you can mess with them.
Except for the camera, but there isn't a whole lot of bad that could be done with that.

xXSturmiXx said:
I like the fast camera access. Swipe to left, take photo :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me what you had to do on lockscreen to take picture on 4.1?

7-down said:
Google’s latest Android version 4.2 may not be a major upgrade from 4.1, but it sure does come with unfinished work and some improvements to be done. This update feels like it’s in beta with random restarts and lag issues. Here’s my list of improvements that I’d love to see in 4.2.1 - Warning: Some of you may not agree with the following.
Notification Bar + Profile Bar:
The new Notification Bar brings some improvements to 4.2, with the setting shortcut placed nicely on the right corner for easy thumb access; instead of on the middle-left, like on 4.1
But, there’s a missing link to the 2nd Notification Bar; instead of being toggle buttons, it’s just another shortcut to the settings page. Why give us more shortcut icons?
Lock Screen + Widgets:
Yet another slight improvement. With the changes to the Roboto font and alignment of your security pin-box, the system seems to look sleek, professional and welcoming, rather than the clunky look and feel of 4.1
But, the new Lock Screen Widget feature in 4.2 redefines everything I said above, this makes the once welcoming screen look childish, unattractive and cluttered. Sure, it’s fun to play around with for awhile, but it kills the purpose of a “Lock screen”, and that's a bad thing.
Image: http://bit.ly/ScjVr2
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Image: http://bit.ly/RRuoIv
Play Store + Extra Download Page:
What’s up with this extra download page? How about we focus on “Google Playground” where I can save my games and not lose them when I have to factory reset? Or challenge my friends on Google+ with scoreboards? Oh yeah, the store needs a major design overhaul, like... right now!
Image: http://bit.ly/QWcmaU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree 100% with all. Can you talk to the Common Sense department at Google and get this stuff worked on

crawlgsx said:
Agree 100% with all. Can you talk to the Common Sense department at Google and get this stuff worked on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also posted this on Google+, hopefully Google sees this
2nd thought... I don't think they'll care lol. :silly:

7-down said:
(If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 31 years old; I understand references to Snarf and Optimus Prime. Poke-whatever did not factor into my childhood.
EDIT: I guess I should actually post something constructive:
- I also wish the second notification bar was more than just shortcuts. Why aren't they buttons? I put the Power Control widget back on my phone for the first time since in quite a while
- I don't ever imagine using the lockscreen widgets; at least not the ones that are available now. I absolutely despise the bolded first digit in the clock widget. Despise it. It looks ugly and I can't understand why they did that. It's stupid and I'm getting mad just thinking about it again. F***.
- Haven't tried photosphere yet; it's not something that I think about
- Extra download page...I dunno, something else I haven't thought about at all.
My own thing:
- Swiping keyboard is the bees knees.

7-down said:
Camera + Photo-Sphere:
The updated camera UI is stunning! With the new setting chooser, it’s easy to access everything with one hand, unlike the old messy UI where everything was scattered everywhere.
But, this new Photo-Sphere functionality is just another gimmick, waste of space and effort. Sure, people will use it for the first 2 weeks, but eventually they’ll move on to taking “regular” photos like “regular” people; instead of lining up blue dots into a Pokeball (If you don’t see a Pokeball, I feel for your childhood).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me this is no gimmick at all. I frequently have to resort to drawings and painstaking email descriptions to describe physical spaces in my line of work. As imperfect as Photo Sphere is at the moment, it's a quantum leap ahead in terms of camera usefulness for me. It's quite literally a 'worth a thousand words' thing.

The only lockscreen widget I have is a clock from HD widgets that looks nicer than the stock one and shows battery %. Other than that I don't see much point to it.
The settings pulldown on the n7 did annoy me at first as it is positioned where I would normally have pulled down for notifications. I wish it would toggle WiFi/Bluetooth rather than going to settings. Maybe short press to toggle long press for settings.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Fully agree on the notification toggles and lockscreen.
Notification toggles should work like they do in CM, press to toggle, long-press to visit the settings.
Without getting into a debate on the usefulness of lockscreen widgets, the design and layout of the lockscreen is convoluted and messy. Definitely needs to be refined.
Two places to swipe from (Lock and Home button)
Interface to add widgets is odd, why do they appear small on the clock screen first after they are added?
Way too much flashing with the white boxes, feels like it's perpetually in an edit/drag to adjust mode
I say at a minimum, drop the soft-nav keys on the lockscreen and return to have Google now being a swipe upwards and kill the flashing white boxes.

babalonius508 said:
Honestly one of the little things that drives me crazy is the rotation of the camera. I don't see why the whole screen has to rotate to landscape when you turn the phone. Why can't just the onscreen controls rotate instead of the whole frame? Seems pointless but then again its a small insignificant issue.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Harry Pothead said:
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to use two hands

Harry Pothead said:
Swipe down with one finger -> notifications
Swipe down with two fingers -> settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Life feels good again. Thanks bro!

I honestly feel that Google did send this update out as an almost unfinished product, and will be fixing this later. Only question is, how long will it take. Those with Galaxy Nexus', are updates pretty frequent?

Recent Apps Menu & Lock Screen - AOSP Style

Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.

vercetti said:
Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, here in the UK on the latest build for Lollipop I was unable to install Fancy Switcher, as it said it wasn't compatible with my device.
I'm not very keen on the stock recents however I believe the marshmallow update change's this from 4 apps on a screen to a single app per screen
Lock screen, not very nice and ability to set apps as sensitive to stop them displaying the app sender or message (for example in WhatsApp) which is something I really miss from previous Lollipop and Marshmallow that I had on a HTC One M8 running Google Play Edition. I've tried 'Next' lock screen app from Microsoft but unable to unlock with fingerprint so its probably only a function that works with the stock lock screen. As Marshmallow has native support for fingerprint sensors maybe the update will bring additional functionality however we will have to wait and see.
I did register for Marshmallow beta testing but don't appear to have been selected unless rollout is slow.
I like the phone but almost wish I had waiting and tried a Mate 8. The extra battery size and already on Marshmallow may make it a better choice.
I've always been a stock android or custom ROM person however I quite like some features of the EMUI skin...just wish there were a few more customisations and built in features that were enabled as standard...like the ability to change the cycle date of your mobile data plan.
Gavin

hey gavin,
thx for the nice reply.
the recent apps menu in marshmallow makes it even worse if only 1 app is available per screen. to get to the 5th app you'd have to swipe 5 times (compared to now with just one swipe)! that really sucks - 1 app per screen?!?
too bad about fancy switcher, that would look nice if it worked. i found switcher so far but it doesn't work 100% on my note 2. would you try that one out for me?
lock screen - how are notifactions presented? would you have a screenshot? and they can be swiped away right from the lockscreen?
thx for your help,
vercetti.

hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.

vercetti said:
hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin

brumgav said:
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.

vercetti said:
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
I guess if you dont set a PIN or fingerprint then it will just open the app but i prefer the security of having my phone locked securely with fingerprint.

brumgav said:
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.

vercetti said:
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.

brumgav said:
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.

vercetti said:
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
I'm really hoping that the MM update and EMUI 4.0 update bring lots of new features.
I brought an iPhone 6 Plus a month ago to have a look at it, as I had the opportunity to buy one, have a play and sell it without making a loss and I admit I really quite liked some of its features...considering the CPU the iPhones are so fast but I hated the notification centre, Android really have a great notification system and I prefered being able to customise lots of features, particulary with ROMs like Cyanogen. I sold it and after seeing the Mate S online thought it looked great and thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
I have seen youtube videos comparing Galaxy S6 and Mate 8 (yes the bigger Mate S with better CPU) however the S6 still wsa very powerful on graphics.
Like I said, hopeing the MM and EMUI update brings some improvement however, for jsut a normal phone user that uses phone on train during morning commute for 40 minutes I'm more than happy with it. Finger print sensor on the rear is perfect, I've barely opened the front cover of my phone case and just natural position of my hand and first finger is perfect so the phone is unlocked ready for me. I think my thumb was at risk of being strained on my HTC One M8 which I had pattern unlock....when I look back I don't know how I managed to keep doing that pattern so many times, and also the risk that a pick pocket could learn my pattern over time.
Hope this is helping you.

brumgav said:
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably not out yet...
thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
Hope this is helping you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.

vercetti said:
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
probably not out yet...
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.

brumgav said:
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.

vercetti said:
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and take a look at a different launcher and the themes thing later tonight when home from work.
Just a quick point though, the lockscreen notifications only work with a particular lockscreen type called Magazine Unlock... This is a type of lockscreen that cycles through a gallery of images....not sure if the images are customisable.
Here is a snapshot of a normal lockscreen with limited notification details compared with the magazine lockscreen. You can see one has the message details and the other is very basic with just an icon.

hey, now that sucks! only magazine lockscreen gives you more info on notifications? all the others simply show the icon?!? wow, that is really disappointing...
thx for trying later today, can't wait!

from a quick internet search I think it's possible to stop the switching pix in the magazine lockscreen. also which pix should be used. so you can actually control which and also how many (or only 1) are used.

The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
vercetti said:
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.

Thx for clarifying this suprman.
Lockscreen doesn't sound very good unfortunately...
which theme and lockscreen do you use?
I read in older Huawei threads that one can change the lockscreen style. "halo" style got rid of the 4 standard shortcuts on the bottom (which to my knowledge are also not modifiable...) and instead let's you set up 4 custom shortcuts. but maybe huawei did away with this feature nowadays.
which design (theme) do you use?
thx,
vercetti.

suprman said:
The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comments, that summarised what I was going to so with the themes later.
Did you know you can open the app from the lockscreen by swiping it to the right...and then touching fingerprint sensor?

Useful tips and tricks Mate 20 Pro

Hey guys,
I wanted to create a thread to share some tips and little tricks I've found and to everyone to share what you found to make the overall experience better, so here's what I've found, most of them you have to be using EMUI launcher (I gave up Nova so I can use native gestures):
1. To unlock when you use fingerprint but it doesn't recognize it at first try, face unlock will kick in and most of the time you'll see a screen saying "slide to unlock after successful facial recognition" the little trick is: you don't have to lift finger from screen then slide, so to make a smother experience I'm trying to make an habit to unlock to do this movement: press+hold+slide(as soon as you see screen turn on) and it unlocks 95% of the time.
2. Raise to wake works better and faster if you stop your natural movement ABRUPTLY and at the end of me movement the phone is tilted a little in upright position when it is in front of you. If I don't do this I just keep staring like a fool for a few seconds at the always on display and end up using fingerprint sensor or power button.
3. GESTURES:
*For the back gesture you have to start from the very edge to work, if you're using a case try to tap on the actual case then slide
*Similar for the home/recents gesture try to place your finger outside the screen on the small black bezel/chin then slide
*For the home gesture just slide and release quickly but to make the recents gesture work better, slide up then the little trick is (okay this is a big deal for me so I'll just bolds) to turn HORIZONTALLY (see screenshot attached for example path) as soon as you turn horizontally it'll lock recents app (you'll feel the vibration) if you just slide up and don't do the little turn you have to wait a while until it locks
UPDATE: I think it works even better and faster if you slide straight up around 1/6 of the screen then slightly straight down.
4. There's no double tap to lock which is something I missed but if you're using EMUI launcher there's is a lock scren widget which you can use to lock the screen without any delays like third party apps usually do with 5 seconds timeouts. Pretty handy little icon!
5. If you're using native launcher and want to rearrange icons, first press and hold in an empty area then you can select several icons to move in batches to a folder or even moving one by one you don't have to tapal and hold for a long time before you can start sliding to move icon (see screenshots).
6. For additional gestures (previous app, start split screen, google assistant, show volume slider, etc.) I'm using the "Edge gestures" app, obviously horizontal functions do not work because it will trigger the native "back" gesture instead but vertical gestures work pretty well without delay (see screenshot).
7. Best browser experience I've found since Samsung internet browser is unusable (4-8 seconds delay to switch tabs) is:
Yandex browser + Adguard extension app
because of this MUST haves for me:
*It actually blocks ads
*It supports split screen
*It's fast
*It has controls on the bottom of the scren instead of on top for a lot easier one hand operation
8. Use "SystemUI tuner" app to hide icons on status bar such as bluetooth, NFC, wifi, etc and make room for notifications
9. Use NCleaner app to hide unwanted permanent notifications such as "X app is displaying over other apps"
10. This isnpretty general and not just of this phone but in case someone uses youtube frequently and uses original app, do yourself a favor and download YouTube Vanced (from vanced website) and vidmate if you need to download videos.
I might be returning this phone and going back to Note 9 because of the awful screen, tinny speakers, terrible ram management, not so great signal strength in my area and all the EMUI bugs but I'll update this post if I find extra tips, please share what you've found!

11. How to avoid EMUI system from closing apps running in the background:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-20-pro/how-to/guide-how-to-avoid-emui-closing-apps-t3862911

I'd suggest Brave for ad-blocking browser instead.

vwite said:
7. Best browser experience I've found since Samsung internet browser is unusable (4-8 seconds delay to switch tabs) is:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.

randomA said:
I'd suggest Brave for ad-blocking browser instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this before but didn't like it, I don't remember if it was controls on the very top of the screen or that it didn't support split screen, but what advantages does it have compared to Yandex with AdGuard?
themissionimpossible said:
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm, that's weird, I tried both the regular and the beta and tried uninstalling and installing them again and both take a very long time to open the tabs menu, even with only one tab opened. On my Note 9 it also has around 1 second delay (for opening all tabs, if you just swipe on bar to switch to next or previous tab is faster) so I think that's normal but 4-8 seconds is unusable for me
On the mate 20 pro I am on build .122, which one do you have?

9.0.0.122 patch02
Mate 20 Pro no brand

vwite said:
I've tried this before but didn't like it, I don't remember if it was controls on the very top of the screen or that it didn't support split screen, but what advantages does it have compared to Yandex with AdGuard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you earn BAT for using it, it's a chrome fork (basically a chrome clone), has a builtin ad-suppressor , doesnt track you, etc. without having to donwload other apps/extensions.

themissionimpossible said:
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest kiwi browser. Adblocking, bottom bar, black theme, open source, chromium based, super fast

henihazbay said:
I suggest kiwi browser. Adblocking, bottom bar, black theme, open source, chromium based, super fast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing find, thank you! I already switched back to Note 9 so I'm using samsung browser beta again but this is the first chrome based I've tried that has the option to show bar on the bottom of the screen, I'll test how ad blocking works but I might actually switch from samsung broswer to this! Night mode is also nicer since it changes the colors but doesn't decrease brightness

vwite said:
.
I might be returning this phone and going back to Note 9 because of the awful screen, tinny speakers, terrible ram management, not so great signal strength in my area and all the EMUI bugs but I'll update this post if I find extra tips, please share what you've found!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny thing is I'm having none of those issues you mentioned. Ram management is great, screen is great and the speakers are good enough. I knew EMUI would be this phones Achilles heel so it my expectations were properly set.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L0C using XDA Labs

HI, I tried Tip #6 but for me Edge Gestures does not work for me at all.
Not one Gesture does work on my phone.
EDIT: SORRY ... my fault ... it works

'1. To unlock when you use fingerprint but it doesn't recognize it at first try, face unlock will kick in and most of the time you'll see a screen saying "slide to unlock after successful facial recognition" the little trick is: you don't have to lift finger from screen then slide, so to make a smother experience I'm trying to make an habit to unlock to do this movement: press+hold+slide(as soon as you see screen turn on) and it unlocks 95% of the time.'
Much easier to go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Face Recognition and then selecting Direct Unlock. This way, it will unlock the screen direct from Face Recognition without having to slide.

This is an accident find but haven't read about it anywhere - apologies if it's widely known.
Long pressing the "trash can" in the Recent Apps section brings up All Apps - nice shortcut.

ero69 said:
This is an accident find but haven't read about it anywhere - apologies if it's widely known.
Long pressing the "trash can" in the Recent Apps section brings up All Apps - nice shortcut.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I didn't know that. Cheers.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

where can I find NCleaner?

charliebigpot said:
where can I find NCleaner?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.easy4u.ncleaner

Nice tips.. Any other tips?

vwite said:
Hey guys,
(...)
9. Use NCleaner app to hide unwanted permanent notifications such as "X app is displaying over other apps" (...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really nice!

mrnovanova said:
Funny thing is I'm having none of those issues you mentioned. Ram management is great, screen is great and the speakers are good enough. I knew EMUI would be this phones Achilles heel so it my expectations were properly set.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L0C using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree - no issues at my end too.

One thing I just found out that in face unlock settings There is a require eye contact setting. I've tried closing my eyes and asked a family member if my screen unlock, it doesn't and as soon as I opened them it unlocked.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L09 using XDA Labs

Question Anyone's At A Glance On Home Screen Jacked -Up Too?!

So there's been some changes with beta build #5, and I'm reading my GA is gonna hook me up with some Krazy Kool custom features to jazz up my At A Glance field(I know, field is the best I could grab but it's not a widget becuz you can't kill it)?!
I hope she thinks of something soon cuz I'm left with this glorified calendar/schedule events thing that's there for the duration (see shots below). Can't even scrape what's left off the glass?! Lol, jk
p.s. Let us all not forget, we wanted beta so we got it.
p.s.s. for the record, the actual At A Glance widget is about midway down on my home screen, as I put it there just for illustrative purposes to accurately reflect what the other critter used to look like back in the day!

Yes, seems it's a bug with latest beta. Hopefully fixed with final version.

Lpen21 said:
Yes, seems it's a bug with latest beta. Hopefully fixed with final version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking it was just incomplete, they rushed it or something cuz they got like 3 toggles built into features? Me, I'm maybe a lone-wolf on this, but I've always liked this one from Google(widget whatever), and back a few now that At A Glance sorta spun off of the Google Now launcher theme, didn't it? The little frog dude that pops into the scene, is kinda kool when you close the app(or screen)and go back and tap the weather side of the widget!
(I'm probably the only one on that note)? smh

The three toggles are for customization, I think you will be able to add or turn off calendar, weather etc. It even looks like we will be able to remove at a glance altogether and add your own widget if you go to home settings and tap on cog it has option to disable but currently not working

Lpen21 said:
The three toggles are for customization, I think you will be able to add or turn off calendar, weather etc. It even looks like we will be able to remove at a glance altogether and add your own widget if you go to home settings and tap on cog it has option to disable but currently not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds pretty cool and besides what were they thinking putting something permanent on our home screens....how dare they?

General Love the new GoodLock (esp HomeUp)

Samsung released their major update for GoodLock and the associated widgets this morning (i got them in UK at least anyway)
The new HomeUp is great ... adds a major element which makes the app tray so much nicer ... VERTICAL scrolling in one long list instead of pages.
I already really like the ability to make the home screen & folders support many more rows/columns -- but this no more horizontal app tray = best bit ever
Makes OneUI finally for me a decent launcher
Why they just don't incorporate GoodLock and the extras into the main codeline i have no idea

What version of GoodLock and HomeUp do you have?

About the vertical scrolling, I can't the "priority app list" on the top of the drawer, why they didn't add a switch for that... Anyway I'm back to Nova hehe

Dizzyrul3z said:
What version of GoodLock and HomeUp do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good lock new modules are now up on apkmirror

Thx 4 info but I need patched one from here https://downloads.corsicanu.ro/GoodLock/12/

EDIT: patched new versions are available. I had hoped for option to remove priority app list but not this time (again)

I use Fine Lock, it's a Good Lock launcher that lets you launch any module and it comes with some additional features like customizing the UI of the app and let you know when a module has been updated.

ryupunk said:
About the vertical scrolling, I can't the "priority app list" on the top of the drawer, why they didn't add a switch for that... Anyway I'm back to Nova hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, so good change but still unusable, why the hell that part is not optional as it take nearly half of the screen -.-

They even fixed my problem of being unable to save and restore setups - something triggered by the OneUI 4.0 update. Finally sorted out.
Agreed that most of the HomeUp features should be integrated in Home UI settings. I guess Samsung thinks users would be overwhelmed if they cram all the options in.