remap s-pen button - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

Anyone ever heard of a way to remap the button on the S Pen?
I rarely use the Air menu in fact I actually disabled it in options.
I do however use the pen in my hand probably 95% of the time, I love the precision as well as having the ability to hover over something without clicking it like a mouse can.
My only thought is that it would be amazing to be able to press the button and have it register as a tap at the current location instead of having it pop up in the air menu.
I also would love to be able to modify that SVG Circle that Prince the current pin location on screen to something more visible and possibly add a trail or something. I'm guessing this would require rooting. I am a long time desktop developer but this is my first time really delving into Android and I have noticed so many hidden services and apps that I would love to kill but I can't so it looks like I may have to root anyway.

That prints* sorry I tried to edit the typos but the save wouldn't send. I'm assuming my you block extension here is blocking some script. I've pretty much disabled 90% of the functionality on this phone just to help secure it that's another thing I need to look into browser security.

+1 on remapping the pen button

bober10113 said:
+1 on remapping the pen button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I think there's a lot of potential for some really helpful and amazing functions. First time I used this and noticed it could track on screen without touch I thought that was something very special. And then when I found that it could register a button press while hovering I immediately thought of thousand applications for this.
Just one off the top of my head. Imagine having an actual useful text to clipboard function where you simply hover the cursor over text you wanted and click the button to highlight and let go of button to stop highlighting. It would make copying text on the phone just like using a mouse. I am so sick of having to long press and stay completely still for the damn thing to register. We shouldn't have to do that with this s pen.

I have tried before on rooted note 3 to remap the s pen button but the phone didn't recognize the command... always pop up s pen menu. I think surely you need root before trying or try adb push.
Regards

Conito, I would love to hear more in-depth description of your attempt to remap it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmd.spencontrol
this might be an option if you have rooted your phone.
it doesn't outright remap your button, but does let you execute commands by drawing lines or symbols while holding the button.
I haven't tested it since the note 2 though because I no longer root devices.

I have even wrote to Samsung asking for this. I want to be able to remap it for the eye dropper to when I'm drawing. It's set as the eraser from Samsung so hopefully someone will one day find a way to at least change the default tool (eraser) That might be easier than a whole other app or something.

cricketpaddleinmyhand said:
Conito, I would love to hear more in-depth description of your attempt to remap it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate you have to quote, I didn't see your post until now.
I just try to remap with applications like xposed additions and stuff like that. But the app didn't recognize when I pressed the button. So the only thing we can do is get into the app that manage the spen command and edit it with tools or things like that. I remember that some guy in the note 3 forum develop a simple app that can launch that application. So maybe that could be the solution: edit the behavior of the original spencommand app.
My best regards.

Related

[Think tank] Map menu long press to keyboard (not search)

Since the vibrant doesn't have a secondary input like most android devices, it's even more vital that we have unfettered access to the keyboard and its soft arrow keys. Unfortunately long pressing the menu button in some applications (notably the browser) brings up SEARCH rather than the keyboard by itself. That means no arrow keys for text selection or link highlighting.
This has been discussed previously in general at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=776792
How difficult would it be to remap the long press of the menu key to bring up the keyboard by itself?
After researching it some on my own, it looks like I need to come up with a way to call showSoftInput() from one of the softkeys. It'd be ideal if I could get that to happen on menu long press, but if that's too far buried in proprietary configuration I'd settle for replacing the google voice search app mapped to the Search button long press.
Anyone have any tips on mapping system functions to a hardware key normally used for app launching? The lack of any keyboard in the browser is seriously inhibiting my ability to use this phone.
Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
fit333 said:
Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, buth then you have to use dxtop. *non fan of dxtop*
fit333 said:
Dxtop pro does this, and long press back is tasks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dxtop takes over the long press of buttons only in the home screen context, and it doesn't use any of them to launch the keyboard. Plus there's no way to configure any of it so it's not really the same at all.
What I'm looking for is to alter one of the long press actions in a system-wide way to launch the soft keyboard.
cbisquit said:
After researching it some on my own, it looks like I need to come up with a way to call showSoftInput() from one of the softkeys. It'd be ideal if I could get that to happen on menu long press, but if that's too far buried in proprietary configuration I'd settle for replacing the google voice search app mapped to the Search button long press.
Anyone have any tips on mapping system functions to a hardware key normally used for app launching? The lack of any keyboard in the browser is seriously inhibiting my ability to use this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried emailing Anderweb? ADW launcher intercepts the home button. You might be able to do something similar. It might only work on the home screen though, as his app is running there. For a system wide thing you might need to mod the underlying OS files, framework maybe? I'm not sure where that stuff launches. You could try asking one of the Cyanogen devs, they might have found it. They add stuff to the power button long press menu at least.
Certain apps (Visual Task Switcher and Itching Thumb) remap the search and home buttons to open themselves. I imagine this same idea could be used for the menu button, but I've never seen it.
I don't always complain, but when I do, I #BlameWes
some success...
Well I got a little app to work at opening the keyboard on long press of the SEARCH key. I don't want to override the home function, which is what ADW for instance does. The only other button that has an available intent as far as I can tell is search. This is my first java anything, so I wouldn't expect much out of it (it may not even work on anyone's phone but mine) but maybe someone with better android chops can use it as a proof-of-concept for what I was thinking. Install it and when you long press the search key you can choose "Search for Keyboard!"
One pretty major caveat... the swype soft cursor doesn't act anything like I'd wanted when I was envisioning this. There's no "execute" button that works like a click, so while you can use the soft arrows to select links it's not gonna do you much good. Also there's no way to effectively use "select text" in the browser. Concept 2, if I ever get around to it, would probably be more like a replacement touchpad area below the current application window.
i would like to see an app to remap long press menu on my i9000, anyone has success? thx
Another reason to ditch Samsung firmware and use AOSP-based ROMs, like CyanogenMod or MIUI.
FYI, nearly every "ROM" made for Galaxy S phones are Samsung firmware. They're not built from source like ROMs for other decent Android phones, they are just original Samsung builds being modified like nuts. And they use the same Samsung framework (though usually customized for themes and removing of annoyances like battery-full popup), and usually still include most of Samsung's stupid fixes that make their Galaxy S system software the most different in structure compared to any other Android system.
By using AOSP firmware like CyanogenMod and MIUI, these problems (like menu-button keyboard binding getting screwed up by Samsung) don't exist, because they were never present in official Android release. When problems do come up for AOSP, they get fixed quick because the source code is actually available.
Summarized process of development:
Samsung-based ROMs: What's broken or runs like ****? Try to fix it. Hack hack hack, hope it works, if it fails try again. Submit to XDA
CyanogenMod (in general): If there is a problem, try to fix it. Write code, build, test. Make sure it works before putting it in "stable" branch. After that think of brand new useful feature to implement, code it, bug test a lot, request it to be used in official releases or just make your own CyanogenMod-based ROM with your own enhancements, like BiffMod for the HTC Dream.
Btw, the reason why Samsung put this keybind is because the original international Galaxy S doesn't have a dedicated search key, so they set the search function up with the menu button. Our problem is that Samsung was a lazyass and forgot to change back that binding to the original for the Vibrant, which does have a dedicated search button and doesn't need the menu binding to search.
But aosp roms have other problems like poor 3d performance and no gps/compass. If the issues get worked out, I suspect many devs will be switching to aosp builds.

The useless "Search" soft key.

Any apps to make it open something else?
Thanks.
there are plenty
quicksettings
quickdesk
handcent sms
are a few off the top of my head
i used to have a bunch more, but i have since uninstalled after trying nearly all the apps i want to try
(these will allow you to launch them by long press. i dont know if you can replace the short press)
Pretty sure short press is not easily changed. With froyo though longpress opens Google voice commands.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Nice.
Thank you.
id be interested in a kernel or rom that would allow this to be changed. long press on menu opens search so why a seperate key that can be usefull as something else? can any of those apps change the short press? ive only seen long press on search and on home.
I use visual task switcher and assigned the long press of the search key to bring up a list of currently running apps. Pretty handy.
I installed "screen lock" and assigned it to screen lock to take some stress off the power button.
I don't remember where, but I found a post somewhere on how to change it, short press on mine opens camera.
Button Shortcut in the market.
Sent from my Captivate.
Dani897 said:
id be interested in a kernel or rom that would allow this to be changed. long press on menu opens search so why a seperate key that can be usefull as something else? can any of those apps change the short press? ive only seen long press on search and on home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AReynante said:
I don't remember where, but I found a post somewhere on how to change it, short press on mine opens camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, this is an old thread, for those interested dragon remaps the key as camera launch.
can be done in button remapper. also touch jestures can be mapped as keys in galay tuner.
for people who want to get custom and dont see the otions they want in button remapper, i think the key table is in /system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl
this is good for fixing i9000 roms (partially) when no kernel is available for those who want to try samsung gingerbread
I like the long press for google voice search. Thanks for the idea.
If you end up flashing a ROM, CM7 has a way to change the search key in the settings menu
I took a look at the system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl file but I'm having trouble figuring it out. Anyone know how to get more info on it? Would love to map QuickDesk to it
Dani897 said:
wow, this is an old thread, for those interested dragon remaps the key as camera launch.
can be done in button remapper. also touch jestures can be mapped as keys in galay tuner.
for people who want to get custom and dont see the otions they want in button remapper, i think the key table is in /system/usr/keylayout/s3c-keypad.kl
this is good for fixing i9000 roms (partially) when no kernel is available for those who want to try samsung gingerbread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.. I have the issue, seems quite random with the Search button. Am wondering if it is related to moisture from my palm (right-handed)... not sure. Will have to try the rice trick.
Have also taken a look at the remapping option, but don't seem to have write permissions to any of the files, much less, what values to place in the file(s).
Any assistance would be appreciated on teh edit option.
BTW: Captivate with CM7.1 (and a functional GPS after a number of patch/fixes applied)
cm7 has this option.

[REQ] Trackball Home Button

I think having the trackball function as the home button would be a feature many would like to have. Any developer out there willing to take on this function?
What would be the point of the actual home button then? This seems pointless
what would be more useful is if the trackball can be programmed for stuff then we can use it to launch apps and do all sorts of things.
PhantomRampage said:
What would be the point of the actual home button then? This seems pointless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 3 things for my home button now, Quickdesk on dubbletap, recent apps on hold in, and singletap for launcher pro. for me it would be awesome to have quicker access to the recent apps, by putting the home to the trackball. and have recent apps on single click. wouldnt hurt to have the option. and it should also be available to bind the trackball click to anything u like.
I agree, or trackball to answer a call, I don't use the trackball that much.
Creating a service to run in the background wouldn't be too hard to do. The only problem is that you wouldn't be able to use your trackball to select links in the browser, for example. Good in theory, wouldn't work great in practise i don't think.
Here are the reasons why this would be a great function, and how it should go down:
The capacitive home button is not as responsive as it should be. I think we all use it A LOT, so making sure it worked perfectly everytime would be awesome. Especially when accessing "recent apps" and long pressing the home button, the capacitive button will occasionally take you home before you see your recent apps.
Double tapping can be incorporated into the home button. With the capacitive button, double tapping it has an almost 50% chance of failure. The trackball home button would fix this.
I don't know about you guys, but I usually dont use the trackball to select things on the screen. Touching it is so much easier. The trackball would be much more usefull for notifications, scrolling, and as a home button.
I agree with a previous poster, the trackball should be given to option to route to anywhere the user would like it to... Though I don't know what else there is to route to...
The ACTUAL home button can also be routed to anything the user would like. Maybe to recent apps, changing of brightness, a favorite app, an alternate launcher... ANYTHING.
This is all hypothetical of course, and as a non-dev, I actually have no clue how hard or easy this would be to create.
But what do you guys think? I know this a feature that would be really useful to me at least, and sound like some other people too.
sorry, there was a double post due to the server upgrades/issues on XDA.
Sorry to revive an ancient thread.
My N1 had a broken trackball, and in the process of replacing it i managed to kill both my home button and my seach button.
I can live without the seach, but not without the home.
Is there any progress on this topic ?
tia
John_duh said:
Sorry to revive an ancient thread.
My N1 had a broken trackball, and in the process of replacing it i managed to kill both my home button and my seach button.
I can live without the seach, but not without the home.
Is there any progress on this topic ?
tia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, it was a software problem caused by an incomplete flash. (wiped everything separately, but that wasn't sufficient. Returning to factory settings did the trick)
All I want is trackball to blink beautifully for me!
That's all, baby.
+1
I would also like trackball mods such as
double tap to go to an app and other tap patterns for the trackball

[SOLUTION] Button Savior On-screen Softkeys - Utility Updated on Market

For those that would like some onscreen softkeys that you can even see in the dark.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865525
I have been using this little utility on my Android HD2 for a while now and figured I would give it a shot on my Gtab. Works Great! Merry Christmas to All!
[UPDATE Dec 30th 2010]
This great utility is now on the Android Market. Install it from there and you will get prompts for updates when they are released. I had an update yesterday that added a couple of skins and a few new features. It also has a new settings interface and it still works great on the G-Tab!
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b3 using Tapatalk
Work great.
thanks.
Awesome find!
great find..... I wish we could now disable the buttons on the side that are so annoying when you hit them accidentaly
insight3fl said:
great find..... I wish we could not disable the buttons on the side that are so annoying when you hit them accidentaly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was thinking of trying to find a way to disable the right side hardware buttons myself. They are fine until you are trying to reposition the tablet and accidentally press one. Or lose your grip and are grasping for purchase and press one then. Very annoying for sure.
Great find. Whose up for doing a YouTube review?
Scott
cscotty said:
Great find. Whose up for doing a YouTube review?
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would do one myself but have no dock or easel at this time that would provide the necessary stability for video purposes.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b3 using Tapatalk
Neat app I like it. I put 4 very tiny adhesive dots on the side of the case so I know where everything is at night. This app works too though
TeamSpeed said:
Neat app I like it. I put 4 very tiny adhesive dots on the side of the case so I know where everything is at night. This app works too though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.
hitekredneck said:
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a quick market search for button savior and got nadda. What's It called there?
Allenfx said:
Did a quick market search for button savior and got nadda. What's It called there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows up in market for me. Have you done the market fix (clear cache, etc.)? It's exactly as spelled above.
Jim
hitekredneck said:
Some nice little glow in the dark dots would be nice. I wonder if something like that would affect the responsiveness of the buttons? Maybe the dude from AndroidStickers.com can give us some input here?
BTW, this app has been updated and is now on the Android Market. Check the OP for more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried fluorescent reinforcement stickers, but you can not see them that well in total darkness. As far as disabling the keys you have to cover them with something thick like leather or many layers of paper. I tried sticky notes.... several layers of them but they still pick up your touch
this app is a lifesavor! Streaming vids crash alot due to that damn cooliris.com gallery association. Button Savior is the only escape when gallery decides FC.
Sent using Tapatalk
I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!
reynwrap582 said:
I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How easy is it to revert back to stock button action? Or do you turn this function ON each time you boot and then run this program?
At each bootup there's a notification item that you can select to restore to your defaults, which you can clear until the next restart, in case something gets borked.
I have 4 very small black metal "nail covers" that I superglued directly on the side next to each soft button. Now I just feel the button with my index finger and use the side of my thumb to press the screen next to it, works great in the dark, better than the adhesive pads I had. Very small and black and low profile...
reynwrap582 said:
At each bootup there's a notification item that you can select to restore to your defaults, which you can clear until the next restart, in case something gets borked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running tnt lite 3.1.4 and just downloaded button remapper. It loaded, but when I went to run it it FC and never let me set any buttons. Now each time I run it it FC.
What rom are you on?
Thanks
EDIT:Working fine for me now. Don't use galaxy tab version. Download standard.
reynwrap582 said:
I might be way off, but I saw an app in the market called Button Remapper. I haven't had a chance to dig into it, but it looks like it's able to remap the soft keys on the bezel. I don't know if they can be remapped to null or an empty command, but at the least maybe they can be remapped to something that doesn't do much (like dpad up/down/left/right or something).
If I get a chance to play with it, I'll report back. Of course, anybody who beats me to it is encouraged to post their results.
EDIT:
Hey, it worked. I decided to jump into it and try it out. I basically just popped in and replaced any buttons that were soft buttons (search/home/menu/back) with DPAD buttons. I don't know if changing every reference is required or if there are better options than using DPAD buttons, but it's a start.
EDIT AGAIN:
DPAD worked fine but I kept accidentally selecting links and whatnot in the browser. I tried End Call, since we don't have phone capability, but it seemed to just close whatever app I was in. Ended up binding Back/Menu to Volume Down and Search/Home to Volume Up, which is working well.
EDIT AGAIN AGAIN:
Even better, Focus seems to not do anything at all (obviously), unless in an app that uses the camera's focus. Don't know how I didn't notice that. Now to train myself to never use the soft keys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is button remapper free?
I'm on Vegan B3.
ButtonRemapper is US$1.03

Why is soft keys necessary on stock rooted NC?

Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?
doncaruana said:
Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.
I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.
ewong90 said:
I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Button Savior looks like much nicer than Soft Keys - what basic steps to remove Soft Keys and run Button Savior instead? Any gotchas? Im also using the Gingerbread keyboard and hope this change wont affect that?
timekeeper said:
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can always use the home button (and then a task killer if needed) to get out of the few full screen apps that won't let me back out.
But softkeys is part of the autonooter package, which a lot of people use - I didn't specifically install it. I haven't used the other 'packages' - not sure if it's included there as well. It's positioned as a "must have", but doesn't really seem to be. So someone thought it was important enough to include there and so I wanted to know why.
Gee. I'm sorry. I guess I'm not allowed to ask questions? Should I ask you if you deem an issue important first before I ask a question in the future?
Here's my next question - let me know if it's important enough: Why did you have to be an ass about my previous question?
timekeeper said:
Full screen apps like angry birds? I also fail to see why this issue was so important to you that you had to make a thread about it. Softkeys is an optional app, you don't have to install it yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense timekeeper but I was wondering the same thing, so I found this helpful.
It's not just the back key that's important.
Most apps have additional functionality that you can only access via the 'menu' key.
That's the one I find most needed.
ewong90 said:
I personally use Button Savior, less noticeable and easy to access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto. Soft Keys does a passable job, but the attractive design and customizability of Button Savior makes it a better choice.
I wasn't a fan of the softkey button size and could never find a place on screen that i liked it. Button Savior is much better. Both add a huge amount of functionality to a rooted NC.
Except you don't see any silly on-screen buttons with SoftKeys if you set it up properly.. Then you just press the N key once or twice, depending upon config, to get the pop-up with back, menu, etc..
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Default_Launcher
As for the Op saying "Can't I ask questions?" Sure you can, just don't act like a free piece of software which is VERY useful is somehow killing you .
ajaik said:
Button Savior looks like much nicer than Soft Keys - what basic steps to remove Soft Keys and run Button Savior instead? Any gotchas? Im also using the Gingerbread keyboard and hope this change wont affect that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make sure you have USB debugging enabled. You don't have to uninstall softkeys, just disable it. Button Savior should run normally from startup and shouldn't affect anything else.
doncaruana said:
Does everyone realize that on a stock rooted nook, if you swipe right to left on the status bar on the bottom, it's a 'back' button? I don't get why soft keys is necessary. I shut it down on both my nooks and have never once needed it. Just extra overhead, to me...
Can someone educate me as to why this program is so 'important'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know you could swipe to go back, so thanks for that.
There are some apps that run full screen and the status bar isn't visible which then you would need either soft keys or button savior.
I went ahead and uninstalled SoftKeys. Button Savior rocks.

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