Android - button remapping - set up the accelerated launch of your favorite programs. A tale of three buttons. Column by Evgeny Zobnin What are the names of the touch buttons under the screen

10.12.2017

• Android App Key Remap, Version: 1.12.0, Price: Free

It so happened historically that on smartphones it is more convenient for me to have the navigation button "Back" on the right. And on my BQ Aquaris U Plus it is just on the left and it is "oh, how uncomfortable" to reach for it. It's not a problem to get used to it, but it's too late for my fingers to grow in length, and the inconvenience of getting used to it has not gone anywhere. Unfortunately, the smartphone manufacturer BQ Aquaris did not provide a tool to change the functionality of the navigation buttons, even on-screen ones, so they had to turn to third-party applications.

The most preferred application - GravityBox - did not cope with the task assigned to it. On pressing the "Back" and "Home" buttons, it allowed to hang any action, but somehow it could not influence the "Recent" button. It was a wild idea to block both the "Back" and "Recents" buttons altogether, leaving all responsibilities to the remaining "Home" button, but GravityBox could not simply disable the "Recents" button. The Spaniards in general somehow protected their smartphones "from the fool", and, as far as I know, so far no one has been able to get system root rights on the stock firmware of these smartphones.

Leaving GravityBox alone, I turned to other softinks, whose specialization was precisely the reassignment of the functionality of the navigation buttons. In the battle with the software of the Spanish-Chinese gadget, only one softphone with the original name "Key remapping" was able to win. I use it.

It has become popular among mobile software developers to divide their functionality into two unequal parts. The first part - free - allows you to use the softphone for its intended purpose quite normally. The second - paid - brings some additional features and convenience. And this, in my opinion, is correct. Likewise, the "Reassign Keys" application has both basic functions (reassignment of single short and long presses on the navigation buttons in the amount of no more than two pieces) and premium features (assigning actions to button combinations, removing the restriction on the number of reassignments). By the way, the latest version of the app got rid of ads even in the free version.

What should be mentioned without fail is that root-rights are not needed for the functioning of the softinka. Recently, I began to notice that proprietary firmware has become more functional and customizable (we are not talking about AOSP), so root rights have become less and less required ... And various payment services do not really like ROOT, although it can be hide. But that is another story...

The application interface is minimalistic.

There are only four controls in the free version. These are the three points under which settings are usually hidden. This is a switch for activating and deactivating the service. This is the "Quick Disconnect" checkbox for displaying the application status on the notification panel (with the ability to pause / resume the service by tapping). And it's a round button with a plus sign for adding a new remapping. In fact, there are no settings in this application, and when you click on the button with three dots, only one item appears - "About the program".

To activate the service, you need to enable these very special features for the application in the gadget settings in the "Accessibility" section.

To disable the service, you need to do exactly the same steps, only the special features for the "Key remapping" application should be disabled. It makes sense, isn't it? It is very good that you do not have to manually search for the aforementioned "special" features in the jungle of system settings: the software itself will guide you to the necessary points.

The ability to quickly deactivate the application action (without going to system settings) appeared only in the latest version. Do you really need it? I don't, but maybe it will be useful to someone (needed). When the "Quick Disable" checkbox is activated, a tile (strip?) Appears in the notification panel, dedicated to the "Key remapping" softphone. By tapping on it, you can quickly turn off and turn back on the active reassignment of the softphone.

The informational part of the main and only application window is represented by two sections: "Premium Features" and "Active Reassignments". For now, let's leave the first one and pay attention to the second. Active reassignments is a list of reassignments made from our filing. In the free version, as already mentioned, there may be only two reassignments, but that was enough for me. The button "Recent applications" (in the application it is called "Recent applications", but the meaning is the same) assigned the action "Back", that is, the functionality of the "Back" button. And for the "Back" button I assigned the action "Recent_Apps" ("Recent applications", I suppose). Thus, the Back and Recent Apps buttons on my smartphone are swapped. Hooray!

By the way, I learned about the softphone almost a year ago, but I started using it only two months ago. Why is that? Because on the sixth Android, not all the functionality of the buttons was transferred. That is, all, but only stock. Let me explain. Such a function as the transition to the previous application by double tap on the button "Recent applications" was implemented by the Google team only in Android Nougat. And the Spanish developers from the BQ team have implemented this in their smartphones and in Android Marshmallow. But when transferring the functionality of the "Recent Applications" button on the sixth Android using the described softinka, the doubletap processing was lost (it was not transferred to the new button, but disappeared on the old one), since it was, as it were, brought in from the outside. I didn’t want to lose such a convenient "feature", so the "Reassignment of keys" software did not take root for me then. But I still didn't get used to the "Back" button on the left, so after switching to Nugu I tried to use the softphone again. And I tried it for a reason. Now the transition to the previous application by doubletap is also transferred to the new button along with the main action ("Recent applications").

The procedure for adding a new reassignment is simple and straightforward; I think a couple of screenshots will be enough. I delete one of my overrides (for the Recent Apps button) and add it again. After clicking on the add reassignment button, you need to choose a free or premium action. In the second case, you will be asked to pay the money, if it has not already been done.

I choose "Short and long press". In the form that appears, select the "Recent_Apps" button from the drop-down list, and the action for it is "Back". I put the checkbox "Replaces the standard action", and the checkbox "Long press", on the contrary, I do not (after all, I need a reaction to the usual quick tap on the button). Everything, you can press "Ok".

When you tap on an active reassignment, a completely similar form for changing the action (reassignment) opens, supplemented with only one button - "Delete" - to delete the selected reassignment. With a long tap on the active reassignment, the context menu "Edit" and "Delete" is called.

The lists of buttons and actions are truly overwhelming. First, when you select, for example, a button, you see a list of seven buttons and the "Other" item. So, under this item there is a huge additional list, in which the buttons are represented by both the official names (used in the code by the developers) and numerical and alphabetic representations.

You can connect an adult external keyboard (if your gadget is able to do this) and reassign all its keys to your taste. The same applies to possible actions, although here everything is a bit the opposite: the initial list consists of a little more than 20 actions, and the additional one (hidden under the item "Other ...") consists of only two lines ("Open application" and "Shortcut" ). As they say, the spool is small, but expensive: in these two points you can cram almost all the functionality of your gadget.

There is also a limitation: when the screen is locked, button presses by the softphone are not tracked. There are pros and cons here. The disadvantages include the impossibility of unlocking the screen with the selected button while simultaneously launching an application (Phone, for example). And the plus is that the softphone will not constantly consume battery power while monitoring the state of the buttons.

The cost of the software (the cost of unlocking premium features) is $ 0.99, that is, a little less than sixty rubles of ours.

After purchase, the "Show application icon" checkbox becomes available, which allows you to hide the application icon from the list of all applications installed in the system (and even from the list of recent applications). To return the icon, you must press the "Back" button ten times in a row (the system button, not the one assigned by the application).

And the most important thing, but not everyone needs, is the ability to use button combinations. This term hides three concepts: "Double click", "Triple click" and "Two buttons".

We are not interested in double and triple clicks, because they differ from fast and long clicks insignificantly. But the use of two buttons increases the number of all kinds of reassignments. I think this is already pampering, but the idea of ​​swapping "Back" and "Recent" may also seem wild to someone.

In addition, premium reassignments have one significant drawback - they do not replace system actions. That is, if I assign any action I need to a double tap on the volume up button, then the sound volume will first increase, and only then the action I specified will be performed. No, it is clear that double tap should not completely cancel the system action (otherwise how can the volume be adjusted?), But the developer needs to do something in this direction.

And one more thing: the action assigned to the simultaneous pressing of any two of the three touch buttons ("Home", "Back", "Recent applications") has never worked for me. Mechanical - no problem, sensory - no problem. Either there is something in the application, or in my phone.

As a result, I can and recommend using the softphone on your smartphones, especially if you need to change the functionality of short clicks to the buttons available on the gadget. Here the software works incredibly. If you, like me, wanted to swap "Back" and "Recents", then you don't even have to buy the softphone: the free option is enough for your eyes. If you wanted to make more than two reassignments, then you can already sponsor the developer. But the rest of the premium functionality is not even worth the money that is asked for it, IMHO.

That's all, good luck and health to you. Read Helpix.

Physical / capacitive or on-screen buttons - which is better? There are different opinions on this issue, but it is from different angles. And there is still a demand for phones with both physical and touch buttons. Even since Google made it clear that Android is only for on-screen buttons, manufacturers like Samsung and even HTC continue to equip their devices with physical buttons.

However, other manufacturers, including LG, Sony and Motorola, almost completely follow Google's approach, limiting themselves to soft buttons in their devices. The advantages and disadvantages of physical and soft buttons were discussed by Edgar Cervantes in his article Physical vs. on-screen buttons - what’s your pick? ”.

Moreover, even the Priv, a phone with a full-fledged keyboard, has on-screen navigation buttons. However, the question of which buttons are better and, most importantly, why, remains relevant. Alas, this question is one of those for which there is no definite answer.

A bit of history

In 2011, Google released the Galaxy Nexus and the then-new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. Subsequently, the new Nexus began to be accompanied by the next version of Android. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was targeted at both tablets and smartphones, which was a big step forward for the operating system.

Other changes to the operating system include the appearance of soft buttons. It was the device of the future, and it changed the way a modern smartphone should look. Users are aware of this, but many of them still love physical buttons.

Physical / capacitive buttons

Let's start by talking about the disadvantages of physical buttons. First of all, novice users will have to work harder to learn how to use them, especially when it comes to mechanical buttons that require pressing, not touching. This, of course, is not difficult, but many users are accustomed to the fact that the effort can be made even less.

The second point concerns reliability. Physical buttons are optional items that can break. And don't forget that these buttons are permanent design elements of the device. They will forever remain where the device manufacturer placed them. They will not move anywhere and will not update.

But physical buttons also have certain advantages. Many novice users would prefer to feel real buttons under their fingers and feel a tactile response, which is not to be expected from touch buttons. Some things - for example, gaining access to the camera - can be done without even unlocking the phone, especially if the device has a dedicated camera button.

And crucially, the physical buttons allow for more screen real estate. Phones are getting bigger, their screens continue to improve, but many users still choose to keep some of the display space away from on-screen buttons.

In addition, it should be noted that some of the physical buttons on modern phones also have fingerprint scanners, which is another reason to keep them in modern devices. The well-known HTC 10 phones can be cited as examples of such a design decision - a new flagship phone in a familiar look, for which the Samsung Galaxy S7 is also.

Screen buttons

Some users like the soft buttons and others don't. In this respect, everything is exactly the same as with the physical buttons. And there are a number of reasons not to like them that every user who switches from a phone with physical / capacitive buttons will remember.

As noted above, these on-screen buttons reduce precious screen real estate. Since they are hidden in the process of playing games, viewing photos and videos, the user experience with the phone as "less natural".

But there are also reasons why onscreen buttons are popular with users. They open up ample opportunities for customization and adaptation of the user interface, since a soft button can be added to or removed from the phone screen. Didn't the developer add a menu button? No problem. Does the user prefer left or right button to go back? And it is possible. A lot is possible with softkeys, if the software allows it, of course.

In addition to a more varied software experience, eliminating physical buttons also improves the hardware performance of the phone. The free space can be used, for example, for a larger battery. Alternatively, the manufacturer can narrow the bezel around the screen.

On-screen buttons give manufacturers the ability to customize a smaller phone with a larger screen.

Undoubtedly, each of the users has their own reasons for preferring physical or on-screen buttons. What, in your opinion, should be the navigation buttons of a modern smartphone?

Hardware problems are often more complex and costly than software problems. It is very disappointing if the screen flies, but, as a rule, I can easily replace it. But buttons can be a lot more messy. If you find yourself in a similar situation (clicking on Home, Back or Menu does not lead to any consequences), then the application will come to the rescue. By installing it, you will get a panel consisting of 4 buttons: Home, Back, Menu and Resize... Note to yourself what requires root access on the device.

After installing the application and launching it for the first time, you will receive a panel with buttons, which will be located in the center of the screen. You can change its location, you can also adjust the size of the buttons, the distance between them and the transparency of the panel itself.

For button Home you can customize its behavior on long press: either it will launch Google now, or work like a button Power... Besides Floating Soft Keys allows you to change the icons of the buttons. If you want to select the vertical arrangement of the panel, then for this you just need to uncheck the box next to the horizontal arrangement option in the menu. There you can also activate the inclusion of the application at boot.

Behaves very smart. If the panel overlaps any buttons or options of the running application, then it automatically changes its location on the screen, but there is one drawback. After the application that caused the change in the position of the panel is closed, the panel itself will not be able to return to its old place. This will have to be done manually.

It would be nice for the developers to pump the existing buttons with a lot of functions and add volume control to them. But so far these are only dreams. If you are interested in such a practical thing as, and are already going to download the application, then you

Many people are familiar with the situation when you buy a new smartphone, but the physical power button does not have the function of photographing, just as there is no separate key for this, and in fact it was on the previous device and it helped out a lot. At first glance, a trifle, but the hands themselves reach for the mechanics, not the sensor, and at the most inopportune moment.

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Special programs come to the rescue that allow you to completely reprogram the physical keys of the gadget and assign any action to them. This is especially helpful if the power button is broken or you want to rewind tracks like on an mp3 player, but the built-in can't do it ... Do you need root rights for this? Will there be glitches? How does it even work? Today I will try to answer the questions posed.

First, I'll introduce the test subjects. The first application is called "Key remapping", at least in Russian Google Play. It can work with both physical and touch manipulators, but requires root rights for some actions. The second participant will be Button Mapper, which can do the same, but does not require root rights at all, which is already interesting.

The following were used as test equipment:

• DEXP Ursus 8EV2 3G tablet (Android 4.4.2, MT8382 processor, 4 x Cortex-A7 1.3 GHz, Mali-400 MP2 video core, 1 GB RAM, 4000 mAh battery, 3G module, Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n );
• Homtom HT3 Pro smartphone (Android 5.1 Lollipop, MT6735P processor, 4 x Cortex-A53 1.0 GHz, 64-bit, Mali-T720 video core, 2 GB RAM, 3000 mAh battery, 4G-module, Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n).

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Key remapping app overview

The program has not been updated for a long time, but perhaps this is not necessary, since it can do everything that can be done with physical keys: assign any action, launch certain applications, disable buttons, and even write key combinations to access special functions.

"Key remapping" works only with Android 4.3 or higher, is shareware and includes an interface translated into Russian. Thus, we get a kind of standard for such programs, which we will rely on in the future. Or maybe we won't, because this is only a first impression.

Do not forget that the firmware of the device plays an important role, especially if it is modified, so you do not need to treat the program as a panacea.

Everything and always breaks down unexpectedly. Dropping your phone on a tiled floor is an annoying accident, drowning it in a bathtub is a commonplace that occurs more often than it seems at first. The statistics of calls to service centers contain many complaints about accidents from the series “it fell and crashed” even more often than drowning. At the same time, one should not expect that the very first fall will take away the sensor substrate or even the screen itself - in most cases, the consequences of annoying accidents do not look so destructive. Among other things, this is the sudden inoperability of the physical buttons "back, home and menu." If this trouble happened to your phone, and there is still no money for repairs, do not worry. There is a relatively simple solution to this common problem. Now we will teach you how to turn on the onscreen buttons on your smartphone if the physical ones no longer work.

For everything to work out, you need to get Root rights. Administrator access to the depths of system files is sometimes difficult to get. But with the advent of apps that get the access they need for you, you no longer need to read the multi-page instructions. Just install Kingo Root software on your computer and connect your phone. The only thing that needs to be done while the program is being installed is in the phone settings, in the "security" section, to enable "USB debugging". That's all. By clicking the big Root button in the interface Kingo root, activate administrator rights.

Step two looks a little more complicated. You will need to download the Root Explorer program from Google Play (or a little ... alternative sources). Install it on your smartphone. Run this application, find the System directory, and in it - build.prop. If such a file is not visible in the system directory, it does not matter. There is an ellipsis in the upper corner of the program - tap on it to open a submenu. In the program settings, check the "Show hidden files" item. The loss will immediately be revealed.

In the left corner Root Explorer there is one more item we need - r / w. Tap it once and confirm your choice. This action activates the ability to edit system files. Now tap and hold build.prop on it. The top menu will change and from the drop-down list (in the same ellipsis) you will find the "open in a text editor" sub-item.

Scroll to the bottom of the open file - all those long lists of settings are unnecessary for now. At the very bottom add the line qemu.hw.mainkeys = 0. Save the file and restart your phone.

Done, at the very bottom of the screen there are three on-screen buttons - similar to what you can see on the screen of any tablet. And after repairing the physical buttons, the virtual ones can be completely hidden back by replacing the line qemu.hw.mainkeys = 0 with qemu.hw.mainkeys = 1 and restarting the device again.