yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
Hi everyone,

Sooo I'm looking for any news on the 'Net for the ICS update for my phone the HTC Amaze 4G.

Instead of finding about an update, I find news fast-forwarding my phone becoming an insta-brick courtesy of Google:

"Android Developers say bye to Menu button And say hello to the Action Bar

Mobile phones News

By John McCann

Friday at 16:17 UTC | Tell us what you think [ 4 comments ]

android-developers-say-bye-to-menu-button

Less buttons - more touchy touchy

Android Developers are being reminded by Google to shift their attention away from the Menu button and focus instead on the Action Bar.

The Menu button function is commonplace in pre-3.0 versions of Google's Android operating system. It allows users to view options for a particular application by pressing the Menu button on their device.

With the introduction of Honeycomb (version 3.0) and now Ice Cream Sandwich (version 4.0) the function has become redundant as these operating systems remove the need for physical buttons.

All change please

This year we expect to see a new wave of devices running Ice Cream Sandwich, so developers need to make sure they update their apps to use the Action Bar.

Developers need to follow the new Android user experience as many Android devices are expected in 2012 to feature button free designs.

Apps will continue to work on the new software, with Google building an action overflow button which acts as the menu button.

The action overflow button will display on all applications which have not been updated to Android 3.0+, even if they do not require it.

Are you all for button free devices, or will you be pining for your menu, home and back buttons?

From Android Developers"

THIS crap upsets me greatly: I just spent $$$ on an unlocked phone (Amaze 4G) and now Android is calling the hardware shots??????? What a load of junk.

It seems like Google wants to be a monopoly too....And we thought Iphones were bad...

How do you folks feel about this?

stefnuts
[HTC Amaze 4G] xboarder56:
lol thats for apps not phone software you crazy lol
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
The op is spreading F.U.D.

Fricking

Useless

Data

Settle down cowboy.
[HTC Amaze 4G] stratax:
This is Googles OS, they can do whatever they want with it. they can stop supporting it if they really wanted. Just like HP did with webos. I dont mind this really though at all, i liked the way WP7 was with all touch screen pretty much
[HTC Amaze 4G] sabotank:
just because google is recommending/wanting to do this the phone manufacturers still have to be on board. seen this posted elsewhere are people were mighty pissed about their buttons (maybe) going away. money talks and if manufacturer x has buttons and manufacturer y doesn't you can vote with your dollars.

seems to me that both can be included anyways
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
Look everyone,

I just wanted to post this here and get feedback, as I'm new to smartphones O.K.? This is not F.U.D.

I also do not appreciate the egotistical stance voiced by many I've seen on this forum so far...........When I signed up for the XDA forums, it was to get involved, listen (via reading), and share (when relevant) and not get bum rushed by "know it alls."

I don't understand: When you read the article, it does not specifically state "This will be only for applications" To me, clearly Google wants to monopolize phone hardware also, I don't know...

Google is trying to eliminate redundancy, which is good but...

Come on, I just bought my phone and it ain't cheap! Getting info like this....

P.S. Some people who posted are talking like they know exactly what this article is pointing at.....Can you please explain this article seeing as though I missed the articles point?

Thanks for understanding,

stefnuts
[HTC Amaze 4G] xboarder56:
read buddy http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399437,00.asp

Instead, Google recommends that app developers begin using the "action bar,"
[HTC Amaze 4G] stratax:
Honestly, this is not BAD. its a opinion. a lot of people dont like having to press the menu button to do EVERYTHING, and then there are those people who do i guess. i can see for important things. Google has already begun to throw away the capacitive buttons anyways on the google nexus
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
the panic in your op is fud, otherwise I was just busting your chops.
[HTC Amaze 4G] marleyfan61:
I've discovered that you have to have a thick skin here in the Amaze forum. The Hero forum was much more pleasant. The price of advancement I guess.

As long as you follow forum rules such as: don't start new redundant threads, don't ask a question before using the search button, and don't correct xboarder's spelling and grammar (just kiddin ya X) you'll be fine.

And relax, the Amaze is a great phone and won't be obsolete for a while yet.
[HTC Amaze 4G] NardVa:
It sounds like phones with physical menu buttons can still be manufactured but with newer versions of Icecream the physical menu button will be useless. Instead all apps will have to be developed to use action bar menu. Then menu options are not disappearing they are going to be more touch screen orientated. No big deal. Phones with small screens need physical buttons, but phones with large screens can function with only touch and swype actions. Similar to the way tablets function.
[HTC Amaze 4G] vzontini:
Google is trying to address a serious inconsistency in the OS. I have a Motorola Xoom with ICS. The problem is that some applications are using a menu button in the bottom row which generally makes it bottom left, and others are putting the menu on the screen in the top right. Yes totally opposite screen placement. So the user experience is poor. Google is asking application developers to standardize. That way if you want to go to the menu for an application you will know where to find it.

Also the move away from the capacitive buttons is another step toward user experience consistency. Right now each phone even from the same manufacturer can have the home, back, menu, search, etc. in a different placement order. When it is moved to the display and then managed by the OS it opens the door for more consistency. Which again is good for the user experience.

If they can improve user experience consistency *and* change the UI prioritization model so the UI is less impacted by "background" activities then they'd really be stepping up in maturity.
[HTC Amaze 4G] KnowledgeBroker:
I've noticed this too. The vibrant forums took a while to get to this point of what I can only call frustration/irritation, but I am thinking that was because that was more of an entry level into android, while most people here are early adopters.

I think that the users here could be reminded to be a little more understanding, it makes the experience for everyone a lot better if people are at least nice to NEW users(low post count). We were all new once, and I'd like to think this isn't the way users on XDA are evolving as a whole..

Edit: I think that the menu button is awesome- it offers some of us the ability to do more.. and it keeps the options simple for the rest of the people who don't want something more. We don't ALL need a menu button.. but XDA people do.
[HTC Amaze 4G] GGWC808:
Well, I for one like my buttons.
[HTC Amaze 4G] timmattl:
I like the physical buttons, because less screen space is spent mapping the same buttons. I have the Amaze and also a ICS tablet (Xoom) and on ICS, a good amount of pixels is spent replicating the menu, home, app switcher and back buttons. It seems like a waste of real estate to be drawing buttons on a device like the Amaze that already has them, but if hardware manufacturers stop including the physical buttons, more room on the device is available for the screen, so I guess the point becomes moot.
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
Hi again everyone,

Disclaimer: Any attacks upon my person will be immediately posted to the moderators of this forum who said this was a friendly environment. You're warned!

Now, back to the thread topic

Quote:

"

Developers need to follow the new Android user experience as many Android devices are expected in 2012 to feature button free designs.

Apps will continue to work on the new software, with Google building an action overflow button which acts as the menu button."

The first part of this quote, in effect, places one of our feet in the "insta-brick phone" category. I did a lot of research about smartphones before I bought one and this news caused me some concern.

The point of this post was that I just bought a new phone which cost me $$$ and I'm upset that Google would in effect tell phone hardware developers to "get on board" when it's Android and the phone developers who are working together to further Google and not the other way around.

I don't know about everyone else here on this forum but I'm not rich.

This is just bad taste on the part of Google IMHO and to defend myself yet again "No, I'm not panicking..I'm upset."

Thanks again,

stefnuts
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
Button requirements have not changed since the release of android. Google is trying to move the platform forward. This sort of thing happens. Return your phone if you need iPhone type stagnation. And in all reality there is no reason that Google cannot map the menu button to the overflow function on newer releases, so there is no dead button.
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
Another article I read mentioned Google wanting to nix the "search" button also.

This costs money buddy and I'm not rich.

Regarding your comment:

I'm not denying that fact. :)

All I'm saying is that for now, only 1 phone has 3 buttons: Google's proprietary phone. Why should every company bow the knee to Google and build a phone around a now Open source phone OS? :mad:

The menu button CAN be used for other things.

Finally, If I wanted an Iphone with one power button, proprietary ownership of hardware and apps with all functions onscreen, I would have bought an Iphone.

These consortium companies such as HTC, who support Google, need to put their corporate feet down and tell Google to back off. :D
[HTC Amaze 4G] marleyfan61:
I'm not feeling the panic you are. Either app developers will map the existing menu button to act as the action bar, or there will be an action bar touchscreen button on the screen. If google and phone and app developers were to "insta-brick" all existing phones that have a menu button it would drive everyone's next purchase in another direction. You don't have to rush out and buy a new phone tomorrow. The sky is NOT falling.
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
Buddy, it sounds like you have buyers remorse. And the Amaze should have a decent lifespan with ICS coming out soon so take a chill pill and enjoy the ride.
[HTC Amaze 4G] nashti13:
This phone was on the list that will get ics soon so don't worry about it
[HTC Amaze 4G] jjlean:
It's brutal in here. Fair warning.
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
childs play
[HTC Amaze 4G] vzontini:
I don't think you understand that these changes won't impact existing phone hardware. If your phone has buttons they work like they always have. This request to the application developers should not cost you anything.
[HTC Amaze 4G] seansk:
HTC has already stated they will NOT stop making phones without soft buttons, However they will be getting rid of the search button and only have three soft buttons. I don't understand why there's 3 pages of discussion about this fact. I personally feel they should get rid of the menu button and leave the search button, I use the search button quite a lot in different screen and I can hold in down from any application for voice search...this is a big mistake imo. or maybe I"m wrong they will get rid of the menu botton, which will make more sense:

"A notable change or missing piece depending on how you view it, are on-screen keys in Ice Cream Sandwich, which are absent HTC Sense 4.0. HTC will continue to ship devices with “physical” buttons and not on-display ones. Though we should note that future HTC devices with Sense 4.0 will arrive with three buttons, rather than the 4 buttons we’ve become familiar with." from: http://www.tmonews.com/2012/01/first-impressions-of-htc-sense-4-0-arrives-to-the-internets/
[HTC Amaze 4G] Accophox:
Cause people like their menu button. So do I, admittedly. But I'm also for cleaning up the android UX.
[HTC Amaze 4G] stratax:
I have NEVER used my search button once while having my amaze, i actually have forgot it was there until reading this haha. Thats why this thread is kind of pointless.. its all opinion based :p

Not a lot of people use voice search. well not in public that is lol. i honestly dont really care what Google does. we could just re-map the keys, am i right? :)

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 PM ----------

Yeah agreed. It will be hard to give up, but it will also help Android be a better OS and more clean OS imo
[HTC Amaze 4G] seansk:
I guess most people don't use the search button (how do you search?) isn't easier to just press one button? then to go into a screen and then search?)

I guess I'm one of the few, I use it all the time!!! but the menu button is not necessary in ICS if you look at video...all apps alrady have a menu option, not needing a button, the third button on ics on the galaxy S is actually recent programs/programs running which is kinda stupid Imo, using one button for two functions is much more efficient (holding down the home button). It's just retarded that people get used to using things one way and they have to go and change it...one of the reasons iphone is sucessful is because they haven't added or removed hard buttons on the iphone...instead they even added more functionality like siri on 4s and voice search since 3gs...

But seriously how does anyone search? I would like to know, I personally find the search button very handy all the time.
[HTC Amaze 4G] zPacKRat:
I remove the search widget, love the dedicated search button.
[HTC Amaze 4G] vzontini:
I like having the search button, but I don't use it frequently. I like having a search button better than forcing the placement of a search bar at the top of every home screen as Google did on the Galaxy Nexus (at least early releases; haven't kept up.) Mainly because the search button at the bottom is more convenient because if you are going to search then you are going to type and the on-screen keyboard is on the bottom.

My main use of the search button is to search for a contact to make a call when they aren't in my call log which isn't often since I tend to call the same people the most. Same with SMS.

seansk, what are you using the search button to do? I'd like to know in case there is a better way of doing something that I haven't thought of yet. Thanks.
[HTC Amaze 4G] aaldiar:
I use it for; navigate to, call so and so, find company. I find it difficult to use for general web browsing as typing is faster then repeating myself. Though I mainly use it in my car and it is nice to be able to feel the physical button so I don't deter my eyes from the road to type.
[HTC Amaze 4G] seansk:
ya I use it with vlingo kinda like siri, to call people, I use it especially to find things, text message people...I don't know how I would live without the search hold button!!! seriously, its a mistake on google part I believe, iphone just added the voice search feature and now google is taking it away...its a big mistake, people need a fast quick way to get to search in every application, on every page, anywhere you are on the phone...bad move google imo.

its just very convenient having the search button not having to locate it on the screen, in programs such as the market, messages, calendar, contacts, gmail, so many...
[HTC Amaze 4G] stratax:
i honestly dont know why i dont use it. i just open the browser.. and also because i dont always search, i have my bookmarks and what not. since i dont use the web on my phone for that much stuff lol
[HTC Amaze 4G] KnowledgeBroker:
I use the search button when i want to call a company, I don't need to look it up. Hold search, say "call dominos Jacksonville" and it calls the closest one. No typing, no extra steps.

I actually like the idea of extra buttons, I actually use the camera button, but I wouldn't mind being able to repurpose the record button to something like voice recorder.. as soon as I figure out a way to do that I will.

I understand wanting to make things more uniform, but i don't want it to go the route of becoming the iPhone with only one button.. I like the idea of having more than one way to interact with my device.

Im not a fan of getting rid of hardware buttons either, something as simple as taking a screen shot feels better by using buttons rather than an on screen button..

Oh well, my 2¢.
[HTC Amaze 4G] Accophox:
Admittedly, I also use the search button a decent amount because I do like being able to do some things with my voice, like setting an alarm.

I will miss that - I think that if Google is actually serious about getting a siri-like service onto the phone, they'll need an easy way to access it. Long press on task switcher maybe? I don't know. I do know that they need to work on consistency throughout the entire system still. ICS was a great step in that direction. Unfortunately, the unification will take at least 2+ years before most people are on modern devices that support the new UI conventions (due to fragmentation of upgrades between handsets).
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
Well, I for one enjoy all 4 buttons and can't wait for ICS 4.0 for the Amaze 4G!

The search button has a great usefulness, as do the other 3 buttons on our current phones. THE issue is having phones that only use touch-screens....

I understand from a business sense the ease of mass producing a "gorilla glass" face and metal body phone with 1 power button aka Iphone and the 3 button soon-to-be android based phones also BUT t

here are 2 big issues with a key-less OS:

I. Consider the fact that if your phone falls, you have no external buttons, making the phone a virtual "insta-brick" (if you smack the phone on the ground enough times) :eek:

II. Consider the fact that with either phone (Iphone or Android based) using a largely on-screen based OS is THE main detractor from new customers and people wanting physical keys from buying the phone, as ANY issue with the phone face (after manufacturer warrantee) would spell disaster for the regular user :eek:

I see the phone trend moving towards a touch screen only OS w/no physical buttons and I don't agree with this type of OS....

Look at your computer, Do you want only face recognition and a touch screen monitor with no physical keys? Didn't think so!

Comments?

stefnuts
[HTC Amaze 4G] Accophox:
1) They're wanting to go to 3 buttons: home, back, task switcher. They can be capacitive. They can be software. That's not a concern.

2) You still have volume. That's how most devices do hardware reset/recovery/etc.

3) The average consumer has embraced the fully-touch ecosystem. Most can't wait to own an android or iphone. The big detractor is the price... both of the hardware, and the plan to go alongside.

4) Computer and phone are different environments. You have much more screen real estate on a PC than on a phone, with completely different interaction parameters (ie, travel time for your hand on a 10.1" screen versus on a 24" screen if touch - I'd get tired soon enough).
[HTC Amaze 4G] stefnuts:
1. Capacitative? Not an issue, agreed

2. Using volume as a "master switch"........Hmmm: Too repetitive and wearing on the part...Alternatives needed

3. The average user having embraced the full-touch ecosystem? Not without physical buttons on a phone. Regarding a computerized reader, no...even with cheap prices for the physical item. The plan is a different story for both a phone & a reader. I want a reader that is sturdy & non-proprietary WITH physical buttons (plural) thank you very much.

4. I just used a computer as an example......I don't want a phone without any physical buttons, the HTC 3 button phone is better than the 1 Iphone button.
[HTC Amaze 4G] vzontini:
Are the capacitive buttons really anything more than an extention of the digitizer? I don't see how they improve reliability if the phone is damaged. Maybe I misunderstand how they work but I didn't think they used any different circuitry than the touch screen. Just wondering...
[HTC Amaze 4G] Soutaiseiriron:
I for one, never used the search button but I never had one on any of the phones I own(ed) (x10, galaxy s, and galaxy nexus). My opinion may be a little biased but I don't see any difference than just using the widget. If I were to unlock my screen there would be the search bar in every home screen since it's persistent in ICS. I don't think you have to worry though. As far as ICS goes, the OS has hardware detection so if the phone has physical keys then android will work as it always has. I think Google just encourages the developers for phones that don't have buttons.

I can tell you right now I miss the menu button but I don't suffer without it. The only thing that bothers me is when the menu button is added, the placement of it varies from app to app. Do they have plans to phase out hardware buttons entirely? I don't know but with ICS you have nothing to worry about. I find the no buttons gives the phone a very sleek look and that's coming from a guy who wasn't very welcoming to no physical buttons.
[HTC Amaze 4G] GGWC808:
I use the search button all the time to toggle auto rotate on and off. It's very handy when you're reading a web page and don't want to exit the browser.
[Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] matthewonderland:
Hello , in CR8 rom's the photo size capture with camera is only 600kps compare with stock which is 1.4mbs. Am I the only one who experience this problem? Any solutions? Thanks in advance
[Optimus One, P500, V General] yunggreezybee:
Can someone help me on getting 2.3 gingerbread with the cyanogen mod on my phone (LG Phoenix). I already have clockwork recovery and everything, i just need the files from someone, ones that work, most of them on the internet are invalid..
[Optimus One, P500, V General] savagephoenix:
go to this thread.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1436952

scroll down till you see this rom.

A-SERIES .32 KERNEL, OLD BASEBAND Baseband v10E

download it and put it on root of sd card. ie not in any folders

you will need this kernel as you have a phoenix. p500 kernels wont work correctly.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/t-...-2-08-overclock-cm7-2-3-7-etc-gyro-fixed.html

scroll down and download the attachment. joban 2.08 kernel zip

put it on root of sd card

im not sure how you applied roms, but because rom manager isnt supported on our phones i wouldnt recommend useing it to flash roms.

boot into recovery. i power off phone then hold power, home, and vol-down at the same time, keep held down till it loads into recovery.

do factory reset/wipe

wipe cache(s)

wipe battery stats. this and wipe delvik cache is thru advance option. also you can turn off/on signature verification if your having issues. ie invalid or signature not found.

then choose apply zip from sd card

choose zip from sd card

find rom , choose it

it will ask you again to make sure you got the one you want.

after flash reboot phone.

once booted you will have funky colors, dont worry. turn off phone a boot into recovery.

flash kernel same way as rom. no need to wipe anything though.

reboot and enjoy.

a caution when using rom manager aside from flashing the recovery. other functions have resulted in soft bricks and weird resets.

LG Phoenix running CM7.2+joban 2.08 kernel

hit the thanks button if i helped.
[Optimus One, P500, V General] yunggreezybee:
i have to sign up for android central, nd the sign up doesnt work bcuz of the captcha, and if rom manager isnt supported is there another thing i can use
[Optimus One, P500, V General] savagephoenix:
Rom manager is erelavent. Can you boot into recovery? If so then ill get you a link to the kernel.
[Optimus One, P500, V General] yunggreezybee:
ya i can boot into recovery, i have backups too