[Android Software Development] Chillmann:
Better Keyguard​

The app is for People who dont use any security-lockscreen (like Pin, Pattern or Face unlock) and just like the fastest way to reach the homescreen after turning the device on. Many Roms allow to disable the key guard completly. So u see the homescreen right after turning on the device. But this way, unwanted misuse can happen, by accidentelly wakeing up the phone, while carrying it in your pocket.

Because of this and because iam not using a MIUI-Rom anymore (which had the very same feature), i set up a Tasker profile, which enables the proximity sensor for 1 sec, every time the display is turned on. If the sensor is not covered in that moment, nothing further will happen, if it is, the display will be turned off right away.

Later I decided to export this Profile as app via App Factory (Tasker Plugin), because I thought others would like such a feature too.

The app passed tests on my Galaxy SII (AOSP: Android 4.2.2) and on a Xperia Z (Stock Rom: Android 4.1.2) from a buddy of mine.

After Installation

1. Of course, to turn the screen off, u need to enable BK as device-admin.

2. To test: Press power button to turn off the display, keep the proximity sensor covered (usually located in right or left upper corner of the phone) while pressing the power button again to turn the display on. If its turned off again within 1 second, the test can be considered passed.

3. Note: On the Xperia Z (and some other devices), i noticed that any Lockscreen/Keyguard has to be disabled to make the App work. (It seems that the proxy sensor is not working in lockscreen)

Since Iam no programmer and the fact, that this is a Tasker-Project, my abilities for improvements or Bugfixing are very limited. Maybe some1 will pickup the idea and write a REAL app of this kind. Ofc only if the Chinese have not yet patented their MIUI-feature. :laugh:

I uploaded the Tasker-Project-Files as well.

Just would like to know ur thoughts about this.

Changelog:

1.0 - First release

1.1 - Added a UI allowing to adjust some options (show/hide notification, try to disable built in keyguard, launch on boot: Always, Never, Remember last state)

- Toggling the state shows now a tiny flash message

1.2 - Added option to show a warning message before display goes off. If the sensor is uncovered quick enough, display will stay on and the warning message will be dismissed.

(disadvantages: Tasker provides only 2 relevant massage types for that purpose. One can be dismissed by the back key, which is bad for devices with capacitive buttons, since these buttons are not locked while the warning message is shown. So I decided to go with the second type, which is not dismissable by the back key, but also not overlapping the status bar, so it is still expandable).

2nd:

Somehow this version is not working along with lockscreen at all. So, if you want to see a warning message before screen goes off, u need to disable any kind of lockscreen (even normal swipe).

If you want to use it along with a lockscreen, you need to try it with Bk 1.1 or 1.0

1.3 - Added an option to show the warning message over lockscreen (only if the app is working in lockscreen at all and u need to tell it, if u are using a lockscreen or not)

Removed because of no further advantage.

1.4 - Slightly reworked UI with new Szene-elements from latest Tasker version (Checkbox and Drop-down menu). This version equals 1.1 in functionality, since i thought the app was inflated too much with stuff that actually didnt work correctly. Furthermore i also used the latest version of App-Factory to create the app, since "Pent" (the dev of Tasker) released at least two updates for Tasker and the App-Factory plugin since i uploaded BK_1.2. So this one might work more reliable now.

Here the UI

Field tests revealed that a enabled keyguard (normal swipe lockscreen or whatever) prevents Bk from working properly in some cases. If Your Rom doesnt allow to disable the key guard, try the new disable built in keyguard option. If your Rom does allow it, use the native setting to disable the lockscreen rather than Bk ones.

Reuploaded the first release, becuase the file had a Tasker created filename (Better_keyguard.4.apk) and did not reflect the actual version number.

Best regards

Chillmann