Root [APP] zMooth Gesture App to replace hardware keys

[SimpleMobDev]

Just finished publishing zMooth gesture app in android market, it will allow you to use gestures to mimic back, home and menu hardware keys.

I wrote this app because I hate hardware keys which degrade/break overtime. zMooth is unobtrusive and uses minimum amount of screen space while at the same time very easy and intuitive to use. If you use for couple of days you will understand how easy it is to use.

after you install the app you will see a blue area at the bottom of the screen, swipe left on this area to go back, swipe right for menu and gesture a up-arrow(^) for home. try using different gesture length and speed, it is very sensitive at default settings, you don't have to do complete swipe and arrow symbol, just a small quick gesture will work.

Note: This app requires a rooted android 2.2+ device.

App website (If you see any issues please report here)

Youtube video

android market browser link

QR code link to android market app (or just search for "zmooth" in android market) :

 

[Steven58]

I copied this from App announcements to here because I feel it's significant, especially because we all use hard keys. It works great and I'm gonna buy the full version. I like it.

 

[eraursls1984]

I copied this from App announcements to here because I feel it's significant, especially because we all use hard keys. It works great and I'm gonna buy the full version. I like it.

speak for yourself, lol, I mainly only use the power button. I really like button savior

 

[aloha.android]

I just installed it and have been using it for the past 10 minutes. I think I'm going to change the sensitivity because it always pops up when typing.

What sensitivity feels comfortable for you guys?

Ill try this for a full day and decide whether or not to purchase the full version

 

[Airmaxx23]

I've been using Button Savoir for a few weeks and decided to give Zmooth a try last night and I'm really happy with it. I like Zmooth a little better since it's at the bottom of the screen, it's quicker to use (one movement to do something rather than 2) and seems to respond quicker to input. Button Savior gives you more options as far as what it can open/do but the only things I need are Menu, Back and Home.

I just installed it and have been using it for the past 10 minutes. I think I'm going to change the sensitivity because it always pops up when typing.

What sensitivity feels comfortable for you guys?

Ill try this for a full day and decide whether or not to purchase the full version

I have the sensitivity set to 4.

 

[colchiro]

I've been using Button Savoir for a few weeks and decided to give Zmooth a try last night and I'm really happy with it. I like Zmooth a little better since it's at the bottom of the screen, it's quicker to use (one movement to do something rather than 2) and seems to respond quicker to input. Button Savior gives you more options as far as what it can open/do but the only things I need are Menu, Back and Home.



I have the sensitivity set to 4.

Always at the bottom is nice. Button Savior or SoftKeys seem to be in the wrong place.

BTW, I bet most people don't have a clue what these apps are for. The Nook Color (reader from Barnes and Noble) has just power, up/dn volume and a home key so when it got rooted and custom roms (like GB or CM7) and no dedicated back or menu buttons, these apps were developed.

 

[eraursls1984]

Always at the bottom is nice. Button Savior or SoftKeys seem to be in the wrong place.

BTW, I bet most people don't have a clue what these apps are for. The Nook Color (reader from Barnes and Noble) has just power, up/dn volume and a home key so when it got rooted and custom roms (like GB or CM7) and no dedicated back or menu buttons, these apps were developed.

Button savior was available before the nook color.

 

[colchiro]

Button savior was available before the nook color.

Probably. My point was that the people that use it typically don't have a full set of buttons.

 

[RMM]

Thanks for the tip. I've been using this app all day and I like it a lot.

 

[colchiro]

How about a gesture to hide zMooth for a few seconds?

I had trouble trying to access a button directly under zMooth today. Took about 4 tries even tho the button was slightly longer than the ZM bar. Maybe a dbl tap or something to hide it for 10 seconds?

 

[SimpleMobDev]

Thanks for feedback guys. I wanted to post under DroidX but was uncertain about forum rules.

You can try reducing the button height if it's getting in the way, it should work the same if you can get used to putting your finger at the right place on the device to popup the ZM bar.

 

[SimpleMobDev]

speak for yourself, lol, I mainly only use the power button. I really like button savior

Can i challenge you to use zMooth Lite for few hours and then compare it to button saviour?.

maybe you just got used to multiple steps in your workflow with button saviour.

 

[eraursls1984]

Can i challenge you to use zMooth Lite for few hours and then compare it to button saviour?.

maybe you just got used to multiple steps in your workflow with button saviour.

I might give it another try, it's not bad it just takes time to dial it in just like button savior. I have button savior perfect so it never gets in the way. This one gets in the way of the dock bar, i'm sure with the right settings it wouldn't, and still be usable

 

[colchiro]

I linked to this thread in the Nook Color forum.

I installed Lite this afternoon. Since there's no uninstall for Button Savior, I had to stop the service and freeze it in Titanium.

 

[JB in AZ]

I linked to this thread in the Nook Color forum.

I installed Lite this afternoon. Since there's no uninstall for Button Savior, I had to stop the service and freeze it in Titanium.

After disabling screen off feature, I was able to uninstall Button Saviour by searching for it in the market, then selecting uninstall.

 

[SimpleMobDev]

I might give it another try, it's not bad it just takes time to dial it in just like button savior. I have button savior perfect so it never gets in the way. This one gets in the way of the dock bar, i'm sure with the right settings it wouldn't, and still be usable

try changing the height in preferences so it doesn't get in the way.

 

[fonefreak]

Probably. My point was that the people that use it typically don't have a full set of buttons.

I've known a few people around the forums who typically don't have a full set of buttons either...

 

[Airmaxx23]

I might give it another try, it's not bad it just takes time to dial it in just like button savior. I have button savior perfect so it never gets in the way. This one gets in the way of the dock bar, i'm sure with the right settings it wouldn't, and still be usable

I'm using a height of 17 and it's working good for me. I'm really liking this a lot more than Button Savior. Also bump up the width, that way if a button is in the way you have more of an area that will accept the swipe gesture.

 

[JB in AZ]

I am trying this app as well, as I don't care for the feel (and extra pressure required)of the hard buttons on the DX, and miss the soft buttons of my previous phone, Sprint EVO 4G. Will give it a few days trial before deciding if I like it enough to pay for the Pro version. Tried Button Saviour and Soft Keys and couldn't get used to them. Perhaps I didn't have them configured properly?

I have height set at 20.

 

[SimpleMobDev]

just FYI, ability to move the zMooth gesture area is under development.

 

[colchiro]

just FYI, ability to move the zMooth gesture area is under development.

Thanks I was thinking having it offset from the middle would work best for me b/c of those occasional apps with a centered bottom button.

 

[RMM]

Been using the lite app for a few days. Wasn't sure of I'd like it or not. I do like it a lot! Bought the paid app a few minutes ago.

I like the height really short so that it doesn't interfere with the keyboard.

 

[colchiro]

New tablet tools in CM7 for Nook Color means the status bar with menu and back buttons are always visible so I no longer need this or button savior or softkey.

 

[Airmaxx23]

I just wanted to post a little tip when it comes to using this. Rather than swiping left or right try swiping left or right but at a slight upward angle. It seems to eliminate the occasional "missed swipe" and is a little easier since you don't need to be quite as accurate.

 

[Airmaxx23]

The newest update broke the app, hopefully it gets fixed soon.