Thoughts regarding the Active Kickstand - Love it or Hate it?

[drexappeal]

Okay, so I loved the fact that this phone had an "active" kickstand, but I'm realizing that there's really no need for me to have it "active." I loved the kickstand in general after it was proven to work using vertically and on both sides horizontally (which, for me, was perfect because I don't watch many movies on my phone while it's charging because I have my HTC flyer for that...just wanted to be able to use as a desk clock at night).

NOTES for those that use any aftermarket launcher (e.g. Go Launcher Ex, Launcher Pro Plus, ADW, etc...)
- Active kickstand does not work while using a launcher (i.e. It won't go to the Motoblur screen that works with the active kickstand)
- If you open kickstand, while using Widgetlocker or aftermarket launcher and the phone is on standby, the phone will wake up to the lock screen.
- If you have kickstand open, while using an aftermarket launcher and the phone is on, you can't use the soft buttons if the kickstand is "active." You need to toggle off the "active" kickstand (under stock display settings) in order for the soft buttons to work with the kickstand out.
-EDIT 8/30/11- The most recent information I've found is that the active kickstand still works with an aftermarket launcher, but you actually have to initiate the action by pressing the capacitive home button.

 

[busted bones]

Okay, so I loved the fact that this phone had an "active" kickstand, but I'm realizing that there's really no need for me to have it "active." I loved the kickstand in general after it was proven to work using vertically and on both sides horizontally (which, for me, was perfect because I don't watch many movies on my phone while it's charging because I have my HTC flyer for that...just wanted to be able to use as a desk clock at night).

NOTES for those that use any aftermarket launcher (e.g. Go Launcher Ex, Launcher Pro Plus, ADW, etc...)
- Active kickstand does not work while using a launcher (i.e. It won't go to the Motoblur screen that works with the active kickstand)
- If you open kickstand, while using Widgetlocker or aftermarket launcher and the phone is on standby, the phone will wake up to the lock screen.
- If you have kickstand open, while using an aftermarket launcher and the phone is on, you can't use the soft buttons if the kickstand is "active." You need to toggle off the "active" kickstand (under stock display settings) in order for the soft buttons to work with the kickstand out.

I put indifferent, I dont mind it and am not having any issues since Im sticking with Blur atm. I do kinda like how it rotates the screen since I thought it was dumb that the EVO didnt rotate if I had my kickstand out.

 

[drexappeal]

I put indifferent, I dont mind it and am not having any issues since Im sticking with Blur atm. I do kinda like how it rotates the screen since I thought it was dumb that the EVO didnt rotate if I had my kickstand out.

Yeah, I absolutely hated that about the E4G. There were rumors that they had changed Sense so that it could finally be viewed in Landscape. Did that end up becoming true or no?

I liked Blur enough to try it the first day, but after looking at the different widgets they offered and what setup would be ideal for me, I decided that I'd go with Launcher Pro Plus, which I'd been using on the EVO. There are 2 key things that I use in Launcher Pro Plus that are ideal
1) The widgets are great looking and customizable, including the skin layout (I have all of them transparent so I can continue seeing the wallpaper)
2) The scrolling dock. This part allows me to set up folder shortcuts, specified for different subject matters, so I can just go directly to whichever shortcut is applicable for what I want to do (and saves space on the homescreens).

 

[busted bones]

Yeah, I absolutely hated that about the E4G. There were rumors that they had changed Sense so that it could finally be viewed in Landscape. Did that end up becoming true or no?

I liked Blur enough to try it the first day, but after looking at the different widgets they offered and what setup would be ideal for me, I decided that I'd go with Launcher Pro Plus, which I'd been using on the EVO. There are 2 key things that I use in Launcher Pro Plus that are ideal
1) The widgets are great looking and customizable, including the skin layout (I have all of them transparent so I can continue seeing the wallpaper)
2) The scrolling dock. This part allows me to set up folder shortcuts, specified for different subject matters, so I can just go directly to whichever shortcut is applicable for what I want to do (and saves space on the homescreens).

It still didnt rotate when I let my EVO go on the 1st. Idk if Blur would let you put folders in the dock but you can customize which 4 are down there. I left the dialer and app drawer button but switched the internet one for Dolphin Browser and the messaging one for Handcent.

 

[wubbie075]

I don't like it, but you can deactivate it, so I don't care that much.

 

[Glod]

it automatically goes into speaker phone while in a call and you pull it out and I love that.

 

[TomXP411]

I like the concept, but I wish it was a little easier to open...

 

[wubbie075]

I don't find it difficult to open at all

 

[brushrop03]

I like the concept, but I wish it was a little easier to open...

I don't find it difficult to open at all

I agree. Compared to the evo this is much more difficult to open. I usually have to use two hands. Just need a bigger gap to get my finger under it. And pushing the top part isn't that easy either. Aw well.

I have mine disabled at the moment. I wish there were detailed options for it. I don't want it turning my screen on whenever i flip it out. that's my only thing.

 

[ScandaLeX]

I like the concept, but I wish it was a little easier to open...

I don't find it difficult to open at all

Someone pointed out how easy it is to use your fingernail in the grooves at the top of the kickstand for it to pop right out. I do it all the time now with no effort. Now...if you're a nail biter.....

 

[novox77]

Yeah, I absolutely hated that about the E4G. There were rumors that they had changed Sense so that it could finally be viewed in Landscape. Did that end up becoming true or no?

No, and I doubt HTC would ever support landscape homescreens. The main problem is that widgets don't have enough vertical real estate when in landscape mode (especially with the push to be even more widescreen in aspect ratio), and HTC prides itself in cool widgets.

On homescreens where I have lots of widgets, I have yet to see any custom launcher do a good job arranging my stuff to fit well in landscape mode.

Therefore, I would really be against a "smart" kickstand that would change my orientation simply because it was sticking out.

 

[drexappeal]

No, and I doubt HTC would ever support landscape homescreens. The main problem is that widgets don't have enough vertical real estate when in landscape mode (especially with the push to be even more widescreen in aspect ratio), and HTC prides itself in cool widgets.

On homescreens where I have lots of widgets, I have yet to see any custom launcher do a good job arranging my stuff to fit well in landscape mode.

Therefore, I would really be against a "smart" kickstand that would change my orientation simply because it was sticking out.

Oh, I see. I like how LPP handles the landscape widgets. But for me, in landscape mode, it's more for practicality than looks.

The way that Motorola designed the active kickstand, the landscape mode is resdesigned a 'bit (almost like it launches a landscape launcher).

 

[T-Born]

The way that Motorola designed the active kickstand, the landscape mode is resdesigned a 'bit (almost like it launches a landscape launcher).

I'm actually a big fan of the active kickstand... I basically use it constantly at work. However, I also noticed that when you exit out of this, it has that landscape version of the normal home screen.

So my question is this: is there a way to enable the phone to switch to this view when just turning the phone on its side (without using the kickstand)? It's annoying to exit a program that uses a landscape view and switch to another landscape program, but have to use a portrait-view-only launcher in between (a minor annoyance, I know... but there it is).

 

[drexappeal]

I'm actually a big fan of the active kickstand... I basically use it constantly at work. However, I also noticed that when you exit out of this, it has that landscape version of the normal home screen.

So my question is this: is there a way to enable the phone to switch to this view when just turning the phone on its side (without using the kickstand)? It's annoying to exit a program that uses a landscape view and switch to another landscape program, but have to use a portrait-view-only launcher in between (a minor annoyance, I know... but there it is).

I don't think you can with Motorola's stock UI.

I'd recommend trying an aftermarket Launcher

Read this thread
http://androidforums.com/motorola-p...rmarket-rooting-not-required.html#post3087410

Most (if not all) of the aftermarket launchers allow you to have the screen auto-rotate based on the orientation of the phone. And I was able to determine that the active kickstand is still functional with the Motorola screen (with an added step where you have to click on the capacitive home button).

 

[JSchu22]

My first reaction is that I like it a lot, but then I realize that I really never use it.

Still, the automatic switch to speakerphone on a call is nice.

 

[T-Born]

I don't think you can with Motorola's stock UI.

I'd recommend trying an aftermarket Launcher

Most (if not all) of the aftermarket launchers allow you to have the screen auto-rotate based on the orientation of the phone. And I was able to determine that the active kickstand is still functional with the Motorola screen (with an added step where you have to click on the capacitive home button).

Hmmm, looks like it's time to start diving into the world of launchers, then. I guess there's first time for everything.

Thanks for your help!

 

[drexappeal]

Hmmm, looks like it's time to start diving into the world of launchers, then. I guess there's first time for everything.

Thanks for your help!

Much simpler than it sounds. Once you've loaded the app, you basically get to start customizing, as if it's the stock launcher. Once you set it as the default, you won't even remember how the stock launcher worked...LOL.

I do recommend downloading Home Smack, prior to downloading the launcher or launchers. That'll allow you to switch between launchers (for comparison sake).

 

[T-Born]

Much simpler than it sounds. Once you've loaded the app, you basically get to start customizing, as if it's the stock launcher. Once you set it as the default, you won't even remember how the stock launcher worked...LOL.

I do recommend downloading Home Smack, prior to downloading the launcher or launchers. That'll allow you to switch between launchers (for comparison sake).

I did exactly that. Trying out Launcher Pro now, and it does have some nice little features that make things easier (especially like adding an extra icon row, having the scrolling quicklaunch thing at the bottom, and the smoother scrolling between pages). A few questions are coming up, but I'll try to figure them out first and then potentially post them to a launcher thread, since I'm getting this one a bit off-topic.

Thanks again for your help!
T

 

[drexappeal]

I did exactly that. Trying out Launcher Pro now, and it does have some nice little features that make things easier (especially like adding an extra icon row, having the scrolling quicklaunch thing at the bottom, and the smoother scrolling between pages). A few questions are coming up, but I'll try to figure them out first and then potentially post them to a launcher thread, since I'm getting this one a bit off-topic.

Thanks again for your help!
T

Glad I could help. Believe me, you're a 'bit ahead of the game. I relied on Sense UI (even though it was a 'bit laggy at times) for the first few months I owned the EVO, until I saw people talking about Launcher Pro and ADW...and I kept wondering what the heck people were talking about. For a while, I thought they were talking about "rooted" activities, which I wasn't prepared to do just yet.

Now, to get this back on topic, even with your using a Launcher, your active kickstand should still be able to work with the added step I had mentioned of clicking the capacitive home button while the kickstand is out (and the active kickstand is enabled in the settings).

 

[T-Born]

Glad I could help. Believe me, you're a 'bit ahead of the game. I relied on Sense UI (even though it was a 'bit laggy at times) for the first few months I owned the EVO, until I saw people talking about Launcher Pro and ADW...and I kept wondering what the heck people were talking about. For a while, I thought they were talking about "rooted" activities, which I wasn't prepared to do just yet.

Now, to get this back on topic, even with your using a Launcher, your active kickstand should still be able to work with the added step I had mentioned of clicking the capacitive home button while the kickstand is out (and the active kickstand is enabled in the settings).

Yeah, tried the active kickstand thing out and it works as advertised. I'm pretty happy with this setup now, and even find that I prefer having the landscape launcher view most times over having the active kickstand screen come up.

 

[drexappeal]

Yeah, tried the active kickstand thing out and it works as advertised. I'm pretty happy with this setup now, and even find that I prefer having the landscape launcher view most times over having the active kickstand screen come up.

Haha...ditto. In fact, even with the Motorola Car Dock, I kinda wish you could permanently disable it from automatically launching because the landscape viewing on Launcher Pro allowed me to set up my phone for easy access to functions while on the road.

And same goes for the kickstand and the view of the active kickstand screen.