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What's the thinking behind no hardware buttons?

thisISjoel

Android Enthusiast
Feb 16, 2014
412
119
Sydney
Because gosh darn it I'd love me some capacitive buttons on my Nexus 5!

I run a lower DPI (420) and I still feel like I'm giving up too much of my screen real estate to those pesky software buttons!

I've tried pie and it's ok except in like Facebook and stuff when you want to go between your timeline, comments, pictures etc and you need to use the back button a lot, then it sucks. Hard.

At the moment the best I can do seems to be to just switch between extended and normal desktop mode depending on which app I'm using but for reals if I could have some capacitive buttons good golly I'd be happy!

I reckon with a 5.5" display I'd be pretty ok with software buttons only but with the 4.95" we're playing with I'd love a set up like the one plus one.
 
Heck, I'd love some hardware buttons. :p I'm old school (or maybe just old) ;)

I'm sure the thinking was cost, eliminating one more source of technical support and flexibility for future changes (probably the same reasoning for removing SD card slots-- and, yes, I wish we had memory card expansion as well :rolleyes:).

That old chestnut.
 
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I personally like the software buttons. I don't like having the hardware or capacitive ones. One reason is that if i want I can modify them with a custom ROM and have the buttons I want, with the other ones you are stuck with that is there unless you can map them with the ROM.

Most apps now use immersive mode so they are hidden and this gives you full use of the screen.

https://developer.android.com/training/system-ui/immersive.html
 
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I think you are running Dirty Unicorns ???

If so, on the home page, pull down the settings and you will see a square box with a little guy in it. Choose this and some icons will appear. I have a icon called "normal". Press this and the icon will then be listed as "expanded".
Close this and when you do want either the upper status bar or the soft keys you just swipe up or down on the screen. Works 100% for me at least.

I have also tried Xposed and Ultimate Nav Bar and even though they are not recommended, they have worked flawlessly in the past.
 
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I think you are running Dirty Unicorns ???

If so, on the home page, pull down the settings and you will see a square box with a little guy in it. Choose this and some icons will appear. I have a icon called "normal". Press this and the icon will then be listed as "expanded".
Close this and when you do want either the upper status bar or the soft keys you just swipe up or down on the screen. Works 100% for me at least.

I have also tried Xposed and Ultimate Nav Bar and even though they are not recommended, they have worked flawlessly in the past.

Yeah, that's what I do when I use Chrome or something, extended/expanded whatever it is desktop mode.

Googles been pushing software only navigation buttons for a while. Other manufacturers are starting to follow suit.

Its really only Samsung thats holding fast on the hardware home key.

I don't HATE the software buttons, I'd just prefer the One Plus One style capacitive buttons I think so the display is all display, you know? That said I reckon with a bigger screen i.e. the G3 it'd be a lot easier to live with software buttons.
 
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I just did this. Though my screen feels massive now.
Rooted - Xposed- Gravity Box

Screenshot_2014-07-01-19-08-00.png


Screenshot_2014-07-01-19-08-16.png



Incase the pictures don't work.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/odd3co39w76u6ni/Screenshot_2014-07-01-19-08-00.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lk0v6qr2wfq1frv/Screenshot_2014-07-01-19-08-16.png
 
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As someone that used to have capacitive buttons, I am super happy that they are all on screen now. I don't mind the lost real estate, and they can change to match the phone UI that I end up with (aka when L comes out, my buttons will change to match, which cannot be said for people with capacitive buttons.)

Also, since L is just a preview right now, there is always the chance that the release software will have a smaller nav bar or (not likely but still possible) completely embrace PIE or something similar.
 
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