WidgetLocker +*~+*~+*~+*~+*-- WOW!!!

[Phreaker47]

An update was released today that seems to make this run a lot better. It now asks you to make it your default home app but then passes the buck straight to your "real" home app, just like quickdesk does. So it's kind of funny... i install, it automatically prompts me to choose a new default home app, I choose widgetlocker, then it says "choose home app" and I choose QuickDesk, heh... in the end it all works fine, home button still goes back to launcherpro.

This trick seems to have reduced the instances where the "real lock screen" gets stuck behind WL's screen, forcing you to occasionally still have to go through the original lock screen instead of it getting bypassed. Does that make sense? Heh, if you use this app, it should.

 

[cpjr]

I'll say I love the new update, fixed all the issues I was having.

 

[timrenzi573]

Love the app - really awesome. One question , that I'm not sure if others are running into or not. About half the time when I go to open an sms or email or gtalk chat from the notification bar while on the widgetlocker screen, it brings me to the default android lockscreen to unlock first. The other half of the time it just loads. I'd really like it to let me just pop into those apps all the time from the notification bar - any tips?

I had tried to just use pure messenger to get around this, but the fact that it doesnt actually mark emails unread drives me nuts. (they show as read in inbox, but the unread count remains high, and they are unread on the server when I log into gmail)

 

[Corinacakes]

It now asks you to make it your default home app but then passes the buck straight to your "real" home app, just like quickdesk does. So it's kind of funny... i install, it automatically prompts me to choose a new default home app, I choose widgetlocker, then it says "choose home app" and I choose QuickDesk, heh... in the end it all works fine, home button still goes back to launcherpro.

Thanks for that post!! I was so confused about what to do. Perfect now

 

[kevin@teslacoilsw]

Glad the update is working well for people. There's a few more fixes I'm working on (Pandora update, sense alarm clock, and what timrenzi mentioned). Then I can start seeing about adding some often requested features like custom locking out interaction with the widgets, custom wallpaper and a sense-style slider.

About half the time when I go to open an sms or email or gtalk chat from the notification bar while on the widgetlocker screen, it brings me to the default android lockscreen to unlock first. The other half of the time it just loads.

This will be changed in the next release.
Right now I've been keeping the Android Keyguard around for as long as possible to try to prevent unexpected app changes. But it seems I can't dismiss all user interaction based ones (notifications, or home button without the Helper) and some unexpected ones are desirable (Sense Alarm clock). No one seems to want the extra protection anyway (Except for the one market commenter who didn't use the setting for the keyguard anyway).

The reason you don't always see it is if you click on a widget it dismisses the android keyguard (in case the widget starts an application).

 

[timrenzi573]

Glad the update is working well for people. There's a few more fixes I'm working on (Pandora update, sense alarm clock, and what timrenzi mentioned). Then I can start seeing about adding some often requested features like custom locking out interaction with the widgets, custom wallpaper and a sense-style slider.

About half the time when I go to open an sms or email or gtalk chat from the notification bar while on the widgetlocker screen, it brings me to the default android lockscreen to unlock first. The other half of the time it just loads.

This will be changed in the next release.
Right now I've been keeping the Android Keyguard around for as long as possible to try to prevent unexpected app changes. But it seems I can't dismiss all user interaction based ones (notifications, or home button without the Helper) and some unexpected ones are desirable (Sense Alarm clock). No one seems to want the extra protection anyway (Except for the one market commenter who didn't use the setting for the keyguard anyway).

The reason you don't always see it is if you click on a widget it dismisses the android keyguard (in case the widget starts an application).

Thanks for the quick reply and detailed explanation. Much appreciated!

 

[Phreaker47]

It now asks you to make it your default home app but then passes the buck straight to your "real" home app, just like quickdesk does. So it's kind of funny... i install, it automatically prompts me to choose a new default home app, I choose widgetlocker, then it says "choose home app" and I choose QuickDesk, heh... in the end it all works fine, home button still goes back to launcherpro.

Thanks for that post!! I was so confused about what to do. Perfect now

No worries! Although now, sometimes when I press the home key, I get the thumbnail homescreen previews instead of just my main homescreen (and LP is set to go straight to default homescreen)... might be a side effect of having the widgetlocker helper on top of quickdesk on top of launcherpro...

 

[Corinacakes]

Yep this is now my number one fav app of all time (besides folderorganizer and sweeterhome and quickdesk)

 

[ukyfan]

Yep this is now my number one fav app of all time (besides folderorganizer and sweeterhome and quickdesk)

So you are saying it is your 4th fav app :tongue:

I just bought this app last night and I am really liking it so far. Now granted I just set it up this monring, but so far it rocks! Like someone else said I have totally replaced one of my home screens.

@ Kevin... Keep up the great work dude. I really look forward to see what all you do with this great little app!

 

[ukyfan]

OK, I have a question. If we choose WidgetLocker to be the default home, and tell it to pass it on to your home replacement (LauncherPro in my case). Will the phone lock anytime you press the Home Key?

 

[kevin@teslacoilsw]

Will the phone lock anytime you press the Home Key?

No the phone will not lock when you hit the Home Key. The Home key will bring up Launcher Pro, unless you're at the lockscreen then it will give a denied message (You can allow it in settings however).

There are 2 goods reasons WidgetLocker wants the home key, and one not so good reason.
1) 5 Second Rule. There's a security policy in Android to disallow a background process (WidgetLocker) from starting an activity within 5 seconds of the Home button being hit. So if you hit home, then turn off the screen, then turn on the screen, WidgetLocker is delayed until the 5 second rule expires, which is annoying. But if the WidgetLocker Helper intercepts the Home key the 5 second rule can be defeated.
2) Some users don't want the home key to work at the lock screen but normally an application cannot catch this key. But again if WidgetLocker Helper gets the key, it can disregard it.
3) This reasons is going away in the next update (This weekend, or maybe even tonight if things go well). But in the current release, the home key without the helper will normally causes the system keyguard to appear.

I plan on creating an FAQ soon. Keep the feedback and questions coming!

-Kevin

 

[ukyfan]

OK thanks for the quick reply. And again great app!

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[coondogg97]

Very cool app, I downloaded it this morning. The only thing I would request is to allow shortcuts to apps on the Widget Locker. It would be great to access Google Voice directly on the lock screen.

 

[PhoenixGTR]

You can do that. I have a shortcut to the phone on WidgetLocker.
Looking forward to that next release. Often when I push the power button to wake the screen. I just get the regular lock screen and I have to press it again to get WidgetLocker.
Also, when I press home key when I have the browser open, I get a slight delay (black screen) before it responds. Doesn't fc, though.

Sent from my Droid using TARDIStalk

 

[coondogg97]

You can do that. I have a shortcut to the phone on WidgetLocker.

Alright, I give up. Care to elaborate on getting shortcuts on the Widget Lock screen?