N9Appdate: Home Screen Settings (V 1.5.1) – More Wallpaper Features
I know, the name is pathetic. If you have a better idea, let me know. Anyway, so I’ve brought to your attention an app called Home Screen Settings. It is truly the greatest home screen hacking tool out! Currently, it can;
- Unlock/Lock devices orientation
- Remove the weather widget from events view
- Show only white text (changing the events and switcher screen to have brighter and more visible text)
- Change the background of the homescreens to a single image/wallpaper
- Change background to “Sine Waves” – Dynamic wallpaper like PS3/PSP
Now, the developer has sent me the latest version, currently awaiting Store QA approval. With this version, there are more wallpaper related features. This update brings with it;
- A new dynamic wallpaper known as horizon. Update: The Horizon dynamic wallpaper will dynamically change its color
scheme based on the time of the day - A “glitter” effect on Sine Waves, which looks even more like the PS3 wallpaper, and
- Also the ability to have three Images, one for each of the Screens (Events, Launcher, Switcher)
"Horizon" wallpaper. Has a very desert feel to it
"Sine Waves" with "Glitter". Sorry that Glitter is a bit hard to see
This update should be in the store soon.
Cheers Vesuri!
Michael
Category: Applications, Maemo, MeeGo, N9 Hacks, N9Apps, Nokia
About the Author (Author Profile)
Hi! My name is Michael. Like the others, I'm also a Student, living here in Sydney. I have a real passion for the latest technology and I'm a real Nokia buff! My aim is to keep those of you, like myself, updated with the latest in what's going on in the Nokia World. Currently sporting N9 & Lumia 820, with other Nokia devices in my posession. Get in touch on Twitter via @MFaroTusino, Google Plus or even simply drop me an email at mike.mnb[at]outlook.com or tips[at]mynokiablog.comSubscribe
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Appdate LOL.. still nice xD
I’m using N9QuickTweak though.. so I can’t use this app or it messes up my N9 and I’ll have to reflash it. But the dynamic wallpapers are something else. If they add a panoramic wallpaper like in Android, I’d definitely install it again.
Only says don’t use N9QT to change homescreen settings if you have this app. I use N9QT for everything else
N9QuickTweak changes Harmattan system files and thus may cause problems during or after an operating system upgrade.
… and yet it remains an amazing app with enormous functionality, and it’s free.
Nice (pointless) necro douche, his point still remains, with great hack-ability, comes great instability, don’t expect otherwise.
It was never designed in mind for the sort of things that the system’s being melded to do nowadays, if Harmattan was still being aggressively developed, it’d be less of a issue (but never completely resolved).
Thanks Mr forum troll for your (pointless) retort, juvenile ad hominem, and for missing the point. Harmattan isn’t being developed is it? And QTweak is, and remains free, so any criticism of it along those lines by the author of a paid app is … again, pointless. Which was the point. Hello?
Since your a bit slow let me clarify…
Developing in the sense that there’s still a active harmattan team* making sure the underlying arch is keeping up with the sort flexibility that the dev/hack community is exploring.
And again because your a little slow, it wasn’t a criticism, it was a vary valid point, you seeing it as a criticism doesn’t make it one.
*it was more-or-less complete disbanded about 10mth ago now.
your = you’re
And that’s the end of that discussion o_O Carry on trolling my good man.
No offense to Vesuri, though he was definitely being a little snide. All power to anyone who continues developing for the N9 IMO.
I’m sorry but the only one trolling has been you, by choosing to necro so inappropriately. You got back what you deserved as a result.
And another point, vesuri has also contributed LOTS of free stuff to the community, even this app was once, heck IIRC there’s still a free version, so attacking him for making a valid point isn’t cool, not to mention rude in a article that’s almost 1yr old.
Awesome, I thought dev work had died….
I didn’t even know there was an active thread…
Good to hear he’s getting users to test beta versions!
This app won’t mess up your N9. Badly written hacks may do so, but this one won’t touch any of the Harmattan operating system files. If you uninstall this app, you’ll be in the same state you were before installing the app unless some hack or tweak has messed the system up.
Hmm, is this definately fact? because I’ve been so tempted to try this app but have been put off due to possible warrenty/software update issues :-/
“Hmm, is this definitely fact?”
IIRC Vesuri is the author of the app or involved.
Been a while since I hung out regularly at TMO though.
Yes, this is a fact. There are/have been other applications which have altered system files and caused issues like http://vesuri.jormas.com/homescreensettings/homescreenbackgroundsettingsproblem.html . This application will not cause these issues even though many users have mistaken it to be the cause for their problems.
@Vesuri
Where can we find the latest HSS beta?
I want to test it & provide feedback etc.
Michael, how did you get the date showing up in the status bar? Does it get crowded up there in your opinion?
No, I think it’s fine. Although, I am currently trying to develop a method for removing the operator name
Hint: override the Context Framework keys Cellular.NetworkName and Cellular.ExtendedNetworkName with a custom provider with a higher priority than the actual one.
maybe you could add that feature to your app? Would love that!
Maybe just call it simply N9Apps #1 or something
I’ve tried earlier version of this app, it made device little bit slower so I deleted it. I might have to try this again if it’s fixed, that “horizon” wallpaper looks pretty cool.
It only “slows down” your device if you use one of the dynamic backgrounds. Even then it only “slows down” the device when the home screen is visible. When the home screen is not visible or a background is not used there is no performance penalty whatsoever.
Yeah, it affected only homescreen, but I still prefer performance over good looks especially in homescreen. Is there anything to be done for better performance, OC perhaps?
Well its only little bit slower with dynamic wallpaper so I’ll give newest version a try when it passes QA. I hope you keep adding dynamic wallpapers as I got bored to sinewaves last time or add support for ppl to add their own dynamic wallpapers. Some guys at TMO were asking how to make it by themself, but I dont think anybody found out. Anyway Its a great App!
Overclocking is possible. Take a look at the N9Hacks section. I mentioned it a few weeks back
Yep, I saw it. But does it effect performance of homescreens? I heard OC won’t have effect on homescreens because they run by default at 600 mhz.
I’m interested if someone has tried
There’s also the new GUI overclocking app called “Opptimizer”.
Showcased at everything N9 recently….
BTW, the Horizon background changes its color scheme dynamically based on the current time.
Wow
someone can develop a concept like a live wallpaper(ICS) i mean more live wallpaper..
But please no live “tiles”. Those tiles are soon coming to your desktop … not good news for me.
Then i can give you some good news. You can still use a standard Windows UI in win 8
not for the app launcher
Sure the “live tiles” can be turned off. It’s the main UI and it’ll be hard to avoid, you can bet your ass that tiles will be crawling up from many different angles.
I hope the update fixes the Color profiles under Settings->Device->Display. After I installed Home Screen Settings, it messes up the ability to change Color profiles and I really liked Subdued.
“it messes up the ability to change Color profiles and I really liked Subdued.”
I have HSS installed & it hasn’t messed up this ability for me.
You’ve probably been playing with tools like N9tweak etc.
This app do not cause any problems. I use it for some time now.
Yes… that’s what I was saying.
No, it doesn’t. Period. This application has absolutely no means to touch those settings. You have used some other tweak which has messed up your system.
I dont use N9tweak. My friend has the same problem on his N9. Could be some other installed program? Both of ours are MEA versions, maybe that has something to do with it? I could test it by reflashing and then installing just HSS, but it’s too much work. I’m very happy with it, just bummed I cant have Subdued any more.
Any tweak to disable automatic recalibration of screen brightness will prevent the colour schemes…
Not this app!
If anyone comes across a way of retaining the schemes on full brightness all the time, let me know!
Great news, can’t wait to upgrade. Best regards to author.
Nice name
I am so happy about the increase of the attention on the N9 here
Keep it up
Kinda off topic, but can any of you tell me of it’s possible to play music during a call?
http://madrid.theappdate.com/
The App Date is a regular meeting for app developers in Madrid, Spain. I don’t think they’ll be angry at you, though.
I’m still waiting for this update
>.<
@Silthice
I emailed the dev: vesuri@jormas.com
He’s still waiting for it to be approved, Nokia Store moves like a glacier sometimes.
If you want it sooner, you can e-mail him and he’ll e-mail it to you.
I also suggested he put beta builds in the testing repository @apps4meego.
But he hasn’t responded to that email…
It will be available when it passes Nokia QA. Seriously, you can wait. There’s no need to assume anything should be available ‘right now’.
The application also won’t be made available from any other source than the Store. There is zero need to add any confusion by making different versions available from different sources. The Store is the main, trusted source for applications which doesn’t require any additional privileges to be given or repositories to be set up. Please do not continue the discussion over this.
Also, if there is some specific dynamic background you want, send a video or a Flash presentation of it to the author. “Parallax like in Android” or “ICS” means absolutely nothing to the author.
Dont worry I’m still waiting patiently as this is just homescreen settings. Just that wondering if it has auto-update like the other apps. So, I don’t have to keep on checking.
^_^
I want aquarium background if that possible or snow
“Dont worry I’m still waiting patiently as this is just homescreen settings. Just that wondering if it has auto-update like the other apps. So, I don’t have to keep on checking.”
All Store applications get updates automatically, so there’s no need to check manually. If the update download fails for some reason one can try updating through the Store client.
how about wazzap?
how to update?
re-download and reinstall is it?
You trolling bro?
It’s not an official store app….
Ask such questions in the wazapp thread.
I think the dev even explains something relating to that in the 1st post.
cause nobody response there
that’s why I ask here
so do I need to delete and reinstall?
Dunno read the 1st post, pretty sure it was answered there.
If not it definitely was in the 1st 10 pages.
Pretty sure he said you can just install over the top.
I can’t recall the detail for auto-updates…
I am really looking forward to the Home Screen Settings update. It seems great and thanks for the efforts. I just hope Nokia’s QA does it’s magic soon.
Schturman (to the best of his knowledge) has said that N9 QuickTweaks A, B and W combined with Home Screen Settings may cause boot loop. http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1210017&postcount=169
I use HSS with N9 QuickTweak and have no problems for 2 months (avoiding A, B and W). Usual disclaimer applies http://nokiaindependent.com/disclaimer/
Regarding wazapp, the latest updates are automatically notified to you through the app on opening.
Hope this helps
“Regarding wazapp, the latest updates are automatically notified to you through the app on opening.”
Yes that’s well-known now, but thanks.
“The application also won’t be made available from any other source than the Store. There is zero need to add any confusion by making different versions available from different sources. The Store is the main, trusted source for applications which doesn’t require any additional privileges to be given or repositories to be set up. Please do not continue the discussion over this.”
Whaaaat, settle down matey…
Plenty of other devs see logic in doing that.
Just because you don’t doesn’t make it right…
What’s with the attitude anyway…
I was only suggesting it in case you weren’t aware.
You’re not God or anything, you can get off your pedestal.
Geezus what a wank job….
Just wow. I’m providing good quality software for free but when I’m not willing to distribute it like YOU want I’m suddenly a “wank job”? No, I’m not a “wank job” or a God, thank you very much. If you don’t like how the application is distributed, don’t use it.
For the attitude part – let’s see. A developer is providing an application for free and a user is calling the developer names for not distributing the application the way he wants even though the user will get the application anyway by having just a little bit of patience. One of them is definitely having an attitude problem, but which one?
I’m not on any kind of a pedestal but I definitely don’t need this kind of crap either. Thanks.
It was how you chose to react, really as simple as that.
I wasn’t DEMANDING you distribute it any which way, couldn’t care less.
It was merely an idea, in case you weren’t aware of it.
Yet you chose to react in a irritated & hostile fashion.
You get back what you give….
Believe me, I can read and even understand. I didn’t realize I called someone names since that’s what I got back. What I’ve given is a hopefully useful piece of software. Enjoy it (or don’t!) but cut the crap.
If you can’t see where you went wrong then I cant see where I did.
No apology here, sadly….
“The application also won’t be made available from any other source than the Store. There is zero need to add any confusion by making different versions available from different sources. The Store is the main, trusted source for applications which doesn’t require any additional privileges to be given or repositories to be set up. Please do not continue the discussion over this.”
There is ABSOLUTELY nothing here that should offend you or anyone else. It’s an explanation of the distribution policy and a request for everyone not to continue on the subject of distribution. Not a single word or sentence against anyone there, so no, I can’t think of any reason to be offended other than not having your way.
“You’re not God or anything, you can get off your pedestal.
Geezus what a wank job….”
This, however, is not what I’m writing software or helping people out for.
Anyone with half-a-brain reading you OP can see it’s tone.
No amount of you trying to re-characterise it changes that.
It’s there for people to see…
If you don’t want to acknowledge that you were unnecessarily agitated when you wrote the post.
Then I’m not going to apologise for my reaction, even if it was more aggressive.
Anyone with a full brain will understand its only purpose is to be informative, not offensive against anyone. If misreading that gives you an incentive to insult people, good luck in life.
why are you trolling here?
Do you know why N9 have developers mode for everyone? If you want something just from the store go for WP cause you can’t get anything else beside what in the marketplace cause N9 does not fit for people like you.
Er, I was the one arguing to make it available elsewhere.
So I’m not sure why you’re directing your response at me.
But as I said I have no bones about the dev deciding where/how it make it available.
It was just the way he chose to react initially which irked me.
“why are you trolling here?”
I am not trolling a single bit. Which comment exactly are you referring to? I honestly do not know and my only purpose in participating in this conversation has been to provide information and straighten things up.
“Do you know why N9 have developers mode for everyone?”
Yes, I do: to allow DEVELOPERS to develop applications for the device. This is the only purpose of the mode. Its purpose has absolutely nothing to do with allowing applications developed by others to be installed.
“If you want something just from the store go for WP cause you can’t get anything else beside what in the marketplace cause N9 does not fit for people like you.”
That’s quite bold considering that I wrote significant portions of the N9 home screen and other related components myself. It’s nice to hear that I spent three and a half years working on a device that doesn’t “fit people like me”.
Seriously, I don’t understand what the problem is here. As a developer I surely have the right to choose the suitable distribution method for my applications. For most consumers the straight forward option to install applications is the Store. Limiting the availability to the Store also limits the amount of maintenance and support work for the developer. Still, every single customer will get to download and install the application.
The only “problem” I can think of is the fact that now some users have learned that a version with more functionality exists and they want it *right now*. Everyone *WILL* get this version anyway from the Store so there is absolutely no reason to make it available from anywhere else.
“The only “problem” I can think of is the fact that now some users have learned that a version with more functionality exists and they want it *right now*.”
@Vesuri
Some usrs (not all) want it “now” only out of a sense of community spirit.
That’s how most of the best apps are dev’d @TMO, it’s a formula that works well.
Users/devs spend much of their time helping devs with feed-back etc.
But if you don’t want to take that approach it’s your (somewhat unfortunate) choice.
Update is out now anyway….
Thanks for your efforts & a belated apology for my crankiness.
I must’ve been having a bad hair day…
Cheers.
It’s ok. Thanks and enjoy the application.
If someone really wants to help with beta testing, I have absolutely no problem with that. Just send me E-mail and let’s work it out. I’m just not interested in having multiple distribution channels for the “general public” to keep things simple both for the users and myself as a developer.
@Vesuri
The problem is you don’t have any presence in the TMO* community.
You’re somewhat at arms length…
You need a thread that you’re by no means obligated to provide support in.
It’s generally self regulating anyway. Thanks to other more experienced users helping with inane Qns.
I can recommend the best sub-forum/s in which to announce your presence.
Thread at TMO != general public, which is your concern understandably.
*TMO = talk.maemo.org
I’ve assumed http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=82330 would be enough. The talk.maemo.org moderators have not been very keen on having multiple threads about the same subject.
Woah talk about delayed response, better than never!
Yeah that one wasn’t started by you, so you can’t update the first post etc.
But it seems you do somewhat engage users in it, so I guess that’s good enough.