[App Release] The HELPFUL Launcher

[Aaron Rolls]

The HELPFUL Launcher (Alpha)

Download:

Dropbox

Google Drive

The HELPFUL launcher is a project of mine to turn the Kai OS launcher into a more helpful alternative.

My current goal is to have it functioning like the launchers you see on Symbian 40.

Features:

Custom Shortcuts:

• Your arrow keys and softkeys can all be mapped to your liking. You can open any app or you can try out some of the custom functions
  
• All of the above mentioned keys have two possible options, "long" or "short". This gives you 12 possible shortcuts to work with
  
• Custom functions
• "torch" : Turns the torch on
• "notifications" : Opens notifications
• "quicksettings" : Opens quick settings / "Shortcuts" default

Better navigation of the app list:

• You can now navigate the app list with your number keys
• Each number (1-9) will jump to the app that it corresponds to on the grid or list.
• The "*" key will take you to the next page.
• For example, if you wanted to open the center app on the third page, you would push, * * 5 Enter

Human Error proof:

• If you make any mistakes with the JSON file that holds your shortcuts, the launcher will work as normal.
  

Bugs:

• The "quicksettings" custom function has a small bug. If you launch it and go back to the home screen, the next button you press will not register.
• (Not really a bug) Number navigation can only be used for launching apps, not uninstalling or moving apps.
  

Customise Shortcuts:

The shortcuts are contained in a JSON file (custom-shortcuts.json) and should be located at the root directory of the HELPFUL launchers application.zip file.

The shortcut file looks like this:

{
    "ArrowUp":{
        "long": "torch",
        "short": "calendar.gaiamobile.org"
        },
    "ArrowDown":{
        "long": "search.gaiamobile.org",
        "short": "contact.gaiamobile.org"
        },
    "ArrowLeft":{
        "long": "email.gaiamobile.org",
        "short": "sms.gaiamobile.org"
        },
    "ArrowRight":{
        "long": "files.gerda.tech",
        "short": "notes.gaiamobile.org"
        },
    "SoftLeft":{
        "long": "calculator.gaiamobile.org",
        "short": "notifications"
        },
    "SoftRight":{
        "long": "settings.gaiamobile.org"
        }
   
}

Each button can ether have a "long" or a "short" option. If you remove ether option or even the entire button, the button will revert to its default action as defined by Kai OS.

"long" = long press

"short" = normal press

If you want to launch an app, ether "long" or "short" should contain the app name

If you want to add a custom function like turning the torch on, add the function name ("torch") in place of an app name

Once you are finished, save the file as custom-shortcuts.json and add to your application.zip file.

If you want the default functionality of the RightSoft key (the "Shortcuts" key) it is recommended that you remove the "short" option instead of using the "quicksettings" custom function.

If nothing works after you have followed my instructions, check if you missed a comma somewhere, that would throw an error.

Install:

Warnings:

1. This will only work with Nokia 8110's that have root access.
2. I have only tried this out on Gerda OS which is v13 of the 8110's software. It may not work on v16 or anything above v13.
3. This is a try at your own risk mod of the Kai OS launcher, I am not responsible for any harm it may (but probably won't do) to your device
   

How To:

1. Download HELPFUL Launcher, it will be called application.zip
2. Extract and edit custom-shortcuts.json from the application.zip file or create your own
3. Repackage or add the custom-shortcuts.json file into the application.zip file
   
4. Plug your phone into your computer and insure that debugging is turned on
5. Navigate to the directory that has the application.zip you downloaded
   
6. Open your terminal or command prompt
7. Backup your current launcher by running this
   adb pull /system/b2g/webapps/launcher.gaiamobile.org/
   
8. Once that has finish, install HELPFUL Launcher with this command
   adb push application.zip /system/b2g/webapps/launcher.gaiamobile.org/
9. Reboot your phone
   adb reboot
   
10. Leave a review or report bugs if you find them
    
    
    
    

[Jpt Trick]

post download link in google drive.
for test.

[Aaron Rolls]

No problem, here is a Google Drive Link

[Jpt Trick]

mising metadata file !

when install app

[Aaron Rolls]

HELPFUL Launcher is a direct replacement (overwrite) for the Kai OS launcher. You can't install it directly on the phone as you would a normal app, you need install it with a computer via adb. I have listed the installation instructions in my original post.

[Jpt Trick]

But custom launcher(perry) install via omnisd.

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[Aaron Rolls]

perry's custom launcher is an app which launches other apps, it is not actually a "launcher" or home screen. HELPFUL launcher replaces your home screen. It is a modification of the Kai OS home screen and needs to replace system code. For now, adb is the only way to install it safely.

On Monday, September 9, 2019 at 2:01:41 PM UTC+12, Jpt Trick wrote:

But custom launcher(perry) install via omnisd.

On 09/09/2019, Aaron Rolls <nar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> HELPFUL Launcher is a direct replacement (overwrite) for the Kai OS
> launcher. You can't install it directly on the phone as you would a normal
> app, you need install it with a computer via adb. I have listed the
> installation instructions in my original post.
>
> On Monday, September 9, 2019 at 1:21:43 PM UTC+12, Jpt Trick wrote:
>>
>> mising metadata file !
>>
>> when install app
>>
>
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> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "comp.mobile.nokia.8110" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an

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[perry]

Thank you for the app.

Be carefull with gitHub i'am not sure the KaiOS Launcher app is open source,

why not fork the orginal app(if available) ?

[martincheco]

Just tested on nokia 8110 GerdaOS v13
Works a charm, thanks!
Will let you know if I find any bugs

On Monday, 9 September 2019 02:26:33 UTC+2, Aaron Rolls wrote:

The HELPFUL Launcher (Alpha)

Download:

Dropbox

Github

1. Add your custom-shortcuts.json file to the application.zip
   

[Aaron Rolls]

Thanks martin! Good to hear.

Thanks for that perry, I'm pretty new to github and I'm not entirely sure of the rules. I'll remove the launcher from there.

If you can find the original app to fork, let me know, I can't see it on the kaios github page. Working with the minified version is a pain. I may have to write a new one from scratch.

[Luxferre]

Hi Aaron,

Not tested yet but sounds pretty epic.

Thanks for all the research!

P.S. There's no such thing as "native" KaiOS launcher because each vendor makes their own customizations. But there is a confirmation that system preferences can be modified to set any app as the start screen. I'll share the details shortly.

[Aaron Rolls]

I was thinking about an app being set as the launcher. I had an idea of modifying the launcher html file to link to some other javascript and css on the sd card. This should allow custom launcher switching. However if you have better way on the system level I'll wait for that.

There could be something you could help me with though. I had an issue with the Direct Storage API with the HELPFUL launcher. It was my original intention to have the custom-shortcuts.json file on the sdcard. I got it working fine in a test app of mine, however when I tried to use the same code in the launcher, I got a security error. Both my test app and the launcher have the same sdcard storage permissions and both are "certified" apps. I thought if anything the launcher would have less restrictions, not more.

[perry]

I was thinking about an app being set as the launcher. I had an idea of modifying the launcher html file to link to some other javascript and css on the sd card. This should allow custom launcher switching. However if you have better way on the system level I'll wait for that.

maybe it helps: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Platform/Gaia/Gaia_apps/Window_Management

For example in my OSM-Map App I open the sms-app(to share my position) when I close the sms-app the OSM-App is still open.

[Sylvain D]

Awesome!

I have changed the timeout values to shorter (500ms for long press is enough for me) 

Is there a way to map "0" to navigate to previous page?

just a small phenomenon : when scrolling the apps with arrow keys, it's not possible to use "*" and "1-9" keys anymore.

[Aaron Rolls]

Thanks for the feedback. I might consider changing the timeout as the default. It does feel too long.

When you press the arrow keys, I caused the app to intentionally disable the number navigation. When you navigating with the number keys it does not actually register with the system that the cursor has moved. The system still thinks you are on the first app. You can test this out by pressing "*" twice then press the right arrow. The cursor will jump back to the beginning of the app grid.

I don't fully understand how the system moves the cursor, once I do I'll fully implement the number navigation into the system. But until then I am using a hack, and the arrow keys and the hack don't play nice. That's the reason that the number keys are disabled after you press an arrow key. 

As for mapping "0" to go back one page, that will be easy and expect to see it in version 0.0.2 which will release in  about 7 days, but maybe sooner. However the intention with number navigation is to easily be able to remember key sequences so you don't even need to look at the screen to quickly open the app you want. But I understand that how you intend something to be used is not always how it ends up being used, I'm definitely open to suggestions.

[martincheco]

hmm just changed the two occurences of 1500ms longpress to 750ms and it worked for a bit then everything blocked after using the application switch by power key longpress
changed back and everything seems allright

which of the two I should change?

[Aaron Rolls]

I have not tried changing the long press timer yet. I intend to make it an option in the JSON file in version 0.0.2. However I would suggest altering the "n.longPressDuration = 1500" instance and not the other one. I am not sure what function the power button uses or how changing the long

press timer might effect it and the task manager. 

[martincheco]

thanks, it works!

[lyf120]

Pls upload screenshot also..

[martincheco]

Well this app has no special graphical manifestation, what did you have in mind?

On Friday, 13 September 2019 17:14:25 UTC+2, lyf120 wrote:

Pls upload screenshot also..

[Aaron Rolls]

Uploading a screen shot has little point, as martencheco pointed out. If you want to get an idea of what it looks like, take a look at this image https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6F_z_27fg2c/maxresdefault.jpg

[Ondřej Vávra]

Hi guys, can you please help me what am I doing wrong?

When I try to push the zip from ADB, I get this message:

"adb: error: failed to copy 'application.zip' to '/system/b2g/webapps/launcher.gaiamobile.org/application.zip': remote Read-only file system"

Nokia 8110 4G, rooted: 

I can not figure out what am I doing wrong. 

Thanks a lot!

Dne pondělí 9. září 2019 v 2:26:33 UTC+2 uživatel nar...@gmail.com napsal:

[Affe null]

Your system partition is mounted read-only, and you can remount it in read-write mode using the following command:

adb shell mount -o remount,rw /system

But actually, it is better to push the app to the data partition instead, because that way you don't modify the system and don't break system updates:

adb shell cp -r /system/b2g/webapps/launcher.gaiamobile.org /data/local/webapps/
adb push application.zip /data/local/webapps/launcher.gaiamobile.org/application.zip
adb pull /data/local/webapps/webapps.json
[open webapps.json in a text editor, find the "launcher.gaiamobile.org" entry and
 change /system/b2g/webapps to /data/local/webapps in that entry, save and close]
adb push webapps.json /data/local/webapps/
adb reboot

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[Ondřej Vávra]

Hi guys, 

thanks for the message Affe Null - I tried it on a stock Nokia 8110 4G and it works like a charm!

O.

Dne sobota 17. dubna 2021 v 10:35:23 UTC+2 uživatel Affe null napsal:

[Ondřej Vávra]

Sorry, stock Noka 8110 46 + ADBroot + Bananahackers store

Dne sobota 17. dubna 2021 v 15:11:11 UTC+2 uživatel Ondřej Vávra napsal: