Jump to content

Shake to enable Flashlight


Recommended Posts

Hello,

I'm currently using a moto-z (hoped for a keyboard mod ...) and one feature I would miss on another device is the ability to shake the phone to enable/disable the flashlight.

It is incredibly handy not having to unlock the phone, or turn on the screen just to have light.

While there are some apps that try to provide the same feature, they all fall short on either functionality or annoying ads (I would be willing to pay, but could't find a paid app).

 

I think this (small) software change could provide real value to the phone.

Thanks,

Benjamin

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

The inevitable problem with sensor-based activation is deciding the poll rate, which to detect changes and decide on threshold values toward an intent. I wish I had a Moto phone to show off here, because it would make a lot more sense when I show you the polling rate that a Moto Z2 Force polls at, versus say a Moto G5; to show you the tradeoff of accuracy vs. precision. This is a problem with sealed-in battery where we have a mAh budget; which is why you have variations in user-experience with Moto G/X line. Again, I wish I could just "show you" rather than "tell you".

 

We can get away with a satisfactory version, using the Gravity Gestures app, or a Tasker Intent and adjust sensitivity to come 95% close to the Moto Actions. The trade off is the increased battery consumption that keeps those sensors activated. Depending on how open fxtec wants to be with its kernel source and forward-thinking on component selection and OS.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just a thought on how to save a little battery.

Normally when I put my phone in the pocket it is top down. So what if the shake-function checked with a relative low frequency whether the device was clearly top-up (that is within some limit from vertical), and only when, checked for a shake with a higher polling rate.

This might reduce the consumption in pocket or on a table.

Link to post
Share on other sites

What is the problem with a button-combo like other manufacturers or ROM builds use?

For example clicking the volume button twice and hold them for enabling and disabling the LED? Much less room for accidental activations, saving alot of time calibrating and implementing the function, when the effort of pressing a key or two is not saving any user-time at all?

Link to post
Share on other sites

1. It's all personal opinion. I'm just stating my perspective

2. Flicking the phone just works. (on moto z)

2.1 no need to find the right key

2.2 no need to change your grip to enter a key combo

2.3 upside down / sideways doesn't matter, it just works

Link to post
Share on other sites

I find this to be a really useful feature of my Moto Z too.

 

Although another easy way to turn on the light w/o unlcoking the phone would be fine too, holding a couple buttons together or whatever, if they were easy enough to find blindly.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 4 years later...
1 hour ago, benoitjeffrey said:

On AICP (until last working version) there was an option.

Hold the power button 2 seconds while the screen is off.

IMO It's a good alternative to the moto flashlight.

 

Hello 🙂

 

...long press pw for torch is working on lineage too 🙂

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites
On 3/23/2019 at 9:18 PM, netman said:

I'm with Noir on this one, I'd feel realy weird shaking my phone.

it is weird. It took a while for me to get used to it. Still weird and not the best solution. The one thing you don't want to do in the dark is karate chopping your phone into the woods... But it is better than using that useless quickmenu which is becoming worse and worse.

HTC had a solution where drawing an O on the locked screen activated the light, that was great.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms