I don't think this is android specific, but having the IR LED that allowed you to use your phone as a universal remote. I get that lots of TVs are getting fancier remotes that communicate in other ways, but there are still plenty of applications of the IR LED.
Android
The new home of /r/Android on Lemmy and the Fediverse!
Android news, reviews, tips, and discussions about rooting, tutorials, and apps.
πUniversal Link: [email protected]
π‘Content Philosophy:
Content which benefits the community (news, rumours, and discussions) is generally allowed and is valued over content which benefits only the individual (technical questions, help buying/selling, rants, self-promotion, etc.) which will be removed if it's in violation of the rules.
Support, technical, or app related questions belong in: [email protected]
For fresh communities, lemmy apps, and instance updates: [email protected]
π¬Matrix Chat
π°Our communities below
Rules
-
Stay on topic: All posts should be related to the Android OS or ecosystem.
-
No support questions, recommendation requests, rants, or bug reports: Posts must benefit the community rather than the individual. Please post to [email protected].
-
Describe images/videos, no memes: Please include a text description when sharing images or videos. Post memes to [email protected].
-
No self-promotion spam: Active community members can post their apps if they answer any questions in the comments. Please do not post links to your own website, YouTube, blog content, or communities.
-
No reposts or rehosted content: Share only the original source of an article, unless it's not available in English or requires logging in (like Twitter). Avoid reposting the same topic from other sources.
-
No editorializing titles: You can add the author or website's name if helpful, but keep article titles unchanged.
-
No piracy or unverified APKs: Do not share links or direct people to pirated content or unverified APKs, which may contain malicious code.
-
No unauthorized polls, bots, or giveaways: Do not create polls, use bots, or organize giveaways without first contacting mods for approval.
-
No offensive or low-effort content: Don't post offensive or unhelpful content. Keep it civil and friendly!
-
No affiliate links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.
Quick Links
Our Communities
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Lemmy App List
Chat and More
Xiaomi and OnePlus phones still have it
Strangely enough, the new ones brought it back. The old ones never had them.
Bull nuggets. My OnePlus 7 Pro didn't.
Neither did my OnePlus one and two, or my Xiaomi mi mix 2.
and I use it for my AC on my POCO
I miss this too. Such an underrated feature of the Wii U gamepad too.
[This comment has been deleted by an automated system]
Man, I keep my old lgg3 limping along for just that reason.
Right?? I loved taking over the Laundromat TV!
iPhone/iOS didn't have them built in, but there were dongles for it back in the 30pin dock connector days
AliExpress still sells them with Lightning and USB C connectors
Moto Mods. The original Magsafe Accessories champion.
I still have mine! In a drawer. Somewhere.
Home screen widgets are basically the same thing. The issue with these is NFC doesn't work unless the phone is unlocked, or you rooted it to allow NFC all the time.
I dislike the hassle rooting has become. I have to weigh the benefits vs. managing my banking apps, etc.
Plus, honestly, there's not as much benefit as there used to be. I used to root so I could install that app that red-tinted the display. That's been built into stock Android for a while now. I also liked making the navigation buttons smaller and trying different gesture systems, but imo stock Android gestures leave everything else I tried in the dust. Theming? I only ever used OLED themes, and most Android phones and applications have an option for that now. One by one over the last few years almost every justification I had for rooting was rendered moot. Then Android phones started doing that a/b partition thing and it was just too much of a pita for not much benefit
Google removed a lot of tasker functionality with the recent versions. Can't even toggle wifi with an unrooted device anymore
I switched to iOS a while ago so I'm able to keep my Android phone on an old crusty version of Android that still does what I want. Plus it's rooted so I can really do whatever. "This app won't run on future versions of Android" won't apply if you never update *taps head*
I like the gestures but the app edge gestures just does it better and it is fully customizable. I can't even use a phone without it now. It's super intuitive plus I have gestures to call or text certain people, open apps, flashlight etc... check it out if you haven't it's tits
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.edgegestures
There's also [One Hand Operation +] (https://galaxystore.samsung.com/detail/com.samsung.android.sidegesturepad) for Galaxy users.
That's pretty similar to edge gestures but I don't have a galaxy so haven't tried it. Thanks for sharing!
Ah the Nexus 5. The phone that took me away from Apple, still to this day. Great phone with a shit camera.
A shit camera, but it was also the first Nexus phone with a passable camera π΅βπ«
That's kinda clever, and I'm pretty sure you could still make those work with something like NFC Tools / NFC Tasks. Now I'm wondering if there's a cheapo clone of it on Aliexpress or something.,
Looking into their FAQ that seems likely
The app shows as unsupported on the Play store? Sadly Google recently updated their minimum target requirement API version, forcing an update. Migration to a newer API version broke too many things, not practical to fix given the very limited amount of stock left. Please download the app .apk here. Please note that you may need to enable app installation from unknown sources. Alternatively you can use any of the many NFC tag automation apps on the play store.
Also answered my other big question
Will it work with my case? DIMPLE can be attached directly to your case instead of to the surface of your device. Unless the case is made out of metal, you should be fine.
I figured it would since I've never had a problem with NFC payment but it's nice to have reassurance. Now I want to see what exists in 2024 for the novelty. I'm not sure what I'd use it for. Maybe a Shazam button.
That's probably a lot of why they're discontinued I'd bet.
I couldn't find anything similar, sadly :(
Hopefully some enterprising individual finds this thread.
Still have it and still using it! Since NFC has been a mainstay on Android for a decade now, it is still compatible with new phones.
That's awesome. What do you use it for?
For apps and actions that I use semi-frequently, like opening payment apps or password or authenticator apps.
For people who got phones with 5 cameras and decide "this doesn't trigger my trypophobia badly enough"
There was also a similar product that made your headphone jack a button. Nonetheless, I don't really think phones need more physical buttons these days.
i miss the nexus
I think Moto comes with a stylus pen, they used to at least. I never really used it.
I wish Samsung wouldn't have limited it to their ultra line.
No, frankly I don't remember them.
Seems pretty pointless, tbh. Wouldn't this constantly trigger NFC detection, messing with battery and sleep?