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Physical/capacitive or on-screen buttons - which is better? There are different opinions on this issue, but it is from different perspectives. And there is still a demand for phones with both physical and touch buttons. Even since Google made it clear that the Android OS is designed for on-screen buttons only, manufacturers like Samsung and even HTC continue to equip their devices with physical buttons.

However, other manufacturers, including LG, Sony and Motorola, almost completely follow Google's approach, limiting themselves to soft buttons in their devices. The advantages and disadvantages of physical and software buttons were discussed by Edgar Cervantes in the article “Physical vs. on-screen buttons – what’s your pick?

Moreover, even the Priv, a phone with a full keyboard, has on-screen navigation buttons. However, the question of which buttons are better and, most importantly, why, remains relevant. Alas, this question is one of those for which there is no clear answer.

A little history

In 2011, Google released the Galaxy Nexus and the then-new operating system Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Subsequently, new Nexus began to be accompanied by the next version of Android. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was intended for both tablets and smartphones, which was a big step forward for the operating system.

Among other changes affecting the operating system was the appearance of soft buttons. It was the device of the future, and it changed the idea of ​​what a modern smartphone should look like. Users know this, but many of them still love physical buttons.

Physical/capacitive buttons

Let's start with a story about the shortcomings of physical buttons. First of all, novice users will have to put in more effort to learn how to use them, especially if we are talking about mechanical buttons that require pressing rather than touching. This, of course, is not difficult, but many users are accustomed to the fact that even less effort can be applied.

The second point concerns reliability. Physical buttons are additional elements that can break. And we should not forget that these buttons are permanent design elements of the device. They will forever remain where the device manufacturer placed them. They will not move anywhere and will not be updated.

But physical buttons also have certain advantages. Many novice users would prefer to feel real buttons under their fingers and experience tactile feedback, which is not what you would expect from touch buttons. Some things - like accessing the camera - can be done without even unlocking the phone, especially if the device has a dedicated camera button.

And, very importantly, physical buttons allow you to increase usable screen real estate. Phones are getting larger and their screens continue to improve, but many users still prefer not to have some of the display space taken up by on-screen buttons.

In addition, it should be noted that some of the physical buttons on modern phones also have fingerprint scanners, which is another reason to keep them in modern devices. Examples of such a design solution include the well-known HTC 10 phones - a new flagship phone in a familiar look, for which, and the Samsung Galaxy S7.

On-screen buttons

Some users like soft buttons, but others don't. In this regard, everything is exactly the same as with physical buttons. And there are a number of reasons not to like them, which every user who switches from a phone with physical/capacitive buttons will remember.

As noted above, these on-screen buttons reduce valuable usable real estate on your phone's screen. Since they are hidden while playing games, viewing photos and videos, the user experience with the phone is “less natural”.

But there are also reasons why on-screen buttons appeal to users. They open up a wide range of user interface customization and adaptation capabilities, as a soft button can be added to or removed from the phone screen. The developer didn't add a menu button? No problem. Does the user prefer the left or right button to go back? And it is possible. With soft buttons, a lot is possible, if the software allows it, of course.

In addition to providing a richer software experience, eliminating physical buttons also improves the phone's hardware performance. The free space can be used, for example, for a larger battery. Or the manufacturer can make the frame around the screen narrower.

On-screen buttons give manufacturers the opportunity to fit a smaller phone with a larger screen.

Of course, each user has their own reasons for preferring physical or on-screen buttons. What do you think the navigation buttons on a modern smartphone should look like?

Problems with hardware often turn out to be much more complex and expensive than problems with software. It’s very disappointing if the screen falls off, but, as a rule, I can easily replace it. But the buttons can be a lot more fiddly. If you find yourself in a similar situation (click on Home, Back or Menu does not lead to any consequences), then the application will come to the rescue. After installing it, you will receive a panel consisting of 4 buttons: Home, Back, Menu And Resize. Make a note of what you need root access on the device.

After installing the application and launching it for the first time, you will receive a panel with buttons that will be located in the center of the screen. Its location can be changed; you can also adjust the size of the buttons, the distance between them and the transparency of the panel itself.

For button Home you can customize its behavior when pressed for a long time: either it will launch Google Now, or work as a button Power. Besides Floating Soft Keys allows you to change button icons. If you want to choose a vertical panel layout, then to do this you simply need to uncheck the box next to the horizontal layout option in the menu. There you can also activate the application to turn on when loading.

He behaves very smartly. If the panel overlaps any buttons or options of a running application, it automatically changes its location on the screen, but there is one drawback. After the application that caused the panel to change its position is closed, the panel itself will not be able to return to its old location. This will have to be done manually.

It would be nice if the developers upgraded the existing buttons with more functions and added volume control to them. But for now these are just dreams. If you are interested in such a practical thing as, and are already planning to download the application, then you

Control buttons are divided into mechanical and software. The first ones are located on the body of your gadget - these are the power button, the volume rocker (two buttons with one rocker key) and sometimes the Home(lately it is more often software.

The second ones are virtual buttons located on the screen of a smartphone or tablet and also controlled by pressing a finger, but on the screen. This is a soft button Home, button Back and button Latest apps(sometimes this is a context menu button). The appearance of these buttons depends on the version of Android OS used. This can be, respectively, a house, a curved arrow and two rectangles one after another (Android 4.x version) or, respectively, a circle, a triangle and a square (Android 5 version).

Let's dwell on assignment of control buttons.

Purpose of the button nutrition and swings volume obviously. However, the peculiarity is that the inclusion turned off The smartphone is started by long (more than 2 seconds) pressing the power button, followed by the OS loading process. At working smartphone short press this button calls lock screen(if it is enabled in the settings) or directly going to the desktop. When the smartphone is running, long pressing the power button brings up the Menu, which contains items Shutdown,Data Transfer, Offline Mode and Reboot(Restart).

Mechanical button Home when pressed briefly, it calls up the lock screen or goes to the main desktop. Long press may cause list of recently running applications, and double-clicking one of the programs (for example, in Samsung smartphones the S Voice application is called up).

Software button Back causes a transition to previous screen, successive clicks - respectively, on several previous screens until the application is closed. Here it must be emphasized that in the latter case the application is unloaded from RAM, while pressing the button Home causes a transition to the main desktop, but the previously opened application remains in memory and continues work in the background.

Button Latest apps is very convenient, since if you need to re-launch one of the previously used applications, there is no need to look for it again in the general list of programs ( Applications Menu) or look for its icon on desktops. Applications in the list are always arranged in reverse chronological order of their launch (the most recently launched ones are first in the list). In addition, the list window contains additional buttons for calling up the List of active tasks (running in the background of applications), a Search for applications button, and a button for Clearing the list of recent applications.

If we talk about possible reasons why the touch buttons on an Android phone stopped working, the failure is more often on the physical side than the software side. If there are reasons from the first list, most likely you will have to take the device to a service center.

Physical reasons:

• A strong blow to a tablet or smartphone, a fall from a height.
• Prolonged exposure to moisture. Particularly serious damage occurs due to water getting into the area between the screen and the film or under the housing. Contacts are oxidized. After exposure to moisture, action must be taken immediately.
• Sudden temperature changes. Return the device to room temperature. Sensor performance may improve.

• Punching the screen. There are no scratches or cracks. The damage is noticeable when pressed - then glare is visible in the damaged parts of the sensor.
• Replacing the screen with an unsuitable model.
• Serious contamination. Wipe away dirt, dust, moisture, and fingerprints with special wet wipes from an electronics store or a microfiber cloth.
• Poorly applied film. In places where air accumulates under the film, parts of the screen will stop working. Remove the film and, if possible, replace it with a new one.

Software reasons:

1. The OS is overloaded with applications or some of them are not working correctly.
2. Changes device settings.
3. Touchscreen problems are possible if the screen does not recognize touch correctly or poorly. Screen calibration will help here (you can actually do it at home).
4. Inappropriate or unstable firmware version.

Why doesn't part of the sensor work on Android? Most likely, the contact has come loose or oxidized.

For a phone with a removable battery, remove the cover and remove the battery. Insert it back and turn on the device using the mechanical button.
If the sensor does not work partially, but not completely, and you can download the application, install Rebooter from the Play Market. On Xiaomi, Meizu or Digma, after long pressing the on/off button (20 seconds or longer), the phone will reboot or turn off. For Samsung and Sony, press the Power/Lock, Volume Up, and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. Hold for 7-10 seconds. If that doesn't work, try again, but hold down these three keys longer. If your smartphone is from other manufacturers and has a built-in battery, perhaps the above methods will help. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the battery is completely discharged or take the device to a service center, where they will also sort out problems with the screen. It also happens that a reboot is needed just to get the display to respond again. What to do if the sensor on Android does not work after locking the screen?

Most often the problem is with the firmware version. To solve this, update the Android version and, if that doesn’t help, reset the settings. How to do this is in paragraphs 2 and 4 of the instructions in the next paragraph of the article. Why don't touch buttons work on an Android phone? Sometimes the problem is the film. If everything was fine before, try to remove it. Sometimes it’s even a matter of new protective glass, which can also be detached yourself. Users say that the bottom touch buttons, which stopped working after calibrating the screen (step 3 of the following instructions), became sensitive again.

Common repair options

These steps will help in many cases of malfunctioning of a phone or tablet running Android OS due to software, so you can apply these tips when you doubt the system is working correctly.

• Reboot your device. Perhaps it was under heavy software load or a minor error occurred. Maybe the application just froze, but the sensor is working?

• Update the firmware. To do this, go to the following items: “Settings” – “About device” – “System updates” – “Check now”. More often than not, the problem is solved.
• Reset settings to factory defaults. Save all important data to a memory card, computer or similar storage device. Click “Settings” – “Memory” – “Reset to factory settings” – “Reset settings” – “Erase everything”. If necessary, confirm your choice. Wait a few minutes and the reboot will happen automatically

• What to do if the screen is glitchy? If it works but is slow, just clean the phone as a whole. Remove unnecessary files and applications and the cache (Settings - Applications - any application from the list - Clear cache). To remove other junk and clean up RAM, use CCleaner, Cleaner Master or another application.

How to fix your device

It is unlikely that you can fix your phone yourself. You will succeed when the problem is in the software. In this case, read the methods below.

1. Calibrate your screen. Depending on the manufacturer, there may be a built-in utility for this, or you may have to download the application yourself. There are several ways. For HTC models: “Settings” – “Language and keyboard” – “HTC Sense Input”. On other smartphones: “Settings” – “Display” – “Display” – “Screen calibration”. If desired, you can calibrate the screen through the engineering menu. It is used by developers to test and change system components. We do not recommend this method as it can cause problems and takes longer than other methods. A third-party screen calibration application from the Play Market can improve the display's response. For example, Touchscreen Calibration or SGS Touchscreen Booster (you can set parameters manually in it).
2. The bottom touch buttons on an Android phone do not work, what should I do? You can install an application to create soft buttons with the same functions, but in a different location. We recommend Back Button - it does not require root rights.

Contact the service center. There they will more accurately determine the cause and repair the device.

One of the main advantages of the Android OS is its fairly extensive customization options. For example, no matter what model of smartphone you have, it must have hardware buttons that control the volume, turning on the device, or home. It is possible to bind other necessary actions to these buttons.

It is much more convenient, for example, without taking your phone out of your pocket, to switch one or another music track by long pressing the volume key, launch the “camera” application or another frequently used one. In this article we want to talk about such a feature of Android - button reassignment.

There are actually several ways in which you can remap hardware buttons. The simplest one, which does not require special knowledge or “superuser” rights, is the free Home2 Shortcut application (Home2 Shortcut).

The program is designed to expand the ability to launch applications using the “Home” buttons (double press), or a combination of “Home” plus “Search” (or + “Menu”, + “Back”), as well as by long pressing the “Search” and “ Camera".

So we do this:

The next step is to change the interval of double clicks (tap) on the button (a lower value will make the phone (tablet) respond to double tap with a long interval). For now we leave it in the normal position.

Now, after we press the “Home” button, a window will appear asking you to select a launcher, select “Home2 Shortcut”, then click “Always”:

If everything was done correctly, then by double-clicking the “Home” button we should see the action that we configured.

Explanation for Galaxy S4 owners that support S Voice. Go from S Voice, then “Menu”, then “Settings”. Now we remove the checkbox from the second option that launches the “Home” button.

If you liked the idea of ​​​​how to reassign buttons on Android, then try other options using the Home button using shortcuts to programs. For example, by selecting “Other key settings” after launching the application, you can reprogram the camera button, if your device has one.

Note: Home2 Shortcut may not work on Galaxy S2.