About that center button; it's basically unnecessary at this stage of the game (Palm even removed it from the Pixi). One thing it can do: light up. Wouldn't it be grand to have it light up when you have new messages? We saw the code to enable it was there in the 1.2 leak and folks, it's still there in the official 1.2 release - but still not enabled.
Now, let's get to the caveats.
- Palm left the code for 'blink notifications,' which make the center button light up when you have new messages, 'commented out.' This means that the code is there but non-functional.
- Palm probably did that for a reason, so following the instructions linked below may 'break stuff.' We don't know what stuff yet, either.
- This trick is not available as a simple patch yet, so you're going to be modifying core webOS files. You need to do backups, you need to be sure you know what's happening here, and you need to remember to restore your backups before updating webOS.
- Given how simple this is, it's highly likely that when WebOS Quick Install and PreWare get fully updated to work with 1.2.0, there will probably be a simpler, somewhat safer way to do this. (Both updates are coming as soon as the coders can do them, have patience!) (Update: jack187 has made a patch, frito shows you how to implement it, should be in preware soon)
- Don't blame us if this doesn't work. See also caveat #2.
Not scared off yet? Ok then. All you need to do to turn on Blink Notification is un-comment the relevant code in two files, as jp22382 helpfully explains in this post. That will enable the magical switch you see in the image above. This blogger did it and this blogger's center button now flashes about every five seconds whenever his Pre has an unread text message.
Thanks to azkevman for the heads-up!
Comments
Sweet! Got it working. No problems so far. I assume that if/when anyone encounters any issues that may be related to this, that those will be posted in an article here?
Thanks for the awesome tip. I've been waiting for this...as I'm sure alot of Pre owners have.
Works like a dream! I'll be using this until WebOSQuickInstall comes out with the tweak to enable it, then it'll be easier to remove later.
Thanks for posting!
actually, the button is probably more useful now than ever because it can be used to hide notifications. since we cant swipe them down any longer.
Since the button is useless, than how bout they program a way that it could be used for a short cut. it could bring up an app that you want to assign it to... maybe someone out there that reads this its a hint of maybe making something like that...or it could just be the main launcher button.. idk.. i wish i could have the knowledge to do all this.
the pixi has a center led light for the "virtual center button" in the gesture area
Nice. I wish it was still there. Or maybe they could instead of the button make the two lights to the left and right of the button light up, then it would work on the Pixi as well.
As much as I'd like this, I don't think I'm gonna go messing around to turn this on, but it would be nice if it happened via palm somehow.
Installed this last night, and it works awesome! Have used it so many times today to catch when I have a new alert, should've been enabled from release day but definitely no turning back having it now!
I doubt it will help me at all. If I were LOOKING at the phone all the time, then maybe. Otherwise, I need an AUDIBLE nag, not a visual one.
Oh well, better than nothing, for now. :(
I totally agree. this should have been there since day one. ITs nice to know when I have missed a notification.
Ive made it into a patch long ago with leaked 1.2
There is a HowTo posted by fritos... just make sure your pre is rooted with quilt installed
http://forums.precentral.net/web-os-development/200548-i-got-patch-messa...
"just make sure your pre is rooted with quilt installed"
I don't speak programmer, so I will wait for a WebOS patch
Only reason I wrote this up was for those of us that didn't root in the first place. The best thing about this OS and community is the flexibility we have at our disposal. Cheers!
Ah, yes, if I had clicked on the correct link, I would not have my foot in my mouth right now.
I downloaded Notepad ++ and followed the "so easy a caveman could do it" instructions and now I have blinking notifications.
Thanks for making it so simple for those of us who have no knowledge of programming. And my apologies for getting snippy earlier.
where can i find the "webOS Quick install. 1.2.0"...(thank u)
center button may be unnecessary but i use it all the time.
i never touch it.. i kinda dont like it.
Must be a personal preference thing because I use it all the time actually!
I also use it all the time...easiest way to go to card view...
Was the first thing I and my CS students did this morning. It was great because we're starting coding and learning about commenting. They got to see "unimplemented features" first hand.
Interesting, are you basing your CS course around WebOS? Is each required to have a Pre? It would be great if you could post in the forum how you are planning to go about this and your experience on how it turns out.
awesome...so easy. thanks everyone!
cool beans
cool beans
Does anybody else 3 led lights flash when you lock it?
yes, mine started doing that after the 1.2 update for some reason. Kinda random flickers
Mine too, but I dont have blink notifications or anything.
great
I haven't done any of the hacks to my pre and the center light is blinking on new messages.
I noticed mine did the same think..and like yourself I have not done any hacks,etc to my pre. It was blinking when I had an email and then after other messages it never did it again. Weird...Wish it stayed.
Is there any way to increase the frequency of the blink rate?
Anyone else have the flash notification without doing any of this?
yes. It was just working after the update but I don't have the option to turn it off or on. It just works.
>Wouldn't it be grand to have it light up when you have new messages?
Not as cool as if it would make an AUDIBLE SOUND every now and then so I would know to LOOK at the phone because I missed something. Ug.
Working perfectly! Thanks jp22382 for the walkthrough!!!
I hate the audible reminder, but the blink will be great to have on the desk when I walk away or have the phone on silent mode, or am using my headphones.
That's why it needs to be *configurable* so the user can decide what is best for him/her. Many people have already decried that without audible notifications, they are missing important notifications.
Choice is good. No choice is bad.
On an extremely related note, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY PALM PRE!
Very cool. Why would this not be something that would be implemented from the get go?? ...weird
Does anyone know if the "blink notifications" will be available to the masses through a mini-update?
Patches/Homebrew and all that is great if you know how to do it (properly). I'll wait patiently for Palm.
Also, why is Palm being so douche-y with the features? Give us separate custom ringtones for messaging/email/voicemail/unknown caller. Give us a virtual keyboard, visual voicemail, FM tuner, video recording, LED notifications, and the ability to delete useless Apps forced upon us (Nascar, NFL)! Give me free!
It probably just hasn't been tested enough to make sure it works right and doesn't drain the batt to nothing.
Not for nothing...but I think I'll wait for "Super Jason" to come to the rescue with WOSI 2.7. :) He's the shizz! (If I was Rubenstein, I'd def make this guy an offer! If he can do all that from *outside* with his own resources, imagine if he had Palm's resources at his disposal!)
(p.s. def not knocking any other developers but WOSI is....amazing!)
Text forwarding?
Really still no forward of text message. Seems like text 101 to me
And that has WHAT to do with LED and notifications?
I dont get whats the big deal of wanting this. The Pre already have 3 ways of notifying you when you have a message waiting. Do we really need this 4th option?
This would be a nice feature, but honestly, I am on my pre so much I'm not sure it would really make a difference for me...I see the notifications when they come in 90% of the time since I am using it. Plus, when it is not in my hand it is in my hip case where I wouldn't see the notification anyway. It is kind of weird that so many features seem to be commented out, I wonder what the thought process behind that is...
> Plus, when it is not in my hand it is in my hip case where I wouldn't see the notification anyway.
Which is why we need an audible/vibration nag, not just visual. My Pre is usually close, but screen not visible. Miss the ONE bling or vibrate and that's the end of the game. Left it in your briefcase? Went to the bathroom? On charger in the other room? Loud song playing in the background during that notification? Too bad!
On the use of the center button, I never us it . I think it would be great if it could be used to turn the screen on and off. I find the current on/off button to sometimes be cumbersome. That would also put your thumb in a natural position to start using your phone.
Or how about using it to pause or advance songs when listening to music?
Okay, I have the option to do this after doing the hack, and I turned it on, but messages I have received since then are not lighting up the LEDs. Any ideas?
Did you either restart Luna or reboot?
Yes, and I got it to work. I have one of the older models with the more opaque button, so the flashing LED is harder to see.
did the file update/transfer MISSING ON.OFF SWITCH FOR IT
Hey, did anybody get the LED notification switch with the update? I didnt get it but got the other updates. Can anybody tell me how to get it if at all possible? Thank YOu
I downloaded the 1.2 update but i never got the blink app in the screen lock area .. can someone please help .. i love this app and it would help a lot if i had it .. thank you
Just updated to 1.2.1 and it broke my LED notification. Should i just re copy over the files i created Earlier?
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