Hidden Pre Functionality Discovered and Enabled 12
Don't these guys ever sleep? It would seem the ever-growing community of WebOS ROM explorers has come across a few small hidden gems that leave us scratching our heads as to why Palm would exclude them from the current release of the webOS. They've even managed to enable these features (though a rooted Pre is required).
First up there's a very handy call duration labeling system for the call log that appears to be disabled by default. You can find the instructions to flip the switch over at the PreDevWiki. It's interesting that this feature is fully developed and installed, but ships disabled, but it would make sense if Sprint did this by choice - less conscious awareness of how much you talk generally keeps you using up you minutes (and enables the carrier to charge you painful overage fees).
The second hidden feature is something many of us have wanted since the Pre was released: the ability to add and delete pages in the launcher. A detailed page of setup instructions and usage details can be found here. Why this feature would be completed but hidden away is a complete mystery to me. It could be for simplicity's sake (Palm didn't want to bog down new users to the OS) or maybe it was intended for a future release along with other launcher features and they just wanted to bundle things together. Either way, enabling this neat little bit of functionality can prove incredibly useful, especially if you're fond of the "Add to launcher" contacts and browser feature.
Hopefully Palm will enable these by default in future OTA updates of webOS. But in the meantime, if you're impatient and don't mind going through the rooting process, feel free to try out these mods on your own. Just don't tell them we made you do it.
12 Comments
I suspect that the next release, which probably is coming out soon, will include these "hidden" gems enabled. It's "Feature Trickle", making Palm look good by having all sorts of new features available quickly, but full well knowing that they're already out there in the code, just waiting to be enabled. It's all about appearances...
Another feature folks have asked for that they have unlocked is the ability to delete and/or hide the built-in applications that users don't want, namely the Nascar application. These too require a rooted Pre, but definitely an interesting feature.
I wonder if they can dig some more and find out if simple things like SMS logs are built in there too... and all the other little things that every other dumbphone has that this doesn't.
I'm not sure I like the idea of going through the "simple" procedure that is required. It isn't so simple when it asks to do stuff I don't know how to do or install software I have no idea how to use. I'm no stranger to programming but I think it isn't wise to mess with and follow the steps unless you are a seasoned professional.
SMS logs, isn't that basically what conversations does? I mean after all if you are looking for an SMS you got from so and so that is the logical place to look.
I hope they find a way to tether the pre soon.
As far as the launcher pages go I think they did that because of the Universal Search feature. This is one thing that the Pre has (and will have until next week) on the iphone. They have been touting how great it is to just be able to type what you are looking for and it comes up. Whether it be an app or a contact or whatever. You start adding pages and people won't use that defining feature.
Neither is really Universal search until/unless they can index and search app DATA -- e.g. all of the text in e-mails, memos, etc.
hehe coolness thats the screenshot i posted in a thread!
anyone know how to copy the .png file to the pre?
Way to deep for me, I'm not ready to play with codes yet on this
Maybe the reason for not including it was that most everyone is on the all you can eat plan. I'll still turn it on just for laughs. :)
[QUOTE] but it would make sense if Sprint did this by choice - less conscious awareness of how much you talk generally keeps you using up you minutes (and enables the carrier to charge you painful overage fees). [/QUOTE]
I understand what you saying here but that would make more sense under the old model of Sprint. In the new model, the Pre is sold with the unlimited plan so confusing the customer would not really garner them anything.
However that is one thing that irritates me. It was like that on every Sprint TREO I've ever owned.