Headset inline control problem

**ap77** · 09-02-2010, 05:55 PM

This is lingering in an accessories thread, thought I'd try here -- can anyone confirm whether the Epic will pause/skip music using an inline remote button? I've tried multiple players and multiple headsets (including the one that comes with the Epic) and none of them work. Instead of pausing/skipping songs, pressing the inline button will take me to the "last call" phone screen everytime.

No idea what's going on here?

**caliskimmer** · 09-02-2010, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by ap77

This is lingering in an accessories thread, thought I'd try here -- can anyone confirm whether the Epic will pause/skip music using an inline remote button? I've tried multiple players and multiple headsets (including the one that comes with the Epic) and none of them work. Instead of pausing/skipping songs, pressing the inline button will take me to the "last call" phone screen everytime.

No idea what's going on here?

Klipsch image s2i will work. It was confirmed working with the Incredible. Most headphones are only compatible with Apple stuff (stupid iSheep

).

**ap77** · 09-02-2010, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by caliskimmer

Klipsch image s2i will work. It was confirmed working with the Incredible. Most headphones are only compatible with Apple stuff (stupid iSheep

).

Interesting. But I would think that the headset that actually shipped with the Epic would at least work for skipping? I actually never had this problem (with the same headsets) even with the G1, so this is very frustrating.

Can anyone else with an Epic confirm that this works for them? Maybe I have a busted unit?

**jjthe2** · 09-07-2010, 11:42 AM

Yeah I tried a few other players too but can't get it to work. I'm sure other people must have this issue (and it is extremely annoying). The behavior on my phone is that the headset button does nothing when the screen is off, and always jumps to the call log when the screen is on.

**AndroidOne** · 09-07-2010, 12:18 PM

I can confirm there are a number of my headsets that don't work properly with the Epic. Most do not control the player, others can't even be used during a call at all (the mic won't work at all). The Samsung headset won't control the player either... imagine that!

One more thing, the Samsung wired headset that came with my phone will not work on dupplex mode while on a call ~ I can hear the other party but I can't hear my own voice when I answer back.

**ap77** · 09-07-2010, 01:09 PM

This basically renders the music app entirely useless for me. It's baffling that such generic functionality would be broken.

**jjthe2** · 09-07-2010, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by AndroidOne

I can confirm there are a number of my headsets that don't work properly with the Epic. Most do not control the player...

So are you saying that some headsets have worked for pausing/skipping? I've only tried other players (with only the Samsung headset) but I have a few other headsets I'll try when I get home.

**FaerieInk** · 09-07-2010, 02:18 PM

I can confirm that a third party set of headphones (Scosche) that had headset controls that worked with the Hero and the Palm Pre do not work with the Epic. Are there any answers yet as to why?

**ap77** · 09-07-2010, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by FaerieInk

I can confirm that a third party set of headphones (Scosche) that had headset controls that worked with the Hero and the Palm Pre do not work with the Epic. Are there any answers yet as to why?

This really is an egregious bug. Every smartphone (and a number of dumbphones) and every ipod released in the past five years could handle this without an issue.

What's the best party to complain about this to? Sprint or Samsung?

**AndroidOne** · 09-07-2010, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by jjthe2

So are you saying that some headsets have worked for pausing/skipping? I've only tried other players (with only the Samsung headset) but I have a few other headsets I'll try when I get home.

Not in controlling track skipping but in pause/play control my OEM HTC headset works, but is the only one that does.

**highland** · 09-07-2010, 11:02 PM

My old iPhone/Apple headset only works as headphones. I've lost mic, play/pause, prev/next and volume control functionality. This is very disappointing since I use my phone as a music player while exercising and for work related phone conferences.

The only feature that was lacking on the EVO was the volume control with the same headset. I believe there is an app in the market place to resolve the last issues on the EVO.

**AndroidOne** · 09-07-2010, 11:24 PM

I echo your sentiment, the built-in video/audio software leaves some to be desired for a phone of this caliber. Hope Samsung includes reworked versions of these apps on any upcoming update. However, I suspect the Epic will come to realize it's full potential only through custom ROMs.

**cr3amy** · 09-08-2010, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by AndroidOne

Not in controlling track skipping but in pause/play control my OEM HTC headset works, but is the only one that does.

Try hittin' the pause/play button twice quickly, see if it skips.

**AndroidOne** · 09-08-2010, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by cr3amy

Try hittin' the pause/play button twice quickly, see if it skips.

Will try when I get back home.

**AndroidOne** · 09-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Well I went back to the HTC headset and tried it again, I guess I most have been confused at the time but it actually does not control the player at all... just takes you to the dialer app like all the others. Sorry for the confusion.

So as of now, none of my wired headsets can control the player and in a couple of them (Sony) the mic does not work during calls. What a bummer!

**jjthe2** · 09-08-2010, 11:29 AM

Here is the reply from Samsung:

Thank you for your inquiry. The 3.5mm Stereo Headset that comes with the phone is lightweight and comfortable, this Stereo Headset enables you to carry on conversations while you continue to do other things, including listening to music on the go. This however does not include functions to skip or pause as you may need to do these on the phone itself.
Thank you for your continued interest in Samsung.
Sincerely,
Samsung Technical Support

I think they must have broken something in the way a headset button press is reported as an event. Obviously there is still some functionality there because the call log comes up, so it's a bit confusing.

Do the other Galaxy S variants behave in this way? I know they have their own music player while the Epic has the stock Android player, I wonder if that is part of the problem.

**AndroidOne** · 09-08-2010, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by jjthe2

Here is the reply from Samsung:

I think they must have broken something in the way a headset button press is reported as an event. Obviously there is still some functionality there because the call log comes up, so it's a bit confusing.

Do the other Galaxy S variants behave in this way? I know they have their own music player while the Epic has the stock Android player, I wonder if that is part of the problem.

I don't think this is related to the player itself, using a wired headset with Pandora results in excatly the same behavior.

**ap77** · 09-08-2010, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by AndroidOne

I don't think this is related to the player itself, using a wired headset with Pandora results in excatly the same behavior.

Yep, none of the other replacement players work either. They definitely broke something here. Good questions about the other Galaxy S devices -- anyone know?

This is really unacceptable.

**whippingboy** · 09-08-2010, 02:47 PM

Not sure if this will work- but there's a free app called Headset Button Fix which says it's for Hero only- but reviews say it works on "Galaxy" phones. This is described as providing player controls to Bluetooth devices- maybe it will help with inline mic buttons as well?

**AndroidOne** · 09-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by brandonc

Not sure if this will work- but there's a free app called Headset Button Fix which says it's for Hero only- but reviews say it works on "Galaxy" phones. This is described as providing player controls to Bluetooth devices- maybe it will help with inline mic buttons as well?

The bluetooth heaset controls work perfectly with the Epic music app and Pandora, so I doubt this will remedy the problem, but thanks for the info.

**jjthe2** · 09-08-2010, 09:17 PM

I have a bit of a work-around but it is a little cumbersome and requires root. I should warn you that I know nothing about Android and just enough about linux for this to work. Samsung has bound the headset button to trigger the keycode SEND_END, what that does from there is bit hard to find for me to figure out (brings up the call log, ends calls?, nothing else?)

As far as I can tell the stock behavior should have the keycode HEADSETHOOK. . So if you rebind this keycode to headset button scancode it works somewhat. I guess Samsung left this keycode in the event caller? (Again I don't really know what I'm talking about). The appropriate file that needs to be changed is: /system/usr/keylayout/sec_jack.kl

A button press still does nothing in the stock music player, but the cubed (3) player does recognize the presses and will play/pause and skip tracks. The button will also answer incoming calls and mute/unmute the mic when a call is in progress (I wasn't able to end a call). Appears to do nothing in Pandora. This is my first android phone so I'm not even sure what "stock" behavior should be in these apps.

**ap77** · 09-09-2010, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by jjthe2

I have a bit of a work-around but it is a little cumbersome and requires root. I should warn you that I know nothing about Android and just enough about linux for this to work. Samsung has bound the headset button to trigger the keycode SEND_END, what that does from there is bit hard to find for me to figure out (brings up the call log, ends calls?, nothing else?)

As far as I can tell the stock behavior should have the keycode HEADSETHOOK. . So if you rebind this keycode to headset button scancode it works somewhat. I guess Samsung left this keycode in the event caller? (Again I don't really know what I'm talking about). The appropriate file that needs to be changed is: /system/usr/keylayout/sec_jack.kl

A button press still does nothing in the stock music player, but the cubed (3) player does recognize the presses and will play/pause and skip tracks. The button will also answer incoming calls and mute/unmute the mic when a call is in progress (I wasn't able to end a call). Appears to do nothing in Pandora. This is my first android phone so I'm not even sure what "stock" behavior should be in these apps.

Excellent find. Perhaps someone more experienced with Android programs and the like can elaborate more on this, but it's encouraging that there may be a software fix available for this.

**putch** · 09-09-2010, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by jjthe2

The button will also answer incoming calls and mute/unmute the mic when a call is in progress (I wasn't able to end a call).

I think you need to long-press the button to end call. At least that's how it works on my Evo.

**jjthe2** · 09-09-2010, 08:15 PM

Long press (or multiple presses) doesn't seem to end a call, this doesn't bother me too much though. A long press when a call isn't going on will restart the music app if it isn't running (not the built-in app). FYI using the HEADSETHOOK method above works with the cubed player, mixzing, and double-twist (that's all I tried).

Also I'm not sure if another keycode would have better functionality. I tried MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE which only paused/played music (even in the stock app) but didn't do anything in the phone app. I don't what keycode the other Samsung phones use. Probably the only solution without rooting is to get developers to modify their apps to listen for the SEND_END keycode sent on the EPIC, or maybe it's possible to write an app to listen for this keycode and broadcast another?