I can't believe this app doesn't exist

[mrtonk]

I used to be a Palm Pre owner, and while the hardware was lacking and the app support was nearly nonexistent, the interface and features were elegant and feature-rich. I have owned and enjoyed my Thunderbolt since May, and I have zero regrets about the switch. One thing that I miss terribly, however, is the way that notifications would appear on the Pre when they were received and it was on a touchstone charger. While there are a few email/messaging preview widgets out there, and a few lockscreens that will display those widgets, and one or two apps that display a clock, weather, and pictures while in a dock or charging, there is nothing that will show previews of incoming messages, emails, missed calls, or Google Talk messages while my Thunderbolt is sitting on a charger. I have searched the market for all kinds of variations on search terms for this, and each time, I come up with nothing. My TB is generally sitting on my desk attached to a charging cord while I work, and it would be nice when I hear a text or whatever come in if I could just glance over and see a brief preview or who the sender is right there on my clock app. I'm honestly befuddled (and I appreciate any opportunity to use that word) as to why developers haven't come up with this or why it just isn't built into the Android desk clock natively. Am I missing an app somewhere??? Please see the picture in this thread as a reference to the kind of thing I am talking about.

I know that theoretically every time I connect my TB to a charging cord, I could change my Widget Locker or Executive Assistant settings to never turn off the display, but that seems lame and inefficient.

 

[Bosgarage57]

I miss mode switcher. I am a NEW droid user, just got my TB yesterday coming from Pre2. Im happy with the change but will miss webos.

 

[worwig]

There in is the catch 22.

Android is an open system. I like that. Anyone can create anything.

The reason to is difficult to create what you are looking for is.....because it is an open system.

The email client, SMS read, voice mail, calendar and on and on are created uniquely by each manufacturer. There is no common API that a developer could use to get these notifications and display them. Can it be done, sure. But it will be a pain. For example, Vlingo can speak my incoming emails. But to do that, I have to set up Vlingo as a second email reader that goes out in the background and checks my POP3 account. While the built in email reader is doing the exact same thing. Not very efficient.

Basically, if the manufacturer didn't build it into their email and SMS clients, it is unlikely to happen.

 

[mrtonk]

There in is the catch 22.

Android is an open system. I like that. Anyone can create anything.

The reason to is difficult to create what you are looking for is.....because it is an open system.

The email client, SMS read, voice mail, calendar and on and on are created uniquely by each manufacturer. There is no common API that a developer could use to get these notifications and display them. Can it be done, sure. But it will be a pain. For example, Vlingo can speak my incoming emails. But to do that, I have to set up Vlingo as a second email reader that goes out in the background and checks my POP3 account. While the built in email reader is doing the exact same thing. Not very efficient.

Basically, if the manufacturer didn't build it into their email and SMS clients, it is unlikely to happen.

Well, THAT's depressing....but it makes sense, unfortunately.

 

[defcon999]

I used to be a Palm Pre owner, and while the hardware was lacking and the app support was nearly nonexistent, the interface and features were elegant and feature-rich. I have owned and enjoyed my Thunderbolt since May, and I have zero regrets about the switch. One thing that I miss terribly, however, is the way that notifications would appear on the Pre when they were received and it was on a touchstone charger. While there are a few email/messaging preview widgets out there, and a few lockscreens that will display those widgets, and one or two apps that display a clock, weather, and pictures while in a dock or charging, there is nothing that will show previews of incoming messages, emails, missed calls, or Google Talk messages while my Thunderbolt is sitting on a charger. I have searched the market for all kinds of variations on search terms for this, and each time, I come up with nothing. My TB is generally sitting on my desk attached to a charging cord while I work, and it would be nice when I hear a text or whatever come in if I could just glance over and see a brief preview or who the sender is right there on my clock app. I'm honestly befuddled (and I appreciate any opportunity to use that word) as to why developers haven't come up with this or why it just isn't built into the Android desk clock natively. Am I missing an app somewhere??? Please see the picture in this thread as a reference to the kind of thing I am talking about.

I know that theoretically every time I connect my TB to a charging cord, I could change my Widget Locker or Executive Assistant settings to never turn off the display, but that seems lame and inefficient.

I don't have a solution for the email notification but as far as incoming text's and missed calls I do.

I discovered a program called "Mighty Text" about a month ago. You download it to your phone and "link" it. Then you download the EXTENSION, unfortunately the only browser it works on is GOOGLE CHROME right now. I get a lot of text messages during work and I hated having to grab my phone and look. With this program/extension, it pops up on my screen and I can respond right away. It links to your Google contacts so you can write messages from the program and it will send to your recipients. It will inform you of incoming calls. When you go to your phone and look at your messaging program, it will have all your messages that you sent just like if you typed them on the phone itself. If I post something on FACEBOOK and someone responds to it....it will notify me also. If I do miss a call (there is a little lag between the phone ringing and it displaying), it will tell me the number (or who called if they are in my contacts).

The only downside is that it won't display MMS (videos, audio) messages.

It is a free program and after a month....not one one problem.

P.S. The SCREEN doesn't need to be on. Mine is never on....when a call or a text message comes though, my screen turns on.

I am running "Infected Eternity ROM" and yes I am rooted.