Android now has flash for notifications

CuriouslyMute

CuriouslyMute

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My Note 2 was update and I found the OS now has built in options to use the camera flash for notifications.
If you don't have one, but are considering getting one, I would be happy to try the feature with whatever app you use.

I just thought it was worth mentioning!

Screenshot_2013-05-07-16-33-04_zps523dfdab.png
 
My HTC evo flashes led light for all notifications. Is your update something different from this?
 
Bottesini said:
My HTC evo flashes led light for all notifications. Is your update something different from this?
Click to expand...

It is the flash that goes off when taking a picture. It uses that same flash to let you know you got a message.. whole lot brighter than LED notification.
 
My phone has built in multicolored really tiny LED light on the front of the phone to notify if something is there. For example, facebook is blue and email is green.
 
I had the flashing led notification on my HTC Thunderbolt and currently on Samsung S3. Different colors for different incoming (text, messengers)
 
This is much brighter though. I tried it, and can see it easily in my perephrial vision, as it lights up anything it's near. It's not constant (it won't keep flashing if you decide to ignore it), and you can use the LED too. Flash gets your attention, LED color indicates notification type.
 
what version are you using ? gingerbread? jellybean? ICS?
 
I get lots of notifications. I wonder how that affects the battery life of the phone if the camera light goes off constantly.
 
Bottesini said:
I get lots of notifications. I wonder how that affects the battery life of the phone if the camera light goes off constantly.
Click to expand...

A lot, if used for an extended period of time. Turning on the flashlight LED wakes up the kernel suspend process that gives extended battery life, it's called deep sleep. so that the phone/tablet is running in a more active state. You can test it out for yourself and report back on your findings, but you would have to do at least several trials to be sure it is the fault of the flasher.

It can probably be programmed better to reduce the battery drain from wakelocks. I would guess that it is the case with Apple/iOS since they have relatively few devices, but for android it's a different story.

On topic, I was never into the flashlight leds. My old HTC G1 used to be able to flash in different led notification colors, blue cyan green orange purple etc. Wonder what made manufacuters give up on this path.
 
naisho said:
On topic, I was never into the flashlight leds. My old HTC G1 used to be able to flash in different led notification colors, blue cyan green orange purple etc. Wonder what made manufacuters give up on this path.
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I dont think they have. My Note 2 still has that option, and I still use the color LEDS. The flasher, however, is an additional option they added.
When I was trying out the flasher, I didn't notice any real battery difference. I'd have to have it on for a few days to really be sure though.

I do wish the OS would let me set LED colors per notification type.
 
CuriouslyMute said:
I suspect that an app using the flasher in an older version vs the flasher built in to 4.1.2+ will use more battery power.
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Yes. Not only that but my phone was overheating . I had to replace it once due to that problem. So I uninstalled it and pulled the battery.

I think just vibration works best for me.
 
What's wrong with vibrate? If the phone was in your pocket and it flashed to let you know you have email, you wouldn't know?
 
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