I don't think this is android specific, but having the IR LED that allowed you to use your phone as a universal remote. I get that lots of TVs are getting fancier remotes that communicate in other ways, but there are still plenty of applications of the IR LED.
Xiaomi and OnePlus phones still have it
Strangely enough, the new ones brought it back. The old ones never had them.
Bull nuggets. My OnePlus 7 Pro didn't.
and I use it for my AC on my POCO
I miss this too. Such an underrated feature of the Wii U gamepad too.
Man, I keep my old lgg3 limping along for just that reason.
Right?? I loved taking over the Laundromat TV!
iPhone/iOS didn't have them built in, but there were dongles for it back in the 30pin dock connector days
Chinese phone brands love IR LEDs for some reason. I rarely use the IR on my phone but you can still get new phones with IR features.
Moto Mods. The original Magsafe Accessories champion.
I still have mine! In a drawer. Somewhere.
Home screen widgets are basically the same thing. The issue with these is NFC doesn't work unless the phone is unlocked, or you rooted it to allow NFC all the time.
I dislike the hassle rooting has become. I have to weigh the benefits vs. managing my banking apps, etc.
Plus, honestly, there's not as much benefit as there used to be. I used to root so I could install that app that red-tinted the display. That's been built into stock Android for a while now. I also liked making the navigation buttons smaller and trying different gesture systems, but imo stock Android gestures leave everything else I tried in the dust. Theming? I only ever used OLED themes, and most Android phones and applications have an option for that now. One by one over the last few years almost every justification I had for rooting was rendered moot. Then Android phones started doing that a/b partition thing and it was just too much of a pita for not much benefit
I like the gestures but the app edge gestures just does it better and it is fully customizable. I can't even use a phone without it now. It's super intuitive plus I have gestures to call or text certain people, open apps, flashlight etc... check it out if you haven't it's tits
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.edgegestures
There's also [One Hand Operation +] (https://galaxystore.samsung.com/detail/com.samsung.android.sidegesturepad) for Galaxy users.
That's pretty similar to edge gestures but I don't have a galaxy so haven't tried it. Thanks for sharing!
Google removed a lot of tasker functionality with the recent versions. Can't even toggle wifi with an unrooted device anymore
I switched to iOS a while ago so I'm able to keep my Android phone on an old crusty version of Android that still does what I want. Plus it's rooted so I can really do whatever. "This app won't run on future versions of Android" won't apply if you never update *taps head*
That's kinda clever, and I'm pretty sure you could still make those work with something like NFC Tools / NFC Tasks. Now I'm wondering if there's a cheapo clone of it on Aliexpress or something.,
Looking into their FAQ that seems likely
The app shows as unsupported on the Play store? Sadly Google recently updated their minimum target requirement API version, forcing an update. Migration to a newer API version broke too many things, not practical to fix given the very limited amount of stock left. Please download the app .apk here. Please note that you may need to enable app installation from unknown sources. Alternatively you can use any of the many NFC tag automation apps on the play store.
Also answered my other big question
Will it work with my case? DIMPLE can be attached directly to your case instead of to the surface of your device. Unless the case is made out of metal, you should be fine.
I figured it would since I've never had a problem with NFC payment but it's nice to have reassurance. Now I want to see what exists in 2024 for the novelty. I'm not sure what I'd use it for. Maybe a Shazam button.
That's probably a lot of why they're discontinued I'd bet.
I couldn't find anything similar, sadly :(
Hopefully some enterprising individual finds this thread.
Ah the Nexus 5. The phone that took me away from Apple, still to this day. Great phone with a shit camera.
A shit camera, but it was also the first Nexus phone with a passable camera 😵💫
Still have it and still using it! Since NFC has been a mainstay on Android for a decade now, it is still compatible with new phones.
That's awesome. What do you use it for?
For apps and actions that I use semi-frequently, like opening payment apps or password or authenticator apps.
For people who got phones with 5 cameras and decide "this doesn't trigger my trypophobia badly enough"
i miss the nexus
There was also a similar product that made your headphone jack a button. Nonetheless, I don't really think phones need more physical buttons these days.
I think Moto comes with a stylus pen, they used to at least. I never really used it.
I wish Samsung wouldn't have limited it to their ultra line.
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