Apps
Even though devs supposedly don't have official access to the camera LED or notification APIs, that hasn't stopped developer davepermen from giving it a go. The app, White Light, uses your screen as a flashlight but also takes hold of the camera's LED flash, giving you twice the lighting power. Huzzah! Tapping the screen turns it white to black, but keeps the LED on.
We ran that app on on Samsung Focus and as can be seen above, it works like a charm. Not so much on our Dell Venue Pro though. The app is free and ad-free too. We didn't yet try it on HTC only because they already have an official LED flashlight app. Grab it right here in the Marketplace. May only work on Mango devices, but let us know in comments.
Comments
Is this for developers only phones? I can't download it.
Of course it only works on Mango and won't show up on a Nodo device.The camera api wasn't available on Nodo.
Mango only. The premango version is called 'white' and doesn't have the led, just the bright screen.
I see, I'm on of those NoDo peasants but I know I would s crew up if I try to hack my phone.
Working perfectly on Omnia 7, build 7712. Thanks for sharing!
Huge. Been waiting for this for a long time
Brilliant! Ive been waiting for an app like this.Works like a charm on my Ommnia 7 7712.
Dude, the appropriate api isn't available in Mango, either---Microsoft stated that specifically. What this developer is using is a workaround. It's not a lot different from simply activating your camera, switching to movie mode, and then turning on the light in the settings.
Its actually trying to make a photo right now, but yes, it's a hack. If i get an official way trough microsoft to access the api, i will. Till then, this should be better than nothing. And if there shows up a lot of interest, i'll try to contact microsoft.
My LED light flashes on and off every few seconds. Anyone else seeing that? I am running Mango RTM on a Focus.
It does that, depending on the exact workings of the camera. I hope to find out a way to fix that one day/get a direct led access api. Right now, it repeatedly tries to take illuminated photos, thus the short flicker inbetween. I have no focus to test if i could improve it a bit. Is it a long timeout?
I'm kind of curious here. I'm not too familiar with the camera API, but why not record video instead of repeatedly taking pictures? That would keep the light on constantly.
Because there are no settings to chose while recording video through the api. I'm still trying to find out a way. But the only documentation about a flashlight is for the still camera. I do know that one can have a steady light while filming. Maybe I'll find out how to get the phone to do this, but the api isn't really there.
Dave, the light is on for roughly 3 seconds each time, then goes out in a blink, then comes back. There was a homebrew flashlight app that came out a few months ago, however it does not work in Mango. Here is the link: http://www.wpcentral.com/samsung-focus-gets-homebrew-led-flashlight-app-...
I used that app before. But it didnt use official apis. Mine does. I'm still trying to find a better way, but I guess there isn't right now, sadly
I see that too.Nothing is wrong with your device. The flickering is related to the way the app works.
I saw there's another app in the Tools & Productivity category (choose NEW) claiming to use the LED, called FLASHLite. It's ad-supported as a trial and .99 to buy. Claims it works on all non-developer phones.
sad to hear it doesn't work on the dell. We don't have the dell here, so i can't test:(Well, lets then continue to try to get microsoft to implement an official way. I'd like it in the middle of the volume/ringmode topbar. A simple round button with a light in it. On and off. Like in the camera app.
Please make this app available in Canada soon, I've been waiting for an app like this for the longest time. Wonder why it took so long...
forget the stupid flashlight, how about a way to controls the charging led for message notifications so i don't have to keep turning the screen on!
not all of the models have a charging LED, though. like my Quantum
how is this different from the htc flashlight app that uses the LED on my HD7 ?
It works on samsung devices
It works on about all devices (all with led lights at least). The htc app is device dependent.And my app has no ui. Open it, light. Close it, no light. Afaik the htc version needs to start the app, then click the image to turn the light on? I like simplicity.