Android Question Does B4A support splitscreen mode ?

dinge · Dec 10, 2021

Hello,
I am interested in using the Onyx Boox Note Air2 which is a e-ink display tablet. Runs on Android 11 and applications can be installed with Google Play but also third party apk .
A feature on this tablet is a splitscreen setting whereby the screen is split in two parts where in each an application can run at the same time.
It is mentioned that it only works with applications who support split screen mode.
My question is does B4A support this splitscreen mode and /or can it be invoked by programming?

Greetings
dinge

agraham · Dec 10, 2021

dinge said:
It is mentioned that it only works with applications who support split screen mode.

I suspect what they mean is that a single application can only use both screens if it is written appropriately. Normal applications will probably occupy only one screen or the other. I've got a Microsoft Duo and can open a second activity from the main activity on the other screen. This also works in split screen mode on single screen devices. See my tutorial here.

Running B4A Apps in Split Screen Mode

Tutorial – Running B4A Apps in Split Screen Mode I’m learning this as I go along so there may be errors of fact. If so then post a correction below and I will modify this tutorial accordingly. I’ve been playing with split screen mode, in anticipation of the forthcoming foldable and dual screen...

www.b4x.com

MbedAndroid · Dec 10, 2021

yes it does
please check https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/large-screens/multi-window-support
and insert this

B4X:

SetActivityAttribute(Main, android:resizeableActivity, "true")
SetActivityAttribute(Main, android:windowIsFloating, "true")
SetActivityAttribute(Main,android:supportsPictureInPicture,"true")

and more to find on this forum: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/detect-split-screen.86031/

dinge · Dec 13, 2021

Dear Mr Agraham and Mbed Android,
thanks for your swift answers. I have ordered the e-ink tablet and will report on the use of splitscreen mode with B4A according to your advice and tips.
Thanks again, greetings
Dinge
P.S: may take some weeks before I report back

dinge · Dec 31, 2021

dinge said:
Dear Mr Agraham and Mbed Android,
thanks for your swift answers. I have ordered the e-ink tablet and will report on the use of splitscreen mode with B4A according to your advice and tips.
Thanks again, greetings
Dinge
P.S: may take some weeks before I report back

Dear Mr Agraham , MrBed Android, B4Xer's
Received my Onyx Boox Note Air 2, have already written two small applications to test.
Works fine in split screen mode.

All it took was to add to the Manifest Editor
SetApplicationAttribute(android:resizableActivity, "true")

The splitscreen function works good. I can run the B4A app in horizontal or vertical splitscreen.
Can run two B4A app next to each other and interact on both.
One application sends via wifi the button pressed coordinates+data , which is used on a desktop PC program to run scripts and interact with running programs.
The other application is used to design icons on the boox tablet. ( canvas is very slow - splitscreen and full screen)
Both are not yet complete but are usable.
I can run splitscreen the B4A program and next to it use/take notes, read a pdf book, calendar memo.
Handy and long battery life usage.
One problem i have is as there is no sd card slot and the icon files are saved in the internal or external emulated storage , I cannot read from this directorys from another B4A application. Also the Documents, Pictures,Music, Download although directly usable from the tablet application itself and even when connected with usb cable to PC, is seen in the PC filebrowser and can be written,read,deleted but not readable from within the B4A application !!! No way to read from these other directorys. But that is another thread to be launched yet.

Greetings
Dinge

agraham · Jan 1, 2022

dinge said:
connected with usb cable to PC, is seen in the PC filebrowser and can be written,read,deleted but not readable from within the B4A application !!!

If it's for your own use and not for the the Play Store then target SDK30 and try this

Manage External Storage - access internal external storage >= SDK 30

Google seems intent on dumbing down Android to the point of uselessnes to me. I think of my devices as little computers and I want a proper file system on them, not the limited tortuous things that Google offers and that I don't understand, ContentChooser, FileProvider, ... o_O I'm getting old...

www.b4x.com

or taget SDK 28 and use

B4X:

    Dim rp As RuntimePermissions
    rp.CheckAndRequest(rp.PERMISSION_WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) ' Implicit read capability if granted
    Wait For Activity_PermissionResult (Permission As String, Result As Boolean)
    Log($"PERMISSION_WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE = ${Result}"$)

agraham · Jan 1, 2022

dinge said:
All it took was to add to the Manifest Editor
SetApplicationAttribute(android:resizableActivity, "true")

That shouldn't be necessary as it is the default assumed by Android anyway.

Android Question Does B4A support splitscreen mode ?

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