Google Nexus 7 Tablet: New Hack Unlocks Landscape Mode

By Johnny Wills | Jul 05, 2012 01:42 PM EDT

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Landing on this post, means you are familiar with the Nexus 7 tablet. Looking at any image or YouTube video of Nexus 7 tablet, you might have noticed that the homescreen is restricted to work in only one orientation - portrait mode. But the restless souls at XDA forums have found a way to unlock the other orientation and true tablet interface on the Nexus tablet.

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Landscape mode is essential requirement of a tablet. And, it is missing from the Nexus 7 tablet. As a result folks at ZDNet named it as "a large smartphone without the phone". Of course, apps and videos run in landscape mode, but pressing the home button lands you on portrait-oriented homescreen. We hope that Google gives an option for landscape mode by default, but that is not possible without an OTA update, which is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Android tablets are best for one thing - customization. And XDA Developers forum member SladeNoctis has found a way to unlock the complete landscape mode in Nexus 7 tablet with simple steps. The only requirement is a rooted Nexus 7 tablet and a file explorer with advanced features.

As discovered by the New York-based developer, here are the steps to unlock the landscape mode in Google Nexus tablet.

-> Get a file explorer such as Root Explorer or ES File Manager (go to settings allow mount rewritable and root access)

-> Then go to system(es file manager just go to the star button on the top left hand side and click on the phone button and you will see the system folder)

-> You will find a build.prop file make sure to make a copy of it and save it somewhere just in case for a backup.

-> Then click on the build.prop and open it with a text editor. (ES file manager has its own)

-> Now scroll down to "ro.sf.lcd_density", or something with lcd density(sorry im at work so i dont have my n7 with me)

-> Now the original lcd density is 213 so the best result for tablet mode is going 170 and below.

-> Save the file by press the menu button.

-> Reboot your N7 and then you got Tablet UI.

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